The elderly man, Fumio Takahashi, smiled at Sui, exuding warmth and a sense of familiarity, much like a mentor gazing upon a favored pupil. Sui returned the smile, feeling a similar fondness for the old man.
Takahashi Airi, standing nearby, frowned. Her sharp gaze settled on Sui. "These are your results this year?" she asked sternly. "Have you won any competitions?"
The principal glanced nervously at Sui, who answered with a calm but honest, "No."
Takahashi Airi's expression hardened. "Without even placing in a competition, how can we measure your talent?"
The principal, taken aback, stammered, "Sui, you didn't participate in any competitions?"
Sui shook his head. "No."
Quickly recovering, the principal attempted to salvage the situation. "Although Sui hasn't entered any competitions, he's the honorary chef at Kagura Sakaya, and his dishes sell for over 20,000 yuan each. Even renowned food critics admire him."
Takahashi Airi remained unconvinced, her skepticism clear. "An honorary chef? At his age? And 20,000 yuan per dish? That's hard to believe."
Even she, having ranked in the top tier of the Japan Youth Chef Competition, hadn't achieved such heights. The idea that Sui, still so young, could be an honorary chef at a prestigious restaurant seemed ludicrous.
But Takahashi Fumio simply chuckled. "That's quite impressive," he remarked, amused.
"Grandpa, you can't seriously believe this. It sounds like something made up to secure next year's funding," Airi retorted, her tone icy.
The principal's face flushed, but Takahashi Fumio, ever kind, reassured them all. "I trust Principal Izayoi wouldn't fabricate such claims." His eyes twinkled. "Now, could we ask these two students to cook something for me? I'd love to taste their skills."
The principal and vice-principal both looked eagerly at Sui.
Sui sighed, seeing no way out. After all, the chairman had personally requested it, and the principal—who happened to be the class president's father—seemed desperate.
Before Sui could respond, Airi interrupted. "Wait. Are these two really your school's top students?"
The principal, slightly confused by her persistence, nodded. "Yes, they are."
Airi's gaze sharpened. "What about the girl with the blonde hair?"
The principal furrowed his brow. "Blonde hair? We have quite a few students with blonde hair. Which one are you referring to?"
"The beautiful one," Airi clarified, her tone impatient.
Yuzuki, who had remained silent until now, seemed to catch on. "Are you referring to the girl in the floral dress with the red high heels?" she asked, casting a knowing glance at Sui.
Airi's face lit up. "Yes, that's the one."
The principal blinked in surprise. "Do you know her, Yuzuki?"
"She's Sui's girlfriend," Yuzuki answered with a smile. "But she's not a student at this school."
Airi raised an eyebrow. "His girlfriend?"
Her eyes darted to Sui, sizing him up once more. It seemed improbable, but perhaps there was more to him than she first thought.
Sui, now more than a little puzzled, wondered why Airi was so interested in Erina. Could it be that they knew each other?
Leaving the office, Sui found Erina still waiting patiently outside.
"Sorry for the wait," he said apologetically. "If you're tired, you can rest in my classroom."
"It's fine," Erina replied, smiling. "I'll wait for you."
Sui gently patted her head. "It won't take much longer."
Blushing at the public display of affection, Erina felt both shy and secretly delighted. Whispers quickly spread among the onlookers.
"Is this the legendary head pat?" a boy muttered in awe.
"What's the relationship between them?" another wondered aloud.
Yuzuki remained composed as always. "Shall we?" she said calmly to Sui.
The two went to prepare their dishes. Sui already had something in mind—a dish that had impressed many in the past.
An hour later, they returned to the office with their creations.
Fumio Takahashi beamed. "Finally! I've been looking forward to this."
Before him, a small table was set up, complete with utensils. Yuzuki presented her dish first. "Pan-seared salmon," she announced confidently.
Takahashi Fumio tasted it and nodded in approval. "Delicious! Well done," he praised.
Yuzuki smiled at the chairman's compliment, feeling proud of her progress. However, Takahashi Airi remained unimpressed. "For a student, it's decent. But it's not exceptional."
Fumio chuckled. "Forgive my granddaughter. She tends to speak her mind."
"I'm just being honest," Airi replied, folding her arms.
The tension in the room thickened, and the principal silently prayed that Sui's dish would live up to the hype.
"This is Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic," Sui said, presenting his dish.
"Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic?" Airi's face darkened. "You're serving that to my grandfather? Don't you know he can't handle spicy food?"
Sui hesitated, realizing he hadn't considered the chairman's age and dietary needs.
The principal's face turned pale and wanted to apologise, but before he could apologise, Sui spoke confidently. "Please, Mr. Takahashi, try it. I promise you won't be disappointed."
Seeing his confidence, Takahashi Fumio smiled warmly. "I trust you," he said, picking up his fork.
Sui's dish was made using high-quality ingredients with healing properties. It wasn't just food—it was nourishment that could reinvigorate the elderly chairman.