Chapter 216: The Peculiar Shinomiya Kojiro
The second batch of dumplings was snatched up within a minute by those impatient graduates. Every person who tasted the Three-Egg Dumpling displayed a face full of happiness. However, there was one exception – Shinomiya Kojiro.
Facing the other graduates scrambling for the dumplings, he showed no intention of trying them. Instead, he sat alone behind the kitchen counter, supporting his chin with one hand, gazing sharply toward the dining table.
"Shinomiya-senpai, won't you come over and eat with us?"
At that moment, Hinako noticed Shinomiya sitting alone and waved her arms like a little girl, calling out to him.
"No!" Shinomiya coldly refused.
However, Hinako didn't give up. Holding one Three-Egg Dumpling, she ran over to him and started acting cute.
"Come on, Shinomiya-senpai, don't be so rigid. Just take a bite; it's really delicious."
This scene looked quite out of place. After all, she was once known as the "Empress of Mist" during her student days, a mature woman who intimidated her peers. Seeing her openly acting cute was quite awkward.
At this point, Hachiman also recalled that in the original story, Hinako seemed to have a crush on Shinomiya. Could it be that she was attempting to win his favor in this peculiar way?
"Just take a bite..."
"Well... it's really tasty."
"Come on, Shinomiya-senpai, you're such an old-fashioned guy..."
Under Hinako's persistent efforts, Shinomiya finally reacted. He formed several "#" symbols on his forehead, unleashed an unyielding grip, and grabbed Hinako's head with one hand, speaking in a gruff tone.
"You're so annoying, you know. I said I won't eat, and I won't."
As he applied slow pressure with his fingers, Hinako, held by her head, let out a painful scream.
"Ahh... it hurts, it hurts! Let go, I'm sorry, Shinomiya-senpai, I was wrong!"
Upon hearing this, Shinomiya finally released his grip.
Hinako, who fell to the ground, rubbed her buttocks and looked up with a tearful expression, complaining to Shinomiya.
"Shinomiya-senpai is really rough. He even used such force on a cute underclassman."
But witnessing this scene, familiar graduates like Mizuhara and Donato seemed unfazed, as if such incidents were commonplace during their student days.
At this moment, Shinomiya completed his dishes, carrying two plates to the dining table.
One was French onion soup, and the other was French orange-seared foie gras.
Despite being known as the "Magician of Legumes," these two dishes were not within his expertise.
Observing this, Dojima slightly furrowed his brow. After tasting both dishes, the frowns on his face deepened.
Hachiman also sampled the dishes. According to the "Tasting" module, the scores were around 80, which can only be said to be excellent, but not top-notch at all.
Shinomiya Kojiro was considered one of the chefs closest to the level of Gin Dojima and Yukihira Joichiro. In Hachiman's estimation, Gin Dojima and Yukihira Joichiro were at the level of mid-tier to peak Level 5. Thus, Shinomiya should have at least the initial level of Level 5.
However, his skills seemed to fall short, barely reaching mid-tier Level 4, not even reaching the peak of Level 4. This completely surprised him.
Could he be hiding his true abilities?
No, that's not it.
At this moment, Hachiman recalled from the original story that after Shinomiya Kojiro won the "Pluspol" medal, he lost his goal for advancement, causing his culinary skills to stagnate.
Perhaps because of this, he didn't put in his full effort, fearing that others would notice his stagnant culinary skills.
Without explicitly stating this, Shinomiya glanced at Dojima, who also remained silent, and smiled faintly.
"As expected of the first seat of the 79th generation of Totsuki, the dishes are truly delicious."
"Of course!" Shinomiya replied confidently.
But at this moment, Hinako jumped in again, making a funny face at him.
"Ah, Shinomiya-senpai, such arrogance."
This triggered Shinomiya once again, but before he could unleash his technique to shut her up, Hinako hid behind Hachiman. Seemingly remembering something, she spoke again.
"Oh right, Hikigaya-kun, didn't you prepare sea bream? Why haven't I seen you use it?"
The graduating students also noticed the untouched sea bream, prompting some confusion.
Seeing this scene, Hachiman smiled faintly.
"Of course, it's going to be used. However, the dish I'm making is an instant dish. It's best to make and eat it fresh."
As he said this, he prepared to start again, piquing the interest of the graduating students once more.
Hachiman first took out a large block of ice from the freezer and placed it on the kitchen counter. Then, he drew out a kitchen knife, gently stroking the blade with his left hand.
His eyes sharpened, and the[Kendo]module loaded. In the next moment, the gleam of the blade illuminated the surroundings, accompanied by the continuous sound of clanging. Hachiman kept cutting into the ice block, ice shards flying, as if he were sculpting something.
Witnessing this scene, the surrounding graduates were somewhat puzzled.
Is he sculpting? But wouldn't that damage the kitchen tools?
Nevertheless, Hachiman continued undeterred, and in no time, a mini ice mountain appeared before them.
Satisfied with the carved ice mountain, Hachiman nodded in approval. He approached the large fish tank, rolled up his sleeves, and reached in, grabbing a still-swimming sea bream.
However, the sea bream wasn't about to be caught so easily; its body shook violently, attempting to free itself from the grasp.
Unfortunately, with Hachiman's current strength, its struggles were futile. With a slight exertion, he lifted the sea bream.
Arriving at the cutting board, a swift chop with chopsticks cleanly ended its sashimi life.
Then, Hachiman quickly prepared the sea bream.
Seeing this, the graduates guessed what dish he was making.
"Hikigaya-kun, are you making sashimi?" Donato asked.
"Exactly." Hachiman nodded without hesitation, then continued speaking.
"Senpai, please step back a bit. Things might get a little dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Hinako was puzzled but followed his words and distanced herself.
Hachiman picked up a small liquid nitrogen spray bottle and started spraying it vigorously on the kitchen knife.
After the compressed liquid nitrogen sprayed out, it rapidly vaporized into nitrogen gas, absorbing a significant amount of heat and drastically lowering the temperature of the knife!
After spraying for a while, Hachiman put down the liquid nitrogen spray bottle. In the slightly terrified eyes of the graduates, he reached out and grasped the ice-cold knife.