Chapter 164 Conquer Bristol
The International High School Bristol Branch was located in a corner of Bristol city, in a sparsely populated area. Its campus was vast—more than three times the size of the Chiba Branch. Conveniently, it was only a five-minute walk to the shopping street, various restaurants, and hotels; another five minutes on foot would lead to a river running through the entire city.
Inside the campus, multiple kinds of trees were planted—cedars, paulownias, and more. On the right side of the entrance stood an antiquated blue-topped spire; to its left were the teaching buildings, while the girls' dormitory was positioned at the front-right.
It was already past seven in the morning, and students who had finished breakfast began tidying themselves and changing into their uniforms in preparation for school.
Many of the dormitory residents were art-specialty students. Unlike students in regular academic schools, they carried not school bags but instruments or art supplies as they headed toward their respective classrooms.
At that moment, three adult women entered through the gate. Among them, a brown-haired woman with glasses led the way, followed by a beautiful and slightly handsome black-haired woman in a Western-style jacket, who glanced over and nodded. Alongside them was the dormitory supervisor.
"Ah! It's Sawa-chan and Hiratsuka -sensei~!"
"Good morning, Senseis," the students ran up to greet them.
"Good morning," Hiratsuka Shizuka replied.
"Sensei, come have breakfast too! Shirou made the food, and it's really delicious!" The girls grabbed the two Senseis' hands and led them inside.
"See? I told you Shirou is super popular here. Let's eat quickly," Sawako said to her friend.
She had woken up early that morning to pick up Hiratsuka Shizuka from the hotel. Most of the reason was to enjoy a few happy days with her fiancé, but a small part was simply to get back to the dormitory in time to have a delicious breakfast.
"Really?" Hiratsuka Shizuka was led into the cafeteria, smiling. She had eaten Shirou's breakfast before and did not doubt his cooking skills.
"Shirou, I heard from Yamanaka-sensei that you are acting as a chef here. Your skills are impressive, but are you sure this is okay? You'll be interacting with professionals," Hiratsuka Shizuka asked the boy.
Although British cuisine was famous for being bland, it didn't mean there weren't chefs skilled in international dishes. Afternoon tea culture alone was excellent, and some people even treated afternoon tea desserts as a meal. Moreover, everyone's taste differs; in one country,
debates over whether tofu pudding should be sweet or savory could become heated, while secretly, some even preferred it spicy.
"Can Shirou really satisfy all the female students here?" Hiratsuka Shizuka had her doubts.
"Would you like to try?" Shirou presented a portion of blueberry pie to Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Mm… it smells so good," she exclaimed in admiration. She had underestimated the boy.
"Dormitory supervisor, would you like some too?" Shirou asked the accompanying woman with a smile.
"No, I've already… well, I guess I'll take some!" The supervisor initially tried to refuse but was swayed by the aroma.
"There's still some time before the exchange activities. I want some too! And the tea, please," Sawako cheerfully pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Sure." Shirou agreed and went to the kitchen, soon returning with freshly brewed tea.
The three Senseis sat down and tasted the blueberry pie. At the first bite, each of them brightened with radiant, blissful expressions, as if they had grown younger by several years.
Shirou had been handling household chores from a young age and showed talent in cooking. In high school, through a certain Ba Ji Quan practitioner girl, he learned Chinese cuisines like Sichuan and Cantonese. Cooking alongside his obedient kouhai enhanced his understanding of Western cuisine. By the end of his teenage years, his cooking had already reached an "A-level" mastery.
Through traveling the world, meeting various people, learning new dishes, absorbing their essence, and integrating them, his culinary skills became fully comprehensive. Even after reincarnation, his progress never stopped; he continued improving endlessly. At this point, his skill had reached an immeasurable EX-level, constantly refining day and night, perhaps even capable of surpassing gods someday.
After the Senseis finished eating, Hiratsuka Shizuka and Sawako discussed the day's activities.
"So, how is today's schedule arranged?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked.
Sawako checked her phone and said, "Hmm… first, we meet with the boys' dormitory students, then meet exchange students in the activity room. The school principal and grade director will be there. First, introduce you to Shirou and them, then watch Shirou's archery demonstration at the archery hall, followed by free time."
"Is everyone done eating? Those who aren't, hurry up. Shirou, you'll come with us, and Shizuka, I've already picked up Hiratsuka -sensei," Sawako instructed.
"Okay." Shirou nodded and picked up the archery equipment he had brought this morning.
"Yes~!" The girls responded.
Even the leisurely girls chatting and fooling around finally sped up, swallowing bread and gulping milk, leaving a ring of foam on their lips.
"Artoria, I'm heading toward the school now," Shirou said, placing the third tray of food on the blonde girl's table.
"Okay, Shirou. I'll come to find you at noon," Artoria said while eating fried chicken and sausage bread from the third tray.
"Ah! That's the little maid from last night," Hiratsuka Shizuka noticed Artoria and exclaimed in surprise.
"Is that girl a student too? Still eating… won't she be late? Even for an art-focused school, this is too relaxed," Hiratsuka Shizuka wondered.
"No, she's the dormitory head maid," Sawako explained with a smile.
"Head maid?! She still looks like a kid," Hiratsuka Shizuka said in astonishment.
"Anyway, you'll stay here tonight. Shizuka, you'll understand soon. Just don't break dorm rules and there won't be any problems," Sawako said cheerfully.
