The story begins in Food Wars, when Alice took him home.

"I've finished making braised loach with hot oil. I borrowed the cooking method from the Shanghainese dish, braised eel with hot oil, combining tender loach strips with rich seasonings, and then adding hot oil to bring out the aroma."

After placing the finished braised loach strips on the bar, Yamagami Ayano looked at Tadokoro Megumi, who was frying tempura in front of her with batter in front of her.

"Mine is almost done too. Please dip it in tempura sauce and enjoy."

Upon hearing Yamagami Ayano's voice, Tadokoro Megumi calmly drained the oil from the mudfish tempura in the pot and placed it in front of Kitafuen.

"Sizzling loach strips and loach tempura, honestly, they both look delicious!"

Looking at the two dishes in front of him, Bei Fengyuan swallowed hard, then picked up his chopsticks and looked at them, but he was in a dilemma, hesitating about which one to eat first.

"Let's eat Ayumi's dish first since Ayumi finished cooking first."

After saying that, Bei Fengyuan picked up a piece of braised loach with hot oil and put it directly into his mouth.

"The aroma of scallions, the spiciness of minced garlic, the fresh spiciness of chili peppers, and the sweetness of sugar all blend together, perfectly complementing the smooth and delicious texture of the loach strips! It's wonderful!"

As Beifengyuan savored the rich flavor of the loach strips on her tongue, she closed her eyes, feeling the deeper layers of flavor spreading and diffusing in her mouth.

The tender, smooth, and bouncy texture allows all the flavors to burst forth with just a slight bite, and it has to be said that this feeling is truly incredibly satisfying.

"The parts that have been drenched in hot oil are translucent, and their aroma is perfectly brought out, resonating with the aromas of other ingredients and becoming exceptionally rich."

Tadokoro Megumi also tasted the braised loach with hot oil and gave it a positive review, saying that overall it had a complex flavor, fragrant and delicious, and was undoubtedly a top-quality dish!

"Hmph, I've been practicing this dish for quite a while, originally planning to serve it as a signature dish, but now it's being presented early for this competition!"

Seeing Kitafuu's expression, Yamagami Ayumi's lips curled up, and he then began to explain.

"It is indeed a good dish, and it should be close to being a first-class dish. But it's not enough; it's still far from beating me!"

Megumi Tadokoro also looked confident, and as she spoke, she pushed her loach tempura forward.

"What? I'd like to try your cooking and see if you have the right to make such boastful claims..."

Upon hearing Tadokoro's words, Yamagami Ayumu became somewhat angry. This was his masterpiece, truly reaching the level of a first-class dish.

Top-tier chefs are typically found only in famous restaurants, and even top-tier chefs don't always produce top-tier dishes.

For ordinary people, first-class cuisine is already the highest standard when a restaurant entertains guests, but now it is being looked down upon by Tadokoro Megumi.

How could he not be angry!

"Please taste it."

Tadokoro Megumi didn't care about Yamagami Ayano's dissatisfaction; she simply continued to push her dishes forward, letting him taste them before speaking.

Seeing this, Yamagami Ayumi no longer hesitated, picked up the loach tempura and put it in his mouth. Then his eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

"This taste!?"

"Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the loach is soaked in delicious broth, and the juices burst in your mouth the moment you bite into it. Is this really tempura?"

Bei Fengyuan covered her mouth, somewhat incredulous. The tempura skin on the outside was light and crispy, while the loach inside was incredibly tender and flavorful.

How can two such distinctly different textures be combined in one dish?!

"This is really amazing! The taste and texture of this loach dish are incredible. Did you really know nothing about loach before this?"

"This is indeed my first time trying it, and the flavor is still a bit off. With some research, I should be able to improve it further."

Looking at Tadokoro Megumi with a complicated expression, Yamagami Ayumi, who had initially felt some resentment at being looked down upon, was now only filled with amazement and admiration.

The fact that the other person could refine a completely unfamiliar ingredient to this level in such a short time is truly remarkable.

If he had any doubts about Bei Fengyuan's words just now, those doubts have completely disappeared now; the other party truly deserves the title of genius.

"You can use this kitchen whenever you're not working."

However, I have one request: when you are researching cooking, I would like to observe and learn from you.

Yamagami Ayumi stated his needs frankly. Faced with such a genius, he really wanted to see for himself and where he was lacking compared to her.

"Sure, as long as you don't bother me."

Tadokoro Megumi hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded in agreement. After all, it was a bit much for her to borrow someone else's kitchen and then kick them out while she stayed behind.

"Don't worry, I won't do that kind of thing!"

Yamashita Ayumu patted his chest and assured him, while Kitafuuen smiled as he watched this scene.

Finally, I see this guy is trying to grow.

Perhaps in the future I can become a chef who can work independently.

"I'll go get you some fruit."

