Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

"Okay, okay, I understand, I understand."

Seeing that Lin Yu didn't seem to be taking it seriously, Ryoko Sakaki became a little anxious.

"Lin Yujun, don't underestimate her!"

"In cooking, the chef's skills are certainly important, but the quality of the ingredients is also a significant factor affecting the final taste of the dish."

Lin Yu nodded. "I agree with that."

"So, if we want to compete with Mito Ikumi, we must find top-quality ingredients that are comparable to the top-quality meat she uses."

"Otherwise, when facing such a master, even the slightest disadvantage in ingredients will be magnified infinitely by the top-quality meat she uses, ultimately leading to a crushing defeat."

"That's true, but the ingredient that Mito Ikumi usually uses in Food Wars is A5 grade marbled beef!"

"Finding ingredients that can rival this top-quality meat is easier said than done; it's enough to make one despair just thinking about it."

"That's why all her food battle opponents were already outmatched before they even stepped onto the stage!"

"Ugh! The more I think about it, the more troublesome it seems!"

Ryoko Sakaki became increasingly agitated and even desperate as she thought about it. It wasn't her food battle, but she seemed to be more anxious than Lin Yu.

"There's absolutely no hope of winning!"

Despite listening to Ryoko Sakaki's irritating complaints, Lin Yu felt a warm feeling in his heart.

Is this what it feels like to be cared for?

It seems pretty good!

"Okay, have some faith in me."

Lin Yu patted Ryoko Sakaki on the shoulder, signaling her to relax.

Looking at Lin Yu's calm expression, and thinking of her own anxiety, Ryoko Sakaki felt both amused and exasperated.

The person involved hasn't even felt nervous yet, but I'm the one worrying unnecessarily.

"While staying calm in the face of adversity is a good trait, however..."

"Lin Yujun, please, don't be so relaxed. I'm begging you, please be a little more nervous."

"But I really can't get nervous! It's not like you can just decide to get nervous about something like this."

Lin Yu patted Ryoko Sakaki on the shoulder, "Let things take their natural course~"

Ryoko Sakaki finally gave up on trying to persuade her.

"Alright, this is ultimately your business, Lin Yu. If you're not in a hurry, why should I be?" Ryoko Sakaki pouted, her tone suggesting she had given up.

"However, if possible, Lin Yujun, you should try to find better quality ingredients, even if they're a bit more expensive. Although they can't compare to Mito Ikumi's A5 marbled beef, we shouldn't fall too far behind in terms of ingredients!"

"You don't need to worry about that," Lin Yu said with a mysterious smile.

"No need to worry? Could it be that Lin Yujun, you've already found ingredients comparable to A5 Wagyu beef?"

"No, that's not it."

"After all, Mito Ikumi and I made an agreement at the supermarket yesterday that she would give me half of an A5 grade marbled beef."

"In other words, we will use the same quality ingredients, start from the same point, and compete against each other!"

Ryoko Sakaki was immediately startled. "Is that so? Why didn't you tell me sooner, Lin Yu-jun? You made me worry for so long."

Lin Yu laughed and said, "Ryoko, you've been talking nonstop, and I haven't been able to find a suitable opportunity to tell you."

"Besides, even though you're being a bit nagging, I know you care about me, Ryoko, hehe, it feels pretty good."

"Who...who cares about you!"

"I'm just a fellow member of the Polar Star Dormitory, and I don't want to see you lose your first Food War in Totsuki."

Ryoko Sakaki realized that she had been a little too enthusiastic, and her speech became somewhat stammering.

"Okay, anyway, thank you for your concern, Ryoko-san."

"I already said no!" Ryoko Sakaki lowered her head and subconsciously retorted.

"Okay, okay, if you say it's not, then it's not." Lin Yu suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

"But you seemed to be speaking too loudly just now; the teacher was looking at you."

"What?!"

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Ryoko Sakaki looked up in a panic, only to meet the teacher's unfriendly gaze from the podium.

Fortunately, the teacher was probably quite good-tempered. He didn't deduct any credits from Ryoko Sakaki, nor did he reprimand her in public. He just said some mild things like "You should pay attention in class" and let her off the hook.

"Alright, students, I've finished explaining some of the characteristics of peaches and a few common recipes!"

"Now let's begin the practical exercise."

The teacher glanced around the classroom, her gaze lingering for a few seconds as she looked at Lin Yu and Ryoko Sakaki's group.

"Follow the recipe I just explained, and make a peach dish that I'm satisfied with."

"Of course, if you have enough confidence, you can use your own creativity instead of the recipe I just gave you."

"However, I want to make it clear in advance that if we're allowed to improvise, my requirements will be even stricter."

After saying that, the teacher pointed to the refrigerator next to the classroom.

"I have prepared several different varieties of peaches for everyone, and the classroom is also fully equipped with some commonly used ingredients and seasoning bottles."

"Let's begin!"

As soon as the teacher finished speaking, all the students in the classroom quickly got to work.

"Phew~"

"That was close!"

Seeing that the teacher really didn't hold it against him, Lin Yu looked at Ryoko Sakaki and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luckily, the teacher was in a good mood today and didn't hold it against us. Ryoko, it seems we're in luck today."

Ryoko Sakaki feigned anger, gave a light snort, and glared at Lin Yu. "Lin Yu-kun, how dare you say that? The teacher noticed me just now, why didn't you remind me in time?"

"How can I remind you? After all, you suddenly raised your voice just now, and that's when the teacher noticed you."

"Even if it's Lin Yujun's fault!"

Faced with an angry Ryoko Sakaki, Lin Yu could only surrender and then change the subject.

"Speaking of which, you were talking to me the whole time while the teacher was lecturing, you didn't even listen to what the teacher was saying, did you?"

Lin Yu looked at Sakaki Ryoko with concern, "Is the project okay? Do you need my help?"

"Of course, don't underestimate me!"

Ryoko Sakaki smiled confidently, took out her hairpiece, and tied up her long hair, instantly transforming her into a dashing and heroic figure.

"Since you didn't attend the class, just do whatever you want. As long as you can make a delicious peach dish that the teacher can't find fault with, isn't that enough?"

As she said this, Ryoko Sakaki put her hands on her hips and looked at Lin Yu with a confident gaze.

"good!"

Lin Yu was also infected by Sakaki Ryoko's confident smile. "Then let's begin!"

"The food battle is at noon today, right?"

Just as Lin Yu was washing his hands carefully, Ryoko Sakaki suddenly turned her face to the side and whispered, "I'll inform everyone in the Polar Star Dormitory at noon today, and everyone will come to cheer you on."

"Go for it, Lin Yujun!"

"Wishing you a resounding victory in your first Food War at Totsuki Culinary Academy!"

Ryoko Sakaki's voice was very soft, so soft that it was almost inaudible.

But Lin Yu could truly feel the gentleness, concern, expectation, and blessings in the Mandarin.

Suddenly, Lin Yu felt a tingling sensation in his heart, an indescribable feeling of being moved.

"Thank you, Ryoko."

"Please thank everyone at Polaris Dormitory for me when the time comes."

"Don't worry, I will win, I will definitely win!"