"Yes, as long as you're willing to help me take care of Erina Nakiri, I'll agree to any request!"
Because of her urgency, the words came out without thinking, but as she finished the last word, Hisako Arato suddenly felt a little regretful, because she felt Hoshino Sora's gaze was somewhat off.
"Two conditions: I want your black stockings, the original ones. Then take off your shoes, and I'll give you a slight massage, and by the way, appreciate your small feet."
"What?"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Hisako Arato immediately showed an extremely disgusted expression. Yes, it was that kind of trash-looking expression! More, it felt like he was getting excited!
"If you agree, I can start taking care of Erina tonight."
"Eh..."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Hisako Arato hesitated for half a minute. 'Take off your shoes and extend your feet'—it was such a simple request, so why did it feel so shameful to actually do it?!
Just thinking about it made her feel uncomfortable all over, like ants were gnawing at her, a tingling sensation, but for Erina Nakiri, she was willing to pay this price.
Clenching her fists and gripping the hem of her clothes, her eyelids twitched frantically from shame. Hisako Arato stepped and sat next to Hoshino Sora, struggling greatly to take off the boots she was wearing.
The next moment, her small feet, encased in white mid-calf socks, appeared before Hoshino Sora. They were slightly damp, emitting a faint sour smell, extremely salty and damp.
It was clear that Hisako Arato's sense of shame had reached its peak the moment her boots were removed, which could be seen from her restless, fidgeting toes.
"So shameful..."
Her voice trembled slightly, her eyelids twitched violently, and even her breathing became a little hurried. It was just a foot massage, at most a touch, so why did she feel so ashamed?
"It's okay, you'll get used to it."
"How can I get used to something like this?! Why do you like girls' feet?!"
Hisako Arato retorted with dissatisfaction, but her shy and timid appearance made it impossible to feel any anger from her, more like a playful outburst.
"How would I know something like that? I just like them. Or are you saying you'd accept other parts?"
Hoshino Sora placed Hisako Arato's small feet on his lap, inhaling their scent and swallowing, as she shook her head like a rattle.
Hisako Arato emerged from the room an hour later, her steps trembling slightly. She walked out, leaving Hoshino Sora with an extremely reluctant gaze.
Before leaving, the disgust and dissatisfaction in her eyes had faded, replaced by a genuine sense of satisfaction. Hoshino Sora's skilled techniques had completely captivated her.
That feeling of being stimulated by an electric current, where her entire body and even her soul felt transparent, she didn't know where that guy learned those techniques, they were just too unfair!
Thinking of Hoshino Sora's diligent appearance, he looked quite handsome when he was serious. It would be even better if the thing that made him serious wasn't just foot massages.
Wait!?
That angle just now...
Slightly lifting her skirt, Hisako Arato's heart, which had just calmed down with great difficulty, flared up again. He definitely saw it, but that guy didn't say a word. Pervert, big pervert!
Even though he was a pervert, why couldn't she bring herself to dislike him? Was it because Hoshino Sora was handsome? If that was the only reason, then she would be too shallow.
It definitely wasn't that reason. She didn't dislike Hoshino Sora for what he did to her, it must be because he was good to her, right? Although she didn't want to admit it, but...
Stepping out of Tsukiten Space, she looked at the somewhat dim sky. It was already late.
Her journey would also turn a new page at this moment!
[Erina Nakiri, I apologize for my sudden departure. After this crushing defeat, I feel unworthy to remain by your side. Therefore, I request a leave of absence for a few days. When we meet again, Hisako will surely have grown.
During my absence, I have entrusted Hoshino-kun with your care. I hope Erina Nakiri remains in good health.]
Sincerely, Hisako Arato.
"This child... has she ever been so self-absorbed before?"
Looking at the signature in the bottom right corner of the letter, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but pout.
'It doesn't matter if your cooking isn't good, as long as it's Hisako.' She really couldn't bring herself to say such words to Hisako!
But... what did she mean by entrusting Hoshino Sora with her care? Would Hoshino Sora agree? Or did Hisako give something in return to make Hoshino Sora agree to her suggestion?
Thinking of Hoshino Sora's various insidious cunning, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but shiver. Entrusting that guy with her care, what was Hisako thinking?
She absolutely had to clarify things properly, being misunderstood would be terrible.
Having made up her mind, Erina Nakiri left her resting room. As soon as she stepped out, she bumped squarely into Hoshino Sora. Just as she was about to sit down with a thud, he roughly pulled her up.
With a slight pull, she fell into Hoshino Sora's embrace.
She could clearly feel his rapid heartbeat.
