Chapter 72
After settling the four sleeping students beneath the blankets, Ryoko looked toward Megumi and was surprised to find her still completely awake.
"Megumi, you don’t look tired at all."
As far as Ryoko remembered, Megumi had never possessed exceptional stamina
. The day’s assignment had also demanded an enormous amount of physical effort.
Megumi gave a small nod, then slowly shook her head, looking somewhat confused herself.
"I think it’s strange too... My body is completely exhausted, but my mind feels unusually alert. I’m not sleepy at all."
As she spoke, her fingers twisted nervously together.
"That’s not too surprising," Soma said casually. "You were tense all day. It’s normal that you can’t relax right away."
"That might be part of it, but... I don’t think that’s the only reason."
Megumi carefully reflected on everything that had happened that day. A faint but determined light gradually appeared in her previously anxious eyes.
"During normal classes, I always get so nervous that I can’t control myself. I keep thinking about what will happen if I fail."
She paused and drew a deep breath before continuing, her eyes beginning to shine.
"But today, I supported you properly, Soma-kun. We completed the assignment together, and I didn’t hold you back."
"I think... I gained a little confidence."
"That’s why I’m still so excited that I can’t sleep."
...
Ryoko and the others were surprised to see Megumi speak that way.
Only Takumi failed to understand the significance, though he did not dwell on it.
His current target was Haruto.
Unfortunately, Haruto had no intention of acknowledging his challenge, which left Takumi deeply frustrated.
The moment Megumi noticed everyone staring at her, she immediately grew flustered again. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she hurriedly waved both hands.
"U-Um... It was really all thanks to Soma-kun’s instructions! I only helped with a few tiny things. I didn’t do anything worth praising!"
"That’s not true."
Soma shook his head with unusual seriousness.
"If you hadn’t found the right ingredients and helped throughout the cooking process, I never could’ve finished that dish by myself."
"He’s right, Megumi. You’re the kind of person who can do wonderfully as long as you trust yourself and give it a try."
Ryoko moved beside her and gently took her hand.
"You need to have more confidence in yourself. I’ve always believed in your ability."
"Exactly," Haruto added earnestly. "You’re the only student at this training camp who received invitations from the graduates before the assignments even began."
"That proves those experienced chefs have already recognized your talent and potential. You’re far more capable than you believe, so you need to trust yourself a little more."
"Come to think of it, you mentioned that earlier too."
Remembering Haruto’s previous comment, Ryoko looked at him curiously.
"What exactly did those invitations mean?"
Megumi, Soma, and the others—even Takumi—turned toward Haruto with interest.
"The main reason Totsuki graduates return as guest instructors is to discover promising new talent."
Haruto then gave them a more detailed explanation of the unspoken recruitment battle taking place during the residential training camp.
By the time he finished, everyone finally understood what he had meant.
Megumi had received invitations from two different guest instructors.
That meant both renowned chefs had recognized her potential.
Megumi stared at Haruto in disbelief. Her eyes grew slightly red, and her voice caught in her throat.
"Really...? Could someone like me truly earn recognition from chefs like them?"
"Of course."
Haruto nodded firmly.
"That’s why you need to believe in yourself, Megumi. You already possess tremendous potential. Someday, you’ll shine in your own way as a chef."
Everyone else looked at Megumi encouragingly as well.
Their support strengthened her resolve.
No matter what happened, she would survive the training camp and remain at Totsuki.
Takumi, who had been listening quietly beside them, suddenly grew serious.
’This timid-looking girl has that much potential?’
Worse, she had already received recognition before he had.
Takumi’s competitive spirit immediately flared!
He opened his mouth, ready to declare something to Megumi, only for the sharp-eyed Haruto to grab him and drag him aside.
This was not the time to let Takumi bother her.
...
They remained in Marui’s room until lights-out.
After waking Yuki and the other three, everyone quietly left and returned to their assigned rooms, hoping to recover as much energy as possible for the next day’s challenges.
Early the following morning, just as the first pale light appeared on the horizon, every remaining student quickly dressed and threw themselves into another round of assignments.
Haruto and Ryoko were once again assigned as partners.
This time, their guest instructor was Inui Hinako.
Hinako greeted the assembled students with a gentle smile.
"Today’s assignment is to create an original dish of your own. You may choose any style of cuisine."
She paused before continuing.
"You will work with the same partner assigned to you previously. The most important requirement is that you must obtain every ingredient yourselves."
"Basic seasonings and cooking equipment have already been prepared. Fishing rods, gathering tools, and anything else you might reasonably need are also available for you to use."
Her tone then became slightly more serious as her gaze passed over every student.
"There is one more rule you must remember. This entire area is private property belonging to Totsuki, and protective fencing has been installed around its boundaries."
"Anyone who crosses beyond those fences will be expelled immediately."
"You may search for and gather ingredients only within the designated area."
"To pass, you must prepare a dish that earns my approval. Your time limit is two hours."
After finishing her explanation, Hinako gracefully walked over to a chair and sat down.
She opened the food box she had brought with her, removed several delicate snacks, and began enjoying them at her leisure.
Haruto and Ryoko exchanged a glance.
They already knew what to expect.
During the previous night’s gathering, Soma and Megumi had explained the format and rules of Hinako’s assignment.
Without wasting a moment, the two separated and began searching for ingredients.
It did not take Haruto long to catch a plump, healthy free-range chicken among the grass beneath the trees.
At the same time, Ryoko gathered an excellent selection of tender wild greens and full, fresh mushrooms from the streamside and surrounding bushes.