Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　Among the boys with their heads down, a curly-haired boy suddenly raised his head, looking intently at Bai Yuan, his initial hesitation turning into unwavering determination.

　"Great, what's your name?"

　"Kenji Nishikio!"

　The boy with curly hair—or rather, Kenji Nishiki—looked intently at Bai Yuan.

　"Okay, I'll remember your name!"

　I admire your courage, but being a good cook isn't enough to win a girl's heart. However, a capable man definitely has an advantage when pursuing a woman, so your thinking isn't wrong.

　"Is there anyone else who wants to? Does no one else here dare to even think about it besides him? If so, you should go back. You have absolutely no chance of succeeding."

　"We can do it! I want to, I want to bring down those guys who used to be so high and mighty and never even looked at me!"

　But no matter how hard I try, I can't shake off the reputation of being a loser. In fact, I am that weak. Maybe I just don't have a talent for cooking...

　A short-haired girl started crying as she spoke. She had once cut her hair short to make it look neat, but now it had grown back to short.

　But making up your mind is useless; being at the bottom of the class remains at the bottom, nothing changes...

　"Look up at me! And what's your name?"

　"Ruoji... Qingguo Ruoji."

　Qingguo Ruoji raised her head, wiped away her tears with the inside of her palm, and looked at Bai Yuan with intense eyes. She really wanted to become stronger!

　"Okay, then let me tell you, even the least talented chef can make up for their shortcomings through hard work."

　I'll be keeping a close eye on you during this special training to see if you're as diligent as you claim.

　"Yes! I understand, Teacher Bai Yuan!"

　"I think so too. Those high-achieving students always look down on us. We're just not very good at cooking, not that we're bad people. Why do they look at us like that?!"

　"Count me in! We'll drag them all down with us sooner or later..."

　"Kill them..."

　As one student after another expressed their determination, more and more people were stirred up. Thinking about how they were usually looked down upon by high-achieving students, they felt a fire burning in their hearts.

　Totsuki Academy is arguably the academy with the most severe hierarchy of contempt. It seems as if the existence of people like them, who are at the bottom of the culinary hierarchy, is a mistake.

　"Very well, then let me see your resolve, you brats!"

　"Oh!~"

　Seeing the young men and women whose emotions had been fully stirred, Bai Yuan smiled with satisfaction. This was exactly the effect he wanted.

　If these guys just can't muster any motivation, no matter how capable he is, he'll be powerless in this situation.

　They are young people after all; with a little stimulation, they can unleash their full potential.

　"Keep it up, kids."

　After saying this, Bai Yuan glanced at Liya beside him, and the girl nodded slightly to him.

　He nodded, indicating that he would take good care of these people.

　Bai Yuan waved his hand and turned to leave.

　·

　·

　On the other side, in hotel accommodation area C.

　"After completing one hundred dishes, you can go back to sleep. The first ten students to finish their dishes will receive a reward of one hundred to ten points, depending on their ranking."

　"hurry up!"

　"Since there are points as a reward, I'm sure I can make it into the top ten!"

　"Mom, I will definitely stay!"

　Wearing a black suit and sunglasses, the man looked at the students rushing towards the kitchen counter with a serious expression.

　·

　·

　"is teacher!"

　Such scenes occurred on various floors of the hotel.

　Because the hotel is located in the city center, with many famous scenic spots nearby, and it is currently the peak tourist season, many guests come every day.

　This has led to a surge in demand for food, and hotels are short of chefs.

　In this situation, the students from Totsuki who participated in the midterm exam and whose level was quite good could be put to good use.

　And so, a new round of assessments officially began!

　·

　·

　"I'm so tired! My shoulders are killing me. I only got 58 points today. That teacher is so strict. I thought I did pretty well this time."

　In the hot spring bath, Yoshino Yuuki poured warm water over her head, then vigorously shook herself, a look of utter enjoyment on her face. She then complained to Sakaki Ryoko beside her.

　"I also think you performed quite well, but before you complain, why don't you take a look at my score? It's only 53 points, which is unbearable!"

　Ryoko Sakaki poured a basin of warm water over herself, clenching her fists and looking annoyed. She felt she could have gotten at least 60+ points, but she only got 53.

　"Speaking of which, Xiaohui is really amazing. She's like a completely different person compared to usual. This time, she's the only one among us to break 60!"

　What exactly happened to make Xiaohui transform so amazing?

　As she spoke, Yoshino Yuuki reached out and hugged Tadokoro Megumi, her face filled with envy.

　This guy used to be the worst among them, but after only a few days, how did he suddenly become the leader?!

　"Actually, there's nothing special about it. I just went bungee jumping with Teacher Bai Yuan."

　At the moment I jumped from a height of 100 meters, I felt that everything in life had lost its meaning. Then I realized I hadn't died, and things I couldn't understand before suddenly became clear.

　Upon hearing Yoshino Yuuki's question, Tadokoro Megumi subtly looked away, but inwardly she was also surprised that she had received such a high score.

　In their testing area, she came in first with a score of 68, and a blond boy came in second with a score of 67.

　In the past, this was something she would never have dared to even think about.

　"Bungee jumping? That kind of sport where you leap off the sky and feel a sense of transcendence."

