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37.41% Life As Hikigaya Hachiman / Chapter 221: [221] Simplified Version - Noodles and Not Noodles

Chapter 221: [221] Simplified Version - Noodles and Not Noodles

Chapter 221: Simplified Version - Noodles and Not Noodles

"Noodles, not noodles!"

After presenting this question, Hachiman turned around, faced the students in the classroom, and smiled.

"How about it? This topic is simple, isn't it?"

Simple? Do you have a misunderstanding about simplicity?

We don't get it at all, okay?

Not only them, even Dojima, who was observing the situation from the specially equipped central control room, was momentarily perplexed.

"Um... Mr. Instructor, can you please explain what this means?" At this moment, a brave girl spoke up.

Turning to the source, the girl had wine-red long hair, and her well-proportioned figure was vividly highlighted by the slightly tight chef's uniform.

Seeing her face, Hachiman recognized her; she was Ryoko Sakaki, one of the Polar Star Dorm members.

However, her voice seemed strangely familiar, as if it resembled Utaha's voice.

Acknowledging the somewhat familiar voice, he gave a reminder.

"To explain, the assessment theme is 'noodles,' but the main ingredient cannot be noodles. I think you should understand it this way."

Hachiman shrugged, not being insanely cryptic like in the anime. Instead, he provided a straightforward explanation. After all, these were still students, and such strict standards wouldn't be suitable for their assessment. Otherwise, in this classroom with dozens of students, there might only be a few remaining.

Similar exam questions appeared in the original "Shokugeki no Soma" series. In the later "Totsuki Train" arc, the Rebel Alliance led by Soma faced a challenge with a noodle-themed assessment. However, they managed to cleverly use potatoes as noodles to complete the task.

After Hachiman's explanation, the students in the classroom suddenly understood, but then started contemplating again.

Noodles that couldn't be made with noodles—how should they approach this?

However, Hachiman didn't offer any further hints. If he reminded too much, it would defeat the purpose of the assessment.

"Now that everyone understands, I won't say more. The duration is three hours, feel free to use any ingredients and utensils available, whether in this classroom or outside. As long as you can prepare a dish that satisfies me within the specified time, you pass."

"Now, the assessment begins!"

With Hachiman's words, the students in the classroom began to take action. Some went in search of ingredients, while others contemplated what kind of dish would meet the requirements.

Naturally, he paid special attention to Erina.

Rather than haphazardly starting, the girl first went to the ingredient area at the back of the classroom, examined the available ingredients, and then pondered her approach.

After about half an hour, Erina finally took action.

She raised her chin towards Hachiman, sitting on the podium, let out a soft snort, and began selecting ingredients.

She picked two fish, several prawns, a few eggs, a small bag of high-gluten flour, and a bottle of white wine before returning to her cooking station.

Seeing this, Hachiman raised an eyebrow; it seemed Erina wanted to take on the challenge of making fish noodles, a dish with a higher level of difficulty.

While using fish for noodles can enhance the flavor, it has a drawback—being too soft and sticky. It requires adding other ingredients to improve the texture of the noodles, and it depends on how Erina handles that.

After observing Erina's approach, Hachiman turned his attention to another target—Ryoko Sakaki.

As a member of the Polar Star Dorm, she was naturally one of the candidates he valued.

Although the Polar Star Dorm had a small number of members, each possessed exceptional skills.

- Marui Zenji, with extensive culinary knowledge.

- Ibusaki Shun, skilled in various smoking methods.

- Ryoko Sakaki, specialized in "fermentation" cuisine.

- Yuki Yoshino, adept at handling various game meats.

- Tadokoro Megumi, always considerate of the diners, skilled in simple and rustic local cuisine.

Not to mention the protagonist of the original work, Soma Yukihira, and the current seventh seat of the Elite Ten, Isshiki Satoshi.

Even though it wasn't immediately apparent what was special about Daigo Aoki and Shoji Sato, these two seemingly delinquent guys, through their ability to survive the lodging training and persist until later stages, displayed praiseworthy qualities.

