The next day.
Exactly 7:00 PM.
Sosuke lit up the red lantern sign outside.
The glowing "Izakaya" sign looked warm and dazzling, like a quiet harbor in the night!
Pushing open the wooden door, a complex mix of aromas instantly assailed the senses—the smell of sake, grilled skewers, fresh seafood, and other snacks!
This aroma seemed to transport one into a "small world" far from the city's hustle and bustle.
The Izakaya's patrons were diverse!
They came from different age groups, different professions, and different interests.
Among them were young people and old, office workers, business owners, teachers, scholars, artists, and musicians chasing their dreams…
Despite their varied backgrounds, in the specific setting of the Izakaya, they could all set aside worldly troubles and share their stories and emotions with each other.
After all.
Most people are humble.
They are like tiny drops of water in the ocean, unable to contend with the world.
But at night, they can find a little solace for themselves!
…
Food!
Drinks!
They are always the soul of the Izakaya, and also the medium for people to interact!
"Come on, everyone!"
"Let's toast with tea."
"Congratulations to Isshiki Satoshi, our senior from the dormitory, on becoming the 7th Seat of the Elite Ten!"
At this moment, Yoshino Yuki in the Izakaya raised her teacup and joyfully called out to everyone.
Immediately after clinking cups with everyone, she eagerly took a sip of the fragrant tea.
Upon tasting it, she felt the tea's aroma was very clear, yet at the same time, it was mellow and sweet, giving a feeling of natural harmony and a refreshing aftertaste!
"Hmm!"
"I really didn't expect it."
"The flower tea provided by this Izakaya would be so sweet!"
"Indeed!"
"To brew such good flower tea."
"It not only requires good quality tea leaves, but also meticulous effort in water temperature, brewing time, and other aspects!"
Sakaki Ryoko, who had also taken a sip, said lightly after a moment of thought.
"That's why!"
"I just don't understand."
"A celebration feast like this could be held at any restaurant, so why did it have to be in my room?"
Marui Zenji, wearing glasses, began to grumble indignantly as soon as he put down his teacup.
…
Polar Star Dormitory.
This is the only boarding facility in the entire Totsuki Academy.
Therefore, the dormitory does have some boarders, but the number of boarders is very small, probably fewer than the fingers on ten outstretched hands!
The reason it's so few is that the dormitory is currently managed by a person named Oomido Fumio.
And students who wish to reside in Polar Star Dormitory must undergo a unique entrance cooking trial administered by this dorm manager.
Even a student like Tadokoro Megumi took a full three months to barely pass the entrance trial.
Perhaps?
At this time, Tadokoro Megumi's strength was not particularly impressive.
But to a certain extent, it still indicates that becoming a resident of Polar Star Dormitory is by no means easy!
And among all the residents' rooms, Marui Zenji's Room 205 is the largest. Coupled with his extremely meticulous personality, he always keeps his room spotlessly clean!
Therefore, whenever the residents of Polar Star Dormitory want to gather, they always "requisition" his room.
…
"Sigh!"
"What a headache!"
"Sonoka's Harukatei Restaurant actually closes after 6 PM!"
Speaking of this, Isshiki Satoshi looked at everyone with an embarrassed expression.
During last year's Practical Training, Sonoka, a former Totsuki graduate, was invited by Totsuki's official channels to serve as an examiner.
Isshiki Satoshi, who performed exceptionally well, naturally had some interactions with her!
Of course.
That was a year ago.
Things had changed; even he himself had now become the 7th Seat of the Elite Ten.
To celebrate his promotion to the Elite Ten, the residents of Polar Star Dormitory all proposed holding a celebration feast.
Initially, they wanted to celebrate in Marui Zenji's Room 205, but he strongly objected. Helplessly, Isshiki Satoshi, as the "protagonist," then thought of this Harukatei Restaurant!
As a result.
Things truly did not go as planned.
When they arrived at 7 PM, the restaurant had already closed.
However, fortunately, there was an Izakaya next door that operated at night, so they could only come here and make do with holding their celebration feast.
Little did they know.
It was precisely this choice.
The gears of fate began to turn from then on!
…
"Megumi!"
"Come on, let's clink cups too."
"Congratulations on successfully advancing to the high school division as the last-place finisher!"
Just as the atmosphere became lively, the slightly mischievous Yoshino Yuki, seeing that Tadokoro Megumi was always quiet and seemed to be deep in thought, actively approached her to talk!
"Yoshino, are you praising me or making fun of me?"
Seeing Yoshino Yuki approach her, Tadokoro Megumi slowly reacted and couldn't help but give an awkward, bitter smile!
It is well known.
Totsuki Academy itself is a culinary academy where promotion and graduation are particularly difficult!
But unlike the high school division, which focuses on practical application, the various assessments in the junior high division are actually simple theoretical knowledge, such as: cooking theory, nutrition, public health, introduction to cultivation, business management, administration, and so on!
Therefore, students only need to master these basic theories, and then it is actually very easy to pass the advancement assessment.
Tadokoro Megumi, don't let her usually timid appearance fool you; she does have a solid foundation.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have even passed Oomido Fumio's hurdle in the dormitory entrance trial!
However.
For some reason.
Once she entered the examination room and received the test paper.
Her mind would turn to mush, feeling confused, and in the end, she could only reluctantly pass the advancement examination as the last-place finisher!
…
Tempura!
The name of this dish sounds somewhat high-class, but it's just food fried in batter.
The Shopkeeper, Sosuke, first prepared some fresh seasonal vegetables, such as dried persimmons, dried bananas, etc., and also prepared seafood products like conger eel, squid, and oysters!
Then.
He mixed flour, eggs, and water to make a batter.
For the flour, he chose low-gluten flour, with a gluten content of less than 10%.
Finally, the proportions were 15% eggs, 35% flour, and 50% water.
After making the batter, he quickly coated all sides of the abundant vegetables and seafood products with batter, and then it was time to deep-fry them!
Because the batter's consistency was not very thick, if the oil temperature was too low, the batter would fall off, and if the oil temperature was too high, the ingredients inside would char. Therefore, the most challenging aspect of Tempura for a chef is the skill of controlling the heat!
Last but not least.
Do not throw away any ingredients coated with batter.
Coat them with egg wash, then breadcrumbs, deep-fry until golden and crispy, drain the oil and remove them. Both elderly and children love them, and the kids next door are practically crying with envy!
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"Your Tempura is ready!"
"The remaining dishes will need a little more time!"
Subsequently, Sosuke placed a plate of Tempura with various ingredients in front of these dormitory residents.
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