　Could it be that the moment one jumps into the water can bring sudden enlightenment?!

　Upon hearing Tadokoro Megumi's words, Yoshino Yuuki released her grip on her, a thoughtful expression on her face.

　"How about I give it a try? Maybe my cooking skills will improve significantly when I come back, and I can at least break 60 points in the exam."

　After a long pause, Yoshino Yuuki suddenly spoke, a hint of interest appearing on her face.

　"Come on, Xiaohui went bungee jumping to overcome her psychological barrier, but for you, it's just pure entertainment. You'll only get a scare and nothing else."

　Ryoko Sakaki said mercilessly, "This guy is really delusional. Megumi can become stronger because she was already powerful; she just hadn't been able to unleash her full potential before."

　"Eh...what a pity."

　Upon hearing Ryoko Sakaki's words, Yuuki Yoshino sighed resignedly, then looked at the area in front of her with a regretful expression.

　"Speaking of which, don't we eat the same food? Why is there such a big difference in our development...?"

　"Hey! You said not to touch me!"

　"Enough talk, take this! The righteous tickling attack!"

　As she watched, her feelings grew increasingly complicated. Yoshino Yuuki angrily reached out her hand, wanting to touch something she had never possessed.

　"Damn it! Since you're so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless too! Xiao Hui won't get away with this either!"

　"Huh...!?"

　Feeling her body being invaded, Ryoko Sakaki blushed and resisted, then launched a counterattack, while also pulling Megumi Tadokoro into the water.

　For a moment, the hot spring bathhouse was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

　·

　·

　"Speaking of which, what do you guys think of Teacher Bai Yuan?"

　After the fun and excitement, exhaustion followed.

　Soaking in the hot spring, Yoshino Yuuki spread her arms and legs, assuming the most relaxed posture, while asking Tadokoro Megumi and Sakaki Ryoko for their opinions on Shirabuchi.

　"A very responsible and handsome teacher. What? Why are you suddenly talking about Teacher Bai Yuan? Do you like him, Yu Ji?"

　Ryoko Sakaki stood with her legs together, her elbows resting on the hot spring wall, her long red hair tied up, her demeanor exceptionally dignified.

　Upon hearing Yoshino Yuuki's words, an expression of interest immediately appeared on her face. Was she finally going to talk about her favorite topic: romance?!

　"I wouldn't call it that, but I definitely have feelings for her, and I even have high hopes for her. It's really hard to imagine that there could be such a perfect person in this world."

　Beautiful teacher!

　Yoshino Yuuki looked up at the ceiling, her cheeks flushed from the steam of the hot spring, and her eyes squinted comfortably.

　"I quite like it. Yes, that's right, I like it, I'm very sure of my feelings."

　Hearing Yoshino Yuuki's words, Tadokoro Megumi also stared at the ceiling, a faint blush on her face. Her mind was filled with the image of yesterday, when Shirobuchi carried her and leaped from the sky.

　The racing heart at that moment was undeniable; despite the suspension bridge effect of jumping from such a height, there was definitely also the attraction to him.

　After all, her heart was already racing the moment she reached out and hugged him before she jumped!

　"Eh!?"

　"real or fake!"

　Upon hearing Tadokoro Megumi's self-disclosure, Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

　"Indeed, Teacher Bai Yuan is amazing. He exudes a mature charm, even though he is not very old."

　Although she's very strict in class, she's very kind to people outside of class, so it's normal to like her.

　As Yoshino Yuuki spoke, she lifted her foot and dropped it into the water.

　The calm water surface was suddenly rippled by her movements, and thinking of Bai Yuan's teaching style, she was indeed very intellectual.

　Humans are inherently creatures that admire strength. They naturally view those who are more capable than themselves through a beauty filter, believing that whatever they do is good.

　Now that you mention it, I think I might be a little tempted.

　However, such an outstanding man must have many suitors. Xiaohui, you'd better work harder. Be careful that Teacher Bai Yuan doesn't get snatched away!

　Ryoko Sakaki also spoke up, saying that she also had a high level of affection for Shiro Akimoto. His good looks and serious work ethic alone were enough to attract her.

　"That's right, it seems that Alice Nakiri is also interested in him. They're always exchanging glances, and their eyes are practically locked in a passionate exchange."

　"Indeed, not just her, I think that..."

　The conversation immediately became lively when they started talking about love gossip, and the girl's face was filled with excited smiles.

　And coincidentally, after continuous discussion, they all planted the idea in their hearts that "Bai Yuan is excellent and worth liking".

　·

　·

　"Hum~hum~"

　Having just finished showering, wearing a pristine white bathrobe, Erina Nakiri emerged from the women's bath, humming an unknown tune as she prepared to return to her room to rest.

　She was initially overjoyed, but as she turned the corner in the stairwell, she bumped into a man and nearly fell to the ground.

　"Place your hands on..."

　Teacher Bai Yuan, it's you.

　Feeling the hand on her waist, Erina Nakiri was about to push him away and curse him when she realized that the person who came was Shirobuchi.

　She immediately withdrew what she was about to say.

　"Don't be so hasty in doing things. Take a look at the road ahead. It's lucky that you ran into me; if it were someone else, you would have fallen to the ground by now."

　Do you know where Alice is?