"Okabe-kun! I heard you accepted that demon monk's Shokugeki?"
In the corridor of the teaching building.
Okabe had just left the classroom when he saw Ikumi Mito rushing towards him, her face etched with anxiety.
"Demon monk? Are you referring to Natsuo? Yes, I accepted his Shokugeki. Is there a problem?"
Looking at the anxious and slightly panting Ikumi Mito, Okabe stopped and wore a puzzled expression.
"It's not that there's a problem, but I think you accepted the Shokugeki too hastily, without properly investigating his background..."
"I didn't exactly know your background when I dueled you, did I?"
Hearing Ikumi Mito's explanation, Okabe couldn't help but retort.
Yesterday, she cornered him right at the classroom door, putting him on the spot without any preparation time.
"That's different. I'm just a small fry at Sequence 99, but this opponent is Natsuo at Sequence 10!"
"I heard that a while ago, he even bet on expulsion and took over the Vegetarian Research Society, which had stood since Tōtsuki's inception! Even the general of the Vegetarian Research Society, a senior who had overcome numerous difficulties to advance to his second year of high school, was no match for him!"
Ikumi Mito anxiously rattled off this information, which Okabe had already heard countless times.
"I think I understand what you're trying to say.
Simply put, you want me to be cautious, but for me, caution is the least important thing.
Also, you're wrong about one thing. You're not some mere small fry at Sequence 99. You're Ikumi Mito, a chef exceptionally skilled in 'meat cuisine.' It took me a lot of effort to defeat you, so there's no need for such self-deprecation."
Having understood Ikumi Mito's concerns, Okabe looked into her eyes and stated seriously.
"Then have you thought about how to deal with Natsuo?
The theme is ramen. Have you prepared the dish you'll use for the Shokugeki? It's only a few days until the Shokugeki!"
Ikumi Mito's face flushed, yet she pressed on, asking anxiously.
Since hearing that Okabe had accepted Natsuo's Shokugeki invitation, she had felt uneasy, as if a terrible storm was brewing in a place unknown to her.
"To be honest, I haven't thought about it yet."
Okabe shook his head.
Just as the rumors suggested, the theme for this Shokugeki had been decided by him while he was eating noodles.
Although he was very skilled with noodle-related dishes, using such a dish in a Shokugeki duel momentarily posed a challenge for him, as there were too many ramen options to choose from. So, he planned to extract their essence to create an original ramen dish uniquely his own.
"If you don't mind, let me help you. While my experience might not offer much assistance to you, I can certainly provide you with the finest beef!"
Seeing him shake his head, Ikumi Mito immediately burst out excitedly.
She suddenly grasped her true purpose: to provide the finest ingredients for the man before her!
Although he said a chef's value lies in transforming ordinary ingredients into something miraculous...
But to possess high-quality ingredients and choose not to use them would be foolish, to say the least.
Furthermore, if he can elevate ordinary ingredients into something miraculous, then utilizing high-quality ingredients would undoubtedly be even more effortless, yielding flavors richer than those from common ingredients.
"In that case, I'll gladly accept your help."
Okabe did not refuse her offer.
Ikumi Mito was backed by the vast Mito Group, of which she was the sole heir.
It meant that the endless, inexhaustible supply of high-quality beef at her disposal would all become part of his personal resource pool.
"It's no trouble at all. In fact, it's what I should be doing.
What specific cut of meat are you looking for? Even A5-grade Wagyu—just name it, and I can procure dozens of pounds for you!"
Seeing Okabe's willingness to utilize her resources, Ikumi Mito's expression instantly became one of joyous eagerness.
"I don't need that much...
Furthermore, rather than A5-grade Wagyu, I actually prefer A3 to A4-grade. Could you get me five pounds of each?"
Okabe considered for a moment, observing Ikumi Mito, then spoke.
A3 to A4-grade Wagyu contains less fat compared to A5-grade, which typically results in a superior meat texture.
"By the way, we haven't exchanged contact information yet. How about you add me on LINE...."
"Don't get the wrong idea. This is merely for convenience, so you can send me the address later, and I can have my family's driver deliver the meat."
