Food Department Yuuki Asuna

After finishing the morning classes, Tetsuya went to the convenience store near Toyogasaki High School at noon to buy a pineapple bun and milk to satisfy his hunger. He left the cafeteria and headed towards the school mass organization as described by Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"The flavor of the pineapple bun and milk is good, but if I want a nutritious meal, the cafeteria food isn't as delicious as I imagined..." Tetsuya thought to himself as he walked along the road. He realized that his morning's fantasy of the plain noodles made by the System might have affected his perception of the school's simple meals. However, for now, the remaining Japanese yen in his possession would suffice to buy some food.

He needed to solve his financial crisis soon.

Quickly, Tetsuya arrived at the bulletin board where the mass organizations were listed. He looked up and read the announcements posted there.

"Archery Club, focusing on training in archery," Tetsuya read the introduction of the first mass organization and immediately dismissed it. He didn't have the time to practice shooting arrows every day when he was already struggling to satisfy his appetite.

"Game Club, led by Nishimura Hideki, game nickname: Rusian. The club message says: New game, 'SAO,' opens in seven days. It's a highly realistic adventure game with 70% realistic graphics. The club is looking for four players to join as professional gamers. If you like to play games together and create miracles, come join the club. Note: We can provide free game helmets worth 100,000 yen."

"It's a cultivation club!" Tetsuya's mouth twitched. He had initially thought the Game Club was about developing games, but it turned out to be a club dedicated to playing games. However, to be honest, when he first saw the announcement for the gaming club, he was somewhat intrigued. The club provided gaming devices and helmets for free.

"Although they provide game helmets, I only have 10,000 yen on me. I can't even afford a Fate/Grand Order for top-up, let alone have the mood to play a game all day," Tetsuya said helplessly. He had once been a late-night novelist and played games in the wee hours, but now he had to focus on survival in this new world. He couldn't afford to be a leisurely salted fish. Perhaps he could join this club for occasional gaming sessions, but that was all.

"Let's check out other clubs..." Tetsuya thought to himself. His gaze moved downward, and one particular club caught his attention.

"Gourmet Cooking Club, led by Yuuki Asuna. Focuses on preparing delicious food. Everyone can use the ingredients provided to make the dishes they like. Continuously strive to become a perfect gourmet!"

Upon seeing the neatly written label for the Gourmet Cooking Club, Tetsuya's spirits were lifted. Suddenly, an idea popped into his mind. "If the school's food isn't delicious, why not make my own and supply it to the students through the Food Department? I can earn some money that way."

This idea took hold in Tetsuya's mind, and he couldn't let it go. He had already learned two staple food recipes, and even if he could only make plain noodles and golden fried rice for now, it was enough. With his second-level cooking skills, he could make other dishes as well. If he went to the Food Department, the first day's tasting could be free.

He could start trading under the name of the Food Department. As long as people liked his cooking, the Food Department's reputation would spread throughout the campus. Tetsuya believed that with his fantasy System-assisted cooking skills, many students would be tired of the School Dining's food and would appreciate his homemade meals. Once he had accumulated enough funds, he could open his own small restaurant, and with the additional talents he gained from daily System Missions, he might even become a versatile figure in this dimension, dominating the culinary scene.

With these thoughts in mind, Tetsuya felt a surge of happiness. He took out his cell phone to check the time.

"It's noon now. There should be some people in the Food Department. Let's take a look while we can."

Since the Food Department was not far from the mass organization bulletin board, Tetsuya arrived at the entrance after a short while. He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Tetsuya heard a familiar female voice from inside, which puzzled him. Since someone was inside, he didn't hesitate and walked in.

As he entered the Food Department, he was greeted by a bright and clean room. There were 56 neatly arranged white tables and chairs, a self-contained kitchen by the window with modern appliances such as a fan, microwave oven, and oven. The kitchen was equipped with all the necessary cutting tools, pots, and pans. The seasoning and ingredients were stored in a refrigerator nearby. The entire Food Department looked spacious and resembled an elegantly decorated small restaurant.