After some contemplation, Ryoko Sakaki also had an idea and began to take action.

Among the ingredients she selected was a white bottle, but after examining it, she furrowed her brows and asked Hachiman on the podium, "Instructor, may I go get some ingredients I prepared myself?"

"Of course, as I mentioned earlier, whether it's within this classroom or outside, feel free to use any available ingredients, as long as you can create a dish that satisfies me within the specified time," Hachiman replied with a smile, nodding.

Upon hearing this, Ryoko Sakaki's face brightened, and she hurriedly ran out of the classroom.

Before long, she returned, holding a bottle containing somewhat murky liquid and a bag of sticky substance resembling natto.

With these two items, Ryoko Sakaki also approached the cooking station to start preparing her dish.

At this point, many students began their cooking experiments. Trying something was better than doing nothing; who knows, they might pass.

As time passed, after about another hour, some students finally presented their dishes.

Interestingly, it wasn't the two girls Erina and Ryoko whom Hachiman was keeping an eye on; it was an ordinary-looking male student.

"Instructor, please taste it," the male student said with a somewhat insecure expression.

As Hachiman looked at the presented dish, he raised an eyebrow.

The transparent broth was crystal clear, and all that could be seen was a lump of noodles, without any accompanying ingredients.

He picked up the chopsticks, selected a noodle, and tasted it.

"Hmm, the noodles are mainly made from potatoes, which does align with the theme of 'Noodles, Not Noodles,'" Hachiman nodded.

Hearing this, the male student breathed a sigh of relief, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face. In his mind, he already considered himself successful.

However, Hachiman shifted his focus and pointed to the bowl of clear soup noodles. "But, my friend, what about the ingredients for this bowl of noodles?"

"Huh? Ingredients, what ingredients?" The male student, suddenly questioned, didn't quite understand.

"Do you mean to tell me your noodle soup only has noodles and no other ingredients?"

"But, Instructor, isn't your theme noodles?"

"Yes, the theme is noodles, but do you really think just having acceptable noodles is enough to pass? My requirement is a satisfying dish. Can your bowl of clear soup noodles be considered a complete dish?"

"No accompanying dishes, and you cooked the noodles in plain water. You're not trying to fool me with this kind of half-finished product, are you?"

As he said this, the smile disappeared from Hachiman's face. The previously indifferent demeanor was gone, replaced by an even more imposing aura than Shinomiya.


next chapter

Chapter 222: [222] Qualified Candidates

Chapter 222: Qualified Candidates

While Hachiman is currently just a high school student, he has almost reached the pinnacle in several fields.

Take kendo, for example. Originally a martial art, with the near-maxed-out "Kendo" module, his aura is something an ordinary high school student can hardly withstand.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure emanating from Hachiman, the male student took a step back. When he recalled Hachiman's previous words, his face turned pale.

He realized he had entered a misconception.

After hearing the theme of "noodles, not noodles," he focused all his energy on "noodles," forgetting the crucial broth and side dishes.

In the Japan culinary culture, noodles are never the main focus. The emphasis lies in the broth and the toppings on the noodles.

In some traditional ramen shops, adding extra noodles is often free, but if you want more broth, you'll have to pay.

Not only this male student but also other students attempting the challenge had similarly misplaced their focus on the noodles.

"Go back and redo it. You still have time. As long as you can create a dish that satisfies me within the remaining time, you can still pass," Hachiman said, retracting his imposing aura and waving his hand dismissively.

The male student, feeling granted a reprieve, hastily took his dish back to the cooking station.

After about ten minutes, someone finally submitted their dish again. Hachiman perked up because this time it was Erina.

The girl approached with a covered dish in hand.

"Hmph, go ahead and taste my dish." Erina huffed as she stood before him.

Hachiman, accustomed to the girl's attitude, lifted the dish cover, revealing a steaming bowl of noodle soup. Light yellow noodles floated in the broth, accompanied by meat rolls as toppings.

