181 Cooking with Erina
Jeanne and Tamamo Cat were fighting the monster in the dream world. Although he wasn't in the dream, he could fight the monster in his own way right here, at the Paris branch school.
Shirou found Hiratsuka Shizuka and honestly laid everything out. Because of the friendship forged from fighting together in Lushan, Hiratsuka Shizuka readily agreed to Shirou's request. It could even be said that this kind of hot-blooded manga development completely ignited her spirit. Even if Shirou hadn't asked for her help, she would have volunteered herself.
As a Japanese language Sensei, Hiratsuka Shizuka quickly wrote an application and handed it to the team leader Sensei.
The team leader Sensei stroked his chin, "Hmm... a gourmet event, this suggestion is quite good. Indeed, Parisians' passion for food is no less than ours, and I trust Nakiri-kun's cooking skills, after all, she is the granddaughter of the Culinary Demon King."
"Sensei! I can vouch for Shirou's cooking skills," Erina stepped forward and said.
'Although I appreciate your recognition, we are in front of the Sensei, please at least call me Senpai'
"Yes, Shirou actually conducted a similar gourmet exchange event in Britain and received good reviews. I believe you will know that very soon after this exchange event is over, Sensei," Hiratsuka Shizuka said with a smile.
'But the archery performance seems to have been forgotten. Is that something to be happy about?'
The team leader Sensei still hesitated, saying, "But... the culinary requirements in Britain and France are somewhat different. Just like Japanese Mapo Tofu and Chinese Mapo Tofu, although both are Mapo, they taste different. And Japanese curry and Indian curry, although both are curry, they taste different when eaten... Do you understand what I mean?"
"Although not entirely, we generally understand," Erina and Hiratsuka Shizuka shook their heads in unison.
"It's fine. I've actually prepared a sample comfort food and brought it with me. Sensei, you can make your judgment after tasting it." Shirou took out an insulated container and presented it.
"Oh, Shirou-kun, you are very thoughtful. Then I won't hold back." The team leader Sensei took the insulated container, lifted the lid, and saw that it had two layers.
The top layer contained a very common French fast food: grilled toast, two slices of golden-brown toasted bread with ham and cheese, shredded lettuce, a few slices of cucumber, carrot sticks, and a drizzle of delicious dipping sauce. For the French, adding a cup of coffee to this would constitute a passable lunch. After all, taking a girl out for several hours, listening to music, and drinking some red wine is reserved for dinner.
When the bottom layer was opened, steam immediately rose, accompanied by a rich aroma. This was another common home-style dish, Onion Soup, a soup that has stood the test of time, having been popular since Roman times. It was made from finely chopped onions slowly simmered, and the soup was covered with a layer of cheesy crust. Speaking of cheese, France, the land of cheese, immediately comes to mind. It is said that hundreds of cheese varieties have been developed here, so many that one could eat a different type every day for a year without repetition.
Shirou was just trying his hand, making a cheese dish. Of course, since the Sensei was Japanese, the flavor was slightly milder to suit his preference.
The team leader Sensei changed his mind as soon as he smelled the aroma, but he was already completely tempted. He decided to eat first and worry about the rest later.
Clapping his hands together, he said impatiently, "Itadakimasu."
When the team leader Sensei took the first sip of the onion soup, his eyes widened. He then forked a piece of the grilled toast with the ham and ate it, showing a surprised look again. He gave the young man a thumbs-up. In a word, it was satisfying. The toast was perfectly firm; the outside was crunchy when bitten, while the inside was fragrant and soft, making it easy to eat and not too dry.
Seeing the Sensei smile, Shirou, Erina, and Hiratsuka Shizuka exchanged smiling nods.
If he could make other guests smile like this, then his plan was absolutely viable.
The team leader Sensei turned out to be a food lover. After getting Shirou's promise to make him another dessert the next day, he immediately approved the event proposal.
The school had money anyway, and there was no need to trouble the Paris branch school. Because of the strange sickness, many planned sightseeing trips had been canceled. He was worrying about how to spend the large budget. If he returned to Chiba and the other team leaders found out he had taken students abroad for educational experience but had holed up in the dormitory doing nothing, he would be mocked for not spending the funds.
'I might as well discuss it thoroughly with the Paris branch school and make this event as grand as possible, inviting the surrounding residents to participate!' the team leader Sensei mused to himself. He had no idea that his idea, by sheer luck, would be a huge help to Shirou.
After saying goodbye to the team leader Sensei, Shirou and Erina began to research ingredients suitable for the gourmet event. The dishes had to be simple, delicious, and visually appealing, capable of making the guests feel joyful—that was their goal.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, meanwhile, began preparing for the subsequent publicity.
Life is often full of setbacks, but humans are resilient creatures. They can quickly adapt to harsh environments, adjust their mindset, release their emotions, and reduce their stress.
Sometimes, if the thoughts and feelings during the day are strong enough, they will trigger a reaction in dreams, such as a loved one appearing in a dream, achieving a long-cherished desire in a dream, revisiting the sentimentality of childhood, or the exhilarating feeling of thoroughly beating up someone they dislike.
But besides dreaming, there are other ways in this world, for example:
Ordering a small dish and having a drink after a busy day of work; going to karaoke and shouting until one's voice is hoarse; calling a long-distance friend after a long time to confide in them about things one cannot share with others; or simply burying oneself under the covers and crying out all the grievances.
Some deeply internal wounds and frustrations often remain etched in a person's mind, unforgettable for a lifetime.
But they can be accepted. If they can be accepted, a person can recover—after a few months, or in as short as the time it takes to eat a meal—and re-engage with this imperfect world, still striving for themselves.
If the people who enter the dream can be cheered up, then the black mud monster's tactics in the dream world may not be irresistible. After all, it is just a dream—a world of imagination with infinite possibilities, and this holds true for humans as well.