Food Wars!: Delicious Food of the Heavens

Chapter 64 Solution

"Is it possible to find another one?"

Lin Yu put forward his own ideas.

"This is the Far Moon Resort."

"We receive countless guests who come from far and wide on ordinary days."

"Moreover, the Totsuki Academy's residential training program is currently being held here, so there must be a good supply of all kinds of food."

"If it's a certain ingredient or seasoning, you should be able to find it in the warehouse of the Far Moon Resort."

"What do you know!"

Hisako Niito rolled her eyes at Lin Yu and said in a voice that sounded like she was about to cry.

"These materials are very precious!"

"Once lost, it cannot be replaced."

"That strict?" Lin Yu frowned upon hearing this. "Is there really no alternative?"

"Of course!"

Hisako Shinto explained.

"These materials were all made by Lady Erina herself."

"Some even take several days to complete."

"Even if we could find similar raw materials in the warehouse of the Totsuki Resort, without Erina-sama's processing, the quality would be vastly different! How could we possibly use them for Erina-sama's culinary research?"

At this point, Hisako Shinto became somewhat resigned, squatting on the ground, burying her head in her knees, and muttering to herself.

"It's all my fault!"

"It's all my fault for being so clumsy!"

"I have let Erina-sama down!"

"I'm such a useless assistant!"

Looking at Hisako Shinto, who was squatting on the ground looking extremely dejected, Lin Yu felt speechless and inexplicably irritated, especially by those self-deprecating words, which gave him a headache.

While Hisako Shinto was still in a panic and completely lost, Lin Yu reached out and grabbed the paper bag from her hand.

At this moment, Hisako Shinto was in a daze. When Lin Yu exerted force, Hisako Shinto subconsciously let go of his hand.

After receiving the paper bag, Lin Yu opened it and took a closer sniff.

"Complex flavor powder?"

Lin Yu then dipped the tip of his index finger in the sauce and smeared it on his tongue.

"Curry sauce?"

"And jam?"

"Several kinds? That's a bit complicated..."

'

Lin Yu smacked his lips and tasted the type of sauce.

Upon closer inspection of the inside of the paper bag, Lin Yu suddenly noticed that something seemed to be covered by the sauce.

Lin Yu reached out, carefully avoiding the shards of glass, pushed aside the sauce, and picked up a mysterious object with two fingers.

Lin Yu held the object to his nose and smelled it, then rubbed it between his fingertips, feeling its rough texture. Lin Yu had his answer.

Wood shavings?

Lin Yu looked at Hisako Shinto.

"These are applewood shavings, aren't they?"

"And it's apple wood that's been specially treated and used as a fumigation material."

Hisako Shinoto, who had been keeping her head down, raised her head and looked at Lin Yu after hearing his words.

"You can recognize this?"

Lin Yu tossed the applewood shaving back into the paper bag. "You bet I was right?"

Hisako Shinoto nodded dejectedly. "That's right."

"Erina-sama has been researching a new dish these past few days, and one of the steps involves smoking, so it will use a blend of spices and applewood."

"Those spice powders were all mixed by Lady Erina herself; I have no idea what the recipe was."

"And that apple wood has also undergone special treatment; it's not something you can buy on the market."

Hisako Shinoto sighed, her disappointed expression showing no sign of relief.

"That's why I said earlier that once these things are lost, there's no way to replace them."

Taking advantage of Hisako Niito's momentary lapse in concentration.

Lin Yu tasted the spice powder scattered in the paper bag again, closed his eyes, and carefully savored the taste of the spice powder. His face was full of struggle and contemplation, and his expression was quite solemn.

"That's pretty impressive..."

'

Even though the flavor had dissipated in his mouth, Lin Yu was still a little uncertain, so he dipped it in the spice powder again and put it in his mouth.

Lin Yu continued this process of tasting, thinking, tasting again, and thinking again.

It wasn't until Hisako Shinto noticed Lin Yu's actions that her face showed an expression of unbearable frustration.

Lin Yu finally stopped what he was doing, opened his eyes, looked at Hisako Shinto, and suddenly said.

"Alright, let's get back to the main point."

"So, you really have absolutely no other options?"

Lin Yu's gaze was somewhat sharp, causing Hisako Shinto to suppress the words she was about to say.

"There's nothing we can do!"

Hisako Niito looked somewhat embarrassed. "I only brought this much with me this time."

Lin Yu looked at Hisako Niito, who seemed troubled, and voiced the question that had been on his mind.

