The first class of the day was the dessert class.
Ms. Juliet, the dessert instructor, entered the classroom. She was an elegant middle-aged woman who exuded a refined, aristocratic aura.
"You'll be taking this dessert class alongside third-year seniors," Ms. Juliet announced with a smile as she walked in.
"What? Third-year seniors?!"
"No way…"
The classroom immediately erupted in chatter. In Tōtsuki, which operates on a brutal elimination system, the strength gap between junior and senior students was enormous. Any student who survived to the third year was considered a master.
This also meant there were very few third-year students left. In some years, only a single-digit number of seniors managed to make it this far.
"Sui-kun, what should we do?" Megumi asked in a panic, her face paling as she instinctively moved closer to Sui.
Just then, six third-year students entered the classroom. The moment the students spotted one of them—a petite girl with short purple hair, holding a teddy bear—their expressions turned to shock, as though they'd just seen a terrifying demon.
"It's Akanegakubo-senpai!"
"No way! Why is she in our class?!"
"We're doomed… there's no way we can win now!"
The cute girl with short purple hair was none other than Momo Akanegakubo, the fourth seat of Tōtsuki's Elite Ten, and she was renowned for her prowess in making desserts.
Megumi, already anxious, nearly fainted from fright. If Sui hadn't supported her, she might have collapsed on the spot.
"The reason I invited third-year students to this class is to show you the stark difference between you and your seniors," Ms. Juliet said coldly. "In my class, there are only two grades: A and E."
"You'll form groups of four and challenge any senior. If you can surpass their dessert, you'll receive an A. If you fail, you'll get an E."
"No way!"
"This is impossible!"
"Ms. Juliet, can't you change the assignment?" the students pleaded, their voices filled with desperation.
Even with four students working together, they stood no chance against the third-years!
"Sui, please save us!"
At this point, some of the quicker-witted students began flocking to Sui for help. He was known as a top student, having defeated Eizan Etsuya, who was ranked ninth among the Elite Ten.
Before long, most of the class was gathered around Sui, pleading.
"Sui-san, please let me join your group!"
"I'll buy you lunch for a month!"
"Three months! Please, Sui-kun, I can't afford to get another E!"
Sui was momentarily speechless. But seeing his classmates' sincere pleas, he ignored them and chose Ryoko and Yoshino to join his group.
"Sui, you've got a heart after all. You didn't forget about us," Yoshino said, patting him on the shoulder with a relieved smile.
"Thank goodness, I won't be getting an E today," Ryoko added, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Hey, you're the first-year who beat Eizan, right?"
A cold voice suddenly cut through the conversation. Several third-year students were now eyeing Sui with unfriendly expressions.
"Yeah, that's me. Can I help you?" Sui responded calmly.
"Hmph, nothing much," one of the seniors sneered, "just some advice from your senior—don't get too full of yourself."
Although Eizan was a second-year student, the third-year students couldn't help but feel upset seeing a first-year defeat one of their peers so easily.
"The Elite Ten must really be watered down this year. How could someone ranked ninth lose to a first-year? Maybe it's time for a reshuffle," another third-year remarked coolly, clearly eyeing a position in the Elite Ten themselves.
At that moment, Momo Akanegakubo walked over, her face expressionless. The arrogant third-years instantly fell silent, as if they were standing before a terrifying monster.
"S-sorry, Akanegakubo-senpai! We weren't talking about you!" they stammered, visibly shaken.
But Momo ignored them, her attention fixed on Sui. "You're the one who beat Eizan?"
Her voice was soft, almost sweet, but it carried an undercurrent of disdain. Momo, known for her love of cute things, often used cutesy language as a form of mockery.
"Yes, Akanegakubo-senpai," Sui replied.
Beside him, Megumi, Yoshino, and Ryoko looked tense, fearing that she might be here to avenge Eizan.
However, she merely commented, "That guy Eizan was pretty pathetic," before turning and walking away.
"Phew…" Yoshino let out a breath of relief.
"But..." Megumi hesitated.
"Yeah, she didn't take us seriously at all," Sui said, nodding. Although Momo Akanegakubo hadn't said much, her indifference was clear.
"What's so great about being in the Elite Ten anyway? Sui, you'll definitely make it into the Elite Ten someday!" Ryoko declared indignantly.
Sui smiled and said, "Let's start making our dessert, then."
"Okay!" Megumi nodded eagerly. "What should we make?"
"What kind of dessert do you like?" Sui asked.
"Cream cake!" Yoshino replied, licking her lips.
"Hmm, I prefer butterfly cakes. I don't like desserts that are too heavy," Megumi said thoughtfully.
"Then we'll make butterfly cakes," Sui decided with a smile.
"Unfair!" Yoshino pouted in mock disappointment.
The four of them then got to work on the butterfly cakes.
"Yoshino, you handle gathering the ingredients."
"Megumi, you're in charge of beating the eggs."
"Ryoko, start rolling the butter into thin flakes."
As Sui gave directions, he began kneading the dough himself.
Time passed quickly, and after an hour, the class began finishing their dishes one by one.