Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

"Hah! Hah!..."

At some point, Isshiki Satoshi had stripped down to nothing but his apron and was now swaying shamelessly in the middle of the room.

"Uh..."

Haruto stared at him, the corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

He had already known what kind of person Isshiki was, but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.

The man really had no restraint whatsoever.

More importantly, Haruto had not even noticed when Isshiki took off his clothes.

’How fast are his hands?’

Once Isshiki truly began letting himself go, the party grew even livelier.

They carried on for most of the night, but as the hour grew late, the noisy room finally settled into silence.

Aside from Haruto, Yukihira Soma, Isshiki Satoshi, and Ibusaki Shun, everyone else had fallen asleep in a tangled mess across the floor.

"What a wonderful evening."

Isshiki looked at the sleeping residents around him, then turned toward the two newcomers with his usual gentle smile.

"Once again, welcome to Polar Star Dormitory, Haruto-kun, Soma-kun!~"

He was genuinely delighted to have shared such a night with his new dormmates.

"You’re too kind, Isshiki-senpai."

Haruto smiled.

The atmosphere had been relaxing, and he had enjoyed himself far more than expected.

"I should be thanking you, Senpai!" Soma added cheerfully.

Isshiki looked over the now-empty plates and rose to his feet.

"It seems we’ve eaten almost everything."

"There should still be some Spanish mackerel left in the kitchen. I’ll make us a late-night snack."

Two new students had just joined Polar Star, after all.

As their senior, he naturally wanted to give them a proper welcome.

Haruto immediately felt a surge of anticipation.

There was no question about Isshiki’s ability as a chef. Haruto had stayed awake this long precisely because he wanted the chance to taste his cooking.

Then his gaze fell on the apron that was still the only thing Isshiki was wearing, and his mouth twitched again.

He honestly had no idea how to react.

Soma had clearly noticed the same thing, judging by the complicated expression on his face.

...

Isshiki did not keep them waiting long.

Before long, he returned with several plates and set them down in front of everyone.

"Here you are. Please, give it a try."

"Grilled Spanish Mackerel with Sansho Pepper and Cabbage Purée."

Isshiki smiled warmly at them.

"Thanks for the food!"

Haruto and Soma spoke at the same time before picking up their chopsticks and placing a piece of fish into their mouths.

The fresh flavor of the Spanish mackerel bloomed across Haruto’s tongue.

The sharp fragrance of the sansho pepper added just the right amount of stimulation, while the refreshing cabbage purée created an unexpectedly layered balance.

A spring landscape seemed to unfold before Haruto’s eyes.

Flowers bloomed throughout a sunlit garden as a warm breeze brushed against his face, carrying the mixed fragrance of blossoms, grass, and fresh leaves.

When he returned to his senses, Haruto could not help praising Isshiki inwardly.

’As expected of Isshiki.’

His personal habits might be bizarre, but his cooking ability was unquestionably genuine.

More importantly, this was only something Isshiki had prepared casually.

Haruto looked forward to the day he could taste a dish made with Isshiki’s full effort.

Soma was equally stunned by the flavor.

At that moment, he finally began to understand why his father had insisted on sending him to Totsuki.

There were far more powerful chefs here than he had ever imagined.

...

Isshiki turned his attention to Haruto and Soma.

"Haruto-kun, graduating from Totsuki won’t be easy."

"And Soma-kun, I heard you made a rather interesting declaration. You said you intended to rise above everyone here."

"That goal may be more difficult than you think."

Isshiki genuinely admired Soma’s ambition, but Totsuki was filled with hidden talent.

Reaching the very top would be anything but simple.

As for Haruto, Isshiki found him strangely difficult to read, which only made him more curious.

"Allow me to introduce myself once more."

Isshiki’s expression became more serious.

"I am Isshiki Satoshi, Seventh Seat of the Totsuki Elite Ten."

Once he finished, a small smile returned to his face.

"Now I’d like to taste your cooking as well."

"What kind of flavors will the two of you create?"

"Show me the food that belongs to you!"

Isshiki had high expectations for both newcomers.

Soma’s eyes immediately lit up, and a confident grin spread across his face.

"Give me a minute!"

After tasting Isshiki’s dish, his competitive spirit was already blazing.

He jumped to his feet and hurried toward the cooking station. His gaze swept across the remaining ingredients as his mind raced through the possibilities.

His eyes soon brightened, and he immediately rolled up his sleeves and began working.

"What a pain."

Haruto sighed helplessly as he slowly stood.

He was not especially fond of spontaneous cooking competitions, but refusing under the circumstances would be awkward.

Besides, he already had a promising idea for the Spanish mackerel.

...

A rich aroma drifted through the room.

Yuki slowly opened her eyes and stared blankly at Haruto and Soma working at the cooking station.

"Huh? Suzuki-kun and Yukihira-kun are cooking?"

"Did I miss something?"

She still looked half-asleep.

"Are they hungry again?"

Ryoko had also been awakened by the aroma. She stared at the two boys in surprise.

"They ate so much during the party!"

"It’s a cooking challenge," Ibusaki Shun said calmly. He had been watching in silence the entire time.

"Ibusaki, you’re still awake?"

Yuki looked at him in surprise, but then the meaning of his words caught up with her.

She whipped her head toward Isshiki, Haruto, and Soma, her eyes widening with excitement.

"The three of you are having a cooking battle? Why? Why?"

Her curiosity instantly surged to its limit, and she looked ready to rush over and demand the entire story.

"Isshiki-senpai probably wants to see what we can do," Haruto explained, glancing toward the newly awakened girls.

Then he returned his attention to his dish.

"Oh, that makes sense!"

Yuki and Ryoko nodded together in understanding.

At that moment, Soma stopped working and broke into a confident grin.

"Finished! Yukihira Special Number Twenty, Revised—Spanish Mackerel Rice Ball Ochazuke!"

He carried five steaming bowls of ochazuke over to the others.

"I normally make it with salmon, but tonight I decided to try a Spanish mackerel version!"

"I made enough for everyone, so dig in!"

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