Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

"I see..."

"Then just eat half, it's okay."

Hearing Tadokoro Megumi say this, Lin Yu knew that she actually wanted to eat it, but she was just too embarrassed to say it.

"Anyway, I can't finish a whole one, so Xiaohui, just consider it helping me out and sharing the burden, okay? After all, wasting food is not a good thing."

Lin Yu chose to do what he had done before: break the rice ball in his hand in half and hand one half over.

"Here, this half is the one I haven't encountered before."

"Eh? I didn't mean to look down on Lin Yujun..."

"What does Xiaohui mean? Does she not really want to help me?"

"No! Lin Yujun, no... that's not it! I... I just..."

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Tadokoro Kei immediately panicked and wanted to refute them.

But her nervousness made her face turn red, and although she waved her hands repeatedly, the words she wanted to say remained stuck in her throat.

"Haha! Don't worry, I know what Xiaohui means!"

"Eat quickly, and we'll speed things up once you're done."

Lin Yu smiled and forcefully shoved half of the rice ball into Tadokoro Megumi's hand.

"Oh well."

Tadokoro Megumi sniffed the rice ball in her hand. The rich aroma filled her nose, making her mouth water and her stomach feel like it was being scratched by a kitten.

In the end, Megumi Tadokoro couldn't resist the delicious temptation. She picked up the rice ball and happily took a big bite.

Lin Yu laughed and ate the rice ball in a few bites.

"Seeing how happy Xiaohui is with her food, I think everyone at Polaris Dormitory will really enjoy it."

"Because Lin Yujun's cooking is really delicious!"

"I love hearing that!"

After finishing his rice ball, Lin Yu rolled up his sleeves, ready to get to work.

"In that case, I'll make some more."

"Okay, then I'll go prepare some drinks for everyone."

After finishing her rice ball, Megumi Tadokoro stood up and washed the oil off her hands.

"What does Lin Yu think is the best thing to prepare?"

"If it's farm work..."

Lin Yu pondered for a moment and then offered his thoughts.

"After engaging in physical labor, the body is often tired and exhausted."

"Although iced drinks are refreshing, they can easily irritate the stomach and intestines. In particular, since everyone has just finished farm work, it's best not to prepare iced drinks."

Megumi Tadokoro nodded. "Okay, I think so too."

"Our grilled rice balls and smoked rice balls have a rather rich flavor, so how about pairing them with some hot, fragrant tea?" Lin Yu suggested.

"Great! After a long day, a cup of hot tea is really comforting."

Tadokoro Megumi also agreed with Lin Yu's words.

"Then I'll go prepare a pot of barley tea."

Then, Tadokoro Megumi thought for a moment, "Let's also prepare a pot of roasted tea and bring it over in a thermos."

Tadokoro Megumi counted on her fingers, listing out the things she needed to prepare one by one.

"Also, insulated lunch boxes, paper cups, picnic blankets, dry towels, wet wipes..."

"Xiaohui is such a gentle and thoughtful girl!"

Listening to Tadokoro Megumi's meticulous preparations, Lin Qi smiled and teased her.

"It's nothing really!"

Tadokoro Megumi smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"Actually... I know that Lin Yujun is the gentlest person..."

"Lin Yujun clearly noticed that I wanted to eat that rice ball, but she probably considered my feelings, which is why she said those things to make me feel better..."

"I'm not stupid, I can see all of this!"

Saying this long sentence seemed to have exhausted Tadokoro Megumi's courage. Before Lin Yu could speak, she turned and ran away.

"Then I'll go prepare the things."

"This girl..."

Lin Yu smiled as he watched Tadokoro Megumi's hurried figure disappear into the distance.

......

A short while later, Megumi Tadokoro returned carrying a large pile of odds and ends.

"Lin Yujun, I have prepared everything we need."

"Okay, I've got mine ready too."

After finishing his work, Lin Yu twisted his sore neck a few times and stretched his body, which made crackling sounds.

"Xiao Hui, bring the lunchbox."

Lin Yu put all the prepared rice balls into the insulated lunchbox brought by Tadokoro Megumi. Afterwards, the two of them worked together to clean up the kitchen, and neatly put all the used seasonings and ceramic stove back in their original positions.

Looking at the newly cleaned kitchen, Lin Yu was in a very good mood.

"Let's go, Xiaohui. At this time, everyone who's been working in the fields is probably hungry and waiting for us."

"Okay, Lin Yujun, let's set off now."

......

