"Oh ho~!"
A loud cheer echoed from the Polaris Dormitory, accompanied by a heavy thud as someone landed from a jump. The door to Room 303 on the third floor burst open with a bang.
In Room 302 next door, Megumi Tadokoro, who was quietly reading at her desk, jumped at the sudden noise. Her carbon pen fell with a clatter, and she shrank back on her chair like a startled rabbit, cautiously turning her head toward the creaking door.
"Um, Soma-kun, is there something wrong?" she asked timidly.
Soma Yukihira casually strolled out of his room, scratching his red hair and grinning widely. "Hey, Megumi, I need your help with something."
His smiling face leaned close to the trembling Megumi, who couldn't help but shiver at the familiar grin.
"Soma-kun, I really don't want to taste-test your experimental dishes!" she stammered. "The peanut butter-grilled octopus last time was too much for me!~~"
"Don't worry, don't worry."
Soma slapped Megumi's shoulder reassuringly, still smiling brightly. "This time, I just want to host a banquet, and I need your help."
"Of course, heh heh heh~"
He looked out the window at the green leaves with a gleam of anticipation. "I'm also really looking forward to what that group of people will say about my experimental dishes. They seem like they might have devilish taste buds or something."
"Soma, you're hosting a banquet?"
Two twin buns appeared at the door as Yuki Yoshino peeked her head in energetically. Staring at Soma's wide grin, she asked curiously, "Did something good happen to you? Everyone's birthday is still far off, so why a banquet now?"
As she spoke, a flurry of footsteps approached. Dormitory manager Fumio Daimido stormed into the room, hands on her hips and an angry expression on her face.
She raised a hand and rapped Soma's head sharply. "Soma, how many times have I told you not to make such loud noises upstairs! Are you a fish? Do you never learn?!"
"Haha, sorry, Grandma Fumio," Soma said, rubbing his head apologetically. "I just got too excited."
Skillfully apologizing, Soma's eyes lit up as he noticed the gathering dorm members at the door.
"Perfect! Everyone's here!"
In a flash, Soma dashed to the doorway, addressing the puzzled group. "I was planning to invite you all one by one, but since you're all here, let's get started right away!"
"Soma, are you half-asleep? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Yuki Yoshino placed a hand on Soma's forehead, looking worried. "Are you running a fever?"
"Relax, I'm full of energy right now!" Soma replied enthusiastically, tying a white headband around his forehead with gusto.
"Oh~! Soma's in battle mode!" said Zenji Marui, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully.
"Haha, what's going on here? Everyone's gathered so early in the morning."
The oldest dorm member, Satoshi Isshiki, appeared from above, clad in nothing but an apron. His half-closed eyes opened slightly as he looked at Soma, who was brimming with enthusiasm.
Slurping his seafood noodles, Isshiki's cheeks flushed as he savored the taste. The other dorm members wore a variety of expressions, all clearly mesmerized by the dish.
"A brand-new flavor, a whole new culinary experience," Isshiki commented, his eyes opening fully as he regarded Soma with a smile. "Soma, your new dish is truly exceptional. I've never tasted anything like it."
"Thank you for the feedback, Senpai," Soma replied smoothly, untying his headband and wrapping it around his wrist. "Sorry for the rough presentation!"
"Now, can I count on you all to help with the banquet preparations?" Soma leaned over the table, his expression earnest. "This banquet is really important to me. I'm counting on you all!"
Isshiki's eyes narrowed again as he rested his chin on his hands. "Soma, you said you invited some friends to tonight's banquet, but you're only starting the preparations now. Leaving aside whether there's enough time, you haven't even gotten approval from the academy, have you?"
"Eh?!" Soma froze, looking baffled at Isshiki's words. "Do I need the academy's approval to hold a banquet in the dorms?!"
"Ah~"
Ryoko Sakaki, finally recovered from the culinary daze, placed her hands on her head in exasperation. "I knew it. There's no way Soma would think about applying for something like that."
She stared sternly at Soma. "Totsuki Academy isn't a place outsiders can enter easily, let alone host a banquet. There's not enough time, no venue, and you don't even have the ingredients. This banquet idea is impossible."
"Eh~!"
Soma groaned dramatically, his expression falling. "I worked so hard to make this happen..."
He gazed dejectedly at the fish in his seafood noodles. "There are so many unknown ingredients waiting to be discovered, and now it feels like I'll lose them all!"
"No way!"
Soma's eyes blazed with determination as he stood. "For the sake of those unknown ingredients, I'll go talk to the Headmaster!"
"Unknown ingredients~?"
Isshiki murmured thoughtfully, his interest piqued. Eyeing the unique texture of the fish in Soma's dish, he smiled faintly.
"I think I've stumbled upon something interesting." Swallowing another bite, Isshiki's face relaxed, and he stood up to join Soma. "I'll come with you, Soma. These unknown ingredients you mentioned have caught my attention."
"Really?!"
Soma beamed at Isshiki's support. "Thank you so much, Senpai! Let's head out right away!"
"We'll join you as well," a new voice called out, surprising everyone in the room.
Hiroshi entered, holding Ruri Gokou's hand, and waved at the stunned group with a warm smile.
"Good morning, everyone."