Chapter 235: Satisfactory Outcome
Upon hearing this, Shinomiya fell silent, but unfortunately, Dojima didn't stop there.
"Shinomiya, have you been standing still for a long time? Especially after receiving the 'Pluspol Medal!'"
Upon hearing Dojima's words, Hinako and the others looked at Shinomiya in surprise. When they saw his changing expression, they understood that Dojima was right.
"You've probably noticed it yourself, haven't you? After receiving that medal, you don't know where to go next." Dojima looked at him seriously.
"Stuck at the pinnacle, unable to move forward. For a chef, standing still is equivalent to stepping back. The reason you presented a dish that is not your specialty is to hide the fact that your culinary skills haven't progressed."
"Shut up! What do you understand? Becoming the head chef of Totsuki Resort right after graduation, how could you possibly comprehend the hardships of running my own restaurant!"
At this point, Shinomiya had lost his composure, roaring and completely forgetting to respect Dojima as a senior.
Indeed, as a Japanese chef trying to establish his restaurant in the highly competitive culinary scene of Paris, France, it was undoubtedly a challenging endeavor.
To avoid being influenced by others, Shinomiya gradually developed a strong-willed personality, adamantly refusing anyone's interference with his recipes after he was betrayed, treating others' opinions as unnecessary.
Relying on this tense attitude, he finally succeeded, earning the prestigious "Pluspol Medal."
However, Shinomiya forgot that as a chef, continuous improvement required maintaining a voracious appetite for learning from any source at any time.
Now, he had lost that hunger, losing the driving force to keep moving forward.
Facing Shinomiya's outburst, Dojima showed no signs of anger. At least, his face didn't reveal any anger.
"Shinomiya, why don't you taste Tadokoro-kun's dish as well?" Dojima calmly suggested, pushing Megumi's dish towards him.
"Why should I eat?" Shinomiya's face carried a hint of disdain.
"Give it a try; there's an answer you seek in there." Dojima calmly pushed the dish towards him.
Hesitant, Shinomiya picked up a piece of the French-style terrine and put it in his mouth. Immediately, he began to mock.
"It's utterly unacceptable—undercooked, and there are issues with the filling connection. Dojima-senpai is confused. How could a dish like this..."
But before he finished speaking, Shinomiya halted himself, took another bite, then gripped the table with both hands, muttering in a low voice.
"Why is this happening? There are so many flaws, but why does it strike so deep into the soul? Although the execution is a bit clumsy, every effort seems filled with consideration for the eater, as if liberating the tense spirit. This feeling is like..."
"A mother's love!"
Shinomiya awakened from his own memories, wiped away the tears at the corner of his eyes, and looked towards the girl beside him.
"Hey, naive girl, did you use passion fruit in the filling?"
"Yes... I did." Megumi nodded hastily.
"It's probably to eliminate the gaminess of the chicken liver." Mizuhara, who was on the side, chimed in.
However, Shinomiya didn't fully agree and continued to look at the girl.
"Although it serves that purpose, it's not just for that reason, right?"
"Y-yes." Megumi answered hesitantly.
"You all tasted numerous dishes throughout the day due to the judging. Passion fruit has a digestive aid effect. So, though it may be insignificant, I wanted to make a dish that is gentle on the stomach."
Hearing the girl's words, the graduated students were deeply moved.
"Ah, Megumi is indeed the most gentle."
"Yeah, our judgment was right on target."
At this moment, Dojima also smiled, looking at Shinomiya.
"A dish like this, even if it's crude, can resonate in people's hearts. Tadokoro-kun, even on the competition stage, is making an effort to consider those who taste her dishes."
"So I think, for someone like you who wants to take a step forward, it's essential."
Upon hearing these words, Shinomiya turned his head with a somewhat uneasy expression.
"Is everything under your control, Dojima-senpai?"
"I indeed haven't revisited the faces of customers and the voices of my staff for a long time. I've been cooking alone."
Dojima nodded at his words, "It seems you've finally understood. So, the result of this Shokugeki..."
"A draw."
Sighing, Shinomiya looked towards the girl on the other side.
"This Shokugeki is nothing short of a farce. Well, it's fine like this. Continue to work hard in your own way, naive girl."
After saying this, he glanced at Soma subtly, then looked at Dojima and Hachiman before leaving the kitchen without turning back.
"Well, Shinomiya-senpai is really not candid at all." Watching his departing figure, Hinako shook her head with some helplessness.
Donato also chuckled.
"Well, Shinomiya's personality is like that. If he were more candid, Hinako, you and he..."
But before he could finish his sentence, Hinako's gaze turned sharp.
Shinomiya's absence once again transformed Hinako into the somewhat awe-inspiring "Empress of Mist."
Whether others feared her or not, it was unknown, but at least Donato, being of the same year, felt a bit intimidated and wisely stopped what he was about to say.
However, looking at Shinomiya's departing figure, Megumi felt puzzled.
"Um... Why did Chef Shinomiya leave? Then, what about me..."
At this moment, Dojima approached, smiling at the girl.
"Tadokoro-kun, continue to cultivate the intention of wholeheartedly considering the customers at Totsuki. Show your brilliance in the Academy."
Soma, standing nearby, also smiled.
"It feels like I'm being saved, huh? Let's work hard together today, Tadokoro."
Hearing these words, the girl finally understood. She succeeded, and neither she nor Soma had to drop out!
Thinking about this, Megumi couldn't help but shed tears of joy.
Watching the tears stream down the girl's face, and seeing Soma standing there like a statue, Hachiman sighed and subtly nudged him.
Soma stumbled, turning back to look at Hachiman with a puzzled expression.
Nodding towards the direction of the girl, Hachiman gestured with his lips. Soma understood the message and quickly went to comfort Megumi.
Observing this scene, Hachiman nodded in satisfaction.
"Dojima-senpai, since everything is resolved, I'll head back now," he said, not waiting for Erina to speak, and directly pulled her hand, leaving the kitchen.