"Did you add a fluorescent agent to it?"
Yukino asked reflexively, but upon closer inspection, the glow seemed to fade into the golden rice grains, no longer so dazzling.
Was it an illusion?
Yukino rubbed her eyes, suddenly realizing how foolish her question was. The ingredients Yuu used and his cooking techniques were all clearly visible. Aside from a slightly suspicious move to cover the wok, everything was done openly. How could there have been a chance to use a fluorescent agent?
No normal person would put something like that in rice anyway.
For once, Yuu didn't tease her, merely shrugging casually. "Pretty magical, right? As long as the rice is made well, making it glow isn't that hard."
He paused, then, with his usual mocking tone, added, "Want to learn? I could teach you. With your intelligence, maybe you'd get it in about ten years?"
"I refuse. I don't want to see your disgusting face for ten years."
Ignoring him, Yukino walked toward the disposable plates and chopsticks with a flat expression, inviting Yuigahama and Hiratsuka along. "Let's just distribute it. You can tell the result from the aroma alone."
Though it was just ordinary egg fried rice, the light, gentle fragrance completely overpowered the sour plum mixed fried rice, as if spring had suddenly arrived in the courtyard, softly but dominantly dispelling all mismatched elements.
Yuu took a bite himself, nodding in satisfaction.
"Though the equipment's a bit basic and the heat wasn't strong enough to reach peak level… it's no problem for winning the match."
Golden fried rice was simple to make, and its flavor was straightforward—but the most important and hardest-to-describe part was its simple deliciousness, which could make someone feel the warmth of the sun in a single bite, immersed in a subtle, heartfelt emotion.
Ordinary cooking could hardly reach this level, not even with expert-level skills.
So, Yuu added a "drug"—the drug called Emotional Transmission.
Don't ask how he did it, just as he couldn't explain how the system appeared within him.
Regardless, as the crowd eagerly scooped small plates of egg fried rice into their mouths and chewed, their touched expressions proved the "drug" was a resounding success, even bringing some to tears.
"Ugh, it's full of happiness…"
"So delicious, I can't think of any other adjective… Like the first egg fried rice my mom made for me, tasty and warm…"
"I don't dare chew it anymore—what if it's gone? How can there be egg fried rice this good?!"
The overly enthusiastic praise made even Yuu feel a bit awkward. He quickly grabbed two small plates of fried rice and walked toward Asuna.
Of course, Kyouko stood beside her, eyeing him strangely.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am. I hope you're enjoying our school event." While handing over the fried rice, Yuu greeted her politely.
After a brief silence, Kyouko nodded, replying in an unexpectedly calm tone. "Thank you for your wishes. I heard your piano performance—it was very melodious."
"Hm? Thank you." Yuu looked at her, puzzled. Her kindness made her seem like a different person.
But moments later, Kyouko continued like a barrage of cannon fire. "Do you plan to become a musician in the future? Are you considering studying at a music university in Europe? If you have such intentions, I can provide some connections…"
"Mom!" Asuna interrupted with a resigned tone.
Kyouko glanced at her, displeased. "I'm thinking about your future. Don't be ungrateful."
Though she no longer seemed as harsh and sharp, her core mindset hadn't changed.
Yuu sighed inwardly. "You're worrying too soon. Let's talk about this another time. Please eat the fried rice while it's warm."
Kyouko gave him a deep look, saying no more, and elegantly took a small bite of the fried rice with dignity.
She suddenly froze.
After stiffening for a few seconds, she quickly scooped the remaining rice into her mouth, her hand covering her lipsticked lips, her cheeks moving gently as she chewed.
She even closed her eyes unconsciously, her initially serious and stern face softening, her skin flushing slightly, as if lost in a dream.
"Hhh…"
The well-maintained woman in her forties let out a soft sigh, slowly opening her eyes. Her usually sharp gaze was rarely as gentle as water, a fleeting, hazy charm passing through.
Snapping back to normal, she shifted her gaze to the untouched fried rice in her daughter's hand.
Asuna's hairs stood on end, instantly understanding the meaning behind that look. She hurriedly shoved the small portion of fried rice into her mouth, then widened her clear eyes, staring intently at Yuu.
"…It's so delicious!"
