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With the Sendawara Sisters clinging to either of his arms, Sui could feel a headache coming on.
The other guests exchanged curious glances as they observed Sui.
'Who is this student that has caught the attention of both Sendawara Sisters?' they wondered.
They had recognized all the Elite Ten present but were certain Sui was not among them. The Sendawara Sisters were notorious for their bold behavior, but they were also known for having sharp eyes. Anyone who caught their interest was certainly no ordinary person.
'But why don't we know him?' they thought.
"They're always like this," Sui explained helplessly to Erina and Alice. "They're just trying to recruit me as a food consultant."
"Really? You're sure there's nothing more going on between you?" Erina asked, a trace of suspicion flashing in her eyes. She glanced from Sui to the Sendawara Sisters.
Though she had heard about their audacious behavior, seeing them interact with Sui made her uneasy.
"Of course," Sui reassured her.
"Sui-kun, have you made a decision yet? At least give me an answer," Orie cooed, her arms squeezing tighter around his, causing her ample chest to press against him provocatively.
"Are you two going a little too far?" Erina interjected, her irritation evident.
"Oh, Miss Nakiri?" Natsume asked with surprise. "Sui-kun may still be a student at Totsuki, but what he chooses to do after graduation is his own decision. Surely, Miss Nakiri can't control that?"
"Well, that's because I—I'm his... I'm his..." Erina stammered, her face turning crimson. She struggled to speak the words she wanted to say. Although she had already come to see Sui as her future husband in her heart, she couldn't bring herself to confess it in front of so many people.
"Haha, don't take it too seriously, Erina. That's just how Miss Orie is," Eishi said, stepping in with a laugh to diffuse the situation.
"Is... is that so?" Erina exhaled, relieved by Eishi's words.
"Miss Orie, maybe now isn't the best time to poach Sui. Let's give him a chance to finish this exam first, okay?" Eishi added with a smile.
Though reluctant, the Sendawara Sisters nodded in agreement. They valued Sui highly, not only because he was still a first-year but also because his skills were already on par with the Elite Ten. However, they still didn't know exactly where he stood among them, making this the perfect opportunity to gauge his level.
So far, the standouts were Eishi's red wine-braised bear paw, followed by Rindō's smoked bear meat.
"Well then, please enjoy the dishes prepared by these four students," Dojima Gin announced with a smile, introducing Sui, Erina, Alice, and Megumi as the ones responsible for the next dish.
"Wait, is this dish made by the legendary God's Tongue? I'm really looking forward to it!" Osaji Kita exclaimed in excitement.
The other guests also perked up at the mention of Erina. Naturally, they assumed the dish must have been made by her.
"No, this dish was primarily prepared by Sui. I only assisted," Erina quickly clarified.
"What? You only assisted?" The room fell silent for a moment as everyone turned to look at Sui, their expressions filled with surprise.
They had already been impressed by Sui, but to hear that Erina, the famed God's Tongue, had served as his assistant? Could it mean his culinary level surpassed even hers?
The Sendawara Sisters were equally astonished. While they had acknowledged Sui's immense potential, they hadn't expected him to rival Erina, who was so renowned for her abilities.
'Could he really be on par with the God's Tongue?' they thought, feeling their excitement grow.
"Please, enjoy," Sui said with a calm smile as the staff lifted the lid from the dish.
A burst of heat and a rich aroma swept across the room like a whirlwind, enveloping everyone in its enticing scent.
A beautifully presented Bear Stroganina garnished with cabbage, appeared before them.
"Bear Stroganina again?" The guests murmured in surprise. Eishi's French-style bear stroganina had already left a deep impression, so it was unexpected that Sui had also chosen to present the stroganina dish again. This direct comparison would certainly highlight any differences in their dishes.
"I wonder which one will be better," Natsume mused, her curiosity piqued.
"It has to be Eishi's," Osaji Kita said confidently without hesitation.
The others nodded in agreement. Even if this dish had God's Tongue involved, they couldn't imagine it surpassing Eishi's dish.
The other guests, filled with anticipation, began to taste the dish, curious to discover if this student's creation could indeed rival that of the God's Tongue.
The Bear Stroganina had been stewed until tender, breaking apart easily with a gentle prod from the chopsticks. Its golden fat glistened, releasing even more of its intoxicating fragrance.
The flavor was rich and plump, the meat melting in their mouths, moist and lasting, with a hint of bitterness perfectly balanced by sweetness.
"This flavor... it's incredible!" Osaji Kita's plump face turned bright red as the overwhelming deliciousness exploded on his palate, nearly bringing him to tears.
The other guests were similarly stunned, their faces flushed with surprise and awe.
"Could this really have been made by a student? It's so delicious!" they marveled, one after another.
"Yes," they all nodded in agreement.
"So... so delicious. That sweetness, could it be honey? And the slight bitterness... could it be ginseng?" Orie murmured, narrowing her eyes as her flushed cheeks reflected the overwhelming pleasure of the dish. Her body trembled ever so slightly, clearly conquered by the exquisite flavours.