Chapter 2: TNAIC Chapter 2

Talent only determines how high one can reach in their professional field, but it is hard work and resourcefulness that determine whether one can progress and how far they can go on this path.

Wagashi is a general term for a part of Japanese pastries. There are many types, such as mochi, yokan, taiyaki, dango, and hato sabure. Because wagashi has a generally sweet flavor, it is typically served as a dessert in Japan, with the sweetness of the wagashi balancing the bitterness of tea.

It can be said that the so-called system's gift package just now has rapidly turned him from a beginner in the pastry field into an old hand with considerable cooking experience, at least in the field of wagashi.

After giving this gift package, the system fell silent and no longer made any noise.

Ichiyo's expression remained unchanged as he went upstairs to arrange his luggage, and when he went back downstairs, a young girl had already arrived in the shop.

A very delicate and beautiful young girl!

Her golden hair almost reached her waist, her violet irises were just like crystals, and her eyes contained only a gaze of scrutiny and rejection.

She looked like a noble, even somewhat distant, big sister.

"Are you the manager here?"

"From today on, unless something unexpected happens, I will be."

"Can I have a pastry?"

"What pastry do you want?"

“Starry Sky Yōkan.”

"I can only make ordinary wagashi."

"Then bring out your best skills with wagashi!"

Ichiyo looked at the young girl with a somewhat intimidating expression and was silent for a moment before pointing to the half-transparent glass structure of the counter where the wagashi that the old man had made before but hadn't been taken down yet.

"It takes a lot of time to re-formulate the raw materials for wagashi at this time of night. You'll be faster if you just buy the ready-made ones."

"I have plenty of time, I can wait. As long as it's something you personally made!"

The girl's words were full of conviction and were not swayed by Ichiyo's words.

Her purpose for this trip was simply to check Ichiyo's culinary skills.

Ichiyo looked at her in silence, pursed his lips, and after a long moment, shrugged his shoulders.

"Alright, as you wish, but it might not be very cheap."

The girl huffed in response, clearly not looking like someone who couldn't afford a small pastry. Ichiyo's words were unnecessary.

Walking into the kitchen, Ichiyo lazily pulled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and began preparing various ingredients according to the process he remembered.

You are reading story There’s no Additive in my Cooking! (Shokugeki no Soma/Food Wars) at novel35.com

Most traditional warabi mochi is divided into two parts: the warabi mochi skin and the filling. The usual raw materials for the warabi mochi skin are mochiko (rice flour), glutinous rice flour, and sugar. It is processed and matured through a certain process.

During the process of maturing the warabi mochi skin, Ichiyo began preparing the filling for the wagashi. To showcase various colors and shapes, he needed to prepare multiple fillings, such as azuki bean filling, white bean filling, matcha filling, and fruit filling. These are all within Ichiyo's range of expertise.

It wasn't necessary for Ichiyo to go through such elaborate measures for a single girl's order, but considering that the pastry shop would still be open tomorrow, Ichiyo made a little extra semi-finished raw material.

Nakiri Erina found a chair and sat down next to the counter, attentively watching Ichiyo as he worked in the kitchen with smooth, practiced movements and a calm expression, like an experienced veteran.

Recalling the investigation information provided by Hisako earlier, Nakiri Erina raised an eyebrow. This level of fluidity and harmony with the kitchen was not something that someone who had been away from the kitchen for so long could achieve!

However, no matter what, Nakiri Erina absolutely could not admit that this unexpected fiance of hers was capable of such things.

Her purpose for coming today was only one thing: to show this man the reality of the situation, to make him see the gap between them, and then, privately reach a consensus and preserve their respective reputations with a divorce.

Ichiyo, of course, had no idea what was going through the mind of the girl outside the kitchen, nor did he know that she was his never-before-met fiancee.

He simply looked at the wagashi he had carefully molded and sculpted with various tools, feeling a bit curious.

As he looked at the wagashi, a data point appeared in his line of sight above the wagashi: completion rate 87%.

Is the wagashi delicious?

Actually, it's pretty average.

"Is it done yet?"

Erina saw Ichiyo standing in the kitchen, holding a piece of wagashi and zoning out, completely ignoring her as a customer.

At that moment, her impression of the man worsened and her tone became slightly more annoyed than before.

Upon hearing her voice, Ichiyo turned and looked at the girl, then put down the wagashi he had been making and resumed his work with his head lowered.

"Not yet, wait."

The customer is god? He doesn't believe in god anyway.