Everyday Life Starting with Food Wars

Marui slumped in the beanbag chair in the corner of the room like a deflated balloon, his face filled with utter despair.

"Hey Marui, don't be so stingy!"

Yoshino Yuuki sat cross-legged on Marui's clean bed, holding a handful of UNO cards, with a pile of potato chips, shrimp crackers, and gummy candies she had scavenged from the supermarket on the first floor of Totsuki Dormitory spread out at her feet. "Today is a great day for everyone in our Polaris Dormitory to pass the test, we must celebrate properly!"

Daigo Aoki and Shoji Sato were lying on the low table, arguing heatedly about who had cheated earlier. Ryoko Sakaki leaned against the window, sipping hot tea from her thermos, watching the group of clowns making a scene with a smile.

Ibuzaki Shun sat in a chair on the other side, silently flipping through a tourist guidebook provided by the hotel, occasionally picking up his cup to take a sip of hot tea.

Just then, with a "click," the door was pushed open.

Chen Yuxing and Yukihira Soma walked in wearing yukatas, with small water droplets still on their hair.

"Hey! You two! Why have you been soaking in the bath for so long!" Yoshino Yuuki threw down the cards in her hand and pointed at them angrily. "I thought you two had fallen asleep in the bath! I was just about to have Daigo and Shoji go and fish you out!"

Soma Yukihira sprawled out on the bed, drawing out, "Oh dear, we were supposed to finish showering quickly, but then we ran into Dojima-senpai, you know, Dojima Gin, the head chef of the Totsuki Resort, and his muscles are this big—"

He stretched out his hands and made an exaggerated gesture.

"Then we chatted with Dojima-senpai for a while, and then we accidentally arrived late. Dojima-senpai does squats and stretches in the bath every day, saying that it can relieve the fatigue of standing in the kitchen all day."

"Oh, right, here you go." Ibuzaki Shun closed the travel guide, turned around, and held a few free matcha pudding vouchers that had just been given out that afternoon in his hand. "Yuki just used her cuteness to get two more vouchers from the front desk downstairs."

"Wow! Yay!" Soma Yukihira excitedly took the two vouchers and handed one of them to Chen Yuxing.

Chen Yuxing took the hand and looked around the room. He noticed that although everyone was joking and playing cards, everyone looked tired. After all, they had just finished their research and had to make fifty meals in a row. Even if they were playing games, they were probably just relying on the excitement of the first day to keep going.

"Alright, alright." Chen Yuxing walked to the low table and pushed the snacks on it aside. "After a long day, everyone probably doesn't have the energy to cook properly tonight. Your stomachs must be protesting by now. I brought some late-night snacks with me."

"night snack?!"

Upon hearing this, everyone stared intently at Chen Yuxing, and even Marui Zenji, who had been sprawled on the sofa, immediately sat up abruptly.

"Shin-chan! You didn't secretly keep something from everyone, did you?!" Soma Yukihira sat up straight excitedly.

As if by magic, Chen Yuxing pulled out several transparent insulated boxes from the wide sleeves of his bathrobe.

"When I made steak before, I also made some udon noodles."

"Hooray!!!" Yoshino Yuuki cheered and jumped off the bed.

"These insulated boxes work quite well; they're still warm." Chen Yuxing handed out the insulated boxes to everyone one by one.

Megumi Tadokoro took the insulated box with both hands, opened it, and a tangy and spicy aroma erupted like a volcanic eruption, instantly filling the entire room. The room fell silent except for the sound of swallowing.

The bright red broth is sprinkled with chopped green onions and a little bit of chili flakes. The frozen tofu is swollen and plump from absorbing the broth, and the beef tenderloin floats on the surface of the broth, gleaming with an enticing color.

Xiao Hui picked up her chopsticks, carefully picked up a mouthful of noodles, and put it in her mouth.

"Suck it-"

The moment the noodles touched her tongue, Xiaohui's eyes widened in surprise.

