"I brought this from home. Have a taste, if you don't mind."
Handing the empty cup to Okabe, Ryoko Sakaki wore a mysterious smile on her face. She then picked up the bottle and poured him a glass before standing still.
"The turbidity of this liquid, the one-liter bottle with the label pasted on..."
Okabe's expression was a bit grim. It was a good thing he smelled it out of caution; otherwise, he would have had no mental preparation until it entered his mouth. This girl was really devious...
"It's just some juice brewed from rice. Come on, try it."
Ryoko Sakaki gave Okabe a sly look.
"It tastes pretty good. Soft and mellow, sweet with a nice fragrance. It would be even better if a little osmanthus was added during the brewing process. A slight floral hint would be nice too."
Seeing her expression, Okabe didn't refuse. For one, the alcohol content was low, and for another, he wanted to taste what the wine brewed by a professional brewing family was like.
"You really know your stuff!"
Hearing Okabe's words, Ryoko Sakaki's eyes lit up. She then poured a glass for herself and began to drink with a look of contentment.
"Pour me a glass, too."
Hearing the exchange between Okabe and Ryoko Sakaki, Megumi Tadokoro's curiosity was piqued.
"No way, it's a bit too early for Megumi!"
Hearing Megumi Tadokoro's request, Ryoko Sakaki shook her head and sternly refused. She couldn't bring herself to give alcohol to a twelve-year-old.
Through their earlier mutual assistance, they had already learned each other's names and gotten acquainted.
"That's a bit of a double standard, don't you think..."
Okabe almost spat out the rice wine in his mouth, unable to resist retorting as he looked at Ryoko Sakaki.
"How is it a double standard? Isn't it normal for you, as a high school student, to drink a little rice wine, Okabe-nii? Megumi is only in junior high. Can you bear to watch her drink?"
"Okabe-kun... is the same age as us."
Hearing Ryoko Sakaki's words, Megumi Tadokoro spoke with a puzzled expression, guessing she might have misunderstood something.
"What?! The same age as us, twelve? How is that possible!"
Ryoko Sakaki covered her mouth in disbelief, her gaze sweeping back and forth over Okabe. She simply couldn't believe this big guy was the same age as her.
"I just developed a little earlier than the average person. No need to be so surprised, right?"
Looking at Ryoko Sakaki's expression, Okabe gave a wry smile. He then stood up from the reclining chair and placed the empty rice wine cup on the table.
"Leave the rest of the skewering work to me."
He walked up to Yuki Yoshino, picking up the skewers next to her as he spoke. Then he turned to Ikaros and said, "I remember there's some pineapple in the fridge. Bring it out so we can skewer it with the meat."
"Yes, Master."
Hearing Okabe's instruction, Ikaros trotted to the Polaris Dormitory kitchen. When she returned, she was holding a plate of neatly diced pineapple.
"Planning to make pineapple barbecue? You're a real foodie!"
Rindo Kobayashi came out behind Ikaros. Seeing Okabe diligently skewering meat by the charcoal fire, she couldn't help but tease him before sitting down in front of him.
"The fruit acid in pineapple can break down protein, making the meat softer and more tender."
"At the same time, the fructose in the pineapple will gradually caramelize during the grilling process, forming a complex flavor with the fat. The final texture when you bite into it is absolutely amazing!"
"I know! The crispy outside and tender inside of the barbecue, combined with the warm burst of juice from the pineapple—the satisfaction of both sensations exploding in your mouth at the same time is simply perfect!"
As Rindo Kobayashi spoke, she closed her eyes, her mind filled with the wonderful experience this fragrant dish would bring, raising her expectations to the highest point.
"Hurry up and grill it, I'm already drooling!"
Her voice was full of anticipation. She revealed her small canine teeth, her slender, shapely legs crossed one over the other and swaying slightly. They were wrapped in thin black stockings, looking exceptionally alluring.
Okabe glanced over.
