303
This was the room number of Yukihira Soma after he passed the trial and moved into Polar Star Dormitory.
He, though a bit chuunibyou, was able to improvise and make a bowl of rich and delicious Miso Ramen using the ingredients available in the kitchen.
Oomido Fumio was very satisfied with him on this point.
"Interesting, this time a truly amusing boy has arrived!"
Looking at Yukihira Soma, who was holding the room key and humming a tune while walking up the stairs, Oomido Fumio felt a slight sense of emotion!
However, the moment Sōma turned around.
She seemed to see Joichiro Saiba, who had also lived in room 303 more than 20 years ago!
"Hmm? Is it my imagination?" Rubbing her temples with her hand, Oomido Fumio's expression grew increasingly strange.
...
Polar Star Dormitory.
It was originally a very ordinary Totsuki boarding facility.
More than 20 years ago, resident students like Joichiro Saiba, Gin Dojima, and Nakamura Azami constantly used Shokugeki to seize resources, causing the academy's corporate entity to be separated from it.
It was from then on that Polar Star Dormitory adopted an independent accounting system and entered its true golden age of development!
Of course, new talents emerge from generation to generation.
But now, Polar Star Dormitory has declined significantly compared to more than 20 years ago.
Especially these new residents, such as Yoshino Yuki, Sakaki Ryoko, Tadokoro Megumi, Ibusaki Shun, etc., with their talents and aptitudes, the probability of them surpassing the students of Gin Dojima's generation is almost zero in Oomido Fumio's eyes!
Fortunately, there is still a 7th Seat of the Elite Ten, barely holding up the facade of Polar Star Dormitory, otherwise, who knows what would happen?
"Alas! I wonder when this Polar Star Dormitory will be able to restore its former glory!" After thinking that, Oomido Fumio couldn't help but put away her heavy mood, stretched, and prepared to go back to sleep.
...
Creak!
After a slight sound.
The door of Polar Star Dormitory was slowly opened.
At this time, Tadokoro Megumi, who had returned from the Izakaya, was startled to see that the dorm manager, Oomido Fumio, was still awake, and quickly hid a box of wagashi she was holding behind her back!
"Ah, hehe!"
"Aunt Fumio, you... you're still awake?"
"Hmm, a transfer student just came to move into Polar Star Dormitory, so I got up briefly to receive him!"
Fumio walked towards Tadokoro Megumi and began to notice her uneasy expression, asking worriedly: "What's wrong with you? You usually don't go out by yourself and come back to the dorm so late? Is there something important?"
"No, nothing!"
"I was just hungry, so I couldn't help but go out and eat a bowl of unagi don."
Tadokoro Megumi stammered, her eyes darting around, as if she was desperate to find an excuse to leave.
And her pure, pretty face began to show a faint blush, clearly indicating that she, who couldn't lie, felt a little guilty.
She couldn't possibly admit that she went to the Izakaya just because she missed Sosuke's Restaurant's cooking, could she?
"Unagi don?"
"You are a master of local cuisine, can ordinary unagi don impress you?"
"Besides, you secretly went out at 7 PM and now it's past midnight. I think... even if you finished eating unagi don, it wouldn't take this long?"
How could the experienced Fumio be easily fooled by Tadokoro Megumi's clumsy acting?
What's more, Tadokoro Megumi's hands had been hidden behind her back, always protecting something!
"Yes, there's an Izakaya whose Shopkeeper makes particularly delicious unagi don, so... so I stayed there for a while before coming back."
Tadokoro Megumi, feeling very uncomfortable under the gaze of old lady Fumio, could only offer an explanation.
But she didn't know that the more deliberately one tries to explain some things, the more it arouses others' vigilance and suspicion.
Indeed, after hearing these words, Fumio began to narrow her eyes, and finally, as if understanding something, she couldn't help but reveal a cunning smile.
...
"Tadokoro Megumi, you need to tell the truth."
"Do you have a lover outside? Do you have someone you like?"
"Ah?"
Tadokoro Megumi was stunned!
Immediately, her face turned burning red with a "bang."
Then she shook her head and replied hesitantly, "N-no! I really just went out to eat."
"A shy and timid girl like me gets nervous just talking to boys, how... how could I possibly have a lover?"
"Even if I did, I wouldn't secretly go... go on a date or anything at night..."
Although she said that, at this moment, Sosuke's figure suddenly appeared in her mind.
For some reason, every time she thought of Sosuke's superb cooking, every time she thought of his gentle personality and charming smile, she... she really couldn't forget!
"Is that so? Then why is your face so red?"
"I've been through it too. Facing the complex world, at the age of 15 or 16, it's very easy to be restless."
"Often attracted to each other by charm, becoming each other's comfort zone!"
"Right now."
"It's the start of the school year."
"You, who are in last place in grades, will definitely feel uneasy and annoyed."
"But during this time, you have never told any of us at Polar Star Dormitory about it."
"Instead, you ran to some Izakaya and let a Shopkeeper relieve your worries! Tadokoro Megumi, maybe you don't understand, this urge to rely on others is precisely the love of youth!"
Looking deeply at the shy Tadokoro Megumi, Oomido Fumio said meaningfully.
Back then, she was also a beautiful woman, and she also had a beloved, and a passionate love...
It's just that time ages people.
She eventually became a skinny old woman.
...
"Aunt Fumio, it's not what you think."
"You... you didn't come with us to the Izakaya for the celebration last time, so you definitely don't know how amazing that Sosuke's Restaurant is!"
Tadokoro Megumi indeed had a strong sense of dependence on Sosuke.
And this feeling of wanting to rely on him when facing difficulties, was it truly a kind of love, as Oomido Fumio said?
For Tadokoro Megumi, whose emotional experience was like a blank slate, this was definitely something she was confused about.
However, to avoid misunderstanding, she still carefully recounted some recent events at the Izakaya.
"Hmm... From what you've said, the Shopkeeper of that Izakaya is indeed a respectable chef!" Hearing the end, Oomido Fumio was slightly surprised and couldn't help but lower her head in thought.
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