"You fellow…"
Looking at Tadokoro Megumi in the heavy rain, Kojiro Shinomiya, who had stayed in the restaurant until the last customer left, was somewhat moved. Although he disliked her immensely in his heart, he was more afraid that she would die at the entrance of his restaurant.
With this pouring rain, and her standing like that at his shop entrance, if she really died, his place would probably be difficult to keep open. So, for the future of his shop, Kojiro Shinomiya walked out of the restaurant.
"You go back first. Tomorrow, I can give you one last chance. If you don't do well, you can get out yourself, if you can agree to that."
"Thank you, Master Chef!"
Looking gloomily at the soaking wet Tadokoro Megumi, he truly couldn't stand this stubborn girl. Because she would only get in the way in the kitchen. If she could turn that stubbornness into skill, he might look at her differently.
Unfortunately, this fellow was just a half-baked amateur, incredibly weak and clumsy. Well, he would just use tomorrow's fast-paced kitchen to make her quit on her own!
Watching Tadokoro Megumi bow and leave with a joyful expression, Kojiro Shinomiya's gaze was indifferent. The continuous patter of rain around him did not stir his heart in the slightest.
"Looking at your expression, Shinomiya-senpai must have been willing to give you a chance."
Although in the rain, Tadokoro Megumi was smiling like a flower at this moment, looking happy. Seeing her expression, Hoshino Sora also guessed the outcome and smiled.
"Why are you here? It's raining so heavily, hurry and take shelter inside. What if you catch a cold?"
Seeing Hoshino Sora in the rain, the joy on Tadokoro Megumi's face almost instantly disappeared, replaced by a worried frown. She grabbed the young man's hand and pulled him towards the eaves of the nearby convenience store.
"I'm fine! It's you, though. When you go back, you must take a hot bath and some medicine, otherwise you'll definitely catch a cold! You finally got this opportunity, don't give up just because of a mere cold."
Hoshino Sora said, pulling Tadokoro Megumi towards the inn. They arrived at the inn shortly after. However, because both of them were completely soaked, Tadokoro Megumi refused to take a bath by herself, no matter what he said.
Seeing her stubbornness, Hoshino Sora, not wanting her to wait any longer, could only happily agree to enter the bathroom with her.
Then, naturally, the two of them did it.
— — — — — — — — — —
The next day, when Hoshino Sora opened his eyes, Tadokoro Megumi was already gone. Looking at the time on his phone, the young man got up to wash, and then found her in the kitchen.
At this moment, Tadokoro Megumi was preparing food, her eyes full of seriousness, though her steps were slightly sluggish. It must have been the madness of last night that made her so.
Thinking of this, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
How could he not have held back!
He clearly knew Xiao Hui had something important today…
"Hoshino-kun, good morning. I made you breakfast, come and eat quickly."
Looking at Hoshino Sora getting up to go to the bathroom, Tadokoro Megumi smiled brightly, then walked towards him with slightly trembling steps, and when she got close, she naturally reached out and hugged him.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"For making you like this."
"This was all my choice. If you apologize, it's like I made a mistake. So, Hoshino-kun, just accept it. This level, it should be mostly fine by noon."
Tadokoro Megumi said, releasing Hoshino Sora's hand, and took a few tentative steps around. Although she trembled a bit from the pain, she seemed to be fine.
"Otherwise, I'll take the day off to take care of you."
"No! Hoshino-kun should go to his practical training. I can handle the rest myself."
Hearing that Hoshino Sora still wanted to take leave, Tadokoro Megumi immediately became a bit displeased. Yesterday, she needed help, but today, such a small matter, she could easily overcome it on her own.
"Are you really okay?" Hoshino Sora asked in return.
"I'm fine!" Tadokoro Megumi said firmly.
"Alright, then I'll wait for your triumphant return."
Seeing this, Hoshino Sora no longer insisted. He raised his hand and rubbed her little head, his eyes full of doting affection.
"Mm!"
— — — — — — — — — —
"This is the workstation we prepared for you. If you need any ingredients, just let me know, and I'll have someone buy them for you."
Taking a taxi to the dessert processing plant, Shiraba Ai led Hoshino Sora to a fully equipped workstation. On the workstation were various ingredients needed for making desserts.
"These are enough, but before that, can I visit your factory? In other words, can I go into other workstations to have a look? It would be even better if I could taste some of their products."
"Most of them, yes. Come with me, I'll give you a tour."
Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle. To create desserts that can defeat other workstations, one must first understand the dessert making standards of other workstations.
"This is Workstation Two, mainly making various flavors of donuts. Kurokiri-nee, do you mind if I bring someone to visit?"
"Whatever, just don't make too much noise."
A voice came from a lounge chair. Hoshino Sora looked over and saw a lazy woman, her fair legs propped high, with wine-red hair, and an astonishing figure.
