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I was immediately won over by Lin Xu's sushi and tempura dishes!
This change in attitude inevitably reveals her inner conflict, but initially she must have rejected it because of her pride.
……
all in all.
Family upbringing, the God Tongue ability, psychological defenses, and many other factors have all contributed to Erina's current predicament.
"No matter how bad things get in the world, those who remain in the end are the ones who are not easily swayed."
"Similarly, true deliciousness has nothing to do with the price of the ingredients, but with whether each step of the process is approached with reverence."
"Fine cuisine!"
"It can be made accessible to the general public."
"And even everyday cuisine can be perfected; it is essentially about a deep respect for ingredients, cooking skills, and the diner's experience."
"If you can grasp this point, then even a bowl of Sapporo shrimp soup ramen or Otaru melon can bring out its true value!"
Lin Xu, a young man with unique insights into food.
Facing Erina Nakiri, who possesses a divine tongue and can discern subtle differences in dishes through her extraordinary sense of taste, he spoke these words with full confidence.
Yes!
The look in his eyes.
It shines with determination and passion.
It was as if he was truly teaching Erina in the capacity of an Eltsuki instructor.
Tell her that those so-called "commoner's dishes" may not have fancy presentations or expensive ingredients.
But just like people, when they are given the utmost care and undergo countless trials and improvements, they can penetrate all appearances and reveal a deliciousness that even the tongue of God would find amazing!
Every ingredient has its own unique soul.
Behind every dish lies a story and emotion.
With a little care in cooking, even the simplest ingredients can eventually shine with an unforgettable brilliance!
……
"what?"
"Don't give me that kind of treatment!"
"A stone is a stone. No matter how many times it is polished, it will never become a diamond."
Erina crossed her arms and said with a touch of arrogance, "Besides, the value of ingredients themselves cannot be easily increased by external changes."
"No matter how delicious a bowl of fried rice is, it is still just a bowl of fried rice."
Her eyes held a certain firmness, as if she were upholding some stubborn belief, or directly refuting the views of the person in front of her.
"What you call polishing is nothing more than smoothing out the rough edges."
"But a true gem, even in its roughest form, can radiate a unique brilliance."
"That's something no amount of embellishment can give you."
"so……"
Erina paused slightly, her tone carrying an undeniable authority: "Don't try to change me with your theories."
"Everyone's path to growth is unique. Some people are born with a dazzling halo, while others need to experience more trials and tribulations to grow stronger!"
"Neither of them can be easily defined or changed by you or me."
"is it?"
"Then tell me."
"What's wrong with my simple shrimp tempura?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Xu simply smiled faintly and asked.
"Huh? A...defect?"
Erina paused for a moment, then stroked her chin with one hand, pondering carefully.
Indeed, even with the power of the God Tongue, she could never uncover all the secrets of Lin Xu's cooking.
"how could be?"
"Why is it that I can't analyze his dishes with my God Tongue!"
In the end, Erina felt extremely helpless and unwilling to accept it.
Chapter 4 The Girl with Twin Braids
night.
As deep as ink.
In the stillness of the night, Totsuki Academy seemed to be gently covered by a mysterious and tranquil veil.
The moonlight was thin, the stars were hidden, and only the occasional cry of a night bird broke the silence of the night, adding to the unease and eeriness.
At this moment, in a corner of the academy, far from the hustle and bustle, stood a solitary Western-style building:
Polaris Dormitory!
It quietly waits here.
It witnessed the "golden age" of Saiba Joichiro, Dojima Gin, Nakamura Azami, Shiomi Jun, and others, as well as the rise, fall, and development of countless stories of Totsuki students.
The marks of time have left mottled imprints on its exterior walls.
Every single brick and stone.
They all tell tales of past glories and vicissitudes.
……
Room 302.
It's a bit crowded, but cozy here.
The green plants in the corner and the few potted flowers on the windowsill added a touch of life to the place, but the atmosphere at the moment was completely out of place with this tranquility.
