13: Yukihira Dinshiya

After seeing off Yukino Mifuyu and closing the door, Lin Luo couldn't help but complain, "Didn't we agree that you wouldn't put on your teacher persona here?"

With a lingering blush still on her face, Kirisu Mafuyu immediately straightened her expression, trying to regain her dignity. "How shameful... I'm clearly your teacher!" But her words lacked conviction, sounding more like she was acting spoiled instead.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. If this kid didn't keep doing things that caused misunderstandings, how could she keep making a fool of herself? First, he saw her slovenly side, and now she'd made such a joke of herself in front of an outsider... "It's all your fault!" She couldn't help but lift her foot and give Lin Luo's shin a light kick. "From now on, you're not allowed to just bring strangers to my house! Not even acquaintances!"

She froze as soon as the words left her mouth—no matter how she heard it, she sounded like she was being jealous. She hurriedly turned around, pretending to tidy up the coffee table, her ears turning completely red.

Looking at her back, Lin Luo suddenly felt that this "ice queen's" flustered appearance was much cuter than usual.

"I'm going downstairs to grab some food. Don't go back to sneaking your instant noodles," Lin Luo called out into the room while changing his shoes.

Kirisu Mafuyu, who was stealthily heading toward the storage box, froze and sheepishly withdrew her hand. Wearing a loose sweatshirt, she looked like a lazy cat. Although her body had mostly recovered, she didn't want to go out at all.

"I know..." she muttered softly, slowly walking into the bedroom. Sure enough, she found a new pebble on the desk. This one was even more beautiful than the previous one, as if moonlight were flowing inside it.

She carefully picked up the stone, a familiar warm sensation spreading from her palm. Recalling how the previous stone had mysteriously lost its luster and remembering Lin Luo's serious warning, she tilted her head and examined the new stone.

(Could it be... these stones really have something special about them?)

This thought made her lips curl upward. After carefully putting the stone away, she curled up on the sofa with a pillow. Listening to the fading sound of footsteps outside the door, she suddenly felt that the feeling of being taken care of... wasn't so bad.

"Ah—!"

Kirisu Mafuyu suddenly buried her face in the pillow, her legs unconsciously squeezing the quilt as she rolled into a ball on the bed.

Lin Luo's faint smile had just flashed through her mind, and then those ambiguous scenes from her dreams uncontrollably surfaced—the shameful lines she said while possessed, the sensation of the bath towel slipping off, and the warmth from his fingertips... "I'm doomed, I'm doomed..."

She pressed her burning cheeks against the cool pillow, trying to cool down, but her heart beat faster and faster. It was supposed to be a dream, so why did she remember every detail so clearly?

(Could it be that those... weren't all dreams?)

This thought made her freeze entirely. If parts of those intimate scenes had actually happened... "Ugh..."

She buried herself deeper into the covers, her toes curling in embarrassment. Now, as long as she closed her eyes, she could see the boy's half-smiling expression and hear him say, "Mafuyu-sensei, you're a bit too tense."

Kouhei Teishoku.

This was a small shop Lin Luo had been eating at for nearly a year. It wasn't big and was hidden on a street corner, but business was always surprisingly good. The reason was simple—the taste was impeccable, the kind of authentic craftsmanship one wouldn't get tired of even after three years.

However, this shop had a "tradition" that left Lin Luo between laughter and tears.

Just like now, even though it was the busiest time for Saturday lunch, a booming shout suddenly came from the back kitchen:

"You brat! Today, I'll let you witness my old man's secret sauce!"

"Stop bragging, Dad! The customers will definitely prefer my innovative flavors!"

Manager Kouhei, wearing a headband, and his son Sōma, who also wore a scarf, each held a tray and rushed out of the kitchen aggressively. They slammed the trays down in front of Lin Luo with a "thud," making the soy sauce bottles on the table shake three times.

"Kid Lin Luo/Brother Luo!" the father and son shouted in unison, their eyes wide as saucers. "You be the judge! Whose Katsudon is superior today?!"

The regulars around them were used to it, and some even laughed and cheered. Only Lin Luo helplessly rubbed his temples—great, he'd been conscripted again.

Both bowls of rice in front of him were steaming and fragrant. The bowl on the left was the "traditional style" insisted upon by the manager, with a rich and mellow sauce color; the bowl on the right was the "innovative style" Sōma had whipped up, garnished with some novel ingredients.

Seeing the father and son's determination to see who was better, Lin Luo sighed silently.

(The taste is really good... but when can this mandatory review segment be canceled?)

Lin Luo picked up a spoon and, under the intense gaze of the Kouhei father and son, first scooped up Sōma's "innovative style" Katsudon. The rice was covered with tender eggs and creatively sprinkled with toasted seaweed bits and thin strips of citrus peel. It was truly eye-opening upon tasting.

