Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Despite the smell, Soma Yukihira's eyes wandered around, and soon he found a male duck with its head held high and chest puffed out, looking very energetic.

"Boss, how do you sell this?"

With a slight thought, Soma Yukihira stepped forward to inquire about the price.

"This is imported. Look at its proud and imposing appearance. Its vitality and meat quality are both excellent. It's definitely top-quality and premium. If you really want it, I'll charge you 5,000 yen."

"Five thousand yen? Can you make it cheaper?"

Upon hearing the price, Soma Yukihira gasped in shock. What kind of ridiculous price was this? A duck could cost five thousand yen?!

You should know that in their country, the most expensive live duck is only 1,500 yen, so this price is more than three times higher.

"After deducting the cost price, I don't make much profit anymore, so it's impossible for it to be cheaper. If you want it, pay for it; if you don't want it, go find another store."

Looking at the student-looking man in front of him, the owner guessed he didn't have much money. The owner, wearing an apron and holding a butcher knife, clearly didn't want to talk to him anymore. After saying that, he went to serve other customers.

"Although I can afford it, I'll be strapped for cash for a while afterward, so it's really not worth it. I'd rather just buy some discounted duck meat at the supermarket."

The exorbitant prices forced Soma Yukihira to confront reality. Watching the owner go to attend to other customers, he couldn't help but sigh before heading to the supermarket he had seen on his way there.

What he didn't notice was that not far in front of him, Yoshino Yuuki had also arrived. At that moment, she was bargaining with the shopkeeper, her target being a wild duck that she had just caught from the mountain.

Actually, calling them wild ducks isn't quite right, because the mountain belongs to a person who keeps many animals there without much discipline, allowing them to survive through natural selection.

Such ingredients command extremely high prices and can be considered genuine and legal wild game.

"That's expensive! It costs 10,000 yen! There seems to be a vacant lot behind the Polar Star Dormitory. I'll raise a bunch of them and sell them here. I'll make a fortune!"

With a touch of reluctance, he handed over a large bill and then took the wild duck from the shopkeeper.

Although its wings and feet were tightly bound, the wild duck seemed to know its fate and struggled desperately in Yoshino Yuuki's hands, its tiny eyes filled with a longing for life.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you go without any pain and perfectly showcase your value!"

As a skilled jungler, Yoshino Yuuki naturally wouldn't let it escape. She grabbed the base of its wings tightly with both hands and lifted it up.

Watching the wild duck struggle violently, he patted its head with his other hand, as if talking to himself or chanting to it.

After saying that, Yoshino Yuuki picked up the small handbag next to her, which contained the groceries she had bought on this trip. It was time to go back.

"Teacher Bai Yuan, I won't let you down!"

Thinking about what was about to happen, Yoshino Yuuki's lips curled up slightly, and she strode briskly toward the Polar Star Dormitory.

"300 yen, this is fine."

Looking at the discounted duck meat in his hand, Soma Yukihira's face showed a satisfied expression. This was the kind of price he knew.

"Sour plum..."

Coincidentally, the area next to the discounted duck meat was where the sour coal was displayed, which made him pick it up subconsciously, revealing a thoughtful expression.

"In that case, let's make that dish!"

A brilliant idea flashed through his mind, and he immediately overturned the dish he had been thinking about last night. With a face full of excitement, Soma Yukihira put the pickled plums into his shopping cart.

"The Polar Star Dormitory has all the seasonings. I saw plenty of scallions, ginger, and garlic yesterday. It's time to go back."

Looking at the groceries in his shopping cart, Soma Yukihira let out a long sigh of relief, then went to the checkout counter to pay, and returned to Totsuki Culinary Academy with his bags full of purchases.

"Yuuki is going to have a competition with that new transfer student?"

Closing the cookbook he was reading, Bai Yuan raised his eyes and looked at Tadokoro Megumi and Sakaki Ryoko, who had come to deliver the news, with a hint of curiosity.

"Yes, because that guy said some very disrespectful things yesterday, and Yuuki felt that he insulted you, so she wanted to teach him a lesson."

Tadokoro Megumi shared her guess, as she had similar thoughts, so she spoke very naturally.

"The reason is not important. With Yuuki's current strength, the outcome of a fight against that transfer student would be about 30% or 70%."

Because she was his student and he cooked for her every day, Bai Yuan had a precise understanding of Yoshino Yuuki's abilities.

Although the other party had been by his side for half a year, they were not very strong when they arrived. They were probably only at the upper-middle level of the Far Moon Realm, far from being at the top.

Although Yoshino Yuuki's skills have undergone tremendous changes after half a year of his training, it is still difficult for her to surpass Yukihira Soma, who has been studying cooking for twelve years.

Soma Yukihira's strength is roughly the same as Hisako Shinoto's, who received secret training.

This is actually normal, after all, while he was the one teaching the students at Totsuki Academy, Soma Yukihira was also taught by his father.

That newly promoted top-tier five-star chef, the pinnacle of the original world's setting, is, to say the least, a pretty good teacher.

Thinking of this, Bai Yuan couldn't help but feel a little emotional. If Yukihira Soma had arrived at Totsuki Academy a year later, he would probably have been trampled on by anyone.

"Is that transfer student really that good?"

Ryoko Sakaki was somewhat surprised. As roommates in the same dormitory, they had often sparred, and she was well aware of Yoshino Yuuki's current strength.

