Chapter-14: Entrance exam and the admission ceremony. {Not edited}

Chapter-14: Entrance exam and the admission ceremony.

When Hiro woke up, he practiced for a while and started making himself breakfast.

After breakfast, Hiro would talk to Fi, which was already common in the morning.

The exam will be held after lunch, so it's still about 5 hours away, so Hiro decided to take a walk around the city, because he never got to do it.

After walking around the city for a while, Hiro wanted to eat, so he went to a restaurant that he had recently seen.

When Hiro went inside, a little girl greeted him, which made him think: "In a short time, I have already met the second loli!"

- Welcome, sir, do you want a smoking or non-smoking place? - the girl asked.

- Non-smoking, please! - Hiro replied.

- Then please follow me! - Hiro followed the little girl to his table. He sits down at it, and the little girl gives him the menu.

- Here's the menu! If you want to order, please press this call button! - She bowed and left.

Hiro was currently in the family restaurant Wagnaria from the anime " Working!!", and this little girl, is a high school girl named Popura! He remembered that there were a lot of strange people in this restaurant.

After a couple of minutes, Hiro decided on the order and pressed the call button. A girl who was slightly taller than Popura approached him She had dark purple hair. Her name was Yaoi Yamada.

- What would you like to order?

- I would like 2 hamburgers and a soda, that's all! - Hiro replied.

After 15 minutes, his order arrived, and the waiter who delivered his order was a tall girl with pink hair, seeing her, Hiro couldn't help but think: "Is this ... Takanashi? He is already disguising himself as a girl to cure Minami of her androphobia."

- Thank you! - Hiro said.

After he has eaten, he goes to the cash register and pays.

- Thank you very much, sir. We hope you will come again! - Takanashi said, bowing.

- That was good, and now my walk continues! - Hiro said.

...At the same time…

After tasting the dishes, Erina asked Hisako what was next on the schedule.

- You have been assigned to judge the entrance exam for applicants! - Hisako replied after carefully checking her schedule.

Hearing her answer, Erina stopped abruptly.

- What, when did it become known? - Erina asked, remembering her recent words to a guy.

- Two days ago, the elite ten meeting appointed you to this role! - Hisako replied.

- Good! Such is the hard work for joining the elite ten. - Erina replied, praying she wouldn't meet this guy.

A couple of hours later.

"The last group is left and I'm free! Apparently Hiro got into another group! " - thought Erina, looking at the group running out of the kitchen. She didn't see Hiro among them.

…

Now Hiro and Alice are slowly driving to the culinary academy, which was considered the best in the world. While driving, they met Soma, so Hiro asked Alice to stop. After that, Soma got into the car, and they went to the academy together.

The car stopped in front of a huge gate in the classic Japanese style. After getting out of the car, Hiro saw a group of students crying in front of the academy. It looks like they just ran into a disaster.

- Alice, what's going on here? - Soma asked his friend.

- It looks like they met Erina as an examiner, which is what caused them to drop out of the exam. - Hiro wasn't surprised, as he knew what was causing this behavior.

- Is she that scary? - Soma asked.

- Anyway, it's not our problem, we need to hurry up and go inside. - Hiro left these people behind, He made his way inside in search of the exam hall. On the way, he saw a lot of arrogant people.

- All right, you go ahead, and I need to call my dad! - Soma said.

- Well, but don't get lost! - Alice said with a smile. - Hiro, let's go!

…

After Hiro entered the classroom with Alice, he estimated that there were hundreds of people taking the entrance test.

As soon as Hiro noticed that Alice wanted to call out to Erina, he covered her mouth and said.

- Let's watch from the sidelines, okay? - Hiro asked, to which Alice nodded.

Standing in the back, Hiro could still see what was happening. Now Hiro himself confirmed that the examiner was his recent acquaintance Nakiri Erina.

While Hiro was happy, the mood of the rest of the audience was very different.

