"Are we lost again?" Liu Ming stood awkwardly in place.
It was a miscalculation not to have asked for the destination earlier.
"How about we call Megumi and ask her to pick us up?" Thor suggested.
"Megumi is in class right now; let's not disturb her. Iko, aren't you able to sense people's presence? See where there are people and lead us there."
"Okay," Iko responded, about to sense presences.
Thor, however, acted first. A pair of wings sprouted from her back, trembling slightly, and she flew up.
"Let me go. It's easier for me to fly."
Watching Thor fly away, Iko looked at Liu Ming and asked, "Do I still need to search?"
"Since Thor went, you don't need to," Liu Ming said, taking his pet and finding a shaded spot to sit.
After waiting for less than five minutes, Thor returned.
She pointed in various directions and slowly said, "Not far from us, there's a dormitory. I saw people there.
This way is the direction of the school; I saw many people gathered there for class. And here, here…"
Liu Ming thought for a moment and decided to go to the nearest dormitory.
The classrooms were in session, so there was no point in them going there.
Under Sister Toru's guidance, everyone quickly arrived at the dormitory she mentioned.
To Liu Ming's surprise, this dormitory was none other than the Polar Star Dormitory, where Tadokoro Megumi lived.
Is this fate?
"This should be Megumi's dormitory. Let's wait for Megumi to finish school here."
Liu Ming said to the two of them and led them towards the Polar Star Dormitory.
Sister Toru and the others immediately became interested, eager to see what Tadokoro Megumi's living place was like.
"Who are you all, and what brings you here?" A voice interrupted their thoughts.
Old Woman Fumio, the manager of the Polar Star Dormitory, leaned against the main door, her gaze curiously scrutinizing Liu Ming and the others. She seemed to have never seen these people before.
"We are Tadokoro Megumi's friends. We heard she's having a Food War today and came specifically to cheer her on," Liu Ming said in a gentle tone.
Old Woman Fumio was quite caring towards Tadokoro Megumi. He wouldn't treat her the way he treated Erina.
Besides, if Erina hadn't spoken ill of Tadokoro Megumi first, Liu Ming wouldn't have bothered with her.
After all, in his eyes, Erina was just a little girl, and he, an adult, didn't need to get angry.
"Oh~~ You are truly thoughtful. Since you are Megumi's friends, please come in and have a seat." Old Woman Fumio immediately changed to a more welcoming attitude after hearing this.
To her, the students in the dormitory were like her own children, and now that someone had come to cheer them on, she was naturally very welcoming.
Upon entering the dormitory, Sister Toru curiously looked around, finding nothing particularly special, and felt a bit disappointed.
Old Woman Fumio poured a cup of tea for everyone, then sat down on the other side of the living room.
She asked curiously, "You must be very close to Megumi, right? Otherwise, a shy child like her wouldn't have the courage to tell you about the Food War."
"Yes, quite close." Liu Ming thought of the first time he met Tadokoro Megumi and couldn't help but smile gently.
The old Tadokoro Megumi was more than just shy; she was practically a crybaby and quite timid.
"By the way, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I am Liu Ming, and these are Sister Toru and Elma. As for this little dog, its name is Iko."
Liu Ming pointed to everyone, introducing them one by one to Old Woman Fumio, even including Iko, the small pet.
Iko was immediately displeased when Liu Ming called it a 'little dog,' but since no one present was someone it could provoke, it could only sulk silently.
"I am the manager here. You can just call me Old Woman Fumio," Old Woman Fumio introduced herself as well.
"Oh, it's really great that you could come. I hope with your encouragement, Megumi can perform normally.
I don't know what that child, Megumi, is thinking, to actually propose a Food War to someone else. Doesn't she know her own weaknesses? Such a silly child." Old Woman Fumio's face showed worry.
"Weaknesses?" Sister Toru asked curiously.
Old Woman Fumio looked at Sister Toru in surprise, not understanding why she would ask such an obvious question, but she didn't think much of it.
"Megumi is too prone to nervousness. She's a bit better when facing familiar people, but with even a little pressure, she'll lose her composure and even make small mistakes."
"The stakes for this Food War are expulsion, you know. I wonder if she can perform normally."
"Wait, you said the condition for this Food War is expulsion?" Liu Ming interrupted Old Woman Fumio. He was truly surprised this time.
Given Tadokoro Megumi's personality, she would actually make such a demand to her opponent. Could he have led her astray, making her so ruthless?
"Don't you know? Did Megumi not tell you? But that's right, she might have been afraid you'd worry. That child really is something."
"But that doesn't sound like something Megumi would do," Liu Ming asked curiously.
Old Woman Fumio paused, then she understood what Liu Ming was referring to and began to explain.
"This Food War was indeed proposed by Megumi, but her demand was merely for the other party to apologize.
However, the other party probably saw Megumi as easy to bully and changed the condition to expulsion, otherwise, they wouldn't agree."
"Alas~ this time, Megumi is truly in danger," Old Woman Fumio said, her face full of worry.
So that's how it was. Liu Ming also nodded with relief.
This was the Tadokoro Megumi he knew.
But when he saw the worry on Old Woman Fumio's face, he felt a bit speechless again.
He asked curiously, "Old Woman Fumio, haven't you tasted the dishes Megumi made?"
Old Woman Fumio's expression stiffened, then she immediately retorted,
"Of course I've tasted them! I personally proctored her dormitory entrance exam. She's a very talented child, it's just her personality, alas~~"
Old Woman Fumio couldn't help but sigh deeply again.
"No, what I mean is, after returning from Summer Vacation, have you not tasted the dishes she made?"
Seeing that Old Woman Fumio had misunderstood, Liu Ming had to explain in more detail.
This time, however, it angered Old Woman Fumio, who said in displeasure,
"Do I look like the kind of unreasonable person? Megumi needs to focus on preparing for the Food War. Would I still demand that she cook for everyone? Am I that heartless?"
Well, that was pointless.
Liu Ming rolled his eyes.
At this moment, Liu Ming also understood why Old Woman Fumio was so worried.
Because she currently doesn't know Tadokoro Megumi's current strength.