"How much longer are you going to hold me?"
She huffed with a slight blush. Although it was an accident, how much longer was this guy going to hold her? A boy's chest was so warm, it felt like she was melting the moment she leaned against it.
If she stayed too long, she would become strange!
"Just a little longer."
"Don't push your luck. What if someone sees us?"
Is that the main point? Hoshino Sora thought to himself. The softness in his arms made him involuntarily react, and for a moment, he didn't want to let go.
"It's fine. Right now, their attention is on the competition venue. No one will notice us."
In this situation, a strict refusal is more likely to succeed than a hesitant one. Just like Erina Nakiri, she hesitated and hesitated, and by the time she came to her senses, she had already been pushed into the room.
"Alright, as agreed, for the next period, I will take on your secretarial duties. You can assign all the tasks you usually give to Hisako to me."
Hoshino Sora said, letting go of her hand. He didn't overindulge; taking advantage should be moderate. Too much would make her feel disgusted.
Psychology shows that occasional stimulation makes the heart beat faster, while prolonged stimulation only leads to mental fatigue.
"You don't need to worry about this. I don't need a new secretary. I will handle my own affairs."
Stepping back two paces and putting on a serious expression, Erina Nakiri said with a flushed face, her hands clasped across her chest, lifting her bust, as if this would give her more presence.
"If you do this, I won't know how to explain it to Hisako. It's a pity for the little secretary's good intentions, to be trampled upon by her master like this. I really feel it's unfair to Hisako."
Hoshino Sora wasn't surprised to hear Erina Nakiri's words. With her tsundere nature, how could she openly accept him? In this situation, he had to put on a show of hardship.
"She pleaded with me for a long time before I agreed. If that's the case, you can tell her yourself. The secretary who decided to go out, wanted to find someone to take care of her master before leaving.
However, the master didn't appreciate it at all. One might even think it's because the secretary left without saying goodbye, and the master is a little angry."
Hoshino Sora sighed as he spoke, his expression making Erina Nakiri even start to doubt herself.
"Ah, ah, ah, alright, I understand. Then I'll leave it to you for this period. But let me make one thing clear beforehand, a secretary's job is very complicated. Can you really handle it?"
"Who are you looking down on? Give me one day to adapt, and I'll definitely handle it with ease!
However, in return, I need you to help me try new dishes and give me suggestions. There's still a week until the semifinals, and I need a taste tester."
"This is your real purpose, isn't it?"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Erina Nakiri showed an 'I knew it' expression. If he wanted to gain something from her, it could only be this.
"Partially, yes. After all, I also happen to be short on people. Don't you want to taste my cooking? It will definitely make you unable to stop!"
"Let me declare beforehand! If the taste doesn't satisfy me, I have the right to refuse to taste it."
With her hands on her hips, Erina Nakiri said haughtily. However, she only said this to boost her own confidence. If the other party really served a dish, she would still give it a try.
After all, even her grandfather couldn't withstand it; not only did his clothes burst, but his pants also embarrassingly burst off. What kind of taste would such a level of gourmet food have?
Thinking of this, her delicate, pink tongue unconsciously traced a circle around her lips. She would ask Hoshino Sora to make it for her when they got back, but how should she ask? Would it seem too forward if she just said it directly?
"Okay, so what do we do now? My competition here is over."
"I know, but I'm the executive committee member for this competition. There's no way I can just drop my work and elope with you now. Besides, since you're going to be my secretary, today's work also includes your share."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Erina Nakiri complained helplessly. Was this guy stupid? She was the executive committee member for the Autumn Elections, how could she just leave?
"I have to work on my first day in office?"
"Otherwise? It's still not too late to quit now."
"Whatever. If you can do it, there's no reason I can't."
"What you just said is quite annoying."
"Next, let the judges choose the last contestant to enter the semifinals!"
"Both were delicious, but compared to the rigid Three Fresh Dumplings, Yumeko Jabami's Wild Delicacy Chili Oil Dumplings were undoubtedly more appealing.
Your dish, I already knew what it would taste like before I even took a bite. Taught by Lu Yufeng, I already ate this dish more than thirty years ago!"
Staring at Feng Xuanya with piercing eyes, the exam-oriented education was a fatal flaw in the Chinese culinary world. Dishes lacking innovation could never progress.
In China, to truly stand on one's own, one must have their own dishes. They could be original or improved, but they absolutely could not be rigid, direct copies.
This little girl has fallen into a cognitive trap.
"May I taste your dumplings?"