Only after swallowing did she speak with slight excitement. "The rice grains are perfectly separated, the egg coats the rice evenly, and though the seasoning is light, it's so profound and unforgettable. It's like going back to childhood, sleeping in the cotton blanket Grandma sun-dried, with warmth lingering in my mouth…"
"It's just food. Why so many feelings? The ingredients aren't even fancy."
Kyouko interrupted her daughter's感想, frowning at Yuu, ready to launch into another lecture with the same expression as before.
But as she opened her mouth, she seemed unable to say anything against her heart. She lowered her head, sighing in resignation.
Suddenly, she said with a flat expression:
"Men should focus on their careers, but if you two don't plan to hire maids or chefs after marriage, you can teach Asuna your cooking skills. She can handle household duties… Hmm, how about next weekend for cooking lessons?"
As always, Kyouko was decisive, locking eyes with Yuu as if the matter was settled. "There's no better time than now. When you officially visit our home, you can also meet Asuna's father and brother to get acquainted. Clear your schedule."
"Mom, you're deciding things on your own again!"
Caught between joy and frustration, Asuna chose to stand in front of Yuu, shielding him from her mother's imposing gaze.
She was happy her mother acknowledged their relationship but annoyed that she kept deciding their future without permission.
It was fine if it only involved her, but when it came to Yuu, Asuna couldn't stay silent. Even if she'd get scolded, she'd speak up for him.
But before she could argue with her mother about choosing their own future, Yuu waved his hand, turning as if uninterested and preparing to leave.
"I have other things to do, so I'll head back. As for visiting the Yuuki household, let's talk about it later. No need to rush, Mrs. Yuuki."
"…Fine, I look forward to your performance." Though slightly displeased, Kyouko respected his opinion, as if truly starting to see him as a potential son-in-law.
Yuu found it amusing for some reason. One piano piece and one plate of egg fried rice had made his future mother-in-law recognize his worth—easier than he'd imagined.
And Asuna was no longer blindly obedient to her mother, daring to stand up for what she wanted to say.
Truly different from her old self.
If so, why wasn't the mission complete?
The mission completion condition, the most critical one… Where was it?
Pondering this, Yuu said goodbye to the Yuuki mother and daughter, returning to the temporary kitchen table. He noticed his egg fried rice was completely gone, not a single grain left.
In contrast, Soma's mixed fried rice, after being distributed to the audience, still had a small bowl left, ignored and slowly cooling.
"Damn it~ I was so confident this time, but I still lost!" Soma sighed in frustration, yet a determined smile lingered on the red-haired youth's face.
Soma extended his fist, bumping it against Yuu's, his gaze deep and sharp. "Yuu, you're strong! I can feel it—without a revolutionary breakthrough, whether it's fried rice or mapo tofu, I'll never beat you."
"So, wait until I'm confident I can take you down. Let's have another cooking match! I'll make something delicious that'll make you surrender!"
Yuu gave a faint smile, raising his brows confidently and casually.
"Alright, I'll wait for that day."
Instantly, amid the audience's applause, the Culinary Research Club announced loudly—
"This challenge event is an absolute victory for the Service Club!"
*👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻*
No one objected to the result. They only looked at the young man standing in front with strange gazes, as he calmly rolled down his sleeves and nodded casually to everyone, as usual.
As he'd said during the awards, he truly didn't make people wait long.
In the first challenge, he proved his ability with an extremely simple dish.
What's next?
Did he really have the skill to match his arrogant confidence, able to defeat any club with ease?
Gradually, many abandoned their desire to watch drama, locking hopeful gazes on him, eager to witness a legendary scene of someone sweeping through all the school's clubs.
A plot only seen in light novels and manga was now unfolding before their eyes, a seed of excitement taking root and growing in their hearts.
Yuu only hoped they wouldn't get too fanatical, turning it into some kind of idol worship.
Shifting his gaze from the crowd, he took a kitchen knife in its sheath from Soma's hand as a victory memento—if it weren't too absurd to carry, Yuu would've preferred the Chinese-style wok he'd just used.
After that, the Culinary Research Club seized the opportunity to continue their outdoor club promotion, while the Service Club members and the trailing crowd noisily headed to the next club to challenge.
As noon approached, Sobu High's atmosphere grew even livelier.