Warm current...
As the round cabbage was put into his mouth and slid down his throat, a warm current emerged from the depths of his heart. Immediately, a hint of surprise appeared on Shinomiya's face, and he closed his eyes, carefully savoring the dish.
The core texture, which was somewhat like meat, should have been king oyster mushrooms. In addition, there were cucumbers, okra, carrots, zucchini, bamboo shoots, baby corn, broccoli, burdock, and so on...
His brows furrowed slightly. There should be another layer of flavor in this, a flavor that integrated all the other flavors, creating a natural, seamless sensation. It was clearly very familiar, but he just couldn't recall it for a moment.
Wait... yes, it's taro paste!
"You added taro paste in this, didn't you?"
Thinking of this, Kojiro Shinomiya opened his eyes and looked at Tadokoro Megumi.
"That's right. It's taro season now, and my family sent me some local specialties. After I tasted them, I felt they were very delicious, so I tried adding them to this dish.
The taro has a rich and unique flavor, and when combined with the crisp and refreshing vegetables, the two can create a wonderful balance. Some people really like that taste."
Thinking of Hoshino Sora, who had praised her dish as delicious two days ago, Tadokoro Megumi explained, clenching her hands. She really liked the young man who showed a happy expression when he ate her cooking, so she chose this dish.
The smooth and creamy taro paste perfectly integrated the deliciousness of the vegetables, and the slight spiciness from the onions even warmed his body.
A very classic French dish!
Feeling the profoundness within, Kojiro Shinomiya's lips curved slightly upwards.
This feeling was like being embraced by his mother when he was a child—that continuous warmth, steadily nourishing his heart. It was truly a very gentle flavor.
"Hehehe."
Beside him, Inui Hinako immediately couldn't help but snicker when she saw Kojiro Shinomiya's expression. The result was a fierce glare from Shinomiya.
"What's wrong? Did I do something you find funny?"
His voice revealed a hint of displeasure. Looking at Inui Hinako, who seemed to be mocking him, Kojiro Shinomiya's voice was cold, with an indescribable chill.
And his reaction made Inui Hinako shiver immediately, feeling a chill rise from her back.
Noticing this, Inui Hinako immediately covered her mouth. However, Kojiro Shinomiya's hand had already reached her face at some point. Even though she shook her head desperately, he still reached out and grabbed her face.
"Ah ah ah ah, ow ow ow ow ow—"
Wails echoed endlessly through "SHINO'S."
So now it's time for the evaluation. Can Tadokoro Megumi's dish be imprinted on "SHINO'S" menu?
Roland Chapel stood with his arms crossed, looking at the dish on the table and Kojiro Shinomiya, who was bickering with Inui Hinako, his eyes filled with seriousness.
"Tadokoro Megumi."
"Here!"
After dealing with Inui Hinako, Kojiro Shinomiya turned his gaze to Tadokoro Megumi, who was standing stiffly beside him. She looked very nervous, even her voice trembled slightly.
"No, the quality is too low."
He pushed up his glasses, and Kojiro Shinomiya spoke with a stern face, arms crossed. Hearing his words, the scene suddenly fell into a deathly silence.
Tadokoro Megumi clenched her fists, her heart sinking to rock bottom.
"I mean, if it stays like this, it would be enough for the shabby restaurant you might open in the future, but to be featured in my restaurant, Kojiro Shinomiya's, it's still a bit crude.
However, never mind. I can teach you how I would make this dish. What do you think?"
Pushing up his glasses, Kojiro Shinomiya slowly spoke, his gaze fixed on Tadokoro Megumi, who was looking at him with a stunned expression, his voice subtly hinting at anticipation.
"Of course! Please teach me!"
Tadokoro Megumi bowed deeply at ninety degrees, her face excited. She hadn't expected it to go so smoothly; she had been truly scared when she heard him say it wouldn't work!
She had worked so hard for so long and even used Hoshino Sora's very precious medicine. If she still couldn't achieve good results, she would truly have to commit seppuku to atone for it.
Fortunately, thankfully!
——————
"Well, I'll head back now."
"Do you want me to call a driver to take you back to the dorm?"
