Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

Chapter 126 Graduate Judges

Dojima Gin looked at Shinomiya Kojiro's eyes. His gaze was fierce, yet his eyes were red, trembling slightly, and seemed to hold a glimmer of tears...

Seeing this, for some reason, Dojima Gin, who was originally very angry, suddenly softened.

"I'm sorry, Shinomiya..."

'

Dojima Gin sighed, placed a hand on Shinomiya Kojiro's shoulder, and said earnestly, "If you feel that my words have offended you, Shinomiya, I can apologize to you."

"But I just feel that you need to listen to other people's advice... You're currently in a state of being 'blind to your own situation'!"

Dojima Gin's initiative to back down was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Shinomiya Kojiro's anger.

"I'm sorry, Dojima-senpai." Shinomiya Kojiro was momentarily at a loss for words. "I didn't mean to say such harsh things to you, I'm just... I've been in a bad mood lately..."

"

"I know!" Dojima Gin looked at Shinomiya Kojiro with concern, his tone full of worry. "And I want to help you..."

"No! You don't know!"

Dojima Gin's words immediately startled Shinomiya Kojiro.

"No one can understand me; you haven't experienced what I've been through..."

Kojiro Shinomiya stopped mid-sentence and then silently patted the hand on his shoulder.

"In short, I'm doing great right now!"

"Also, Dojima-senpai, I'm not a child anymore. I have my own things and secrets, so don't pry!"

Seeing how resistant Kojiro Shinomiya was to opening up to him, Gin Dojima's worries deepened.

"Shinomiya, I just..."

'

"Alright, Dojima-senpai!"

Shinomiya Kojiro spoke first, silencing Dojima Gin.

He looked at Dojima Gin and pointed towards the door. "I'm going to rest for a while now so I can deal with this farce caused by Dojima-senpai's capriciousness."

That's all for now, see you in a bit!

Having said that, before Dojima Gin could speak, Shinomiya Kojiro quickly left without looking back.

"The Four Palaces..."

Dojima Gin watched Shinomiya Kojiro's hurried retreating figure, a dark cloud gathering between his brows.

Dojima Gin took out his phone and made a call.

"Feed? Lin Yu!"

"I just probed again, and I think the situation in the fourth house is more serious than I initially anticipated."

"So... I'm counting on you tonight!"

"Yes, don't worry, Dojima-senpai, leave everything to me!"

In the corridor, Lin Yu hung up the phone and turned to look at Tadokoro Megumi, who was walking slowly with her head down.

"What's wrong, Xiaohui? You look so worried."

Lin Yu walked up to Tadokoro Megumi and said with a relaxed smile, "Phew~ That was close!"

"But at least we've caught a glimmer of hope!"

"Come on! Smile, after all, we've found a solution to the problem."

As he spoke, Lin Yu actually reached out and gently pinched Tadokoro Megumi's cheeks, pulling them to the sides.

A very strange "smile" suddenly appeared on Tadokoro Megumi's face.

Tadokoro Megumi was also amused by Lin Yu's actions, and the frown that had been on her face turned into a smile through her tears.

But the next second, Tadokoro Megumi broke free from Lin Yu's hand, and the smile on her face immediately vanished, replaced by her original worried expression.

"Lin Yujun, how... how can you still laugh!" Tadokoro Megumi stamped her feet repeatedly, her voice filled with deep worry.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Yu's nonchalant attitude left Tadokoro Megumi with a sense of helplessness, like "the emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is."

"What I mean is, Lin Yujun is an idiot! Why did she actually agree to a food battle with Chef Shinomiya?"

The more I think about it, the more uncertain I feel... I still don't feel safe.

'

"Do you think I'll lose?" Lin Yu asked rhetorically.

"I...I absolutely do not doubt Lin Yujun's abilities!" Tadokoro Megumi frantically waved her hands.

"Of course I know Lin Yujun's abilities, but she's the head chef of Shinomiya!"

Tadokoro Megumi lowered her head, muttering almost inaudibly, "This is too reckless! Lin Yu-jun has already passed."

Seeing Tadokoro Megumi's timid and hesitant demeanor, Lin Yu knew that this was because Tadokoro Megumi's weak personality and tendency to shrink back in the face of adversity had resurfaced. She couldn't help but recall past events, and then fell into a state of unease, wavering back and forth.

