Chapter 39: An Unforgettable Day (Patreon)

"I see." Leonora finally understood. Her pale eyes blinked, and she asked curiously, "So did you sign up for the competition, Ramsay? Could I come tomorrow and cheer for you?"

"I only officially enrolled yesterday, so I missed the group registration. Tomorrow I'm just filling in as outside help for the tug-of-war."

"Tug-of-war?" Leonora was surprised. She pressed a slender white fingertip to her lips. "That's usually something only strong boys take part in. Ramsay... are you really that strong?"

"Mm. Decent enough. At the very least, a little stronger than the average student."

The girl's smile grew even brighter at his answer, and she replied eagerly, "Then I'm definitely going to the field to cheer you on!"

"The thing is, I don't know where the Sports Festival grounds are. Could you take me along with you tomorrow morning?"

"No problem! I'll come find you at the dorm first thing in the morning."

"Thank you, Ramsay!"

*

Sunlight filtered through the milk tea shop and fell across Leonora, making her luminous skin look almost translucent. Her snow-silver hair was so eye-catching that it could easily rattle plenty of boys on campus who had a weakness for silver hair.

Yet she seemed completely unaware of how striking her looks and figure were. She simply chatted happily with Ramsay, wide-eyed and innocent as someone who had never seen the world!

When they finished their milk tea, the two strolled down the shopping street together. They picked an elegant Western restaurant and had lunch there.

*

In the afternoon, Ramsay and Leonora watched a new release at the cinema together.

By the time dusk slowly settled over the academy, Ramsay walked her back to the foot of the girls' dormitory.

Leonora stood on the steps, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt, joy she couldn't hide shining in her eyes. "Ramsay, today was the most relaxed and happy day I've had since I came to Japan and started at Totsuki."

She paused, then looked up at him, her gaze full of nervous hope. "In the future, could I invite you out for walks like this again?"

Ramsay nodded with a faint smile. "Of course. As long as I don't have a cooking assignment or an experiment, I can go out with you anytime!"

"Mm!"

"It's getting late. Go get some rest. I'll come early tomorrow morning to pick you up."

"Mm-hm! Thank you so much. I'm really, really happy today!"

Leonora's eyes sparkled as she stood rooted to the spot and watched him leave. Only when his back had vanished completely around the corner of the tree-lined path did she reluctantly turn away.

*

Students at Totsuki Academy were always buried under intense coursework and evaluations. Apart from the few holidays, there was a constant stream of practical cooking sessions, theory tests, and periodic ranking assessments. The pressure weighed heavily on every student's shoulders, and almost no one could ever let their guard down.

Precisely because the pace was so tight, a large school event with no competition and no evaluation pressure was a rare chance for everyone to breathe and unwind.

And the Sports Festival was exactly that: the only purely recreational event of Totsuki's High School Division!

*

Every year, when the Sports Festival opened, the whole academy came alive!

Free from the shackles of schoolwork, students eagerly signed up for events, either individually or as members of their clubs. Unlike ordinary high schools with their rigid class systems, the idea of a "class" had long faded at Totsuki High, and the main force behind academy events had always been the clubs!

Now, on the academy's great sports field, cooking clubs and athletic clubs gathered side by side, full of vibrant energy everywhere.

Suddenly, a ceremonial cannon salute thundered out. More than ten booming blasts rolled across the academy, driving off the usual atmosphere of books and kitchen smoke.

From that moment, Totsuki's newest Sports Festival officially began!

*

Out on the broad field, the various events proceeded in good order.

On the raised viewing platform at the edge of the field stood an old but upright figure. It was none other than the Director of Totsuki Academy: Senzaemon Nakiri!

Gazing down at the bustling competition grounds, he turned to the son behind him with a gentle smile.

"It's rare to have such a chance to completely relax. Isn't there any event that catches your eye, one you'd like to try yourself?"

Soe Nakiri's expression remained calm. He shook his head slightly and answered evenly, "Father, you know my temperament. I particularly dislike lively atmospheres. And rather than join these dull sporting events, I'd rather go back and study advanced culinary theory!"

Senzaemon Nakiri let out a helpless sigh.

"Soe! Your studies are certainly important, but you need a balance of work and rest. A bit of relaxation does the mind and body good."

The old man paused, then changed the subject to the important matter they had discussed before. "By the way, about what I mentioned earlier, my plan to have Mana enroll at Totsuki. Have you thought it over?"

*

Hearing this, Soe Nakiri replied firmly, "Father, I don't think it's necessary. You should know better than I do that she's exceptionally gifted. She can master all the culinary knowledge she needs through self-study. There's no need for her to enter Totsuki and waste her energy on standardized courses and group activities."

A flicker of doubt crossed his mind, and he followed up. "I'm curious. My sister has always traveled abroad to study. Why are you suddenly so insistent on having her attend Totsuki?"

"Hahaha! Because there's a particularly interesting person at our Totsuki lately!" Senzaemon Nakiri said, deliberately keeping it mysterious.

"Hm?"

Soe froze!

*

Afterward, Senzaemon Nakiri's gaze fell on the noisy eastern field. He raised a hand and summoned a staff member waiting nearby. "What event is that over there?" he asked in a low voice.

The staff member bowed and answered respectfully, "Director, the eastern side is the tug-of-war venue. At the moment the Local Cuisine Research Society is facing off against the Chanko Nabe Research Society, competing for exclusive use of a newly built activity building."

"Oh! So that's how it is!"

Senzaemon Nakiri was taken aback for a moment, surprise showing on his face.

"The members of the Local Cuisine Research Society dare to compete in a tug-of-war against students with sumo backgrounds?"

The staff member looked awkward and explained uneasily, "This Sports Festival has thirty athletic events in total, and the two clubs were matched by random draw. They just happened to draw tug-of-war, an event that is all about strength!"

"Not many people are optimistic about them, to be honest. The general expectation is that the Local Cuisine Research Society members will lose badly!"