"No need. I'll go back with someone else tomorrow. Akikubo-senpai, remember to get some rest early too."
"I know."
Hoshino Sora left alone after speaking. Since Akikubo Momo's house was the first residence in the villa area, he didn't get lost when he left.
It was just that taxis were hard to find in this area. Helplessly, Hoshino Sora could only quicken his pace.
Fortunately, the villa area was not far from the Commercial Street. He walked for about half an hour before he managed to hail a taxi and returned to the hotel around 12 AM. However, Tadokoro Megumi had not returned yet.
Because he was worried, Hoshino Sora did not sit down to rest. Instead, he rushed to the entrance of "SHINO'S" without stopping. Only after seeing Tadokoro Megumi inside through the window did he truly relax.
Besides Tadokoro Megumi and the staff of "SHINO'S", there were also former graduates of Far Moon in the restaurant. Seeing those familiar faces, Hoshino Sora thought for a moment and prepared to go back to sleep.
"Welcome."
Because they had met before, and Hoshino Sora had stayed outside the window for a while, Kou Yui from "SHINO'S" keenly noticed his presence, so she ran to the door to invite him in.
"Ah..."
Looking at Kou Yui, who had come out to greet him, Hoshino Sora, who had already walked several steps away, turned around and scratched his cheek with a subtle expression. For a moment, he was in a dilemma, neither wanting to go in nor stay out.
If he went in, he was afraid of disturbing Tadokoro Megumi. If he didn't, it would feel impolite, as she had personally come out to call him.
"Hoshino-kun, what are you doing here?"
Because they had met during the Autumn Elections, and Hoshino Sora was the final champion of the competition, quite a few people recognized him. Indeed, Inui Hinako covered her mouth in surprise.
"I just came to take a look." Hoshino Sora scratched his head awkwardly. Why had everyone come out? It was so embarrassing...
"Pfft, pfft, pfft, you're here for Xiao Hui, aren't you? Don't worry, we all know. We knew about your relationship the other day when you came to hold an umbrella for Xiao Hui in the rain.
There's nothing to be embarrassed about for a grown man. It would be better if you were a little more straightforward."
Seeing Hoshino Sora's hesitant look, Lucy Hugo thought he was being shy. She patted his shoulder and teased him, while thinking, are Asians really this reserved?
"Ah? There's a story behind this?"
Blinking her eyes, Inui Hinako was like a civet that had found a melon, asking Lucy Hugo very curiously.
"Let's go inside first. It's quite cold outside."
Mizuhara Fuyumi said this while rubbing her arms. The weather in October was changing so quickly. Tokyo would probably have snow in a while. She suddenly felt a little excited.
"Let's go in quickly."
"Alright…"
Unable to refuse such hospitality, especially with so many people coming out to greet him, Hoshino Sora, though feeling very awkward, still walked in. As soon as he entered, he saw Roland Chapel.
"Chapel-sensei."
"Hmm, long time no see, Hoshino Sora."
He politely nodded and greeted him. Since they weren't very familiar, Hoshino Sora didn't say much but found a corner to sit down, feeling awkward from head to toe.
Especially since he had nothing to do now, and everyone around him was a Far Moon graduate, looking at him like he was a monkey...
"I heard you won first place in the Autumn Elections, that's amazing!"
Donato Gotoda patted Hoshino Sora's back and said with a smile. Although it was their first time greeting each other, this guy managed to act like an old friend.
To this, the young man just smiled and responded.
"Just lucky, just lucky."
Hoshino Sora said this to the man in front of him. This guy was the Master Chef of Hotel Tesoro, and he had once competed with Inui Hinako for Tadokoro Megumi during the lodging training.
"There's no such thing as 'lucky' for first place. It's all proof of skill. Come and try it, the layered cabbage dish made by my hands."
Hearing the conversation between Hoshino Sora and Donato Gotoda, Kojiro Shinomiya's voice also came from the kitchen, and at the same time, a plate of fragrant cuisine emerged.
Seeing this, the people present immediately shifted their attention from Hoshino Sora to the cuisine. As the lid was lifted, an exquisitely beautiful layered cabbage dish appeared before everyone.