The blue double braids swayed gently, reflecting the owner's slightly sorrowful face.
Megumi Tadokoro is a gentle but somewhat insecure girl from a fishing port city in northeastern Japan.
At this moment, he was curled up on the small sofa next to the desk, with his hands covering his head.
His eyes were filled with anxiety and helplessness!
On the table, several open Totsuki Culinary Textbooks were scattered.
Next to it was a report card that had just been crumpled and then unfolded again, with a big "E" written on it.
THIS E-MAIL IS ALREADY REGISTERED TO ANOTHER ACCOUNT".
Like a cold, hard verdict.
This marked yet another failure for her in class today.
"Damn it, I messed up the assessment in class again today and got the lowest grade, E."
Megumi Tadokoro's voice, barely audible, was exceptionally clear in the quiet night, carrying a hint of despair.
I thought I had done my best every time, but it all came to nothing.
In Totsuki Culinary Academy, where culinary skills are highly valued, her progress was negligible. It felt as if there was a wall blocking her way, making it impossible for her to ever cross it.
"If this continues, I'll be facing the risk of dropping out of school again."
Tadokoro Megumi's voice trembled with emotion at this moment, her eyes were watery, and her eye sockets gradually reddened.
She knew all too well that the competition at Totsuki Academy was extremely fierce, and that every low score could be the last straw that broke the camel's back.
As someone who consistently scores E or D, she feels only fear and uncertainty about her future.
The huge gap between dreams and reality.
It made her feel a sense of frustration she had never experienced before!
……
Looking back.
When I was first admitted to Totsuki Academy.
Her mother, as well as her neighbors and friends, all had high hopes for her.
After all, for a remote fishing port city, being admitted to Totsuki Culinary Academy, the top culinary school in Japan, is like having one's ancestors' graves emitting auspicious smoke.
Therefore, at that time, Megumi Tadokoro was full of enthusiasm and had boundless aspirations for the future.
I thought that only by working hard enough at Totsuki Culinary Academy could I shine in this culinary palace!
however.
The harshness of reality.
Time and again, it shattered her confidence.
She began to doubt whether she was really suited for this path and whether she truly possessed the talent to become a top chef.
……
Tears.
It was constantly welling up in her eyes.
But in the end, it didn't fall down her cheek.
Tadokoro Megumi took a deep breath, then wiped away the tears that hadn't yet fallen from the corners of her eyes, trying to calm herself down.
She knew that crying and being sad would never solve anything; only action could change the situation.
"I remember tomorrow's class is Saya-sensei's General Nutrition?"
"I need to review in advance so that if there is another assessment tomorrow, I should be 70-80% sure I won't get an E grade again."
"and."
"I've heard that Professor Saya isn't as serious as other lecturers."
"As long as I don't mess things up at crucial moments, she won't make things too difficult for me in class."
After saying that, Tadokoro Megumi clenched her fists, her gaze becoming resolute.
Then, she returned to her desk, picked up a book titled "Cooking and Nutrition Education," and began to read it carefully.
……
the other side.
It's also Totsuki Academy.
A magnificent and imposing villa.
The villa has an elegant and dignified exterior, while the interior is decorated in a luxurious yet tasteful manner, with every detail revealing the taste of "money".
Among the many rooms in this villa, there is a particularly eye-catching luxurious kitchen, whose spaciousness is almost comparable to a small banquet hall.
Inside the kitchen, all sorts of high-end kitchen utensils are arranged in a neat and orderly manner.
From copper stew pots imported from France to iron pots from China, and then to sharp knives handcrafted by Japanese artisans...
Every single one of them demonstrates this.
Here, the ultimate pursuit of culinary art is found!
At this very moment, Erina, one of the Elite Ten of Totsuki Academy, is standing in front of the large kitchen counter.
She wore a pristine white chef's uniform, her clothes fluttering in the breeze, exuding elegance and composure in every gesture.
The outside lights shone gently through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing her in a soft golden glow and adding to her sacred and inviolable aura!
beautiful.
LRAB