Hearing Minezaki's words, Seiya was clearly taken aback as well.
Indeed, because of his preconceived notions, what he had said did sound a little like the sort of thing someone said when they had never known hardship.
Whether it was him or Soma Yukihira, they had both been able to receive wholehearted instruction from childhood because their parents were skilled chefs.
But if it were a stranger, why would they do that? In any world, interests came first. They were neither related nor acquainted, so if someone taught you the skills they relied on to make a living, what were they supposed to do afterward—retire?
Even at Totsuki Culinary Academy, those instructors would only offer guidance and evaluations to help you take your cooking to the next level. But asking them to teach you the techniques they depended on for a living was obviously impossible.
That was also why Totsuki Culinary Academy had entrance examinations. The students they wanted were those with a certain foundation in cooking and potential, not complete outsiders who did not even know how to use a kitchen knife.
"Then let me ask a different question, Miss Minezaki. Would you be willing to try learning to cook from me?"
"Cough, cough, cough... Cough. What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly."
Perhaps because she had not expected Seiya to suddenly ask such a question, Minezaki, who had been sweeping through the leftovers, choked on her food and began coughing violently.
"I asked whether you wanted to learn cooking from me. Of course, if you're not interested, I won't force you."
After confirming that she had not misheard him, Minezaki gave Seiya a serious look. Then, after looking over her own body, she suddenly said, "I don't mind a partner younger than me. I even