Liu Ming was truly stunned.
He hadn't misheard, had he?
Tadokoro Megumi actually said she was going to have a Food War with someone?
Was this still the gentle Tadokoro Megumi he knew?
"Megumi, you're not making up such an excuse because you miss us, are you? If you really want us to come see you, you can just say so directly. You don't need to find an excuse."
Liu Ming still didn't quite believe it.
Although Tadokoro Megumi had promised him she would snatch an Elite Ten spot before leaving, school had just started.
Tadokoro Megumi's personality wasn't that impatient; there was no way she would challenge an Elite Ten member right after school began.
"It's not an excuse at all!" Tadokoro Megumi, afraid Liu Ming would misunderstand, quickly explained.
"Actually, this is what happened: during the opening ceremony today, a very arrogant transfer student arrived and said some very offensive things, making many classmates dislike him.
And me, well, my luck was really bad; I ended up in the same group as him during class.
At the time, I thought, 'A group is a group; even without him, I'm confident I can get an A by myself.'
However, during the cooking process, two classmates intentionally ruined our dish to teach him a lesson.
Although we still passed in the end, I was still very angry.
Master, you know that my grades used to be very bad; if I had gotten a failing grade this time because of them, I would have been expelled."
"Hmm, so you challenged them to a Shokugeki," Liu Ming finally understood what had happened.
"At first, I just wanted them to apologize to me.
But they wouldn't admit it, and I was so angry, I had no choice but to challenge them to a Shokugeki," Tadokoro Megumi said, huffing and puffing.
"You did the right thing.
Chefs also have their dignity.
Even though they weren't targeting you, they genuinely affected you, and it could have even led to serious consequences.
You definitely needed to teach them a lesson and, at the same time, announce to the whole school that Tadokoro Megumi is not to be trifled with."
"That's what I thought too.
To challenge an Elite Ten member to a Shokugeki, you need something of equal value.
Only by making a name for myself will it be easier to accumulate what's needed."
Tadokoro Megumi also had her own ideas; Shokugeki weren't that easy to initiate, especially those betting on an Elite Ten position.
As a commoner, she simply didn't have enough resources to catch the eye of an Elite Ten member.
She couldn't possibly follow the normal regulations to obtain an Elite Ten spot; that would take far too long.
"Very good, as expected of my apprentice, Liu Ming.
I will definitely be there to watch the day after tomorrow."
"Thank you, Master, I will definitely win splendidly," Tadokoro Megumi said happily.
Although it had only been a few days since they last met, she really missed everyone, especially her Master, Liu Ming.
After chatting for a while longer, the two hung up the phone.
...
At this moment, Tohru looked over and asked, "Was that Megumi just now?
Did she call back for something?"
Don't underestimate a dragon's hearing; even if the voice was a bit soft, Tohru still recognized that the person on the other end was Tadokoro Megumi.
Elma also looked at Liu Ming.
She held quite a high regard for Tadokoro Megumi, the human who often made delicious food for her.
"Yes, Megumi said she's having a Shokugeki the day after tomorrow," Liu Ming didn't hide anything from the two of them.
"Shokugeki? What is that?" Tohru asked, puzzled.
"It's a duel…" Liu Ming's words were cut off by Tohru before he could finish.
"What?! Someone dares to bully Megumi?
Which idiotic human is it?
How dare they duel Megumi?
Do they not know that Megumi is under my protection?
They're practically seeking death!"
Tohru said, huffing with anger, her eyes flashing with cold light.
Elma nodded in agreement.
Although she couldn't interfere with the workings of the human world, she also couldn't just stand by and watch other humans bully her friend.
If it was truly too much, she would definitely intervene, just being careful not to hit too hard.
"Don't misunderstand; the duel I'm talking about is a cooking duel, where they compete to see whose dish tastes better."
Then, Liu Ming briefly recounted what Tadokoro Megumi had just told him.
Tohru raised an eyebrow and said noncommittally, "What's the difference?
It's still two people engaging in some kind of competition; the only difference is whether their bodies will be harmed."
"In any case, you two can't mess around.
Besides, aren't you clear about Tadokoro Megumi's cooking skills?
She's sure to win."
Liu Ming didn't want them to blow things out of proportion; otherwise, if they got excited and let out a roar at Totsuki Academy, who would clean up the mess?
"Alright, but I want to go and see too.
If the other party isn't bullying Megumi, then fine.
But if they really are bullying Megumi, Xiao Ming, don't blame me for intervening.
Megumi is our good friend, and we can't not help her.
Besides, I promised her a long time ago that I would look after her; we dragons are very trustworthy."
"You're going too? Then who will look after the shop?"
Liu Ming was instantly dumbfounded; the restaurant was severely short-staffed right now.
"Then just close it for a bit; it's not the first time anyway," Tohru said nonchalantly.
"Exactly, I also want to go and see Megumi," Elma uncharacteristically spoke up in agreement with Tohru.
Liu Ming hadn't expected Elma to also be interested.
If all three of them left, never mind the restaurant, what about Sora and the others?
It seemed he would have to talk to them in the evening.
"When is their competition?" Tohru suddenly asked.
Liu Ming thought for a moment and said, "It's during lunchtime."
"After all, they still have school, so if it's not a holiday, Shokugeki usually take place during the lunch break so as not to affect students' regular classes."
"Since that's the case, it's easy to handle.
I can fly, you know; a round trip won't take much time at all," Tohru declared, patting her chest.
Liu Ming then realized that Tohru was a dragon and could fly.
It was just that Tohru always maintained her human form, which made him forget this fact.
With Tohru helping as transportation, he even had time to pick up and drop off Xiao Hina from school.
The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
He couldn't help but praise Tohru, gently stroking her head.
"As expected of Tohru, you're truly reassuring."
Tohru immediately brightened, lifting her head proudly.
"Of course, I, Tohru, am the strongest; this little matter can't trouble me."
"Hmph," Elma sneered from the side, pouting.
She could fly too, you know.