Then he awkwardly averted his gaze, turning to face the barbecue in front of him.
For certain reasons, Erina Nakiri and Hisako Arato usually didn't wear black stockings, preferring medium or short cotton socks, which didn't have much of an effect on him.
Although Ikaros obeyed his orders, he wasn't perverted enough to command her to wear black stockings for him.
Thinking about it, this was the first time he had seen a girl in black stockings up close. She seemed completely unguarded, and a strange feeling began to grow in his heart.
Fortunately, he was good at hiding his feelings.
After taking a deep breath, he focused on the skewers in front of him.
The skewered meat was placed on the charcoal fire. As its surface temperature rose, the fat immediately let out an enticing sizzle.
Okabe skillfully adjusted the angle, and the aromas of meat and fruit gradually blended, spreading through the night air.
"It smells so good..."
Yuki Yoshino sniffed, eagerly watching the grill, wanting to be the first to eat a skewer.
The others also gathered around. Among all the other dishes, Okabe's skewers had become the most anticipated delicacy.
"Don't be impatient. Skewers are only delicious when they're cooked just right. A hastily prepared dish might be edible, but it would undoubtedly be a waste of such high-quality ingredients."
Feeling the temperature around him rise noticeably and realizing he was surrounded, Okabe's tone was gentle, and his hands remained unhurried.
Being surrounded so closely inevitably affected his state of mind.
The person closest to him was breathing right on his neck.
I'm talking about you, Erina Nakiri!
Okabe complained inwardly as he looked at the oblivious Erina Nakiri.
"Erina."
"Hm?"
"Help me mix a sauce with bee dew, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, and bird's eye chili. Then, mix a bowl of honey water."
Feeling the breath on his neck getting closer, a faint, pleasant fragrance even reaching his nose, Okabe's voice suddenly rang out, sending Erina Nakiri to mix the sauce.
"Alright."
To this, Erina Nakiri nodded in agreement, without much resistance.
During their three years at Ryōzanpaku, Okabe had ordered her around countless times. She had long grown accustomed to it; it would feel unnatural if he didn't.
"If everyone's hungry, how about trying my special dish?"
Soma Yukihira's voice came from the kitchen, immediately drawing the attention of the crowd around Okabe. They looked at his hands and the box with curiosity.
"Ooh! What is it?"
Yuki Yoshino leaned forward with an expectant expression.
"Here."
"The color looks pretty good. Is this pickled squid tentacles? Is the golden sauce inside honey..."
Ryoko Sakaki commented while pinching her chin. She then picked up a tentacle with her chopsticks. Although she subconsciously felt something was wrong, she still put it in her mouth.
"It's disgusting!"
Watching Ryoko Sakaki instinctively spit it out, with golden liquid dripping from the corner of her mouth, a mischievous smile of a successful prank appeared on Soma Yukihira's face.
"I want to try it too, to see just how disgusting it is!"
"It really is disgusting! It's like being wrapped by countless tentacles, and the slimy feeling is just too awful!"
Yuki Yoshino frowned and pursed her lips, her face showing an incredibly peculiar expression.
"Hahaha!"
"I'll try some too."
"I also want to try and see just how bad it is!"
Seeing this, the others held their stomachs and laughed good-naturedly.
Then, one by one, they bravely picked up their chopsticks to taste it, and the atmosphere became even more lively with the addition of the pickled squid tentacles.
"No matter how times change, two things will never change."
Watching the students' laughter and chatter in the courtyard, Fumio Daimidō leaned back in her recliner with a leisurely expression, her face showing the kindness characteristic of an elderly person.
"One is the laughter of students, and the other is the dense cluster of stars under the moon."
Her deep gaze looked towards the boundless horizon. It was a rare cloudless night, with countless stars scattered across the sky, bringing a sense of peace from the bottom of one's heart.
In the courtyard.
Okabe brushed the honey water and the specially mixed sauce onto the pineapple barbecue.