Lin Yu took the initiative to carry the bags and packages, while Tadokoro Megumi carried a lunchbox containing rice balls and a thermos containing tea, and went to the farmland behind the Polar Star Dormitory.

Under the blinding light, Lin Yu put his hand above his eyes and looked around. In the wide farmland, various vegetables were arranged in distinct areas.

Red tomatoes, purple eggplants, green cabbages, white radishes, yellow pumpkins...

The various vegetables are brightly colored, and vary in height and size, arranged in a staggered pattern.

A gentle breeze blows, causing the vegetable leaves to rustle and make a pleasant sound.

"What a breathtaking sight!" Lin Yu exclaimed excitedly. "I never imagined Polaris Dormitory had such a wonderful place."

Tadokoro Megumi explained to him, "This farm is usually mainly taken care of by Isshiki-senpai, but everyone from Polar Star Dormitory usually comes to help out; it's kind of a group activity of Polar Star Dormitory."

"Really? Then I guess I'll have to lend a hand next time, just as a way of participating in a dorm activity!"

"When everyone tastes the delicious food that Lin Yu-jun has made for everyone, I believe everyone will be very happy to have Lin Yu-jun's participation." Tadokoro Megumi said this in a very happy tone.

Lin Yu looked at Tadokoro Megumi, "Megumi just knows how to say nice things on purpose to make me happy."

"I wasn't saying anything nice on purpose!"

Tadokoro Megumi retorted, unconvinced, "I already have a full understanding of how formidable Lin Yujun is."

"Okay, let's go quickly."

Lin Yu and Tadokoro Megumi took a few steps closer and saw several figures busy in the farmland.

"Everyone!"

Tadokoro Megumi put her hands close to her mouth, making a megaphone shape, took a deep breath, and shouted it out with all her might.

"Dinner's ready!"

"OK!"

Upon hearing Tadokoro Megumi's call, the people who were still working in the fields stopped their busy work, stood up, and responded happily.

Next to the farmland was an open space with a set of old-fashioned wooden tables piled up on it, with a wooden bench on each side.

Lin Yu covered the table with the picnic blanket he had brought, concealing the old marks, and then began to take out towels and paper cups.

Tadokoro Megumi placed the lunchboxes and thermos flasks on the table, and with a smile, greeted the Polar Star Dormitory members who were approaching, "Everyone, come on over! Lin Yu-kun made some really delicious rice balls for you!"

"Great!"

A burst of cheers erupted from the crowd.

"After being busy for so long, it's finally time to eat."

"I'm so hungry!"

"I'm starving."

"After being busy for so long, I'm starving."

"I feel so hungry I could eat a whole pig!"

"If that's what you mean, then I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow!"

"Hahaha!"

Everyone joked and gathered around the picnic table.

"Lin Yu-kun, and Tadokoro-kun, thank you for preparing this meal for us."

The leader, Isshiki Satoshi, greeted them with a smile.

Lin Yu waved his hand, "It's alright, we're more relaxed in the kitchen. You guys are really working hard doing farm work in the fields."

"Haha! It's nothing."

Isshiki Satoshi said happily.

"Take care of these vegetables, watch them grow from a tiny seed, sprout from the soil, take root and grow strong, and finally grow into delicious vegetables that enter the chef's kitchen and end up on people's tables."

"This is inherently a very interesting thing!"

Satoshi Isshiki excitedly opened his arms wide, "Don't you think the growth of vegetables is just like the burning passion of young men and women?!"

"I don't think so..."

Just as Isshiki Satoshi was getting excited, a sarcastic comment broke the atmosphere he had created.

"Since you're so enthusiastic, Isshiki-senpai, why don't you just leave me out next time?"

"After all, I stayed up all night yesterday, and I really wanted to sleep in this morning," said Shoji Sato, yawning with a gloomy look in his eyes and a listless tone.

"Yeah, I agree. We're not as energetic as you, Isshiki-senpai." Aoki Daigo also had heavy dark circles under his eyes.

"What did you two do last night? You both look like you have panda eyes!" Yoshino Yuuki asked.

"Need I say more?"

Ryoko Sakaki, with a confident expression, said, "He must have been staying up all night playing games, right?"

"Don't slander me like that! We had several intense culinary battles last night!"

"That's right, that's why I'm so tired! Isshiki-senpai, is that what you're saying?"

Shoji Sato and Daigo Aoki looked at Satoshi Isshiki.

"What nonsense are you talking about..."

Looking at his two delinquent-like juniors, Isshiki Satoshi sighed helplessly, then put on a teary-eyed, pitiful look.