But she had no doubt about Bai Yuan's judgment. He said that the transfer student was stronger, and that transfer student was definitely stronger. There was no doubt about that.

"Yuuki..."

Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, a look of worry appeared on Tadokoro Megumi's face.

She had initially thought Yoshino Yuuki would definitely win, but now that the outcome was uncertain, she felt a pang of unease, as if a cat had scratched her heart.

"This is a rare opportunity, let's go take a look."

Seeing that the two were distracted, Bai Yuan stood up, patted them on the shoulder, and said.

When your own student is competing against someone else, how can a teacher not go and watch? It would also be a good opportunity for Yoshino Yuuki to realize her shortcomings.

"Really? No more lectures...?"

"It's not too late to talk about it when we get back. We have plenty of time, so a little more time won't make a difference."

Seeing Sakaki Ryoko's slightly surprised expression, Shiro walked towards the door.

Cooking requires a balance of work and rest; if you only practice diligently, you can easily develop the wrong skills.

Thinking of this, Shiro had already left the kitchen. Tadokoro Megumi and Sakaki Ryoko exchanged a glance and quickly followed. At this moment, no one else had arrived yet.

He came to the Polaris Dormitory with the two of them; it was his first time there.

Looking at the old, rustic villa covered in vines, Bai Yuan felt not disgust but rather a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Because when he was in the world of culinary disasters, he lived in a house with a similar style.

Although the outside was dilapidated, the inside was very cozy and felt like home. It's a pity I was too young at the time, otherwise, having a wife and kids and a warm bed would have been wonderful.

It's a pity. After finally making a name for itself in the world of culinary disasters, it all ended up being transported here a second time without any real understanding of what was going on.

I must go back and visit if I have the chance.

As for how to get back, Bai Yuan had a vague idea. Both worlds had legendary cooking utensils; this couldn't be a coincidence, could it?

"They should be in the kitchen now."

Pushing open the door of the Polar Star Lodge, Tadokoro Megumi said a few words and then ran ahead to lead the way. Soon, the three of them passed through the hall and arrived at the kitchen door.

Chapter 163 Sour Plum Duck VS Lotus Leaf Duck

"You're finally back! I've been waiting for you for ages..."

At this moment, Yoshino Yuuki was standing in the kitchen, idly fiddling with the seasonings.

Hearing a noise at the door, she thought it was Yukihira Soma and was about to complain when she realized that it was Shirabuchi, Tadokoro Megumi and Sakaki Ryoko.

They immediately retracted what they were about to say.

"Has Yukihira not arrived yet?"

"Hmm, I've been waiting here for half an hour already, this is way too slow."

Yoshino Yuuki's words carried a rare hint of complaint. She had originally wanted to end the battle quickly and then rush to Professor Shirabuchi's place for a lesson.

But now, with Soma Yukihira's delayed arrival, she couldn't help but suspect that he had backed down before the battle even began; otherwise, why would he have remained silent until now?

"Say Cao Cao Cao Cao has arrived."

Bai Yuan was about to answer when he heard a noise at the door. Through the crack in the door, he saw that fiery red hair.

"Have you been waiting long?"

With a light sheen of sweat on his forehead, clearly having jogged there, Soma Yukihira returned to the Polar Star Dormitory, strode into the kitchen, and called out to someone inside.

"Teacher Bai Yuan, you're here too?"

Upon entering and seeing Bai Yuan in the kitchen, Soma Yukihira was momentarily stunned.

Turning to look at Yoshino Yuuki, he noticed that she and the two people beside her were all looking at Shirobuchi with great respect, as if they were looking at their own faith.

"You wouldn't happen to be their mysterious teacher, would you?"

It seems like a question, but it's actually a certainty.

If he still can't see it at this point, he'd be a complete idiot.

No wonder Yoshino Yuuki was so confident and felt she couldn't possibly lose; it turns out she's apprenticed under Chef Shirabuchi. It seems today will be a tough battle.

"I'm just an ordinary referee, you don't need to pay too much attention to me."

Noticing the change in Yukihira Soma's expression and realizing that the other party was serious, Bai Yuan casually waved his hand, making a nonchalant gesture.

"Someone actually popped up and tried to steal my job. You're really too kind. You must be Bai Yuan. Thank you for taking care of Xiao Hui and the others these past few days."

Perhaps the commotion in the kitchen was too loud, because Fumio Oomido heard the noise and rushed over. He looked at the group of people facing off in the kitchen with a subtle expression.

Especially after hearing Bai Yuan's words, he couldn't help but complain.

"Grandma Wenxu".

Upon seeing a familiar face appear, several people greeted her. Bai Yuan also saw her and awkwardly called out, "Grandma Wenxu."

"Well, although you are Totsuki's teacher, you are most suitable to be a judge for this competition. However, I have also tasted many of the students' dishes, so please add me to the judging panel this time."

“I never intended to replace you.”

Upon hearing Oomido Fumio's words, Hakugen shook his head with a wry smile.

He never intended to replace the other side; he simply wanted to be one of the referees.

"In that case, I'm relieved. You two, stop standing there and get started cooking. I've skipped lunch to wait for you."

Seeing that the two had not yet taken any action, Oomido Fumio urged them on.

"The competition will last two hours, and the theme is ducks. Is that alright?"