ARIFURETA: Cooking to be the Strongest?

Shin's first year of high school flowed in a familiar, comfortable rhythm. His days still hummed with cooking, garden tending, and dojo practice. Academically, he remained average. His true focus stayed on culinary arts and home economics, where he always excelled.

His long, silver-gold hair often hid his eyes. This, combined with his reserved demeanor, kept him largely unnoticed. Few knew the face beneath his bangs. Only the Yaegashi dojo members, Kouki, Shizuku, Kaori, and everyone at the orphanage, including Hajime, did.

High school brought an unexpected twist. He was in the same class as Nagumo Hajime, Amanogawa Kouki, Yaegashi Shizuku, and Shirasaki Kaori. Shin was already close to Kouki, Shizuku, and Kaori.

Because of this, Hajime, who only had Shin as his best friend, now found himself acquainted with the class's most popular students. Hajime's middle school growth spurt, fueled by Shin's quiet "nutritional regimen," made him taller. Still, he remained the timid otaku, content with his light novels and peculiar friend.

Shin's days usually ran smoothly. Shared library breaks and lunches with Hajime, and sometimes with Kouki, Shizuku, and Kaori, were common. This calm continued until an incident mirrored a familiar tale.

Hajime, quiet but observant, saw an elderly woman being harassed. A group of youths surrounded her near the school gates. Hajime's timidity battled a sudden surge of indignation. He chose to act. He stepped forward to defend the old woman. It was a small, quiet act, almost unseen. But it sent the youths scattering.

That unassuming courage caught someone's eye: Shirasaki Kaori's.

Later that day, Shizuku approached Shin.

"Shin-kun," she began, her tone thoughtful.

"Did you hear about Hajime-kun today?"

"He actually stood up for an old lady who was being bothered."

Shin simply blinked.

"Hajime did?" he murmured.

"Kaori said she saw it happen," Shizuku added.

A faint nod of understanding followed. Some ingredients, even plain ones, held potent flavors. Hajime, despite his mild exterior, had a strong core. Shin, as a friend, felt proud of Hajime's action.

And Shin also started planning on how to track said harassers. Who knows, they might be potential "volunteers."

Kouki, meanwhile, puffed out his chest.

"Kaori-chan is just so kind, isn't she?!" he declared, oblivious.

"Always looking out for everyone."

Kaori, however, started seeking Shin out. During lunch or after school, she'd find him.

"Shin-kun," she'd ask, her voice soft.

"Hajime-kun, he... he really likes fantasy novels, doesn't he?"

"What kind of stories does he prefer?"

Shin, ever straightforward, simply relayed Hajime's interests. He became Kaori's unwitting source for information on her new curiosity.

This subtle connection between Kaori and Hajime did not escape Hiyama Daisuke's notice. His jealousy, bitter and familiar, quickly ignited. He saw Kaori's interest in Hajime as an insult. He sought to re-establish the social order with his usual harassment, often masked as "encouragement."

"Oi, Nagumo," Hiyama would sneer, forcing a smile.

"Are you studying hard? Don't want to fall behind, right?"

"It'd be a shame to disappoint Shirasaki-san."

But then, Shin would appear. Quietly. Effectively.

"Hiyama and you guys," Shin would call out. His voice was flat, emotionless, but carried a strange weight and eerie cheerfulness.

"Are you feeling unwell again for not eating my 'meals' and acting like that?"

"Well, if that is the case,"you're in luck today, as I timely have some new prototypes."

"Would you like feeling to volunteer again?"

The color would drain from Hiyama's face and gang. Their clique would visibly flinch. They hadn't forgotten the digestive distress or the infamous "stomach growl incident" when they became Shin's volunteers in an undocumented event during the early weeks of high school. Hiyama would force a weak laugh.

"Ah, no, Takagi-kun! Just checking on Nagumo!"

"We're fine! Really, really fine!"

They'd scatter, leaving Hajime safe, if baffled.

Hiyama, frustrated, tried to lump Shin with Hajime.

"You're just like your buddy, aren't you, Takagi?" Hiyama tried, a smirk forming.

"Always off in your own little world, cooking up weird stuff."

But this time, Shizuku and Kaori intervened.

"Hiyama-kun, that's enough," Shizuku stated, her voice firm.

Kaori stepped forward, her gentle gaze sharp.

"Shin-kun is nothing like that, Hiyama-kun."

"He works incredibly hard on things that matter."

This unexpected defense from the class's "idols" neutralized Hiyama's open aggression. He couldn't publicly target someone backed by the unassailable "hero party." This fueled his dissatisfaction and festering inferiority complex. His usual tactics were useless against Shin's unique deterrent and the surprising solidarity.

Despite these underlying tensions, Shin's high school life began smoothly. His unshakeable friendship with Hajime remained a constant. His bond with the dojo mates — Kouki, Kaori, and Shizuku — only deepened. There was a subtle change, though. Sometimes, when talking to Shin, Shizuku would display a warmth and open attentiveness that remarkably mirrored Kaori's own.

__________

During these mundane days, Shin's high school life continued.

One morning, the homeroom period began with its usual unruly chaos. Their petite teacher, Aiko Hatayama, stood at the front, a blush rising on her cheeks as the class teased her.

"Ai-chan, you're just too cute!" one of the girls giggled.

"Yeah, you're like a mascot character!" another chimed in.

"Can't even reach the top shelf, can you, sensei?" a boy teased, earning a round of laughter.

Aiko-sensei sighed, trying to regain control. "Now, now, everyone! S-settle down!"

Kouki and Shizuku stepped in, trying to calm the boisterous room.

"Alright, guys, give Aiko-sensei a break!" Kouki called out, flashing his usual dazzling smile.

Shizuku, ever more direct, clapped her hands sharply. "Everyone, silence! The bell rang ages ago!"

From his seat near the window, Hiyama glared. His eyes fixed on the trio—and especially on the silver-haired Shin and Nagumo. Nearby, Kaori had joined their quiet conversation.

Unbothered by the noisy surroundings, the four of them talked. Their usual topics: isekai, magic, magical beasts. They discussed the sheer convenience such magic would bring.

Shin's focus was mainly on magic for increasing his repertoire. He liked the idea of having a "pop-up kitchen" at will or a large invetory of ingridients that can fit on a ring.

Then, the topic shifted. What would they do if they were truly Isekai'd?

"Honestly," Hajime began, a thoughtful frown on his face. "If I got sent to another world... I'd probably just try to find a way back home." He glanced at Shin, then back down at his desk. "And if I had someone really important there, I'd definitely try to bring them with me."

Kaori nodded, her expression earnest. "Yes, I agree with Hajime-kun. Even if a new world was amazing, I'd want to return to my family and friends here. And if I had any healing magic, I'd use it to protect everyone, no matter what."

Then it was Shin's turn. He paused, thinking.

"If the other side is interesting, and not too dangerous," he stated calmly.

"I will find a way to connect the two worlds."

He then chuckled, a rare, soft sound.

"As if another world even exists."

That very word had barely left his lips. The entire classroom vibrated.

The world shuddered and trembled.

A blinding light erupted. It engulfed everything.

When the light faded, the classroom was empty. Not a single person remained.

When Shin opened his eyes, he was genuinely shocked by what he saw. People in white, priestly robes stood before him. On his side, the entire class was gathered.

Shin muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

"Are you kidding me?"