Remembering her earlier lapse in composure, Natsume Chihyaku's face instantly flushed, but she still nodded and said, "It truly is a surprising dish. I never imagined Chinese cuisine and Japanese cuisine could be so creatively fused together. Did you come up with this dish?"
"That's right."
Satou nodded and said.
A hint of admiration flashed in Natsume Chihyaku's eyes, and she asked, "You must be a Far Moon intern, right? The timing seems about right for Far Moon students' practical training."
"That's right."
Satou said.
Natsume Chihyaku frowned in thought, "But I don't think I've seen you before. It seems you were in another venue."
Given Satou's skill, if he had been in her venue, she couldn't possibly have had no impression of him.
"Oh, by the way, are you interested in becoming a culinary consultant for my group?"
Natsume Chihyaku remembered something, looked at Satou with charming eyes, and asked sweetly.
Satou was speechless for a moment, thinking, 'Is this her trying to seduce me?'
"I'll pass for now. I don't have such plans at the moment."
Satou said. He was still very busy every day; where would he find the time to be a culinary consultant?
And if he wasn't mistaken, Eizan Etsuya also seemed to have a cooperative relationship with her company.
"Alright."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Natsume Chihyaku's eyes. She took out a business card, then kissed it, leaving a deep lip print.
"This is my business card. When you have an idea, you can come to me anytime, cute boy."
She winked at Satou and said.
Satou hesitated for a moment, but still took the business card with the lip print. He could faintly smell her perfume on it and said, "I understand."
As soon as Natsume Chihyaku and her group left, Ono Kenro and the others gathered around, breathing a sigh of relief and saying, "Satou, we really owe you this time. If it weren't for you, Kirinoya's reputation would have been greatly affected."
"That's right."
The others also nodded.
"Oh, it was indeed my mistake this time. Satou, thank you. I'll forgive you for what happened yesterday."
Hinako Inui patted Satou's shoulder like a Big sister, also letting out a sigh of relief.
Although it wasn't visible on her face, she was actually very worried about her restaurant.
Satou was speechless for a moment. He had been wondering why Hinako Inui's attitude towards him was a bit strange today. So, it was because of yesterday's incident after all?
But he hadn't done anything; it was just a prank while he was helping her take off her socks.
Had Hinako Inui been 'holding a grudge' all this time?
"Yesterday's incident?"
Everyone's faces immediately showed gossipy expressions.
So, the head chef's strange state today was because of what Satou did to her yesterday?
Hinako Inui, who had accidentally let it slip, immediately covered her mouth, her face slightly flushed.
"Was it a forced kiss?"
Hoshino Miyuki suddenly gasped, "Could it be, it was actually a forced act!"
Just thinking about it felt incredibly exciting!
Hinako Inui's face immediately turned crimson, and she covered her face, saying, "It's not what you're thinking."
"Cough cough, Miyuki, don't talk nonsense."
Ono Kenro lightly coughed and said.
"I'm sorry."
Hoshino Miyuki stuck out her tongue, also realizing her mistake.
The age gap between the two was evident, and Hinako Inui was a famous chef. If such rumors spread, it would indeed be inappropriate.
Hinako Inui also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Satou, your dish has officially become a staple at Kirinoya. Your name will be added to the dish from now on."
"Thank you, Hinako-senpai."
Satou quickly thanked her.
"However..."
Hinako Inui suddenly changed the subject, smiling and patting Satou's shoulder, saying in a gentle tone, "Natsume-miss seems to admire you very much. You should carefully keep that business card with the lip print."
But everyone could hear the faint hint of jealousy in her words.
Satou: "..."
Did she even notice the lip print?
Seeing Hinako Inui's burst of jealousy, everyone was instantly dumbfounded.
Could it be that Hinako Inui really developed feelings for Satou, who was more than ten years her junior?
Perhaps it was just the kind of jealousy a Big sister feels towards her younger brother's girlfriend?
Everyone thought so.
Noticing everyone's shocked expressions, Hinako Inui's cheeks flushed again.
"Oh, how embarrassing! How can I face people now?"
She thought, feeling both annoyed and shy, but at the same time, there was a faint sweetness.
Having no romantic experience, she didn't realize that this was precisely the feeling of love.
Because Natsume Chihyaku had booked the entire place today, Kirinoya closed earlier. Satou and Tadokoro Megumi also returned to their hotel.
Alice Nakiri came to Satou's place again today.
In truth, Satou felt bad for her running back and forth every day.
However, Alice Nakiri lived in the girls' dormitory, so it was indeed inconvenient for Satou to go to her place.
The next morning.
"Then I'll be going."
Satou said while getting dressed.
"Mm."
Alice Nakiri smiled sweetly, then turned her face and said, "Kiss me before you leave."
Satou was a bit speechless, but he still, as usual, kissed her cheek.
"Remember to drink the milk on the table."
Satou instructed, then went to Kirinoya with Tadokoro Megumi.
"Good morning."
Hinako Inui wasn't sulking at Satou today. She greeted them with a smile.
"Good morning."
Satou and Tadokoro Megumi greeted her.
"That..."
Hinako Inui hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
"Hinako-senpai, is something wrong?"
Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing."
Hinako Inui hesitated for a while, ultimately saying nothing.
The day passed uneventfully, with nothing happening.
However, Hinako Inui seemed a bit down, often sighing inexplicably by herself, which left Satou puzzled.
After the dinner rush in the evening, Satou and Tadokoro Megumi were called out by a woman in a suit.
"I am Nishizono Tomone from the Far Moon Academic Affairs Department. I've been observing your performance these past few days, and you've done exceptionally well. You've passed."
Walking outside the restaurant, the woman revealed her identity and said.
Only then did Satou remember that today was the fourth day of the practical training.
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