A rich aroma diffused from it. The anticipation on Rindo Kobayashi's face grew stronger, and her gaze towards Okabe gained a hint of petulance.
"That sauce of yours should be Vietnamese style, right? Mainly sweet and sour."
"Yeah, it's a pity Polaris Dormitory has limited ingredients. It would taste even better with a satay sauce and a Thai sweet chili sauce as a prelude, but this is enough."
Sprinkling a pinch of fine salt from above, Okabe's expression became exceptionally serious, his ears blocking out all external sounds. That was the intense focus he entered when cooking.
"The heat is just right. One skewer per person. Who's going to take one to Auntie Fumio?"
He grabbed the grilled pineapple barbecue skewers and waved them in his hand. The aroma drifted in all directions, once again gathering everyone around.
"Let me do it."
Rindo Kobayashi swallowed. As she spoke, she was about to reach for the skewers in Okabe's hand, but he deftly dodged her.
"I'm a little worried. Ikaros, I'll leave this to you."
"Yes, Master."
He handed one of the skewers to Rindo Kobayashi, then called Ikaros over. He gave both his own and Auntie Fumio's skewers to her to deliver.
"You're showing favoritism! This is unfair treatment!"
Seeing Ikaros walk away with two skewers, Rindo Kobayashi said with some annoyance, feeling insulted in her heart, even though she did indeed intend to do that.
After all, Auntie Fumio was old. Eating meat at night would surely give her indigestion. She was just being considerate of the elderly!
"Hurry up and eat. I'll grill some more later."
After distributing all the skewers and seeing Rindo Kobayashi looking on the verge of tears, Okabe couldn't help but retort. He didn't realize she was such an actress from the anime...
But her playful cuteness was indeed her style.
"Then I shall humbly accept."
Knowing she wouldn't get anything by insisting, Rindo Kobayashi held the skewer and took a bite of the part where the pineapple and meat were connected.
"This flavor..."
Sonoka Kikuchi's eyes widened, and her gaze toward Okabe held a new level of disbelief, as if she never expected him to be able to make such a delicious dish.
"This pineapple skewer is, without a doubt, an Elite Ten-level dish!"
Taki Kakizaki's expression was somewhat serious.
Having tasted Okabe's dish before, she didn't know what level this newcomer was at, but now after tasting this, a shocking thought instantly appeared in her mind.
Okabe's cooking had reached the level of the Elite Ten.
A twelve-year-old boy, just a few days after enrolling, had reached a level that others struggled to achieve in five or six years.
What an incredible thing.
Although she had been mentally prepared for the theme of the Jade Sequence proposed by the Academy Director, Taki Kakizaki couldn't help but be shocked when faced with a genius of this caliber.
"Elite Ten? Speaking of which, I've heard people mention it during the entrance exam and in class. What kind of existence is this... uh... 'Elite Ten'?"
Hearing the familiar name again, Yuki Yoshino raised her hand and asked, her voice full of curiosity.
"Indeed, I've heard of it too."
After hearing Yuki Yoshino's question, Soma Yukihira nodded in agreement. During class today, it seemed a member of the Elite Ten had passed by, causing a commotion.
Those usually arrogant young masters and ladies had all gathered around, just to win their favor. The scene could only be described as insane.
"Kikuchi, you explain it to them. What is the Tōtsuki Elite Ten?"
Looking at the freshmen staring at them like curious babies, Taki Kakizaki awkwardly nudged Sonoka Kikuchi, asking her to explain.
"Eh, why me?"
Sonoka Kikuchi complained but didn't refuse. After a moment of thought, she began to explain.
"The 'Tōtsuki Elite Ten Council' is a committee composed of the top ten students in the entire school's rankings. Various affairs at Tōtsuki are directly entrusted to student self-governance, and all issues are decided by the consensus of the Elite Ten members. It is, so to speak, the school's highest decision-making body."
