All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends-Chapter 193 - : Alya Decides to Give Up

Chapter 193: Alya Decides to Give Up

The student exchange invitation from Shuchiin Academy.

Kirisu Mafuyu was somewhat curious about Yukima Azuma's thoughts.

Would he want to go to Shuchiin for the exchange program?

Normally, she didn't encourage students in her class to participate in exchange programs.

But if it was Yukima Azuma—

Kirisu Mafuyu felt there was no issue at all.

Even though she always called him a "troublesome student,"

Yukima Azuma was actually the one she trusted the most.

The boy she had summoned to the office on the very first day of school possessed a maturity and capability far beyond his peers.

Even if he went to Shuchiin Academy, a place filled with noble heirs—

Kirisu Mafuyu believed that Yukima Azuma would still shine the brightest.

Moreover, this invitation was from Shuchiin, not Hyakkaou.

There was nothing to worry about.

Yukima Azuma stared at the invitation letter, deep in thought.

Should he go to Shuchiin?

It wasn't impossible.

Going to Shuchiin would be beneficial for expanding connections and scouting talents.

This invitation was undoubtedly sent by Shinomiya Kaguya.

If he went to Shuchiin, most of his time would be spent strategizing against Shinomiya Kaguya.

But that wasn't necessarily a disadvantage.

Becoming closer with Shinomiya Kaguya would make it easier for her to entrust Hayasaka Ai to him.

Although they were technically in a master-servant relationship,

In reality, the bond between Shinomiya Kaguya and Hayasaka Ai was stronger than that of real sisters.

If Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't feel at ease entrusting Hayasaka Ai to him—

No matter how he managed to take her away,

Hayasaka Ai would never truly be at peace.

As Yukima Azuma was still contemplating,

Kirisu Mafuyu spoke up:

"Go. It's only for one semester, a few months will pass in the blink of an eye."

Since Yukima Azuma didn't reject it immediately,

Kirisu Mafuyu understood his answer.

Going to Shuchiin would definitely bring benefits to him.

His hesitation was mostly because he didn't want to reduce his time with those girls.

But they had all moved into his house already.

Even if they had less time together at school,

They could just make up for it at home.

Kirisu Mafuyu thought the same.

And as a teacher—

If something was good for her student,

She had to encourage him to do it.

"Sensei is right."

Yukima Azuma smiled, picked up the pen on the desk, and signed his name on the invitation letter.

After all, it was just one semester.

Going to Shuchiin to take a look wouldn't be a bad idea.

Kirisu Mafuyu put away the invitation letter,

Which would then be sent to the school administration.

"Alright, you have three days to prepare for the exchange program. Tomorrow, Shuchiin will likely send over the uniform."

"By Thursday, you can officially go there to register. At that time, someone will guide you."

"The first day at Shuchiin won't have any classes, just an orientation. When the time comes, just follow the assigned guide."

Kirisu Mafuyu instructed.

Yukima Azuma nodded.

...

After returning to class,

He told the girls about his invitation to Shuchiin.

Knowing that next semester Yukima Azuma wouldn't be by their side,

Whether it was Eriri, Kato Megumi, or Alya, all of them felt a little disappointed.

(｡•́︿•̀｡)

But Eriri and Kato Megumi shared the same thoughts as Kirisu Mafuyu.

Even if they couldn't meet at school,

They could just go to Yukima's house after school, the same for weekends.

The Morning Passed Quickly

Before long, it was already the last period.

The entire 1-E class headed to the cooking practice room.

On the way, the students had already formed their groups in advance.

Grouping in cooking class was decided by the students themselves.

Kunimi Yuuma and Satou Kazuma didn't seek out Yukima Azuma.

After one semester, they were already used to it.

Yukima Azuma always teamed up with Kato Megumi in cooking class.

If there were additional members, they were always girls surrounding him.

Even though they sometimes shouted, "Riajuu should just explode,"

ᕙ( ᗒᗣᗕ )ᕗ

Kunimi Yuuma and Satou Kazuma never actually interfered.

"Megumi, team up with me for this cooking class?"

Yukima Azuma smiled as he invited her.

It was already an unspoken rule.

But Yukima Azuma always made sure to ask first.

Because Kato Megumi had once said that since childhood, she had never been invited to form a group.

So every time, Yukima Azuma would extend the invitation, making up for all those times Kato Megumi had never received one.

"Umu, I agree. Thank you for inviting me, Azuma-san."

(*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ

Kato Megumi replied gently, radiating a bright and cheerful aura.

Ever since she met Yukima Azuma,

The once quiet girl had started smiling more often.

But if Yukima Azuma participated in the student exchange program,

Cooking classes like these might feel a little lonely.

As Kato Megumi was thinking this—

"This is unfair! Two top-tier chefs teaming up is an imbalance in resource distribution!"

Eriri ran over. "Unless you let me join too!"

ヾ(｡✪ω✪｡)ｼ

"Can I join as well? I promise I won't get in the way." Alya also asked.

(,,¬﹏¬,,)

Just as Kita Ikuyo arrived, the group had already been formed.

Today's cooking class required groups of four.

"Kita-chan..."

"It's fine, it's fine! I'll find someone else."

Kita Ikuyo cheerfully waved her hand, genuinely unbothered.

After all, she got along well with the entire class.

As the "super extrovert" of 1-E, she was like the class's little sun.

((๑✧ꈊ✧๑))

Sure enough, the moment she stepped away, another girl approached to invite her to a group.