It must be said, Shinomiya was indeed Shinomiya. His cooking technique was still so beautiful. The dish presented was like a work of art, so delicate that one didn't want to destroy it.
"Hoshino-kun, try it."
One whole dish was obviously not enough for everyone to eat. After Shinomiya placed the dish down, he used a knife to divide it into appropriate portions. Tadokoro Megumi then brought Hoshino Sora's portion to him.
"Delicious!"
Because he had tasted Tadokoro Megumi's cuisine many times at the inn before, he was very familiar with the taste of this dish. It should have been so.
But...
Feeling the impact of the dish in front of him, Hoshino Sora was full of surprise. Although it was the same dish, the one made by Kojiro Shinomiya and the one made by Tadokoro Megumi had huge differences in taste, aroma, and even appearance.
Like a child and an adult!
"Ah, I'm going!"
"I feel the vegetables dancing on my tongue!"
"What a beautiful dish, this is simply the most perfect work of art in the world!"
"Truly worthy of Shinomiya!"
As everyone put the dish into their mouths, sounds of praise immediately erupted from the Far Moon graduates around them, and there were even some strange shouts.
The dish playfully intertwined in the mouth, and the rich sweet aroma permeated and spread throughout the oral cavity, like an extremely long river of vegetables.
"You try it too."
As he spoke, Hoshino Sora forked a piece of the dish and brought it to Tadokoro Megumi's mouth, preparing to let her also taste Kojiro Shinomiya's cuisine. Some things, tasted personally, can lead to a deeper understanding.
Time quietly passed during the tasting. Kojiro Shinomiya taught very seriously. When they came back to their senses, it was already dawn. Everyone gathered at the entrance, bidding each other farewell, and Tadokoro Megumi's face was full of embarrassment.
"Thank you very much for your guidance, Shinomiya-senpai. I've taken up a whole night of your time."
"Study hard. I've never seen a chef as clumsy as you!"
Hearing the thanks, Kojiro Shinomiya said somewhat tsundere.
"I'm really very sorry!"
Tadokoro Megumi bowed and spoke apologetically.
"Alright, hurry back. During your time at the academy, you must at least bring back an Elite Ten title, otherwise don't say that I, Kojiro Shinomiya, taught you."
Looking at Tadokoro Megumi, who had been bowing since just now, Kojiro Shinomiya pushed up his glasses and turned his head away.
"Yes!"
If she had no intention of competing for the Elite Ten before, after dating Hoshino Sora and receiving guidance from Kojiro Shinomiya, confidence gradually emerged in Tadokoro Megumi's heart.
She wanted fame, fame that would allow her to stand alongside Hoshino Sora!
The Totsuki Ten Elite was her stepping stone!
"Very spirited."
"Indeed."
Looking at the spirited Tadokoro Megumi, the Far Moon graduates behind Kojiro Shinomiya couldn't help but praise her.
"No, no, I was just kidding."
And their praise made Tadokoro Megumi blush intensely. She wasn't that amazing; she seemed to have gotten a little carried away just now.
"Then we shall take our leave."
Nodding slightly, Hoshino Sora led Tadokoro Megumi away, their figures gradually disappearing from the sight of the few people, heading towards the rising sun.
"Far Moon, it's their era now."
"How nostalgic…"
——————
[Task Completed]: Successfully passed the second phase of the Field Training
[Task Requirement]: Successfully meet the assessment requirements, build Akikubo Sweets Co., Ltd.'s product into a star brand, and gain the approval of the final judge, Akikubo Momo.
[Task Reward]: 3000 Reputation Points
[Current Reputation Points]: 3300
"You're the first one back. How was the Field Training?"
After parting ways with Tadokoro Megumi at the boundary between Polar Star Dormitory and Yōbi Dormitory, Hoshino Sora opened the door to Yōbi Dormitory. At this moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka was cleaning the dormitory, and upon seeing the returning young man, she raised her hand to greet him.
"It went pretty smoothly. I even ran into Akikubo-senpai. I interned directly at her family's company."
"Oh, I see, that's quite a coincidence."
