Chapter 1: First Plate
Life is full of surprises, it can't be predicted no matter how hard one tries. It will throw a curveball at you without any notice.
Just like what happened to me.
One certain day, I was living a fulfilling(lie) life when a plane crashed into the office I was working in causing my death.
Though I don't know how to feel about it.
Should I be upset that I died out of nowhere or just be glad that it was fast and painless?
"Haaah~ Not like it matters."
In the end, no one would miss me there. My parents are already gone, died due to their ages, and I'm also the sole child of my family. I do not have a wife or girlfriend either as I put all my focus on studying before. I did try dating someone but it all didn't last more than a month after.
Either way, I reincarnated in the end, and I'm glad with my memories intact.
And with the second chance given to me. I resolved to pursue my dream in my past life that I couldn't.
To become a Chef.
And thus, a grueling and arduous cooking training ensued. I focused all my passion on it to become the very best. Sacrificing sleep just to attain perfection in my cooking.
Stamina, Knife skills, Creativity, attention to a little bit of detail in cooking, Multitasking skills, cooperation, etc.
I gave it my all.
Although there were multiple setbacks, in the end, I graduated from the most prodigious Culinary Academy in Japan… No, it was the best in the whole world.
[Tōtsuki Tea Ceremony and Cooking Academy or Tōtsuki Culinary Academy]
But now it's time to say goodbye to it.
I gave a slight smile as I stared back at the dormitory where I had spent the last three years of my life.
"It's finally time to leave huh?" I murmured.
With one last sigh, I lifted my luggage and left. Leaving behind fond memories that I and my classmates created.
…
While I was thinking about these random things, I arrived at the gate of the Academy without realizing it.
As I was about to exit, a melodious voice called out to me.
"Wai-Huff-t Sora-senpai!!! Huff~! Huuu~!"
When I looked at the source of the voice, my eyes saw a beautiful girl hands on her knee and heavily gasping for air.
She has flowing scarlet hair that reaches down to her shoulder blades with her bangs covering her left eye. Her yellow eyes give off a mesmerizing feeling.
She is dressed in the usual Academy attire without the standard tie on it. Under her uniform coat, she wears a beige sweater. The cuffs of her sweater protrude out of her uniform jacket and cover her palms.
"What was it, Rin-chan?" I asked casually as my left hand scratched the back of my neck."Do you need anything?"
"I-I just want to ask what are your plans now that… you graduated." She gave me a weak shy smile instead of her normal one that was full of mischief.
"Oya? What happens to my cheerful and whimsical kouhai?" I teased. "Heh~! Why are you acting so shy now?"
(The whimsical junior)
She frowned and hurriedly came towards me and gave me a cute pout. "Stupid senpai… Just tell me."
"Hahaha" I chuckled as I gently patted her head. "Well, I'll stay with my parents in Shizuoka for two weeks. Then go to our hometown in the Philippines and take care of my grandma. I'll probably start my own restaurant there."
"I see." She mumbled softly. I really don't understand why she's asking me about this when she can just text me.
But how can I pass up the chance to tease her?
"Heh~!? Are you going to follow me there?" I gave her a smirk. Then I acted like I was checking out her body. "Well, you're pretty… you have really nice curves now that you're older. Umu, I guess I'll reluctantly accept you as one of my wives."
"Shut up you fucking pervert!!" Rin-chan's ears were red out of embarrassment. She suddenly swung her fist on my face, but I skillfully dodged her attack and gave her a light bonk in the head.
"Heh, I'm kidding." I waved my hand and gave her a wink. "Anyway, why do you want to know that?"
"Nothing" As she was still annoyed at me. She gave me the stink eye. Not explaining her reason. "I just want to know where I can eat freely."
"Hehe, you can visit me there whenever you want."I smiled. "Oh, and bring Mo-chan and Nen-chan too. I'll treat you guys to my restaurant."
She happily nodded at my words.
And so.
Time went on like that as we talked about our experience in the Academy. Not realizing that an hour already passed by.
We parted ways when we realized that it was already night.
…
In a blink of an eye, two weeks have passed. I already said goodbye to my parents and departed Japan to go to the Philippines.
The flight went smoothly and no accident happened.
I also didn't pack many clothes as I can easily buy cheap and good quality clothes there. So I didn't carry anything other than my small bag, making my commute easy.
As I neared my Grandma's house, I couldn't help but remember my childhood memories in it.
As a reincarnator with the body of a toddler, everything was weird. Like acting as a baby when my mind was a full-grown adult.
But not as weird as some of my senses were so sensitive that it irritated me. Especially my tongue and nose, they are too sensitive for their own goods.
Tasting those bland milk makes me cringe, to the point I want to vomit for an hour.
While my nose can pick up the smell so strongly that it gives me a headache just by breathing. Which I think is hyperosmia… Well, it is an overwhelming sensitivity to smells. There are many reasons behind this change in smell. Some include genetics, hormone changes, and migraines
Only when I turned ten years old did I know what was wrong with my tongue. In this world, there is such a 'talent' known as God's tongue. God's Tongue is a unique skill that grants the wielder a superhuman level of taste beyond that of even the most seasoned food and ingredient experts. With it, one can detect even the tiniest imperfections in any dish with only a single taste.
