VOLUME 1-1

Chapter 7

The day of the Shinryoku Festival had finally arrived.

There were normally no classes on Saturday, so today was treated as a voluntary attendance day by the school. However, it was a festivity held by Seiran High, which was known for its fondness of events. Though no parents attended unlike the cultural festival, the school was still quite bustling.

The cheers and shouts of the students echoed throughout the school, reaching from the gymnasium to the music room.

And here was the home economics room.

It was the venue of the [Boxed Lunch Contest] held by the Home Economics Club. It was almost time for the food to be sampled.

Until then, only pictures posted alongside each entry were used as reference material for evaluating them.

Affixed to them were the entry numbers, titles, recipes, photos of the ingredients before cooking from various angles and even receipts from the supermarket to prove that they made the food within the designated cost of materials.

However, the rest of the information did not indicate the name of the maker or their club.

Yo, Homuran!

So you came, Makichi.

Makino showed up in front of Homura as she was anxiously waiting by the window of the home economics room.

Tahaha, I got hungry, you know? I skipped out on helping my club. The student council should permit food stands for the Shinryoku Festival.

As the jersey-wearing Makino complained, Homura bowed her head in apology.

Sorry for not coming to visit you. I ended up preparing for this till the last minute all morning

Then you managed to make it in time?

Homura nodded again in relief, but Makino peered at her closely.

And yet, you dont look like you stayed up all night, Homuran Well, in that case, good job on finishing it!

Yeah, thanks.

All right, Im going to taste the results of Homurans home cooking training for sure~. In fact, Ill make you my wife~

As Homura responded with a carefree laugh, Makino whispered in her ear.

Hey, Homuran, whisper to me your entry number.

Sorry. I was warned not to say anything since the people in charge will find out right away.

Even now, the upperclassman in charge of executing the Home Economics Clubs event was glaring at her.

If votes for a specific boxed lunch were biased due to being in the same class or club, they would suspect it being a case of fixed block votes.

So its made completely fair Well, I suppose thats a good thing.

Nodding with her arms crossed, Makino suddenly raised her head and surveyed their surroundings.

Wheres Touya-kun, the enviable taste-tester?

He ran away. He said he couldnt stand to watch.

How pathetic!

Ahaha, sorry. That was a joke. Apparently he cant come due to circumstances on his end.

Just when she thought she was getting a call from him on her cell phone for the first time, thats what he said to her.

However, it wasnt like she had called him or texted him either. Shed really prefer it if her first call to him would be to convey wonderful news.

Hey, how are things going with the [Yamato Nadeshiko Contest]?

Fufufu, so you really are interested? I brought the official predictions list.

Grinning, Makino took out a folded printout from her pocket.

The page looked just like the kind of thing used for horse racing predictions, making Homura wonder where shed gotten such information from.

Who made that? People are really enjoying themselves with this.

The two of them unfolded the official predictions list.

Here, look here.

From among the pictures of pretty first years, Makino pointed at a corner of the list and read it out.

[Mysterious Transfer Students first entry upon her first attendance! A Dark Horse for whom even her affiliated club is unknown!]

Entry #9, [FujimoriAmeno]? Her last names the same as Fujimori-senseis? But they dont look like sisters at all. Are they half-siblings?

Whats this? Err, the comment she gave right before her appearance on stage was[Serving tea is a robots duty!]What the heck is this? Shes getting more and more mysterious.

As the two of them became interested in the suspicious description on the printout, things became noisy over by the entrance to the home economics room.

Several tall upperclassmen had showed up.

The one who appeared at their head was a familiar face to Homura.

Hey there, sorry for making you wait, everyone. Seiran Highs Fourteenth Student Council President, Rokujizou Takara, has arrived!

She came in trailing about ten people along with her.

So the special judge is the student council president, huh? As usual, shes quite a noisy and boisterous person.

Makino was bewildered by the presidents exaggerated entrance.

Behind Rokujizou was the accountant Yamashina who Homura had met back then, accompanying her like the manager of a busy performer.

Ah

However, the person who caught Homuras eye was a third year female student who accompanied Rokujizou.

Thats the beauty from that time at the jazz club!

Their eyes met.

The girl had a transparent gaze that saw through Homura.

After Homura stared at her unconsciously, the girl once again nodded in greeting at Homura in a bashful manner.

President Rokujizou also noticed Homuras presence and walked over to her.

The camera of the events record keeper energetically made shutter noises.

Hello, Hinooka-san. I heard you were participating in this contest. But I have to warn you that I intend to critique fairly and impartially as a special judge.

Yes, of course. I look forward to hearing your judgment!

While she replied in kouhai-mode, Homura couldnt help being interested in the beauty next to Rokujizou.

She repeatedly glanced at the girl.

So, umm

Her? This girl here is my friendno, just friend is incomplete as a description.

Rokujizou placed her fingers on the beautys sloping shoulder.

This is my best friend, Misasagi Mayo.

After being proudly introduced by Rokujizou, Misasagi-senpai shrank her shoulders and acted embarrassed once again.

Apparently, she was already a celebrity among the upperclassmen, and there seemed to be a strict practice of watching over her lovingly so as to prevent anyone from ever stepping over a fixed line.

