The 3 people in the audience, excluding Reiji and co, looked nervous when Mizuno-Senpai's warning echoed through the room. It looks like they were only here because they were attracted by the enticing activities of the club, rather than a genuine interest in cooking.
The two seniors up front also noticed this and frowned disapprovingly. Every year there would be a couple of students who would try to take advantage by signing up, and it was always exhausting to deal with them.
"Tch, looks like most of you don't actually care about cooking. Well, that's fine I guess. But I'd advise you to not waste our time by still showing up for the entrance exam by thinking you might luck your way in."
Seeing that Mizuno-Senpai's mood was worsening, the other senior patted her on the back and changed the subject.
"Now now, why don't we move on and make them some food? Show off your skills, Nene-chan!" she appeased her, moving to the kitchen area and setting up the cooking tools.
Reiji was really looking forward to this. The game had shown her to be very talented, and she was also trained early on by her father which meant that her skill level was far ahead anyone else in the club.
Airi and Greeny also had eager expressions, because the aromas from the previous session was still in the air, signaling just how good the food was going to be.
Mizuno-Senpai calmed herself down and put on her apron, taking out ground beef and tossing finely chopped onions and various seasonings into a large bowl, mixing everything up together very thoroughly.
She then formed multiple patties, placing them on the flat-top grill and smashing each of them down with a parchment paper until they were almost flattened.
'Oho, a smash burger! The timing and the toppings are going to be very important.'
Reiji knew that it was too easy to overcook the patties because of how thin they were, so she needed to be attentive with everything. But the problem was that she was simultaneously mixing together a custom sauce while also grilling onions in a different pan.
'Damn, she really is skilled! Those movements must have taken a lot of training...'
Reiji prided himself on the fact that he raised his skills without legitimate training, only learning through MeTube videos and occasionally getting some tips from the chefs at the restaurants he worked at.
But none of that could replace the knowledge you could gain from learning directly under one of the greatest chefs in the world (this world at least), and Mizuno-Senpai's time management and dexterity was proof of that.
She soon started forming the burgers after making sure all the necessary steps were completed, and everyone's mouths started watering at the beautiful sight in front of them.
Perfectly toasted buns, perfectly cooked double patties, slightly melted cheddar cheese, grilled onions, pickled jalapenos, and a creamy sauce that maximized the wonderful smells that were now permeating through the air.
"Order Up! Come and get a plate, let me know how it tastes!"
Everyone quickly stepped forward, almost stepping over each other's feet. They all helped themselves to a burger each.
"Let's take a bite at the same time!" Airi's excitement was palpable.
The three of them bit into it, not wanting to wait any longer just like the others.
"Holy fuck! This is insane!"
"No way, how is there this much flavor in a simple burger?"
"The flavors! I can see them dancing! Am I dying? Is this heaven? I think I saw God!"
"Nomnomnomnomnomnom"
"I wish I could eat this everyday!"
As the 'reviews' came pouring in, Reiji swiveled his tongue around the bite that was in his mouth. He closed his eyes and tried to feel every texture, every seasoning, every technique that was used.
It was his way of trying to understand how all the tastes worked in harmony, and what role each of the steps that Mizuno-Senpai had taken played in the final result.
As he swallowed, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Yep, I have to join this club...."
***
"Okayyyyy! Thanks for coming everyone, that's all for today's orientation. If you are genuinely interested in what we do, consider signing up for the club. If not, don't waste out time with the entrance test, there's nothing I hate more than making a mockery out of perfectly good ingredients."
Mizuno-Senpai's words might have been overly harsh, but as a third year she knew just how many people would still take their chances.
The upbeat atmosphere after the delicious food turned sour in an instant, as the audience started walking out. The seniors also turned away to prepare for the next group of people, cleaning up the utensils that were used.
The trio also walked out, chatting about the burger.
"Maaaan, that was the best burger I've ever had!!"
"Yeah, I want t-to have it again sometime...."
"Putting the diced onions inside the patty was a great choice! It made it more moist and added some sweetness, even though there were grilled ones on top! The spiciness of the cream sauce and jalapenos balanced that sweetness out very well, adding some depth to the flavor." Reiji pondered, reflecting on what made the patties so delicious.
