Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

As the sun set, Lin Yu and Tadokoro Megumi strolled along the forest path back to the Polar Star Lodge.

"Lin Yujun, thank you so much for today."

"You're welcome."

Lin Yu waved his hand, "We're roommates in Polaris Dormitory and partners in class, how could I just stand by and watch someone die?"

"Actually, Lin Yujun was the first partner who was willing to help me."

Tadokoro Megumi seemed to be recalling some unpleasant experience, and her mood became somewhat depressed.

"There aren't many hands-on courses in the junior high school section."

"Even so, every time we had to team up in class, my partner would complain that I was clumsy and wouldn't cooperate with me, or even let me operate the equipment..."

"No wonder you were so nervous during the actual operation."

Tadokoro Megumi's voice was trembling with tears, "I'm sorry! Waaah~"

"stop!"

Lin Yu raised his hand and delivered a chop to Tadokoro Megumi's head, interrupting her reverie.

"Don't say such discouraging things. Don't you still have me, willing to partner with you?"

Hearing Lin Yu's words, Tadokoro Megumi smiled again.

"Yes, Lin Yujun, do you know?"

"Besides my mother, you are the first person to say to me, 'I believe you can do it.'"

With that, Tadokoro Megumi bowed deeply to Lin Yu.

"Lin Yujun, thank you so much for your help. You're such a kind and gentle person!"

Lin Yu was somewhat surprised and helped the other person up.

"There's no need to be so formal. You've helped me a lot today; we're helping each other out."

"That's why I said... Lin Yujun is a gentle person!"

"What do you mean?"

Tadokoro Megumi looked at Lin Yu and said, "Lin Yu-kun, I know that with your cooking skills, it would be a waste of your time for me to be your sous chef."

Lin Yu looked amused and flicked the girl's forehead.

"Don't think such things."

Tadokoro Megumi covered her forehead, slightly annoyed, but still firmly shook her head.

"I know, although I am a timid person and clumsy in doing things."

"But I could tell that Lin Yujun slowed down her pace more than once during the cooking process, just to take care of me, to let me keep up with your movements and progress, to let me..."

Megumi Tadokoro bit her lip and lowered her head.

"It makes me feel involved, so I don't feel useless..."

On the desolate forest path, the cold night wind rustled the leaves.

After a long silence, Lin Yu let out a long sigh.

"Eh—"

The boy's sigh confirmed the girl's guess.

"Who said you're stupid? You're quite smart, aren't you?"

Tadokoro Megumi lowered her head even further. "Lin Yu-kun, thank you so much for taking care of me today. I'm so grateful for your help..."

For some reason, looking at the girl with her head down and hearing her cowardly words, Lin Yu felt inexplicably irritated.

"I told you not to say such discouraging things!"

Lin Yu raised his hand and chopped her knife. Tadokoro Megumi instinctively wanted to dodge but dared not, and could only close her eyes in fear.

But the next second, she felt not a chop to the head, but a broad, warm hand.

"Lin Yujun?"

"Listen, Tadokoro."

Lin Yu stroked the girl's hair, speaking gently, word by word:

"What you just said is true, but I still don't think you're a useless person."

"In fact, I can cook more efficiently by myself."

"Of course I can ignore you. Although it may sound cold-blooded, no one can blame me for it."

Lin Yu sighed and shook his head.

"But Tadokoro, I don't want to do this!"

"I know you were scared in class today, scared of making mistakes, scared of messing things up."

"But you're not entirely useless!"

Lin Yu looked directly into the girl's eyes, his gaze unwavering.

"Through those panicked eyes, besides fear, I can also see something deep within you—your love for cooking!"

"It's a complex emotion of both love and fear."

"Because you love cooking, you're afraid of messing it up, afraid that you won't do it well. But it's also because of this love that even though you're timid, you're unwilling to give up on cooking."

"Really?"

Tadokoro Megumi's tone wavered; she herself could hardly believe it.

Hearing Tadokoro Megumi's lack of confidence, Lin Yu smiled and said:

"If you don't believe in yourself, do you believe in me?"

Tadokoro Megumi's tone immediately became firm.

"Of course I believe it!"

"Alright, Tadokoro Megumi, listen up, I'm going to tell you now!"

Lin Yu's voice suddenly became louder.

"Your passion for cooking is second to none, your basic cooking skills are very solid, and your talent is absolutely no less than anyone else's."

"What you lack is simply self-confidence."

"Of course, I don't expect you to become confident in the next second; I just want to plant a seed in your heart."

"seed?"

"Yes, seeds."

Lin Yu gently stroked the girl's hair, their eyes meeting, trying to convey spiritual strength to her.