"Looking at the entire school's organizational chart, their status is second only to the Director. Even the instructors have to follow the arrangements of the Elite Ten."
"Even the instructors have to listen to them? That sounds like a lot of power."
After hearing Sonoka Kikuchi's words, everyone gasped, their eyes flashing with shock.
Students' decisions can influence teachers? You wouldn't even dare write that in a power fantasy novel!
Yet this was the reality at Tōtsuki.
What a culinary academy that revered cooking above all else, interpreting the words 'survival of the fittest' to the extreme!
"There's another fundamental reason for this. After students are promoted to the Elite Ten, their skill level generally surpasses that of the Tōtsuki teachers."
Okabe stated the fundamental reason for Tōtsuki's way of doing things. The teachers are not as good as the students, so they let the students hold power. The law of the jungle is a common ailment in the culinary world.
"You're right. The average instructors are not as skilled in cooking as the current Elite Ten members."
"The reason is also simple: the truly amazing ones go out to become head chefs at restaurants. Only some who are not as amazing, but have made achievements in their specialties, are assigned as teachers. What they teach are the most basic theories of the cuisines they are good at."
Rindo Kobayashi crossed her legs, her expression languid.
The especially talented ones don't come, and they look down on those with poor skills. In the end, they can only recruit those who are skilled in a certain area to be specialized teachers for that type of cuisine.
Such teachers hold absolute authority below the first year of high school, but above that, their influence will decline at an astonishing rate.
"No wonder."
Hearing Rindo Kobayashi's answer, a look of realization appeared on everyone's faces. Then Zenji Marui spoke again, "Then how does one become a member of the Elite Ten?"
"You really know how to get to the heart of the matter, kid. It's simple to become one of the Elite Ten. Either you defeat a member of the Elite Ten in a Shokugeki in an open and fair manner, or you obediently wait for the previous Elite Ten to graduate and then win their seats in the annual Elite Ten competition."
"Under normal circumstances, we recommend the second option, because without absolute certainty, failure in the first option basically ends in expulsion. The dignity of the Elite Ten cannot be violated."
Hearing Zenji Marui's question, Rindo Kobayashi's expression became serious, clearly worried that some reckless fool would rashly challenge the Elite Ten.
However, even with expulsion as the price, challenging the Elite Ten is not so simple. Only powerhouses with a certain standing in the school can, after meeting a series of conditions, raise their kitchen knives against the Elite Ten.
"Tōtsuki has far more than ten people with Elite Ten-level strength, but there are only ten seats. Their power at Tōtsuki is limitless. Do not provoke them unless absolutely necessary."
"We understand. I don't think anyone would normally challenge the Elite Ten, right?"
"So serious!"
Hearing Rindo Kobayashi's words, everyone's emotions stirred slightly. No one wanted to be expelled over this, so they would remain rational before challenging.
Unless their own skills were far superior to the one being challenged.
But that possibility was very low.
As the top of the food chain, whose talent and skills far surpassed ordinary students, they themselves had fought their way up from the bottom. Their skills, talent, and courage were all top-tier.
"So, the skewer that Okabe is making now has reached the level of the Elite Ten?"
Thinking of Taki Kakizaki's words earlier, Ryoko Sakaki couldn't help but exclaim, her gaze on the remaining pineapple skewer in her hand becoming respectful.
"Elite Ten! Is Okabe-kun really the same age as us? How did he suddenly reach the Elite Ten level..."
Yuki Yoshino's expression was pained. She couldn't understand how Okabe, who was just joking around with them, could possess Elite Ten-level skills. It was a complete curb-stomp!
The feeling was no less than everyone getting into a prestigious junior high after much difficulty, just about to gear up for the high school entrance exams, only for a senior to tell them that one among them had already been admitted to the University of Tokyo.
What the hell are you competing for!
Can we still play together happily?!
However, having a genius living in the dormitory wasn't without its benefits for them. At least when they were bullied in the future, someone could stand up for them.