This was a woman who made one want to become Cao Thief!
"Okay, come this way."
Smiling and nodding, Shiraba Ai led Hoshino Sora on a tour of the various workstations. The young man held a notebook in his hand, meticulously recording the products of each workstation.
As well as their preparation methods, taste characteristics, and other information.
This dessert processing plant had a total of ten major workstations, each specializing in a different product direction. Workstation Two was donuts, Workstation Five was cakes and cream puffs, Workstation Six was macarons and daifuku, Workstation Eight was puddings and double-skin milk, etc…
There were also some workstations Hoshino Sora didn't enter because Shiraba Ai wasn't familiar with the people in charge of those workstations.
After exploring for a round, Hoshino Sora came to the cooking station Shiraba Ai had prepared for him and began to think. On his table was also a latest dessert magazine, which listed famous shops nearby.
Decided, he would continue exploring shops today!
Because he really had no ideas, and his knowledge of desserts was very limited, Hoshino Sora decided to just go with the flow and finish exploring the dessert shops in this book first.
"You arrange the time. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me. I still know some basic common sense."
After telling Shiraba Ai his plan, Shiraba Ai said with a gentle smile.
Such things couldn't be rushed. For a chef who might not have had much contact with desserts, eating might be more useful than learning. She believed in the strength of the young man in front of her.
Somehow, she just had a lot of confidence in him!
Was it because he was handsome? No, when did she become such a shallow woman? But, this guy just had a way of making people feel at ease.
"Understood."
Hoshino Sora said, packing his things and leaving the workstation.
"Boss, can that guy really create products that can defeat other workstations? Is it a bit inappropriate to put all our hope in an outsider?
Especially Workstation One, they've been preparing for this vote for half a year…"
Looking at Hoshino Sora's departing back, the kid who was embarrassed by him yesterday jumped out and started complaining wildly to Shiraba Ai.
"But we can only choose to trust him now, can't we? As the saying goes, 'use people without doubt, doubt people without using them.' That's why I can be the boss of this workstation."
Facing his uneasy remarks, Shiraba Ai's tone was firm. Her judgment wouldn't be wrong.
"But…"
"No buts, hurry up and get to work."
Hearing that the subordinate next to her still wanted to say something, Shiraba Ai said impatiently. Yesterday, it was this guy who was distracted by something, making her a laughingstock.
She had been so confident, telling Hoshino Sora that their Tiramisu was delicious, only to have all sorts of problems pointed out. It was truly too embarrassing...
Upon hearing Shiraba Ai's words, the Complaint Man's eyes showed a hint of resentment, and then he went to his workstation.
— — — — — — — — — —
Time flowed, and soon it was evening.
Tadokoro Megumi walked with determined steps towards "SHINO'S."
She raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"You're really shameless, aren't you? Can't you recognize your own abilities? I'm telling you upfront, if you make even one mistake from now on, get out immediately."
Looking at the person at the door, Abel Brendan said with disdain. Yesterday, Shinomiya had told them about everything Tadokoro Megumi had done.
This made him wonder how there could be such a thick-skinned person in the world.
That day in the kitchen, he had covered for Tadokoro Megumi quite a bit, so he could be said to have quite a few complaints about Tadokoro Megumi.
"I understand, please guide me!"
In response, Tadokoro Megumi did not refute, but simply bowed ninety degrees very respectfully.
"Go change your clothes, be quick about it."
Seeing Tadokoro Megumi's attitude, Abel Brendan could not say much more. He silently stepped aside to let her in.
"Xiao Hui, why are you putting yourself through this? At your current speed, you won't be able to adapt to this kitchen at all."
Looking at Tadokoro Megumi as she walked into the changing room, Lucy Hugo spoke with a sense of helplessness. This little girl was truly stubborn, making her feel a bit overwhelmed. She wondered who would end up cleaning up her mess.
Today's level of busyness was even greater than the previous two days.
"I want to try one last time, please!"
"Then good luck to you." Lucy Hugo said weakly.
"It's almost business hours, hurry up and change."
"Whew..."
Hearing Kou Yui, the head waitress, Tadokoro Megumi's eyes showed determination. After letting out a long breath, she changed her clothes and walked into the kitchen.
"This is today's menu. It states the extent to which ingredients need to be processed. Don't get it wrong."
"Thank you."
Abel Brendan found the menu and handed it to Tadokoro Megumi. After speaking, he returned to his workstation, while Tadokoro Megumi lowered her head, looking at the three set meals on the menu, and quickly memorized them.
This time, success was the only option, failure was not!
"Welcome, honored guest."
Kojiro Shinomiya's welcoming voice came from the entrance. At this moment, Tadokoro Megumi also put down the menu and instantly entered a state of readiness.
The few people in the kitchen were even more so. Lucy Hugo was praying, Abel Brendan was closing his eyes to get into the zone, and Kou Yui was clenching her fists.
