Chapter 64: Alice Coming to Ren's Shop
Ren's afternoon class was supposed to be a quiet, specialized seminar for the Elite Ten. However, word travels fast in Totsuki.
By the time the second session began, the classroom was packed. Students were standing in the back, sitting on the floor, and even peeking through the windows. Even some teachers, hearing rumors of a "Demon Chef" who made the God Tongue blush and the Dragon Tamer giggle, came to audit the class under the guise of "faculty supervision."
The most noteworthy thing was that Lucifer was probably the most attentive student in the entire class.
She sat in the front row, wearing a borrowed apron over her suit (which was still damp from the faucet incident). Her crimson eyes were glued to Ren's hands as he demonstrated knife skills. She took copious notes in a notebook, though most of them were sketches of crepes rather than culinary theory.
Kobayashi Rindou, sitting a few rows back, looked at Ren on the podium, a small smile playing on her lips. She didn't know exactly what the deal was between Ren and the silver-haired beauty, but one thing was for sure: Lucifer had been exuding a sweet, cloying chocolate scent all afternoon.
It was distracting. It smelled like a patisserie exploded.
Keep in mind, Lucifer hadn't even eaten lunch; she had spent the entire break showering in the faculty bathroom to scrub the soot off her face, muttering curses against plumbing fixtures.
When the last class finally ended, the sun was beginning to dip low, casting long orange shadows across the classroom.
Ren wiped his hands on a towel and looked at the students below the podium. They were all staring at him with wide, expectant eyes, notebooks open, waiting for one last nugget of wisdom.
He smiled, leaning against the counter. "What's wrong? Don't you all usually sprint out the door the moment the bell rings? I'm tired of teaching. My throat is dry."
Everyone chuckled, a warm, collective sound. In today's class, Ren had brought them something more valuable than recipes. He hadn't just taught them how to cook; he had taught them why. He had stabilized their frantic, competitive mindsets and reminded them of the joy of creation.
A student raised their hand. "Teacher... thank you! I feel like I finally understand why I wanted to be a chef!"
Ren looked at the students, and before they could start a chorus of emotional gratitude, he waved his hand dismissively.
"Stop right there. If you're going to say anything sappy, forget it. That's purely from watching too many youth dramas. Save the tears for chopping onions. Just learn what I taught you today. Apply it. That is the only thanks I need. Class dismissed, class dismissed."
After speaking, he turned and walked toward the door, his coat slung over his shoulder.
"Goodbye, Teacher!"
The shout came from the entire class in unison. It was loud, sincere, and echoed down the hallway.
Ren's footsteps paused for a moment. He didn't turn back, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He continued walking forward, his pace a little lighter.
Rindou nudged Erina with her shoulder as they packed up. "What are you looking at? He's gone."
Erina snapped back to reality, her gaze lingering on the empty doorway. "I was just thinking... is this what Shopkeeper Ren meant by 'not teaching students'? He seemed to enjoy it."
Rindou was stunned, then laughed heartily. "How can you believe Ren? He also said he couldn't cook when we first met! He's a humble liar. Or maybe just a tsundere."
The few students near Rindou who overheard this were all stunned. Ren said he couldn't cook?! If that were true, then the rest of them should just retire and become farmers.
(Somewhere, Cerberus sneezed. "Why do I feel like someone is doubting Master again?")
Rindou slung her bag over her shoulder and pulled Momo Akanegakubo up from her seat. "Well, Erina, see you at Ren's Shop later! We have a mission."
"Mission?" Erina asked.
"Lucifer just asked Momo-chan to teach her how to make chocolate crepes properly. She's determined to conquer the 'Black Sludge Incident'."
Erina blinked. "Eh? Wouldn't it be better to have Shopkeeper Ren teach her? He's right there."
Rindou wagged her finger. "Tsk tsk. You're still young, Erina-cchi. You don't understand the maiden's heart. Lucifer is very proud. She wouldn't go to him to learn after failing so spectacularly in front of him. She wants to surprise him with a perfect one."
Erina nodded slowly, absorbing this new data on romance. Then she frowned. "Sister Rindou! I'm not small anymore! I understand these things!"
Rindou and Momo scrutinized Erina's chest area, then Rindou nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm! You're certainly not small there. Impressive, Erina! Totsuki's milk really works wonders."
Erina was stunned. Her face turned the color of a ripe tomato. "I'm talking about age and maturity! Not my figure! Pervert! If I had to say, Akanegakubo-senpai is the one who looks..."
Erina stopped mid-sentence. She felt a chill. She turned to see Momo Akanegakubo staring at her with dead, doll-like eyes. The giant plush cat in her arms seemed to be glaring too.
Erina immediately swallowed the words about to spill out. "Uh... I mean... See you at the school gate tonight!"
She grabbed Hisako's hand and practically ran out of the classroom.
