Chapter 32: Alumni Banquet Feast
"To think that she'd go past 400 servings, truly amazing..."
A tall man with a female groove hairstyle spoke as he watched the screen where Tsuna stood casually in the middle, seemingly unfazed by the commotion around him as Alice and Erina kept bickering with each other.
He was Hiromi Sena, the Vice Chef De Cuisine of Totsuki Resort and Dojima's right-hand man.
"Quite the feat," Dojima responded with a nod.
They were currently monitoring the challenge from a dimly lit room with a screen displaying the main hall.
"And there's Alice Nakiri..."
Sena remarked while watching Alice fuming on the screen, "She managed to serve 380 portions this time. Both Nakiris are truly remarkable chefs..."
However, his attention soon shifted to Tsuna, who was calmly watching the scene unfold with an amused expression.
"He's the quickest to complete the challenge, but..."
Sena's voice trailed off, uncertain of how to articulate his thoughts about Tsuna.
They had all witnessed Tsuna's unconventional approach, starting with his unexpected detour to the treadmill earlier that morning.
"I guess we shouldn't have given him access to the treadmill this morning to see if it would change anything..."
"No, that wouldn't have made a difference," Dojima sighed, shaking his head in resignation.
His gaze lingered on Tsuna as he added, "He probably would have done the same thing and gone for a run outside..."
After serving 200 portions, the students were free to leave, and Dojima was certain of it.
As a morning person himself, he often encountered Tsuna out for a run when he went for his own morning jog. Even if they hadn't allowed Tsuna to use the treadmill, he would have found a way to fit in his morning run.
"Genius can be quite unpredictable sometimes," Chef Chappelle remarked with his usual stern expression.
"...Well, I guess being the fastest still earns him a spot in the upcoming election," Sena commented with a wry smile, glancing at the professional judges who were carefully reviewing their notes.
They formed the selection committee tasked with choosing the students who met the criteria to compete at the top level.
As the organizers of the Training Camp directly under Totsuki Academy, they had no authority over these judges, who operated under the Elite Ten Council's jurisdiction.
Dojima shook his head, his attention shifting to another student who had caught his eye.
"Oh? Seems like he's creative enough to complete the challenge..."
He observed Soma, who, after some initial struggles, managed to serve 200 customers with a bit of a showman's flair when he announced, "Soma Yukihira has completed 200 servings!"
"He's still unrefined, but he's interesting," Sena commented, eyeing the timer.
Just in time, the two-hour mark signaled the end of the breakfast challenge.
"For those of you who completed 200 servings, the next task is in four hours. You may rest until then," Dojima's announcement hit the students like a ton of bricks, leaving even those who barely made it feeling weak in the legs, almost ready to pass out.
"...I forgot this was a training camp for a second."
"I guess we celebrated too early..."
"Let's survive this..."
Murmurs of disbelief reverberated across the main hall as the reality sunk in. The Training Camp wasn't over yet, and they had to muster the strength to push through to the end.
Meanwhile, those who failed could only linger in their stations, feeling utterly defeated and dejected.
That day...
Despite the subsequent assignments being relatively easier compared to the grueling morning challenge, exhaustion weighed heavily on the students, making every task feel like an uphill battle.
Expulsions came swiftly, the number nearly doubling compared to the previous days combined.
Yet, amidst the chaos and fatigue, a resilient few gritted through, their determination kept them surviving.
"...I can't feel my legs at all."
"Mom? Is that you?"
"...Someone's lost his mind here, help!"
In the hotel lobby, where the survivors were gathered, murmurs of disbelief filled the air as they awaited further instructions.
"Fufu, seems like everyone's getting along well..."
"Young lady, are they really getting along?"
Alice observed the struggling students with an amused smile, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Still, Ryo was oblivious to her sarcasm.
"Mou! How gullible! Of course, they're not!" Her mood shifted abruptly, her playful demeanor replaced by irritation.
Arms crossed, she huffed, "You're so dumb, Ryo-baka!"
"Even Ito-kun should know what I meant, right...Huh?"
Alice turned to Tsuna, only to find herself speechless.
"...148...149...Done..."
Tsuna casually completed one-handed push-ups, eliciting eye rolls from those around him.
"...That guy is definitely not human, Nichan," Isami commented, to which Takumi nodded in approval.
"As expected of my rival!"
"..."
Isami looked at Takumi, at a loss for words.
It seemed being acknowledged by Tsuna as his rival turned his brother into a bit of a fool, prompting Isami to sigh.
"Why are you doing push-ups? Can't you see everyone's exhausted? You're clearly mocking them! Ito-baka!"
Alice's accusation rang out, her finger pointed accusingly at Tsuna.
"Shh... Stop screaming around..."
Tsuna hushed her, gently pressing a finger to her lips.
Alice's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Still, seeing Dojima walk up to the stage, she looked away with a scoff, "Hmph, we'll continue this discussion later!"
"A word before we get started. At this point, 352 students have dropped out, and around 628..."
Dojima's voice reverberated across the lobby as everyone looked at each other after hearing those numbers.
Only about 200 students had dropped out in the last couple of days, but more than a hundred were dropped out today because of the breakfast challenge and its aftereffects.
"Oh? They are truly strict about their seedlings, huh?"
Tsuna observed as Dojima began his inspiring speech, telling the students to use the experience to further their culinary journey.
He smiled and continued, "Now, we will start the last program of this training camp..."
"...!"
Everyone gulped and turned to look at the main hall door, which suddenly burst open.
However...
"Welcome!"
"Eh?"
They blinked in confusion as Dojima's voice continued, "The last program is a small banquet to celebrate the completion of your training..."
"Whoa!"
"What in the world?"
They could see the alumni of Totsuki Culinary Academy, who had been supervising their training, waiting for them, and they exclaimed in surprise.
"...a full-course meal prepared by the alumni!"
Dojima ended his speech, and the students' faces lit up with happiness as the staff then guided them to enter.
"What timing, it just so happens that I'm hungry..."
Tsuna walked in and was guided to a circular table, where he sat down with Alice and Ryo by his side.
Unexpectedly, Erina and Hisako seemed to be sitting at the same table as well, and tension suddenly ignited.
"...!"
Alice puffed her cheeks and stared annoyedly at Erina, who responded with a smug smile.
"There you are, Ito. I'm looking for you..."
A voice called out as Tsuna turned to see Shinomiya approaching, bringing something to the table.
"Hmm? You prepared something for me?"
"Yeah..."
Shinomiya then placed it down and opened up the lid, revealing a bed of mixed salad greens, adding color and texture to the plate, "This is a dish I made after some thought. Let me see what you think..."
"I know you don't like vegetables, but I assure you this won't taste sad..."
He continued, showing a jar of white powder from his pocket, which made Tsuna smile as he nodded.
Surrounding this base are slices of crisp bacon, golden and crunchy, and nestled in between are layers of delicate savoy cabbage leaves, offering a touch of sophistication.
It was certainly a perfect presentation.
"..."
However, Alice and Ryo could only look at each other in silence upon seeing the jar of white powder that Shinomiya showed Tsuna, feeling their lips twitch with speechlessness.
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