"The guests are seated, let's begin."
"Yes, Master Chef!"
As Kojiro Shinomiya appeared at the kitchen entrance, the four people in the kitchen spoke in unison.
Perhaps out of consideration and sympathy for Tadokoro Megumi, she was assigned the least amount of work in the entire kitchen.
"Is the fish ready?"
"It's ready, and the vegetables are done too."
Tadokoro Megumi quickly pushed the fish over. Abel Brendan glanced at it briefly, and a surprised look appeared on his face. It was really well-processed.
"My beef here..."
"It's also processed."
Before Lucy Hugo could finish speaking, Tadokoro Megumi handed over the freshly processed beef, her efficiency was astonishing.
"Table 9's eating speed is significantly faster, we can't keep up with the dishes."
Kou Yui appeared at the doorway, a hint of urgency on her face.
"Abel, can you spare a hand right now?"
Kojiro Shinomiya heard this and immediately turned his gaze to Abel Brendan.
"I'm sorry, Master Chef, I really can't spare a hand right now."
Abel's face showed an expression of shame. He was actually powerless when Master Chef Shinomiya needed him the most.
"I can do it, please leave it to me!"
Tadokoro Megumi's faint voice came from not far away.
"Then I'll leave it to you. You know how to make beef bone soup, right?"
"No problem!"
Facing this opportunity, Tadokoro Megumi nodded heavily, then picked up the ingredients and quickly processed them. Her speed was astonishing, yet she ensured quality, completely different from the weakling she was two days ago.
Shinomiya didn't know what had caused Tadokoro Megumi's change, but he could be sure that with her addition, their tense kitchen was able to get some much-needed relief.
"Beef bone soup is done, shrimp veins removed, vegetables chopped..."
— — — — — — — — — —
"Delicious! The freshly baked Hilton Cookies are warm and steamy, with melted chocolate inside that bursts in your mouth when you bite into them. The almond bits are distinct, and one bite gives an incredibly satisfying feeling!"
Hoshino Sora savored the Hilton Cookies, praising them while sipping coffee.
The slightly excessive sweetness of the cookies paired with black coffee was absolutely exquisite, like a perfectly coordinated symphony, delicious and profound.
This was it!
After eating desserts all day, Hoshino Sora made a decision. He decided to use Hilton Cookies as a base and try to modify and create a new commercial cookie.
"Done for the day!"
He called Shiraba Ai to give her the good news, also to put her mind at ease, as today was already the third day, and the dessert competition was in two days.
However, this shop's business was really dismal. The cookies tasted so good, was it because they were too sweet?
Indeed, compared to Westerners, Asians cannot adapt to such intense sweetness, and eating such sweet desserts itself creates a sense of guilt.
Furthermore, not everyone can drink black coffee, and they might not necessarily like such a golden pairing.
Analyzing from both psychological and physiological aspects, Hoshino Sora had a general direction for improvement in his mind. The shop's weakness was that it was too traditional. The effect of adapting to local customs would clearly be better.
— — — — — — — — — —
"You all worked hard today, especially Tadokoro Megumi. You truly surprised me."
Kojiro Shinomiya said lightly, gazing intently at Tadokoro Megumi, who had voluntarily gone to wash dishes after finishing her work. It was precisely because she was there today that they didn't experience hellish busyness.
Tokyo's "SHINO'S" was truly short-staffed.
"How can you say that? You're too kind."
"That's not being too kind. To make such progress in just one day is truly remarkable, to be honest."
Looking at Tadokoro Megumi's embarrassed smile, Kojiro Shinomiya said this. He had always been a person who rewarded and punished clearly, and his attitude towards capable individuals would be much better.
"You can use the hot water in the room freely, and you can continue to work here."
"Xiao Hui! You're really amazing! Such great progress in two days, that's wonderful!"
Lucy Hugo said, reaching out to hug Tadokoro Megumi, her face full of joy, because thanks to Tadokoro Megumi's strong help, her workload had visibly decreased.
"Indeed, the progress is truly great. She's completely unlike the person from two days ago. Did something happen in these two days?"
Abel Brendan asked curiously while wiping his hands with a towel. To achieve such progress in a short time, relying solely on effort and practice was clearly impossible.
"Thanks to my boyfriend, with his help, I was able to make this much progress."
Faced with everyone's praise, Tadokoro Megumi did not become arrogant, because she knew it was all Hoshino Sora's credit. If it weren't for him, she would definitely have been eliminated this time.
"Boyfriend? What kind of person is he?"
Hearing the keyword "boyfriend," Lucy Hugo's face immediately showed a gossipy expression. She grabbed Tadokoro Megumi's arm and asked, and everyone else also cast curious glances at this moment.
"A very gentle person."
Too many adjectives came to mind, but when she spoke, only the words "gentle" remained.