Homura hadnt been able to clearly see her in the dark and crowded jazz club the other day, but now that she directly faced her like this, she could see that Misasagis beauty was even more outstanding than she had imagined. She was blessed with a tall figure that rivaled President Rokujizous, making Homura wonder why she hadnt noticed her at school until now.

Although both of them stood out in peoples eyes, compared to Misasagi-senpai who gave off the aura of a high class young lady, Homura was like a worthless commoner who acted as a pretty signboard girl at a downtown shop.

And shes also the president of our schools prided Exploration Club.

Misasagi-senpai, isthe president, of the ExplorationClub?

This person, this senpai, was the president, of the Exploration Club?

In Homuras mind, an image of Touya making a curt expression made the paltry excuse, I didnt tell you? Sorry, sorry. Mentally, Homura squatted down and delivered a peerless, anti-aircraft uppercut aimed at the sky.

An imaginary mountain gorilla let out a war cry and fell down a ravine of skyscrapers, and the black-haired beauty that was left behind looked at Homura apologetically with closed eyes.

Naturally unperturbed by slight eccentricities of any student, Rokujizou continued the introductions.

Today, Im looking around the Shinryoku Festival with her while doing official business on the side

You got it backwards. The official business takes precedence first and foremost.

Rokujizou ignored Yamashinas remark as he tried to keep them on track.

Could it be that you and Misasagi are already acquainted, Hinooka-san? Youre kinda giving off that feeling.

Yes, umm, the truth is, I met her the other day in Honmachi

At that point, Homuras words trailed off.

I really shouldnt mention here that I went somewhere minors arent allowed, should I? The teachers are watching, after all.

Umm, i-in other words

After grasping at straws for an answer, Homura suddenly stood up straight and propped up her hands on her forehead.

It was like, just when you thought that Nomis space pilot did a lap around the earth, the earth was actually a cat, or something like that!

HmmI have no idea what you mean!

Rokujizou nodded with a radiant smile, seeming happy somehow.

Next to her, Misasagi quietly joined her slender fingers together.

In other words, the world is, a small place.

Misasagi spoke her words bit by bit, as if whispering.

Homura gasped in surprise.

Yes thats right! Its a really small place!

Homura squeezed her forehead in the space between her hands.

Misasagi let slip a smile.

We need to move along soon, president.

Yamashina spoke up again while checking the time.

True. It seems some people are getting hungry too. Lets hurry up and begin.

Coming back to her senses, Homura backed away unsteadily with Makino supporting her.

Ugh.

Careful there. As expected, even Hinooka Homura isnt a match for the third years.

The Exploration Club.

Then that meant that that girl was the ringleader who had nominated Homura for the Exploration Club along with Touya.

The president and Misasagi-senpai headed towards the contest venue at the center of the home economics room.

The number of contestants in the Boxed Lunch Contest was twelve.

Each of them had prepared five boxed lunches apiece.

In other words, there were sixty boxed lunches lined up here.

Then lets begin the judging! Also, there are contestants among the people gathered here. I wont mince words, but I, Rokujizou, hold neither malice nor ulterior motives here. Id like for all judges to speak frankly.

Homura and Makino were hidden amidst the crowd of students gathered in the home economics room.

Makino whispered in Homuras ear.

Does the special judge have greater voting power than the others?

No, her vote is the same as the other students. But she has the right to eat in whatever order she wants before the others and announce her critique first.

I see Its actually hard to compare boxed lunches, isnt it? Ill use this as future reference.

Makino nodded in understanding.

Depending on the case, it could turn into poison-testing, huh

Ugh.

Rokujizou went to stand in front of a certain boxed lunch. The record keepers video camera followed her.

All right, lets start with this one. [Todays Boxed Lunch]

Rokujizou began her critique.

Among the rest of these elaborately made entries, this ones gentle on the eyes and its standard food arrangement conversely stands out. White rice with dried plums and ginger tsukidani1. Spinach gomae2, thinly sliced eggs, carrot glace, and finally, beef jigureni3as the main dish. Hmm, assorted grains are casually used in the rice. It lacks a distinctive characteristic, but I like it. Id even want to eat it every day.

This one is red the [Red Lunch]! Truly red, absolutely red! Has there been any recipe before that has a boxed lunch overflowing with such fighting spirit? The impactful and distinctive pink color that colors the ten kinds of rice grains is plum vinegar. And these Chinese yams are also soaked in plum vinegar. It makes my hunger well up. Furthermore, theres boiled chicken flavored with sauce along with fried olives spiced with paprika. For desert, there are strawberries and raspberries. This one is even more impactful than last years [Black Lunch].

The main dish here is hot sandwiches of various colors filled with mashed potatoesNo, these are gougres! I know about it. Gougre is a choux pastry mixed with cheese and baked in an oven. At first glance, it seems long and complicated, but its actually simple to make. The side dishes are steamed chicken piccatas and apple saut. I seem to remember that theyre cooked by using a two-tray oven. The name is a nice play on words: [Tricolor Sandwich]. It can change the rooftop or courtyard into a Montparnasse caf in Paris.