When it came to exchanging contact information, Ikumi Mito grew flustered and hesitant, pulling out her phone, wanting to hand it over but lacking the courage.
Ultimately, however, she mustered her courage, looked at Okabe, and presented the LINE friend interface before him.
"Didn't we add each other last time? It seems I was too busy and simply forgot. It's not too late to add now..."
"I knew it. I was wondering why you were pacing back and forth in the corridor earlier, as if searching for something, yet never sent me a message."
As he added her on LINE, Okabe couldn't resist a few teasing remarks, then slid his phone back into his pocket.
"Oh? You're right. If we had added each other on LINE yesterday, I wouldn't have had to run around everywhere just now. Well, having contact information will certainly make things much more convenient from now on."
Cradling her phone in both hands, gazing at the new avatar in the chat window, Ikumi Mito beamed a radiant smile. She had finally obtained Okabe's contact information!
"By the way, are you free this afternoon?"
As if remembering something, Okabe suddenly asked.
"Oh? I... I don't really have anything planned. What's up...?"
Ikumi Mito was visibly startled by the sudden inquiry, shifting uncomfortably where she stood as a wave of curiosity swelled within her.
"If you're free, why don't you come with me? I need to head down the mountain to purchase some ingredients."
"Are we going to buy ingredients for the Shokugeki? I understand! But could I go home and change first? I'd rather not wear my uniform when we go out..."
"Sure, I'm in no hurry."
Okabe nodded gently. His invitation to Ikumi Mito was purely coincidental; he thought of teaching her some skills in discerning ingredients while they were out buying supplies down the mountain.
Regardless, Ikumi Mito was now aligned with his faction. Providing appropriate benefits to his subordinates would undoubtedly foster greater loyalty.
"Then let's meet at the school gate later. We can coordinate via LINE."
Ikumi Mito held up her phone, her face alight with expectation. Then, without waiting for Okabe to respond further, she jogged away in the direction of her home.
"What an eager one."
Watching Ikumi Mito's retreating figure, Okabe couldn't help but muse, feeling increasingly confident in his decision's viability.
For a chef, nothing is more crucial than refining their culinary skills.
While identifying ingredients might not directly enhance culinary skill, dishes crafted with higher-quality ingredients will undoubtedly taste superior, assuming the cooking steps remain the same.
Ikumi Mito clearly understood this, which explained her fervent excitement.
"But what should I do with the remaining time..."
The thought surfaced in Okabe's mind.
Ikumi Mito was only going home to change clothes, a task that would take at most half an hour. Polaris Dormitory was a considerable distance from the teaching building; traveling there and back would require at least an hour.
[Find an empty classroom and take a nap]
Once this thought emerged, it quickly became irresistible.
To ensure he was in optimal condition for his afternoon shopping, Okabe found an empty classroom and slipped inside, settling into the teacher's exclusive high-backed chair.
Then he closed his eyes for a short rest.
"Whoosh~"
However, just moments after he closed his eyes, the classroom door was pushed open from the outside. Okabe instantly reopened his eyes, sat up straight, and gazed towards the doorway with a puzzled expression.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't expect someone to already be inside. Did I disturb you?"
Observing Okabe resting with his eyes closed on the podium, the man's expression grew flustered. However, upon noticing Okabe's junior high school uniform, he felt a slight easing of his tension.
"It's fine. Are you going to use the cooking station in this classroom?"
Noticing the plastic bag, filled to the brim with ingredients, in the man's hand, Okabe rose from his chair and asked, intrigued.
"Yes, I've been practicing here lately. It's quite quiet in this corner of the teaching building, so usually, no one comes to disturb me..."
"Apologies, I didn't mean to imply you were disturbing me."
Realizing the ambiguity in his words, the man awkwardly scratched his head. For a moment, he stood rooted to the spot, unsure whether to stay or depart.
"Please, continue with whatever you need to do. I'll just be here for a short while, then I'll be off."
Okabe waved a hand dismissively, then settled back into his chair.
"Alright, I'll do my best to be quiet."
The man nodded and placed the ingredients he had brought onto the cooking station.