"Such a complex blend of spices must be very troublesome to prepare!"

"They probably wouldn't prepare just a little bit at a time, and then prepare more on the spot the next time they need it, right?"

"Besides, you said that Erina prepared this blend of spices to research new dishes, so she should be using a lot of it and using it frequently, right?"

"How could there only be this one small bottle?"

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint appearing in them, and his expression turned serious.

"And that bottle of smoked applewood too," Lin Yu continued.

"One of my roommates is an expert in smoked dishes."

"I once saw the wood he was preparing for smoking. Not only is it troublesome to process, but many smoking materials also require a long pretreatment period. If the time is not long enough, it cannot be used at all."

"So whenever he had free time, he would stay in his timber warehouse and process the wood chips used for smoking."

"I always make a lot so that I don't have to deal with it on the spot when I need it next time, which would waste time."

Lin Yu noticed that when Hisako Shinto heard his words, her expression clearly showed a momentary lapse in concentration, and even her pupils dilated for a split second.

Noticing Hisako Shinto's subtle actions, Lin Yu frowned, and his expression turned unpleasant.

"Shinoto-kun, are you hiding something from me?"

"I'm not lying to you!"

Hisako Shinoto was caught in a dilemma. After hesitating for a while, she slowly spoke, "A few days ago, when we were still at the academy..."

"When Lady Erina is researching new dishes in her private culinary research building, she does indeed prepare a lot at once."

"But the research over the past few days has already used up most of the spice powder and applewood we prepared."

"Those materials in the bag are indeed the last batch!"

At this point, Hisako Shinoto's tone became anxious again, and she clutched her head with both hands.

"But Lady Erina needs it urgently!"

"And Lady Erina said that the dish she's researching is just one final step away from completion!"

"not to mention..

'

Hisako Shinoto suddenly lowered her head, and her expression turned somber.

"If we absolutely must send someone to temporarily purchase a substitute..."

"Let's put aside whether the quality can meet Erina-sama's requirements and whether it will affect Erina's research."

"What if... Lady Erina finds out about this..."

"

Seeing Hisako Shinto's tense and frightened appearance, Lin Yu felt a little strange.

"Although Erina has a bad temper and likes to act like a spoiled princess."

"But I remember you two are quite close in private!"

"Based on your usual interactions, Shinto-san, Erina doesn't seem to see you simply as an assistant."

Lin Yu placed his hand on Hisako Shinto's shoulder, patted her gently, and said in a comforting tone, "If you honestly tell me what happened, admit your mistake, apologize, and be sincere..."

"I think, given your relationship, she shouldn't blame you."

"Don't you dare criticize Lady Erina! She has quite a temper!"

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Hisako Shinto raised her head and glared at him before becoming deflated.

"Lady Erina is gentle and kind, of course I know that, she won't blame me."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you still so...apprehensive?"

Hisako Niito let out a long sigh.

"It is precisely because of Erina-sama's kindness that I find it even harder to forgive myself for my mistakes!"

"Even though Lady Erina has forgiven me, it was still my mistake that delayed Lady Erina's culinary research."

Hisako Niito became increasingly agitated as she spoke.

"I am Lady Erina's assistant, and my mission is to serve and assist Lady Erina!"

"I'm the assistant, how could I make a mistake!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Hisako Shinoto, overcome with emotion, instinctively clenched her fists and slammed them against the wall behind her.

A sharp pain shot through her hand, but this could not conceal Hisako Shinoto's complex emotions at that moment.

"If it's because of me that the final step in Erina-sama's new dish research is hindered..."

"As Erina-sama's secretary, this is... an unforgivable dereliction of duty!"

After saying those words and releasing her emotions, Hisako Shinoto felt as if all her strength had been drained away in an instant.

He slumped to the ground, utterly exhausted, his expression blank, like an emotionless doll.

isn't it?

Is it really that exaggerated?

Lin Yu considered himself to have a fairly good capacity for empathy, but he still couldn't quite understand Hisako Shinto's guilt.

After all, he had never been someone's follower before, and he just felt that the girl's mentality... well, it was a bit extreme...

Seeing Hisako Shinto's dejected and pitiful appearance, Lin Yu suddenly felt a headache coming on.

I was thinking of not helping...

But they are acquaintances after all.

Seeing a girl I know looking so pitiful, like a drowned rat.

He felt guilty if he just left the person there and walked away.

But if I help...

This is so troublesome!

This kind of thing is the most troublesome to deal with!

