Chapter 94: Training Camp (6)

If Dojima Gin remembered correctly, the record for completing fifty dishes during the Rapport Training Camp was forty minutes. Sui, however, had done it in just over twenty minutes, effectively halving the time! 

Such an astounding display of physical stamina and control over his cooking!

"Another prodigy?" 

He muttered to himself.

"Now that I think about it, a year ago there was another student who completed fifty dishes quickly — Isshiki Satoshi." Dojima Gin smiled slightly. "But you're much faster than him."

"How about we arm wrestle?" he suggested.

"Arm wrestle?" Sui was taken aback.

"Yeah, it's a good way to exercise. I like to stay active while I'm in the bath. What do you think?" Dojima Gin grinned, but in truth, he wanted to gauge Sui's strength.

Sui hesitated. "Uh... no thanks."

The thought of arm wrestling with a muscular man in the bath didn't appeal to him. But arm wrestling with someone like a tsundere? Now that, he might consider.

"Alright," Dojima Gin sighed in mild disappointment.

"By the way, I heard from Senzaemon-dono that you're dating Erina now?" he asked, recalling something.

"Well, kind of," Sui nodded.

"How interesting," Dojima Gin chuckled. With Erina's God Tongue, everyone expected her to become an unbeatable force in the academy. No one imagined that anyone could tame such a powerhouse.

At that moment, Sōma walked into the bathhouse.

"Yo! Sui, you're ahead of me again," Soma greeted nonchalantly. But when he noticed the imposing Dojima Gin, his carefree demeanor froze.

"There are so many talented people in this class," Gin said, flexing like a bodybuilder. "Why don't we all exercise together?"

Sōma was petrified.

Sui, uninterested in seeing three men work out in a bath, stood up. "I'll be leaving first."

As he exited the bathhouse, he suddenly collided with something soft and warm — Erina.

With a soft gasp, Erina fell to the floor. The moment she saw Sui, she quickly covered her chest, glaring at him. "Can't you be more careful when walking?"

"Sorry, I didn't see you," Sui said awkwardly, offering his hand to help her up.

Erina hesitated but eventually accepted, allowing Sui to pull her to her feet.

She soon noticed Sui glancing her over, and her cheeks flushed. Covering herself instinctively, she asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Why are you so shy? Haven't I seen you after your bath every day?" Sui replied, bewildered.

"Wh-what are you saying?!" Erina's face turned a deep crimson, her frustration growing as her grip tightened.

"By the way, have you finished cooking for fifty people?" Sui asked, changing the subject.

"Of course! It's just a routine task for me. It took me a little over thirty minutes." Erina puffed up with pride. "And you?"

"I didn't really keep track of the time. Around twenty minutes, I think," Sui said thoughtfully.

He hadn't paid attention to the exact time.

Erina's smugness instantly vanished. She huffed indignantly, "Being fast doesn't mean anything."

Just then, Hisako approached. Sui waved and said, "Well, I'll be heading out."

As he left, Erina clenched her fists and muttered under her breath, "He beat me by ten minutes!"

Later, after her bath, Erina was in high spirits. This time, she wouldn't have to share a bathroom with Sui, which was a relief. She couldn't stand the sight of him wandering around her room in a bathrobe every evening after his shower.

"Hisako, did you bring the playing cards?" Erina asked, looking to her assistant.

"Yes, I got them from the front desk," Hisako nodded.

A satisfied smile spread across Erina's face. It had been a great day.

That is, until they reached the room.

"Wait a second... why is this a double room?" Erina asked in confusion. "Is Hisako staying with me?"

"Uh, I don't think so..." Hisako replied, just as confused.

"Really? I'm sure there were plenty of single rooms available. So who's supposed to be my roommate?" Erina wondered aloud.

"This is outrageous!" Hisako fumed. "How could they treat Erina-sama like this? Even if there weren't enough single rooms, she shouldn't be forced to share!"

"Let it go, Hisako. They probably just assigned the double room to me alone," Erina sighed, resigning herself to the situation.

At that moment, a familiar voice rang out from the doorway.

"Hey, Erina! Hisako! Why are you in my room?"

Sui walked in, looking just as surprised as the girls.

"Your room?" Erina's expression shifted to one of disbelief.

"Yeah, this is definitely my room," Sui confirmed, glancing at the room number.

"Who... who arranged this?" Erina felt an impending sense of dread.

Just then, the phone rang. Hisako quickly picked it up. "It's the commander-in-chief."

Erina grabbed the phone. "Grandfather, why is Sui in my room?"

Senzaemon's hearty laughter echoed on the other end. "Haha! Don't worry, Erina. I thought the two of you might not adjust well to being apart, so I made sure you'd be rooming together."

Erina froze, disbelief washing over her. "But why—?"

"Come now, I may be old, but I understand the ways of young people! Just make sure no one ends up dead, alright?" Senzaemon chuckled before hanging up.

Erina stood there, speechless. "Q—Q"

Hisako, sensing the awkwardness, hesitated before speaking. "Erina-sama, I can't comment on emotional matters, but... are you two quarreling?"

"What?! We're not like that!" Erina's face flushed bright red as she tried to explain.

"But Erina, didn't you agree to be my girlfriend?" Sui asked innocently.