Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Megumi Tadokoro felt the same way. Although she felt that she was being a bit unfair, she did not see herself as a third party who interfered in other people's relationships.

Teacher Bai Yuan is so outstanding, what's wrong with having a few more people around him?!

"Let's go back."

After a brief, tender embrace, Bai Yuan took Tadokoro Megumi's hand, exchanged a smile with her, and then their ordinary hand-holding turned into a tight interlocking of fingers.

With such a significant development in their relationship, Tadokoro Megumi expected to be very excited, but in reality, she quickly calmed down.

However, the faint happiness deep in her heart told her that she had made the right choice.

Love can be a loud, passionate declaration, or it can be a quiet, gentle reliance. For Tadokoro Megumi, the best gift is that Hakubuchi can stay by her side.

The two strolled along the mountain path. The night breeze was cool and carried the scent of grass. Because they were on the mountain, the air was exceptionally fresh, making it a pleasant experience.

"Oh, where have you all been? We've been looking for you for ages! The party's missing you guys. You're the stars of the night, it's unacceptable that we can't find you for so long!"

Just as they were about to arrive home, Alice Nakiri's voice came from not far away. As soon as she saw Bai Yuan, she reached out and pulled him inside.

However, she managed to pull the person, but couldn't move them. Then Alice turned her head in confusion and noticed Tadokoro Megumi and Shirabuchi's hands clasped together.

She wasn't stupid; after a moment's thought, she figured out what had happened. She immediately put her hands on her hips and questioned the two of them: "I was wondering where you two had run off to. Turns out you were sneaking around eating behind my back. You were pretty good at hiding it!"

"I...actually, I just..."

Seeing that Alice Nakiri seemed to have misunderstood something, Megumi Tadokoro immediately explained. She had just confessed; she couldn't let it be misinterpreted as cheating!

"Anyway, welcome to this big family, Xiao Hui."

Seeing the embarrassed look on Tadokoro Megumi's face, as if she wanted to explain something, Nakiri Alice waved her hand to indicate that she shouldn't say anything, and at the same time extended her hand.

"I'm sorry, Alice..."

Seeing this, Tadokoro Megumi was stunned for a moment. Faced with Alice Nakiri's pure and innocent smile, she suddenly felt a little shameless...

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Bai Yuan is so outstanding that anyone would like him. You just did what you thought was right. The fact that Bai Yuan is willing to accept you shows that you are a great girl. In fact, he is the one who benefits.”

Seeing Tadokoro Megumi's embarrassed expression, Nakiri Alice stepped forward, grabbed her hand, held it in her palm, and said earnestly, word by word.

Tadokoro Megumi's feelings for Shirobuchi were generally known to everyone except herself, who thought she had hidden them well. Nakiri Alice was naturally one of them.

So when she saw Shirayuki and Tadokoro Megumi returning hand in hand, she didn't think about anything else and guessed the answer directly.

However, since it was someone who had grown up beside her, Alice Nakiri felt at ease, at least the other person wasn't a bad woman.

This is also why she was so kind and gentle.

"And also, Brother Bai Yuan, he..."

Hearing Alice Nakiri whispering about his embarrassing moments to Megumi Tadokoro, Bai Yuan's forehead veins throbbed.

The other person even recounted stories from his teenage years, about a time when the two of them took a bath together, which prompted Tadokoro Megumi to give him a subtle look.

"Hey, I'm still here."

Upon hearing their laughter, Bai Yuan's face immediately showed an embarrassed expression, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. As he spoke, he put his arms around their waists.

"Those days are really memorable. The first time we took a bath together, little brother Bai Yuan didn't even dare to look me in the eye, even though he was just a little kid back then."

A gentle yet teasing voice came from behind them. Turning around, they saw it was Leonora Nakiri, who walked gracefully towards them and stopped in front of them.

"Nora, you're joking with me too."

Bai Yuan looked helpless at the addition of Nakiri Leonora, who often bathed with him because he was young at the time.

Of course, Alice Nakiri will also be involved in this process.

In her words, Scandinavians are not particular about details, while taking a bath with family is a Japanese tradition. In addition, Bai Yuan was just a little kid at the time, so neither Nakiri Leonora nor Nakiri Alice paid much attention to it, even though Bai Yuan was very resistant at the time.

"It's just a fact. Young Bai Yuan was super cute. I really wanted to hug him and pinch his cheeks hard."

As they were talking, Bai Yuan was already embraced by Nakiri Leonora, just like when she was a child, only this time the boy was much taller than he was then.

Bai Yuan felt a soft sensation, followed by a pleasant fragrance that wafted into his nose—the unique scent of Nakiri Leonora.

"Oh dear, he's not like he was when he was little, so small that you could hold him in your arms. Little Brother Bai Yuan is a big kid now."

Touching Bai Yuan's head and feeling the heat of the body in her arms, Leonora Nakiri blushed inexplicably, then let go and took a step back.

Those solid muscles, that strong body—Alice must be eating really well!

As if she had thought of something, Leonora stared blankly at Bai Yuan's body, a hint of resentment appearing in her eyes.

"Alright, let's go back first. Xiaohui is the main character tonight, and they'll be getting impatient if we don't go back soon."

