Everyday Life Starting with Food Wars

"Hey, Takumi, what's the deal with that guy named Mimasaka Subaru?"

Soma Yukihira, holding a cup of hot tea, looked at Takumi with some curiosity and asked, "To get the same score as you in Group B, he must be quite something, right?"

Upon hearing the name, Takmi's eyes became serious.

“Mimasaka Subaru…a first-year student at Totsuki High School.” Marui Zenji explained from the side, then opened his notebook: “I just used some of my intelligence networks to look into this person. My assessment of him is that he is physically strong, but surprisingly meticulous and thoughtful, and he always takes ‘meticulousness and attention to detail’ as his motto.”

"Meticulous?" Mito Ikumi frowned. "That kind of big guy?"

“That’s right. And the most terrifying thing about this person is that his cooking style is tracking.” Marui Zenji’s voice became serious. “Before a match, he will investigate everything about his opponent like a stalker, from his lifestyle to his cooking recipes, and he can even perfectly replicate his thought patterns.”

"Then he would bring out the exact same dish as his opponent in the competition, and make some targeted improvements, so as to completely defeat his opponent."

“Copy…and improve upon it?” Miyoko Hojo’s expression changed as well. “In the culinary world, this is practically the greatest provocation a chef can commit!”

“Not only that.” Marui Zenji closed his notebook.

"He also frequently uses food battles to take away his opponents' most important possessions."

"It is said that before this competition, he had already won 99 precious kitchen knives from other chefs through the Food Wars, so he was also known as the King of the Tracker in the freshman circle."

A silence fell over the room; no one had expected that someone like this would participate in this competition.

“This person has a very bad reputation.” Yoshino Yuuki said mysteriously, “I heard from other girls that he seems to have connections with the underworld and frequents shady places... Anyway, this person is very dangerous, and that’s about all the information I have about him.”

Listening to this kind of discussion, Takumi also expressed his opinion: "No matter who he is, on the stage of cooking, trickery and deceit can't win against true passion!"

He stood up and clenched his fist: "In the tiebreaker two days from now, I will crush him in front of everyone and show him the strength of the Aldini family!"

He turned his head and stared intently at Soma Yukihira: "You and Chen Yuxing, just you wait. After I win the competition and get the ticket, I will definitely take you both down in the finals in two weeks!"

"Great! I couldn't be happier!" Soma Yukihira replied with high spirits.

Just as everyone was in high spirits, Ryoko Sakaki noticed a blind spot and asked with some confusion, "Huh? Speaking of which, where are Hoshino and Ibuzaki? They're nowhere to be seen. I haven't seen them since they came back."

It was only then that everyone realized that two people were indeed missing from the room.

"As for Ibuzaki, he locked himself in his room after he came back," Yoshino Yuuki sighed. "It seems he's a bit disappointed about not making it to the main tournament this time, and he said he's going to research new smoked dishes."

“That’s how Ibuzaki is. He’s usually very quiet, but this kind of loss must have been a big blow to him.” Daigo Aoki shook his head.

"What about Ah-Xing? What did Ah-Xing do?" Tadokoro Megumi raised her hand and asked.

"As for Ah Xing, it seems to be in the kitchen on the first floor."

Isshiki Satoshi smiled and took a sip of tea, saying, "When I came up just now, I think I saw him and Granny Fumio in the kitchen, probably preparing some dishes for everyone to try."

Chapter 67 Children's Cooking Class

A strange aroma was wafting from the kitchen on the first floor of Polaris Dormitory.

Chen Yuxing stood in front of the kitchen counter, wearing a black apron, giving off the feeling of a sharp blade.

Grandma Wenxu stood to the side, holding a basin of water in her hand. She looked at Chen Yuxing's knife skills, which were so fast that they almost left afterimages, with an expression of amazement.

On the cutting board, there was a large pile of freshly washed bean sprouts.

"Ah Xing, what kind of dish are you making that requires so many bean sprouts?"

Grandma Wenxu couldn't help but ask.

“When I went back to China, I accidentally got a recipe. I haven’t tried it since I came back, so I’ll give it a try. The name of this dish is Phoenix Crystal.” Chen Yuxing explained while quickly processing the bean sprouts. “However, making a complete Phoenix Crystal takes too long. We need to shape these bean sprouts into the shape of a phoenix soaring in the sky. We need to carve the skeleton and other parts.”

"I only plan to make a simple version, just carving a phoenix tail, that should be enough. It may not look as nice, but the taste and other aspects will still be the same."

