"Wait, are you accepting interns this year?" Hinako asked, surprised.
Taki Tsunozaki, a graduate of the 88th class, had only been out of school for two years, while Sui belonged to the 92nd class, and Kobayashi Rindō and her peers were from the 90th. Sonoka Kikuchi, from the 89th class, had only graduated a year earlier.
"That's right. My intern is the champion of the Autumn Elections. He's only been working at my restaurant for a few days, but he's already earned the position of head chef through sheer skill," Taki said with a faint smile. "At this rate, it's only a matter of time before he becomes one of Totsuki's top chefs."
Hinako leaned in, and Sonoka whispered in her ear, "Taki-senpai is just here to brag."
"Hey! I can hear you!" Taki's face twitched with irritation, and she began slapping Sonoka's large breasts playfully, like bouncing a basketball. "It's rude to talk behind someone's back!"
Sonoka shrank back in mock defeat, retreating to a corner like a wounded puppy, wiping imaginary tears.
Sui couldn't help but glance at Sonoka's chest, swallowing nervously. 'Being able to smack those around like a basketball is quite the talent', he thought.
Sonoka was only about eighteen years old, a few years older than Megumi and her classmates, but her figure was impressively developed. Even Tohru from mythology would envy her, Sui mused.
"Oh, your personality is still as unbearable as ever. I can't believe someone like you can survive in a professional kitchen. Your social skills must be awful," Hinako sighed dramatically.
"Shut up. I'm not even thirty yet!" Taki retorted.
"I'm still in my twenties!" Hinako pouted, playfully hitting Taki with her tiny pink fists, feigning cuteness.
"What are you talking about? Stop acting cute, you old hag!" Taki growled in irritation.
"That's too much! I'm your senpai! Show some respect!" Hinako fumed.
As a graduate of the 80th class, Hinako was 27, in the prime of her life—mature and beautiful. However, her personality was still youthful and charming, making her the opposite of Taki, who was much younger but tried to appear overly serious and mature. The clash in their personalities often led to these little spats.
While Taki claimed she was just visiting, it was obvious she was here to show off.
"Come in," Taki said, motioning to the door.
A young man with long gray-blue hair and a calm expression entered the room.
"Hello, senpais," Akira Hayama greeted them with a polite bow.
"Ah, hello, Hayama-kun," Hinako smiled. As one of the judges in the Autumn Elections final, she remembered him well. "It must be tough interning at 'her' restaurant, right?"
"Not at all. Taki-senpai has given me a lot of guidance, and I've learned a great deal," Akira Hayama replied with a smile.
"See? My intern is polite 'and' talented. He's far better than any other intern you could have," Taki said proudly.
"He's just being polite," Sonoka muttered under her breath.
Taki heard the comment and began slapping Sonoka's chest again, clearly annoyed. The sight made Sui even more envious—'that must feel amazing', he thought.
"Oh, but my intern is far better than Hayama-kun," Hinako interjected with a smirk, raising a finger.
"Really? Making it to the top four is impressive, but it still can't compare to being the champion, can it?" Taki said, glancing at Megumi, vaguely recalling her performance in the competition.
"I'm not talking about Megumi-chan. I'm talking about Sui-kun," Hinako said with a proud grin, shaking her finger.
"Huh? Who's that?" Taki was momentarily stunned. Sui hadn't participated in the Autumn Elections, so she had no idea who he was. Even Sonoka seemed surprised.
"His name is Sui Mizushima. He's only been here for two days, and he's already creating his own dishes," Hinako said proudly, hugging Sui's arm.
"Wait, you've only been here for two days and you're already cooking your own food?" Taki and Sonoka looked at Sui in disbelief.
"Then why didn't we see him in the Final Four?" Taki asked. Someone this skilled should've made it to the semi-finals at least.
"Oh, I didn't participate in the Autumn Elections," Sui replied casually.
"But all top students are usually recommended by the Elite Ten. How could someone with your skill not be recommended?" Taki frowned, puzzled. The only exception had been Erina, but she was already one of the Elite Ten.
"Maybe because I've already defeated two of the Elite Ten?" Sui said nonchalantly, scratching his nose. If he counted the tsundere ones, that number would be three.
"You've beaten two of the Elite Ten?" Taki gasped, eyes wide with shock.
Sonoka was equally stunned. If that was true, it meant Sui's abilities were already on par with the Elite Ten, and he was destined to join their ranks soon—there was no need for him to participate in the Autumn Elections.
"Are there really people this talented in the first year?" Taki muttered under her breath, gritting her teeth. She had thought Akira Hayama would be the only one who could challenge the future of Totsuki, but now, Sui had appeared, just as formidable.
"Of course, my Sui-kun is the best," Hinako declared proudly, hugging Sui's arm even tighter, rubbing her ample chest against him. Sui was left speechless, feeling the softness.
Taki clenched her teeth, glaring at Hinako's smug expression. "Regardless, the Autumn Elections champion is still Hayama. He's officially the top student in the first year."
"What? My Sui-kun is clearly superior!" Hinako shot back.
"I still think Hayama is stronger!"
"No way! It's my Sui-kun!"
The two women started bickering furiously.
"In that case, why don't we settle this with a shokugeki?" Taki said, gritting her teeth in frustration.