After regaining his balance, Bai Yuan looked at the brightly lit villa not far away, where laughter and cheerful voices filled the air.

The grill and food are all ready.

He had deliberately let Nakiri Leonora hug him just now, just like when he was a child. After all, her body was so soft and supple, and he didn't dislike being hugged by her.

Leonora Nakiri, perhaps knowing this, often teased him, leaving him in a limbo. Fortunately, this rarely happened after he grew up.

"Go back now. Speaking of which, you didn't even come to say hello during the match today, and you disappeared right after the match ended. Now you've made me come in person. You've really grown quite arrogant."

"No, that's not true. I just thought that we'd have plenty of time to talk once we got back, so there was no need to act too familiar in public to avoid any misunderstandings."

Her words carried a hint of reproach, much like a young girl in early spring. As she spoke, she punched Bai Yuan's shoulder with her fist, and then followed him and his daughter into the villa.

"Teacher Baiyuan..."

Tadokoro Megumi, realizing she couldn't get a word in edgewise, was about to fall behind and go inside when Shiro grabbed her hand and led her into the house.

This is unprecedented treatment!

Megumi Tadokoro felt that everything was the same as before, yet something was different.

Soon, the four returned to the villa.

As soon as she opened the outer door and entered the courtyard, she was greeted by Yoshino Yuuki and Mito Ikumi, who were lying in ambush at the door, followed by cheers.

"Congratulations on winning first place, Xiao Hui!"

Fireworks landed on the head of Tadokoro Megumi, who was the first to enter the yard. This celebration was held for her; she was the star of the party.

Because Bai Yuan was reminded by Nakiri Alice before entering, he didn't compete with her for the first spot, which allowed the fireworks to hit the target smoothly.

"Everyone..."

Watching the fireworks fall from the sky, Tadokoro Megumi looked moved. Before she could say anything, Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko surrounded her.

"I knew you could succeed, Xiaohui!"

Yoshino Yuuki was beaming with excitement as she grabbed the other person's arm, as if she were the one who had succeeded, not Tadokoro Megumi.

"Congratulations, Xiaohui."

In contrast, Ryoko Sakaki was much more reserved, but I was still genuinely happy for her and congratulated her on winning first place.

"Yuuki, Ryoko..."

Looking at the two people in front of her, Tadokoro Megumi's expression became more moved.

As a member of the Polar Star Trio, without their support, she wouldn't have survived until Bai Yuan arrived, let alone won the summer selection championship.

If Bai Yuan had given her a second chance at life, then the two people in front of her were her pillars of support!

"thank you all."

Tadokoro Megumi said it sincerely.

"Let's not talk about this now. Would you like to try some of my freshly brewed rice wine?"

"I just made a flavorful roast duck, and it was pretty good!"

When Megumi Dadokoro suddenly became sentimental, Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko felt a little embarrassed and hurriedly retreated back to the kitchen to get the cooked dishes.

"Champion, have a drink!"

At the same time, a crisp sound rang out. Bai Yuan looked over and saw that it was Hisako Shinto, who was chugging beer, seemingly trying to drown her sorrows in alcohol.

It's clear that Soma Yukihira's absence today really upset her.

"it is good."

Seeing this, Tadokoro Megumi did not refuse.

She was in a good mood today and wouldn't refuse any request, so she sat down and started drinking with Hisako Shinto.

Bai Yuan glanced at it, then went to the grill and rack and started grilling the meat.

Seeing this, Alice Nakiri came to his side to help. Bai Yuan handed her meat with bamboo skewers, showing her thoughtfulness. At this moment, it felt as if they had returned to that night.

"Pineapple and meat are a perfect match."

Skewer the pineapple and pork together, then place them directly on the charcoal fire and sprinkle with a thin layer of salt. The rich aroma immediately fills the entire space.

"The pineapple loses its moisture as it's grilled over charcoal, concentrating its sugars and making it even sweeter. The pork belly sizzles with oil, and one bite is incredibly satisfying!"

Taking the skewers from Bai Yuan, Alice Nakiri opened her mouth and took a bite, a happy expression immediately appearing on her face.

"Give me one too!"

Megumi Tadokoro and Hisako Shinoto sat down next to Shirabuchi with their beers, their eyes filled with longing.

"I want it too! I want it too!"

"Don't worry, everyone gets one."

As the atmosphere grew increasingly lively, Bai Yuan's smile remained unchanged. He enjoyed this kind of life, and he loved cooking happily surrounded by everyone.

Chapter 221 Another One Falls? The Busy Soma Yukihira

The moon star is thin, and the black dragonfly flies south.

Bai Yuan stood on the rooftop of the villa, gazing up at the starry sky. The sky was cloudless, and both the stars and the moon were very bright, creating an extremely beautiful scene.

Just then, a figure appeared beside him. Bai Yuan turned his head and was surprised to find that the person was Nakiri Erina.

Why is this guy suddenly running up here instead of attending the celebration downstairs?

"Teacher Bai Yuan."

The girl's eyes lit up when she saw him. She greeted him politely, then placed her hand on the railing and looked up at the moon in the sky.

"The moonlight is so beautiful."

Looking at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, and recalling the magnificent sight she had seen between the moon and the sky not long ago, Erina Nakiri sighed from the bottom of her heart.