"Tch, don't think staying in a hotel lets you act freely. I'll have Shirou supervise you," Hiratsuka Shizuka said with displeasure. She would accompany the students as a chaperone for the next few days.
"Eh…." Sawako secretly made a V sign in her mind; she had promised to help Shirou, and this decision felt absolutely right.
Once everyone was ready, they headed toward the teaching building to meet the team living in the boys' dormitory led by Taki Noboru.
"Oh, Shirou, my good boy, have a smooth day, see you tomorrow," Aunt Susan hugged him.
"See you tomorrow, Aunt Susan," Shirou replied with a helpless smile; the chef was far too enthusiastic.
Shirou then went with the Senseis to a meeting room in the teaching building where the Chiba Branch exchange students were gathering.
"Yo, Shirou, did you go anywhere yesterday?" the boys ran up, draping their arms over Shirou's shoulders.
"I went to Glastonbury Castle," Shirou replied honestly.
"Alone? Shirou, your interests are strange. Wouldn't you normally go somewhere more fun?" the boys asked, puzzled.
"Was it to visit King Arthur's tomb? Maybe to draw cards as a pilgrimage?" another boy said, understanding.
"No, not at all," Shirou dryly replied. He certainly wasn't drawing cards at a tomb in front of anyone.
"Forget it. Shirou, you know, the girls here are top-notch," a few boys whispered, linking arms with Shirou.
"Actually, I got the account of a girl who plays orchestral music yesterday," a piano-playing boy boasted.
"I also met a cheerleading girl," another boy said proudly, brushing back his side bangs.
"That's great… the art girls are all too cold, I don't even have the courage to talk to them," a lone boy said enviously.
"Your luck's just bad. The art class here is internationally renowned. Don't worry; once we get familiar, we'll have them introduce friends to you," the piano boy consoled.
"Thanks, you two, my true friends!" the lone boy replied eagerly.
"Shirou, you too. Don't worry, you're only here a week; we won't abandon you," the bangs-boy patted Shirou's shoulder.
"Ah? Ah… okay." Shirou nodded awkwardly.
Soon, the Bristol Branch exchange students arrived, greeting acquaintances from their fields.
"Hello, Shirou, we're here too," Rita, out of her maid outfit, pulled Mashiro along.
"Yo, Mashiro, Rita, you've really transformed," Shirou said, noticing Rita in a princess dress.
"Hmph, I'm not always a maid," Rita said proudly.
"By the way, Eriri mentioned you two are art-specialty students, exchange students at Bristol Branch," Shirou recalled.
"Yeah, Eriri's a loser. She only draws well. Mashiro, though, she's a super genius," Rita praised her friend.
"And you?" Shirou frowned.
"I… I'm Mashiro's manager! We split the profits from selling paintings fifty-fifty!" Rita said, hands on hips, smiling slyly.
"You're such a ruthless merchant!" Shirou muttered.
"Just kidding. Shirou, what's your performance next?" Rita asked cheerfully.
"Archery. Or, better to say 'Kyudo'," Shirou said.
"Eh? Not a cooking contest?" Rita asked in surprise.
"Cooking contest? Didn't we eat enough this morning? I remember there were three pieces of Baumkuchen in the kitchen," Shirou said with a smile.
"Thanks, Shirou," Mashiro nodded and turned toward the dormitory.
"Hey! Wait! Didn't I tell you not to go back yet? Are you skipping the exchange activities?" Shirou called after her.
"But the Baumkuchen is delicious. If someone else takes it…" Mashiro replied seriously.
"I doubt there's anyone as obsessed as you," Shirou shrugged.
"Fine, it's close anyway. We'll make a quick round trip. See you later," Rita laughed, pushing Mashiro outside.
Besides the two leaving girls, the exchange students included rock bands, fashion designers, and other trendy types.
Being a country famous for rock music, Chiba Branch's Light Music Club members seemed very popular, mingling with music students here. But the most popular remained the boy who had won all the boarding girls' hearts with his cooking.
"Hey! Shirou! Are you coming to see our band this afternoon? Yui and Mio will perform too. It's at a live house near the school!" A red-haired girl carrying an electric guitar waved and ran over, handing him a flyer.
"A live house?" Shirou took the flyer, recognizing the enthusiastic red-haired girl from the dorm. He hadn't realized she was in a band, officially recognized by the school, and seemed impressive.
"Shirou-kun, come on! Join us!" The Light Music Club girls also invited him.
Shirou saw the performance schedule from 6 to 8 PM, with English band names listed. One entry, HTT, had a note: "TeaTime after class."
The seniors, like Azusa and the others, who seemed relaxed, were actually quite active abroad.
"Sure, if I have time, I'll come," Shirou smiled.
"Yay~! Now our band's pumped too," the red-haired girl and the Light Music girls high-fived joyfully.
"Good luck with your archery performance, Shirou! See you!"
"Bye," Shirou replied.
"Let's go over there to promote some more!" The girls moved to another group, handing out flyers.
"This time, add that Shirou might come too," Yui whispered to Ritsu.
"By the way, are you guys interested in the band's performance? There's a show nearby tonight," Shirou asked the boys.
But they all turned to him with astonished expressions, as if seeing some rare, unfamiliar creature.
"Huh? Why are you all looking at me like I'm from another world?" Shirou asked, puzzled.
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