Reborn in Japan as a Chef God

"Hey, Makki, it's been a week since Far Moon started school, any interesting things besides coursework?"

"Makki?"

"...Hey, don't zone out!"

In the backyard of Tang's Mansion, amidst a courtyard surrounded by green bamboo, Xia Yu was sitting, using a phone stand for video chatting. On the screen, a girl far away in Neon, wearing a Far Moon uniform, was resting her chin on her hands, lost in thought. It took her quite a while to shake her head and wake up from Xia Yu's call, rubbing her eyes shyly, "Uh, I haven't been sleeping well lately, not very focused, sorry Yu."

She stuck out her tongue with a cute expression.

Let's not talk about Xia Yu staying at the Tang's Mansion for now.

"Not sleeping well? It's only been a week since school started, is coursework already that busy?"

This question lacked any self-awareness as a high schooler himself.

Xia Yu's suspension and disappearance sparked some discussion among the students and teachers at White Seagull High School, but it wasn't surprising. After all, such a culinary genius attending a regular high school was strange in itself. His suspension to pursue higher culinary arts in the Chinese Realm was such a cool dream-chasing, it's quite reasonable.

"Ah—"

The video screen suddenly came into view with another head, Yoshino Yuuki popped up behind Sen Tian Makoto, smiling mischievously, "Lecturer, after you left, Far Moon became so boring. Makki isn't busy with coursework, she's been trying hard to learn Chinese lately..."

Sen Tian Makoto quickly covered her mouth.

"Learning Chinese?" Xia Yu was momentarily stunned, seeing the girl's delicate face in the picture, blushing with two red cheeks, even a fool would understand, "Haha, Makki, are you thinking of going to the Chinese Realm too?"

The girl nodded, hesitated for a moment, then shook her head again, her eyes bright as she stared through the screen at Xia Yu.

Uh!

Xia Yu suddenly understood something.

"Alright, Chinese isn't easy to learn. If you can learn to communicate daily without any barriers..." He paused, winking at the girl, "It's also possible to take you on a trip."

"Just a trip?" The girl, however, pouted slightly in displeasure, her eyes showing a bit of grievance.

Seeing her unable to hide her dark circles, learning a difficult foreign language besides culinary arts was truly hard on her.

"We'll talk about it later."

Xia Yu shrugged off this topic, his eyes just happened to catch a graceful figure coming from the end of the hallway, so he pressed the end button for the video chat, "That's it for today. If you have any problems with culinary arts or Chinese, remember to call me anytime!"

"Wait—"

It wasn't Sen Tian Makoto speaking, but multiple noisy voices overlapping from the other end of the video.

The girl raised her phone, capturing the courtyard of the Polar Star Dormitory. Instantly, a whole family came into view on the screen. Ichise Hui wore his iconic bright sunshine smile, "Lecturer, we've all been keeping an eye on your battles in the Chinese Realm."

"Good luck!" He clenched his fists.

"Honestly, the name 'Young Devil' is really cool!" Yoshino Yuuki's face glowed.

Xingping Chuangzhen was naturally there too, scratching his head in the frame, "Ah, by the way, I heard Miss Dubian and Miss Chiyoda already led their team to fly to the Chinese Realm recently. Even Neon culinary media have been paying attention to you, Lecturer!"

Xia Yu looked at the familiar figures on the screen, feeling quite sentimental.

The Far Moon plot line had, due to his appearance, completely fallen apart. First, Tiqie Ji was defeated by him, and the plan to rise against Xian Zuoemon and establish a central culinary agency subsequently collapsed.

No Tiqie Ji, no central culinary agency.

Moreover, Lei Zhe, the culinary association tyrant, fled in disgrace, and Far Moon Board of Directors was firmly controlled by the Tiqie lineage. Naturally, the future Far Moon returned to daily life.

So, as the protagonist, how do you climb step by step without the original storyline's tempering?

Xia Yu gave Xingping Chuangzhen a teasing look, then promptly turned off the video.

"Your relationship with your little girlfriend is really good."

A voice full of jealousy.

Knowing that Tang Yuqiong was already there, Xia Yu held the black screen phone, a smile blooming at the corner of his mouth, "It's definitely great."

"The official hunting notification letter has arrived."

Smack.

A file bag was thrown on the stone table, Tang Yuqiong crossed her arms and said, "Actually, there aren't any rules that need attention. Every year in the final ranking battle stage, no limits on topics, no designated ingredients, everyone showcases their big moves and their best skills."

Speaking of the big moves the newcomers have been saving for the showdown, her pretty face turned solemn.

"By the way!"

Suddenly remembering something, Tang Yuqiong slightly bit her lip and said to Xia Yu, "Ye Feizhou disappeared!"

"Disappeared?"

"Yes, it's been over half a month, right? The media have searched the Chinese Realm thoroughly, and there's no trace of him at the places he used to visit often. He must be hiding, closing off to prepare big moves!"

Tang Yuqiong looked very earnest.

"Understood—"

Xia Yu, however, kept his head down, as if he hadn't heard a word, mumbling to himself, "I need to find another ring to neutralize the chaos caused by 'fermented black beans and bitter daisy' and make the spice formula balanced!"

"So, Fan's Recipe has nine rings."

"Is the original recipe like this?"

Tang Yuqiong's expression turned complicated.

This guy really looks down on the "Five Chinese Talents"...

Thoughts arose, and Tang Yuqiong felt very upset, but she remembered the friendly culinary exchange she had with Xia Yu yesterday at Tang's Mansion, where she was utterly defeated, her spirit completely collapsed.

It seems that he does have the qualification to ignore others.

"Anyway, I won't challenge him again, especially in a formal culinary competition; it's just heart-wrenching!" Thinking of this, a schadenfreude smile appeared on Tang Yuqiong's face, "I want to see who will voluntarily challenge this Great Demon King in the ranking battle next week."

...

Tokyo Suburbs, Hakone.

Chiyoda Shrine.

"Tiqie Helinai, final score 90, ranked first in this training class."

"Congratulations!"

A young shrine maiden handed a token to the girl standing in front of the main hall of the shrine.

It was dusk, and there were quite a few observers in the grand courtyard of the shrine.

People watched as the girl, who took the token and dragged her suitcase, step by step down the stairs, gradually moving away, and started discussing.

"Didn't expect 'Divine Tongue' to pass her first training with excellent results!"

"She'll definitely be in this year's first special assessment!"

"I heard it was that person privately tutoring her..."

A black extended luxury car was parked at the foot of the mountain.

"Miss Eriina!"

Niho Fuyuka waited by the car, hearing the sound of suitcase wheels, she immediately rushed up to help, looking at Tiqie Helinai's somewhat fatigued angelic face, "You've worked hard."

Tiqie Helinai seemed not to hear.

"Passed, passed..." she murmured, "Next week is this year's first special assessment, right?"

Niho Fuyuka was startled by the words, "Miss, the time is too rushed. I suggest you rest and prepare for the spring or summer special assessment."

"No way!"

The girl, with the gift and title of 'Divine Tongue', crossed her arms tightly, "It's still too slow! Too slow!"

"Ah!"

Niho Fuyuka could only sigh lightly.

"If I tell Miss that the lecturer made a name for himself as 'Young Devil' in the Chinese Realm, would she be happy or more stimulated..."