Chapter 105: While Still Young, Do What You Want
Perhaps sensing that Ren truly desired a moment of peace, the glowing chime above the door remained dark. It never lit up again that night.
Ren was happy to accept the enforced solitude. He was alone, but he was strictly not idle.
The night outside was deep, cool, and quiet. The city of Tokyo, usually a beast that never slept, seemed to have paused just for him.
Inside the shop, the interior was hushed. The only illumination came from the warm, amber glow of the pendant lights above the counter. Ren sat there, enjoying the rare sense of complete leisure that only came after a long, chaotic shift.
He listened to the evening breeze gently blowing the wind chimes hanging by the entrance.
Ting-ling. Ting-ling.
The sound was crisp and clear, a lullaby of the night that washed away the clatter of pots and pans from his memory.
He lifted his ceramic cup, blowing gently on the steam before taking a sip of his final cup of fragrant Oolong tea. The liquid was hot, sliding down his throat with a soothing warmth, letting its subtle, earthy aroma fill the air around him. It smelled of roasted leaves and high mountains—a stark contrast to the heavy scents of grease and spices that usually permeated his clothes.
In such an environment, with a book he loved to read resting open on the wooden countertop, he enjoyed the peace and comfort that only he could feel when he was truly alone in his sanctuary.
He didn't need the chaos of the kitchen or the drama of a high-stakes duel right now. He needed this quiet space. This neutrality. Just a man, his tea, and the silence.
[Haneda International Airport - VIP Lounge]
"Hmm? Senior Saiba? Why are you here too?"
Around two in the morning, the air in the VIP lounge was stale, recycled, and smelled faintly of expensive carpet cleaner and bitter espresso.
Kojiro Shinomiya was wide awake. His body was exhausted, but his mind was racing at a million miles an hour. The adrenaline from his culinary encounter with Ren still coursed through his veins, electric and terrifying. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the glistening surface of that Terrine, the impossible clarity of that Samgyetang.
Unable to sleep, he had checked out of his hotel and come to the airport hours early to wait for his flight back to France. He needed to move. He needed to be going somewhere.
He was shocked when he rounded the corner of a bookshelf and saw a familiar figure sitting casually in the deserted lounge area. The man was dressed in a worn leather jacket that had seen better decades and comfortable jeans, sipping a cheap canned coffee as if it were a vintage wine.
It was Joichiro Yukihira.
[Akarin's Note: Joichiro Yukihira (Food Wars!) is a legendary chef and former 2nd seat of the Elite Ten Council at Totsuki Academy, known as the "Asura" for his cooking style. He is Soma's father.]
Joichiro Yukihira was not surprised to see Shinomiya. He didn't even jump. Instead, he lowered his can slowly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as if he had been waiting for him all along.
"Kojiro," Joichiro greeted him with a warm, lazy smile. "Still up? I thought you would be dreaming about duck fat and reduction sauces by now."
Shinomiya stiffened instinctively, his posture straightening. "Saiba-senpai..."
Joichiro waved his hand dismissively, a look of mild helplessness crossing his face. "I don't go by my old Totsuki name anymore. That 'Asura' guy is long gone. I'm just an old man now. If you're going to call me something, it should be Yukihira-senpai or Joichiro-senpai."
Kojiro Shinomiya exhaled a long breath he didn't know he was holding. He walked over and sat on the plush leather sofa across from Joichiro. He put down his small, stylish backpack and rubbed the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses, the tension in his shoulders evident.
"Joichiro-senpai," Shinomiya conceded, the exhaustion finally leaking into his voice. "Why are you here? Are you running from Erina again? I heard she was looking for you."
Joichiro Yukihira chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "No, nothing so dramatic. I'm going abroad for a few months for 'research.' I happened to hear from Gin that your flight is also this morning."
He shrugged, taking another sip of his coffee. "Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I came early. I didn't expect to actually run into you. How are things? You look like you've seen a ghost. Or worse, a bad food critic."
Kojiro Shinomiya massaged his temples. The high of the perfect meal had worn off, leaving behind a profound, hollow sense of self-doubt.
"He's so strong," Shinomiya admitted, his voice low and defeated. He stared at the dark liquid in his own cup. "I can't even see his back anymore."
He leaned back, staring at the sterile white tiles of the ceiling.
"Even though he only made simple dishes—Samgyetang, a Terrine, Confit de Canard—it still had a shocking, undefinable deliciousness. It wasn't just technique. It felt like... the end of the line for me. Like I've been climbing a mountain only to realize he's sitting on a peak above the clouds."
Joichiro Yukihira nodded slowly. His playful smile faded, replaced by a look of deep, solemn respect.
"Of course," Joichiro said softly. "That kid's culinary mindset is beyond what most people can achieve in a lifetime. He doesn't just master technique; he masters the soul of the ingredients. He listens to them."
"But for him to be so amazing at such a young age..." Shinomiya trailed off, a hint of genuine awe in his voice. "It truly makes one admire him. It makes one jealous."
"Just as the Director's evaluation stated," Joichiro finished.