- Oh, it's her…

- Yes, I heard from my brother that she entered the elite ten in just her first year, but I didn't expect it…

- Damn, how unlucky am I that she's going to be the examiner on this test…

But at that moment, the girl with short pink hair standing next to Erina shouted.

- Let's start the exam, first, all of you are divided into groups of ten people… - Hisako said, but was interrupted.

- Hisako, wait! Don't you think this is boring? Hm, bring the kitchen table here! - Erina said suddenly, commanding Hisako.

Hisako, who was already used to Erina's willfulness, couldn't help but bring a kitchen table full of ingredients. Erina looked at the table before picking up a chicken egg.

- This will be the main ingredient for today! Each of you will prepare a dish based on an egg. You will pass the exam if you can make a dish that satisfies me ... - said Erina with a smile on her beautiful face.

- Moreover, those who want to opt out and leave can do so within a minute! - Erina said, still smiling.

All the people who had been standing quietly on the spot, without hesitating for a second, ran out of this room.

As soon as the room was empty, Alice's cheerful voice was heard.

- Erina hi! We're here for a test!

Erina looked in their direction, and blushed a little.

- Miss Nakiri, can I just pass instead of passing? - Hiro asked with a smile.

- Then why did you stay? You still have time, so go away! - Hisako replied as Erina stood in a daze.

- No, she already approved my dish and said I could pass, but if I had to, I could cook something! Well, so what? - Hiro asked.

- Hiro, less talk, go cook! We can't wait to try your dish! Right, sister? - Alice said with a smile.

- Yes...no...that is, in order to pass the test, the student must follow the specified rules! - Erina replied, but Hiro realized that she wanted to try his cooking as much as Alice did.

- If that's the case, then I don't have a choice! - Hiro grinned and rolled up his sleeves. He washed his hands thoroughly before touching anything.

- By the way, there's another guy there, but he's probably lost, I'll call him now. - Hiro said, not finding Soma anywhere.

...

A few minutes later, a red-haired guy came into the room and they started cooking.

There was no time limit, which meant that anything could be prepared. Well, without fanaticism. Hiro put the headphones in his ears and turned on the player. After setting up a random order of playback, he pointed at the playlist at random. In that short time, Hiro became addicted to music, but the music of this world didn't impress him, so he bought a lot of music from the store and put them in his phone.

Hiro prepared eggs, a couple of potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, onions, and other ingredients. Singing along, he filled a pot of water and turned on the stove, sending it to boil.

He rummaged in the cabinet and pulled out another pot and frying pan. The pot went to the same place as the first one, and while the water was boiling, other ingredients could be prepared.

Putting a frying pan on the stove, he laid out the necessary ingredients in front of him: cumin seeds, cardamom seeds, coriander seeds, black pepper, a couple of cinnamon sticks....

The pan was hot, and Hiro began to slowly fry the spices on it. One spicy scent followed another. The scents mingled, gradually coming into harmony.

Hiro shot a quick glance at Soma, who was also busy at the stove.

The seasoning was ready. Now there was something else to do. After quickly peeling the onion, I cut it in half and grated it on a medium grater. After grating the onion, I peeled a couple of cloves of garlic and also finely grated it on a grater. A similar fate befell ginger.

Meanwhile, the water began to boil. Carefully tossing a couple of eggs into the first pot and two medium-sized potatoes into the second, Hiro returned to the other foods.

Washed tomatoes peeled and finely chopped. He glanced at the pot of potatoes and turned off the gas. We don't need boiled potatoes at all. The eggs arrived, too. After removing the pots from the stove, Hiro poured mustard oil into the pan and put it on the fire.

And the oil slowly began to smoke. Hiro picked up the frying pan and made a couple of turns. Another turn, and the dishes returned to the fire.

A pinch of cumin seeds, bay leaf and curry leaves. With a flourish, Hiro picked up a wooden spatula from the table and began to stir the seasoning mixture intensely. The kumin slowly began to darken, and with a satisfied nod, Hiro poured a teaspoon of sugar into the pan.