Seeing this, Eriri let out a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Kato Megumi looked at the new additions to their group,

Her tuberose-colored eyes blinking.

It seemed like she didn't need to worry about feeling "lonely" after all.

Come to think of it, it made sense.

Even after entering high school, her presence remained subtle.

But because of Azuma-san, she was no longer just a background character.

Sawamura-san was a close friend she could live with.

Kita-san was someone she chatted with daily.

Even Kujou-san, whom she had met not long ago, could be considered a friend.

Even if Yukima Azuma wasn't at school,

The impact he left behind ensured that Kato Megumi wouldn't have to endure anything alone.

Thinking this, Megumi smiled softly.

(❀❛ ֊ ❛„)♡

—

The cooking teacher was a middle-aged woman.

Rumor had it that she was a special instructor hired by Toyogasaki Academy.

She held an advanced chef certification along with a teaching license.

She had once been a chef for Japan's national banquets.

"This semester, we will be learning about kaiseki ryori (note: Kaiseki cuisine)."

Unlike ordinary schools that simply read from a cookbook,

Then rushed students through making something simple like curry,

Toyogasaki Academy's cooking course truly taught etiquette in cuisine and the art of hospitality.

The dishes focused mainly on kaiseki ryori, a high-class culinary style originating from the tea ceremony.

What is known as kaiseki ryori was once called kaien ryori—a banquet-style meal.

The term "kaiseki" literally means "breast-pocket stone." These kanji were thought to be incorporated by Sen no Rikyū to symbolize the frugal meal served in the austere style of the Japanese tea ceremony.

A typical kaiseki menu follows the "ichiju-sansai" or "ichiju-nisai" format—one soup with three side dishes, or one soup with two side dishes.

Kaiseki ryori places extreme importance on refinement, from the choice of tableware to the arrangement of the dishes, all requiring meticulous attention to detail.

Of course, one lesson couldn't possibly cover everything.

For the first session of the semester, the focus would be on agemono and nimono—fried and simmered dishes.

Yukima Azuma selected ingredients from the refrigerator

He planned to make tempura, oden, and miso soup.

"Megumi, pass me that for a sec."

"Mm, here you go~"

"Is that done yet?"

"Just a little more."

"Hand me—"

"I already got it, it's right by your hand, Azuma-san."

Once they started cooking, the conversation between Yukima Azuma and Kato Megumi felt almost like a coded exchange.

Alya, standing beside them, was slightly astonished.

How could Kato Megumi instantly understand what "that" meant?

These two were way too in sync!

Watching them work together so seamlessly, Alya felt an invisible yet undeniable wall between her and them.

As an exceptional student, Alya's cooking skills were by no means inferior.

At first, she had planned to showcase her talent.

But now, she found herself with no opportunity to step in at all.

After standing there for a while, she eventually sat down next to Eriri, who was lazily munching on potato chips.

"૮₍ ˶•⤙•˶ ₎ა

"Have they always been like this?" Alya asked, her tone difficult to describe.

Eriri, still chewing on a chip, shrugged.

┐(´～｀ˇ)┌

"Well, all of last semester's cooking classes were just like this."

She, too, had once tried to join in.

Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.

But eventually, she gave up.

Because their synchronization was downright terrifying.

Eriri held out the open bag of chips to Alya.

Alya silently took one and joined Eriri in eating in the corner.

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑)

—

Yukima Azuma adjusted the broth for the oden before adding the ingredients to simmer.

Then, he prepared to make tempura.

But he soon realized that some ingredients were missing.

Turning around, he spotted Eriri and Alya sitting behind him, munching on something.

( ´･ω･)人(・ω・｀ )

"That was for the tempura batter, you two!"

Yukima Azuma laughed.

"Eh? No wonder there were potato chips on the table, ehe." Eriri scratched her head, grinning sheepishly.

Eriri: (๑>؂•̀๑)

Alya: Σ(°ロ°)!

She had been wondering where Eriri got the chips from.

"I'll go grab another bag."

She stood up, about to head to the ingredients room.

"No need, I already brought another one."

A gentle voice suddenly rang out, startling Alya.

Turning around, she saw Kato Megumi, who had somehow slipped away unnoticed.

Now, she was holding a fresh bag of potato chips, just returning from the ingredients room.

With her usual attentiveness, Kato Megumi had anticipated this happening the moment she saw potato chips on the ingredient list.

So, she had kept an eye out.

When she saw Eriri take the chips, she hadn't stopped her.

She simply went to get another bag.

Watching this scene unfold, Alya gave up completely.

Forget it. She might as well just act like a salted fish and wait to be fed.

(ಥ‿ಥ)

—

The tempura pieces were dipped in batter and dropped into the hot oil.

A sizzling sound filled the air as an irresistible aroma spread throughout the room.

Even in the cooking classroom, where various dishes were being prepared, this fragrance stood out unmistakably.

Students at the surrounding tables turned their heads, swallowing unconsciously.

( ´ཀ` )

They couldn't take it anymore!

Every time they had cooking class, they were tormented like this.

Was Yukima Azuma's cooking skill even fair!?

—

The cooking teacher sat at the podium, inhaling the scent, and clicked her tongue in admiration.

Since last semester, she had noticed that there was a student in this class whose cooking skills rivaled those of top-tier chefs.

She herself had once been praised as a natural-born culinary genius by her master.

By the time she was in high school, she had already undergone ten years of training.

And yet, back then, the dishes she made could only just barely be considered "delicious."

It wasn't until she earned her chef certification that she was already past forty.