Chapter 264: Alice Makes Her Move
Gourmet City.
"Hiss... so many people!"
Erina and Alice walked down the street, sucking in a sharp breath of cold air. They felt as if they were about to be completely submerged by the flow of people. It was like a great migration, shoulders rubbing, a sea of humanity.
"Currently, the daily foot traffic in Gourmet City is as high as 40 million. It is the most prosperous city of the Gourmet Age," Kenji explained.
"If you two want to open a shop, as long as your cooking skills are up to standard, the foot traffic here will keep you busier than you can handle."
After the crisis on Earth was resolved, the surviving humans experienced a sharp rise in all kinds of consumer desires. Gourmet City's foot traffic had increased by fifteen million. A relatively safe road between the Human World and the Gourmet World had been opened, and ingredients from the Gourmet World were gradually becoming more common. They had rarely eaten them before, so now they had to have a taste. And so, the number of people swelled.
The grandeur of the current Great Gourmet Age was in no way inferior to the past; it may have even surpassed it.
"I feel so much pressure. This is the first time I've ever seen so many people come just for the food."
Erina covered her head. To call this the "Gourmet Age"... it was more like the "Age of Gluttons." She could already foresee that if she were to open a shop, it would be very tiring.
"That's the Gourmet Tower, one of the highest-rated 10-star hotels. If you two sisters have any ideas, I can get you a shop space there," Kenji said casually. The upper-level shops were all run by famous chefs and were basically not for sale, but the shops on the middle and lower levels were easy for him to get his hands on. At the same time, it was quieter there; without a certain amount of wealth, one couldn't afford to dine in the Gourmet Tower.
"Is the rent expensive?" Alice asked. She didn't understand the price market here.
"The 'price of things' is fine."
Kenji was unconcerned. In a place where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, the transaction currency was not money, but barter. It was literally the "price of things." The higher an ingredient's Capture Level, the higher its value, and it could be directly used as currency. In addition, a chef's culinary skill was also very valuable. A single swing of Chiyo's knife was worth a hundred million.
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
Alice smiled generously. She was already eager to improve her molecular gastronomy techniques by combining them with the ingredients of this world.
"Since he's helping so much, my dear sister should offer herself in gratitude," Alice encouraged.
"Why don't... you do it yourself!"
A blush crept onto Erina's pretty face. She looked at Alice, embarrassed and angry. She did indeed have a good impression of Kenji, but her skin was, after all, very thin.
"You're the one who said it."
Alice's personality was unrestrained. She stood on her tiptoes, and her cool lips clumsily printed themselves on the corner of Kenji's mouth.
She had heard Erina mention Kenji so many times. She had also become curious about this man who had changed her cousin. A good impression starts with curiosity, which then leads to attention and exploration. Ryo Kurokiba was her closest friend, so she had no psychological burden at all. Besides, Erina was the one who had said it, so don't blame her for activating her NTR power.
"You, you, you..."
Erina's eyes widened. She pointed at Alice in disbelief. In public, in front of everyone, she had actually done such a thing. It was as if an invisible, heavy object had suddenly appeared on her head.
But I met Kenji first!
The surrounding pedestrians weren't surprised. They just looked at Kenji with envious eyes. Why didn't they have this kind of opportunity?
"Hah... what's wrong with me?"
Like a dragonfly touching the water, it was over in an instant. Alice's fair cheeks were as red as if they had been dyed with blood. To kiss Erina's crush right in front of her... there really was a strange sense of thrill (and immorality).
He who hesitates is lost. Erina was now the blonde-haired loser dog.
"Let's get out of here first."
Kenji touched the corner of his mouth. He saw that more and more people were looking over. He didn't want to become a public spectacle. He took the two of them and left.
At Kenji's house.
"The little one is quite cute. But why does she look so much like her mother?" Alice asked, teasing little Qin Ya. Both were little pink-heads. The few stubborn strands of black hair could be ignored.
"I don't know," Kenji's mouth twitched. Why did everyone he met ask this kind of question?
"If you and Erina had a child, would her hair be blonde with a few black highlights?"
Alice was very curious and was still pushing. If that were the case, it would be too interesting. Kenji's genes couldn't win against his other half's?
"..."
What kind of question is that? How am I supposed to answer? How would I know that kind of thing? If that really happened, then he really would have to suspect himself.
"Alice, be serious," Erina said wearily. The Alice from her childhood, although lively, was not like this.
"What's the point of being serious? Fake seriousness?"
"Or do you need my help to push... mmph..."
Before Alice could finish, Erina, her face bright red, clamped a hand over her mouth. You're a little too open! You just say any 'words of tiger and wolf' that come to your mind!
Stop pretending. You understood the moment I said it. You must have watched a lot of that stuff. Why are you pretending to be a pure young maiden? Who knows how filthy your mind is.
Alice's gaze made Erina blush even more, to the point of extreme shame. This time, she had truly made a fool of herself.
"Hehe ♪. Your sisterly relationship is really good," Elysia said with a smile.
"Of course not! I hate Alice the most!" Erina said, grinding her teeth.
Alice nodded. Yes, yes. Erina is just an old tsundere.
"So cute ♪"
Elysia suddenly hugged Erina, and in an instant, began to "refine" her (letting her hands wander). This tsundere, stubborn look immediately reminded her of the cute Mobius. Her two jade-like hands were very dishonest, directly slipping in from her belly and beginning to explore and measure Erina's figure.
"Ah!"
Erina cried out in alarm, as if she had been electrocuted. Her whole body went limp in Elysia's arms, completely devoid of strength. She could only let Elysia have her way with her.
Hehe ♪. Erina-chan, I've grasped your weak spot~
Elysia revealed the foolish smile of a lesbian boss. The texture was so comfortable to the touch. My hands are going up, up...
Alice's face was bright red. She stared, unblinking, watching as Elysia's hands roamed all over Erina. She looked so skilled, as if it weren't the first time she had done this. The scene was too steamy. She covered her nose, afraid she would get a nosebleed from the excitement and make a fool of herself.
Kenji watched this scene with an appreciative mindset. His mind was clear of distracting thoughts; there was only an appreciation for beauty. As expected of you, Elysia. So skilled. Did you practice on yourself, or on Eden and the others?
"Stop!"
When she sensed Elysia's hand moving downwards, Erina recovered a bit of her strength. Her face flushed, she grabbed Elysia's hand.
Erina: What are you trying to do?!
Elysia: I want to flick your happy beans!
"Gasp! Kenji, save me!"
Erina looked at Kenji pitifully. She was really scared.
"Alright, Ellie. That's enough." Kenji said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Click!
Alice took a picture with her phone, unable to suppress the smile on her face. Erina's dark history +1.
"ALICE!"
The string in her head, at this moment, completely snapped. Erina's eyes were filled with a tangible killing intent. This cousin... she could no longer be kept.