Set Meals.
As the name suggests, they are fixed meals like bento boxes, which can be understood as combo meals. Typically, it depends on how many varied combos can be offered for customers to choose from. Hence, when Joichiro and Soma ran Restaurant Yukihira, they used to write a fixed menu daily, allowing customers to order within that range. This business model is entirely different from Zane's Tavern, where customers can order whatever they want!
Of course,
Restaurant Yukihira mainly offered cheap and large portions. The taste was not emphasized much, with most dishes being simple, and occasionally there would be some unexpectedly delicious meals.
...
"Time flies."
"Without realizing it, the diner has been closed for nearly a month!"
This cozy Tavern made Joichiro recall the times he and Soma ran Restaurant Yukihira. This time, temporarily returning to Totsuki, he had considered reopening the diner for a few days so that the regulars could once again enjoy his cooking. But in the end, he chose to abandon that idea. The reason for giving up was that he understood the future fate of the diner would ultimately be decided by his son:
Soma!
"Ah, youth is wonderful."
"My era is ultimately over!"
Looking at the busy figure, Joichiro could only sigh deeply.
Then, he instinctively took out money and said to Zane, "Meeting you tonight, Mr. Zane, has been a joy in life. Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave now."
"Senior, I already said, I was treating you to this meal."
Beside him, Isami, seeing Joichiro paying, quickly stood up, also taking out money and handing it to Zane.
Seeing the two sums of money, Zane wisely took half from each, replying, "Take care, come again sometime."
"Thank you for the hospitality, Mr. Zane. I will definitely come back!"
At this moment, Joichiro smiled slightly as he saw Zane take the money. Although he had much to say to Zane and felt an urge to challenge him to a cooking duel, this return to Totsuki Academy was not just for reminiscing with Fumio Daimido or dealing with his son's matters, but for other purposes as well.
Thus, he could not stay here for long tonight and had to leave hurriedly with Isami.
Watching Joichiro's figure fade away, Zane turned his gaze to the empty plates on the table and chose to remain silent.
After a while, he collected the plates and turned to serve the other customers!
...
Late at night, the Tavern was closing.
Familiar customers like Erina, Alice, and Megumi would not be coming to the Tavern during this period.
"I say, it's already midnight, why haven't you left?"
Zane, looking at the last customer, Rindo, who hadn't left, asked helplessly.
"Hungry!"
"I'm still very hungry!"
Rindo blushed slightly.
"The lion's head meatballs I made specially were 8 cm in diameter, weren't they enough?"
Hearing this, Zane smiled wryly.
"Only five, and just one bowl of rice."
"You know my appetite; that little food isn't enough."
"Plus, your seabream dish earlier made me even hungrier!"
Rindo blinked her eyes, which looked like snake pupils, appearing somewhat 'silly'.
She remembered once when she was "deliberately" drunk at the Tavern and managed to stay overnight, thick-skinnedly getting a free breakfast the next morning. So, this time, she wanted to repeat the trick to get another free meal!
"Alright, do you think I can't see through your little tricks?"
"Just as Sonoka is working here as an assistant chef, I make dinner after closing to reward her. Tonight, you can join us before leaving."
Rolling his eyes, Zane shrugged and said calmly.
Rindo's eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded quickly.
Seeing her like this, Zane could only sigh inwardly. Since coming to the world of *Food Wars*, he seemed to have become more and more temperate, especially with women.
However, thinking that Rindo was a regular at the Tavern and the first friend he made in this world, it seemed reasonable to let her have a few free meals.
...
[Ding!]
[You have successfully checked in.]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host, you have received a special recipe: Golden Ratio Shaomai.]
Finally, after having a meal at the Tavern, Rindo left satisfied. As for Sonoka, the assistant chef, she also dragged her tired body back to Shunkatei Restaurant!
With that, the Tavern closed for the night.
Just as Zane was about to wash up and rest, the daily check-in reward arrived. This time, the reward was a special recipe.
The golden ratio is a mathematical term, meaning dividing a whole into two parts. The ratio of the larger part to the whole is equal to the ratio of the smaller part to the larger part, with a ratio of 0.618. This proportion is considered the most aesthetically pleasing, applied in various fields such as architecture, art, and biology.
Golden Ratio Shaomai naturally uses the golden ratio, with 8 parts meat, 5 parts shrimp paste, 5 parts vegetables, and 5 parts egg. This means that the ratio of meat to any other ingredient is 8:5. This combination ensures that the meat's flavor is maximized without overwhelming the other ingredients, allowing each shaomai to provide a rich taste experience with four different flavors!
In short, this Golden Ratio Shaomai is indeed a rare and remarkable dish!
In fact, since Zane started running the Tavern, his skills had been growing continuously. The daily check-in rewards had accelerated his progress immensely.
Erina's divine tongue made many people extremely envious.
As for him...
Hmm!
Let them envy!
