Decisive battle?

　　"If you have read the itinerary, you will already know... This exchange meeting is different from previous exchange meetings. Before lunch, we will hold a series of challenge activities, and the scores obtained in these activities will determine how luxurious your lunch will be today!"

　　With the host's loud voice, a group of students entered the indoor stadium.

　　In the large space combining two soccer fields, there is sports equipment such as a track, soccer and basketball nets, and a high jump pole. Several areas have also been cleared to make way for facilities such as stages, tables and experiment benches.

　　Staff wearing venue vests stood beside each facility, seeming to be waiting for them to challenge.

　　Itsuki naturally knew this relationship, and they also prepared sports uniforms in advance according to the instructions before departure.

　　But this was the first time she heard that the score determined the luxury of lunch.

　　Is this really a diverse talent exchange meeting, not a school garden party?

　　Just kidding, if the score is low, can you only eat meat buns? It's better to go out and buy something to eat...

　　The host seemed to have seen her expression, and while continuing to speak loudly, he pointed to the pink-haired man standing in the corner:

　　"Don't worry everyone. No matter how low your score is, you can still get a hot premium bento. However, in this event, the higher the accumulated score, the better the food. The top ten can also enjoy food prepared together by the 3rd Year students of Totsuki Academy."

　　"And the first place team can even get food prepared by Shinomiya Kojiro, who was the first person among the elite ten in the past and is currently a chef in a French restaurant and has a reputation as a Legumes magician!"

　　"That's right, whether you want to eat ordinary gourmet food or the food of very famous chefs both at home and abroad, it all depends on your efforts."

　　"For your appetite, let's show off your talents in this stadium!"

　　After the words fell, the pink-haired man also put the chef's hat on his chest, bowed lightly to everyone, then turned around and left expressionlessly.

　　"…"

　　The student team fell silent. When the figure of the pink-haired man who was supposed to be the chef this time completely disappeared around the corner, a chaotic discussion finally broke out.

　　"Hey, aren't all the chefs at Totsuki Academy super awesome? It is said that the dishes they cook can make people shine, and eating them will make people explode..."

　　"It's still the Elite Ten... Isn't the cost too high?"

　　"No, I remember we also have a Totsuki Academy team participating here? Totsuki Academy should have a relationship with the organizer of the exchange meeting, so they could invite Chef Shinomiya."

　　"Eh? Is that so, Nakiri?"

　　"Yukihira-kun, are you an idiot... I should have told you about this before the trip!"

　　"Ah hahaha, sorry, sorry, I just remembered Shinomiya Senpai will come to help cook, I forgot the rest~"

　　"Tsk, don't hold me back in such a careless manner."

　　"Don't worry, it won't be a big problem for Shokugeki... Ah, this isn't Totsuki Academy, except for Shinomiya Senpai, there's no way Shokugeki is with anyone..."

　　"…"

　　Shinichi's expression didn't change as he listened to everyone's conversation, after all, his interest in eating was only average, and he didn't know how delicious the dishes of ten outstanding graduates of Totsuki Academy were.

　　However, the next moment, he felt a terrifying momentum surging around him.

　　(Is this...)

　　 Shinichi looked towards where the aura rose, and moved two steps in the opposite direction.

　　Ichika and Yotsuba moved away from the source of the aura and curled up next to Shinichi.

　　Itsuki ignored their reactions, just stared at the place where Chef Shinomiya had left, and spoke in a firm tone.

　　"Everyone, use all your strength… This is a fight to the death."

　　After being serious for less than a few seconds, Itsuki wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.

　　She said excitedly to them.

　　"For food... No, for the glory of Shuchi'in Academy, I will work hard with everything! Let us unleash our talents and achieve victory in the challenge event side by side—"

Shinichi saw Itsuki's frightening expression as if she would eat anyone who dared to stop her, and immediately interrupted her passionate speech.

　　"No, this breakthrough has nothing to do with you. You should go to the auditorium with Kirisu Sensei to wait for our program to finish."

　　"...Eh?"

　　After hearing what Shinichi said, Itsuki's expression of uncontrollable joy suddenly froze.

　　Mafuyu appeared beside her at that moment and pulled her wrist to the side of the auditorium.

　　"Itsuki-san, let's watch Asada-kun and the others from a distance. If you feel bored, I can give you a lecture now…"

　　"Eh~~~" Itsuki who was dragged, struggled to stretch out her hands to Shinichi and the others, and shouted with unwillingness and hope.

　　"Asada-kun, Ichika, Yotsuba! Please, you guys have to cooperate with me. I want to eat the unique dishes made by Legimes Magician!"

　　"Ah ha ha..."

　　Ichika smiled faintly, even though she was used to being watched, the look in her eyes that was attracted by Itsuki's scream still made her face red and she felt quite embarrassed.

　　Even though Yotsuba saw Itsuki's sincere eyes entrusting her with her wishes, her palms clenched, and there was a belief in her heart that grew stronger.

　　"Asada-san also said that there are more places where I can play next..."

　　Her eyes glanced at the sports equipment that filled half the field, and her chest felt like it was on fire.

　　Determination starting to form, she looked at the ground and whispered.

　　"If this is all I can do, let me do my best...Use my strength to lead everyone to victory."

　　"Yes, you must not fail!"

　　△

　　After that, the men and women entered the changing room carrying sportswear, and not long after, they gathered again at the entrance.

　　This period of time was too short, and Shinichi spoke a few words with Hikigaya, Tsuda, and Soma before rejoining Ichika and the others, unable to find a chance to talk to anyone else.

　　Although unfortunately, in the afternoon there was still time to get to know each other, so there was no need to rush, he listened carefully to the presenter explaining the detailed rules and general characteristics of each level.

　　There are point cards for level breaking activities, although one per person, but each school can only challenge a level once, and the points will be calculated at the end when the time is up.

　　The faster the team completes the challenge within the time limit, the more additional points they earn. Therefore, the order, speed and distribution of personnel in the challenge need to be carefully considered.

　　"So Shinichi-kun, what should we do now?"

　　Looking at the other teams that have disbanded, Ichika asks Shinichi, making no secret of her dependence on him.

　　Shinichi thought for a moment, but before he could answer, his hand was grabbed by Yotsuba.

　　"Asada-san, I've thought about it!"

　　"Let's finish the sports projects that require cooperation first, and I will finish the rest. Then during this time, you and Ichika will complete other levels that require brains. Let's win the championship as soon as possible!"

　　"Wait..."

　　Surprised by Yotsuba's strong hands, Shinichi quickly stabilized his body and followed her footsteps.

　　Looking at her back, which seemed to bear him impatiently, he said:

　　"Motivation is a good thing, and it is also good if you can take the initiative to consider how to do it, but don't force yourself too much, and you should allocate it well..."

　　"Does not matter! This is only a small number of events, which is less than half of the usual training!" Yotsuba turned around with a smile and said confidently, "If it weren't for some levels that require two people, it wouldn't matter even if I did it all!"

　　"Yotsuba..."

　　Shinichi was pulled away, and Ichika followed him, just as she was about to hold his hand, she heard Yotsuba's words.

　　Looking at her sister's profile that looked like she was about to do something important and was excited, but also a little uneasy, Ichika smiled helplessly, then stopped.

　　"Um, since you said so, Sis, I can't keep acting like a spoiled child."

　　After waving to the two of them, Ichika turned around and ran towards the stage facilities.

　　"Go and challenge a sporting event that is limited to two people. I will use this opportunity to complete the levels that are appropriate for me. See you again! Keep up the good work!"