It's so hot! So spicy! But it's so delicious!

The sour and spicy flavor created by mixing yellow chili peppers and aged vinegar is like a lightning bolt, instantly cutting through all the fatigue and sluggishness accumulated throughout the day. It's refreshingly sour and pleasantly spicy, without a trace of excess greasiness.

Next up is frozen tofu.

With a gentle bite, the rich broth of the spicy and sour beef gushed out from the holes of the frozen tofu like a fountain, the strong aroma of soybeans mixed with the mellow fragrance of beef tallow.

Despite using scraps, it still maintains an incredibly tender and smooth texture, with the raw, wild elasticity of beef when chewed.

The final sprinkle of Sichuan peppercorn powder is the soul of the entire dish!

A subtle numbing sensation, like a weak electric current, dances joyfully on the tip of the tongue and lips, perfectly complementing the sour and spicy flavors and extending the layers of taste infinitely.

"what……"

Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but let out a comfortable sigh, her cheeks instantly turning crimson.

In her mind, the scene before her eyes changed instantly.

It was as if she wasn't sitting in a room, but rather in the midst of a strange, erupting volcano.

The crater spewed forth a rich, golden-red broth, enveloping her entirely in its scalding heat, sending her soaring into the sky like a rollercoaster.

But she wasn't scared, because soft udon-shaped clouds were floating in the sky.

She plunged straight into the soft noodle cloud, which gently enveloped her aching limbs, carrying a numbing sensation like the electric current of Sichuan peppercorns. It was as if dozens of top-notch masseuses were simultaneously giving her a deep physical therapy!

The fatigue of the day, the soreness in the muscles, and the high pressure on the mind are all completely washed away by this heat at this moment.

"It's so...so delicious!!"

Inside the room, Soma Yukihira had buried his face in noodles, making a slurping sound like a vacuum cleaner.

"This spiciness! The aroma of butter! Ah Xing! You're practically cheating when it comes to making midnight snacks!"

While sweating profusely from the spiciness, Daigo Aoki frantically stuffed frozen tofu into his mouth.

Even Ryoko Sakaki, who is most concerned about her image, couldn't care less about ladylike manners at this moment. She picked up her bowl and drank the last drop of soup clean, letting out a long, satisfied sigh: "Phew... I feel like I've come back to life in an instant."

Marui Zenji slumped back onto the tatami mat, rubbing his round belly. His lips were red from the spiciness, but a silly grin spread across his face.

"I can't take it anymore... After eating this bowl of noodles, I feel like I could even go up and fight a bear one-on-one for tomorrow's assignment..."

Chen Yuxing held his bowl of noodles, looked at the Polaris dormitory members lying haphazardly on the ground in front of him, and chuckled.

Chapter 25 Italian Cuisine

At six o'clock in the morning, a thin layer of mist still lingered over the Far Moon Resort. The group from Polar Star Dormitory lay sprawled in Marui Zenji's room. They had been playing cards in Marui's room until almost one o'clock in the morning. Aoki Daigo had lost so much that he was down to his underwear. Yoshino Yuuki laughed so hard that she rolled off the bed and accidentally knocked Marui's glasses askew.

"Hey! Daigo! You're about to shove your foot into my mouth!"

Soma Yukihira, with his messy, bird's-nest-like hair, yawned and then kicked Daigo Aoki, who was still snoring, off the tatami mat.

"Ugh... let me have one more bite... udon noodles..." Aoki Daigo mumbled in his sleep as he turned over and continued snoring.

Marui Zenji was squeezed to the side of the wardrobe. He groped for his glasses, which were bent under the weight, and put them on. He glanced at the clock and instantly woke up: "Quick! Get up! We have to meet in the banquet hall at 6:30. If we're late, we'll definitely be expelled on the spot!"

Upon hearing the words "drop out of school," the people who had been sprawled out on the tatami mats instantly sprang up as if they had been electrocuted.

