"Oh, isn't that Erina?"
Yuki Yoshino and Ryoko Sakaki exclaimed in surprise when they saw Erina Nakiri.
"Long time no see."
Yukihira Soma even greeted her.
A vein faintly throbbed on Erina Nakiri's fair forehead. Why did these guys come too?
"Oh, Erina, you didn't tell me you were going to be a judge today."
Satou also asked in surprise.
"Erina, do you know him?"
Eizan Etsuya asked very astonished, because judging by Satou's tone, he seemed very intimate with Erina Nakiri, calling her directly by her first name.
"Yes, we've been living together recently…"
Before Satou could finish his sentence, Erina Nakiri hurriedly stood up from her seat, then walked in front of him, covered his mouth, and her voice was even tearful, "Didn't I tell you not to talk to me within Far Moon?"
If others knew that she was living with this guy, her reputation would be completely ruined, and the Nakiri would also be disgraced.
Kobayashi Rindo and Eizan Etsuya both looked at the two of them strangely.
"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Since you've chosen to establish the Rare Ingredients Research Society, please show us at least one rare ingredient."
Eizan Etsuya said with some impatience.
Satou nodded. He had already been reminded by Erina Nakiri yesterday that the ingredient displayed should preferably be whole.
This was where Satou had a headache. If he slaughtered the Dream Catfish first, others probably wouldn't be able to tell if it was a rare ingredient just from the meat.
He could only bring the whole thing over.
"Push it in."
Satou turned to Yukihira Soma and the others and said.
"Oh? Such a huge seafood tank? Is there a shark inside?"
Kobayashi Rindo said in surprise. Some artificially bred sharks could be eaten and were not illegal.
"What is this guy up to?"
Erina Nakiri muttered softly. She had felt strange when Satou borrowed the seafood tank from her earlier.
Satou walked over and pulled off the cloth covering the seafood tank. Countless gazes followed. In fact, not only Kobayashi Rindo and the others, but Yukihira Soma and the rest had also been curious for a long time.
Then, a giant catfish appeared before everyone.
Unlike the typical yellowish-brown color of ordinary catfish, this catfish was entirely bluish-black with two long whiskers, looking very beautiful.
"This is… a catfish? But how can it be so huge?"
Eizan Etsuya was greatly astonished.
"Is it a giant catfish? But according to world records, the largest is only 2.7 meters. This one must be over three meters, right?"
Kobayashi Rindo also exclaimed in wonder, stepping forward to curiously examine it up and down. "What kind of catfish is this? Its color, fins, and everything are different from ordinary catfish."
As a rare ingredient expert who frequently explores various parts of the world, Kobayashi Rindo confirmed that this was unlike any catfish in the world; it was a species she had never seen before!
"What is this catfish called? Where did you catch it?"
Kobayashi Rindo pulled Satou's arm, continuously pouting.
"Hey, what are you two doing?"
Erina Nakiri gritted her teeth, looking at the two with their arms around each other, and snapped.
"Huh? Erina, didn't you say you didn't know him?"
Kobayashi Rindo asked with a strange expression.
Erina Nakiri's face flushed, and she stammered, "Th-that's because it's getting late. Hurry up and let him start."
"This catfish is called a Dream Catfish. As for its origin, it's inconvenient to tell you."
Satou said. He couldn't very well tell her he caught it in Inuyasha, could he?
"Stingy!"
Kobayashi Rindo puffed out her cheeks, clearly a little unhappy.
"Your ingredient has been approved by us. Now, please demonstrate your skill in cooking rare ingredients."
Eizan Etsuya said with interest. This was the first time he had seen such an ingredient. In terms of rarity, it definitely surpassed all the ingredients he had ever seen.
"Alright."
Satou nodded, then began to consider how to cook the Dream Catfish.
After some thought, he decided to steam the whole fish.
He had already perfected the steamed fish recipe, and catfish was among the recommended fish for steaming.
"I need a steamer, the bigger the better."
Satou said.
"A steamer? Do you intend to steam this catfish? Such a giant catfish must have a very coarse texture. It clearly shouldn't be steamed, should it?"
Erina Nakiri was stunned and couldn't help but say.
"Ahem, Erina, how to cook the ingredient is the applicant's business. As a judge, it seems you shouldn't offer advice, should you?"
Eizan Etsuya lightly coughed, reminding her.
A blush appeared on Erina Nakiri's face. "I... I wasn't advising him!"
"If you need a huge steamer, the Chinese cuisine Department might have one."
Kobayashi Rindo said.
Next, the staff brought a huge steamer to the scene. This was the largest steamer in the Chinese cuisine Department, and it hadn't been used in who knows how long.
Satou looked at the size, nodded, and felt it should be enough.
"Can the time limit be extended a bit? After all, this fish is so huge?"
He asked.
Kobayashi Rindo nodded and said with a smile, "Given that your ingredient gave me enough surprise, I can extend the time for you."
"No problem, but try to be as quick as possible."
Eizan Etsuya rested his hand on his chin, saying indifferently.
"However, processing such a huge fish must also take a lot of time, right?"
Erina Nakiri said.
"Yes."
Satou nodded and said, "Can I ask someone to assist me when gutting the fish? It's a bit tough for me to handle alone."
Erina Nakiri's face showed a thoughtful expression. "I remember, if it's a research society member, assistance can be given during the review..."
Mid-sentence, she suddenly stopped, because she had a faint bad premonition.
Sure enough, Satou was looking at her and said, "Then, Erina, come and help."
Erina Nakiri's inner thoughts: Q-Q
"Huh? Erina, you're a member of this research society? No way?"
Kobayashi Rindo and Eizan Etsuya couldn't help but be surprised.
"N-no."
Erina Nakiri was on the verge of tears. "I just casually joined."
By this point, even the dullest person could tell that these two definitely had something going on!
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