After a period of instruction, Lin Yu had thought that Tadokoro Megumi's problem had improved somewhat.

In retrospect, it was Shinomiya Kojiro who was truly frightening, causing Tadokoro Megumi to feel afraid and develop health problems again.

However, Lin Yu wasn't angry, because he knew that Tadokoro Megumi was worried about him.

Moreover, to be fair, he was confident in his cooking skills, so he was neither flustered nor afraid.

But from the perspective of Tadokoro Megumi, a student, Shinomiya Kojiro, this "big boss" is still too much. Lin Yu, a student, would be worried if he faced such an opponent!

It's true, it's somewhat frustrating...

"There's nothing we can do about it!"

Lin Yu patiently explained, "After all, you saw it yourself. In that emergency, if I hadn't done that, Xiao Hui, you would have been expelled!"

"I can't just stand by and watch Xiaohui get expelled, can I? I can't do that."

Hearing Lin Yu's words, Tadokoro Megumi was deeply moved, tears welled up in her eyes, and she almost burst into tears on the spot.

"Someone like me, just let me be eliminated, that's all! What do I have that's worth saving, Lin Yujun..."

'

Megumi Tadokoro raised her hand, wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, and her voice trembled.

"Lin Yujun helped me so much, but now I've dragged you into this mess. How can I ever apologize..."

"Ha ha!"

Tadokoro Megumi was extremely anxious, but Lin Yu was amused by her pitiful crying face.

Lin Yu reached out and placed his hand on Tadokoro Megumi's head, gently smoothing down a stray strand of hair that had stuck up at the end of the girl's hair.

"It's alright, there's no need for Xiaohui to apologize. After all, it was I who took the liberty of starting the food battle with Chef Shinomiya."

Lin Yu's voice was gentle, "This was my own decision, so Xiao Hui doesn't need to feel guilty."

Upon hearing Lin Yu's interpretation, Tadokoro Megumi's heart fluttered like a deer.

"Lin Yujun, why are you so good to me?"

"I'm good to Xiaohui...isn't that just a matter of course? Do I need a reason?" Lin Yu said with a smile, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Lin Yujun! You...you shouldn't say that..."

7

Tadokoro lowered her head, but through the gaps in her hair, Lin Yu could see the blush on her cheeks spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.

"Haha! Actually, there's another reason."

"Is there another reason?"

Lin Yu removed his hand from Tadokoro Megumi's head, his gaze shifting from gentle to resolute.

"Of course it's because... I don't think Xiaohui is the kind of person who should fall down in a place like this. You deserve bigger goals, and you can go much further."

Tadokoro Megumi instinctively grabbed her collar, saying embarrassedly, "I'm nowhere near as amazing as Lin Yu makes me out to be!"

"Xiao Hui, do you believe me?" Lin Yu asked with a smile.

"Yes! Of course I believe you!"

Tadokoro Megumi immediately raised her head and stared at Lin Yu with bright eyes.

"If even Lin Yujun doesn't believe me, then I'm afraid there's no one in this world I can trust!"

"If that's the case, then let me tell you, Megumi, what I said just now wasn't simply to appease Dojima-senpai."

Lin Yu reached out and cupped Tadokoro Megumi's face in his hands, making her look into his eyes.

"Xiao Hui, you possess a powerful potential that you yourself are unaware of."

"When you one day muster the courage to face all formidable enemies, you will transform into a completely new Megumi Tadokoro!"

Lin Yu knew that when dealing with Tadokoro Megumi's problems, he had to proceed step by step and not act rashly.

After all, a person who is emotionally fragile and sensitive is often like a delicate sapling. At this stage, full tolerance and encouragement are the first steps to building her self-confidence.

At that moment, Tadokoro Megumi felt as if she were being held in the palm of a pair of warm hands.

The gentle voice in her ear made her feel weak all over, and the warmth she felt on her cheeks spread throughout her body, making her feel at ease and allowing her to relax.

Staring into Lin Yu's deep pupils, Tadokoro Megumi, in a daze, was somewhat mesmerized.

"Hey! Xiao Hui!"

"Lin Yujun, I'm here!"

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Yu's voice startled Tadokoro Megumi awake, and she instinctively answered loudly.

Seeing Tadokoro Megumi blush, Lin Yu laughed and said, "How about Megumi stays in for me at tonight's food battle? Watch me teach that arrogant guy a lesson!"

