Gin Dojima's words had almost revoked James's expulsion punishment for Seiya.
Although James had many complaints about this, since it was Gin Dojima's decision, he dared not refute anything.
As for the other Totsuki Elite Ten graduates on stage, after hearing what Gin Dojima had just said, they now looked at Seiya with curiosity.
As fellow Totsuki Elite Ten graduates, Gin Dojima was greatly admired by former Elite Ten members like James, Mizuhara Fuyumi, and Inui Hinako.
Because Gin Dojima was not only the top graduate of Totsuki's 69th class and the senior of all the Elite Ten graduates present, but also the highest-scoring graduate in Totsuki's history.
After graduation, he once caused a sensation by refusing invitations from 800 famous restaurants nationwide and choosing to work at Totsuki Resort, making him the pinnacle for all graduates.
If the current 92nd class of Totsuki students were their little fans, then they were also Gin Dojima's fans.
"I hope that in my class later, you can show strength as impressive as your earlier glib tongue. Otherwise, if I expel you as an instructor, Gin Dojima won't say much."
The farce ended there. Seiya's expulsion was suspended because of Gin Dojima, but the extra brothers who sprayed citrus hairspray earlier were not so lucky.
For this lodging training, the 981 of them would be divided into different groups, and previous Totsuki Elite Ten graduates would assess them.
Seiya and Yukihira Soma were both assigned to Group F, and their instructor was Inui Hinako.
She was a graduate of Totsuki's 80th class, once served as the Second Seat of the Totsuki Elite Ten, and was known as the "Empress of Mist" during her time at Totsuki. She appeared very much like a Yamato Nadeshiko, but was rumored to be quite formidable.
Inui Hinako used the same grouping method as in previous classes to assess everyone.
Students would team up in pairs, then acquire any ingredients from the natural Yamanaka during this lodging training and cook a Japanese-themed dish.
Although Seiya was technically a Totsuki student, as a "Special Student," he had never attended a single regular class before, let alone gotten to know other classmates.
However, since it was two people per group and he was with Yukihira Soma, Seiya originally wanted to team up with his troublesome friend, who also had a rather poor reputation at Totsuki. But he found that Tadokoro Megumi had already teamed up with Yukihira Soma before him.
And before the assessment even began, Yukihira Soma seemed to be clashing with a blonde character named Takumi.
"There's always trouble around the protagonist. It looks quite bothersome. I'd better not join the fun."
After excluding Yukihira Soma, Seiya looked around at the others, trying to find a suitable partner among them.
However, Seiya quickly found that those he looked at all turned their heads away or quickly chose to leave.
Seiya was confused by their reactions.
Logically speaking, he was at least a "Special Student" favored by the Director and others, right? Although he had no actual achievements, he should be stronger than the extras, no matter what?
It was fine if no one came to ask for help, but what was with them avoiding him like he was the plague?
Didn't Yuki Yoshino and the others say before that he was a hot commodity at Totsuki and quite popular? Was this what being popular meant?
"They probably all think you offended Chef Shinomiya in the lobby earlier, right?
This instructor, Inui Hinako, and Chef Shinomiya are both Totsuki Elite Ten graduates, and their relationship is quite good..."
Before Sakaki Ryoko could finish her sentence, Seiya interjected with a bitter smile: "So they're all worried about being dragged down by me? If this Senior Inui Hinako wants to get revenge for Chef Shinomiya and deliberately gives me a failing grade, then my partner will be expelled with me?
Totsuki students are really quite realistic. By the way, Ryoko, are you also in Group F? Then you..."
Before Seiya could finish, Sakaki Ryoko seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say, and she brushed her Violet hair: "As you can see, I haven't found a partner yet either.
Since no one is teaming up with you, why don't we just make do and team up? Besides me, I don't think you have any other options either."
Ryoko said, turning to look at Tadokoro Megumi, who had already teamed up with Yukihira Soma, not far away.
"Since everyone else is worried that because I offended Chef Shinomiya earlier, I will be deliberately difficult for other Totsuki instructors, aren't you afraid of being implicated by me?"
Seiya didn't really care if he would be expelled, but if it meant implicating Sakaki Ryoko, he would rather work alone.
Although having one less person might be a disadvantage in terms of time, it was nothing to him, who worked long hours in a restaurant year-round.
"I believe that the Totsuki Elite Ten graduates will not deliberately make things difficult for us junior students in such matters.
Even regarding Chef Shinomiya, I have heard rumors about him. Although he is very strict, even to the point of being nitpicky.
But when it comes to cooking, he is more serious and values it more than anyone. Chef Shinomiya would never do anything that tramples on a chef's dignity.
And teaming up with you is actually something I have to do, after all, who made me single like you?"
Ryoko's words also told Seiya that because of his previous conflict with Seiya, Chef Shinomiya might be stricter with him than with others.
But if the dish Seiya made was truly up to standard, Chef Shinomiya would not do anything that went against his own principles.
"You, like me, can't find a partner to cooperate with?"
Seiya didn't care too much about who Chef Shinomiya was. What Seiya was confused about was how a beautiful older sister character like Sakaki Ryoko, who had both looks and figure, and whose cooking skills were among the best in the first year, could not find a partner in such a situation?
"What's so strange about that? What I'm good at is fermented dishes. Although dishes like natto and miso soup are also Japanese dishes.
But these types of dishes are hard to find ingredients for in the Yamanaka, and they can't be made in a short time, right?"
To Seiya's confusion, Ryoko turned her head away and gave a reason that seemed to have no problems.
However, in reality, besides fermented dishes, it would not be a big problem for Ryoko to make a Japanese dish to complete the current assessment.
As for whether anyone asked Ryoko to be their partner? That goes without saying.
Not only were there many, but there were also quite a few. After all, Ryoko was a genuine busty beauty, and her grades from junior high school put her among the top characters in this class of over nine hundred people. How could she lack a partner?