Suddenly, Feng Xuanya came before Yumeko Jabami, her head bowed, not being unreasonable, but just quietly asking. She wanted to see where she had lost.
"Of course, please enjoy."
Hearing Feng Xuanya's voice, the red glow in Yumeko Jabami's eyes gradually receded. With a smile, she scooped a serving of dumplings from the pot, drizzled them with chili oil, and handed them to the person in front of her.
"So, so delicious..."
As the dumplings entered her mouth, mountains and seas flashed through Feng Xuanya's mind. All sorts of novel sensations sprouted from the depths of her heart. This was a world of taste she had never experienced before.
As she ate, tears suddenly streamed down Feng Xuanya's face.
Since childhood, she had undergone culinary training under her father's strict demands. If anything was done incorrectly, her father would whip her hands with a willow branch until she learned.
After countless willow branch lessons, she steadily progressed according to her father's predetermined plan, which allowed her to develop her current solid fundamentals and learn countless classic dishes.
However, the dish before her was telling her: you don't need to be so rigid. Cooking should be enjoyed, and only dishes completed with enjoyment are the best!
With tears in her eyes, she finished all the chili oil dumplings in her hand. Nakitiri Senzaemon also, at this moment, held a giant brush and wrote Yumeko Jabami's name on the Xuan paper in the center of the competition arena.
"And so, the last match of the second day concludes. The final victor is, Yumeko Jabami!"
As the calligraphic work, with the four large characters of Yumeko Jabami, was projected onto the big screen, Kawashima Rei picked up the microphone and spoke, and the audience erupted in cheers.
"I knew Yumeko would be fine!"
"Then our Yōbi Dormitory has two people in the semifinals, what an amazing record!"
"Too amazing!"
Shiina Mahiru and Mito Ikumi chatted intermittently, their faces showing expressions of pride.
"This means three students from Far Moon Academy have entered the semifinals. The Chinese side is still too green!"
"Snake Eater! Snake Eater! Snake Eater!"
"She's truly beautiful and a great cook. Whoever marries her in the future will be blessed!"
Amidst the cheers, Yumeko Jabami waved to the audience as she retreated. Her body was still trembling from the excitement just now; her opponent was very strong, and she couldn't be sure she would win until the very last moment.
Cooking under such high pressure was the best way to promote the evolution of a dish. She had to thank Feng Xuanya for allowing her dish to evolve before the semifinals.
Walking back along the contestant's passage, Hoshino Sora's figure appeared in her mind. The long-awaited duel was about to begin. Don't disappoint me, Hoshino-kun.
With an excited smile on her face, Yumeko Jabami's movements were steady, step by step, but her body trembled violently, and she would occasionally squat down.
Fortunately, there was no one nearby, otherwise, they might have thought she suddenly had an attack.
"Phew, is being an executive committee member this tiring? You've really worked hard all this time."
It was already past nine in the evening when everything was handled. Seeing Erina Nakiri skillfully directing staff to clean the venue and organizing the news department to promote the semifinals' hot topics, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but sigh.
"What do you think? But now that today's work is done, I can rest for the next week. If you want, I can reluctantly make time to taste your dishes."
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was diligently by her side, Erina Nakiri raised her hand to brush her hair, exuding her feminine charm while speaking haughtily.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Let's start tonight."
"Start tonight?"
Erina Nakiri asked with some confusion. No matter what, it seemed a bit too soon.
"Yes, the Autumn Elections management just gave me the theme for the semifinals. My opponent is Yumeko Jabami, and honestly, I'm not sure if I can beat her."
"That guy is indeed difficult to deal with. She was already very strong when she enrolled. But you've caught up in such a short time, which is quite impressive, to be honest."
Her words uncharacteristically carried a hint of admiration, mainly because Hoshino Sora's progress was simply too fast. How much time had passed? From when they first met until now...
His efforts over the past six months have surpassed the accumulated experience of many chefs from childhood. What is this if not talent?
Undoubtedly, Erina Nakiri felt a sense of crisis, but she didn't think she would lose. This was her confidence in her own strength and talent.
Who did he think she was? She was the owner of the God Tongue!
"Of course. I'll send Ms. Shizuka a message first to say I'll be home late tonight."
"Mm."
She softly responded, watching Hoshino Sora walk towards a corner. Thinking of something, Erina Nakiri's face suddenly flushed. Did she just ask a boy to come to her house late at night?
And there was no one else at her house. If Hoshino Sora suddenly went wild and tried to do something to her, wouldn't she be powerless to resist?
Entrusting her purity to a boy's self-control...
