Regarding Tadokoro Megumi's somewhat unpleasant expression, Ryusei guessed the reason immediately. It was the haunted look of someone who had been "Poisoned" by the twisted culinary experiments of a Yukihira.
Soma Yukihira had clearly inherited a perverse sense of humor from his father. Joichiro Yukihira was infamous for "poisoning" innocent people with his culinary disasters, leaving them with nightmares they could never truly shake. In a way, it was a family tradition of psychological warfare disguised as cooking.
"Megumi, you've suffered," Ryusei said, looking at her with genuine pity. "Soma goes a bit too far sometimes. He thinks that to understand the ceiling of deliciousness, you have to explore the basement of disgust."
Regarding Soma's disastrous side dishes, just thinking about the "Peanut Butter Squid" or "Honey-Marinated Tentacles" was hard to stomach. But more importantly, for Megumi, this was just the beginning. Once Soma moved into the Polar Star Dormitory, she would likely become his primary test subject. Her future seemed undeniably bleak.
"Could it be that, Ryusei, you also..." Megumi looked at him with a spark of surprise, and for a moment, she actually looked happy. Misery loves company, after all, and she had hoped she wasn't the only victim of the day.
"Did that transfer student do something to you too?" Yoshino Yuuki asked, her eyes gleaming with chaotic curiosity. Even the mature Sakaki Ryoko leaned in to hear the "tragedy."
"No, I refused," Ryusei said calmly. "I saw him prepping those tentacles before the orientation. My instincts told me to run."
Tadokoro Megumi looked visibly disappointed, sagging her shoulders. She was the only one suffering after all. At the persistent questioning of Yuuki, Megumi eventually recounted the harrowing experience of the honey-marinated squid. By the time she finished, even the brave Yoshino Yuuki looked at her with a mix of horror and pity.
During their conversation, the group arrived at the gates of the Polar Star Dormitory. Looking at the thick vines climbing the weathered brick walls and the crows cawing ominously from the old trees, Ryusei's first thought was that he had accidentally wandered into a haunted mansion from a horror film.
However, upon stepping inside, the interior was surprisingly warm and well-maintained. Since Ryusei and the girls had arrived together, the usual nightly commotion hadn't broken out yet.
"Fumio-san! A new student needs to take the move-in test!" Yoshino Yuuki shouted, her voice echoing through the grand hall.
"Honestly, I'm not deaf or blind, you noisy girl," a raspy voice replied.
Fumio Daimido, the legendary manager of the dorm, slowly walked out from her office. She glared at Yuuki before turning her sharp, discerning eyes toward Ryusei.
"You're Ryusei, right? The transfer who actually passed Erina's test," Fumio said, her gaze appraising him like a piece of meat. "I'm Fumio Daimido. You can call me the [Maria of the Polar Star] if you plan on passing. So, what ingredients have you brought to prove your worth?"
"I've prepared some high-quality pork," Ryusei answered confidently.
He opened a refrigerated box he had pulled from his trunk. Inside sat a piece of bright, marbled red meat. This wasn't ordinary pork; it was the flank of a Magpieboar, an animal known for its incredible speed and lean, flavorful fat—a prize from his time in the Gourmet World.
"Oh? It looks quite good," Fumio noted, her eyebrows shooting up. Even with her decades of experience, she could tell the muscle fibers and fat distribution in this meat were extraordinary. However, a good ingredient didn't guarantee a good dish. "In that case, follow me. Let's see if you can actually handle it."
Fumio led the way to the massive communal kitchen, with Yuuki, Ryoko, and Megumi trailing behind like curious ducklings. They were eager to see what the "A-grade" transfer student would produce.
Ryusei briefly inspected the kitchen's inventory. He discovered a stash of premium, smokeless binchotan charcoal. This was a game-changer. He changed his plan from a pan-sear to a direct-fire grill. He took out the Magpieboar meat, feeling its firm texture.
He also found some long bamboo skewers. Ryusei moved with terrifying precision, cutting the pork into thick, uniform cubes about the size of mahjong tiles. He skewered seven or eight pieces per stick, ensuring the fat and lean sections alternated perfectly to allow for self-basting.
After lighting the charcoal, a clean, intense heat began to radiate. Ryusei placed the skewers over the flame. As the fat began to render and drip onto the coals, a rich, nutty aroma filled the room. But the secret wasn't just the meat. He reached into his pocket and produced a small jar of pale yellow granules.
This was salt ground from Salt Oranges—a rare fruit that contained both the salinity of the sea and the bright, acidic punch of citrus.
"Ordinary grilled meat won't be enough to satisfy me," Fumio warned, crossing her arms as she inhaled the scent. "Even with high-grade pork, if you don't show me 'soul,' you're out."
"This isn't ordinary grilled meat, Fumio-san," Ryusei replied, his eyes fixed on the fire.
This was where his Nen ability and his Hispanic culinary roots converged. Using his heat control, he ensured the outside of the pork was charred to a crispy, savory crust, while the inside remained a reservoir of hot, flowing juices. The salt-orange seasoning caramelized on the surface, creating a "citrus-salt" glaze that glittered under the kitchen lights.
The simplicity of the dish was its greatest challenge. With no heavy sauces to hide behind, every mistake in temperature would be glaring. But Ryusei's hands were steady, his 'Ten' keeping his focus entirely on the transformation of the proteins.
Finally, the skewers reached their peak. He pulled them from the heat, the meat still sizzling and "singing" as it hit the cool air. He presented two skewers to Fumio on a small wooden tray and handed the rest to the girls.
Fumio Daimido took a bite, and the rich, juicy fat of the Great Stomp instantly flooded her palate. But before the richness could become overwhelming, the bright, zesty tang of the Salt Orange cut through like a lightning bolt. It was a perfect balance of Hispanic flame-grilling and Japanese ingredient purity.
In a daze, Fumio felt as though she were no longer in the kitchen. She saw herself riding a giant, pink boar through a lush, sun-drenched forest, the wind whipping through her hair as she galloped toward a horizon of flavor. The meat was tender, yet had a wild, satisfying "chew" that spoke of a high-quality life for the animal.
"You... you are permitted to stay," Fumio said, her voice softer as she looked at him with genuine respect. "To take such a simple concept and execute it at this level... that takes more than just skill. It takes an understanding of the ingredient's heart."
Ryusei smiled, a wave of relief washing over him. "Thank you, Fumio-san."
"Yes! We have a new member!" Yoshino Yuuki cheered, already devouring her own skewer with an expression of pure bliss. Ryoko and Megumi were equally impressed, their eyes wide as they tasted the "Dream Pork."
"It seems my confidence in you wasn't misplaced, Ryusei," Ryoko said with a knowing smile.
"Welcome to the Polar Star," Megumi added, her bad mood finally cured by the delicious meal.
As Ryusei began to clean his station, he felt a familiar, boisterous energy approaching the dormitory gates. Soma was coming, and with him, the "Entrance Exam" was about to get a whole lot louder.