The Headmaster selection skill test and interview

Rika, Masaru, and Benihime all proudly entered Tabemono Gakuin.

"Feels good to be back," Rika smiled.

"That indeed. Last I was here, my cooking rights were restored, now I shall become headmaster of the school," Benihime proclaimed.

"Today is merely the skill test. The final selection will likely take place in April," Masaru stated.

"So what exactly are we doing besides showing how skilled we are?" Rika asked.

"Today merely is just a skill test, however, you will be ranked on how complex the dish you make is. The top 500 will then be allowed to proceed to the interview stage in two weeks."

"Why two weeks?"

"Because this phase of the exam will be taking place over this entire week. This stage does not require us to compete or complete anything within a set time limit. All we have to do is show our best."

"Then it's an easy pass."

"Do not get overconfident. There are over 5,000 applicants. Many of whom are globally recognized top-tier chefs."

...

Rika wasted no time in crafting a perfect mochi surprise dish. The entire judging panel blissfully cried "Umai" as they cleaned their plates.

"I'm glad you took this seriously," Masaru smiled.

"So how'd your judges react?" Rika asked.

"Not quite as blissful as yours, but I should be in the top 500 with you none the less."

"Guess we better check on Hime-sama."

Rika and Masaru waltzed over to the next room where they arrived just in time to hear the judges verdict on Benihime's dish.

"I give it full marks," Rebelle snickered.

"I second that," Kiki nodded.

"Grr, I don't like it, but I don't want to get in the new head of the gourmet elite society's bad graces, therefore I'll go along with them," Etsuya thought as he signaled his approval.

"Wait, if Rebelle's judging, does this mean-"

"No, Kohai. My skill test will be on a different day. Today I am on judging duty," Rebelle sneered.

"Well that's a damn shame. I was hoping you judging meant you weren't in the running," Rika glared.

"Hmm? Doest thou have bad blood with Miss Adler?" Benihime asked.

"We don't get along well," Rika grumbled as she walked away.

Masaru meanwhile, approached Etsuya. "Why are you facing me, traitor?" Etsuya glared.

"I was curious; why did you voice approval when you clearly disliked the dish?" Masaru glared.

Etsuya immediately went on guard as he darted his head around the room. "Y- You're making up slander you tainted bastard," he huffed before storming away.

...

"So how'd it go?" Mimi asked as the three arrived back at Ryokoma.

"We will not know the results until the last week of January," Masaru stated.

"We all impressed our judges at least," Rika smiled.

"That we did. Though I have no doubt I'll make the top 100, no 10 when the list is finalized," Benihime boasted.

"Prideful as always," Zuina sighed.

...

A few days later, the results were announced. Of the 500 applicants that advanced to the next round, Rika ranked 5th while Masaru ranked 6th. Helga ranked 250th while Mahi, Azuki, and Rebelle ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively.

"T- This must be a joke most cruel," Benihime trembled. She had just barely made the cut at 500th place.

"Hey Matcha, did Mochi tell you she was gonna take a shot at this?" Waki asked.

"Yes, even though she is currently the top applicant, she expressed doubts that she would be given the role. She only even decided to partake in order to shake off the factions that have continued to pressure her to return to the culinary world," Matcha stated.

"I think I get her aim. She's going to fail in the interview portion and use that as grounds to silence those asking her to return to the culinary world," Itsuki stated.

"Wait, isn't she still in middle school? Wouldn't she be too young?" Rika asked.

"No, the bylaws state that you can be as young as 15 to get a career at Tabemono Gakuin," Masaru stated.

"Mochi turned 15 last August so she qualified," Matcha stated.

"Speaking of which, Rika, I would advise preparing for the interview."

"Why? That's the easy stuff," Rika shrugged.

"The interview has the power to end your chances at becoming headmaster. One slip of the tongue, and its over."

"Then wouldn't you have more to worry about than me?"

"I only clam up when facing customers. I'm also familiar with the folks that will likely be conducting the interviews, thus my timidness will not be an issue."

...

Once the day of the interview arrived, Rika headed off to Tabemono Gakuin. Once there, she found herself facing a panel of five interviewers: Rebelle, Azuki, a man named Raihan, a woman named Melissa, and a man named Eiji.

"So Komachi-chan, why should we consider you to be Tabemono Gakuin's next headmaster?" Eiji asked.

"Well, I'd make the place awesome and turn Tabemono Gakuin into a place where anyone could pass with skill and hard work," Rika stated.

"Noted. Now, are you good with people?" Melissa asked.

"Very good. I believe in building connections and getting to know people."

"Tch, she's doing well," Azuki muttered under her breath.

"Don't worry, I'll sink her immediately," Rebelle snicked.

"Miss Komachi, are you prepared to handle the responsibilities required of a headmaster?" Raihan asked.

"Yes I am," Rika nodded.

"And what assurance do we have that you would do a good job?"

"I'm currently one of the owners of the restaurant, Ryokoma. If being headmaster is like managing a restaurant, I'll have no issues.

"Oh, so then you'll have no issue handling the mountains of paperwork you'll need to sort through as part of the job?" Rebelle sneered.

"P- Paperwork?"

Rebelle and Azuki each began to snicker as the three other interviewer's expressions soured.

"Uh, I can handle it," Rika nervously smiled.

"Bullshit. Back when you were a student, you bombed every written test you were given," Azuki sneered.

"I graduated 2nd overall in my class though."

"Carried by your cooking alone, but cooking skill alone won't get you the headmaster's seat."

"I've grown since then. I can handle the written stuff."

"I believe we have all the information we need. We thank you for coming today, Miss Komachi," Raihan nodded as he ushered Rika out.

...

"Ugh, I botched it," Rika sighed as she arrived back at Ryokoma.

"You don't know for sure. Maybe you'll sneak in like Benihime did last round," Waki shrugged.

"No, she didn't make it. Today was the last day of the interviews and the results were just posted. Rika, I warned you did I not?" Masaru glared.

"That bitch brought up paperwork, dammit!" Rika fumed.

"My female knight, paperwork is but a necessity when in an executive position," Benihime stated.

"I take it you passed?" Zuina asked.

"Why of course. Now the narrative is building that I could sweep as an underdog. Oh perhaps I should be thankful after all that I was 500th. Now I can rise from the bottom all the way to the top!"

"Well congratulations on surpassing me at something," Rika smiled.

"I'm not exactly proud to have bested you in a non-culinary area once again," Masaru sighed.

"Looks like Helga passed too," Mimi stated.

"My mother as well as Azuki-sensei and Rebelle did too. I don't see Mochi's name though," Itsuki stated.

"Heh, she turned the interview into a roast. All the interviewers for her were those that wanted her to return to the culinary world, so she basically spent the whole interview personally insulting them. They probably wanted to pass her anyway, but once the video went viral, they had no choice but to fail her or face allegations of bribery," Matcha smirked.

"WHY!? Why would she sabotage herself like that!? She could have been the greatest chef ever!" a middle-aged man sobbed as he stumbled into the restaurant.

"He was one of the judges and received the most viscous tongue lashing."

"Guess Mochi ended up winning even though she lost," Rika laughed.

"Rika, you completely blew it though," Masaru glared.