Tadokoro Megumi laughed and nodded vigorously.

"Um!"

Evening, in the kitchen of an underground building.

"This is an auxiliary building of the Totsuki Palace and was not included in the usage plan for this joint training camp."

"In addition, given its secluded location and the kitchen's location on the basement level, rest assured that no one will disturb this private food battle."

In the small kitchen, Dojima Gin stood in the center, taking on the role of host.

Standing behind Lin Yu, Tadokoro Megumi's gaze involuntarily drifted toward the few figures quietly sitting in the corner of the kitchen.

Mizuhara Fuyumi.

Guan Shouping.

Donato Sycamore Field.

All of them, including Hinako Inui, are graduates of Totsuki Academy and are also the instructors for this joint residential training program.

Tadokoro Megumi immediately looked nervous: "Why are all the graduates here?"

Dojima Gin explained with a smile, "I appointed them to be the judges!"

"Even though it's a private, informal food battle that won't be made public, it can't be without judges, can it? It has to look like a proper event!"

Although the graduates did not show much expression on their faces, their eyes revealed a hint of interest.

Donato Gotoda stroked his chin and said in a very curious tone, "An informal food battle held during the dormitory training period, and it's between [graduates] and [current students]!"

"Even before seeing it, just imagining it is enough to excite me!"

"By the way, I ran into Professor Chapel on my way here. I wonder what he'll do if he finds out about this food battle?"

Hinako Inui answered with a smile, "Won't I get scolded?"

Guan Shouping crossed his arms and said with absolute certainty, "I'll get yelled at!"

Although Fuyumi Mizuhara, who was squatting on the chair, had a cold expression, she couldn't help but nod after hearing what Hinako Inui and Morihira Seki said, confirming their judgment.

"That's without a doubt! After all, Professor Shapper is incredibly strict."

"Haha! That's right, it really suits Professor Chappell's personality!" Donato Wutongtian patted his head and laughed heartily.

"If Professor Chappelle finds out, I will run away without hesitation and pin the blame on Shinomiya." Mizuhara Fuyumi said her inner thoughts expressionlessly.

Donato Wutongtian joked, "If that really happens, Shinomiya will get a really bad scolding from Professor Chappelle, won't he?"

Guan Shouping nodded. "After all, when Shinomiya was still in school, he was often scolded by Professor Chappell. Several times he was scolded in class and couldn't even lift his head."

Hinako Inui didn't hold back either, pointing out Kojiro Shinomiya's shortcomings: "After all, given Shinomiya-senpai's rebellious personality, it's only natural that he's not liked by an old-fashioned teacher like Professor Chappell!"

"Haha! You're right!"

"Although Shinomiya was a good cook, he probably got scolded the most times in the whole school!"

"Haha! It still leaves a deep impression on me even now!"

Sekimori Hei and Donato Gotoda burst into unrestrained laughter, echoing Inui Hinako.

Squatting on the chair, expressionless, Fuyumi Mizuhara suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Now I'm actually thinking of calling Professor Chappelle over, just so Shinomiya can relive some fond memories of his student days!"

"Hey! Mizuhara, I heard you!"

Kojiro Shinomiya, who already viewed tonight's food battle as a farce, clenched his fists and flew into a rage upon hearing the graduates' nonchalant remarks.

Kojiro Shinomiya slammed his fist on the kitchen counter, making a loud noise, and pointed at the laughing group, glaring and yelling, "And you lot! Quiet down! Don't make this already boring farce even more ridiculous!"

"Haha! Everyone, please be quiet, or Shinomiya will throw a tantrum!"

Dojima Gin clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention, and the graduates immediately shut their mouths.

"Next, I will host this informal 1v1 food battle."

"Food Wars! This is Lin Yu, a student participating in the residential training camp!"

"Lin Yu's demand is that if he wins, Shinomiya Kojiro must rescind his decision to expel Tadokoro Megumi from school and apologize!"

"On the other side of the food battle is our instructor for the joint training camp, Kojiro Shinomiya!"

"His demand is that if he wins, Lin Yu and Tadokoro Megumi must both drop out of Totsuki Academy!"

Dojima Gin raised his hand, gesturing for everyone to look at the large pile of ingredients in front of him.

"The ingredients for this food battle are the various meats and vegetables that were left over from today's lesson."

"There are no restrictions on the theme of the dish, but please try to use vegetables as the theme."

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