Had a meal ever been this hard to eat? The other Uma Musume had scurried off to grab their own dinners, granting a brief reprieve. But it didn't last. Even as they prepared their trays, their eyes kept flicking toward me—especially those three.

Oguri Cap stared, unblinking. Super Creek stole furtive glances. Narita Brian's gaze burned like a spotlight.

Why me? I groaned inwardly. No, it's his fault for cooking this. Not that I was complaining—Hachiman made this for me, and I was grateful. But eating under this scrutiny? Nearly impossible.

Still, letting it go cold would be a waste. I reached for the carrot and potato cheese bake first.

The first bite hit me like a thunderbolt. Delicious… The cheese's rich flavor, balanced with salt and pepper, elevated the carrots' and potatoes' natural sweetness. And the char! Not overdone, but a perfect touch, enhancing every flavor without wasting a morsel. He used the char itself? Brilliant.

I shook my head. Focus, it's just one dish. Next, the seafood Caesar salad—shrimp paired with crisp greens.

Another shock. This isn't ordinary dressing! Trecen's standard Caesar sauce couldn't compare. The shrimp's flavor held strong, unmarred. What's more… I sampled the octopus and tuna. Incredible. Far from clashing, each ingredient amplified the others, their flavors intertwining like a perfect relay. How did he do this?

Last of the appetizers: the amadai carpaccio, in season and pristine. I took a bite.

"Delicious," I said aloud.

The trio jolted, their eyes widening.

Like the salad, the carpaccio's dressing was unique, its flavor unlike anything I'd tasted. The fish had no trace of its usual pungency. A spice to mask it? No, that wouldn't preserve this purity. He'd coaxed out the fish's essence flawlessly.

"Now, the main course," I said, eyeing the bifuteki.

The three shifted restlessly, their anticipation palpable.

Symboli Rudolf approached, smiling. "That looks delectable, Trainer-kun's cooking."

I started. "President! Sorry, I started without you. I didn't want it to cool."

"No worries," she said. "That bifuteki's aroma and presentation alone are enough to stir anyone's appetite."

"Right…" I said, taking a bite.

The room seemed to hold its breath. I knew they were watching, and I was already impressed by Hachiman's cooking. But this bifuteki? It defied praise.

"What… is this?" I murmured. "The meat… it melts?"

"Melts?" Rudolf echoed.

"Yes," I said, stunned. "It's so thick, yet tender—chewy, but it dissolves like magic! What kind of trick is this?"

"And the taste?" Rudolf asked, amused.

"Every dish is exquisite!" I declared.

Hachiman exhaled, leaning back. "Good to hear. I was nervous. Dig in—there's seconds of everything."

"Thank you," I said, nodding. "I'll savor it."

I devoured every dish, finishing at a pace that surprised even me. Strangely, I felt I could eat another round.

"Air Groove, want seconds?" Hachiman asked.

"Uh… please," I said, caught off guard.

"Got it," he said, smirking. "Coming up."

Minutes later, I leaned back, sated. "I'm satisfied."

"You ate with such gusto," Rudolf said, chuckling. "I'm jealous. I wanted a bite myself."

"If you'd asked, I'd have shared!" I said, flustered.

"But it's Trainer-kun's gift to you," she said. "Taking that would feel wrong."

I fell silent, touched.

Hachiman shrugged. "Wanna try some? I made extra for myself while taste-testing. Not much, though."

"Really?" Rudolf said. "Then—"

"""Trainer! I want some!""" Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Narita Brian shouted in unison.

Rudolf laughed. "Seems others are hungrier than me."

"Fair enough," Hachiman said. "I'll bring what's left. And Air Groove, dessert's coming."

"Dessert!" Mejiro McQueen gasped, eyes sparkling.

"Not for you, Mejiro Pack-Queen," Hachiman teased.

Soon, Hachiman returned. "Here's the bifuteki. Savor it—it's all that's left."

"Thank you," Rudolf said, smiling.

"So thick…" Narita Brian muttered. "Looks amazing."

"I wanna scarf it," Oguri Cap said, "but I won't. Gotta savor it."

"So tasty-looking!" Super Creek chirped.

"And for Air Groove," Hachiman said, setting a plate before me.

A chocolate cake, but not just any kind. "Sachertorte?" I said.

"Spot on," Hachiman said.

McQueen's eyes gleamed, practically glowing.

"One question," I said.

"Yeah?" Hachiman asked.

"This cut—it's from a whole cake, right?"

"Yup," he said.

"I'm grateful," I said, hesitating. "But… could you spare a slice for Mejiro McQueen? It's hard to eat with her staring like that."

Hachiman glanced at McQueen, who'd scooted next to me, fixated on the Sachertorte. I get it, he thought. "McQueen, thank your kind vice president. You're getting a slice."

"Thank you!" McQueen squealed.

"It's fine," I said. "Those eyes would make anyone cave."

"Sit tight," Hachiman said. "I'll grab it."

The Sachertorte was divine—sponge, jam, and chocolate coating in perfect harmony. McQueen shed tears after one bite, overwhelmed. Hachiman had made a whole cake, and then he said:

"When you're in the mood, tell me after training. I'll whip something up post-dinner."

Tonight's meal was Hachiman's care in every bite, start to finish.

Afterword

What a feast! Air Groove's savoring Hachiman's gourmet reward, but the Four Heavenly Kings—Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Narita Brian—are stealing the show with their hungry stares! Rudolf's impressed, McQueen's crying over Sachertorte, and Hachiman's serving up kindness like a pro. With the Shuka Sho looming and the second-trainee buzz simmering, what's next for this feast-fueled crew? The turf's deliciously chaotic—dig in!

Afterword

What a feast! Air Groove's savoring Hachiman's gourmet reward, but the Four Heavenly Kings—Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Narita Brian—are stealing the show with their hungry stares! Rudolf's impressed, McQueen's crying over Sachertorte, and Hachiman's serving up kindness like a pro. With the Shuka Sho looming and the second-trainee buzz simmering, what's next for this feast-fueled crew? The turf's deliciously chaotic—dig in!

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