Chapter 25

Besides morning practice, Qingshan Li did not use the system all morning.

He attended class himself, studying seriously, in order to conserve stamina and guarantee that he could make an A-rank Hamburg Steak for Mikami Ai at noon.

This matter was promised by the system; it had acted on its own authority, but the system was him, and he had an obligation to fulfill the agreement.

Of course, there was another reason for attending class: worrying that insufficient stamina would cause him to lose focus in class, leading the system to punish him.

He did not want to send a classroom selfie to the female teacher.

The Cooking Club's activity classroom was the Home Economics Classroom.

On the way there, Qingshan Li said: "I only promised to cook for you to eat, I did not promise to duel with the Cooking Club."

"You don't have to repay the ten thousand yen." Mikami Ai said.

The two had originally agreed not to repay it.

But Qingshan Li could not possibly not repay it; Mikami Ai knew this, which was why she said that.

Qingshan Li felt this proposal was not bad; in the short term he could not earn ten thousand yen, nor did he want to add a double financial and psychological burden to the Ono Sisters because of this matter.

Just as he was preparing to agree.

"After thinking it over, let's forget it." Mikami Ai suddenly said, "I don't want to spend money to have you do things; that has no challenge."

No challenge... what did that mean?

Qingshan Li was puzzled.

Did Mikami Ai think that having money meant she could do as she pleased and make him do anything?!

Wrong!

Money could at most buy his life, but could never buy his soul!

As if she had figured something out, Mikami Ai's voice brightened; she said: "Qingshan Li, as a member of the club, you should also show your views on Athens Philosophy; go duel with the Cooking Club!"

The confusion of a Pokemon being taken by its trainer to participate in a Grand Contest was probably similar to Qingshan Li at this moment.

But what else could he say?

In a world where humans and Pokemon were equal, Pokemon could only lie on the ground to eat.

"Yes, yes." He sighed.

"You can repay the ten thousand yen whenever you want." Mikami Ai struck a posture of great generosity.

In the end, he still had to repay it.

The two arrived at the Home Economics Classroom and knocked on the classroom door.

"We're busy now, please come in!" The person inside said directly.

It seemed no one was changing clothes or playing cards.

Mikami Ai pushed open the door, and the sizzling sound of fresh, washed vegetables being put into an oil pot immediately rang in their ears.

Three students were bustling busily behind cooking counters.

The aroma of the food hooked Qingshan Li, even though he had just finished lunch.

Mikami Ai, who had also just finished eating, wrinkled her little nose as if disliking the greasiness.

"May I ask what's the matter?" A male student wearing an apron asked.

"This is student Qingshan Li; in Home Economics Class, his Hamburg Steak received the teacher's approval, and he told me his cooking skills are unmatched by anyone; I asked if he was better than the Cooking Club; he answered, of course—so, he is here to challenge."

As if reading from a manuscript.

Mikami Ai must know another Qingshan Li.

Although this person had the same name and surname as Qingshan Li of Adachi Ward, was in the same school, and took the same Home Economics Class, his personality was frivolous, never missing any opportunity to show off in front of girls.

"Challenge?" The female head cook plated the dishes.

After turning off the heat, the Home Economics Classroom quieted down.

"Simply put, it's a cooking duel." Mikami Ai said.

"Sure." The female head cook said, "But cooking cannot be decided by a single Hamburg Steak."

"Senior Ando." The male student said in a low voice.

"Go wash the pot." Third-year Senior Ando said.

In the quiet classroom, the splashing sound of water rang out.

"Then how should we compete to decide the winner?" Mikami Ai asked curiously.

She did not care at all about the other side's provocative tone.

She had come to inspect the other side's level; every word and action of Senior Ando would only affect the evaluation, not her mood.

"First, knife skills; this is the most basic kung fu in cooking." Senior Ando said.

Mikami Ai nodded.

Senior Ando felt she was a bit presumptuous; a mere junior, what did that judge's posture mean?

Senior Ando glared at her, picked up a single-edged blade, and decided to give her a hard time.

Qingshan Li's heart jolted, and subconsciously he moved forward four or five steps.

Senior Ando swung the knife.

"Did you see?" She held up a thin slice of sashimi with her other hand.

"Mm, I saw." Mikami Ai said smiling, glancing at Qingshan Li out of the corner of her eye.

Qingshan Li: "."

