Flame Dumplings.
Reincarnated Spring Rolls.
Treasure Mountain Dragon Pot.
Fiery Ice Snapper Mountain.
Magic Mapo Tofu.
Bouncy Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup.
...
These special dishes.
They can easily outclass dishes made by Soma, Erina, Asahi, Senzaemon, and others.
Well, without even discussing the taste, just their glowing visual effects alone are enough to astonish everyone!
Not to mention the magical kitchen tools from "Cooking Master Boy," like the Eternal Knife, Seven Star Knives, Dragon Jar, and Holy Copper Utensils, along with supernatural abilities stronger than "special skills," such as:
The Bull Dragon Chop, which can instantly disassemble a whole cow.
The Silver Chopsticks Ten Pot Return, which can control ten pots simultaneously.
The Super Vision ability that focuses all the body's nerves in the eyes, allowing the pupils to accurately capture all movements of the target.
In summary.
If Liu Mao Xing came to the world of Shokugeki, his skills could instantly make him the top chef of [Transcendent Saint] level!
Therefore, Zane's current special dishes are not just amazing foods but a fundamental impact on the essence of gastronomy, as powerful as a nuclear bomb!
...
The fish jelly has a bouncy effect.
The reason is that during boiling, the fish releases a protein called collagen, which reacts with hot water to form gelatin.
At higher temperatures, gelatin dissolves in water, and when the temperature drops, it sets into jelly.
Of course.
If the boiling time is extended.
Some proteins in the fish further react with water, producing various amino acids.
"No gelatin? Just using the natural collagen in the turtle soup, it forms such strong elasticity after cooling?"
At this moment, Hisako felt her mind collapse.
All along, she knew Zane's cooking skills were outstanding.
Outstanding enough that even Erina and Mana, who possessed the God Tongue, admired him.
And she?
In her heart, she also held him in high esteem!
But she rarely had the chance to taste Zane's cooking.
In her memory, every time she came to the tavern, she followed silently behind Erina.
Then, as an observer, she watched how Zane conquered diners with his cooking.
Perhaps she was just a shadow to Erina, so her presence was always low, often leading to awkward situations where she could only watch and not taste the food.
Now, facing this bowl of Bouncy Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup, she couldn't help but think of the turtle burger she made in the quarter-finals.
Both used turtle, but they were different forms and types of dishes, making them incomparable.
But even so, she knew the gap between herself and Zane was more than just a little!
"There are no bad ingredients, only bad chefs."
"I finally understand why Lady Erina loves your cooking so much."
Hisako's face showed helplessness and sorrow.
...
She had many questions about the Bouncy Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup that she wanted to ask Zane, such as:
Why did the fish jelly retain warmth after cooling?
How did the turtle's abundant collagen create such strong elasticity without any chemical additives?
But now, she realized there was no point in asking.
Some things, even if she spent her entire life trying, she would never master.
"Hisako, what kind of person do you think I am?"
Seeing her confusion and pain, Zane asked softly.
"Well... when I first met you, I thought you were just a nobody like Lady Erina did."
"But as I got to know you, I found you very charming."
"Especially in cooking, your talent and ability are truly amazing."
"Honestly."
"In my heart, you even surpass Lady Erina!"
"You seem to be able to do anything, nothing is too difficult for you, and you understand Lady Erina better than I do."
Every word.
Every sentence.
Revealed Hisako's admiration for Zane.
And included her hidden affection that she was too shy to express.
...
"So, in your heart, I'm such an amazing person!"
Hearing her recognition and praise, Zane smiled: "Then tell me, what is my ideal?"
"Ideal?"
"You don't seem to have any ideals?"
"At most, you just want to run this tavern well."
Hisako blinked.
"Right, my ideal is not complicated."
"Maybe you won't believe it, but I just want a peaceful life."
"And the future of this tavern is uncertain, even for me."
"I'm strong, way ahead of my peers in cooking, but I'm not strong enough to control the world. Still, my determination and faith have never wavered."
"As you know, Totsuki Academy, WGO, Haubi Food Company..."
"These powerful influences in the culinary world have all offered me opportunities and benefits."
"But I refused them all without hesitation."
Hearing this, Hisako was stunned. She gazed at Zane's handsome face, her thoughts swirling.
Zane was indeed a tavern owner without high ambitions, but compared to him, did she even have any?
If not for Erina, she wouldn't have any goals at all.
...
"I understand."
