Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 1 Ep. 9: Opportunity

Hello, Sensei!

Yaha! Hi!

Thank you for visiting us.

We asked for your help today...

...in signing a deal with the GHL's new mileage partner!

It's this soba shop that's been going viral. I heard you have to wait two hours to sit down for lunch.

Students either ditch lessons to line up early or end up missing classes by standing in line.

Archetypal Gehennan behavior.

Gehenna students are accustomed to disrupting the rules to exercise their misguided free will. Our goal is to create an environment where such actions are not needed.

That's also the reason why we chose this location as our new mileage partner.

That's sufficient introduction. Let's get moving.

Over here.

Wow, it's been a while since I've had soba! I've been making do with convenience store food lately.

Sensei, are you sure about this? While I agree that we should at least sample it, are you sure you want to buy us bowls too?

Opportunities to show hospitality rarely come along in life, so you should be grateful that we gave you the opportunity.

Shouko, is it really appropriate to say that when you're getting a free lunch?

Of course it is. It's not as if I'm the president. I'm but a lowly secretary.

What do you think a secretary actually does?

Thank you all the same, Sensei!

Look here. They're running a fascinating promotion.

"100 Wanko Soba Bowls Challenge"... If you finish them all, the meal is free.

One hundred bowls? I could never eat that much!

You'd have to be either a competitive eater or smuggling some kind of pocket dimension in your stomach!

I hope they call our number soon. I'm so excited!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

...

...Yeah. Never again.

You're telling me. All that hype, all that wait... What a waste.

"..."

Four zaru soba bowls, coming in cold!

Already? I'm starving, so I appreciate the quick service, but...

It looks scrumptious! Well then, everyone...

Thank you for the meal!

...

...

...

Um...

How should I put it... Maybe it needs more seasoning?

Mine is extremely saline. Perhaps all your salt ended up in mine.

The balance is a bit...

Okay. Blech. It's pretty bad.

Despite being hungry, I simply cannot continue. It's deplorable.

Why's this place even popular?

I really wanted to like it. After all, Sensei was trying to treat us!

I see. We've been deceived. We were promised a delicious meal and instead offered ersatz slop.

They lured us in with the siren's song of 100 bowls of wanko soba!

I think you were the only one tempted by that, Shouko.

Such discourtesy simply cannot be overlooked.

"That voice...!"

We ventured here to broaden our culinary horizons. This locale was so revered in the agora of modern social media.

Yet, instead of offering us a culinary experience, you have denied us the bare minimum.

*gasp* A-Aren't you...?!

Indeed we are. And listen closely, little man. Soba must uphold the "trinity of freshness"freshly ground, freshly rolled, and freshly boiled. But what has been laid before us, ladies?

I can barely spare a moment to mention the ODOR of the buckwheat. The noodles were not so much as rinsed properly, and this starchy texture is akin to chewing on mud.

Most egregious is the tsuyu, as unbalanced as a trebuchet! The soy sauce and the broth fail to sing in harmony, for they are SCREAMING in utter agony!

That's right! My noodles were waterlogged and clumped up in a doughball! I'm on the verge of passing out from hunger, and this is still unacceptable.

Fufu, your generous portions gave me high hopes, but I was quickly disappointed... With such flavorless noodles, I could eat a hundred bowls and not be satiated.

How about we add some peanut butter and hot sauce? It might zing it up!

There is no way for a restaurant, one which has willingly and repeatedly exchanged "food" for payment, to repent for such actions.

N-No...! P-Please! We'll stop with the clickbait ads, and even the AI pictures! I beg you!

This shop has soiled the very foundation of this building. Only an explosion can...!

"H-Hold on! Haruna!"

Ah, how lovely to see you, Sensei. However have you been?

Hello, Sensei!

Wow, it's Sensei! Hi hi!

Don't tell me you ate this too, Sensei?

...

I see! So, you served this dreadful soba to Sensei as well! What was already unforgivable has become positively heinous! You must pay the price for this atrocity!

...

What is the matter, Sensei? Could it be that you...enjoyed what was served at this establishment?