Seizing this opportunity, Okabe got a clear look at the newcomer. It was a boy with glasses and a gentle demeanor. Judging by his uniform, he appeared to be a high school student.
Despite being a senior, he acted with utmost deference towards someone wearing a junior high uniform. His personality struck Okabe as far too gentle.
The normal course of events, as Okabe imagined, would have involved the senior kicking him out, then verbally insulting him. Unable to tolerate it any longer, Okabe would then decide to silence him with his cooking.
That's how it always goes in novels!
"Carrots, king oyster mushrooms, dried bean curd sticks, small shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, snow peas, and glass noodles—all ingredients used for vegetarian dishes..."
Observing the ingredients the man retrieved from his shopping bag, Okabe's face adopted an inquisitive expression. He found the man's features increasingly familiar.
"You're Junichi Wasu, the general of the Vegetarian Research Society, aren't you?"
He suddenly remembered. Last night, Hisako Arato had brought him a video of the Shokugeki between Natsuo and Junichi Wasu, the general of the Vegetarian Research Society. He had watched it several times.
However, at that time, Junichi Wasu hadn't been wearing glasses. Despite his kind face, he had exuded a sharp, imposing aura, making it difficult for Okabe to reconcile him with the individual currently before him.
Now that he wore glasses, he seemed to have shed the sharpness of that day, inexplicably projecting a timid aura. It was no wonder he hadn't worn glasses during that match.
Facing someone who sought to plunder his club, he would undoubtedly have confronted them with his fiercest demeanor.
"That's a designation from the past. Now that the Vegetarian Research Society no longer exists, I am, naturally, no longer its general..."
Hearing Okabe's words, Junichi Wasu, who was just preparing to cook, stiffened slightly, a bitter smile ghosting across his face.
"You can't put it that way. The club's activity room might have been taken, but the Vegetarian Research Society itself hasn't disbanded.
Why not gather the members, find a new location, and once you've grown stronger, reclaim the activity room? Isn't that the very essence of Shokugeki?"
Okabe stated this with an utterly matter-of-fact expression.
"You're thinking too simplistically. They... the moment I lost that match, they resigned from the club and joined others. Enduring hardship together is simply too difficult..."
Junichi Wasu shook his head with a bitter smile, then resumed his halted movements.
Without an activity room, Tōtsuki wouldn't approve any theoretical funding for the club. And without funding, it naturally lost the fundamental means to attract new members.
His hand movements were unhurried and precise. He cut the dried bean curd sticks into equally small sections, sliced the king oyster mushrooms diagonally before cutting them into smaller pieces, cut the carrots diagonally into diamond-shaped slices, tore the wood ear mushrooms into small fragments, and placed the glass noodles and snow peas into water to soak.
Once the basic ingredient preparation was complete, he bent down to retrieve a piece of aged ginger from beneath the stove. Using a knife blade, he peeled away its brownish skin, then sliced it into small diamond-shaped pieces.
The entire sequence of actions flowed like water, without the slightest hesitation, demonstrating his solid foundational skills. It was no wonder he had served as the general in a research society of over ten members.
"By the way, what dish are you planning to make?"
Observing his movements, Okabe rose from his chair and approached his side, a look of curiosity in his eyes.
"Luohan Cuisine, originating from the Tang and Song dynasties in ancient China.
During that era, Buddhism flourished in the Tang dynasty, with numerous temples, each establishing its own kitchens to prepare vegetarian dishes and banquets. The Buddhist community referred to this as Suzhai, or vegetarian fasting.
Luohan Cuisine was one such dish, prepared using premium vegetables and named after the arhats who achieved enlightenment in Buddhism. My version, however, is a simplified rendition."
As he spoke, Junichi Wasu didn't neglect to heat oil in the pan.
Once the oil was hot, he added the ginger slices to stir-fry until aromatic.
Next, he added thicker ingredients such as carrots and king oyster mushrooms. After slightly blanching them, he incorporated the small shiitake mushrooms.
Once stir-fried until their surfaces were lightly browned, he poured in boiling water, adding umami-enhancing seasonings like vegetarian oyster sauce and truffle essence. Then he added the dried bean curd sticks and wood ear mushrooms, covered the pot with a lid, and simmered for three minutes.
