After the war belonging to the rebels ended, Totsuki Academy seemed to return to peace once again. There was no doubt that Nakiri Azami's revolution had ended, and the Central Kitchen that had existed before would completely lose its meaning at this moment. After all, cooking is not bound by anything. Because of this, Hachiman's final battle brought such outstanding changes to the cooking world.
Even so, Totsuki Academy was still as quiet as usual. Because Senzaemon took over as the headmaster again, everything seemed to return to the starting point. The annual new Elite Ten selection battle would completely change the structure of Totsuki Academy.
Hachiman took a light breath as usual. Before this, he had successfully won against nine members of the Elite Ten, and this battle was against his old opponent, Tsukasa.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Hachiman in front of her. Although she couldn't see any tension on his face, she seemed to gradually understand Hachiman's heart along the way. She gently took Hachiman's hand. When their fingers intertwined, both of them became excited at this moment without saying a word.
"Hachiman, don't be nervous."
"Yeah..."
Erina on the side was obviously still a little upset. Seeing the two of them so close, she stubbornly put her hand on Hachiman's other hand, reminding Hachiman with her proud eyes:
"Tsukasa is indeed a very powerful chef, but you are even more amazing, Hachiman. So I believe in you, I have always believed in you."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Idiot, why are you thanking me?"
The scene of the two girls competing for Hachiman's attention was seen by the people behind them, especially Tadokoro Megumi. She clearly wanted to say something as well, but she couldn't say anything in the face of the two girls' terrifying power.
However, Ryoko on the side showed a calm smile, only to suddenly pat her back and push her forward.
"Idiot, if you have something to say, say it now."
Tadokoro Megumi, who became the center of everyone's attention, looked flustered. In front of Hachiman, she was even more nervous and speechless.
"What's wrong, little Megumi? Am I that scary?"
Hachiman took the initiative to ask her, which made Tadokoro Megumi even more at a loss. She just waved her hands quickly, like a frightened rabbit:
"No... that's not it! I just wanted to tell you! You must win!"
Hachiman gently stroked her head as usual, then showed a calm smile:
"Of course, I will win."
Under the host's introduction, Tsukasa and Hachiman walked up the steps. As former opponents, they were finally going to have a real showdown.
Tsukasa: "Looks like I really can't escape a match with you. But I'm looking forward to it!"
Hachiman nodded as well: "Actually, I'm looking forward to it too."
Tsukasa: "But I didn't expect that you would come here to challenge me in less than a year, only one step away from the first seat."
Hachiman: "Perhaps this one step only took a year, but in reality, it took me a very, very long time to get here. This includes my decades of life."
Tsukasa smiled lightly, his expression changing:
"Yeah, who can define anyone's life? I apologize for underestimating you. After all, what you have suffered is something I have never experienced."
Hachiman smiled in response, but said nothing more.
He didn't think his life was pathetic, at least not now. Perhaps it was because he had such an unreliable father and a sister who always cared about him that his childhood wasn't unhappy. Although he didn't have any friends since he was little, the world changed when he came to Totsuki, and perhaps his life became different from then on.
With Kawashima Urara's declaration of 'start,' the stadium was once again filled with excitement. Countless people were sitting in front of the TV, waiting for the outcome of this Food War.
As a battle for the first seat, the heat was no less than the previous team Food War. Many people had different ideas about this. Haruno and Yukino's mother, and even Nakiri Azami, Seiichiro, and Dojima, were all watching this match.
Cooking changes with the times, and its future ultimately belongs to young people. If they understand this, they should be able to accept it.
After a quite interesting match, Hachiman ultimately won the victory. He became the first person to reach the top spot as a first-year student and a transfer student.
His existence naturally spread throughout Totsuki. Even fifty years later, this genius named Hachiman would be recorded in the academy.
The team Food War he participated in was also called the Battle of Change by later generations and constantly praised. People of the present age witnessed everything.
Two years later...
Everyone still faces the matter of graduation and will embark on different paths in life. But this kind of thing has long been prepared for Hachiman. In the past two years, his identity is no longer a simple student, let alone the so-called first seat. After communicating with the headmaster, he became the new candidate for headmaster.
After Zauemon completely retires, he will inherit everything. The reason is Erina's repeated recommendations. In her eyes, after that kiss, Hachiman was already a member of her Nakiri family. There is no doubt about this.
However, before that, Hachiman still hasn't forgotten what he has to do. He remembers that he promised his dad to carry forward Hikigaya Restaurant. His next plan is to travel around the world for this purpose and lay a solid foundation for his restaurant.
His friends are also taking different paths at this moment.
Hikigaya Komachi hasn't graduated yet, but she has already obtained the first seat in the academy, becoming an existence admired by younger students. Isshiki's cousin, Isshiki Ayase, became the second seat. This was something that no one had expected. She really fulfilled her promise to herself. Although she didn't help in any way at that time, she put all her heart into cooking after that day. With the Isshiki family's talent, she quickly rose to the second seat.