Raising an eyebrow, Hachiman glanced at Erina's confident smile. He picked up a strand of "noodles" with chopsticks and slurped it into his mouth.

As his teeth bit down, the chewy noodles snapped, and the deliciousness of fish meat burst in his mouth.

"Oh, interesting. Blend bream and shrimp into a paste, then mix with high-gluten flour and a bit of egg white to form the noodles. The addition of high-gluten flour and shrimp enhances the texture, making it comparable to noodles made from wheat flour in terms of firmness and hardness!"

After commenting on the noodles, Hachiman took a bite of the meat roll. The freshness of sea bream instantly unfolded in his mouth.

"These meat rolls involve tying sea bream with a thread, coloring with light soy sauce, and simmering with a bit of white wine."

"As for the broth, it's made by simmering sea bream heads and bones. I guess I got it all right."

Looking up, he met Erina's slightly surprised gaze. Hachiman smiled.

"Don't tell me you also have..." Erina began uncertainly.

But as if knowing what the girl was about to say, Hachiman interjected.

"I don't have the same 'God Tongue' as you. My taste buds are just a bit more sensitive than the average person's."

"Oh, I see." The girl breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing that Hachiman's culinary skills far surpassed hers, Erina's only advantage was the "God Tongue." If Hachiman had it too, she wasn't sure how to face him.

Having confirmed her advantage once again, Erina restored her usual proud expression.

"How is it? Did my dish pass?"

"Of course, the noodles, broth, and toppings are all fine."

Hachiman nodded and announced the assessment results.

"Erina Nakiri, qualified!"

Upon hearing the first qualifier, many students in the classroom showed envy, but at the same time, they felt it was only natural. After all, Erina was not only the granddaughter of the school director but also the only member of the Elite Ten in the first year, boasting much stronger culinary skills than them.

However, they quickly pushed aside their mixed emotions and focused on their own cooking. After all, Erina passing was Erina passing, and their own fate was still uncertain.

"You've passed this challenge. You're free to move around until 5 PM," Hachiman informed the girl after the assessment.

Erina was aware of the evening challenge involving fifty portions of steak rice, and considering the current time was just past 3 PM, she had almost two hours until 5 PM. She decided to go back to her room and rest for a bit.

However, as she turned to leave, Hachiman called her again.

"By the way, Erina, would you like to have dinner together?"

"Dinner together?"

Hearing this, the girl was somewhat intrigued, but her tsundere personality didn't allow her to immediately agree.

"Hmph, let's talk about it tonight. I'm going back to rest."

After saying this, she left the classroom.

Watching Erina's departing figure, Hachiman shrugged. Knowing her well, if she didn't refuse on the spot, it meant she had agreed. He just needed to call her in the evening.

Shortly after Erina left, more students started presenting their dishes, but unfortunately, only a few managed to pass.

After about another half an hour, another person Hachiman had an eye on, Ryoko Sakaki, also started presenting her dish.

Opening the lid of the dish revealed a subtle fragrance of alcohol.

The dish she made resembled something like rice noodles, where soaked rice was ground into powder, mixed with a little water in proportion, and finally pressed using a small noodle press.

The broth was a mushroom-based broth, and during the noodle cooking process, the girl added her homemade high-concentration grain alcohol. This way, during the boiling process, the characteristic rich aroma of grains could emerge, enhancing the flavor of the "noodles."

As for the final topping, Ryoko Sakaki added her carefully aged natto.

Although it looked somewhat viscous, the taste was quite delicious.

"Ryoko Sakaki, qualified!"

With no issues in the noodles, broth, and toppings, Hachiman naturally declared her qualified.

Upon hearing that she passed, Ryoko breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well done. Since there's still some time before 5 PM, you can go back to your room to rest and prepare for the next round of assessment," Hachiman reminded the person he had high expectations for.

This statement sparked discussions among the students.

"What? There's still another assessment?"

"It's already 4 o'clock at the end of this assessment. Can't we even have dinner?"

"No, seriously? One assessment after another, lasting for several days. Who can handle this?"


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