Progress

Since Mito Ikumi and Kurokiba Ryo, the two young ladies of the Nakiri Family had also moved into Polar Star Dormitory.

Because she had lost in the quarterfinals, Hisako, Erina Nakiri’s little secretary, felt too ashamed to face her mistress and had remained in avoidance mode ever since.

That was why Xu Yue could do whatever he wanted with Erina according to his own wishes, and bringing her into the dormitory was only natural.

Alice did not think much of moving in afterward either. Lively as ever, she had instead happily emerged from the shadow of her previous defeat.

The Polar Star residents, who had always maintained a great atmosphere, naturally gave the newcomers an enthusiastic welcome. Besides, there was now another "God Tongue" among them.

The others had long been jealous to the point of red eyes over Xu Yue giving the dorm girls private cooking lessons.

Now that there was another "God Tongue," she could help out to some extent, right?

Mito Ikumi in particular had originally been Erina’s follower. After being won over by Xu Yue, she still felt somewhat lacking in confidence whenever she faced Erina.

But after discovering that the young lady had now entered the dormitory as well, she was naturally quite delighted.

Erina was practically the sort who could help her spread her legs and get into position…

As Xu Yue and Alice’s semifinal ended, Hayama Akira and Yukihira Soma’s semifinal also reached its conclusion.

Both advanced!

That was right. After Dojima Gin also joined the panel of judges, he used the deciding vote in his hand to propose that the equally outstanding pair both advance to the finals, where the three of them would compete for the championship.

Once he made the proposal, the other judges, who had also found it difficult to choose, approved of the decision. Senzaemon raised no objection either.

After all, the two were indeed equally excellent. It was truly difficult to distinguish between them with only a single dish.

So why not simply send them both into the finals and choose the best among the three in the end?

Three contestants competing on the same stage: Hayama Akira, who possessed the "God Nose"; Yukihira Soma, this world’s Child of Destiny; and Xu Yue, rumored to possess the "God Tongue."

Such an explosive final was something no Autumn Election in history had ever seen.

The entire school was swept up in tremendous excitement.

The topic for the finals had also been announced.

"Pacific saury."

The contestant lineup for this Election differed considerably from the original plot, but the theme itself had not changed much.

"Lord Yue, I’ve wanted to compare our accomplishments in spices for a long time. This time is just perfect."

When the three contestants were merely taking a photo together, Hayama Akira directly ignored Yukihira Soma beside him and looked solemnly at Xu Yue.

Xu Yue’s spice techniques could be said to have been taught by him personally. He understood deeply just how terrifying the other’s talent in this area was!

Originally, he had always believed that in spices alone, he could reliably suppress Xu Yue.

But during the previous semifinals, Xu Yue had actually used spices as catalysts, combining them with ingredients to directly catalyze stock into existence. That was far too terrifying!

It had completely exceeded his understanding.

"Akira’s main opponent this time should be Soma."

Xu Yue did not answer directly, merely shrugging.

Using copied techniques and then refining them against Hayama Akira would be somewhat inappropriate. His skill with spices really was still above Xu Yue’s, so Xu Yue could not confront him head-on. And with the God Nose, he could pick out the finest Pacific saury. Even if Yang Release brought the fish back to life, there would only be a slight difference in texture.

He had to find another angle…

After casually glancing at Yukihira Soma, Hayama Akira showed no other reaction and calmly said, "I admit he has the strength to compete on the same stage as me. But we met once before. When it comes to selecting fresh ingredients, he cannot pick the best fish from a fish market. At our level of cooking, if there is a difference in ingredients, he cannot make up for it."

Although Yukihira Soma wore an unconvinced expression after Hayama Akira finished speaking, he also looked somewhat embarrassed.

It seemed that he truly had lost in ingredient selection that time.

He did not have a talent like the God Nose, nor did he have the experience of living around fish markets his whole life.

Having a small flaw in choosing ingredients was perfectly normal.

Unable to refute Hayama Akira’s words at all, he puffed up his cheeks and turned into something resembling a steamed bun.

"Oh? But I don’t see it that way. Soma possesses passion and fighting spirit that neither of us has. He will not surrender easily."

Xu Yue smiled at Yukihira Soma, seeming entirely unwilling to agree with Hayama Akira.

Yukihira Soma’s expression immediately jolted.

"Haha, while I may not have your talents, I won’t lose easily! I’ll hunger for victory in every match!"

Yukihira Soma’s emphatic declaration swept not only Hayama Akira into it, but Xu Yue as well.

"Then, see you in the finals."

"See you in the finals!"

"Hmph!"

After the photo, the three returned directly to their respective residences and waited for the Election finals three days later.

Squish, squish~

Splat, splat~

Mito Ikumi, who had entered the Autumn Election’s top eight, had become a white option. Together with Tadokoro Megumi, who already possessed Elite Ten potential, and Erina, who had already become an Elite Ten member.

Xu Yue’s quota had suddenly reached three.

However, aside from Tadokoro Megumi, who had been handled through relatively gentle methods, the approaches used on the others had been slightly aggressive.

So they still needed to spend time together in his room often to deepen their feelings.

And for some reason, although he had won the Food War! against Alice and brought her into the dormitory, she still did not seem to have acknowledged him for the time being. Xu Yue was considering whether he ought to use some other methods…

"Ah, eating hot pot in the room really does create an atmosphere."

Alice Nakiri rubbed her bulging little stomach and lay lazily across the floor of Xu Yue’s room, unwilling to move. She casually tossed the used tissue in her hand aside.

Mito Ikumi was still cleaning up. There was all sorts of clutter, including pH test strips for measuring food acidity and alkalinity. They seemed to be used for training and testing the God Tongue’s unique sense of taste. Even while eating hot pot, they apparently had not forgotten their training.

Alice then turned her head toward Erina, who was staring blankly, and asked, "What’s up with you lately? You’ve been so listless. This dorm is really fun."

"It’s nothing."

Erina glanced at Alice with somewhat hollow eyes and replied calmly.

"Tch, are you dating Yue or something? Otherwise, why would you be living here?"

Alice deliberately said, puffing up her cheeks.

But she then received an answer that left her a little stunned.

"Yes."

Hearing those two words leave Erina’s lips so casually truly made Alice unable to process it.

Even if that really were the truth, with Erina’s personality, she should have denied it to the death. Yet she admitted it so readily.

But thinking about it, Xu Yue really was quite outstanding—handsome, gentle, and skilled.

Tch, she moved fast.

Alice, who had always liked competing with Erina, suddenly puffed up again like a pufferfish after thinking of something.

This inexplicably made Xu Yue, who had been troubled over why Alice’s name had yet to be included on the mission list, sense that a new name had been successfully added.

It seemed putting the sisters together really did have a stimulating effect…

Two chapters done… Thanks to classmate You Taught Me What Illiteracy Is for the 20,000 reward…