"Hurry, hurry! Ryoko, Megumi, let's go back to our rooms and wash up! We're doomed if we're late!"

Yoshino Yuuki frantically scratched her hair, quickly got out of bed, grabbed Sakaki Ryoko with one hand and Tadokoro Megumi with the other, and ran outside.

Chen Yuxing leaned against the wall, having regained consciousness. He stretched, his bones cracking as he stood up and patted his slightly wrinkled bathrobe.

"Let's go, Soma, we need to hurry. Let's go back, wash our faces, and head out."

The corridor was full of first-year students rubbing their eyes as they ran towards the stairwell. Some were putting on their sleeves as they walked, some hadn't tied their shoelaces yet, and some had their hair sticking up as if they had just come out of a strong wind.

Twenty minutes later, in Banquet Hall No. 1 of the Totsuki Palace.

Even after a whole day of hellish trials yesterday, the surviving first-year students still stood in neat rows in the hall today. However, compared to yesterday, the atmosphere was much heavier today, and everyone's eyes showed a hint of fatigue.

"boom--"

The lights on the main stage came on, casting a somewhat glaring white light onto the stage.

Dojima Gin was still wearing a black suit and standing in front of the microphone. Beside him was Professor Chappell, who had a serious expression. Behind him stood the other graduate lecturers—Shinomiya Kojiro, Sekimori Hei, Inui Hinako, Mizuhara Fuyumi, Kakuzaki Taki, Donato Gotoda, and Kikuchi Sonoka, all of whom were present.

Good morning, everyone.

Dojima Gin's deep voice echoed in the banquet hall. Without any formalities, he went straight to the point, "Before we begin today's topic, I have to announce a temporary decision."

These words immediately caused a small commotion in the audience. A last-minute decision meant greater uncertainty, which was not good news for the students.

"After a night of discussion by the graduate instructor team, and with the personal approval of Commander-in-Chief Nakiri, in order to further unleash the potential of this batch of Originiums," Dojima Gin glanced around the room, "it has been decided to randomly select fifty people from all the surviving trainees present to participate in an 'Intensive Training Program,' which will only last for today."

"These fifty trainees will be separated from today's regular group assignments and placed in a separate area for individual assessments. Those who pass will receive a significant score boost; those who fail will simply be expelled on the spot."

"hiss--"

A collective gasp filled the hall.

"What a joke..." Daigo Aoki muttered in a low voice, "The regular courses are already deadly enough, this so-called advanced course is just sending ordinary students like us to our deaths."

"Don't pick me... don't pick me... please don't pick me..." Sato Shoji was already praying with his hands clasped together.

"Oh! That sounds really interesting! If I can get good grades on this special project, will I be able to compete with these upperclassmen?" Soma Yukihira wasn't scared at all; instead, his eyes lit up as he looked ahead.

"This intensive training program is overseen by Chef Donato Gotoda, with Chef Kakuzaki Taki and Chef Kikuchi Sonoka serving as the judging panel." Dojima Gin stepped aside. "Next, Chef Chappell will read out the list of fifty selected participants."

Chappell stepped forward, opened the black file bag he was holding, and said in a cold voice, "Those whose names are called, step forward and line up in the passage on the left side of the hall. First up, Takumi Aldini."

When Takmi heard his name called from below the stage, he raised an eyebrow, patted his younger brother Isami on the shoulder, and then stepped forward without hesitation.

"Second place, Isami Aldini."

"Third place, Nao Satsuka."

"Fourth place, Hisako Shinto."

As the list was read out one by one, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. Some of those whose names were called looked ashen, while others, like Takumi, were full of fighting spirit.

"The forty-first is Tadokoro Megumi."

When Tadokoro Megumi heard her name called in the Polar Star Dormitory team, her body stiffened abruptly.

"Xiao Hui got picked?!" Yoshino Yuuki grabbed Xiao Hui's hand, jumping up and down in alarm. "How could this happen! That enhancement project sounded really difficult!"

