Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

Chapter 121 Chat with Gin Dojima

Outside the classroom, Dojima Gin wearily rubbed his temples, his deeply furrowed brows filled with helplessness.

"Shinomiya, I know I'm a chatterbox, but please don't find me annoying!"

"To put it bluntly, you really treat these first-year students like your restaurant's employees, holding them to your own restaurant's standards?"

"They're only in first grade!"

Dojima Gin complained earnestly, "There are over a thousand freshmen this year. You can't possibly eliminate them all, can you?"

"Senior Dojima, I..."

'

Kojiro Shinomiya gripped the phone tightly, hesitant to speak, and was momentarily speechless.

After all, the person on the other end of the phone was his highly respected senior, who was also the person in charge of the [Far Moon Resort] and this [Residential Training Program].

He couldn't possibly really say, "I don't care if I eliminate everyone," could he?

Kojiro Shinomiya was certain that if he dared to slip up and say that, even though his senior, Dojima, was known for his steady and kind nature, he would definitely come to him personally and give him a good scolding.

Kojiro Shinomiya rubbed his temples in frustration, unsure of what to say, but he dared not hang up the phone.

Heavy breathing came from the phone. After a long silence, Dojima's voice came through again, his tone much gentler than before.

"Shinomiya, it's been several years since you went to France and opened a shop there. You haven't come back yet."

"I was very happy when I heard that you had agreed to be a mentor for the residential training program."

"But now it seems you've changed a lot since you left Japan..."

'

Although the sound was somewhat distorted due to the phone call, Dojima Gin's voice still conveyed deep concern and worry.

"Shinomiya, can you tell me what happened? You used to be such a composed person, how could you suddenly become like this..."

"Dojima-senpai!"

Kojiro Shinomiya suddenly interrupted the other person, his tone very abrupt.

"I respect you very much, but that's my business!"

On the other end of the phone, Dojima Gin also keenly noticed Shinomiya Kojiro's emotions.

Although there was still so much to say, in the end, all the words in my heart turned into a long sigh.

"I'm sorry, Shinomiya, perhaps my tone was a bit rushed, but please believe me, I meant no harm!"

"I just... feel like something's not right with you, and I don't want to see you get stuck in this state..."

"You're a talented person, you shouldn't be like this..."

'

Dojima Gin's voice lowered.

Listening to the voice on the phone and feeling the concern in Dojima Gin's words, Shinomiya Kojiro, his mind in turmoil, sighed and murmured, "So you're going to pass this kid's test, huh? I understand."

"But this is a one-time exception; there will be no next time!"

"Otherwise, even if you are my most respected senior, don't blame me for not giving you face."

Kojiro Shinomiya did not answer Gin Dojima's question directly and hung up the phone.

"Ugh! So annoying!"

"I hate this kind of inexplicable concern!"

Kojiro Shinomiya cursed and ruffled his meticulously styled hair in frustration.

Remembering that there was still someone standing in front of him, Shinomiya Kojiro looked up and saw Lin Yu's calm expression, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

"I didn't expect you to have such connections, huh? Someone specifically called to plead for you." Shinomiya Kojiro raised an eyebrow. "Could you be the young master of some powerful family?"

"Chef Shinomiya, you're joking." Lin Yu's tone remained indifferent.

"Wow~ This is the first time I've seen someone more arrogant than me!"

Shinomiya Kojiro pursed his lips.

"Alright! After all, it would be inappropriate if there wasn't even one qualified person."

"Considering someone pleaded for you, and since you're the only student who gave me a little surprise, I declare you qualified!"

Hearing that the troublesome Shinomiya Kojiro had finally relented, Lin Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Chef Shinomiya."

Although he said that, Lin Yu's expression was very calm, without the heartfelt joy he had shown when he passed the previous projects.

Lin Yu felt a tightness in his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Lin Yu returned to his work station, quickly washed his hands, and put away his kitchen knives.

As Lin Yu passed by Tadokoro Megumi's cooking station, he subtly gave her an encouraging look, indicating that she shouldn't respond, before casually walking out of the classroom.