"Gentle, such a vague word."
"Oh, he seems to be here to pick me up. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, I'll take my leave now."
Looking at the message on her phone, Tadokoro Megumi finished washing the last few dishes in the sink, then left the restaurant kitchen.
"Let's follow them and see."
"Won't that be a bit inappropriate?"
"What are you afraid of? We're off work now anyway. Even Master Chef Shinomiya can't make us work after hours, can he?"
Lucy Hugo said jokingly, looking at Kojiro Shinomiya as she spoke. However, he ignored her, merely gazing into the distance, seemingly deep in thought.
"You can go if you want."
After a while, Kojiro Shinomiya only replied with that one sentence.
"Let's go!"
Hearing this, Lucy Hugo immediately raised her right hand and followed. At the shop entrance, they secretly observed through the glass.
"So handsome!"
"What, what? Oh my god, can Japanese people be this handsome?"
"Xiao Hui is so lucky, she found such a handsome and gentle boyfriend, I'm so envious and jealous!"
Watching Hoshino Sora, who came to pick up Tadokoro Megumi with an umbrella, Kou Yui and Lucy Hugo in the shop were stacked on top of each other, watching outside. When they saw Hoshino Sora's face turn inadvertently, their mouths immediately dropped open.
On the other side, Hoshino Sora and Tadokoro Megumi stood facing each other, sharing one umbrella.
Tadokoro Megumi had a smile on her face, chatting casually with Hoshino Sora, recounting what had happened today. Hoshino Sora listened attentively without interrupting, letting her speak.
In the rain, under the streetlights, their silhouettes stretched long.
Time flew by during the calm yet not so calm training. Tadokoro Megumi, having gained recognition, absorbed knowledge at an incredibly fast pace at "SHINO'S," asking whenever she didn't understand, and her strength improved significantly.
Hoshino Sora, after repeated research, developed a low-sugar Hilton Cookies adapted to Japanese tastes, and its flavor was recognized by everyone in the workshop.
But this wasn't enough.
Looking at the approving expressions of everyone in the workshop, Hoshino Sora didn't say anything explicitly. In fact, he had already tried no less than ten methods, but no matter how he changed the taste, it was never as good as the original.
Either too many dried fruits were added, affecting the crispy texture, or the puff pastry effect was poor, resulting in a soft texture that wouldn't harden when cooled, making it unsuitable for long-term storage.
All sorts of problems came one after another. It was indeed difficult to perfectly improve a dish. One had to make sure others could still recognize it as that dish, yet also give them a refreshing feeling.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed...
"Tomorrow is the voting round. It seems I still have to use the Recipe Encyclopedia. I thought I could do it on my own, sigh. As expected, my basic knowledge in all aspects is too poor."
Clenching his fists, thinking of the failed cookies in the workshop, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but scratch his head, his face full of unwillingness. This was not what he wanted to see.
He had thought he could break away from the Recipe Encyclopedia and open up new paths with his current knowledge, but now it seemed he had thought too much.
He was an out-and-out novice at creative cooking.
Sitting on a chair in the inn, Hoshino Sora hung his head, his face full of unwillingness. Why? Why couldn't he develop dishes on his own like Yukihira Soma and the others?
He didn't want to rely solely on the Recipe Encyclopedia! It felt like using a cheat.
But it was certainly satisfying. He could achieve in one day what others pondered over for a month.
"Sigh..."
"Is something bothering you? Why are you sighing so much..."
Opening the inn door, as soon as she entered, she heard Hoshino Sora sighing. Seeing this, Tadokoro Megumi's face showed concern, and she immediately stepped forward to comfort him.
"It's nothing major, just a slight dissatisfaction with how bad I am."
"Ah? Hoshino-kun, someone as amazing as you thinks he's bad? Then what about us mediocre people, we can't live!"
Tadokoro Megumi said jokingly, but she was actually comforting him. However, she truly felt that Hoshino Sora was very amazing, at least in her perception, and probably in everyone's eyes too.
For someone so powerful to complain about his own weakness felt as absurd as a beggar on the street crying poor to a billionaire.
"Xiao Hui isn't mediocre; she's a very capable person."
"Then you're even more capable than me, so why would you think you're bad?
Want some dried cranberries? I bought them downstairs at the hotel just now; they're sweet and sour, quite tasty."
"Dried cranberries?"
Hearing Tadokoro Megumi's words, Hoshino Sora focused his attention on the bag in her hand, then, as if a light bulb went off, a new type of cookie appeared in his mind.
If nuts weren't working, then why not try dried fruit!?
--------------------------
Hello everyone! 👋
If you enjoyed this story and can't wait to read more, you can now get early access to upcoming chapters on my Patreon!
Your support helps me a lot and gives you the chance to explore the world before anyone else. 💫
👉 Check it out here: [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]