After tasting Soma's revised dish, Shun set the spoon down.
Seeing this, Soma hurriedly asked, "Well? How is it?"
Catching the mix of anticipation and nerves on Soma's face, Shun paused a moment before speaking slowly.
"The concept is solid, and the direction is exactly right."
He began with affirmation. "Using layered aromatics and texture to create a unique impact—you did a decent job. Especially the idea of marinating standard beef with sake and searing it hard—that's bold and effective. It gives the meat a distinct charm that A5 wagyu doesn't have."
A smile had just begun to form on Soma's face when Shun's tone shifted slightly.
"But there are still clear problems."
"Huh—what else is off?"
"First, your spice ratio isn't precise enough. Each spice is trying to stand out, so they clash a bit rather than fusing into a more harmonious—and harder-hitting—profile. For example, the black pepper's heat steals a touch from the beef itself, and the ginger comes up a little abrupt on the finish."
Soma thought that might be it, but Shun wasn't finished.
"Second, your searing is not perfectly even across every slice. Most are great, but a few—probably due to thickness variance—picked up over-caramelized edges, giving a faint bitterness."
"Lastly—and this is key—the core of this bowl is the sauce, and it can be bolder. You made a base to support the beef, but since you've already transformed the beef's flavor through marination and searing, the sauce could push harder—maybe a bit richer, or even a touch of acidity to further balance the intensity and sharpen the layers."
Shun's critique hit home—praising the strengths while laying out the subtle flaws and clear avenues for improvement.
Soma listened intently. Far from being discouraged, his eyes grew brighter. Problems meant a lot of room to level up.
Moments later, he let out an excited laugh. "I get it—finally! Thanks, Shun. Watch me in this Shokugeki!"
With Shun's guidance—twice now—Soma had found the true breakthrough and would bring the dish he'd refined to completion for the duel.
Shun didn't mind that the dish before him was a "rough cut." He picked the spoon back up and polished it off in a few quick bites, then headed out, leaving the kitchen to Soma.
Just as he stepped into the hallway, a familiar chime rang in his mind.
"Ding! Detected: Host proactively guided a key figure to break past prior limits, igniting their creative potential and delivering pivotal improvement notes.
"Hidden Quest [Path of Enlightenment] (1) complete.
"Mission grade: A! Successfully guided Soma Yukihira to develop a brand-new direction that surpasses the original [Chaliapin Steak Donburi] prototype; critique was on point and highly instructive.
"Rewards granted: [Super Taste] (Basic), Special Item [Universal Spice Casket] (Basic)."
[Super Taste] (Basic): Grants taste sensitivity far beyond normal, letting the host clearly distinguish and memorize even the tiniest flavor layers and components. Upgradable.
[Universal Spice Casket] (Basic): A plain-looking little wooden casket that produces, once per day, a small random quantity of a special spice or seasoning material from different worlds or rarities. Upgradable.
Another hidden quest!
Last time it was Erina. This time, Soma!
Both are leads in major Shokugeki arcs!
As expected—interacting with them is the trigger for hidden quests.
And the rewards? Excellent.
Shun grinned inwardly.
If the prizes keep coming like this, he wouldn't mind offering pointers now and then.
Even setting aside the casket that produces daily spices, "Super Taste" alone is a broken-tier talent.
Shun remembered this ability came from another world's Cooking Master Boy—paired with "Super Vision," "Super Hearing," "Super Smell," and "Super Touch."
Any one of these five can put a chef at the absolute summit.
Even Erina's "God Tongue," in front of the five "super" talents—with no side effects to boot—would have to give way.
Now that he'd obtained "Super Taste," there was no downside—only advantage—for everything he'd do next.
— — — Time Skip — — —
Two days later, Soma's Shokugeki with Ikumi arrived right on schedule.
The arena had filled with students drawn by the rumor—"commoner vs. elite," "ordinary beef vs. top-grade A5 wagyu." Curiosity crackled in the air.
The match hadn't even begun, yet whispers about the outcome were everywhere.
Ikumi, dubbed the "Meat Master," had A5 wagyu primed and ready—every buff stacked.
On Soma's side? Seemingly nothing.
But when the results were announced, many eyes went wide.
"I declare the winner of this Shokugeki… Yukihira Soma!"
Meanwhile, back at Polar Star, Shun didn't particularly care about the outcome.
He was starting his own plan.
A few days later, Shun and Miyoko stood before the ornate, Chinese-style gates of the Chinese Cuisine Research Society.
…
(End of Chapter)
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