Shinomiya looked up immediately, his glasses flashing under the lounge lights. "The Director? Senzaemon-dono? What did the Director say about Ren?"
"The Director said that the kid can make ingredients obey him," Joichiro recounted, looking into the depths of his coffee cup as if reading the future. "He brings out the extraordinary beneath the ordinary surface of his dishes. He doesn't cook at the ingredients; he cooks with them. He is a king, and the ingredients are his loyal subjects."
Kojiro Shinomiya took off his glasses. He massaged his eye sockets, nodding slowly as he processed the profound statement.
"That's truly well said," Shinomiya conceded. "The obedience... I felt it in the Terrine. The vegetables weren't competing for dominance; they were collaborating. It was a harmony I've never achieved."
He put his glasses back on, the lenses clicking into place. The sharpness returned to his eyes.
"Joichiro-senpai, which country are you going to this time for your 'research'?"
"That's a secret," Joichiro winked, the playfulness returning instantly. "But let's just say it involves a lot of spicy chilis, humidity, and bizarre ingredients that would make Gin faint. You're definitely not on the same flight as me, and my departure is half an hour earlier than yours."
Joichiro's expression then turned serious again, mirroring the tone Ren had used earlier that evening. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
"Kojiro. After you go back to Paris this time, you should have some plans, right? You can't just keep running the safe path. Not after tasting that food."
Shinomiya nodded. The weariness in his face was gone, replaced by a glint of cold steel.
"I have an idea," he admitted. "It's a risky one. It means throwing away everything I've built in Paris—the accolades, the menu, the reputation—and starting over with a new concept. A concept that focuses on vegetables. But I feel like... I have to do it. If I don't, I'll never forgive myself."
Joichiro Yukihira smiled, a genuine, profound smile of relief.
"That's all I needed to hear," he said, reaching out to pat Shinomiya's knee warmly. "While you're young, do whatever you want to do."
Joichiro leaned back into the sofa, reminiscing. "You have time to fail. You have time to crash and burn and rise again. You have time to freely pursue your ideas. Don't worry about the Michelin stars; worry about the journey."
"Just like you, Joichiro-senpai?" Shinomiya challenged, a hint of his old competitive spirit returning.
Joichiro burst into hearty laughter, startling a sleeping businessman nearby. "Huh? Hahaha! You can still say things like that, kid! You're not dead yet!"
"Because I'm still young..." Shinomiya countered, the ghost of a smile finally gracing his lips.
"Hmm."
In the comfortable silence of the VIP lounge, the two grown men talked about everything under the sun. They discussed the nuances of French versus Japanese cuisine, the headache of raising children, and the terrifying talent of Erina Nakiri. They continued chatting quietly, watching the large windows of the lounge turn from pitch black to a deep, bruised purple, until the darkness slowly faded away.
The first hint of predawn blue appeared on the horizon, signaling the start of a new day.
Joichiro Yukihira stood up, stretching his back and looking at the departure board.
He patted Kojiro Shinomiya's shoulder firmly.
"Keep up the good work, Kojiro. The world needs your cooking. I hope to see you make further progress next time I come through Tokyo."
"Yes, Joichiro-senpai, thank you. Have a safe trip."
Joichiro picked up his bag and started walking towards the gate. He paused at the archway, silhouetted against the airport lights, and looked back one last time.
"You too! Remember the motto: While you're young!"
Joichiro left Kojiro Shinomiya with only the view of a broad, sturdy back, disappearing around the corner.
Kojiro Shinomiya chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "What's this about being old? Joichiro-senpai's back is still perfectly straight..."
The lounge slowly began to fill with early morning travelers dragging roller bags and clutching coffees. Kojiro Shinomiya said nothing more. He just sat in his seat, his gaze deep and focused. He was lost in thought, mentally tearing down walls and sketching new restaurant designs on a cocktail napkin.
However, the fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the sofa showed that he was slightly impatient. He wanted to get back to Paris. He wanted to start tearing down his current empire to build a new, stronger one.
[The Dimensional Restaurant - Morning]
The transition from night to day was seamless in the quiet shop.
Ren put down his book, stretched his arms above his head, and let out a satisfying, cracking yawn.
"Haaah..."
He looked at the sky outside, where the remnants of night were finally receding, chased away by the soft hues of dawn.
The first ray of morning sunlight cooperated perfectly, scattering onto the asphalt street in front of the shop like gold dust.
A slight, cool breeze came through the half-open door, carrying the scent of morning dew and distant city traffic. It swept away the last trace of fatigue and drowsiness from Ren's mind.
Just then, Ren heard a noise that shattered the tranquility.
"I said NO! I'm going out! We're doing this NOW! You're the one who needs to work harder!"
Ren blinked. He knew that voice.
He turned his head towards the open door and once again saw the same irritable girl from the other night—the one with the dark hair, fierce eyes, and an aura of perpetual annoyance.
She was stomping down the street, phone pressed to her ear.
The girl merely looked up at Ren as she passed the shop. She paused for a micro-second, gave a curt, almost hostile nod of recognition, then continued marching forward, arguing with the person on the other end of the line.
