Chapter 22: Cooking Isn't My Everything!
The Kawasaki Ninja 400, with a 399cc liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder, four-stroke engine, boasting a maximum power output of 33.5 kW and a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.2 seconds—this was the mechanical marvel now sitting before Bai Mo.
Running his hand along the sleek body of the motorcycle, Kobayashi Kaoru grinned. "Well, do you like it?"
"Mm!" Bai Mo nodded emphatically. After all, what boy hadn't once dreamed of chasing the wind?
"I know you're not too fond of green, so I had this one custom-made in silver-white and gray-red. Back in the day, my first bike was a Kawasaki Ninja GPz900R too. Consider this a passing of the torch, eh?" Kobayashi chuckled. "Besides, having a motorcycle will make it easier for you to drop off Sora at school."
Who would've thought the old man had once been a hot-blooded youth himself?
"By the way, would my motorcycle license from Donghuang be valid here in Japan?"
"Of course not," Kobayashi replied dismissively. "But you've got three days before school starts—that's more than enough time. With your prior experience, a bit of studying and practice should get you through the test easily."
Was it really that simple?
Bai Mo opened his mouth to protest but ultimately nodded. After all, when someone was gifting him a motorcycle worth tens of thousands, taking a licensing exam seemed like the least he could do.
After unloading Sora's school uniform and a few other things from the bike, Kobayashi didn't leave immediately. Instead, he settled into the living room and asked, "Did you visit one of the Elite Ten's restaurants the other day?"
"Yeah—Rindo Kuko's Haru no Kadan. She was the second seat of the Elite Ten back in her day, right?"
"Another second seat?" Kobayashi's interest was piqued. "What a coincidence. But seriously, kid, have you really decided against transferring to Totsuki?"
"With your Super Taste and Totsuki's systematic training, you could go so much further in the culinary world."
Bai Mo smirked. "So, the 'God of Cooking' called you again?"
"Ah, yeah." Kobayashi sighed. "He's been interested in you for a while. After all, you're the only person outside the Nakiri family with a 'God's Tongue.' And the fact that you can control yours makes you even more impressive than their lineage!"
"That granddaughter of his has been suffering under the 'curse' of the God's Tongue. Maybe he's hoping to find another path to salvation through you."
This wasn't the first time Nakiri Senzaemon had tried to recruit Bai Mo into Totsuki Culinary Academy.
Before, Bai Mo had always assumed his system was meant to train him as a gourmet hunter, so he hadn't paid much attention to culinary skills. Besides, his Super Taste was an ability unlocked by the system—he genuinely had no idea how to teach the Nakiri family to control theirs.
Now, while Bai Mo had developed some interest in cooking, suddenly changing his mind would make him seem fickle, wouldn't it?
Still, he couldn't ignore his mentor's request.
Taking a deep breath, Bai Mo finally said, "Actually, I've had a breakthrough in my martial arts recently. Aside from Super Taste, my other senses—touch, sight, smell, and hearing—have also reached their peak."
"In Donghuang terms, you could call them Super Touch, Super Vision, Super Smell, and Super Hearing. But here in Japan, they'd probably be given divine titles, just like the God's Tongue."
Kobayashi's eyes widened.
If a single God's Tongue could elevate the Nakiri family's influence to such heights, what kind of monster would Bai Mo become with all five super senses?
"Is that so?" Kobayashi exhaled slowly. "In that case, I'll turn the old man down. And Bai Mo—don't tell anyone else about your other enhanced senses."
"Don't worry. Just like with Super Taste, I've already mastered them. Otherwise, Super Smell alone would've made me feel like I was living in a dumpster. The city's stench isn't exactly pleasant!"
"Oh, and one more thing, Grandpa Kobayashi. I won't be enrolling at Totsuki, but could you ask Nakiri if I could audit classes there occasionally? Like a part-time student?"
Kobayashi burst into laughter. "With that old man's temperament, he'd refuse anyone else—but for you? It might just work!"
"You can practice your cooking here with me, but for foundational theory and techniques, Totsuki's curriculum would be ideal. Alright, I'll ask him."
Without hesitation, Kobayashi pulled out his phone and dialed.
The call connected, and a deep voice came through the speaker. "So, the boy still refuses?"
"Not entirely. Tell me, old friend—would Totsuki be open to a part-time student?"
"What do you mean?" Nakiri Senzaemon sounded puzzled. "We don't force our students to board."
"No, no. What I'm asking is—would you allow someone who isn't officially enrolled to occasionally sit in on Totsuki's classes?"
Silence stretched on the other end.
After a long pause, Nakiri finally spoke. "I see. While Totsuki has no precedent for this… for that boy, I'm willing to make an exception."
"In that case, thank you, Director." Bai Mo chimed in, no longer hiding his presence. "To be honest, I am very interested in Totsuki—but I'm not a fan of its rigid teaching system."
"Most students who enroll there are committed to pursuing careers as chefs or in related fields. But for me… cooking isn't my everything."
"So that's how it is." Nakiri's voice carried a note of understanding. "Very well. Totsuki's doors remain open to you, Bai Mo."
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