During this interval, he trimmed the tough ends from the cleaned snow peas and snipped the softened glass noodles into shorter segments with scissors.
Once simmered, he added the snow peas, stirred them gently, then parted them in the center to add the glass noodles. He seasoned with light soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil, then covered the lid once more and simmered for another two minutes.
"Please, have a taste. I followed the recipe exactly, so the flavor should be quite good."
Two minutes swiftly passed. Junichi Wasu presented a plate and poured the completed Luohan Cuisine into it. This was his inaugural attempt, an execution of the most basic version.
"In that case, I'll gladly partake."
Okabe had just been searching for a plausible reason to sample the dish; Junichi Wasu's invitation now provided the perfect excuse.
He picked up the clean chopsticks from beside him, gently lifting a strand of glass noodles, thoroughly soaked in the broth, to his mouth.
The warm broth instantly bloomed on the tip of his tongue. The rich umami of vegetarian oyster sauce and truffle essence layered itself, yet was perfectly balanced by the clean sweetness of the vegetables.
The king oyster mushrooms, having absorbed the broth, offered a substantial, meat-like texture with each bite. The wood ear mushrooms were delightfully crisp, and the snow peas, vibrant green and tender, retained an ideal crunch.
"The taste is quite good."
Okabe honestly assessed: "The temperature control for the cooking is exceptionally precise, and the seasoning is harmonious. Although it's a vegetarian dish, it possesses substantial layers of umami, almost like a rich stock."
"But..."
His voice carried a hint of hesitation.
"Please, just say what you need to say directly. I won't get upset over something like this."
Junichi Wasu discerned Okabe's hesitation and spoke with a serious expression.
While he didn't know the junior's true identity, the fact that he could remain composed in the presence of an upperclassman, and even dare to joke with him, was enough to prove he was far from ordinary.
"This dish lacks a certain 'presence' or 'gravitas.' This feeling primarily stems from the fact that all of its umami comes solely from seasonings.
Truly top-tier vegetarian cuisine should have its umami aroused and harmonized by the ingredients themselves. Seasonings have their place, but they must not dominate."
Okabe expressed his opinion.
He never opposed the use of seasonings in cooking, but allowing them to become the sole source of a dish's umami was a fundamental misstep, putting the cart before the horse.
"In other words, this dish is missing an ingredient with true culinary presence."
He gently set down his chopsticks, pinpointing the most critical flaw in Junichi Wasu's cooking. While the dish would be acceptable on a family dining table, at Tōtsuki, it was distinctly substandard.
Although Junichi Wasu claimed this was merely an experimental attempt, he could have incorporated his own elements during the process. His failure to do so demonstrated that he hadn't realized this from the outset.
"An ingredient with 'presence'? That simply means premium ingredients! I refuse to use premium ingredients for cooking anymore; any deliciousness derived that way is artificial!"
At Okabe's words, Junichi Wasu's emotions abruptly surged. He slammed the cooking station and shouted vehemently.
"Artificial deliciousness? That's not quite accurate. The deliciousness imparted by premium ingredients is undeniably robust, a flavor accumulated over considerable time."
Observing Junichi Wasu's sudden loss of emotional control, Okabe's expression became one of clear understanding.
"I presume your strong aversion to using premium ingredients stems from the failure of that Shokugeki, doesn't it?
You utilized so many premium ingredients, yet were effortlessly defeated by Natsuo using a mere handful of wild vegetables. Consequently, you began to loathe using premium ingredients, believing their deliciousness to be artificial."
"What if it is? Ingredients purchased with the Vegetarian Research Society's funds couldn't triumph against mere wild vegetables. It's an utterly ludicrous joke."
Hearing Okabe's precise analysis of his innermost thoughts, Junichi Wasu felt as though all strength had drained from his body.
"It wasn't exactly a joke.
I watched the video of your match. Given the theme of 'growth,' your use of artificially cultivated ingredients was a major error in ingredient selection from the very beginning.
Natsuo, however, chose ingredients from the wild. While their flavor might not have been perfect, they were the most fitting for the theme. Therefore, your loss wasn't due to premium ingredients, but rather your heart's failure to fully comprehend the theme."