Lin Yu hesitated for a moment, then picked up a clump of applewood shavings from the paper bag and unconsciously rubbed them back and forth.

The sauce and spice powder clinging to the sawdust became warm as the fingertips rubbed together.

A faint fragrance wafted from his fingertips to Lin Yu's nose.

Lin Yu sighed and finally made a decision.

After all, she's Erina's secretary; you have to give her some face!

Moreover...

Lin Yu glanced at Hisako Shinto, who was slumped on the ground.

If we don't help, this guy would be too pitiful.

Besides, these things are also what Erina needs for her culinary research.

Lin Yu couldn't quite explain what his relationship with Erina was like.

it is good?

Still bad?

Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue about it!

"Hey! Secretary."

Lin Yu called out, but Hisako Shinto didn't respond at all. It was unclear whether she was still in a daze and couldn't hear the outside sounds.

"New student?"

Lin Yu called out again, but Hisako Shinto still didn't respond.

"Tsk!"

Lin Yu clicked his tongue, bent his finger, and flicked Hisako Shinto's forehead hard.

"what!"

Hisako Shinoto clutched her forehead and let out a scream.

When the hand was removed, a conspicuous red mark appeared on Hisako Shinto's smooth, fair forehead.

"hiss-"

"What are you doing?"

Hisako Shinoto gasped in pain and glared angrily at Lin Yu.

"Finally, there's a response?"

"I called you for ages and you didn't respond. I thought you were having such an emotional breakdown that you'd gone mad."

"you!"

Hisako Shinto covered her forehead again, glared at Lin Yu, and retorted without any politeness, "Lin Yu, you'll never utter a kind word, will you?"

Seeing the anger in Hisako Shinto's eyes, Lin Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Yu was deliberately teasing the other party like this.

Seeing Hisako Aragaki still able to bicker with him, Lin Qi felt a little more relaxed.

Fortunately.

The fact that the other person still has the energy to argue back means that even if they feel guilty, their overall mental state hasn't reached its worst point.

If Hisako Shinto doesn't even show the slightest sign of anger, that would be a truly irreparable problem!

"Shinato-kun!"

Relieved, Lin Yu ignored Hisako Shinto's comment and instead changed the subject, saying, "Rather than listening to nice things, the most important thing right now is to solve your young lady's problem, isn't it?"

"Um?"

Seeing Hisako Niito's surprised and somewhat stunned expression, Lin Yu asked directly, "You only mentioned the compound spice powder and applewood shavings earlier. Will those sauces use them?"

Not for now.

Although she didn't know why Lin Yu was suddenly asking these questions, Hisako Shinto honestly answered them.

"Those bottles of sauce were originally intended for another newly researched dish."

"It's just that Lady Erina has temporarily put aside her research on that dish."

Hisako Shinto looked up at Lin Yu. "What's wrong?"

"Of course I'll help you solve your problem!"

Lin Yu answered in a calm tone.

Compared to his state when he was arguing with Hisako Shinto earlier, Lin Yu is much calmer now.

But only those familiar with Lin Yu know this.

The calmer and more composed he is, the more it means that Lin Yu is about to get serious!

"I could tell from the taste of those sauces that they needed a long fermentation period."

"Even if Erina really needs it, it's too late to make up for it now."

"But the other two are fine."

Lin Yu's tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable confidence.

"I can handle it!"

Those four short words struck Hisako Shinto's heart like a thunderbolt.

After pausing for two seconds to confirm that she had heard correctly, Hisako Shinoto looked up at Lin Yu.

"You can..."

..solve?"

Really?

Hisako Shinto's voice trembled slightly.

Lin Yu nodded seriously.

Seeing the confidence in Lin Yu's eyes, Hisako Shinto, who was in a state of extreme self-blame, couldn't help but feel a little relieved.

"As for the apple wood chips used for smoking."

"As I mentioned earlier, I have a roommate whose specialty is smoked dishes."

"I noticed that he used this apple wood chips when I watched him cook smoked dishes up close before, and the taste was exactly the same as the apple wood chips that Erina was going to use."

"During this joint training camp, I also noticed that he had a bottle in his suitcase."

"I'll go ask him for help. Mr. Ibu is a kind-hearted person; he should be able to lend me some."

Upon hearing Lin Yu propose a practical solution, Hisako Shinoto felt a glimmer of hope welling up within her!

"As for that bottle of compound fragrance powder..."

""

Lin Yu paused for a moment, looked at Hisako Shinto, and slowly uttered a sentence in a confident tone.

"I'll make it!"