"Mhm," Lin Luo nodded, meeting Sōma's expectant gaze. "The egg's cooking time was handled very precisely. The crispness of the seaweed and the fragrance of the citrus peel also made the texture richer. It's very creative."

A proud smile immediately appeared on Sōma's face as he shot a provocative glance at his dad.

Lin Luo remained noncommittal and then tried Manager Jōichirō's seemingly simple "traditional style" bowl. The sauce evenly coated every grain of rice, the pork slices were perfectly balanced between lean and fat, melting in the mouth. The rich sauce aroma and the umami of the broth unfolded in layers—simple, yet solid and warm.

He savored it for a moment, and under Sōma's increasingly nervous gaze, he finally put down the spoon.

"Sōma's innovation is bold, and the taste is very good," Lin Luo first affirmed, then changed the subject. "But for today's victory, I believe it belongs to the manager."

"What?!" Sōma cried out in protest.

Lin Luo looked at him and explained calmly, "Your donburi has very prominent novel flavor elements, but they're a bit disjointed. On the other hand, the manager's dish—from the sauce and broth to the ingredients—has all the flavors perfectly fused together. Every bite is harmonious and full, with a longer-lasting aftertaste." He paused and concluded with an old proverb, "Ginger is still spicier when it's old."

Manager Jōichirō heard this and let out a hearty laugh, slapping his still-indignant son hard on the back. "Did you hear that, kid? You still have a long way to go!"

Sōma curled his lip and muttered, "I'll definitely win next time," but he still obediently began to clear the dishes.

Looking at the two bowls of Katsudon he had "judged," Lin Luo patted his stomach. With these two bowls down, he was definitely full. But thinking there was a patient at home, and since he had just "freeloaded" on the results of the father and son's competition, it would be a bit inappropriate not to spend some extra money.

He looked up at Manager Jōichirō, who was triumphantly wiping his kitchen knife. "Manager, please pack another set for me."

"Oh? Kid Lin Luo isn't full yet?" The manager was a bit surprised.

"No," Lin Luo shook his head, making up a reason on the fly. "It's for a neighbor. She's not feeling well and is too lazy to cook."

He ordered Grilled Salmon, Chawanmushi, and a small portion of Spinach Salad—all light and nutritious dishes.

While briskly preparing the takeout boxes, Sōma leaned in with a mischievous look. "Eh~ a neighbor? Must be a girl..."

Before he could finish, his old man whacked him on the head with a spoon. "Stop gossiping and get to work!"

Sōma nimbly packed the Grilled Salmon, Chawanmushi, and Spinach Salad into exquisite food boxes. His movements were fluid, clearly showing he was already well-acquainted with this type of basic teishoku. Although he was always a step behind his old man, the food he made was definitely excellent.

Watching Sōma's focused expression, Lin Luo leaned against the counter and said half-jokingly, "With Sōma's creativity and skill, it's a bit of a pity not to send him to our Dragon Country's 'New Oriental' for further studies. I heard the chefs trained there can even carve flowers with their knives."

Hearing this, Jōichirō, who was wiping the stove, snorted without looking up and pointed at his son with his chin. "Him? He's still far from it! If he can just figure out the 'Tōtsuki Tea Ceremony and Culinary Academy' here in Japan, I'll thank the heavens."

"Tōtsuki?" Lin Luo was quite surprised. He had heard of this world-class culinary school, famous in Japan for its brutal elimination system and high standards. "You really plan to send him there for further study?"

"Otherwise?" Jōichirō finally stopped his work, crossed his arms, and looked at his busy son with a hint of unnoticeable expectation in his eyes. "Let him temper his character there first."

Hearing this, Sōma immediately craned his neck and shouted, "I don't want to go to some Tōtsuki! I want to keep this shop and make it flourish, turning it into the number one teishoku shop in the country!"

"Brat, quite the big talker!" Jōichirō unceremoniously landed a punch on his son's head. "I plan to close this shop for a year or two. You're going to that academy to see the world and find out exactly how much you're worth!"

Seeing that the father and son were about to start their daily "sparring" again, Lin Luo quickly picked up the packed food and wisely chose to retreat. "Uh... Manager, Sōma, I'm leaving now!"

As soon as he spoke, he heard Jōichirō announce loudly behind him, "Fine! To see you off, today's special competition project is—Ultimate Dark Cuisine! Let's see who can make something more disgusting!"

"Bring it on! This time I'll definitely make a 'delicacy' that even you, Dad, will admit defeat to!" Sōma challenged, not backing down at all.

Lin Luo's pace instantly quickened, and he pushed the door open without looking back. He didn't want to be caught up in this pair's terrifying "disgusting food duel"; that would be an absolute disaster for his taste buds. Last time he was unfortunately chosen as a judge, he almost questioned his life choices.

(Time to go, time to go. Survival is key.)

Carrying the "normal" food for Kirisu Mafuyu, he quickly left the trouble spot that was about to be shrouded in "biochemical weapons."