Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Seeing Bai Yuan's expression, Hisako Shinoto nodded slightly and told him the news she had just received from Totsuki Academy: the school exchange competition was about to begin.

As a member of Totsuki Academy, she was determined to fight for Totsuki to the end, but before that, she had to listen to Professor Hakubuchi's opinion.

"The school tournament is being held in the middle of next month? I seem to remember something like that, I had completely forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it."

While pondering, Bai Yuan recalled what Nakiri Senzaemon had told him some time ago. At that time, the other party had earnestly asked him to make it into the top ten no matter what, and that he would be rewarded.

As for why it's essential to be in the top ten...

The reason is also very simple.

The Academy Exchange Conference is a competition jointly organized by dozens of culinary academies around the world. Its prestige is extremely high, comparable to national competitions.

In this competition, anyone who achieves a high ranking will inevitably come into the public eye, which is an essential part of Totsuki Academy's internationalization process.

Totsuki Culinary Academy is currently at its peak in Japan, but looking at the world, there are many schools like Totsuki, after all, every country has its own outstanding chefs.

Although there are foreign students at Totsuki Academy now, their numbers are negligible and extremely low, which does not represent true internationalization.

In this world, only China's Oriental College has truly become an international school.

Top chefs from all over the world go there for advanced training, even those who have studied at other schools. As long as they graduate from there, they are at least at the level of a master chef.

Of course, getting into such a school requires a very high level of internal assessment; one must at least be a first-class chef.

Furthermore, not every top-tier chef has the opportunity to enter; the instructors must determine whether you possess the potential to become a master chef.

As long as someone possesses this potential, no matter how slight, the Eastern Academy will recruit them and dedicate itself to their training.

With so many talented individuals gathered around, Dongfang Academy consistently ranked first in the academy exchange competitions almost every year, and few schools were able to uncover its true potential.

If Totsuki Culinary Academy is the top-tier of second-rate culinary academies, then Touhou Academy is a super-first-rate culinary academy, at the level of a top-tier culinary academy.

Even Senzaemon Nakiri studied at the Touhou Academy when he was young.

"Yes, I went to watch the competition as a spectator last year, hoping to understand the competition process and the strength of the players from various schools."

At that time, it was like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their unique talents; all sorts of previously unseen culinary techniques emerged one after another, dazzling the eyes of everyone present.

Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Erina Nakiri also spoke up, her eyes revealing a surging fighting spirit; she couldn't wait any longer!

She survived the Fujian Youth Chef Competition.

Competitions between schools generally don't produce masters stronger than those in the provincial youth chef competition, given the age difference.

But this is hard to say.

Over the years, various schools have sent their strongest students, while elementary schools typically send their elite students to compete.

As for those above the elite.

They had absolutely no interest in this kind of team competition, a competition where losing was shameful and winning had no reward; whoever wanted to participate could come.

Most of them are striving to become champions in provincial-level youth chef competitions.

In addition, they are also interested in participating in competitions organized by national culinary associations that allow them to advance their chef levels.

After all, the higher a chef's rank, the higher their status in the culinary world.

Except for a small minority, most people become chefs in order to secure a better future. As long as there are opportunities for advancement, they will naturally work hard.

Many students from Dongfang College have won provincial championships.

Even though they were participating in the competition, Erina Nakiri didn't back down at all; she had won a top-three finish in the Fujian Provincial Youth Chef Competition.

She may not be able to match the top chefs in terms of skill, but she is young. Compared to those young chefs in their mid-twenties, she is at most a teenage chef.

Moreover, she has Bai Yuan, the world's most powerful genius, by her side.

Having witnessed the true limits of skill, even the most talented and promising young chefs became insignificant in her eyes.

In addition, she herself is quite capable.

Participating in competitions and achieving good results has almost become a given.

"Regarding the school exchange competition, I have a question. Do you want to participate as members of the Dark Cuisine World or as members of Totsuki Academy?"

Looking at Erina Nakiri, whose face was full of excitement and whose eyes were burning with fighting spirit, Bai Yuan remained silent for a few seconds before asking this question that concerned their stance.

"Is there even a question?! Of course, we represent the Dark Cuisine world. We were basically all trained by Brother Bai Yuan, so it's only right that we fight for the Dark Cuisine world!"

Alice Nakiri did not hesitate at all.

She had been by Bai Yuan's side since she was a child, and all her skills were taught to her by him.

If he doesn't serve him and instead joins Totsuki Culinary Arts, or even becomes an enemy of the Dark Cuisine World, he'll probably be criticized and gossiped about.

The world of bizarre cooking can no longer accept her.

"I also want to represent the Dark Cuisine world! Although I learned a lot at Totsuki Culinary School, it was Teacher Hakubuchi who truly changed my life."