"I don't care about the schedule! Fix it!"
Ren smiled and shook his head as she disappeared down the block.
"She really is an interesting girl. No filter whatsoever. Just pure energy."
He glanced at the calendar on the wall.
"Today seems to be the last day of rest before the workweek starts again. Sunday..."
Ren was enjoying the morning's crispness, leaning against the doorframe and thinking about how hard students worked these days, when he suddenly paused.
Down the street, he saw a familiar face approaching.
"Ms. Nanami, why are you here so early?"
The person who arrived was Nanami Minami. But she wasn't alone. She was flanked by two other girls, forming a small, energetic phalanx.
Minami, the bubbly girl with the dark brown hair tied in her signature style, waved enthusiastically the moment she saw him.
"Shopkeeper Ren! Good morning! You can just call me Minami!"
She bounced up to the entrance, her energy infectious.
"These are my friends. We're on a mission!" she announced, gesturing grandly to her companions. "This is Hinami Aoi—she's the quiet one—and this is Yoshikawa Yuki!"
[Akarin's Note: Hinami Aoi (Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun) is Minami's classmate. She is the school's perfect heroine—popular, athletic, and incredibly hardworking. Yoshikawa Yuki (Horimiya) is Kyoko Hori's best friend, known for her easygoing nature and hiding her figure under loose clothes.]
Ren nodded and smiled at the two newcomers.
"Welcome," Ren said smoothly, stepping back to invite them in. "A pleasure to meet you both. We've just opened."
He surveyed them for a moment.
"Hmm, it seems the saying that Katagiri High School produces many beautiful women is indeed true," Ren commented, making an offhand remark with a polite smile.
Ren's comment made both Yuki and Hinami Aoi pause. They had been naturally cautious around a new, handsome shopkeeper in a strange alleyway.
They glanced at each other. He seemed like a very easygoing shopkeeper, not a predator. After all, Ren's height was noticeable, and he was the kind of person who looked very refined—the type who usually demanded respect naturally.
Hinami Aoi offered a polite, practiced smile. Yoshikawa Yuki giggled, pulling the sleeves of her oversized sweater over her hands.
"What mission brings you out at this hour?" Ren asked Minami, leading them towards the counter.
Nanami Minami scratched her head, grinning sheepishly.
"We're going shopping for a limited edition accessory in Shibuya. The queue starts early! I knew I was coming here this morning, so I deliberately ate only a little dinner last night to save space."
Ren's smile faded slightly. He crossed his arms, adopting the tone of a worried older brother.
"Although I'm happy to have your patronage, irregular eating habits can cause many problems, Minami-san. You should take better care of yourself."
"Eh? Are you going to say something about it being bad for the stomach, Shopkeeper Ren?" Minami asked, bracing herself for the usual lecture she got from her mom.
Ren smiled wider, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You got a little of it right, but that's not the whole story~"
"Eh? What else is there?" Minami tilted her head, confused.
Ren turned and walked back into the shop, letting the question hang in the air for dramatic effect.
"You'll also get fat!" he called out from the counter, deliberately pulling down a large frying pan with a bit of flair to emphasize his point. "And most importantly, you'll wake up hungry in the middle of the night and be unable to sleep!"
"Eh?!"
The exclamation rang out in perfect, terrified unison.
It wasn't just a sound; it was a collective shudder. The three girls stood there, frozen. Nanami Minami's jaw dropped, the usually composed Hinami Aoi looked genuinely rattled, and Yoshikawa Yuki clutched her stomach as if the hunger were already attacking her. The dramatic revelation had struck them with the force of a lightning bolt—the shared horror of the midnight craving was a language they all understood perfectly.
Even the quietest girl, Yoshikawa Yuki, was the first to break the stunned silence. She burst out laughing, clutching her side as she leaned against the doorframe.
"Hahaha! Waking up hungry is too real! I hate that! Minami, this shopkeeper is so interesting!"
Hinami Aoi also smiled, her shoulders relaxing as her energy returned. "Yes, he's indeed very interesting. Unexpectedly easy to get along with. He's not like the stiff adults we usually know."
Nanami Minami beamed, puffing out her chest, proud of her recommendation.
"Of course! Shopkeeper Ren is a very nice person! Hori also praises him endlessly."
She grabbed her friends' hands, pulling them forward.
"Anyway, let's go inside and eat! I'm starving!"
"Didn't you just say you got hungry in the middle of the night?" Yuki teased, still giggling as she was dragged along.
"Yuki! I did not!" Minami protested, her face turning pink, though her stomach gave a traitorous, loud rumble that answered for her.
After Ren put away his teacup, Nanami Minami and the others walked fully inside.
Seeing the quiet, beautifully organized layout of the shop—the polished wood, the soft lighting, the faint scent of incense and tea—Hinami Aoi and Yuki's eyes lit up with genuine admiration.
Ren placed three sparkling water glasses on the counter and smiled warmly.
"Is there anything you'd like to eat? We specialize in whatever your stomach is craving."
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