Airi and Greeny looked at him blankly, a quizzical look on their faces.
"You sound like a f-food critic Reiji-kun."
"An old food critic," Airi added slyly.
"Hmph, I'm just a true food lover!" Reiji defended himself adamantly, turning away from them.
"So are you going to join them? I'm very tempted too, but I can't cook at all!" she asked.
"Yeah, no shot I'm missing out on this."
"Th-then, you'll join the reading club for your other choice right?" Greeny's hopeful eyes bored into him, making Reiji hesitate.
"Ah.... I don't know. Let's go to the reading club next and see how it goes."
***
The Reading Club took place in a library different from the school's main one. It only held storytelling books, whether they were fiction or non-fiction, and had multiple reading areas with different types of seating options.
There were beanbags, plush office chairs with desks, benches, and even a hammock in the corner. It was a true reader's paradise.
The three entered the club, confirming that the session still had five minutes before it started. There were 7 people already seated, showing that it was one of the more popular clubs due to its minimal entry requirements and lax rules.
A lot of people signed up just to fill the regulations, and usually didn't attend meetings.
They sat in the corner, marveling at the comfortable atmosphere that had a cozy feeling. Airi and Greeny both looked happy, because it was exactly what they were looking for.
The door to the club opened again, and two women walked in. A seductive-looking blonde hair girl and a shy brunette that activated a protective instinct.
'Damn, that's crazy timing.... I don't see Riku though.... Did he really forgo the opportunity to raise affection levels here?'
Haruna, who was looking around for an ideal place to seat, widened her eyes when she saw Reiji. A happy smile formed on her blemish-free face, as she pulled Hina towards them.
"Huh? What's wrong Haruna-chan? Let's sit ove- HHEEEK!"
Hina, who was being led along, froze in her tracks when she spotted the terrifying man that had caused so many problems in school in a single month. An involuntary little shriek popped out of her mouth, making everyone in the room look their way.
"What's wrong Hina-tan?" Haruna stopped, blinking at Hina's strange reaction.
"L-L-L-Let's sit over there Haruna-chan!"
She reversed the situation and started pulling Haruna away this time, to the opposite end of where Reiji's group was sitting.
Reiji couldn't help but laugh internally, though it wasn't exactly a happy one.
'Damn, that kinda hurts. To see one of your favorite characters react like that to you? Yeeeeesh, it's painful! Though I can't say I blame her.'
Haruna looked back and forth between the two parties, a conflicted expression on her face. But she gave in and let Hina drag her off when she saw Reiji give her a reassuring nod with a slight smile.
'...I have to talk to him later, this can't keep happening!' she thought, determined to do something.
Soon the reading club's orientation began, and everyone shifted their focus to the seniors up front. There was nothing particularly crazy about the club's activities, it was meant to be a more tame option that offered relaxation and quiet rather than novel experiences.
That's not to say they didn't do anything fun though, because they occasionally held unique events. Things like, creative writing competitions, tea parties, debates, recommendation walls, and even invited authors for personal chats.
Though Reiji loved reading, he wanted to use his two opportunities for something that he wouldn't normally get to do. It pained him a little to refuse Airi and Greeny's earnest request, but he'd make it up to them somehow later on.
When the session ended after the seniors handed out coffees, they both turned to him with fidgety expressions.
"S-so? Reiji-kun will you join with us? It'll be f-fun!" Greeny asked.
"Yeah! We can also hang out more this way!" Airi's fists pumped the air, her pigtails bobbing up and down.
"Um..... Sorry guys, I think I'm going for the club that I had thought of beforehand...."
They looked crestfallen, their hopeful smiles drooping upside down. They exchanged glances half-heartedly and sighed.
"It's ok, we can still do other things together. Wait! Aside from cooking, what's the other club you want to join? Maybe we can do that with you instead!" Airi's enthusiasm returned as she thought of the other option.
They couldn't join cooking because the requirements were too strict, but if Reiji's second choice wasn't too difficult maybe they could still do it together. Greeny also straightened up again at the thought.
Reiji just smiled wryly, scratching his hair with a laugh.
"The other club..... is MMA"