...
Late at night, in a spacious room at Totsuki Academy.
Looking closely, the giant floor-to-ceiling windows opened to a dark night sky, with a faint breeze bringing a cool touch. The room was adorned with luxurious decorations, from the crystal chandelier to the semi-transparent partitions, exuding opulence.
At this moment, the headmaster took a light sip from his wine glass, savoring the tart taste of the apple wine.
First, it tasted moderately sweet and sour, refreshing the palate. This mild sourness came from the fruit acids in the apples and the lactic acid produced during fermentation. This sourness stimulated the mouth and tongue, enhancing the flavor without being greasy. The aftertaste lingered, making it unforgettable.
"How do you find the apple wine I brought?"
Joichiro, sitting opposite, smiled lightly.
"Not bad, but it still falls short compared to the fruit wine at the Tavern."
The headmaster, Senzaemon Nakiri, slowly opened his eyes and replied honestly after a moment of thought.
"The Tavern?"
"You've been there too?"
Joichiro was surprised.
"Yes, from your tone, I assume you've witnessed Zane's culinary skills?"
The headmaster stroked his beard habitually, then remembered something.
"I just came from there."
Joichiro also took a sip of apple wine, exhaling a cloud of hazy alcohol.
Hearing this, the headmaster was momentarily stunned. He couldn't help but gaze at the wine in his hand, his thoughts drifting back over twenty years.
...
Back in the day,
Joichiro was a man of many honors!
He was the pride of Totsuki Academy and the hope of the culinary world.
Back then, he was full of ambition and fearless, especially with his 1:50 undefeated record, which still excited the headmaster.
However, such scenes were but fleeting dreams, eventually fading into nothingness.
"Saiba, you seem more restrained now."
"You used to be a troublemaker at Totsuki, causing me constant headaches."
Finally, Senzaemon reined in his complex thoughts, turning his gaze to Joichiro with a sigh.
"People change. Over the years, I've experienced much and seen through many things."
"Besides, when you visited Restaurant Yukihira, your white hair surprised even me!" Joichiro continued to sip his wine, speaking calmly.
"Indeed, time changes everything."
"Our Nakiri family has also undergone many changes over the years, and I, too, have changed a lot!"
Senzaemon Nakiri agreed deeply.
After a moment of thought, he continued, "Tell me, why did you come to see me tonight? I remember you weren't very welcoming when I visited the diner over a month ago."
"You wanted to send my son to Totsuki. Of course, I wasn't welcoming."
Mentioning this, Joichiro felt a bit of resentment.
The headmaster, seeing his expression, instantly understood.
...
Undeniably, Joichiro was a rare genius.
But geniuses are still human, not omnipotent gods.
When facing cooking, he, like many, had to constantly explore the unknown.
When everyone focused on him, placing their hopes on him, that public expectation naturally became a pressure!
Gradually, Joichiro couldn't bear this pressure.
Unable to find an outlet, he resorted to pranks.
But such unusual behavior couldn't alleviate the pressure he felt. Everyone around him still didn't understand and treated him the same.
Until, just before the main event of The BLUE, the pressure finally became unbearable, completely crushing him!
From then on, Joichiro lost his passion for cooking and the drive to explore the unknown, leading to his dropout in regret and despair.
Reflecting on that history, everyone couldn't help but feel pity!
Among them, his close friend Gin Dojima, recognizing Joichiro's distress, understood that
the culinary world had decayed beyond repair.
Meanwhile, the younger disciple, Azami Nakamura, blamed Joichiro's downfall on "problems in the culinary world," resolving to overhaul it completely!
And of course, there was Jun Shiomi, a victim of Joichiro's dark cuisine, who suffered lasting psychological trauma!
...
Now, looking back, Joichiro's tragedy
Although partly personal, was indirectly connected to Totsuki's "elite education" system!
Eventually, Joichiro understood this, so he was reluctant to send Soma to Totsuki, fearing he might suffer the same fate.
"All these years, I've been searching for you."
"I always believed only you could break the curse of the Divine Tongue."
"Until Zane appeared, I gave up that thought."
"At that time, I learned your whereabouts and wanted to reminisce."
"And about your son, I have high expectations for him. If he trains at Totsuki for three years, he might achieve remarkable things in the culinary world."
With a sigh, the headmaster shared his thoughts with Joichiro.
"I thought if Soma stayed at the diner, he might end up like a frog in a well, with limited progress."
"After much deliberation, I reluctantly agreed to send him to Totsuki."
Joichiro understood, sighing deeply.
...
"Headmaster, I came to Totsuki Academy not only to see my son."
"But more importantly, something very concerning, potentially affecting the entire culinary world, is happening."
Then, Joichiro, slightly emotional, didn't forget his purpose.
"What is it?"
The headmaster, sensing his unease, became alert.
"It's related to the Midnight Chefs."
Joichiro's eyes sharpened.
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