The kitchen slowly began to fill with a spicy aroma that immediately drew all the attention to his table…

...

Erina, who was confident in Hiro's cooking, decided to focus her attention on the other handlers. At this moment, she was intently watching Yukihira Soma.

"This mediocre cook, decided to make an omelet? He's kidding me!" - Erina thought, and was about to wonder what he was going to surprise her with, when a wave of delicious spice aroma washed over her.

- I wonder what he's cooking? - Alice asked, but she didn't get an answer, because you could see that everyone was asking themselves this question, even the old man who was hiding.

…

Hiro continued to use the spatula. And with each movement, the fragrance grew stronger.

Looking at his watch, Hiro put the grated onion in the pan. A new wave of smells washed over the kitchen.

Soma had almost finished cooking by this point, and the aroma coming from Hiro's dish was just beginning to gain strength.

Hiro stirred the contents of the pan a couple more times and added the grated garlic. A moment later, the tomatoes followed the garlic into the pan. Turning the spatula, Hiro mixed everything thoroughly.

"It's time for the secret ingredients!" - thought Hiro, and he mixed everything thoroughly and poured the spice mixture into the pan with a smooth, quick movement.

The kitchen was filled with a truly indescribable aroma. The spicy smell of spices, the pungent smell of garlic and the soft aroma of stewed tomatoes. And they were constantly mixed with more and more new smells, adding their own touch of originality. Erina stood in the middle of this raging sea, her arms folded, waiting patiently.

He covered the pan with the lid, nodded contentedly, and reached into the cabinet for a suitable dish.

…

Soma finished preparing his dish, placed it in front of Erina, and said,

- Thank you for waiting!

"No matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like anything special..." - thought Hisako, looking at the dish.

- As expected, the work of a mediocre cook. - Nakiri sighed. - I don't want to try it.

- But you haven't even seen his true form. - Yukihira Chuckled.

- What are you talking about?

Had this upstart decided to interest her in something? Erina wanted to add something else, but...

- Please taste my cooking. - Hiro placed two deep plates of rice in front of Erina and Alice. On top were stewed eggs, and everything was covered with a fragrant sauce

- Rice with eggs and a special sauce. Introducing his own dish. - Hiro said. - I warn you, it may be acute.

Alice had already started to eat, but because of the warning, she ate more slowly. Her face changed with every meal she ate.

Watching her cousin's reaction, Erina silently took the spoon...

- So be it, I'll try a little. - She snorted.

- Go ahead, then. - Hiro chuckled.

Erina lifted the spoon to her mouth. A pleasant, spicy smell immediately hit my nose. Swallowing, she took the spoon into her mouth. And she was immediately overwhelmed by a wave of tastes. The hot, pungent taste of the chili pepper, which was clearly part of the sauce, was mixed with the tender, spicy boiled rice. Together, they created a unique combination. Burning hot sauce ... the girl was standing in the middle of the beach. The scorching sun and the white-hot sand. Azure sea and a swirl of spicy aromas.

Nakiri reached for another portion, this time snagging a piece of egg. And to her surprise, the taste of the dish was completely different! From the sharpness of the chili, there is no trace left, the spicy aroma of stewed eggs and the indescribable tart and spicy taste of tender boiled rice. And now a light sea breeze rolls over it, bringing with it freshness and lightness. The heat doesn't leave a trace. The girl reached for her plate. This time, the soft, slightly sweet taste of boiled potatoes was added to the mixture of flavors, and with it, the burning sharpness returned. It was something incredible!

The light, tart, spicy scent that tickled her nose whetted her appetite. And the swirl of flavors, which changed and intensified with each spoonful, made you try again and again.

Alice, who had already eaten the rice Hiro had prepared, looked at Soma's rice curiously.

- What did you say about the true shape of your rice? - Alice asked.

When Soma heard the girl's question, he stopped thinking about how to prepare Hiro's dish. Soma didn't say anything, just held up the egg cup.

