Food Wars: Taste Reversal

Hinako, having accepted her fate, sighed heavily and refocused her attention on the dish presented by Soma Yukihira. As she examined it, a sense of familiarity struck her.

"Wait a minute... Are these my persimmon seeds?!" Hinako exclaimed, realization dawning upon her.

Soma, standing confidently, wiped his chin and replied, "Senior Hinako, you mentioned earlier that we could use any ingredients available here, right?"

"That's correct... But those were my snacks!" she retorted, a mix of surprise and mild irritation in her voice.

"No need to worry about such details!" Soma responded nonchalantly.

Behind Soma, his partner, a slightly chubby student, looked on in astonishment. Soma's casual demeanor and familiarity with Hinako were unexpected.

Resigned to the situation, Hinako prepared to evaluate the dish. Upon closer inspection, she noted the creativity involved. Transforming persimmon seeds into tempura showcased an impressive level of ingenuity, especially compared to the previous grilled fish dish.

However, after tasting the earlier dish, this tempura seemed to lack a certain impact in both texture and flavor.

In reality, Shiraki's "copycat version" of the dish had achieved a K-level evaluation, equivalent to an SSS-level rating among the general populace. In contrast, Soma's dish was graded as an A-level, comparable to Takumi's culinary creations.

Hinako understood that for first-year students, reaching this level was commendable. The thought of a student surpassing her own "nirvana dish" was both thrilling and daunting.

With anticipation, she picked up a piece of tempura and took a bite.

"Hmm... It's a good dish," she remarked thoughtfully. "The exterior is crispy and delicious, the fish inside is soft and tender, and the sauce made with eggs and pepper sprouts complements it well. Soma Yukihira's group, you are qualified."

Despite her words, Hinako's expression lacked the immersion she had displayed when tasting Takumi's dish. Nonetheless, the student beside Soma visibly relaxed upon hearing they had passed the assessment.

Soma, however, noticed her reluctance. Observing the untouched tempura after her initial bite, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Was his dish truly inferior to Takumi's?

Glancing at Shiraki and his partner, who were engaged in conversation nearby, Soma's determination flared.

"Shiraki, could you share a portion of the dish you just packed?" he inquired, his tone resolute.

Hinako, who had been savoring the "copycat version" Shiraki had given her, looked up in surprise.

Shiraki, unfazed, nodded and handed a packed box to Soma. "No problem. This is your share; take it."

"Hey, wait! Why does he get a portion?" Hinako interjected, stepping between them with a look of indignation.

Shiraki raised an eyebrow. "Where do you think this is going? Soma is my roommate; this was meant for them."

Soma accepted the box with a grateful nod. "Thanks, Shiraki. But I want to try it now... I need to understand the flavor that instantly 'conquered' Senior Hinako's palate."

Hinako, taken aback, stammered, "You noticed that?"

"Of course, Senior Hinako. You didn't describe my dish as 'delicious.' It's quite frustrating... To be honest, Shiraki's skills are exceptional. This 'fish dish' probably isn't even your specialty, right?"

Hinako's eyes widened in shock. "Isn't that his specialty?!"

She looked between Shiraki and Soma, her disbelief evident. Could it be true that the dish rivaling her "nirvana dish" wasn't even Shiraki's best?

Shiraki confirmed Soma's suspicion. "That's right. I'm more proficient in Chinese cuisine. This imitation of British food is somewhat inauthentic."

Soma nodded, his focus unwavering. "I see. No wonder you didn't use it for the audit, given the 'Japanese cuisine' theme."

Their conversation left Hinako in a state of petrification. The calm demeanor of the young man before her sparked an uncontrollable thought.

If she could enjoy meals prepared by this boy every day... Wouldn't she be the happiest woman in the world?