Mikami Ai continued: "The cut surface is crystal clear and transparent; I'm afraid even after being served for a while, it will still be full of elasticity."

Senior Ando sized up Mikami Ai: "My father works at New Kile."

"Oh, I've dined there." Mikami Ai said.

"The second contest is barbecue." Senior Ando said, "I personally agree with the view that any food grilled won't taste bad, but wanting it to taste very good is very complex."

"The barbecue I've eaten has all been delicious." Mikami Ai nodded in strong agreement.

"Barbecue temperatures far surpass boiling, steaming, and frying; control over the heat must be extremely precise to fully bring out the ingredients' own deliciousness, especially for the complex task of grilling a whole fish — the head, tail, and the uneven thickness of the back and belly all require extremely high heat-control skill."

Mikami Ai nodded.

"Third, signature dish." On this point, Senior Ando didn't elaborate further, and there was no need to.

"So, for chefs to determine who is superior, they must go through three rounds of competition: knife work, barbecue, and signature dish?"

"Correct!" Senior Ando said, "And since you're the challengers, our Cooking Club trio will each take the stage in turn!"

"Senior Ando!" the boy said again.

"Mizuguchi!" Senior Ando's voice wasn't loud, but it was full of authority, as if she were the head chef of this kitchen.

"Senior Ando."

"You're already a second-year, yet still this timid — how will you ever cook for those big political figures in the future? Give me the courage to not change expression even if pierced through the heart by a dried bonito flake!"

Better to be scared for now.

"Dried bonito flake?" Mikami Ai looked puzzled.

Qingshan Li explained softly: "Dried bonito flakes are extremely hard; if the technique is good enough, they can be shaved into the shape of a knife, used to kill someone, then eaten or shaved to bits and flushed down the toilet — a murder weapon."

"How do you know that?"

"Saw it in a mystery novel."

"Wouldn't an ice knife be more convenient?" Mikami Ai was even more doubtful.

"Don't know." Qingshan Li answered.

"I see, an ice knife kills at a different temperature; dried bonito flake won't lower the wound temperature, won't leave water stains, and is easy to carry, but the shape requirements are strict, so... the murderer is a chef, right?"

"Yes."

Mikami Ai showed a satisfied expression.

Is this really the time to be talking about this? And it wasn't even hard!

On the other side, the three Cooking Club members had also decided.

Senior Ando said: "Mizuguchi will represent the Cooking Club against you in knife work, Kisue in barbecue, I'll take signature dish; you must also field three people."

"One person is enough." Mikami Ai said with arms crossed.

"If you look down on the Cooking Club, our Cooking Club won't accept your challenge." Senior Ando used her knife to pick up a slice of sashimi and put it directly into her mouth.

Mikami Ai, arms crossed, raised her right hand and rested it against her chin.

"Still two people short." she muttered to herself.

Does that just exclude me?

"My younger sister is also a member of the Yaken Club." Qingshan Li said timely, "If needed, I also have an older sister I can offer up, Club President."

The whole family of three taking the field — definitely a huge profit!

"You reminded me." Mikami Ai came back to her senses, "But thanks for the kind heart, don't need your sister for now; you forgot, the Student Council President is also our club member."

"We concede!" Senior Ando pressed her hands tight against her pleated skirt and bowed ninety degrees.

Mikami Ai and Qingshan Li looked over.

Senior Ando then pressed the heads of her junior Mizuguchi and junior Kisue down, and the three bowed simultaneously.

"As long as the two honored guests don't let the Student Council President set foot in the Cooking Club, our Cooking Club is willing to do anything!" Senior Ando said seriously, dead serious, "Even if forced to dance for the two of you, Kisue playing bass, Mizuguchi helplessly watching on the side — we don't care!"

"Senior Ando!" Mizuguchi looked like tears would fall.

"Mizuguchi, this is all for the Cooking Club!" Kisue, who hadn't spoken until now, was somehow already holding a bass, pick in hand.

She looked like she really wanted to play.

Thank you to Lakers Fan 1, Great God Yuze, Reader 20221104213807934, Shuoye Shiyu pro, 【garbled】, Xiaoxiao Yu's Counterattack, Yk11, Everything Like Flame, Ling Yuan, Old Yang Always Reads, Luoxi's donations!

Thank you everyone for reading, donations, votes!

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(Chapter End)