Oof! Hey, that hurts, you know?

The Gourmet Society's constant terrorist bombings have undoubtedly contributed to Gehenna's chaotic reputation.

They look to be in need of discipline. If we could bring them in line...that would certainly be "glorious," wouldn't it?

Say no more. Time for a showdown!

Hello, everyone from the Gourmet Society! Or..."gourmands," as you may like to be called?

Right. And you are...?

We're the Gehenna Heritage League! Have you heard of us? We've been making a name for ourselves lately!

Yes, I've heard. You are a group of underclassmen who pledge to bring glorious reforms to Gehenna.

That's right! To cut to the chase, let's collaborate. What if I told you that we're working to peacefully improve places like this that sell awful food?

Places such as this are beyond reform. It would be best to put them out of their misery.

Simple demolition is a crude solution. Wouldn't you be open to trying something better?

What we're saying is that you don't need to blow up a shop just because it deserves a one-star rating.

You seem reasonable, Haruna. How about we make a bet?

Let's give this shop one week to take in your feedback and implement improvements.

And all YOU have to do is resist wrecking this place for seven days. What do you say?

...?

If this shop passes muster on your next visit, then that means that we've proven that improvement is possible!

...?

Who knows, President? Maybe this place will turn into a mecca for fine dining! Wouldn't that be something?

...

...

Um... Please reply...

"Oww...!!!"

NOOOO!!! *sob* My shop!

"H-Haruna!"

*cough*

She just blew the place up!

Aah...

Fufu. Indeed I have.

Though know that I wholeheartedly understood your perspective and proposal.

Then why did you do it?!

I'm afraid that you directly contradicted our beliefs.

I fail to see the reason to bestow the luxury of an opportunity to a place that has already forsaken the implicit contract of food service.

If we were to listen to you and give this place a chance, then wouldn't it be unfair to the countless other shops that have already been demolished without a second evaluation?

That's why it ended in a blast! ★

Ew, bleh! I got a woodchip in my mouth!

Remember, MY noodles were so clumped that I didn't even get a bite!

Ugh, are you really going to keep being like this? I was reasonable.

This is what you want? To just keep blowing up restaurants?

Oh my, you're speaking as if we indiscriminately blow up ANY restaurant.

I ask you not to underplay our passion for fine dining.

The more the Gourmet Research Society does this, the worse you make Gehenna look. You're hurting the economy! You're why people think we're all terrorists.

Wouldn't the fundamental fault lie in the business? They failed to provide the quality service that was paid for, did they not?

Customers pay a price, and the restaurant serves food worthy of the value...

Isn't it simple? Why should an eatery that fails that basic arrangement remain in operation?

Tch, that makes sense on paper, but...!

Remember this well. We are the Gourmet Research Society.

Undaunted by any hardship...

...or obstacle standing between us and...

Ah, what was the line again?

EAT OR DIE!

Until we meet next, dear Sensei, and the...

...Leftover Oyster Sauce Reheating Legion!

It's the "Gehenna Heritage League"! You didn't even try to say it right!

"So this is how it is..."

...As expected, attempts to control them have proven difficult.

Is it even possible? Maybe we could win in a fight, but...

We cannot give up. For the sake of Gehenna, we must continue to rein in these chaotic actors.

Yes. Absolutely.

Ugh, I'll make sure to convince them next time!

That said... I can somewhat sympathize with the Gourmet Society's inherent philosophy.

What about it?

How a second chance is too much of a luxury. This world is run on the survival of the fittest.

You can be so cold sometimes, Shouko.

I don't deny it.

...Would it?

If that applied to everyone... I suppose it would be...pleasant.

Well, we faced a few bumps today, but we can't let that get us down.

All we have to do is keep moving forward!

Ugh, but can we get something to eat first? I'm starving!

There is another wanko soba place nearby. We should go there.

You keep mentioning wanko soba. Did you really want it that badly?

Let's go, Sensei! You must still be hungry, right?

"Absolutely, I was just thinking that! Allow me to treat you fine young ladies!"

...That's what you want to say, isn't it, Sensei?