- It's just an egg, isn't it? - Alice asked, examining the cup.

- Look closely, the true value of the seasoning for rice is revealed only with white rice, and now... - said Soma and poured the seasoning on the rice and the aroma of chicken spread throughout the kitchen.

The aroma attracted the other people in the kitchen, too, and Erina, who had eaten almost everything, turned to look at her cousin and saw the jelly cubes spreading over the rice. "It's melting! Melts, covering the eggs! What does this dish taste like»

- All right, I'll try one piece! Serve your dish! - Erina said, bringing a grin to Soma's face.

- Hey, Soma, do you have portions for us, too? - Hiro asked, pointing at himself and Alice.

- No problem! - Soma replied, walking over to the pot.

- Hisako, will you come? - Hiro asked.

- No, I will refrain! - Hisako replied.

- Okay, then give us three servings of 2 for me and 1 for Alice! - Hiro said.

…

While everyone was watching Erina, Hiro walked over to one of the doors and said.

- You will! And then it will not remain! - Hiro asked the old man behind the wall.

Hearing nothing in response, Hiro smiled and put the plate down by the door and headed towards the group.

"Interesting fellow!" - thought the old man, as he ate the rice. In the process of eating, he was half naked.

...

When Hiro returned, he heard her yell at Soma.

- Di-disgusting!!! - Erina said as she ran out of the kitchen, and Hisako ran after her..

"Apparently my presence didn't affect this event in any way!" - Hiro thought as he approached Alice.

- Alice, I take it he didn't pass?

- Well, it looks like it... - Alice said.

- Well, what should we do? - Hiro asked, trying to distract Soma from the time lapse.

- Hiro, I failed, didn't I? - Soma asked desperately.

- Well, that's not a fact! - Hiro replied secretly.

- What do you mean?! If Erina has decided something, then she will not change her decision, even if it is made in strange circumstances! - Alice replied, hearing her, Soma immediately frowned.

- Hey, Soma calm down, I said that it's not the time to be sad, but if you don't get a message about admission in a couple of days, then worry, but not now.

- Good! - Soma replied. - Okay, I'm going home, if I don't get in, I'll open a restaurant, so I need to get ready.

...

- By the way, when does the school year start? - Hiro asked.

- The school year at Totsuki Academy starts a little later than at the other schools! So school starts tomorrow – Alice replied.

– So you have one more day of freedom, but then all hell breaks loose! - Alice replied grimly, but after a moment she smiled.

- I see! - Hiro said,

...

Meanwhile, Erina seems to be calling someone on the phone

- Tell my grandfather, the headmaster, that Hiroto Ichijou has passed this test, that's all. - Erina said, still confused.

After that, Erina sat down and still thought about the Soma dish.

After that, Erina continued to think about Soma's dishes all day.

...

The next day

- We will continue to present the award to the best this year. - The announcer spoke into the microphone to a large number of people standing in front of the large stage as the Sakura tree petals fell to the floor, creating a beautiful landscape.

- I represent the best first-year student, Nakiri Erina. - after the name came out of the speakers, which made everyone look at a beautiful blonde girl with purple eyes walking up to the stage and receiving an award. Some idolized her, while others simply ignored her and thought of her as a problem they would soon face.

- Next, the floor is given to the director of the Totsuki Academy! Nakiri Senzaemon! After that, Senzaemon went up on the stage and spoke to the new students.

- Ladies and gentlemen. Congratulations on starting high school. - his voice caught the attention of all the students, as did the leader's voice.

- During your three years of high school, you have deepened your knowledge of the basics of cooking and its ingredients. You have passed all types of classes related to cooking. Now you are standing at the entrance to the high school section. Everything you have learned in recent years will be put to the test, not to see if you remember what you were taught, but to see if you have the means to survive! - Senzaemon's speech grew increasingly heated.

He raised his hand and pointed at the crowd of students.

- 99% of you will sacrifice yourself in order to hone the skills of the remaining 1%. - some of the students were scared, but there were some who were excited by his words.