Grandma Wenxu praised the neatly arranged bean sprouts in front of her, saying, "Your skills are so good... I'm afraid even the professors at Totsuki Academy aren't as good as you."

"You flatter me," Chen Yuxing replied with a smile.

Next, Chen Yuxing set up an iron pot, poured in the freshly made broth, and then kept a close eye on the pot's temperature.

Because bean sprouts have a strong beany smell, they can be quite unappetizing if eaten raw or not properly prepared.

Wait until small bubbles begin to appear on the surface of the soup and steam rises slowly. At this point, the temperature of the broth is approximately 80 degrees Celsius.

Chen Yuxing poured all the bean sprouts into a strainer and then soaked them in the clear broth.

The savory flavor of the broth seeps into the bean sprouts, bringing out their raw bean taste.

Place the bean sprouts in the broth for about fifteen seconds, then remove them with a ladle.

Then, the still-steaming bean sprouts were placed in the ice water. The bean sprouts, which had softened slightly from being scalded by the hot soup, contracted under the stimulation of the ice water, retaining the umami flavor of the soup while maintaining their crispness and nutrients.

Chen Yuxing took the chilled bean sprouts out and drained them. Then he took out a blanched celery stalk and used it as a rope to tie the bean sprouts together.

Soon, clusters of bean sprouts shaped like phoenix tail feathers were made.

When it came time to plate the food, he chose a black porcelain plate.

Arrange the bundled bean sprouts in a staggered manner in the center of the plate. Under the kitchen light, these bean sprouts, which have absorbed the essence of the broth, exude a translucent, crystal-like luster. Paired with the black plate, they look like a finely crafted work of art.

Finally, Chen Yuxing scooped up some broth and poured it into the dish, along with a little vinegar and sesame oil, and the broth began to emit a fragrant aroma.

"finished."

Chen Yuxing took off his apron and exhaled.

"Grandma Wenxu, could you please take the dishes over there? I'll take the dishes up here."

The two picked up the dishes beside them and went upstairs together.

When Marui's room was opened, everyone inside was still discussing the Takumigasai incident. However, when Granny Fumio and Chen Yuxing entered, they quickly quieted down and were drawn to the dishes in the two's hands.

"It smells so good!" Yoshino Yuuki sniffed.

"Ah Xing! Grandma Wenxu! You're finally up here! What delicious dishes have you prepared!"

Soma Yukihira immediately came over and looked at the plate in Chen Yuxing's hand.

"What is this? Bean sprouts?" Takmi frowned as he looked at the crystal-like vegetables on the plate.

"Try it, this is my first time making this dish too." Chen Yuxing placed the plate in the middle of the table.

Tadokoro Megumi carefully picked up a bunch of 'phoenix tails' and put it in her mouth.

"Well!"

Her eyes widened quickly; the crispness of the bean sprouts was hard to describe, it was like tasting real crystal.

The moment the bean sprouts are bitten, the broth locked inside is completely released.

Then came the slightly sour taste of the vinegar and the rich aroma of roasted sesame seeds from the sesame oil, which completely swept away the fatigue from today's competition.

"Delicious... Why is the texture so crisp? It's unbelievable!" Mito Ikumi was also shocked after tasting it.

"Oh my! Grandma Fumio's meat dish is also very good!" Sato Shoji drooled as he looked at the other food on the table.

"Hehe, then I won't be polite!" Daigo Aoki said, about to drip soy sauce onto it.

"You bastard! If that Wagyu beef had been cooked with soy sauce, it wouldn't have tasted so good!" Mito Ikumi said, punching Aoki Daigo.

"I'm sorry, Miss Meat Charm..."

"Don't call me Meat Charm. The only person who can call me Meat Charm is..." Mito Ikumi blushed and punched Aoki Daigo again.

Chen Yuxing stood aside and couldn't help but laugh as he watched everyone's expressions.

"Alright, everyone, now that you've finished eating, get some rest."

"Takumi, good luck in the tiebreaker two days from now. I hope we can have a match in the main event."

Takmi paused for a moment, then clenched his fist, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"Of course!"

……

Meanwhile, at another location in Totsuki Academy, a figure sat in front of a table piled high with photos and documents.

In the dim light, a chilling smile appeared on that face.

The photo shows Takmi cooking in the kitchen.

"Meticulous...meticulous in every detail..."

“Takumi Aldini…your pride, your kitchen knife, everything you have…soon they will all be mine…”

……

Early the next morning, sunlight streamed into Marui's room through the gaps in the curtains.

Chen Yuxing rubbed his eyes and sat up from the tatami mat. Everyone else in the room was still fast asleep on the floor.