"Lin Yujun, please don't worry!"

I appreciate your encouragement!

Tadokoro Megumi glanced at Lin Yu's departing figure, then looked away and continued to focus on the dish in her hands.

Stepping out of the classroom, Lin Yu felt a little more relaxed.

But the thought of Shinomiya Kojiro's behavior, which was completely unlike that of a proper mentor, kept Lin Yu feeling resentful.

"Ugh, so annoying!"

Lin Yu felt irritable, and even after taking a deep breath, he still felt a tightness in his chest.

"Forget it, there's no point in thinking about it now..."

'

Lin Yu took a step to leave, but after only two steps, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at a dead corner of the corridor outside the classroom.

o

"Please come out!" Lin Yu said to the empty corridor.

An eerie silence hung in the air; no one answered, and no one appeared.

"I felt your gaze fall on me the instant it did just now," Lin Yu said softly.

"Haha! Young people these days are really something!"

A tall figure emerged from the shadows, bursting into hearty laughter.

"Your senses are quite sharp, young man!"

Lin Yu bowed slightly. "Good afternoon, Dojima-senpai."

"Oh? Then it seems I don't need to introduce myself?" Dojima Gin seemed quite pleased with this.

"The head of the Far Moon Resort, who is also the head of this joint training program, is hailed as a 'living legend' in the culinary world!"

Lin Yu smiled and said, "Senior Dojima, your fame is probably much greater than you realize. You should be fully aware of that."

"Haha! Titles and such are just trivial matters!"

Dojima Gin waved his hand, appearing quite nonchalant.

"How did it go? I saw you just come out of the classroom that Shinomiya was in charge of. Did you pass the assignment?"

Lin Yu nodded when he met Shangtangdao Yin's gaze.

"Thanks to senior Dojima, I passed by sheer luck."

"Look at what you're saying..."

'

Dojima Gin's voice was very deep and his tone was steady.

"You passed his assignment because of your own abilities, didn't you? What does it have to do with me?"

Lin Yu gave a self-deprecating look and shook his head with a smile.

"If it were one of the previous projects, I could certainly accept this statement without any qualms, but..."

'

Thinking of Kojiro Shinomiya, Lin Yu sighed in frustration.

"Maybe I didn't check the almanac before going out today. I ran into an arrogant guy who was actually quite fragile inside."

"People with such inner conflicts and twisted personalities love to torment others; they're so unlucky!"

Hearing Lin Yu's complaints, Dojima Gin couldn't hold back any longer and burst into a hearty laugh that was deafening.

"It seems Lin Yu harbors a lot of resentment towards her supervisor on this project!"

Lin Yu pursed his lips and turned his head to the side. "I'm just telling the truth; I just had to get it off my chest."

'

"fine!"

Dojima Gintoki blinked at him. "Don't worry! I won't tattle on you to Shinomiya. I wouldn't do something so low!"

"but...

'

Dojima Gin stroked his chin and slowly asked, "Lin Yu, what did you mean by what you just said?"

Lin Yu considered his words for a moment before explaining, "Senior Dojima, although I don't know what Chef Shinomiya was like before."

"But judging solely from today's events, the despicable behavior he displayed cannot be simply described as arrogance and hubris."

Lin Yu's tone was very impolite, even carrying a hint of disdain.

"That blatant malice towards students—that's hardly what a mentor would do!"

"They don't tolerate the slightest disobedience from others, yet at the same time, they recklessly impose their malice on others, even deriving satisfaction and pleasure from it..."

"This is something only a person with a twisted mind would do!"

Dojima Gin frowned, his face showing deep thought, and his expression became serious.

"Lin Yu, what do you mean?"

"Chef Shinomiya is sick! And it's a mental illness!"

Upon hearing Lin Yu's complaints, Dojima Gin fell silent.

"Eh~"

After a long silence, Dojima Gin sighed and uttered, "How could I not know that something's wrong with Shinomiya right now..."

'

"He seems to have fallen into a very bad state and can't get out of it!"