After saying that, Kitafuuen jogged away from the kitchen, leaving the two of them looking at each other in bewilderment. In the end, Tadokoro Megumi turned around and started cooking.

Yamagami Ayumu stared intently at the cutting board and pot, not daring to slack off even slightly in the face of Tadokoro Megumi's extremely skilled movements.

Time passed by day by day.

The decisive moment arrived in the blink of an eye.

"Greetings, everyone. The Summer Selection Tournament Finals are about to begin. Now, please welcome our two finalists to the stage."

The giant screen in the sky displayed the words "Summer Selection Finals".

The area between Moon and Sky is now packed with people. Not only are the seats that have been sold full, but even the corridors are full of people, making it difficult to walk.

This shows just how much attention this summer selection final has garnered.

"First up is Megumi Tadokoro from the port fishing village."

"Secondly, there is the mysterious Chinese transfer student—Liu Yu."

After a brief introduction of the two contestants, Tadokoro Megumi and Liu Yu entered through their respective contestant entrances, eliciting cheers from the audience.

"Keep going, Xiaohui! You'll definitely succeed!"

"Go! Defeat the transfer student!"

"You will win, I believe in you!"

The students around Shiro Awakening, the members of the Polar Star Dormitory, were all cheering for Tadokoro Megumi, raising their hands high with enthusiastic expressions on their faces.

"Sister Liu, let's showcase the essence of Chinese cuisine!"

"Defeat her, and unleash the might of my dark culinary world!"

The transfer students were also cheering for Liu Yu, as she was their only hope as a chef from the dark cuisine world who had made it to the finals.

"Now, the summer selection finals shall begin!"

As Kawashima Rei's voice faded, cheers erupted from the audience, and then a spotlight shone on Isshiki Satoshi, who was holding a microphone.

"Let me first introduce today's judges."

"Isshiki-senpai?"

"I almost couldn't recognize who it was because of the clothes on."

Looking at Isshiki Satoshi, who was hosting on stage, Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko looked surprised, as if they hadn't expected that he, who usually only wore a loincloth in the Polar Star Dormitory, would have such a serious side.

"Let's not talk about that. How's Xiaohui's cooking going? She came back the day before the competition and then stayed in the kitchen the whole time. I only just saw her now."

Mito Ikumi looked on with curiosity and a hint of eagerness.

It has been a week since Megumi Tadokoro left and she has not been seen. No one knows how her cooking is going or whether it meets the standards for the competition.

"Well...we don't know either."

Upon hearing Mito Ikumi's words, Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko exchanged a glance, both showing helpless expressions.

Since returning to Totsuki Culinary Arts University, Tadokoro Megumi has locked herself in the kitchen and hasn't come out since. They were afraid of disturbing her culinary research, so they didn't dare to bother her. They could only catch a glimpse of her when they passed by while she was preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

"That's it..."

Upon hearing their words, Mito Ikumi showed a deflated expression.

"Trust Xiaohui. She won't waste this week. No matter who wins or loses, it will be a great match."

"makes sense…"

Bai Yuan's voice rang out at the right moment. He sat in the center of the girls, surrounded by them. He hadn't spoken until now, silently observing the judges' panel and greeting one of them.

"First of all, the head judge, the academy's supreme commander, Lord Senzaemon Nakiri!"

Secondly, there is the head of the tourism department, the head chef of the Totsuki Resort—Gin Dojima.

And another one, the top researcher at Totsuki Academy's research department—Nakiri International, Lady Leonora Nakiri!

The judges this time are all familiar to everyone.

Senzaemon Nakiri sat in the middle of the three, in the center position, with Gin Dojima to his left and Leonora Nakiri to his right.

However, compared to Bai Yuan's familiarity, the audience was completely unfamiliar with the last judge who appeared, but that didn't stop them from swooning over her.

Her long, snow-white hair and purple strapless dress exuded mature charm, and she was smiling in Bai Yuan's direction.

"What a beautiful person."

"Her skin is extremely fair."

Are they Scandinavians?

Various speculations emerged, and everyone curiously scrutinized the newly appeared judge, who was indeed a stunning beauty!

"Hey, Mom."

"Eh?!"

Upon seeing the familiar face, Alice Nakiri in the audience froze for a moment and called out "Mom!" Next to her, Yuuki Yoshino immediately looked astonished.

But upon closer inspection, it does indeed look somewhat similar...

"Her Excellency Leonora is the Chief Executive Officer of Nakiri International, an academic institution that manages and utilizes the latest scientific research in gastronomy and molecular gastronomy."

Then please say hello to everyone.

As they were talking, Isshiki Satoshi stepped forward and handed the microphone to Nakiri Leonora.

"Cough cough."

"H-Hello everyone, I'm Leonora Nakiri, and I live in Denmark. I know being a judge will be tough, but I'll do my best."

Looking at the many audience members below the stage, Leonora Nakiri spoke broken Japanese, her face flushed with embarrassment, which was quite charming.