Food Wars: Taste Reversal

After the course, Shiraki, Megumi, Yoshino Yuki, Sakaki Ryoko, and others returned to Polar Star Dorm.

Because they didn't walk back as stupidly as Soma Yukihira did, and they knew the shortcuts, they arrived at Polar Star Dorm before the afternoon.

Naturally, Isshiki had been waiting there for a long time. There were no classes today for the second years, and Ibusaki, Daigo Aoki, Shoji Sato, and others also returned to the dormitory before five o'clock. They heard that a transfer student was coming to Polar Star Dorm today, and everyone was excited and prepared for a welcome party.

After all, the pressure from the first lesson of the day was quite large, especially on the first day of class. There was a rumor that a class of students had been collectively rated as E.

Mrs. Fumido naturally saw the excitement of everyone and reluctantly spread her hands, letting everyone go. After all, if there were newcomers moving in, it was also a tradition at Polar Star Dorm to have a welcome party.

She just didn't know if this new transfer student could test their skills through the check-in of Polar Star Dorm.

In such a joyous atmosphere, the time quickly passed, and night arrived.

A figure, looking somewhat like a zombie, slowly appeared at the door of the Polar Star Dorm. Step by step, he walked toward the building in front of him. It was Soma Yukihira, who had been rushing all afternoon. He really didn't expect Totsuki Culinary School to be so big. After getting the map, he didn't prepare anything, took his luggage, and started walking. He thought he would reach the dormitory soon, but it wasn't until evening that he finally arrived. And he wasn't even sure if this was the Polar Star Dorm written on the map.

Looking at the building in front of him, which looked like an ancient house from a ghost movie, Soma Yukihira's face showed a ghostly expression. He didn't expect to see such a dilapidated "castle" at Totsuki Culinary School, which was full of high-end buildings. He was just about to raise his feet to walk in when he saw a wrinkled face—an old woman like a female ghost—suddenly appear in front of him silently. Soma Yukihira was so frightened that he almost fell to the ground on the spot.

But Mrs. Fumido didn't give him a chance to ask. She spoke to herself.

"You're the transfer student assigned here, Soma Yukihira, right? I'm the dormitory manager here, the Great Miss Fumido. You can call me Mrs. Fumido or Polestar Maria!"

"W-what?"

Mrs. Fumido continued with her usual introductory words, and Soma Yukihira was still in shock. He thought he had just run into a ghost, after all, the haunted house in front of him, coupled with the sudden appearance of a female ghost, made this scene seem very plausible.

"What a rude little ghost, listen when others are talking!"

Mrs. Fumido glanced at Soma Yukihira, who was standing outside. "But forget it... Since you're here, it means you have bring the ingredients, right?"

"Ingredients? What ingredients?" asked Soma Yukihira, who hadn't eaten anything along the way. His eyes widened in confusion.

"Do you still need to ask? Of course, it's a famous trial of Polar Star Dorm... Cook and try your skills!" Mrs. Fumido raised her voice. "If you want to live in this dormitory, you have to make a meal that satisfies me. If you can't even do that, you'll be camping out in the wild tonight!"

"And this is the regulation?" Soma Yukihira was stunned, his expression showing that he had never heard of such a rule.

"Oh, so you're just going to give up without a fight?" Mrs. Fumido glanced at Soma Yukihira, who should have inquired about this matter in advance, like Shiraki. It seemed that this newcomer didn't do his homework. "No way, then you'll sleep in the wild."

"No kidding!" Soma Yukihira had an unacceptable expression. It's April now, and if he really had to sleep outside for one night, he'd catch a cold the next day. This old woman was really not making sense!

"Anyway, you can cook something that satisfies you, right?" Soma Yukihira, now calmer, looked at Mrs. Fumido. "Then take me to the kitchen first. Do you have any leftover ingredients here?"

"You want to cook with leftover ingredients?" Mrs. Fumido couldn't help but glance at Soma Yukihira. "Hmph, then come with me. You can use the ingredients in the kitchen as you like, but if you don't pass, don't try to fool me by saying they were leftover ingredients."

Mrs. Fumido had already started walking, and the kitchen wasn't far. Soon, the two arrived at the kitchen door, just as Shiraki was walking out with a plate of food.

"Huh, this smell..." Mrs. Fumido's nose twitched as she smelled the aroma coming from the plate in Shiraki's hand. With her experience, she couldn't tell what kind of ingredients it was!

Soma Yukihira looked at Shiraki, who was still wearing a mask, and then glanced at the dish in his hand. It seemed to be an ordinary egg custard, but the color was slightly different. And the taste—it wasn't an ordinary egg custard. The aroma, which seemed to boil right to the tip of his nose, was on a whole other level.

"Oh, Soma, you're here." Seeing the two people at the kitchen door, Shiraki casually greeted Soma Yukihira. "Come on, our welcome party is ready for you. After passing the skill assessment in a while, we'll go to room 205."

"Oh, that's really kind!" Soma Yukihira, although not saying much to Shiraki, was familiar enough with him to recognize the good intentions. Hearing that the welcome party was ready, Soma Yukihira, who was already so hungry his stomach was practically touching his back, immediately perked up.

"Tsk, don't look like you've passed the skill test yet, little ghost," Mrs. Fumido added at the right time.

"By the way, Shiraki, what kind of food do you have in your hand? It shouldn't be just ordinary egg custard, right?" Soma Yukihira, now more relaxed, suddenly noticed the dish in Shiraki's hand and asked curiously.

"You're thinking too much. This is just ordinary egg custard."

Shiraki waved his hand, not wanting to get into the details.

In fact, this was a plan he had been brewing for a long time—egg custard made from stinky eggs. Originally, Shiraki thought that as long as he covered the pot's lid, the smell wouldn't be that bad. But he didn't expect that the odor could be clearly smelled even from across the pot. Even though he was wearing a mask, it didn't help. If it weren't for Mrs. Fumido and Soma Yukihira still being around, Shiraki would've really wanted to retch.

Hurriedly saying goodbye to Kohei and Fumio, Shiraki, who quickly walked into the corridor, finally couldn't stand the smell and began to call the system in his heart.

"System, are there gas masks for sale in the mall?"

[Ding, a portable invisible odor isolation mask, effectively isolating all odors while coming with a small oxygen supply device, 200 points each.]

"Redeem one for me."

Shiraki shouted inwardly without hesitation.

[Ding, the portable invisible odor isolation mask has been successfully redeemed. 200 points will be deducted. The current remaining points: 3800.]

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