Daigo Aoki, Shoji Sato, and Soma Yukihira had their legs crossed over each other; Yuuki Yoshino was sleeping on the bed with Megumi and Miyoko Hojo in her arms, while Ryoko Sakaki and Ikumi Mito lay quietly beside them; the Takumi brothers were sprawled out on the tatami mats; and the true owner of the room, Zenji Marui, was pitifully huddled in a corner next to the wardrobe.

Last night's party went on until very late, so everyone slept very soundly.

Chen Yuxing carefully stepped through the crowd, opened the door, and went out.

He yawned, went into the bathroom to wash up, and came out feeling much more awake. Just as he was about to go downstairs to the kitchen to make some breakfast, he saw someone standing in the entryway.

Chen Yuxing stared wide-eyed at the person standing at the door.

Isshiki Satoshi was adjusting his sleeves in the entryway. He had changed into a well-fitting blue suit and looked very serious.

"Isshiki-senpai, are you... going on a date so early in the morning?" Chen Yuxing looked Isshiki up and down.

"Good morning, Xing." Isshiki Satoshi turned around when she heard the voice, and looked at Chen Yuxing with a smile: "By the way, tomorrow is the tiebreaker match between Takumi and Mimasaka, so there are no classes today. Xing, do you have any other plans for today?"

"If you don't have classes, then you're probably free..." Chen Yuxing replied casually.

"That's great. Since there's nothing else, come with me."

Isshiki Satoshi stepped forward and put her arm around Chen Yuxing's shoulder, not giving him a chance to refuse: "I happen to be short-handed here, and I'm sure you'd be happy to help me, Yuxing."

"Wait, I haven't changed my clothes yet..."

"Change on the way, change on the way. The car is already waiting for us outside."

And so, Chen Yuxing was led into the car by Isshiki Satoshi in a daze. By the time he came to his senses, he had already changed his clothes and left Totsuki Academy.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Chen Yuxing asked, leaning against the car window, somewhat annoyed.

Satoshi Isshiki smiled and began to explain: "It's like this, the teacher in charge of the children's class at a cooking school that collaborates with Totsuki Academy accidentally injured her leg, and we couldn't find a suitable replacement at the last minute."

"It just so happens that I know that teacher, so she asked me to cover her get out of class."

“But I also need to go to another girls’ class in the same classroom. Originally, I planned to take care of both classes by myself, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to manage. Plus, Ah Xing, you happen to be free, so I’ll ask you to come along.”

"So, you need me to teach the kids how to cook?" Chen Yuxing looked at Isshiki Satoshi: "Do I look like someone who's good at taking care of kids? And it seems like this kind of thing would be better left to Xiaohui."

"Oh, I believe you. They're just a few kids."

Isshiki Satoshi patted his shoulder: "As for Megumi, she's too gentle and can't control children, and besides, she's not fully awake yet."

Chen Yuxing's lips twitched; he had no other choice. Since he was already here, he might as well lend a hand.

The car quickly stopped in front of a small building, with a sign at the entrance that read "Wakaba Cooking Classroom".

As soon as the two entered, a woman with a cane came to greet them.

"Oh dear, Ms. Yuriko, you didn't need to come all the way to pick us up if your leg was injured," Isshiki Satoshi asked with some concern.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I saw a doctor and they said it's nothing serious. It's just that I can't stand for long periods of time these days, so I troubled you to come over." Yuriko smiled a little embarrassedly, then looked at Chen Yuxing beside her, "And this is?"

"Oh, this is Chen Yuxing, a first-year student in our college."

Satoshi Isshiki introduced, "Although he is only a first-year student, his cooking skills are recognized as amazing throughout the school. He even defeated one of the Elite Ten of Totsuki Academy a while ago. Today, the children's classroom will be in his care."

When Yuriko heard the introduction, the way she looked at Chen Yuxing changed.

"I never expected Totsuki to have such a talented student... Professor Chen, thank you for your help today!"

Yuriko bowed to Chen Yuxing with difficulty, which made Chen Yuxing a little embarrassed. He waved his hand to indicate that it was nothing.

"Alright, then I'll leave the children's classroom to you, Ah Xing. I'm going to the girls' classroom now. If you need anything, just come find me next door."

After finishing speaking, Isshiki Satoshi walked towards the other side of the corridor.

"Isshiki-senpai, wait..."

Before Chen Yuxing could finish speaking, Isshiki Satoshi pushed open a classroom door and went inside.

Only he and Yuriko remained in the corridor.

"Teacher Chen, please come with me to the classroom. The children are all here."