Feeling the soft touch in his hands and the subtle pressure on his back, Liu Ming's cold sweat was about to break out.
If Erina and the other two suddenly woke up at this moment, Liu Ming really wouldn't be able to clear his name.
However, fortunately, Tadokoro Megumi's cooking skills were quite good. The delicious illusion created by the dish was not easily broken, even by the three of them.
After Liu Ming carried the three women to the storage room, they were still immersed in the illusion of gourmet food.
When he returned to the lobby again, he let out a long sigh of relief.
Facing three delicate ladies, he was actually able to restrain himself. He even admired himself a little.
Liu Ming poured himself a glass of water, then found a seat and waited quietly.
The first to wake up was Gin Dojima. After all, in terms of both culinary skill and physical condition, he was the best apart from Liu Ming.
He first blinked his eyes in confusion, then began to survey his surroundings.
When he saw the others covered in strips of cloth, a hint of surprise appeared on his face, but he didn't care.
Then Kojiro Shinomiya also woke up, followed by Kanseki Hei and Donato Gotoda.
They exchanged glances, very curious about the scene before them. Why were everyone's clothes in tatters?
Weren't they just enjoying the dish Tadokoro Megumi made?
Just then, a sharp scream came from the storage room.
Yukihira Soma was also startled awake, looking around blankly.
As the person in charge here, Gin Dojima certainly didn't want to see any accidents happen. He stood up, about to walk towards the storage room.
"If I were you, I wouldn't go over there." Liu Ming said.
Gin Dojima immediately stopped, looking at Liu Ming in confusion.
Liu Ming didn't hide anything and said directly, "They are just like you; all their clothes are like this. If you go in, be careful not to get slaughtered."
Gin Dojima blinked, quickly realizing, but he was still a little uneasy. He shouted towards the storage room, "Hinako, Mizuhara, are you alright?"
"Of course we're not alright!" Inui Hinako replied, her voice a little flustered.
"Hmm?"
"Our clothes were ruined by someone, and now we can't be seen." Inui Hinako said, dissatisfied.
Gin Dojima immediately breathed a sigh of relief; he thought something major had happened.
"Tell them to wait inside. Megumi is getting clothes from outside and will be back soon." Liu Ming explained the situation.
Gin Dojima nodded and repeated these words loudly.
Compared to this, Kojiro Shinomiya and the others were clearly more curious about what had just happened. One by one, they looked at Liu Ming.
Because Liu Ming was not only the first to wake up, but his clothes also showed no changes at all.
"What's wrong? It's just being seen naked. We're all men, what's there to be afraid of? Besides, aren't you still wearing plenty of strips of cloth? What's there to worry about?"
Liu Ming, seeing everyone looking at him, said with dissatisfaction.
Gin Dojima and the others were speechless. Was that what they were concerned about?
Just as they were about to say something, Tadokoro Megumi returned.
Liu Ming took a few pieces of clothing from her hand, tossed them to Gin Dojima, and told him to distribute them to everyone.
Tadokoro Megumi, meanwhile, took the remaining clothes and ran to the storage room.
After a rustling of clothes being changed.
The three from the storage room also walked out.
At this point, even Inui Hinako, who was usually very carefree, had a slightly awkward expression. After returning to the lobby, she was a bit reserved.
And Mizuhara Fuyumi, who usually had a poker face, when her eyes met others, her entire face turned as red as a peach, truly adorable.
As for Erina, the proud young lady, she was practically burying her head in her chest, looking as if she dared not face anyone.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Gin Dojima was still the first to step forward.
He looked at Liu Ming and asked, "Mr. Liu, can you tell us what happened just now? Why were everyone's clothes torn, but yours were completely unharmed?"
Liu Ming didn't answer his question immediately. Instead, he pointed at Tadokoro Megumi and Kojiro Shinomiya and said, "Shouldn't we announce the result of the Shokugeki first?"
"This…" Gin Dojima was a little troubled.
The result of this Shokugeki, in fact, didn't need to be announced; everyone already knew it.
But thinking about the pressure Kojiro Shinomiya would face after losing to Tadokoro Megumi, he wondered if such a proud person could bear it.
"Shinomiya." Gin Dojima looked at Kojiro Shinomiya with a complex expression.
"Shinomiya-senpai." Inui Hinako and the others also put aside their shyness, each looking at Kojiro Shinomiya with complex expressions.
The person they once looked up to had actually lost, and so thoroughly at that.
This result was beyond everyone's expectations; before coming, they had never imagined Kojiro Shinomiya would lose.
However, recalling the dish Tadokoro Megumi had just made, they felt it was perfectly reasonable.
At the same time, their gazes towards Tadokoro Megumi became intensely fervent.
Feeling these waves of fervent gazes, Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but hide behind Liu Ming.
Kojiro Shinomiya's expression changed; after tasting the dish Tadokoro Megumi had made, he also guessed the outcome of this match.
He truly hadn't expected to lose, and to a first-year student still in school at that.
But he wasn't a sore loser; rather than being judged by others, he would openly admit his defeat.
He walked directly in front of Tadokoro Megumi, his tone somewhat forlorn and unwilling, "I lost this Food War. Tell me whatever demands you have; as the loser, I will fulfill all of them."
Liu Ming stared intently at Kojiro Shinomiya, seemingly sensing the changes in his heart.
Liu Ming handed the decision-making power to Tadokoro Megumi.
He pulled Tadokoro Megumi out from behind him, letting her face Kojiro Shinomiya directly.
Tadokoro Megumi was still a bit nervous; after all, the opponent was Kojiro Shinomiya, but thinking about the reason for this Food War, she mustered her courage.
"The one who defeated you wasn't me, but my master's recipe. That dish just now was taught to me by my master; he is an incredibly skilled chef, so I won't allow you to speak ill of him."
At first, Tadokoro Megumi was a little nervous. But as she continued, she became angry, glaring at Kojiro Shinomiya indignantly.
Kojiro Shinomiya was stunned for a moment, then looked at Liu Ming next to Tadokoro Megumi.
He suddenly bowed 90 degrees to Liu Ming, saying sincerely, "I'm sorry, I was too arrogant before and said some things I shouldn't have. I humbly ask for your forgiveness."