Hojo Miyoko was the second to raise her hand. She had met Bai Yuan in Guangzhou years ago, and he taught her a lot, which helped her gain a foothold in Totsuki.

Logically and emotionally, she should follow Bai Yuan and become a henchman in the world of dark cuisine.

"The three of us are willing to follow Teacher Bai Yuan."

Megumi Tadokoro, Yuuki Yoshino, and Ryoko Sakaki exchanged glances and spoke in unison.

They could be said to be students who grew up in Totsuki, but compared to Totsuki, they still prefer to be on the same side as Teacher Hakubuchi.

After all, Totsuki Academy is just a school, while Shiro is both his master and lover. The weight of the two is obviously different, and they can tell which is more important.

The same is true for most others.

"I..."

Aside from Erina Nakiri, her face was filled with conflict at this moment.

Despite wanting to be with Hakuen deep down, when the time actually came, he couldn't help but think of Totsuki Academy.

This is the place where she grew up.

Unlike other students who joined Totsuki Academy later in life, she had been there since birth and hadn't even returned to the Nakiri family compound many times.

Totsuki Academy holds a special meaning for her.

"It's okay. I know this is a difficult situation for you, so I won't ask you to make a decision right away. You can think about it slowly."

Bai Yuan immediately saw through Nakiri Erina's thoughts and gently comforted her.

There are many strong people here, and they don't need another one like Erina Nakiri, so he didn't have the idea of ​​forcing her to come closer to him.

Everything is voluntary.

Since it's not a voluntary joining, even if you force yourself to join, you won't be happy, and you might even feel depressed. In that case, it's better to find someone who is willing to join.

Please allow me to think about it.

Seeing Bai Yuan say this, Erina Nakiri's unease subsided somewhat. She then nodded slightly to him and found a place to sit down in the cabin.

"It's getting late, let's pack up and go home."

Looking at the time, it was already nine o'clock in the evening. Bai Yuan stepped into the driver's seat.

The sea is rocking and swaying, making it very uncomfortable to spend the night on. Not only can you not sleep soundly, but you could also fall overboard at any time due to the waves.

Furthermore, there were no beds prepared in the cabin.

The reason is quite simple: what kind person would sleep on a yacht?

Bai Yuan mentally complained, then climbed into the driver's seat and started driving towards the shore according to the navigation, a hint of anticipation rising in his heart.

There is no other reason.

Tonight's confession allows him to have Yoshino Yuuki, Sakaki Ryoko, and Hojo Miyoko at the same time, something he never dared to dream of in his daily life.

However, since they had just started dating, he could only do it one at a time to avoid scaring them. In order of arrival, today's date was Ryoko Sakaki.

The image of Ryoko Sakaki's mature figure floated into my mind. Despite her young age, she had a pair of straight, beautiful legs and a mature, sophisticated look.

I wonder what it's like to experience the life of a girl like that!

With that in mind, Bai Yuan quickened his pace.

"This speed is wrong, it feels much faster than when we came!"

"Indeed, the water is receding very quickly."

Inside the cabin, the group of people who were having hot pot felt the sudden increase in speed and exchanged glances, their faces showing surprise and a bit of confusion.

Since everyone felt it, it proves that it wasn't an illusion but something that actually happened, which means that Bai Yuan sped up.

"It must be because it's too late, and Teacher Baiyuan wants to hurry back to sleep."

Alice Nakiri leaned back lazily in her chair and shared her guess.

It's getting late, and staying on the ship any longer would affect his sleep tonight, so it's perfectly normal for Bai Yuan to choose to speed up.

"But this speed is way too fast, my stomach can't take it..."

Mito Ikumi's face was somewhat pale. As she spoke, she got up and went outside to lean on the railing, looking out at the sea. Her stomach churned.

Fortunately, the air outside was cool, and the wind from the land kept blowing towards the sea, which kept her mind clear and reduced her nausea.

"Hearing you say that makes me feel a little sad too..."

Seeing Mito Ikumi's constipated expression, Yoshino Yuuki also covered her mouth, but her condition was obviously much better, probably just psychological.

"Don't be upset, we're almost there, just get off the boat now."

As the expressions of the people in the cabin gradually became subtle, Alice Nakiri's voice rang out, startling everyone present.

Then they saw the coastline gradually become clearer, in less than five minutes.

"We've arrived so quickly...?"

Yoshino Yuuki's voice was filled with astonishment.

I remember it took quite a while to get there, but it only took a short time to get back.

"The main thing is that we didn't go very far at all, and we sped up on the way back, so of course we arrived in no time. Let's go back, take a hot shower, and then go to sleep."

As the yacht gradually approached the shore, Alice Nakiri stood by the boat, a look of eager anticipation on her face, seemingly about to jump overboard...

"be careful."

As Bai Yuan emerged from the driver's seat, he grabbed the back of her collar, his voice tinged with helplessness.