The person Kobayashi Kaoru wanted to introduce to Hakumo wasn't some old flame or middle-aged aunt—it was someone Hakumo already knew.
The Second Seat of Tōtsuki's Elite Ten—Kobayashi Rindō.
Seeing the red-haired girl sitting casually at the Midnight Diner, Hakumo glanced at Kobayashi Kaoru beside him.
They had the same surname. He hadn't expected them to be relatives.
"Yo, nice to see you, Hakumo-kun!" Rindō greeted him with a grin. "Your performance at the entrance ceremony really left a deep impression!"
"If the old man hadn't told me, I wouldn't have guessed you were working in this old diner!" she added. "So, what do you say? Since the old man asked, could you spare a few of those Spice Fruits for me to try out? I want to see what these rare ingredients can really do!"
As the Second Seat of Tōtsuki's Elite Ten, and a third-year student, Rindō specialized in cooking with rare ingredients.
Of course, those "rare ingredients" referred only to this world—like Amazonian electric eels, Mayatan sea cucumbers, Italian Alba white truffles, Canadian gooseneck barnacles, and deep-sea bluefin tuna.
Even the yellow croaker from the East Sea, the Tibetan yak butter mushrooms—those that Hakumo had previously shared—would be classified as top-tier gourmet ingredients here.
But none of these so-called rare delicacies could compare to what Hakumo had in his possession.
Whether it was the Sumeru Spice Fruit he had displayed before, or the Herbivorous Dragon Meat from last night—those were truly exceptional and irreplaceable.
Seeing Hakumo's talent, Kobayashi Kaoru finally decided to introduce his niece to him.
After all, he knew very well just how cunning and thick-skinned his old friend was. That man would do anything to get his hands on ingredients that could change the very era of cooking.
Though Kaoru didn't think highly of that old friend, he still made the decision—for the sake of his disciple.
Since his old friend entrusted his grandson to Kaoru, he would ensure Hakumo wasn't bullied while in Japan.
Sure, the identity of an Elite Ten member wasn't much outside of Tōtsuki, but it was still enough to make that old fox hesitate. Especially now that they were in a seller's market.
Kaoru also didn't hide anything from Hakumo—he laid out all the possible schemes that Nakiri Senzaemon might be plotting.
After all, arranged marriages were still quite common among the remaining noble families in Japan. The Nakiri family itself had roots in the Chinese aristocracy, which is partly why Tōtsuki had developed to such heights.
"I wonder whether the old man would offer up the God Tongue girl... or maybe the true eldest daughter of the Nakiri family?" Kaoru chuckled with a knowing smirk. "You're in for some romantic trouble, kid!"
"Haha~"
Hakumo didn't take the teasing too seriously.
To be honest, he didn't consider this ordinary world a threat. There seemed to be no supernatural powers in it at all.
A peaceful world like this—while he might not win through open conflict, he could certainly take down any family through assassination.
Of course, he didn't reveal this card just yet.
After all, he hadn't fully matured in strength.
If he could rotate his magnetic field up to 490,000 horsepower, then sure—he'd snatch up both Erina and Alice without hesitation!
As for the Nakiri family? They could have whatever leftovers he didn't want. No big deal.
Kaoru didn't know any of this.
From his point of view, Hakumo's ingredients were extremely rare—stuff people might only taste once in a lifetime.
He suspected that what the Nakiri family truly wanted wasn't just Hakumo, but his access to those ingredients. If they ever figured out the source, they might try to steal it from him.
Seeing Kaoru's concern and sincere gaze, Hakumo couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Kobayashi," he said. "Those ingredients don't mean much to me. The real rare stuff—I wouldn't hand out that easily."
He was, of course, referring to the gourmet creatures currently being cultivated in his personal Gourmet World.
"As long as you know what you're doing," Kaoru nodded. Then he gestured toward Rindō. "If you're willing, Rindō can follow you from now on. She's one of the few heirs of the Kobayashi family. You don't need to worry about her loyalty!"
"Should I swear loyalty or something?" Rindō joked. "Even if it's my uncle's request, I'm not opposed. As long as you can satisfy me."
…???
"Hmph—what were you thinking? I meant satisfy my appetite!"
Ahem—
Still, Kobayashi Rindō wasn't exactly unattractive. Her playful eyes and fiery red hair had a predator's charm.
That outfit was too white, that waist too slim, and those curves too… round.
Naturally, Rindō noticed Hakumo's heated gaze.
But she didn't hide or scold him—instead, she stretched slightly, subtly showing off her figure and enhancing her allure.
After all, just like men enjoy eye candy, women also enjoy visual feasts.
Rindō, standing at 185cm with a toned, athletic build, exuded a kind of raw, primal strength. And the confidence he carried—that calm, commanding aura—was incredibly attractive to her.
She had been watching him closely.
Even after hearing about the Nakiri family's scheming, he hadn't flinched at all. That unshakable demeanor, that slight smirk on his face—it was like the warm spring sun, enough to brighten anyone's mood.
If possible, Rindō herself wouldn't mind staying by this man's side.
And besides being handsome, he had access to a treasure trove of rare ingredients. That alone was enough to score major points in her book.
"So if you want my loyalty, I don't mind having another boss," she teased. "But I want to taste your cooking—and I mean the kind made with your rarest ingredients!"
"If you can satisfy me, I'll happily follow Uncle's orders and assist you here in Japan."
"In that case, let's get started! I'll make sure you get a proper taste!"
"Right now? I'm game. I'll be expecting a feast!"
As Rindō hopped onto the back of Hakumo's motorcycle, Kobayashi Kaoru watched them drive off. He couldn't help but feel like he'd just played matchmaker.
Still, he didn't worry too much. After all, Japan was fairly open-minded about these things.
And besides… wasn't Hakumo said to be practicing celibacy cultivation techniques?
If that was true, then he really didn't need to worry at all.
There wouldn't be any "incidents," right?
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T/N:
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