"Is this the Food Department?" Tetsuya was dumbfounded. He never expected the Food Department to be so well-equipped. If he hadn't confirmed the house number and walked in, he would have thought he had entered a small restaurant. However, this was actually better since the Food Department's facilities would benefit his plans.

"I admire... Schoolmate Tetsuya, what brings you here?" The familiar voice sounded again, snapping Tetsuya back to reality. He looked up and saw a petite and cute girl with neatly trimmed black hair standing not far away, looking surprised.

"Class Representative, what are you doing here?" Tetsuya was equally surprised. The girl in front of him was Machiko, the class representative of their class. She was well-liked due to her friendly nature and good moral character.

In response to Tetsuya's question, Machiko smiled somewhat embarrassedly. "Asuna went out to prepare the food, so I'm temporarily looking after the Food Department for her."

"I see. Are you friends with the club leader?" Tetsuya asked curiously.

"Yes, I met Asuna because I love cooking. However, I'm usually busy, so I rarely visit the Food Department. But when it came time to officially establish the Food Department, why did you come here?" Machiko explained.

"I'm here to join the Food Department," Tetsuya stated.

"You?" Machiko hesitated, her lips pursed. Then she pointed towards the kitchen area of the Food Department and said, "Since this is the Gourmet Cooking Club, Schoolmate Tetsuya, you should be knowledgeable about cooking to join. Show us your cooking skills."

"Why?" Tetsuya was slightly taken aback. Although it was a school's Food Department club, he thought he could learn cooking there. Why was there a requirement to already possess cooking skills to join?

"Well, that's because Asuna is too popular. Many male students try to get close to her by joining the Food Department, but they know nothing about cooking. It's just a disturbance to her. So, in order to establish the Gourmet Cooking Club properly, I had to set this rule..." Machiko explained, seemingly resigned to the situation.

"Yuuki Asuna?" Tetsuya listened to Machiko's explanation and was briefly surprised. It jogged his memory of the club leader's name on the bulletin board.

And then, it all came rushing back to him.

Yuuki Asuna, the daughter of the CEO of a major electronics company, Yuuki Shouzou, and a renowned professor. She was a true ojou-sama. In addition to her distinguished background, Yuuki Asuna was beautiful, making her popular among students at school. In the class, there were often discussions among male students about her. Unrequited love for her was not uncommon.

Considering Yuuki Asuna's status and beauty, her popularity at school was completely understandable.

But Tetsuya never expected that someone like Yuuki Asuna, with her wealth and status, would be seen preparing food like an average person, and even establish the Food Department at their school.

The more Tetsuya thought about it, the more amazed he became.

He never expected this girl to have such a surprising side. It seemed that he had underestimated her. For now, he needed to focus on establishing a good relationship with her. After all, he didn't want to mess with her in the future.

_____________________________

In Tetsuya's mind, he thought to himself, and Machiko approached him, looking at him with a spooky expression. "Schoolmate Tetsuya, are you joining the Food Department to get close to Asuna like the other male students?"

"Naturally, I joined the Food Department because of my interest in cooking," Tetsuya replied with a bitter smile. He hadn't expected that Yuuki Asuna, with her ojou-sama status, would become the minister of the Food Department. His initial idea for joining was solely to make money.

As Tetsuya arrived at the well-maintained Food Department, he glanced at the neatly arranged pots, pans, and cutting tools on the shelf. These facilities were new and had likely been prepared by Yuuki Asuna specifically for the Food Department. However, the condition of the facility was secondary to the freshness of the chef and the food.

"So, as long as I can cook, I can join the Food Department?" Tetsuya asked Machiko.

"Yes, as long as you can make edible food, you can join the Food Department," Machiko replied with a bright smile. Although some people joined the Food Department to get close to Asuna, most of them had no cooking skills. After all, not many female students cooked during lunchtime, let alone male students. So when Machiko heard that Tetsuya could cook, she was pleasantly surprised.

However, just as Machiko finished speaking, an untimely rumble echoed from her belly, causing her fair cheeks to blush.