"It was just a fluke."
Okabe scratched his head and said modestly.
"This is no fluke. In fact, to reach the Elite Ten level with just a skewer, meaning you haven't even gone all out... that itself is a terrifying thing. This year's newcomers are terrifyingly strong..."
"Could you also be from some culinary family? The surname Fang... there doesn't seem to be a culinary family with that surname in China. Strange..."
Taki Kakizaki mumbled to herself, looking at Okabe thoughtfully. A genius of this level wasn't just some nobody; there had to be a trace to follow.
"Don't bother thinking. I'm not the young master of some culinary family. I was just lucky enough to have a few good masters and learned a few things before coming to Tōtsuki."
"I think there are many students in this class in the same situation as me. There should be some who are even stronger."
Okabe's voice was faint. As he spoke, he began to grill the next batch of skewers, his technique much rougher than before.
"An Elite Ten dish, huh..."
Having been delayed by distributing the pickled squid, Soma Yukihira tasted the pineapple skewer. Now, hearing everyone's comments, he couldn't help but pick up the skewer Okabe had just handed him and examine it carefully.
The next moment, he opened his mouth and took a bite.
The warm pineapple juice burst in his mouth almost instantly, followed by the rich aroma from the top-grade Wagyu's abundant fat.
In that instant.
He felt as if he were on a summer beach, the sea breeze blowing gently against him.
A pineapple tree covered in grilled meat appeared in the center of a small island across the sea, emitting an incredibly rich aroma that was driving his appetite wild.
"So delicious. It perfectly showcases the flavor of top-grade Wagyu without losing a single bit, even though it wasn't marinated at all, just simply grilled and brushed with sauce..."
A look of shock flashed across Soma Yukihira's face.
This was on a completely different level from the other students' cooking. He clearly sensed this the moment the dish entered his mouth.
"It's the same skewer. If it were me, could I achieve the same level of taste?"
Such a thought appeared in his mind.
"Is there any pineapple left in the kitchen?"
He asked.
"I think there's a little bit left."
Zenji Marui, who had come out last, said hesitantly.
"Let me try it too, to see if I can make a pineapple skewer of this level!"
After saying this, Soma Yukihira rushed back to the kitchen. When he reappeared, he was already holding a few pineapple skewers.
He then took over a vacant spot on the grill and, recalling Okabe's movements from earlier, prepared to replicate his method.
"The paper-wrapped fish is ready. Come and have a taste."
At the same time, Taki Kakizaki brought out the paper-wrapped fish from the kitchen. As she spoke, she looked at Okabe, wanting to see what kind of evaluation her dish would receive from him.
As a chef with outstanding skills, one must not only be able to cook but also to appreciate food.
This Spanish paper-wrapped fish was made in a hurry with incomplete ingredients, yet it still reached the Elite Ten level. It was the perfect thing to test this kid's mettle!
"Kakizaki-senpai's paper-wrapped fish, the aroma alone is already very authentic."
"Garlic, white wine, lemon, olive oil, and parsley... Although the ingredients are limited, the core flavor framework is already established."
As he spoke, he distributed the second batch of grilled skewers to the eagerly waiting crowd. Only then did he wipe his hands and walk towards the table with the paper-wrapped fish.
"Oh? You've got a sharp nose."
Taki Kakizaki crossed her arms, her gaze scrutinizing Okabe.
Okabe smiled without saying much. He picked up the prepared fork and carefully cut open the slightly browned baking paper.
Scalding steam, carrying a rich Mediterranean flair, surged out.
The complex aroma of sweet sea fish, refreshing lemon, mellow olive oil, and fragrant herbs instantly captured everyone's sense of smell.
The previously fragrant skewers lost their flavor. Everyone's eyes were filled with nothing but the deliciousness of the paper-wrapped fish.
Even Soma Yukihira, who was grilling skewers on the side, was no exception. By the time he came to his senses, he was already standing in front of it.
_____
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