"These fields were passed down from generations of ancestors at Polaris Dormitory, and this farm work is a collective activity that has been passed down through generations of Polaris Dormitory!"

"Everyone here is a fellow villager who lives under the same roof and eats from the same pot."

"I was hoping that these exciting group activities would bring all the members of Polaris Dormitory together!"

"Could it be... that even this small wish of mine can't be fulfilled? How utterly miserable I am!"

Heartbroken, Isshiki Satoshi wiped away her tears, looking incredibly sorrowful.

"Alright! Alright! Isshiki-senpai, we surrender! Please, stop putting on that act!"

"Yeah! It's terrifying, it gives me goosebumps all over!"

Shoji Sato and Daigo Aoki immediately wore expressions of extreme distress.

"Would you still be willing to come and help me with farm work in the future?"

"Help! Help! We'll definitely help!"

"Haha! It's a deal then, okay? You can't go back on your word. Everyone here is a witness!"

Isshiki Satoshi's tearful expression vanished in an instant, replaced by his usual squinting smile, making no attempt to hide the fact that his pitiful demeanor was an act.

"Damn it, I've been tricked again!"

Ignoring their complaints, Isshiki Satoshi turned to look at Lin Yu.

"What about Lin Yujun? Would you like to participate in the Polar Star Dormitory's group activities? After all, you're a member of the Polar Star Dormitory too."

"OK."

Lin Yu didn't hesitate much and nodded in agreement.

"Eh?"

Isshiki Satoshi was somewhat surprised. "Even if I said it casually, I thought Lin Yujun would refuse."

Why?

"After all, in your introduction at the opening ceremony, you described yourself as someone who hates trouble."

Faced with Isshiki Satoshi's question, Lin Yu shrugged.

"Of course I hate trouble, but I can't stop living a normal life. It's okay to do some activities occasionally. Otherwise, if I lie around for too long, not only will my skills become rusty, but my bones will also rust easily."

As he spoke, Lin Yu looked towards the farmland and pointed to the thriving vegetables.

"And the farm work looks quite interesting. You can tell at a glance that these vegetables have been well taken care of by Isshiki-senpai; they are growing vigorously and of excellent quality."

Isshiki Satoshi smiled, clearly pleased with Lin Yu's praise. "This is all thanks to the hard work of everyone in Polaris Dormitory."

"Just like what Isshiki-senpai said earlier, I'm also a member of the Polar Star Dormitory. If I'm always alone and don't participate in group activities, it will make me seem like an outsider."

"Furthermore, for a chef, understanding the fields, crops, and ingredients is an essential skill, isn't it?"

Isshiki Satoshi clapped her hands lightly, "That's wonderful! As expected of Lin Yu-jun!"

"Alright, Isshiki-senpai, Lin Yu-kun, stop your long-winded talk! I'm starving!" Yoshino Yuuki was clearly anxious about the fact that the meal was still not served, and the others were obviously concerned as well.

Satoshi Isshiki smiled sheepishly, "Haha, my bad, everyone, let's eat."

"Isshiki-senpai, here's a towel."

"Use a dry towel to wipe away sweat, and then use a wet wipe to wipe your face a second time. Everyone has just finished physical labor and has sweated a lot, so wiping your face will make you feel more comfortable."

Lin Yu handed the dry towel and wet wipes prepared by Tadokoro Megumi to Isshiki Satoshi.

Satoshi Isshiki accepted the things Lin Yu handed her with some surprise. "Lin Yu-kun is so thoughtful! He even thought of these things!"

Faced with Isshiki Satoshi's praise, Lin Yu smiled and shook his head, "These were all prepared by Xiaohui for everyone."

"Xiao Hui! You're simply an angel!"

Yoshino Yuuki rushed over and hugged Tadokoro Megumi with emotion.

"Alright, Yuuki, you're all sweaty, and you're still getting all over Megumi." Ryoko Sakaki quickly pulled her away.

"It's fine."

Tadokoro Megumi smiled and handed over towels and wet wipes, saying, "We've prepared enough things; everyone will have some."

"Hey, Yoshino-san, wipe your face, and Sakaki-san too."

Ryoko Sakaki and Yuuki Yoshino quickly accepted it.

"Thanks."

"Hehe, thanks Xiaohui!"

Everyone took the towels and wiped away the sweat from their heads. They then used wet wipes to wipe their faces a second time. The soft, damp wipes slid across their faces, the moisture carrying away the sticky sweat and heat, leaving a cool sensation that made them feel incredibly happy.