Time flew by, and soon it was evening.
Because Gin Dojima had given instructions, the matter of the Shokugeki didn't spread widely, but some rumors were inevitable.
The people at Polar Star Dormitory became nervous after hearing the news, but after learning that Liu Ming was also involved, they felt much more at ease.
Liu Ming was Tadokoro Megumi's master; he definitely wouldn't just stand by.
On the other side, Gin Dojima led Liu Ming, Tadokoro Megumi, and Yukihira Soma towards the underground kitchen.
Indeed, Yukihira Soma had also come along, ostensibly to broaden his horizons and witness the strength of a former Elite Ten member.
Liu Ming didn't object to this; after all, he wasn't the protagonist today.
Led by Gin Dojima, everyone quickly arrived at the underground kitchen.
There were already quite a few people inside.
A total of five people: four graduates and one current student.
They were Inui Hinako, Mizuhara Fuyumi, Kanseki Hei, Donato Gotoda, and Erina.
Seeing Liu Ming and the others look towards Erina and her companions, Gin Dojima explained, "They are the judges I invited for this private Shokugeki. But rest assured, they will absolutely fulfill their duties as judges fairly and impartially."
Liu Ming nodded without speaking, then walked to the side, leaving the stage to Gin Dojima to host.
"I won't elaborate on the details of this Shokugeki, lest you call me long-winded. In short, the time limit for the Shokugeki is 2 hours, the dish style is unrestricted, but the main ingredient must be vegetables. Now, let the Shokugeki officially begin!" Gin Dojima announced loudly.
"This is truly interesting! A Shokugeki between a graduate and a current student! Such an amusing event has never happened before. I wonder what Chapel would say if he knew," Donato Gotoda said with a laugh.
"He'd definitely be very angry, even furious. After all, this kind of Shokugeki is clearly bullying someone. After the Shokugeki, it will probably be a huge blow to that girl, since her opponent is that Kojiro fellow," Kanseki Hei said sternly, arms crossed.
"I don't care. If it gets out, I'll push all the responsibility onto Senior Shinomiya," Mizuhara Fuyumi said calmly.
"Honestly, Shinomiya is still as annoying as ever, bullying such a cute little girl."
Inui Hinako glared at Kojiro Shinomiya in dissatisfaction, seemingly recalling all the dark history of her being bullied in the past.
"Stop babbling! You just focus on being good judges. Don't say anything superfluous!" Kojiro Shinomiya glared fiercely at them.
"Did you hear that? It's that annoying tone. So many years have passed, and he hasn't changed at all!" Inui Hinako continued to mock.
"Isn't that just his personality? He's so bad he has no friends," Mizuhara Fuyumi chimed in.
Their conversation made Kojiro Shinomiya stomp his feet in anger.
However, Inui Hinako and the others also knew their limits. When they saw Kojiro Shinomiya begin to prepare his dish, they stopped talking, so as not to disturb him.
"I didn't expect you to be here too," Liu Ming said, looking at Erina who walked over, greatly surprised.
Erina huffed, "I'm an Elite Ten member; I have an obligation to come and observe."
"Is that all?" Liu Ming didn't believe her words.
"Hmph, what else do you think it is? I don't know what she's thinking, daring to challenge Senior Shinomiya to a Shokugeki. You're the same, agreeing to such an absurd duel. You don't actually think she can win against Senior Shinomiya, do you?"
Erina certainly wouldn't voice her true thoughts.
After all, Liu Ming had always encouraged her to have a Shokugeki with Tadokoro Megumi. She came today precisely to clearly see what strength Tadokoro Megumi possessed that made Liu Ming think so highly of her.
Liu Ming didn't retort, his gaze fixed on her.
Erina felt as if her whole body was being seen through, and she became uncomfortable.
"What are you doing? Don't you know it's very rude to stare at a girl like that?" Erina said with dissatisfaction.
"Heh heh," Liu Ming glanced at her dismissively, his expression as if to say, 'You? I wouldn't even look if you were offered for free.'
Erina immediately stomped her feet in anger. However, with so many people around, she couldn't really lash out, so she could only glare at Liu Ming angrily.
Liu Ming ignored her and began to focus his attention on Tadokoro Megumi.
Kojiro Shinomiya had long since selected his ingredients and had already begun the preliminary work.
Tadokoro Megumi also started selecting the ingredients she needed.
Since she had already told Gin Dojima the ingredients she needed, she didn't have to spend too much effort on this.
Compared to the familiar Kojiro Shinomiya, everyone seemed more focused on Tadokoro Megumi, the current student who dared to challenge Kojiro Shinomiya.
When they saw the ingredients she chose, many people couldn't help but frown.
They couldn't figure out what dish Tadokoro Megumi was preparing to make.
At this moment, Tadokoro Megumi didn't have many ingredients in her hand. Besides some bean sprouts, the rest were just some decorative vegetable leaves.
With such simple ingredients, what kind of dish could she possibly make?
Unlike the others, Erina was already too shocked to speak. She had witnessed that dish before, and had even tasted it herself.
That feeling at the time was still vivid in her memory.
She knew that she herself had tried many times, but all had ended in failure.
Liu Ming quietly watched Tadokoro Megumi meticulously removing the heads and tails of the bean sprouts.
It hadn't been long since they last met, yet she was already capable of this level of precision.
It seemed she was working very hard at school.
Kojiro Shinomiya also noticed Tadokoro Megumi's peculiar behavior, but even he, the 'Magician of Vegetable Dishes,' couldn't quite discern what she was doing.
A sudden sense of unease rose within him.
However, he quickly dismissed it from his mind.
He was Kojiro Shinomiya; how could he possibly lose to a little girl?
Even without using his full strength, it would be enough.
Kojiro Shinomiya also began to focus on his own cooking.
Compared to him, Tadokoro Megumi's side was much simpler. She merely sat there, meticulously cleaning the bean sprouts one by one.
Her attitude was incredibly serious, her expression incredibly careful, as if she were handling an absolute treasure.
She was carefully nurturing it.