Food Wars: Tavern

If you're going into this expecting the quality of my recent translations, don't, I didn't really try all that hard for this fic. Also this fic ends abruptly and there's a lot of Chinese nationalism. If you're fine with that, then go on.

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Japan.

7 PM.

Deep within a food street.

There is a three-story tavern with a small garden in front.

A strong and complex aroma of alcohol seems to permeate the street, making passersby feel slightly intoxicated.

As the moon begins to shyly hide behind the clouds, the lanterns hanging in front of the tavern light up with a yellow glow.

The wind blows gently, creating a continuous chime from the ceramic wind chimes.

Gradually, more and more customers arrive at the tavern.

"Owner!"

"A bottle of peach lychee wine, ten servings of salty smoked meat skewers, and a plate of iron plate tofu."

A female office worker who had just finished work entered the tavern, smelling the aroma of alcohol and familiar salty smoked meat as soon as she arrived.

So, as usual, she quickly found a seat and ordered a few dishes.

"Okay."

"Just a moment."

Chef Zane nodded.

He turned and took out a bottle of exquisite peach lychee wine from a wall-mounted wine cabinet, placing it in front of the female office worker before continuing to work.

Before long, the charcoal under the iron grill had turned red.

The pre-marinated salty smoked meat skewers, when placed near the fire, could be felt warm with just a touch.

The aroma of the meat immediately spread as it neared the fire, with a slightly salty and sweet smell!

Even without special sauce, many customers couldn't resist the pursuit of this delicious flavor. Just by smelling the aroma, the female office worker couldn't help but feel slightly intoxicated.

As the meat slowly turned firm and the oil brushed on it, the fire suddenly flared up.

It turned out the oil had dripped onto the charcoal, causing the meat to emit a red light, making people unable to resist taking a bite.

At this moment, the tavern was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the cheerful laughter of people chatting!

Once the skewers were completely cooked, Zane quickly brushed on a special sauce and sprinkled two soulful seasonings: cumin and chili powder.

Instantly, the aroma of the skewers became even more fragrant! Especially when paired with the rarely seen peach lychee wine in this world, the taste was extremely satisfying!

After finishing his work, Zane silently took a clean knife cloth and carefully wiped the sharp kitchen knife in his hand.

Upon closer inspection, a handsome and charming face was deeply engraved on the mirror-like blade.

In his memory, he was originally a chef living in the Tang Dynasty.

In years past, Zane was just a small assistant chef in a five-star hotel.

But with his continuous efforts and some opportunities, he eventually became a highly prestigious head chef!

Later, he resigned and started his own business.

Managing a large restaurant spanning over 250 square meters and five stories! Because of his rich culinary experience and the restaurant's marketing strategy of "small profits and quick turnover," the prices of the dishes were quite affordable, and the overall dining environment and service level were acceptable.

Naturally, the business of the restaurant began to boom.

However, unexpected circumstances led Zane to accidentally cross over to the world of "Food Wars"!

Speaking of this world.

Regardless of whether they were commoners or nobles.

Nearly everyone had a kind of crazy pursuit and love for gourmet cuisine! Therefore, this world was naturally a place of colorful culinary arts.

Especially the Totsuki Culinary Academy, representing the top culinary arts in the neon country Japan. Under the cruel competition mechanism within the academy, most students there focused more on the study of cuisine than ordinary people.

In other words, in order to survive and achieve something in this world, it was inseparable from gourmet cuisine!

Moreover, he was originally a chef.

So, after crossing over, Zane chose to open a tavern that only operated between 7 PM and 12 PM on this food street!

"Chef Zane, good evening!"

At this moment, a beautiful girl wearing a blue and white Totsuki Academy uniform walked in.

Hearing this familiar voice, Zane quickly put down the kitchen knife and looked towards the source of the voice.

It was the regular customer, Rindō Kobayashi.

In the soft light, her crystal-clear skin seemed to emit a faint ivory glow.

Amidst her delicate features, her small mouth occasionally revealed a sharp fang, adding a touch of mischief to her mature temperament!

"Chef Zane."

"Is there something on my face?"

Seeing Zane staring at her, Rindō Kobayashi, who had just appeared in front of him, blushed slightly and then pouted cutely, seeming a bit pleased inside!

"No, it's just you, the gluttonous monster, coming to the tavern in your free time again."

"I miss... your cooking!"

 "Chef Zane, as usual, give me a bottle of Japanese sake for me, then I want an octopus with mustard, a plate of smoked beef, two servings of tamagoyaki, and a roasted chicken."

"Oh, and also the cold tofu from last time."

At this moment, as a big foodie, Rindō Kobayashi ordered several dishes at once.

Seeing this, Zane was used to it.

This time, he even felt like she might be starting to dislike his cooking, as the amount of food she ordered seemed less than before.

After all, despite her delicate appearance, her appetite was astonishingly large.

Every time she came to the tavern, she usually had to eat the portions of at least ten adults before she was satisfied!

"Okay!"

"Go find a place to sit first, wait for a moment!"

After taking a deep breath to calm his emotions and mindset, Zane gradually showed a smile and chuckled at Rindō Kobayashi.

Then, he turned back to the cooking station to prepare the ingredients.

Pop!

The cork of the sake bottle.

At the moment it was forcefully opened, a light and clear aroma of sake instantly wafted out.

This made Rindō Kobayashi couldn't help but twitch her nose. When she sensed the scent of the sake rushing into her nose so fiercely, it seemed like all the cells in her body couldn't help but jump along!

"Mmm~"

"This is the scent of sake."

Closing her eyes and savoring this wonderful moment, Rindō Kobayashi couldn't help but sigh.