Thus continuing to speak at such a high tempo, Rokujizou critiqued the boxed lunches one after another.

Eventually reaching the end of the line-up, the president retraced her steps with a depressed gait. The audience, who had all been salivating terribly, followed after her while holding their empty stomachs.

Now then, lastly I suppose Ill challenge this one which I purposefully ignored Entry #8, the [Fried Udon Boxed Lunch]!

Rokujizou grabbed hold of a boxed lunch with a round bottom and raised it up above her head.

Who the hell made this boxed lunch!? As if I could eat something like this! Is this place supposed to be a beach hut!? Theres an obvious problem with it even before sampling it!

However, at that moment, Rokujizou felt an inexplicable shiver as she saw the audiences gaze forcefully torn away from her.

Hah Misasagi!? Whatre you doing!?

When Rokujizou followed the direction of their gaze, she saw Misasagi-senpai bring her chopsticks to the Friend Udon Boxed Lunch that the Home Economics Club members had divided up into individual plates for each dish.

H-Hey, Misasagi! Are you trying to steal my privilege as student council president!?

The president fell into a frantic panic.

Youre taking, too long, *chew, chew*, to talk, you say? Sorry about that. I was influenced by the manga I read yesterday in preparation Eh, it tastes good?

Misasagi gave a small nod.

Not willing to let herself fall behind, Rokujizou vigorously separated her chopsticks using her mouth.

I-In the first place, whats with this slovenly food arrangement!? This dark drown color just like the depths of the ocean is red gingerno, this isnt a heap of red ginger?

The president looked astonished as she timidly poked her chopsticks into it.

This is purple cabbage marinade! T-This is quite gentle on the stomach, I suppose.

She picked up some of the udon with trembling chopsticks.

And These pieces of dried bonito sucking up the moisture and clinging to it catch my attention, but this fragrance this is

Rokujizou chewed and swallowed it.

I-Its miso seasoning!

Rokujizou shuddered.

A shock ran through the audience.

Not soy sauce or any other sauce, let alone mustard or mayonnaiseits miso! This fried udon is seasoned with miso!

The people listening to her critique all took a step back instinctively.

Thats right.

Feeling a sense of oppression surrounding her, the president looked around at the audience.

You all Are you that absurdly weak to the taste of miso!? Since the moment we were born, the taste we were raised on from a young age, the miso malt genes weve inherited over the generations cry out, Give me miso! Give me miso! Amino acids!

Rokujizou was at her wits end, trapped in ambivalence between intelligence and instinct.

I wont acknowledge it. I wont acknowledge it. Fried udon is the taste you eat along with the heat of the iron plate. Its fried, therefore its fried udon. This is just udon thats cold from the beginning!

Amidst the dead silent room, the president once again didnt miss the quietly uttered whisper following her declaration and turned around.

If you say that, then even frying the rice in a bento would be tasty, you say!? Thats exactly right, Misasagi! As usual, your discernment is calm and accurate!

Rokujizou brought more of the udon to her mouth.

I see, using splittable chopsticks makes it easier to eat. Mumumu the bits of fried batter with squid also smell savory! But this is junk food. To hell with nutritional balance! On the other hand, if the amount of vegetables were increased, you would lose the true texture of udon going down your throat that just barely remains here. Aah, its no good, no good, this boxed lunch is no good!

Giving off an inexplicable sense of defeat, Rokujizou supported herself with her hands on the nearby desk.

Is that all? asked Yamashina.

Yeah.

Quickly regaining her gallantry, Rokujizou surveyed everyone in the room.

With this, my critique is finished. Sorry for making you all wait. Please go on and sample the food, everyone. I wish every boxed lunch-chan luck.

The student council president threw a piece of paper into the ballot box that the Home Economics Club members had respectfully brought out.

I will merely cast my vote on what I believe in, she said as a parting remark, and then headed off to the next venue. Misasagi-senpai also cast in her own vote and gave a bow to the remaining students before leaving.

The results of the [Boxed Lunch Contest] tallied that day

Hinooka Homuras [Fried Udon Boxed Lunch] earned great popularity and acquired first place alongside the Home Economic Club members entry [Medley Sushi Boxed Lunch]. The grand prize was a gift certificate for books. The extra prize was the right to use the demonically-remodeled electric bicycle that served as student council equipment.

On the other hand, in the annually uproarious [Yamato Nadeshiko Contest]

The female secretary sent in by the student council achieved victory and recovered the title for the student council after their loss last year.

The conspicuous dark horse Fujimori Ameno, after performing the tea-making perfectly, unveiled a school swimsuit with a bewitching way of undressing that you wouldnt expect from a first year and vigorously jumped into the pool, but when she showed no signs of surfacing after several minutes, Professor Fujimori rushed in and saved her, and while the audience was left dumbfounded, Fujimori dragged her off somewhere Hah.

Chapter 7 END

TRANSLATORS NOTES

(1) Tsukidani: small seafood, meat or seaweed that has been simmered in soy sauce and preserved.

(2) Gomae: dish dressed with sesame sauce.

(3) Jigureni: seafood, etc. preserve made with mirin, ginger and soy.