After saying that, Dojima Gin looked at Lin Yu, changed the subject, and revealed a gentle smile.

"Let's not talk about this heavy topic!"

"Lin Yu, I've heard your name mentioned several times these past few days!"

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of his eyes. "Oh? I've actually caught the attention of Senior Dojima?"

"Of course! How could I not pay attention?"

Dojima Gin counted a few names on his fingers.

"Ando, ​​Kikuchi, Sekimori, oh right, and Hinako!"

"Today is only the second day of the joint training camp. If we don't count the Shinomiya assignment, you've only participated in four assignments so far."

Dojima Gin's gaze towards Lin Yu revealed a sense of satisfaction, as if he were looking at an outstanding junior.

"But without exception, the supervisors of all four projects gave you extremely high praise."

"Even afterwards, they contacted me specifically to say that they had discovered a monstrous genius."

Dojima Gin took a few steps closer, placed a hand on Lin Yu's shoulder, and spoke with deep admiration and appreciation.

"That's right! They all reported the same name to me—your name!"

Lin Yu remained silent for a few seconds before slowly saying, "So, this is why you specifically called Chef Shinomiya to protect me?"

Dojima Gin chuckled. "You figured it out already?"

"Hmm, that's not hard to guess."

Lin Yu nodded, his tone indifferent. "After all, there are probably only a handful of people in the entire Totsuki Academy who can make Chef Shinomiya hold his nose and submit."

"Just know it, don't feel guilty."

Dojima Gin pressed his hand firmly on Lin Yu's shoulder, as if to comfort him.

"You're very talented. Kiko and Hinako both have high hopes for you, and so do I!"

"You could even say, Lin Yu, that you are the kind of 'jade' that Totsuki Academy seeks! You are destined to shine throughout the world!"

Dojima Gin sighed. "I just... didn't want you to be dragged into this for no reason. I'm sorry!"

Lin Yu looked up at the tall man in front of him. "The problem lies with Chef Shinomiya. You don't need to apologize!"

"No!"

"Of course I need to apologize!"

Dojima Gin shook his head, his gaze steady and his tone firm.

"What I mean is... Shinomiya is acting very strangely right now; he might make some judgments that are neither calm nor rational."

"But I'm his senior, and also the person in charge of the joint residential training program. I was the one who invited him to be a mentor, so I bear full responsibility for it!"

"Even if my supervisor has a lot of autonomy in decision-making, I can't just sit idly by if I believe he's done something wrong!"

Dojima Gin talked on and on.

For the first time, Lin Yu had a feeling.

This man, who appears tall and composed... seems a bit fussy.

He's so long-winded!

But it doesn't feel bad to be cared for.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Dojima!" Lin Yu uttered softly, "I was just... doing my best to cook..."

'

Dojima Gin's face showed a genuine smile of satisfaction.

"It's simple, but that's enough!"

The two chatted casually like that.

After a long while, Dojima Gin finally couldn't resist and steered the conversation back to the original topic.

After considering his options for a moment, Dojima Gin cautiously asked in a tentative tone, "Lin Yu, do you think... there's any way to bring Shinomiya back to his senses in his current state?"

Lin Yu did not answer the question directly, but looked up at Dojima Gin with a playful look in his eyes.

"Senior Dojima, do you really want to hear my answer?"

"Of course!"

Feeling utterly lost and confused, Dojima Gin rubbed the back of his head in frustration, his mood inevitably becoming somewhat irritable.

"After all, Shinomiya is a junior I have high hopes for!"

"Besides, as I just said, I personally invited him to be my mentor. Knowing he's in a bad state, I can't just sit idly by and do nothing!"

Dojima Gin sighed, "Anyway, I'm at my wit's end now. Shinomiya won't open his heart to me either."

"Anyway, I'm out of ideas right now, so I was thinking, why don't I listen to what other people think? Maybe it'll help... What's that saying again? 'What can you do with stones from other mountains'...?"

"We can learn from others' experiences!" Lin Yu reminded him.

Dojima Gin clapped his hands excitedly, "Yes! That's exactly what I wanted to say!"