Can you handle my Hikigaya's cooking?

Chapter 93: Hikigaya’s new product, is this at the level of a trial product?

Cooking is ultimately a process of following your heart. If you already have unshakable evidence in your heart, then if you want to do it, that will be enough to sustain you until the moment of completion.

If it were possible to re-evolve everything that had just been memorized in the mind, then success might not be difficult, but even machines could not achieve such terrifying precision. If humans made the slightest mistake, they would lose their only advantage.

so...

He placed both of his hands on the knife, trying his best not to feel anything else. Before he knew it, the girl who had been making noise behind him just now had quieted down.

Alice: “It’s starting…”

Erina's eyes were also completely focused on him. As usual, Hikigaya's actions were not outstanding. In anyone's opinion, he could not be called an excellent chef, but...

If you understand it well enough, if you have witnessed that miracle countless times in this semester, then this calmness is like the eve of a storm, where nothing has happened, but it does not mean that nothing will happen.

The movements of the hands became faster and faster. After gradually finding the rhythm, the saury meat cut by the sharp blade also began the manual processing. This part was the most difficult. Eight ingredients had to be added to the kneaded saury cakes in a certain proportion at the same time to complete the manual processing.

If machines could be used, then both the ingredients and the kneading could be considered perfect. After all, they were the most advanced machines in the world. However...it couldn't be just that.

If he just followed the machine's method, the final product would definitely not taste better than Alice's previous one, so Hikigaya quickly started thinking about it.

The actions that can surpass those of machines are autonomous actions of human beings. The final solution obtained through continuous experiments and continuous improvements will definitely be a more perfect answer than that of machines that have not changed.

But... in this case, the amount of work required is not something that can be calculated by humans alone. It is precisely because the human brain capacity cannot get an accurate answer that machines must be used. However... this is only for ordinary people.

If you want to surpass your limits, you must challenge yourself in this way, and he has always done so.

Erina: "His hands have become faster..."

Alice: "Although I felt that his theory was very impressive, no matter what he did, he still couldn't surpass the machine. He has already wasted too much time."

Erina: "If you think about it from a normal perspective, it is true..."

An hour later, a saury cake made by imitating the machine process was presented in front of the two women. Alice quickly picked up the chopsticks, obviously looking like she needed to prove something, while Erina just watched with her arms folded.

Erina: "Do you know that if you want to let the owner of the 'God's Tongue' taste the food, you need to pay 20 yen first, and then start queuing in a long line of people. Maybe it will be your turn after a year or two..."

Alice: "Okay, if Erina doesn't want to eat it, I'll take it all."

Hachiman: "Well, if she doesn't want to eat it then we can just split it in half. After all, we didn't make much in the first place."

Seeing that these two people did not play by the rules at all, Erina seemed a little anxious. She just stared at them and said:

"Forget it, let's just treat this as an activity brought by the holiday. Thank me, Miss. My food tasting is priceless."

Alice: "Since Hikigaya-kun didn't do much, no one can force you to eat Erina even if you don't want to."

Erina: "Idiot, I told you I wanted to eat!"

Alice: "Oh, so you want to eat, Erina. Then eat it."

Erina: "No...I didn't mean that. I meant I..."

Unexpectedly, this guy was more troublesome than imagined. Hachiman just picked up a plate and came to her.

"It feels a bit like feeding a dog..."

Erina blushed and lifted her bangs, hiding her eyes shyly, and then said in a proud tone: "Be content, you can let me, the God's Tongue, taste it for you!"

"Well, I shouldn't have given it to her."

The quantity is indeed not much. After all, it is just a trial work, so Hachiman did not use too much of the raw materials.

As the three of them bit into the tough fish cake at the same time, a unique taste from the deep sea came to their minds. The moderate roundness and smooth fish surface, coupled with the unique citric acid...

Alice: "This...Hikigaya-kun, did you secretly heat up what I made yesterday?"

Erina was also a little surprised. Although there were still some shortcomings in this dish, it was her first time making it, and it was a semi-finished product. She was able to make it like this...

What’s more crucial is that he was able to completely replicate the fish cakes made by the machine just by understanding the theoretical knowledge once.

This is easier said than done. It's like an international joke.

Seemingly dazed, Erina just stood there blankly, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Hachiman: "Idiot, you watched me do it, didn't you? At least give me some comments..."