Hearing the sound, Tetsuya was momentarily taken aback. Then, as if realizing something, he turned to Machiko, whose face had turned bright red, and asked, "Class Representative, are you... hungry?"

"I haven't had lunch..." Machiko lowered her head in slight embarrassment. Today, she and Asuna had planned to prepare lunch together, but since they were short on ingredients, Asuna had left the Food Department to go grocery shopping. Now, she was temporarily hungry.

"You mean to say that you want me to cook and take advantage of this opportunity to fill your belly?" Tetsuya looked at Machiko strangely. He had his suspicions about joining the Food Department earlier, but he didn't expect Machiko to confess without any pressure.

"No, I'll wait for Asuna to come back and prepare the food," Machiko quickly replied, her face growing even redder. She raised her head and argued, unconvinced, "But... do you also cook?"

"Sometimes. Although I'm not as good as Asuna, I can manage," Tetsuya couldn't help but be curious.

"Alright then, I'll leave lunch to you. There's some food in here," Tetsuya chuckled. While he was surprised by Yuuki Asuna's cooking skills, he had a plan to execute in joining the Food Department.

With his fantasy talent, he had no fear of anyone when it came to cooking!

Machiko pointed towards the refrigerator behind Tetsuya and said, "Everything you need is in the refrigerator."

Tetsuya turned around and opened the refrigerator. There wasn't much food inside—some peeled fresh shrimp, carrots, green vegetables, ham, scallions, a few eggs, and some rice.

Seeing this, a brilliant idea formed in Tetsuya's mind. Although the food in the refrigerator was limited, it was enough to make the dish he had in mind.

"Class Representative, do you like egg fried rice?" Tetsuya asked.

"Yes, I occasionally make it at home," Machiko nodded. She had heard of egg fried rice but had never seen "golden fried rice."

Tetsuya smiled and took out the ingredients from the refrigerator. He rinsed the rice carefully, a crucial step in making fried rice, to remove any impurities that could affect the taste. While rinsing the rice, he filled a pot with water and put it on the stove to boil. By boiling water and rinsing the rice simultaneously, he could save time.

Once the rice was rinsed, the water in the pot had also boiled. Tetsuya poured the rice into the boiling water, using a strainer, and then placed it in the electric rice cooker to steam.

These steps were the essential cooking procedures for golden fried rice. The steaming process made the rice grains distinct, enhancing the flavor and allowing the egg yolk to envelop the rice perfectly.

While the rice was steaming, Tetsuya began to chop the scallions with a skillful motion, using the cutting board and knife from the nearby shelf. Tetsuya's chopping skills were honed over the years and couldn't be taught in a short amount of time.

Next, Tetsuya beat the eggs. As a second-level cook, beating eggs was a simple task for him. He separated the egg yolks and whites, using only the yolks for golden fried rice. The egg whites were not needed.

After a while, the rice finished steaming, and Tetsuya opened the rice cooker, releasing a rich aroma. According to his memory, separating the grains of rice was crucial for achieving the perfect flavor. Tetsuya's control of the steaming time was precise; he didn't unnecessarily prolong the process.

Then, he let the rice cool for a brief moment. Tetsuya turned up the heat on the stove and added vegetable oil to a pot. Once the oil was hot, he added the chopped scallions, filling the air with a fragrant aroma. When they became slightly crispy, Tetsuya added the rice, egg yolks, white pepper, and salt to the pot, stirring them together skillfully.

During the frying process, Tetsuya calculated the timing. Precise control of the crucial moment was vital for golden fried rice. If fried carelessly, the egg fried rice could easily be ruined.

After determining the time, Tetsuya turned off the heat and quickly transferred the fried rice to a prepared tray. As he poured the fried rice, an enticing aroma filled the Food Department, sparkling in the sunlight that streamed through the window. Each grain of rice glistened with golden egg yolk, and the colors were evenly distributed.

At the moment when the golden fried rice was completed, a prompt from the System echoed in Tetsuya's mind: [Golden fried rice: Rating: 65 points! Scoring above the passing mark allows you to taste a favorite food!]