Observing Junichi Wasu, who hung his head in dejection, Okabe's gaze remained calm. He offered no reproaches, only an utterly rational analysis.
"Given the circumstances, I have no counter-argument."
An ordinary person, lectured so candidly by a junior younger than himself, would undoubtedly be furious. Yet, Junichi Wasu, at this moment, was utterly resigned.
Because he knew Okabe was telling the truth.
The truth often stings the deepest.
"You still haven't fully grasped my point. There's no need to take that monk's words to heart. Losing a single match using premium ingredients doesn't inherently mean premium ingredients are inferior.
You likely always followed the path of cooking with premium ingredients, which is why, when preparing dishes with ordinary ingredients, the resulting flavor is merely adequate."
Okabe shifted his tone, his finger lightly tapping the remaining broth in the plate.
"This Luohan Cuisine, if prepared by simmering high-quality dried shiitake mushrooms and matsutake to create the base broth, and then replacing a portion of the glass noodles with wild bamboo fungus, its umami would be utterly transformed.
It would no longer be a superficial umami derived from seasonings, but a profound, structured, rich, and complex umami, born from the deep intermingling of the ingredients themselves."
"...You're right.
But now, I no longer even possess the right to start anew.
My club is gone, my companions have scattered, and I'm even afraid to endure the gossip of those around me, so I don't dare practice in the public kitchens... I can only hide here in secret."
Junichi Wasu silently adjusted his glasses. The gaze behind the lenses was exceptionally complex.
"Qualification?"
At these words, Okabe suddenly laughed.
"At Tōtsuki, qualifications are never granted by others. If you believe losing a single match signifies the end of your journey here, then indeed, you possess no qualification.
But if you choose to view this failure as a starting point to redefine your own culinary approach—"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the incredibly humble vegetarian ingredients laid out on the cooking station: "Then this empty classroom will be your new dojo on the path to success."
A gentle breeze drifted through the window, carrying the fresh aroma of grass and trees from the distant courtyard.
Junichi Wasu inhaled deeply. The stifling, clogged sensation in his chest seemed to crack open slightly, bringing clarity to his previously muddled mind.
"Who exactly are you? Why are you here saying these things to me..."
He looked up at the junior before him, dressed in a junior high uniform, yet possessing exceptionally resolute eyes. He suddenly realized this individual was likely no ordinary junior high student.
But why hadn't he heard his name...
"I'm merely a newly enrolled student. My presence here is nothing more than a coincidence; I genuinely didn't expect to encounter you here of all places.
Perhaps this is what they call a fateful encounter."
His phone, tucked into his clothes, vibrated with a notification. Okabe walked to the classroom door, then, just before leaving, he abruptly turned back, looking at Junichi Wasu, his voice subtly rising.
"In three days, it will be the day of my Shokugeki with Natsuo. I hope you'll be there to observe."
Having spoken, Okabe left the classroom without a backward glance, leaving Junichi Wasu standing alone, lost in a daze as he replayed Okabe's recent words.
In three days.
It will be the day of my Shokugeki with Natsuo.
Because of his defeat in the battle representing the Vegetarian Research Society, a loss that even cost them their activity room, he had become the subject of idle chatter for others.
Thus, when Natsuo issued his challenge to Okabe, Junichi had also been informed by other busybodies, leading him to inwardly lament that yet another unfortunate soul was about to be plundered by Natsuo.
He would never have imagined.
That that person would appear in this very classroom and leave him with such profound words.
*
"You're so slow. I was the one who went home to change clothes, so why are you even later than me?"
Gazing at the belated Okabe, Ikumi Mito, who had been waiting for him at Tōtsuki's gate, couldn't help but quip.
"I was slightly delayed on the way. That outfit, by the way, suits you quite well."
Okabe observed Ikumi Mito. She had changed out of her Tōtsuki uniform, now sporting a simple black T-shirt and light-colored, slim-fit jeans—a distinctly casual ensemble.
Compared to Ikumi Mito's more revealing attire in the original work, this ensemble presented a strong sense of contrast to him, evoking the image of a gentle and virtuous girl next door.
_____
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