Hayama Akira is still in the research institute, planning to continue researching spices with the professor. Kurokiba and Alice returned to Northern Europe, planning to provide children there with cooking knowledge. Tadokoro Megumi went to Shinomiya's restaurant to continue learning. The Takumi brothers returned to their hometown. Ryoko and the others couldn't bear to leave the landlady, so they simply wanted to stay and become teachers in Totsuki Academy.
It seems that everyone is taking different paths in life, but in fact, their relationships are still close. No matter where they are, their hearts are still tightly bound together. This makes Hachiman have to think about his past ideas. He always thought that time and distance would separate a friendship, but the fact tells him that this is not the case.
As long as there are people who care, they will not be separated.
But what's giving him a headache now is not these problems, but the two girls in front of him. It seems that no matter where he goes, they will follow him closely.
"Grandma Fumio, we're leaving!"
Grandma Fumio looked at the three people in front of her with a comforted expression. She wasn't able to see Seiichiro off here, but now she can personally witness her son's growth. Isn't this a kind of inheritance?
Hachiman waved his hand gently, and Grandma Fumio waved her hand with a composed smile.
Perhaps unlike her old self, Hikigaya Hachiman is just a young boy. There is still a long way to go in the future, and his life has only just begun. Although lives are different, she cannot use her own eyes to see his whole life, but there will always be someone who can accompany him until old age.
Komachi obviously couldn't control her tears and ran out to hug Hachiman.
Perhaps she had expected this situation, Hachiman didn't show a surprised expression, but smiled and gently stroked her head.
"You really haven't grown up at all."
Komachi cried out 'wah,' and her tears fell uncontrollably. Then she started mumbling:
"Brother, we're separating again!"
"I'm worried about you like this. After all, you're going to grow up and get married in the future."
Although Hachiman never wants his sister to grow up and get married, this is a part of life. Looking at the scene in front of him is somewhat similar, but... is the one crying the wrong one?
Recalling ten years ago, Komachi would cry in his arms like this every time she encountered difficulties. Although there were many conflicts at that time, he always kept his duty as a brother in his heart.
"Okay, okay, it's only a year, and I'll come back often. Totsuki's 'Hikigaya Restaurant' is in your hands."
That's right, it's only a year. There are some ties in his heart now. Of course, Komachi is reluctant to leave him, but how can Hikigaya Hachiman be willing to leave her?
Moreover, there are his friends here, and a landlady who takes care of him. No matter what, Totsuki Academy has given him too much.
With a final farewell wave, the group temporarily parted ways.
Yukinoshita, who had just gotten into the car, asked curiously:
"Since it's our first stop, where should we go?"
Hachiman naturally hasn't thought about this question properly. If he wants to root 'Hikigaya Restaurant,' he really needs a more open country.
Moreover, a country that can adapt to local cuisine and is very friendly... it has to be there..
Before Hachiman could say it, Erina obviously said unhappily:
"It was supposed to be a global date for two people, but it was ruined by some people. How shameless."
Yukinoshita Yukino certainly wouldn't sit still and immediately retorted in her sharp tone:
"Oh? In my opinion, you are a high and mighty young lady. How can you bear such hardship? Instead of crying on the road, you might as well go back early."
"Huh??"
"Hmm?!"
The two girls looked at each other, and a strong power broke out for a moment. Hikigaya, who was stuck in the middle, deeply felt the destructive power brought by the two girls, and his body and mind became exhausted.
Erina is naturally very confident. After all, the future entire Totsuki Academy belongs to Hachiman. From beginning to end, Totsuki has belonged to the Nakiri family. This also explains from a certain point of view that Hachiman will definitely marry her in the end.
However, Yukinoshita Yukino continues to speak:
"I am the partner who has worked together from the beginning, and the status of my Yukinoshita family is no less than yours. But compared to some people who only use family power, I want to have heartfelt communication."
There is no doubt that these words deeply struck Erina. Only by fighting, Erina can't last a round in Yukinoshita Yukino's words, but.. Hachiman has a bigger headache because of this.
Say, it is definitely not normal for two girls who are deeply in love with him to follow him.
At least Hachiman has never thought that something like this would happen to him one day.
Moreover, his heart truly has feelings for both of them that he can't give up. After all, both of them have indeed helped him when he encountered trouble.
Thinking so, Hachiman only wants to change the subject immediately at this time.
"China, how about it!?"
Erina naturally nodded without a doubt, showing a happy smile: "It's fine as long as Hachiman decides. I can do anything, and I haven't been to China yet."
Yukinoshita Yukino is more rational, just thinking about it, and then gently nodding:
"China's cultural heritage is very powerful, and it is also very inclusive. Moreover, we and them are all from Asia, and we are all of the same race, so their tastes will be more similar. It is indeed a good choice."
After hearing that neither of them had any objections, Hachiman quickly decided the theme.
"So, first stop, China!"
Their journey will begin from this moment. Although Hachiman has already gained unquestionable recognition in the country and even made him the first person in Totsuki throughout history, his cooking skills still need a lot of improvement in the world. This is only the first stop.
In this world, there are of course many things worth learning for the three of them, not only in life, but also in cooking. They are only traveling around the world as students. With the plane taking off, this new journey will completely begin from this moment.
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