"Eh? Miyoko, you're here too?" Sui asked, momentarily surprised.
"Yes, are you taking over the food-tasting duties from Miss Erina this time?" Miyoko inquired. As a fellow member of the research club, she frequently cooked with Sui in the activity room, and they often encouraged each other. She was also aware that Sui had recently been assisting Erina with food-tasting responsibilities.
Sui nodded. "Yes."
"Miyoko, do you know this boy?" a middle-aged chef, likely Miyoko's father, asked. He appeared to be Chef Hōjō, head of the Hōjō Building.
"Yes, he's my classmate," Miyoko confirmed with a nod.
"But can this boy truly replace Miss Erina?" Chef Hōjō asked, clearly puzzled. The other chefs in the Hōjō Building exchanged skeptical glances, evidently doubting whether this young man could match the talents of Miss Erina, known for her 'God's Tongue.'
"It's fine, Father. Sui also has the God Tongue," Miyoko chimed in confidently, her faith in Sui's abilities evident.
"What? He has the God's Tongue too?" Chef Hōjō was taken aback, as were the other chefs, who murmured in surprise. Their initial doubts quickly turned into awe.
Chef Hōjō, now intrigued, said, "If that's the case, I'll leave today's tasting in your hands."
"No problem," Sui responded with a smile. Turning to Miyoko, he added, "You know, Miyoko, you could've just asked me directly for help with something like this. There's no need to go through Totsuki."
Sui regarded Miyoko as a friend and would have gladly assisted without any formalities. Applying through Totsuki not only required a significant fee but also a month-long wait.
"That would be too embarrassing," Miyoko replied. Despite their growing friendship, her independent nature made it difficult for her to ask Sui for help outright.
At that moment, one of the chefs brought over a plate of food for Sui to sample.
"Cantonese-style honey-glazed barbecued pork?" Sui asked, inspecting the dish. "Is this Cantonese cuisine?"
"That's right," Chef Hōjō said, his eyes lighting up with admiration. "As Japanese chefs, we struggle to perfectly replicate these authentic dishes. When we hit a wall, we have to come up with solutions ourselves." He smiled wryly and continued, "This honey-glazed pork feels different from what I've tasted, but I can't pinpoint the issue. The technique isn't something easily shared, so I thought I'd seek the expertise of someone with God's Tongue."
Sui began to taste the pork. The outer layer was crispy and sweet, while the inside remained tender and succulent. It was a delicious dish, but something was off.
"It seems like the honey hasn't fully permeated the meat," Sui observed.
"Is there a solution?" Chef Hōjō asked eagerly, with the other chefs looking on expectantly.
"It's likely due to the roasting method," Sui explained. "This dish is simple to prepare, but the roasting technique is crucial. I assume you marinated the pork neck with a mixture of cooking wine, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce before placing it directly into the oven?"
"Yes, exactly!" Chef Hōjō quickly confirmed, his expression full of surprise.
The other chefs were astonished, impressed by Sui's insight as if he had watched the cooking process unfold before his eyes. His reputation as a possessor of God's Tongue was clearly deserved.
"The proper method involves grilling the marinated pork on a barbecue grill for about 25 minutes. This enhances the flavor during the initial cooking. Then, brush the surface with honey sauce made from honey, a little dark soy sauce, and light soy sauce. Bake it at 210 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, brush it with more honey sauce, and bake it for another ten minutes. Repeat the process once more. This will not only give the meat a beautiful color but will also allow the honey flavor to penetrate deep into the meat."
"Brilliant!" exclaimed the chefs of the Hōjō Building, thoroughly impressed.
"Perhaps he's Miss Miyoko's boyfriend," one of the chefs teased, causing Miyoko to blush.
Chef Hōjō pondered Sui's suggestion, his eyes brightening as he realized its merit. Excited, he laughed, "As expected of a Totsuki genius. You've been a tremendous help."
"It's no trouble," Sui replied with a smile. "If you need help with food tasting in the future, just call me. Miyoko and I are good friends."
Chef Hōjō gave Sui a knowing smile and glanced at his daughter. "Good friends, you say? I see." He laughed heartily.
Miyoko's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Father, what are you implying?" she demanded in embarrassment.
"Hehe, nothing at all," Chef Hōjō chuckled. "You're not getting any younger, Miyoko. If you want to find a boyfriend, I won't stand in your way."
The other chefs chuckled as well, clearly imagining more than just a friendship between the two.
Even though Miyoko was usually outgoing and bold, her cheeks were flushed, and she felt uncomfortable under the teasing.
Sui, though a little exasperated by the situation, understood where Chef Hōjō was coming from. After all, it wasn't unusual for a father to make assumptions when seeing his daughter so close to another boy.
Just then, someone else entered the room. "I'm the chef from Songhelou, here to pay a visit," the newcomer announced.