Alice: "Who knew you could really make it? I'm ready to eat some dark food."

Thinking of his father's cooking, Hachiman felt a chill and said helplessly:

"I wouldn't do that kind of thing..."

Erina: "The smoothness is unexpectedly surprising. Perhaps only machines can achieve this level. After all, humans are flexible. As long as the movement is slightly different from the previous one, there will be a difference. But in this regard, there is no difference between us and machines."

"As for the taste, it's like the saury was just hung up and found to be dead. I don't want that disgusting taste to appear in my stomach again."

Erina still inherited her usual style, but even she understood that Hikigaya did not pay much attention to the taste this time. The ingredients used were the simplest citric acid, and the rest of the work was basically focused on making the saury cakes.

As for the level of the prototype, even Erina herself knew that this was not a level she could achieve in one go.

Alice: "Erina is still as dishonest as ever."

Hachiman: "Well, this also shows that this dish still has many shortcomings. So the next thing to do is to enrich its flavor."

Erina: "Eh? Aren't you going to take a break? You just went through such a big project..."

Hachiman: "After all, time is running out, and since I just had a good sleep, I think I'm in pretty good shape."

Alice: "What a monster."

Without any unnecessary nonsense, Hachiman started his second attempt. This time he planned to use traditional methods to open up his mind. On the saury recipe list, there is a dish called Sweet and Sour Saury.

And this time, all he has to do is to make use of it.

The process of gradually evolving the thoughts in the brain into one's own ideas requires a long period of sedimentation. Past experience will turn into strength and gradually flow into Hachiman's body.

Alice: "Is it my imagination? This guy... why does he seem to be moving so much faster?"

After hearing what Alice said, Erina realized that she had already gotten used to Hikigaya's terrifying speed of evolution. The difference between him when she first served as his examiner and him now was simply insurmountable. In the days that followed, whether it was a school trip or a food battle, Erina did not miss any battle, but...

His cooking skills have long surpassed those of ordinary people, and to some extent, he has been creating impossible miracles.

Erina: "What a terrifying growth rate..."

Alice: "It's a monster indeed."

Hachiman: "Even for me, I feel very uncomfortable when I hear people scolding me while cooking."

Alice: "Haha, I thought you were totally into it."

Seeing Alice throwing a tantrum like this, Erina's eyes were on her again for some reason, and she felt envious. If only she could be like her...

This thought emerged in her mind unconsciously.

But, only for a moment.

Because Hachiman's actions could no longer be ignored by the two. They saw him squeeze the processed pineapple into pineapple juice, and then used the compatibility of rice vinegar and sugar to stir-fry it to enhance the flavor, and finally added caramel and other ingredients for the final embellishment.

The process of cooking the saury remains unchanged. While using eight ingredients at the same time, caramel and pineapple juice are also kneaded into the meat patties in equal proportions. The lemon juice sprinkled at the end is replaced by ginger slices and caramel.

Another hour passed. The project had obviously become much more complicated, but there was no change in time. This was also proof in disguise that Hachiman's movements were getting faster and faster.

Different from just now, the moment it came out of the pan, the saury cakes burst into amazing fragrance, and you can clearly feel that the change in taste this time is significantly different from just now.

Alice: "That's amazing... But can you maintain the same state the second time?"

Hachiman: "You can only get the answer after you enjoy the food, so..."

Erina: "I...I want to try it too."

Hachiman: "Then let's eat."

It was indeed different from just now. This time, the saury cake spurted out a rich tomato juice the moment it was bitten into, instantly neutralizing the greasy taste of the meat. The saury meat was like a bouncing ball in the mouth, constantly colliding in the mouth, and then gradually bursting out with that sweet and sour aroma. The caramel also melted instantly after entering the mouth, condensing into a fragrance that cannot be described in words in the whole mouth.

Alice: "It's delicious... And in a way, it's completely different from the traditional fish cake. If I take this dish to participate in the autumn selection, it will not be without competitiveness."

I thought Erina would object immediately and say something like "You want to enter a competition with such a dish? Don't be ridiculous." However, this time she was unusually quiet.

“It’s simply terrifying to think about it carefully. Such delicate control of taste, and the level of this product, which is only the second time to try it, although there are still some shortcomings after tasting it by God’s Tongue, but…”

Looking at the food in front of her, Erina couldn't say anything negative for a moment...

