Chapter 247: The Banquet Commences (2)
"Please savor this banquet to your heart's content!"
As Dojima's words reverberated through the hall, the students erupted in excited voices.
"This is fantastic, we've made it through."
"And we get to indulge in a complete meal prepared by the graduates. It's so luxurious."
"This is probably something only we in the world can experience. Surviving feels so good."
"I'm going to eat away all the hardships of these past few days."
Students flooded into the banquet hall, where the entire service staff had been waiting for some time.
Six people formed one table, and the girls also joined the celebration feast. Along with Erina, Hisako, and Alice, they could form three tables.
Since they weren't strangers to each other, everyone chose three nearby tables to sit.
Once everyone was seated, the waitstaff began serving dishes.
First up was an appetizer. On a small slice of Italian bread were diced ripe tomatoes and onions, seasoned with black pepper and lemon juice.
In addition, there was a glass of sparkling wine.
"Italian cuisine? This should be the handiwork of Chef Mizuhara."
Erina, well-versed in various cuisines, immediately recognized this as an Italian appetizer. When it came to Italian cuisine, one would naturally think of Mizuhara Fuyumi, as it was her specialty.
Forking a piece of the appetizer into her mouth, the slightly sour taste tantalized the taste buds, making everyone eagerly anticipate the upcoming dishes.
After the appetizer, a Japanese dish followed, undoubtedly crafted by Hinako Inui.
Various dishes of all kinds were brought in, and the students opened up their appetites. Even the girls set aside their reservations; after all, this level of feast wasn't something they could enjoy every day.
Even Erina and her group couldn't stop using their chopsticks.
So far, all the dishes served were at least Level 4, clearly indicating that the graduates were putting their full effort into this celebration.
In the kitchen, as the final Cosmic Dumpling was placed in the steamer, Hachiman breathed a sigh of relief.
"Dojima-senpai, I've finished all my dishes. I'll head out first." After notifying Dojima, he left the kitchen.
Changing out of his chef's uniform, giving a quick rinse, and donning a new set of clothes, Hachiman headed to the banquet hall.
As Hachiman arrived at the banquet hall, he found the girls' location and walked over.
"Hikki, over here."
As soon as they spotted Hachiman, Yui happily waved at him.
The girls also stopped their utensils when they saw him.
Looking at the empty plates on the three tables, Hachiman's expression showed some helplessness.
"You guys, eat a little less."
Hearing his words, the girls blushed, even Erina looked a bit shy.
"Hehe, it's just too delicious, so we couldn't resist for a moment." Yui scratched her head, a bit embarrassed.
"Here's some advice for you, better save some room; there's a surprise at the end." Hachiman smiled mysteriously.
"Nani nani, could it be that Hikki made another delicious dish?" Yui's face lit up with surprise.
Not only her, but the other girls also showed anticipation.
After all, they had experienced Hachiman's culinary skills, which were more delicious than these dishes.
"I did indeed prepare a dish, but it's not just me. I also asked Dojima-senpai to make a dish." Hachiman shrugged.
Hearing this, Erina was surprised.
"Dojima-senpai also participated?"
Considering that Dojima Gin had become the Executive Chef of the Totsuki Resort, he rarely intervened directly in such large-scale banquet dishes.
As if anticipating her thoughts, Hachiman shrugged.
"Dojima-senpai isn't making that much. I specifically asked him to make only three servings."
"Oh, this..."
Upon hearing his words, a faint sense of gratitude welled up in the hearts of the girls.
"Hikki, come over here and sit."
Yui, quick-witted as always, waved at Hachiman to join her.
Hachiman didn't refuse. After a waiter added a chair, he took a seat.
The position was quite good—Yui on the left, Yukino on the right. Since it was an additional chair, the space was relatively smaller. To outsiders, Hachiman seemed like a fulfilled individual sitting on the right.
Although he indeed was a fulfilled individual.
The main course was served at this moment.
First up was a dish of French orange-seared foie gras. The refreshing orange juice complemented the delicate goose liver, presenting an elegant taste in the mouth. This dish received a high score of 88 points in Hachiman's [Tasting] module, clearly crafted by Shinomiya.
Although it wasn't his specialty in vegetable cuisine, it marked Shinomiya's improvement. When Hachiman first arrived at Totsuki Resort, Shinomiya had prepared the same dish, but the taste back then was far from the current excellence.
It seemed like Shinomiya, resolving his inner conflicts, had made some progress in his culinary skills.
Following that, a series of dishes were brought in successively. Under Hachiman's [Tasting] module, every dish presented at this stage scored no less than 80 points. In other words, the culinary skills of the chefs behind these dishes were at least in the mid-level of Level 4.
A fragrant aroma wafted through the entire banquet hall. The dish of roasted lamb leg was brought in by the waiters, the Ninefold Secret Lamb Leg prepared by Dojima Gin.
Despite having enjoyed numerous delicious dishes, the smell caused many students to involuntarily salivate.
Especially Yuki at the Polar Star Dorm table, her eyes fixed on the Ninefold Secret Lamb Leg, following the footsteps of the waiter.
Unfortunately, this dish wasn't for her. After the waiters delivered the three servings of the Ninefold Secret Lamb Leg to Hachiman and the girls' tables, it disappeared without appearing on any other tables.
"Eh? Why, why don't we have roasted lamb legs?"
Seeing this, Yuki shouted in dissatisfaction.
Not only her, but the other members of the Polar Star Dorm also looked puzzled. Wasn't it one serving per table?
Hachiman turned his head and looked at the Polar Star Dorm group not far away, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"This dish isn't for everyone. I specifically asked Dojima-senpai to make it, and there are only these three servings."