"Do you want to eat anything tonight? Or maybe let's start with a main course, I see you haven't eaten anything since earlier."
Clearly seeing the concern in Hoshino Sora's eyes, Erina Nakiri suddenly felt that she was being a bit excessive. How could she doubt someone like that? He clearly cared about her so much.
"Let's just make the theme dish directly. To be honest, the dish I make is quite appetizing."
"Let me make it clear, I won't eat just any dish!"
"Of course, I won't disappoint you."
Hearing this, Hoshino Sora patted his chest and guaranteed it. Tonight, he would directly enter the theme practice of "tofu." He was going to make the classic and signature Sichuan Cuisine dish, Mapo Tofu!
Moreover, the Mapo Tofu he was going to make was a bit different from ordinary Mapo Tofu. He was going to make the Magical Mapo Tofu from Chinese Master Chef, developed by Master A-Bei!
However, because too much time had passed, he honestly couldn't remember the specific method. After all, it was an anime he watched when he was a child in his previous life, twenty or thirty years ago.
But he clearly remembered one thing: ordinary Mapo Tofu emphasized the five flavors in one, while Magical Mapo Tofu emphasized six flavors in one, one more flavor than ordinary Mapo Tofu.
This taste is crispy, but where exactly is the crispness? He had already forgotten, was it the tofu or the meat? His intuition told him it should be the meat part, but he also felt something was missing.
Exactly what was missing could only be determined through continuous practice.
There's still one week left. As long as he can master the Magic Mapo Tofu and combine it with his cooking skills, this competition will be 90% stable. The remaining 10% depends on fate and Yumeko Jabami's performance.
Yumeko Jabami is not a simple character either. What kind of dish will she present? Hoshino Sora had no idea, but this time, he wouldn't lose again!
"Your house... it's so grand, much bigger than Alice Nakiri's house, and there are even guards at the gate."
Looking at the huge mansion in front of him, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but exclaim. Is it really okay for a little girl to live in such a luxurious house? Wouldn't she feel lonely and isolated!?
His eyes were filled with envy and jealousy. This huge mansion must cost billions of Japanese Yen!
"It's just a bit bigger, that's all. Except for some holidays, I basically don't have much time at home. I'm either researching new dishes or handling work."
"That must be hard on you."
Hoshino Sora cleverly picked up the conversation.
"That being said, I should be free for the next week, so feel free to bring your dishes."
"Hmph, normally, you would need to first present your dishes to a specialized evaluation agency for quality inspection. After passing, you'd pay a large sum of money, and only after all these procedures would I take a bite. Whether I give advice or not depends on my mood."
Eri Nai said this with an expression that implied Hoshino Sora had gotten a great deal. Hoshino Sora nodded in agreement, acknowledging that she was right; her God Tongue was worth that price.
"Come in, and remember to change your shoes."
"I still have that much common sense."
"The kitchen is here... why are you staring at my feet? Your gaze is disgusting."
Eri Nai took off one shoe while pointing the way with the other hand. Then she felt an intense gaze and turned her head to see Hoshino Sora staring at her black-stockinged feet.
That look, like a beast, made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable. The sticky, greasy gaze was invading her feet...
This made her frown, and she immediately questioned him.
"With such beautiful black-stockinged feet right in front of you, can you resist looking? This is a man's nature; you need to try to understand it."
"How can I understand something like that! Hurry up and come in, and I don't like that look."
She said with slightly puffed cheeks. That intense gaze made her body feel hot and soft. This was undoubtedly abnormal, and she was genuinely worried about what Hoshino Sora might do if this continued.
"Okay~"
Hoshino Sora deliberately drew out his reply, then followed Eri Nai into the kitchen. The equipment was very complete, but surprisingly clean and tidy.
"Emmm, do you usually not cook at home?"
Looking at the refrigerator with only a few eggs, Hoshino Sora turned to look at Eri Nai, whose face was slightly flushed.
"Hmph, what ingredients do you need? I'll call someone to deliver them. Starting tomorrow, you bring your own ingredients."
She snorted lightly and pulled out her phone. She had forgotten to prepare the ingredients, but shouldn't Hoshino Sora be the one to prepare such things? Why was he looking at her with that kind of expression?
"Then I'll leave it to you. Tofu, beef, garlic sprouts..."
"Are you planning to make Mapo Tofu?"
"You know about it."
"Don't underestimate me! I still know about such a classic dish!"
Seeing Hoshino Sora's somewhat surprised expression, Eri Nai couldn't help but punch him on the shoulder. What kind of person did this guy think she was? She was a genuine culinary prodigy!
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