Except for those, everything is fine. Though I have a hard time 'connecting' with my new family, it's not something that can't be fixed in just a few years. Communication is the key to relationships.
…
"Ah, Sora my boy!" Exclaimed my grandma when she saw me entering the living room.
"Hello, Grandma!" I waved at her happily.
She immediately came over to me and gave me a hug. I reciprocate with my own hug. Probably because it's been a while since we last met, the hug lasted for a few minutes before she let go.
Grandma instantly took my hand and directed me to the dining room, saying that. "You look so skinny, come with me, I cooked Kaldaretang manok earlier. You should eat a lot to make you bigger and round."
"Eh? But I already ate lunch earlier?" I said with a wry smile.
"No, your body is too skinny, you're a big boy, you should put more meat on your body." She chided.
Etu? Grandma? I'm skinny? My body is fit as an athlete. I never skip my daily exercises of one hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred squats, and ten kilometers of running every day.
(Image)
Not gonna lie, I didn't think I could commit myself to such harsh training before. But I persevered and it paid off. Now I can do a thousand sets of my exercises every day.
"Okay Grandma, I'll eat." I relent to her wishes in the end. How can I say no to her when she's glaring at me?
That day, my stomach bloated like a pig.
Fuck, I'll need to amp up my exercise for the next few days.
…
Several days have passed since meeting my Grandma again. She was still feeding me like I was a malnourished child that needed nutrients.
I couldn't help but laugh at my predicament.
Anyway, speaking of my plan to start a restaurant here. When Grandma heard about it she happily gave me a land title of a medium size building she owns.
Ugh, Grandma was spoiling me rotten. Is this the perk of only grandchild? Isn't this so excessive just for being one?
Anyway, after a few days of redecorating, cleaning, and stocking cooking tools, ingredients…etc
The final result
(image)
It's better than what I expected. I made everything simple so as not to overwhelm some local people.
"Haaa~" I yawned. "I should sleep early… business will start tomorr-"
"huh?"
"What is this?"
…
(Omake) (Canon)
[Sora PoV]
"Hello everyone… and welcome to [LET HIM COOK!]" I loudly exclaimed and introduced myself. "My name is Sora Cruz and I'll be your chef."
*Multiple Clapping noise*
"And today I will show you how to cook Kaldaretang Manok!!"
*Woohooo!!!!*
"Oh! Looks like everyone was excited to learn…" I smiled. "That's good, and don't worry it's not hard if you follow my instructions… so you should all listen well.. Okay?"
"Yes sir!!"
"Yes"
"Okay"
*Clapping noise*
"Now then if you look at the screen behind me." I pointed at my back. "You guys will see the ingredients needed to prepare this dish."
[Chicken Caldereta(Kaldaretang Manok) Recipe]
Spicy Filipino Chicken stew with tomato, carrots, and potato.
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken cut into pieces
1 piece Knorr Chicken Cube
2 pieces of carrots wedged
2 pieces potato cubed
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 pieces bell pepper sliced
4 tablespoons liver spread
1 piece tomato cubed
3 pieces chilli pepper chopped
1 piece onion chopped
3 cloves garlic crushed
3 tablespoons cheddar cheese grated
1 ½ cups water
4 tablespoons cooking oil
Salt]
I clapped my hands to get everyone's attention and said. "These are all the ingredients you will need."
"Now, we will start by pan-frying the potatoes and carrots." I said as I prepared the frying pan, waiting for the oil to heat up before putting the potato and carrots. "Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the potato and carrot."
"Fry each side for one minute." I explained as I quickly flipped the potato and carrots one by one. "After evenly frying both on all sides, remove the potato and carrots from the pan and move them into a bowl. We will add it later."
After putting the two in the bowl, I took the cut chicken and put them in the frying pan.
"Then using the remaining oil, fry the chicken for one and a half minutes per side just like we did to the potato and carrots." I continued. "Then remove from the pan and set aside for later use."
"After that saute the onion and garlic." I said so while stirring it slowly. "Then add the tomato. stir until the tomato and onion softens enough."
"Then you can add the chicken and pour in the tomato sauce." One by one, I added the said ingredients in order. "Add the water, then let it boil"
"To intensify the chicken flavour add Knorr Chicken Cube. Then add the chilli pepper." I continued. "Cover the pan, and let it be for about fifteen minutes on a low to medium heat."
"Oh… and make sure to turn the chicken pieces over to equally cook them." I reminded everyone. "Don't forget that."
"Then add the liver spread. I guarantee you all that it will enhance the flavour. So, don't skip that ingredient." I explained slowly."Stir it again for a few moments, then cover and let it cook for twenty minutes."
"After twenty minutes, you can now add the bell peppers and cheese." I continued with a smile. "Then let it cook for another three minutes."
"And now you can put the carrots and potatoes into the pan again." I quickly added the two ingredients and then said. "Let it cook for five to seven minutes. Stir it from time to time."
"Lastly, season it with salt and ground black pepper." I said. "And there you have it, Kaldaretang Manok!"
I then put it in a large bowl gently and presented it to everyone.
"See you again next time."
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