Rindou burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! Momo-chan, you scared her off!"
Momo looked at Rindou, whose figure was indeed comparable to a world-class supermodel, with a look of deep resentment. She hugged Bucchi tighter. "Rindou-senpai... that's not cute. Bullying juniors is bad."
Rindou chuckled, then put her arm around Momo's small shoulders. "Hehehe, Momo-chan, haven't you heard a saying? A very true saying in the world of romance?"
"What?"
Momo instinctively felt a hint of uneasiness, but her curiosity won out.
Rindou grinned, leaning close. "Cuteness is good... but cuteness is worthless in the face of sexiness when it comes to men like Ren."
CRITICAL HIT.
Momo felt like she had taken ten thousand points of damage directly to her soul. She slumped.
Her resentful expression made Rindou cover her mouth and chuckle, dragging the disgruntled pastry chef out of the room.
At this moment, in the Director's office at the top of the Totsuki tower.
The room was lavishly decorated, but currently, it was filled with the energetic voice of a white-haired girl cooing to the intimidating Director.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! You found that Shopkeeper Ren! You knew all along!"
Alice Nakiri was leaning over Senzaemon Nakiri's desk, her eyes sparkling. She had disappeared the moment class ended to confront the source of the intel.
Senzaemon smiled, putting down his calligraphy brush. "You little girl. Yes, you're right. Erina and I are both regular customers at his shop. That boy Ren is an excellent chef. A rare gem."
Alice nodded enthusiastically. "Mhm, mhm, mhm! I know that now! During class today, Shopkeeper Ren was truly amazing. Even the Elite Ten listened obediently like good children! He sliced ham so thin it floated! And he critiqued my molecular theory without even looking at the formula!"
Senzaemon nodded with satisfaction. This was exactly what he wanted. The Elite Ten had become stagnant, arrogant in their ivory tower. They needed a reality check from the outside world.
He no longer worried about Erina. In terms of culinary mindset, Erina had already submitted to Ren's philosophy. The "God Tongue" had found a flavor it couldn't criticize, only learn from.
As for the curse of the God Tongue itself... he used to be very worried that Erina would follow in her mother's tragic footsteps. But after learning from Joichiro that Ren had ideas on how to solve it, he felt a weight lift off his chest.
So now, the Demon King of Food was actually very relaxed and happy every day, humming traditional ballads while he worked.
Senzaemon smiled at his other granddaughter. "You've said so much praise. Just say what you want to say, Alice. Don't hide it. I know that look."
Alice chuckled, sticking out her tongue. "Hehe. Actually... I also want to visit Shopkeeper Ren's shop! Tonight!"
"Just to look? Or to eat?"
Seeing Senzaemon's playful expression, Alice whispered conspiratorially, "Actually, I want to learn from him. I want to know how to combine traditional cuisine and Molecular Gastronomy perfectly. Because after class this afternoon, I had a brainstorm for a new formula, and when I showed him my notes, he actually corrected a chemical imbalance I hadn't even noticed! He knows science too!"
Senzaemon was stunned. "So you know that boy Ren is also versed in science?"
Alice nodded like a pecking chick. "He's a polymath! I need to pick his brain!"
Senzaemon thought for a moment. "Good! It will help you to grow. And working in a real Restaurant will benefit you in the future. I was planning to go to thank that boy Ren tonight for his help today. You can come with me!"
Alice's eyes lit up. "Yay! Thank you, Grandpa! When are we leaving? Shopkeeper Ren won't close, will he? That wouldn't be good."
Senzaemon stroked his beard. "You little girl, don't worry. That boy runs a night Restaurant. It opens late. Besides, I've been inviting him to be a teacher for over a year, so I must thank him properly for finally agreeing. That boy should be in a good mood today after tormenting the students."
Alice nodded, then her expression turned serious. She hesitated before asking, "Eh? Grandpa... if Shopkeeper Ren is so amazing... can he satisfy Aunt Mana's taste?"
Senzaemon Nakiri froze. His eyes sharpened. "How did you know Mana left home because of her taste? That is a family secret."
"I heard Mom accidentally mention it once on the phone," Alice admitted. "That Auntie couldn't eat anything without suffering. That's why Erina is so scared... knowing that fate awaits her."
Senzaemon sighed, his shoulders dropping. "Leonora needs to be more careful."
He looked at Alice and said firmly, "Hmm! Don't worry! I've already confirmed this with Ren. That boy... he has a way. He is confident he can save Mana and Erina from the curse of the God Tongue."
Alice was startled. Her eyes widened. "Really?! That's... that's incredible! Does Erina know?"
"Not yet. It's not too late to talk about this after Mana is called back by Joichiro. I don't want to give Erina false hope until it is certain."
He waved his hand. "Enough heavy talk. You, girl, go make me some tea! And then we prepare for dinner."
"Oh! Okay! I'll make the best tea!"
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