"Haha, Sui, you've beaten me to it this time! Looks like I need to step up my game," Sōma said, laughing as he approached Sui and Momo Akanegakubo. He turned to Momo and added, "I hope you'll remember my name too. I'm Soma Yukihira…"
However, Momo didn't even glance in his direction. She turned and walked away, leaving Soma standing there awkwardly.
Sui shrugged, then looked at the remaining butterfly cakes. "Let's all enjoy the leftover desserts together."
"Absolutely!" Yoshino was the first to jump in. In truth, she had wanted to devour the pastries since they came out of the oven and was eager to finally get the chance.
"I won't hold back either," Ryoko said with a smile.
And so, the group of four—along with Soma Yukihira, who had wandered over for the free food—dug into the butterfly pastries.
"This texture is incredible! I had no idea you were so skilled at making desserts, Sui!" Soma exclaimed, Thoroughly impressed.
"You're really amazing!" Ryoko echoed, her face full of admiration.
"Megumi, how about we switch partners? I'm so envious that you get to eat such delicious food in every class," Yoshino said, her mouth full as she spoke.
"No!" Megumi replied with a soft smile.
In every class, Sui and Megumi would habitually make extra food, and after the instructor sampled the dish, they'd eat the leftovers, not wanting anything to go to waste.
---
"Did you hear? A first-year actually beat Akanegakubo-senpai in a dessert class!"
"What? No way! Even Tsukasa -senpai wouldn't claim he could outdo Akanegakubo-senpai in desserts!"
"It's true! That first-year student is the transfer student who defeated Eizan -senpai. Of course, Akanegakubo didn't use her full strength, but still…"
"That's incredible!"
As Sui left the classroom, he overheard students from other classes excitedly discussing his victory over Momo. In no time, the news of his win had spread like wildfire among the first-years.
Soon after, Sui spotted Erina exiting another building.
"Erina, want to grab dinner together?" Sui called out.
"Dinner… together? A date?" Erina's face flushed pink. As she hesitated, Hisako chimed in with a playful smile, "Erina-sama, I'll leave you two to it. Enjoy your date with Sui!"
"Wait! Hisako!" Erina tried to protest, but Hisako walked off without giving her a chance to respond.
"Well, since you're my girlfriend, it's only natural for us to have dinner together, right?" Sui teased.
"Who said I was your girlfriend? I only agreed temporarily because I had no choice!" Erina quickly retorted, her face turning a deeper shade of red. "Besides, one of my senpai invited me to lunch today. You can join us if you'd like."
It wasn't uncommon for the Elite Ten members to have meals together after meetings.
"That works too," Sui agreed with a nod.
The pair headed toward the Rare Food Research Institute, where Sui usually kept Jelly Eggs, milk, and other ingredients.
To their surprise, Nao Sadatsuka was there as well. Lately, she had been frequenting the research institute. Today, she was dressed in the Tōtsuki school uniform, her jet-black hair neatly tied back, revealing her fair and delicate face. She looked bright and cheerful, a stark contrast to her usual gloomy appearance.
Nao greeted them politely.
"Wait… Nao Sadatsuka? Is that really you?" Erina asked, her eyes widening in disbelief. In her memory, Nao had always been dark and brooding. How had she become so radiant?
"Yes, it's me," Nao replied with a nod, her gaze subtly drifting to Sui, a slight blush creeping across her cheeks.
Erina couldn't shake the feeling that there was something going on between Sui and Nao. She watched them closely, suspicious.
Afterward, Sui grabbed a Jelly Egg, and together with Erina, they made their way to the Chinese Cuisine Research Society, led by Kuga. The society was housed in a grand building styled like a Chinese palace, reflecting its prestigious status. Among all the research societies, the Chinese Cuisine Research Society was one of the most powerful, with substantial monthly funding.
"Good afternoon, Miss Erina!" A row of bald men greeted Erina in unison as they entered.
Erina blushed slightly, feeling a bit flustered. "I can't help but think my senior's taste in followers is a bit… unique," she murmured, slightly embarrassed.
"I see," Sui said with a chuckle.
"Hey, Erina! You're here! And… oh, it's that guy," Kuga called out, grinning as he saw them approach. Behind him were Kobayashi Rindō, Momo Akanegakubo, and Tōsuke Megishima.
"Hey, Erina-chan! Did you bring your boyfriend for dinner?" Rindō greeted them cheerfully.
"Boyfriend?!" Erina immediately felt her face heat up, her mood souring.
Kuga Terunori, Momo Akanegakubo, and the others turned to Sui in surprise.
"W-What are you saying? I don't have a boyfriend!" Erina shouted in a flustered panic.
"But wait… didn't Yoshino from the Polar Star Dorm mention that you two were dating last night?" Rindō asked in confusion.
At that moment, Erina wished she could strangle Yoshino for her big mouth.
---
Meanwhile, at Polar Star Dormitory:
"Achoo!" Yoshino sneezed mid-bite.
"Are you coming down with something?" Megumi asked, concerned.
"Or maybe someone's talking about you behind your back," Ryoko teased.
"No way! I'm way too friendly for anyone to badmouth me," Yoshino replied confidently, brushing off the idea.
---
"Anyway, let's eat," Erina said, trying to regain her composure. She took a deep breath and pushed away her growing frustration toward Yoshino.
"Yes. By the way, there are a few culinary matters I'd like to consult with God's Tongue on," Tōsuke Megishima, the third-seat of the Elite Ten, said.
"I have some questions too," Kuga added with a nod.
Just then, Sui received a new task.