"But, but the specific usage of rosemary, that's knowledge for second-year students."
The student stammered.
"Is that so?"
Jun Shiomi's face showed a bewildered expression.
"Yes."
The student quickly said.
"But isn't this very basic knowledge? As Far Moon students, shouldn't you be thoroughly familiar with the basic characteristics of various spices? Waiting until the second year to learn it might be a bit too late, wouldn't it?"
Jun Shiomi pondered for a moment and said, "E grade."
"Oh my goodness, this is too strict!"
"Rather than strict, it's more like unreasonable!"
Seeing this scene, the students were all frightened.
Next, people continuously received E grades.
"It's over, it's over."
"If this continues, I'm going to be expelled!"
The classroom was filled with wails.
"Alright."
On the other side, Satou opened the pot lid, and a strong aroma wafted out. Then, he scooped out piece after piece of reddish-brown beef and placed them on a plate.
"Wow, what a strong aroma."
Tadokoro Megumi exclaimed, "I didn't expect Classmate Satou to be so amazing!"
"No, this is a dish we made together."
Satou corrected her while slicing the five-spice beef into small pieces.
"Mmm."
Tadokoro Megumi was very touched in her heart. Although it was indeed a collaborative effort, she only did some auxiliary work, and Satou completed the specifics by himself.
After the beef cooled down, Satou said, "Then let's try it."
He had tasted it before. Although there were still many flaws, if Erina Nakiri tasted it, she would definitely mock him, but that was only in reference to God Tongue.
Compared to the taste, Satou believed that his handling of the spices was quite perfect, and he should be able to give it a try.
Next, he brought up the five-spice beef.
"Heh heh, look, that transfer student and the last-place good-for-nothing have also brought out their dishes."
"It must be an E grade."
Many of the nearby students who saw this scene sneered, ready to watch a show.
"Oh, five-spice beef?"
Jun Shiomi curiously looked at the beef on the plate, twitched her nose, and was slightly surprised in her heart—so fragrant!
Then, she picked up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of beef, and put it into her mouth. The soft and elastic beef instantly enveloped her tongue, and a complex aroma exploded in her mouth!
Star anise, fennel, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, cloves—five aromas, like bombers, attacked her tongue in turns.
"What a strong aroma, and so layered, it's like a symphony!"
Jun Shiomi covered her face, a blissful smile on her face, "It's truly delicious."
"What? What kind of expression is that on Professor Shiomi's face?"
"No way, the dish made by that slacker and the transfer student is actually so delicious?"
Those students who wanted to watch a show were all stunned!
"Although the rule was just to highlight spices, theoretically it's usually one spice, but you used five, and each one has a presence, independent of each other."
Jun Shiomi took a deep breath and said with a smile, "Congratulations, you have passed. Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to give a rating above A."
"Thank you, Professor Shiomi."
Satou said.
"Those two actually got an A!"
"No way? Is there a mistake?"
Under the disbelieving gazes of the surrounding students, Satou and Tadokoro Megumi returned to their cooking stations.
Even now, Tadokoro Megumi's head was still spinning. She couldn't believe that she had actually passed, and her grade was an A!
It was a while before she reacted, her small face flushed, and she said happily, "That's great! I finally don't have to drop out. Mom will be so happy when she finds out. Thank you, Satou!"
With that, she bowed deeply to Satou.
"You don't have to thank me. Didn't I say before that you, Tadokoro, also contributed to this dish?"
Satou said with a smile.
"Mmm!"
Megumi's face was slightly red. It was the first time anyone had affirmed her, and it filled her with gratitude.
"From now on, you can just call me by my name."
"Alright, Megumi."
Satou smiled slightly, then pointed to the remaining beef and said, "Oh, by the way, let's share this beef. It'd be a waste to throw it away."
"Okay."
Actually, Tadokoro Megumi had wanted to try it for a long time, but she was too embarrassed to ask.
She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and put it into her mouth. As she bit into the tender beef, various aromas burst forth, and the next moment, a symphony of deliciousness began to play on Tadokoro Megumi's tongue.
"Wow, what an amazing feeling."
Megumi comfortably narrowed her eyes, covering her slightly flushed face, her small face filled with a look of happiness.
"Satou-jun, you are truly amazing!"
She said with a look of reverence.
"Heh heh, not bad."
Satou was a little embarrassed by her praise. If Tsundere were here, she would definitely disdainfully point out the flaws in his cooking.
Speaking of which, he actually missed Tsundere a bit.
...
Soon, a day passed.
Under Satou's efforts, all of his courses that day received an A.
"Hey, have you heard? That new transfer student is really amazing, getting all A's in today's classes!"
"What? That amazing? Is it that guy who spoke so arrogantly at the freshman ceremony?"
"Not that one, it's another one, seems to be named Satou."
As Erina Nakiri walked out of the classroom, she heard the surprised discussions of the students in the hallway.
As soon as she heard Satou's name, she couldn't help but start grinding her teeth, remembering what happened that morning.
Just as she was gritting her teeth, a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"Oh, isn't this Erina? Let's go back together."
Erina Nakiri's body stiffened. She turned her head and saw Satou enthusiastically waving at her.
"Didn't I tell you a long time ago not to talk to me at school?"
She jumped up like a startled kitten.
The people around heard the commotion and looked over with surprise and uncertainty.
Erina Nakiri's heart fluttered!
Then she covered her face, yelling "I don't know you!" as she ran away.
Satou stood in place, looking dejected.