Tadokoro Megumi's wandering thoughts didn't last for long.
After about ten minutes on Baima's motorcycle, they came to a stop in front of a large building.
"We're here," Baima said.
"Eh! Oh—" Megumi looked up curiously at the building, noticing the Tōtsuki emblem. "Baima-kun, what is this place?"
"My cooking tower. Apparently, the Headmaster took it from Erina and handed it over to me. I think it used to be one of her Food War trophies, but that doesn't matter anymore."
As he spoke, Baima led Megumi straight into the building and took the elevator to the fifth floor.
"The building is still undergoing renovations," he explained. "The first and second floors will be turned into massive cold storage areas for ingredients. The third and fourth floors are being converted into indoor gardens, but construction hasn't finished yet.
"The fifth floor, though, is already complete—it's a fully functional experimental kitchen. The sixth floor is for rest and relaxation."
"R-Rest... relaxation…" Megumi's cheeks flushed pink. She wasn't sure what she was imagining, but it certainly wasn't pure.
Baima, however, paid no attention to her wandering thoughts.
"Megumi, the reason I brought you here is because I want you to be the head chef for a cooking event at Tōtsuki."
"M-Me? Head chef?" Megumi exclaimed in surprise. "I... I don't know... I'm barely hanging on as it is! I've just managed to not get expelled!"
"Can't you do it?" Baima looked her over casually. "In that case, you haven't forgotten what we talked about earlier, have you?"
"N-No..." Megumi lowered her head as her cheeks turned even redder. "But... Baima-kun, what you said before... I don't think I can do it..."
"It's not that hard, is it?" Baima smiled like a sly wolf luring in Little Red Riding Hood. "If you can't do it alone, I can help you a little."
"H-Help?"
"Yeah. Some things become easier if someone gives you a little push."
"R-Right here?"
"Want to go upstairs instead?"
"Is... is that okay?" Megumi's eyes lit up with a trace of hopeful anticipation.
Compared to the kitchen she was used to, somehow, the idea of a bedroom seemed... safer.
"No—wait, what am I saying..." Baima realized he sounded like a total flirt messing with an innocent girl. "How did I end up getting dragged into this tone?"
"Anyway, let's put that aside for now. Let me show you the ingredient we'll be using today."
With that, Baima opened the refrigerator under the cooking station and pulled out a large slab of meat.
Megumi's eyes were drawn to the glistening sheen on the surface of the meat. Despite her nervousness, her curiosity won out.
"Is this... M5-grade beef? The marbling on this is incredible—it looks better than any beef I've ever seen!"
"This isn't beef. It's dragon meat, from a species called the Herbivorous Dragon."
Indeed, the meat came from a Herbivorous Dragon that Baima had captured during his time in the Gourmet Hunter world.
Currently, the Herbivorous Dragons in Baima's Gourmet World had already been modified with Gourmet Cells, turning them into superior culinary creatures. However, he wasn't using those enhanced versions today.
Good things should be revealed slowly, after all.
Besides, those dragons hadn't fully matured yet—it would be wasteful to serve them so casually.
The regular Herbivorous Dragon meat was already more than enough for the students of Tōtsuki.
Even though she didn't understand exactly what kind of creature a "Herbivorous Dragon" was, Megumi found herself salivating uncontrollably at the sight and scent of the fresh meat.
It looked absolutely delicious.
Baima didn't make her wait long. He sliced off two thick cuts of meat, added just a bit of olive oil and salt, and grilled them using the simplest cooking method—just enough to draw out the pure flavor of the dragon meat.
Megumi took a bite and was immediately overwhelmed.
"This meat... it's tender and juicy, maintaining moisture in every bite, yet it still has a satisfying chewiness... I can even feel the subtle texture of the muscle fibers!"
"The meat itself is so delicate, and there's a faint herbal aroma... almost grassy, but pleasant. During cooking, that scent has fused perfectly into the flavor, making every bite taste like a breath of fresh nature!"
"This ingredient is truly amazing!"
Seeing Megumi's heartfelt praise, Baima remained calm.
"So, if it were up to you, what kind of dish would you make with this meat?"
"If it were me... the herbal flavor in this meat would pair well with vegetables. If I use traditional countryside cooking techniques, I'd probably make a stew or maybe some ramen," Megumi said thoughtfully. "But a tofu hotpot or braised rice might also work... or even a miso soup with some heat to it."
Hearing her ideas, Baima's eyes sparkled slightly.
Some of those dishes he hadn't even considered.
"In that case, I'll leave the rest of the meat to you. If you need more ingredients, just use the phone over there to call the internal kitchen staff—they'll deliver anything you need within the hour."
"Eh?! Y-You really want me to do it?"
"Yes. Show me what you've got." Baima's gaze turned sharp and intense. "Or would you rather go back to being a bottom-ranker, get expelled, and return home to inherit your family's little countryside inn? Is that the kind of future you want?"
Megumi trembled at his words.
She thought of her mother, her uncle, and all the people back home. Her heart tightened.
Then, she clenched her fists and shook her head.
"I understand. I'll make a dish that satisfies you, Baima-kun!"
Without hesitation, she grabbed the phone and began listing the ingredients she needed.
Megumi's specialty was traditional countryside cooking—much like Eastern home-style meals. Her dishes always carried a sense of warmth and comfort.
She asked for simple ingredients: potatoes, carrots, green peas, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, kombu knots, along with white miso and a few spices.
Judging from the list, she was likely going to prepare the braised rice and miso soup she mentioned earlier.
At the stove, Megumi started working, though a bit clumsily. Baima walked up and gave her backside a light tap.
"What are you doing? It's just basic ingredient prep—why are you so flustered?"
"Eek~!" Megumi covered her bottom with her apron, blushing. "Ba-Baima-kun... n-next time, can you not hit me there?"
"Oh? You're expecting a next time?"
"N-No! Definitely not! I'll do my best!"
"Good. Otherwise, next time I'll hit you like you're a slime monster!"
"Uuugh~"
Although flustered and embarrassed, Megumi quickly composed herself under Baima's gaze and words.
This cooking classroom had only the two of them, but if she really did get the "slime punishment," she felt like she'd faint from embarrassment.
Besides, Baima had gone through the trouble of giving her such a rare opportunity—she couldn't waste it.
There was no doubt in her mind that the ingredients in front of her, just like the earlier spiced fruits, were extraordinarily rare.
If Baima believed in her this much, then she had to give it her all.
Most importantly, Tadokoro Megumi didn't want to appear useless in front of Baima anymore.
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T/N:
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