- Out of 812 students who entered the secondary school last year. Only 76 went to the senior school. Incompetent and incompetent will be excluded! Next year, 1000 first-year students will be reduced to 100. And we can count on the fact that the remaining ones will become graduates of our academy! Get into a handful of these professionals! It will be you! Try your best!

These words were an example, and a warning. Strong-minded people feel that their resolve has only grown stronger, while the weak ones are already planning to give up.

- That's all! - his speech is over, but the impact is still present on the faces of the new students. Erina stood next to her grandfather and looked at the students with pride and sympathy.

"I feel sorry for those who will study with me, since the throne of Totsuki Academy in the world of cooking belongs to me-Nakiri Erina!" - she followed her grandfather to the back of the stage, thinking about her grandfather's words.

- Before we finish. We will introduce the 2 students who joined us today. - the announcer said, calming people down.

When Erina heard the announcement, she immediately thought of Hiro and his delicious dish, which she recognized, and also thinking back to yesterday, she thought of Soma and how arrogant he was towards her. Just the memory of him annoys her. She thinks she won't be seeing him again, but she interrupted her own thoughts when one of the new students picked up the microphone.

- Uh-uh ... I have to express my intentions, right? Okay, then I'll try to be brief! I'll say two or three things ... - Soma took a deep breath before continuing.

Erina looked around to see who the idiot who was speaking was. As soon as she saw him, her face very quickly changed to a funny expression. It was the red-haired guy from the entrance exam!

- Uhm. I'm Yukihira Soma. In truth, this academy is just a stepping stone for me! I didn't expect to be here, but I don't plan on losing to some band that has never served visitors in its life. - Soma's words silenced the crowd, they were all shocked by his dumb ambition that they couldn't hold back with him.

- Just to add... well, since I'm already here... I will become the best! - Soma finished his speech and left the stage, bowing to the crowd, and went to the far end of the stage. All the students started insulting and shouting towards Soma. Some even throw things at it. Soma was already backstage, where he met Erina.

- Please be quiet, there's another student here. - the announcer calmed the crowd as Hiro took the stage. The new students looked at Hiro with fierce eyes, warning him not to say anything like Soma. Hiro, of course, understood the meaning of their views. He smiled and said with confidence.

- Hi, everyone. I'm Hiroto Ichijo. I don't really know what to say. I am currently a friend of Soma. Don't worry, I'm not here to say I'm going to be the best or make a rung out of you! On the contrary, I'm here to have a good time with my friends – Hiro said with a smile.

Some people breathed a sigh of relief and continued to listen, knowing that this guy didn't look like his friend.

- And since, in the future, we are destined to become classmates, I hope we can make friends! - with a smile, he said..

- But from the way you looked at my friend, I can tell you're too arrogant! And knowing arrogant people, they very often bring trouble, so please don't bring me trouble, okay? Otherwise, there will be consequences ... - said Hiro seriously, but he did not finish the sentence, and only left the stage.

The crowd fell into complete silence as Hiro left the stage and headed backstage, where he found Erina and Soma looking at him with funny expressions.

- Hi, Miss Nakiri... - Hiro greeted Erina. Erina looked at Hiro, and she also wanted to greet him. Her expression changed from funny and dazed to one of anger and determination.

- Hiroto Ichijo! Good to see you again! - Erina looked directly at Hiro, making him wonder at her actions!

- Remember that, I, Nakiri, Erina. I'll be on top! - she pointed at Hiro before walking away, leaving the two guys looking at her with two different expressions. One is confused and the other is stunned.

- Hey, Soma! Did I say something about becoming the best? - Hiro asked, looking strangely at the girl as she left.

- No, but are you really here just to have fun? - Soma asked.

- Yes! Why not? - Hiro replied. - Okay, let's go, we're going to have a lesson!

- Aha! - Soma replied.

Hiro had no idea, but the reason for this was that Erina, as well as Soma, already considered him their rival for the throne.