Haruto and Sakaki Ryoko hadn’t ridden very far before they encountered Tadokoro Megumi and Yoshino Yuki, who were also on bicycles and heading back to the Polar Star Dormitory.
Seeing Haruto and Sakaki Ryoko riding together on the same bike, surprised expressions appeared on both of their faces.
“lloyd san is moving into the Polar Star Dormitory but didn’t have a means of transportation prepared, so I’m giving him a lift.”
Sakaki Ryoko explained calmly as she looked at Tadokoro Megumi and Yoshino Yuki.
Hearing this, Tadokoro Megumi and Yoshino Yuki nodded in understanding.
The distance was indeed quite far.
“I didn’t expect you to be moving into the Polar Star Dormitory too, lloyd san!”
Megumi’s tone was full of surprise, which quickly turned into worry.
“But… the entrance cooking test for Polar Star Dormitory is very difficult.”
Even if it was a dormitory arranged by the academy, to actually live in the Polar Star Dormitory, one had to pass the entrance cooking test administered by the manager, Aunt Fumio Daimidō.
And Aunt Wenshu’s testing standards were exceptionally high.
It had taken her three months to pass back then.
Because of this, not many students managed to successfully pass the test and move into the Polar Star Dormitory.
At this time of day, if one failed to pass, they would have no choice but to camp out in the Polar Star Dormitory’s courtyard for the night.
Haruto glanced at Tadokoro Megumi and gave a slight smile.
“Well, I still have some confidence in my cooking skills.”
Seeing Haruto’s confident look, Tadokoro Megumi and Yoshino Yuki exchanged glances, momentarily unsure of what to say.
Mainly, they had no understanding of Haruto’s cooking level at all.
However, since he could pass the Transfer Student Exam, he shouldn’t be too bad…
“In that case, we can have a proper celebration for our new member’s arrival tonight!”
Sakaki Ryoko said with a beaming smile.
Hearing this, Yoshino Yuki looked Haruto and Sakaki Ryoko over thoughtfully, her eyes darting around before she asked curiously.
“Oh? It seems Ryoko has a lot of confidence in lloyd san.”
“Is it because his performance in the cooking class today was outstanding?”
Sakaki Ryoko nodded without hesitation.
“It was indeed outstanding.”
“Even though he had never made French Pan-Seared Foie Gras before, lloyd san’s technique was smooth and fluid, without a single mistake.”
“Even I can’t compare to his mastery over the heat.”
Haruto had a humble smile on his face as he waved his hand.
“I’m still far from it; I’m just slightly more sensitive to heat control. In other areas, I still have much to learn.”
Yoshino Yuki sized Haruto up with great interest, becoming increasingly curious about his cooking skills.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she looked at Haruto and asked.
“By the way, lloyd san, have you prepared the ingredients for the entrance test?”
“If you haven’t, for Ryoko’s sake, I can give you a Polaris Chicken!”
Polaris Chickens were actually free-range chickens raised by Yoshino Yuki herself in the Polar Star Dormitory courtyard.
The meat was firm and springy with a rich flavor, perfect for cooking.
“As for the ingredients, I’ve already prepared them.”
Haruto smiled and answered calmly.
Since he knew he was moving into the Polar Star Dormitory, Haruto was naturally prepared and wouldn’t go as far as to trouble others for the test ingredients.
Hearing this, Yoshino Yuki didn’t say anything more…
Just then, Sakaki Ryoko seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to Tadokoro Megumi with a hint of curiosity in her tone.
“Speaking of which, Megumi, weren’t you grouped with that transfer student named Yukihira Soma today?”
“How was that Yukihira classmate’s performance today?”
Haruto’s performance was already so outstanding that it made Sakaki Ryoko inevitably curious about the strength of Yukihira Soma, who was also a transfer student.
Upon hearing the name ‘Yukihira Soma,’ the smile on Tadokoro Megumi’s face froze instantly, and her expression became somewhat subtle.
After a pause, she spoke with difficulty.
“Yukihira-kun’s cooking level… is indeed very high.”
This was the truth; the talent and creativity Yukihira Soma showed in cooking were truly amazing.
However, Megumi immediately changed the subject.
“But Yukihira-kun’s personality is just terrible.”
Thinking of the squid tentacles marinated in honey that Yukihira Soma made…
Megumi felt uncomfortable all over; the taste was truly dreadful.
It was almost as if her body was being wantonly bullied.
Seeing the complex expression on Tadokoro Megumi’s face, Haruto instantly guessed the reason.
She had most likely fallen victim to Yukihira Soma’s Dark Cuisine.
Speaking of this kind of twisted hobby, Yukihira Soma had practically inherited it from his old man.
Back in the day, Joichiro Yukihira had often ‘poisoned’ a certain innocent girl with those strange dishes, leaving her with psychological shadows she could never forget for the rest of her life.
Haruto looked at Tadokoro Megumi, his eyes full of pity.
“That guy Yukihira’s personality is indeed terrible sometimes.”
Just imagining the taste of those Dark Cuisines made Haruto’s stomach churn.
But!
For Tadokoro Megumi, this was only the beginning.
After all, Yukihira Soma was also going to live in the Polar Star Dormitory.
In the days to come, Megumi would probably not be able to avoid frequently taste-testing ‘Dark Cuisine’.
Such a future was simply bleak and devoid of light.
He just didn’t know why he felt a bit like laughing…
“Could it be… lloyd san, you’ve tasted it too?”
Tadokoro Megumi suddenly looked up at Haruto, a trace of imperceptible little joy hidden in her tone.
She probably felt that since she wasn’t the only one who had been ‘poisoned,’ she felt strangely comforted.
“Not at all, I refused directly,”
Haruto said calmly.
Earlier, Yukihira Soma had invited him to taste a so-called ‘prototype’.
But Haruto, who was already well aware of the Yukihira father and son’s tricks, had refused flatly without a second thought.
“I see…”
Tadokoro Megumi’s shoulders slumped instantly, her tone full of disappointment.
She thought she had found a companion in misfortune, but in the end, she was still the only one who had been ‘poisoned’.
“What is it, what is it? Hurry up and tell us!”
Yoshino Yuki urged as she looked at Tadokoro Megumi; she was really curious.
Not just her, but Sakaki Ryoko beside her also looked at Tadokoro Megumi curiously, clearly having her interest piqued as well.
Unable to withstand Yoshino Yuki’s persistent pestering, Tadokoro Megumi had no choice but to blush and whisper the story of how Yukihira Soma ‘invited’ her to eat Honey-marinated Squid Tentacles, emphasizing the bizarre taste of the tentacles.
After hearing Tadokoro Megumi’s ‘tragic encounter’.
Yoshino Yuki and Sakaki Ryoko exchanged glances, their eyes instantly filled with deep sympathy for Tadokoro Megumi.
This experience was indeed terrible enough.
Honey-marinated Squid Tentacles—just thinking about it was enough to know how awful the taste must be.