It was quite a coincidence, but overall there weren't many twists and turns. For him, it didn't create any pressure at all. Time passed pretty quickly, it just felt a little boring...
However, Tadokoro Megumi, she gained a lot from this field training, and her strength improved significantly.
"Oh, by the way, look over there."
As if suddenly remembering something, Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly pointed with a smile to a cardboard box not far away, located at the entrance of Yōbi Dormitory, containing letters with various handwritings.
The cover of each letter clearly stated their purpose.
"Challenge Letter"
"So many! It makes one's blood boil a bit."
Looking at the pile of challenge letters in front of him with shining eyes, Hoshino Sora said excitedly.
In his opinion, these were not just challenge letters; these were all his precious reputation points. He hadn't forgotten the task the system gave him when he defeated Kurokiba Ryo back then.
[Trigger Task]: Trial of the Brave
[Task Description]: You defeated Kurokiba Ryo in the Starry Sky and made an arrogant declaration. Next, you must accept everyone's challenges. The reward provided by each battle varies depending on its influence.
[Task Requirement]: Defeat the opponent. The Trial of the Brave will completely disappear if you lose a Food War.
[Task Reward]: Rewards given based on the opponent's strength
The previously issued task finally reached the time when it could be put to use! Speaking of which, no one had challenged him to a Food War for a while, so why were there suddenly so many now?
"Excuse me.
You're back, Hoshino Sora.
I am Kabayama Tetsuji, a second-year student in the high school division. Let's have a Food War showdown!
You first-year students are now standing on the same battlefield as us upperclassmen!"
While he was wondering, the door of Yōbi Dormitory was pushed open by a huge man. The man had distinct muscle lines and seemed to want to say something more to the somewhat hesitant Hoshino Sora.
"No problem, let's do it now!"
Letting out a long breath, Hoshino Sora's face was also filled with passion. Facing a scoring machine that actively came to him, he had no reason not to accept.
Of course, facing a senior older than himself, he dared not be careless and went to battle with 120% of his spirit.
After all, if he lost just one match, this task would end.
——————
"Really? The news isn't wrong? How is this possible? The location of the legendary cooking utensil is actually at Far Moon? Are you sure you're not joking!?"
"Yes, I'm not joking. Besides that, the whereabouts of several other cooking utensils have also surfaced.
But what's strange is that the location of the divine artifact became known to everyone in just one night. If you say it's fake, he speaks with reason and evidence. If you say it's real, too many people know about it.
In any case, whether it's true or false, we can't spare anyone to go to Neon. You'll have to rely on yourselves over there."
After repeatedly confirming the information on the phone, Lixin's face was filled with shock. A legendary cooking utensil at Far Moon? In Neon? This was somewhat absurd.
It's probably fake news.
"Okay, I understand. I'll find a way to get it, no matter which legendary cooking utensil it is."
Hanging up the phone, Lixin walked out of the room. Immediately, a man and a woman surrounded him at the door, respectfully bowing: "Lord Li."
"A legendary cooking utensil is about to emerge at Far Moon. The headquarters temporarily can't spare anyone. The divine artifact recognizes its master, and we must gain the divine artifact's recognition before the Chinese culinary world.
The Neon culinary world doesn't have many powerful figures, and probably not many people know the news. If the news is true, then if we bring the divine artifact back, we can definitely get promoted and raise our salaries! Maybe even enter that place."
When speaking of 'that place,' a hint of obsession appeared on Lixin's face, but he quickly reined in his expression.
"Then, Lord, what exactly should we do?"
The woman among the two subordinates asked.
"Participate in the Moon Feast Festival, Far Moon Academy's grandest annual event, and win first place in each competition area.
To increase the difficulty for the academy, Far Moon invites established old restaurants from outside to participate every year, and also opens up some spots to various sectors of society."
Hearing his subordinate's question, Lixin slowly said that the students in Far Moon Academy were just greenhorns, posing no threat to him. The only thing to watch out for were the famous chefs.
However, with his strength, there were really few people in Neon who could be his opponents.
As a chef who had held the 'Tiger' title in the Dark Cuisine World three years ago, Lixin had this confidence!
-------------------------
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