Megumi Tadokoro's face was slightly pale, but she took a deep breath and didn't panic as much as before. She looked at everyone in the Polar Star Dormitory and forced a smile: "It's okay, everyone. I... I'll do my best. Hoshino-kun taught me that I just need to focus on the ingredients."

Chappell's icy voice continued.

"Ninth place, Ryo Kurokiba."

"Fiftieth, Chen Yuxing."

After the list was read out, apart from Chen Yuxing and Tadokoro Megumi, no one else in the Polar Star Dormitory team was selected.

"Wow! Xing! You actually got picked!" Soma Yukihira slapped Chen Yuxing on the back, his tone even tinged with envy. "You're so lucky! Damn it! I wasn't even chosen for this kind of intensive training!"

"Stop talking, Soma!"

Ryoko Sakaki rolled her eyes at him speechlessly, then turned to look at Chen Yuxing with worry in her eyes, "Xing, then please take good care of Xiaohui. You two must come back safely."

"Don't worry, it's all cooking." Chen Yuxing yawned and reached out to ruffle Tadokoro Megumi's soft blue hair. "I'll bring Megumi back with me. Let's go, Megumi."

After being rubbed by him, Tadokoro Megumi's nervousness subsided a little. She nodded vigorously and followed closely behind Chen Yuxing, walking together towards the meeting point in the passage.

The students who were not selected were assigned to regular topics and then dispersed.

After the fifty selected students gathered in the passageway, Donato Gotoda, Kakuzaki Taki, and Kikuchi Sonoka walked down from the stage.

"Congratulations, lucky little ones!"

Donato, dressed in a dark gray suit, walked up to the group. His gaze swept over them, finally lingering on Chen Yuxing's face for a second longer. "Come with me. The exam room we're going to take next isn't your average place for regular exams."

……

The bus drove along the road in the Far Moon Resort. After about ten minutes, the bus slowly stopped in front of a restaurant with a Mediterranean style.

As soon as the door was opened, even the students who were used to grand scenes at Totsuki Academy couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

This is an Italian restaurant with vintage patterns engraved on the floor and a huge glass chandelier hanging overhead.

The surrounding walls were painted beige, and several oil paintings of Naples landscapes hung on them.

There was no pungent smell of cooking oil in the air; instead, there was a faint, refreshing fragrance. The aroma of lemon, basil, and premium extra virgin olive oil blended together, and just smelling it made one unconsciously relax.

"This place is so high-end, I feel like a meal here could cost me a year's worth of living expenses."

A surprised murmur arose from the crowd.

Donato Wutongtian walked at the front, turning back to look at the first-year students who were looking around, a hint of pride on his lips. "Welcome to Ristorante del Sole, the Sun Restaurant. This is an Italian restaurant under the Totsuki Culinary Arts Group, specially used to entertain VIPs, and it's also one of my personal favorite kitchens."

Without lingering in the lobby, Donato led the fifty students directly to the kitchen.

The kitchen space is ridiculously large; it could easily accommodate fifty students, let alone another fifty.

Moreover, the equipment is all very advanced, with shadowless lights illuminating the entire space and fifty independent operating tables arranged in a tiered manner.

Each work surface is equipped with a high-powered stove, a constant temperature machine, a rapid freezer, and a built-in oven. Even the knife rack is filled with professional kitchen knives.

At the very back of the classroom is a huge food storage room.

Inside the transparent, temperature-controlled glass cabinets hang air-dried Iberian hams, while live Boston lobsters and Mediterranean red shrimp swim in the tanks. The vegetable section is filled with fresh basil, rosemary, and even expensive white truffles. This place is simply a treasure trove that every chef dreams of.

"Gudong."

Many students couldn't help but swallow hard at the sight.

Donato walked to the front of the kitchen counter, turned around, and the smile on his face gradually faded.