Lin Yu said firmly, "The day you overcome your cowardice, you will unleash an astonishing power that others cannot even imagine!"

Tadokoro Megumi seemed to be affected by Lin Yu's words as well. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest, making her feel dizzy.

But she didn't dislike the feeling.

"Okay! I believe Lin Yujun."

The girl mustered her courage, and her expression and tone became firm.

"Since Lin Yujun believes I can do it, then I will try my best!"

"This is so as not to let down those who believe in me, and also to let myself down!"

"Yes, I believe you can do it."

The quiet forest path came to an end without us even realizing it.

Looking at the slightly old building not far away, Lin Yu felt at ease.

【Pole Star Hotel】

This is where he finds refuge in this world.

"Okay, go and rest. You've had a very busy day."

"Okay, Lin Yujun, you should get some rest too."

"Oh, right, Tadokoro."

Just as they were about to part ways at the stairwell, Lin Yu suddenly called out to Tadokoro Megumi.

Tadokoro Megumi turned around and looked at him.

"Lin Yujun, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered a phrase, but I was afraid you'd think I was being long-winded."

"How could I possibly dislike Lin Yujun?"

Tadokoro Megumi looked at Lin Yu with exceptional tenderness. "I really enjoy listening to you talk!"

"Tadokoro, I heard a saying a long time ago."

"This sentence was said to me by someone who taught me when I first embarked on my culinary journey. I think it's very fitting, and now I want to give it to you."

Lin Yu pondered his past life and became lost in memories.

True courage is not about being fearless, but about facing fear with unwavering determination!

"If you are still afraid, you can continue to be my second pair of hands, just like today, I can help and protect you."

"So, Tadokoro, keep going with this timid yet sensitive heart!"

"The future lies ahead, let's go! Let's keep going, steadfast and unwavering!"

"Lin Yujun..."

Tears streamed down the girl's cheeks; she could no longer hold back.

The girl, who had come to Far Moon from a remote seaside town and had no one to rely on, burst into tears and threw herself into Lin Yu's arms.

Lin Yu was stunned for a moment. He originally wanted to take out a handkerchief to wipe Tadokoro Megumi's tears, but when he touched his empty pocket, he realized that the handkerchief was still in Nakiri Erina's hand.

He felt the girl leaning against his chest, releasing her long-suppressed emotions through unrestrained crying.

He sighed, but ultimately did not push the other person away.

Lin Yu stretched out his arms and pulled Tadokoro Megumi into his embrace, gently stroking the girl's hair to offer her silent comfort.

......

Late at night, Lin Yu lay in bed after washing up, just about to fall asleep.

"Bang bang bang—"

There was a knock on the door; the person who entered moved very quietly.

Lin Yu opened the door, and standing outside was Tadokoro Megumi.

"Tadokoro, aren't you asleep yet, it's so late?"

Upon seeing Lin Yu's face, Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but recall the image of herself rushing into his arms, and her face immediately turned bright red.

"What's wrong?"

"Um... Lin Yu, I came to tell you that I will wash and return your clothes that I got dirty to you as soon as possible."

"There's no need to rush."

Tadokoro Megumi hesitated for a moment, then said, "And..."

"rest assured!"

Lin Yu raised his hand and made a zipping motion near his mouth.

"I'll keep it a secret."

Tadokoro Megumi breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks."

Lin Yu joked, "You came to see me so late just to talk about these things?"

"No, there's still... there's still tomorrow..."

Tadokoro Megumi's habit of becoming speechless when nervous has resurfaced.

"Don't rush, tell me slowly," Lin Yu comforted him.

Tadokoro Megumi took a few deep breaths to calm herself down, and mustered her courage to speak:

"Lin Yujun, I checked the class schedule. There's a practical class tomorrow that's for two people, and we're in the same classroom."

"Can we continue being partners tomorrow?"

"No problem, Tadokoro..."

"benefit!"

Tadokoro Megumi suddenly interrupted Lin Yu.

"Lin Yujun, just call me [Hui]."

Lin Yu smiled. He knew that this timid girl had finally mustered the courage to take the first step.

Although it's just a small step, it means that the seed of courage has sprouted!

Now that the seed has sprouted, how far away can it be if it grows into a towering tree?

Lin Yu had a premonition that one day, the girl in front of him would unleash a power that would amaze even him!

"Okay, Xiaohui."

Lin Yu extended his right hand to Tadokoro Megumi.

"Thank you for your help today. I look forward to working with you again tomorrow, my sous chef."

"Yes! I should be the one thanking Lin Yujun for his guidance."

Tadokoro Megumi happily grasped Lin Yu's hand, "I look forward to working with you again tomorrow, Chef!"