"Thank you for telling me this. You really are an amazing person!"
Finally, Hisako's mood brightened.
A peach blossom without a leaf is bound to be plain and less beautiful.
The saying "a red flower needs green leaves" means that a main character or successful person needs support to highlight their value.
In plants, every flower is accompanied by more or fewer leaves.
This can be seen as a natural law in the plant world, reflecting the master-servant relationship between Erina and Hisako.
Humans have an endless desire, always striving for more, which fuels their ambition.
In the competitive environment of Totsuki Academy, many like Erina, Alice, Ryo, and Soma want to be the "red flower."
Few, like Hisako, are willing to be a "green leaf."
A red flower?
Is it really that good?
It also wilts, gets sunburned, is eaten by insects, or picked by people...
So, being a green leaf might not be bad at all!
...
"Good that you understand."
"For now, you can stay at the tavern."
"Going back to Totsuki now would be awkward."
Seeing her enlightened, Zane invited her to stay at the tavern.
"Thank you."
"Zane, thank you so much."
"If... if it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do!"
Hisako stood up, then bowed deeply at 45 degrees to show her gratitude.
"You're welcome. I'm happy to have you stay."
"After all, the tavern is doing great business and could use more help."
Zane said lightly.
And so, during the autumn selection.
The tavern unexpectedly welcomed a new temporary worker:
Hisako!
...
The cold jade moonlight pierced the dark night.
Creating a silver corridor in the world, gradually clearing the clouds.
At this time, the tall Totsuki Academy buildings became quiet after the day's excitement.
In a brightly lit villa, Erina lay on her bed, engrossed in a newly published light novel, "Date A Live."
"Huh?"
"So... to neutralize the spirits' powers, you need to date them and kiss?"
"What was the author thinking?"
Blushing, Erina closed the book: "Hisako, besides Tohka Yatogami, how many other spirits are there?"
"Uh?"
"Oh right, silly me."
"She already left. She can't hear me."
"Hisako, where did you go?"
"You left me after the match, didn't contact me, and I'm really worried about you!"
Erina muttered, glancing out the window.
The light novel in her hands made her miss Hisako, the loyal, kind girl who always cared for her.
Thinking of their bond and shared moments, her heart warmed.
...
From childhood to now.
Hisako never left her side like this.
She always saw Hisako as her right hand, her closest friend.
So, Hisako's departure made Erina feel very uncomfortable.
Even after just a few hours, she found herself at a loss in daily life, completely clueless!
"Ring... ring..."
At this moment, Erina's phone rang.
"Hello!"
"Zane, is that you?"
"Why are you calling me suddenly, do you miss me?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Erina's cute face turned even redder.
"Huh?"
"Oh, oh!"
"You mean Hisako is with you?"
"Okay, thank you. She... she lost to Ryo and must be feeling terrible. Please comfort her."
"Yes... I'll take care of myself."
"Sure, I'll visit the tavern to see Hisako."
After a brief call, Erina put down the phone, relieved to know Hisako was with Zane.
As long as Zane was with her, Hisako would be fine.
With this thought, Erina pulled the covers over herself and quickly fell asleep.
...
"Thank you for calling Erina to let her know I'm safe."
"Otherwise, she'd be worrying about me forever."
Meanwhile, at the tavern, Hisako watched Zane call Erina and inform her of Hisako's whereabouts.
She felt touched.
"Hehe, I told you."
"There's no need for such formalities between us."
"Since you're Erina's secretary, I've always seen you as a friend."
"Honestly, when I first met Erina, I thought you were as pretty as her, though in a different way."
"And your personality is less reserved than Erina's!"
"In other words."
"I have a very good impression of you."
Zane smiled, speaking sincerely to Hisako.
"Huh? Friend?"
"Good impression of me?"
Hisako murmured, her face turning even redder, looking away to avoid
his gaze.
...
Admiration?
She definitely admired Zane.
Like?
She didn't dislike him.
Love?
Maybe, a little.
Honestly, she didn't understand her feelings for Zane.
But regardless, Hisako couldn't deny her feelings.
When she left Totsuki, she couldn't stop thinking about Zane, hoping to stay at the tavern.
So, she didn't come here out of desperation but because of Zane's charm.
But she didn't want to compete with Erina for the same man, so she tried to avoid Zane.
Deep down, she knew she wasn't a good match for him. The more she tried to get close, the more painful it would be.
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