Although it did not receive Erina's approval, it was not denied either. You have to know that under the influence of the Tongue of God, this can be regarded as a top-notch masterpiece, and this is only the second trial, which also means that there will be great opportunities for improvement in the future.

Hachiman: "The flavor is still lacking, and the aroma of the fish is not felt at all. The strong impact of tomato juice and pineapple juice may not be a good thing... It seems that it is not good enough."

Erina: “You…”

Hachiman: "Since you have decided to do it, then do it until you are satisfied. If you give up halfway, the result will definitely be regretted by your future self. I have experienced this very well."

Because he can no longer let his past self define the future, when he abandons the past, he will also take a completely new path.

He is still himself, Hikigaya Hachiman, not some damn popular person. He can only do those few things, but even so, since he can do it, he will try his best. Maybe the effort will not change anything in the end, but even so, there is no need for any reason.

Alice: "Erina, if you have any opinions, please tell me."

Alice was speechless because Hikigaya had already described the shortcomings of the first bite. If he were to take a second bite...

In the end, Alice will definitely laugh at me again, and...

Still right in front of Hikigaya.

Erina: "That... that, the taste is too strong, huh."

Alice: "What nonsense is this? It feels like there is nothing to say at all."

Erina: "I'm so annoyed! Then Alice, you tell me something!"

Alice: "Well... I like all the food Hikigaya-kun makes, and it has a warm warmth to it, so there are no drawbacks for me."

Alice's words seemed to contain no lies, leaving Erina dumbfounded again.

It turns out that honest children are the key.

After hearing what Alice said, Hachiman felt a little embarrassed, but no matter what, thanks to the two of them, he came up with a new inspiration, and this time...

The amount of work he needs to do is at least three times as much as just now.

...

Three days passed quickly. Although I slept for another day in this manor in the blink of an eye, and accidentally made some mistakes while taking a bath on the second night, fortunately I got out safely.

And... this trip was not meaningless. To some extent, he did make good progress in cooking, and at least he had a good weapon in the war.

But that alone is not enough. In the next four days, he must continue to improve the existing dishes. Before the competition officially begins, the more dishes he masters, the better. After all, there is the possibility of dishes colliding with each other.

When I returned to Polaris Dormitory again, Senior Isshiki seemed rather relaxed. As soon as I came in, I saw him sitting on a chair reading a book. After all, this guy skipped all the classes at school, and he still needed to make up for the theoretical knowledge by himself.

Grandma Wenxu was also sitting leisurely on a stool basking in the sun. It was obvious that such a day was enough to be considered an enjoyment for her.

Isshiki: "Hikigaya-kun, you're back."

Hachiman: "Yeah, I'm really sorry for the past two days."

I thought I would be scolded by Granny Wenxu for leaving the dormitory for two days, but she looked calm and said, fanning herself:

"Well, since you are that guy's son, I expected this a long time ago. It was common for that guy not to go back to the dormitory to sleep for a whole month. The only difference is that if Shiroichiro ran away, people would feel particularly relieved, especially Jun, because they would not have to taste his dark cuisine. But if you ran away, they would be very worried about you, so you should go and tell them."

Hachiman: "Yes, I will. Thank you, Granny Wenxu."

Isshiki: "So Hikigaya-kun, what did you gain from this trip?"

Hachiman: "I can't say it's a big achievement, but I improved a dish and now I can use it with some experience."

Isshiki: "That's great. I'm looking forward to you cooking even more jaw-dropping dishes during the autumn auditions."

"But as your senior, I still want to remind you that the competition system this time is a little different from the usual ones. With five people competing in a round-robin competition, too many dishes need to be prepared, and there will definitely be conflicts between the dishes, so... you must control yourself well."

Hachiman: "Yeah, but... the school didn't seem to say that we can't use the same dishes."

Isshiki: “That’s true, but if you bring out a dish that the opponent has already used, it will still give the judges a headache to some extent.”

When he said this, Isshiki seemed to understand something suddenly, and even the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"However, I'll leave this matter up to you to figure out. No matter what, using your full strength on stage is a sign of respect for your opponent. Just understand this."

Hachiman: "Yeah, no matter what, this won't change."