Spring Fruit Pavilion, a luxurious private room.
Kakizaki Taki looked at the empty seat and clearly began to feel impatient: "Mujiuzhi, who else are you waiting for?"
Sonoka, who was beside her, seemed absent-minded, her gaze constantly fixed forward, as if she was hoping someone would appear immediately at Spring Fruit Pavilion Restaurant.
"Taki!"
"I'm really happy~"
"It seems like it's been a long time since we've had a good get-together like this!"
Finally, Mujiuzhi turned her head slightly, and after glancing at Kakizaki Taki, she couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Seeing that she was answering irrelevantly, Kakizaki Taki could only roll her eyes in frustration.
Ever since she arrived at Spring Fruit Pavilion early this morning to visit her friend, she had felt something was off.
It was clearly a banquet to entertain her, yet there was an empty seat, and that seat was the most important "guest of honor" position.
In other words, this person's status was even higher than hers, and Mujiuzhi was even willingly waiting patiently for him.
Who?
Who could it be?
Who could make Sonoka so willing?
Kakizaki Taki couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt and deep anticipation!
…
Just then.
Sosuke, who arrived at Spring Fruit Pavilion on time as promised, pushed the door open and entered.
Speaking of which, this seemed to be the first time he had visited Spring Fruit Pavilion Restaurant since coming to the food wars!: shokugeki no soma world, right?
No, to be more precise, this was the first time he had visited another restaurant and attended a banquet in the more than a month since he arrived in this world.
"Sosuke's Restaurant."
"You really came!"
Seeing Sosuke finally appear, Mujiuzhi was instantly overjoyed, then she actively got up and went to him.
Sosuke, who had just entered Spring Fruit Pavilion, saw Sonoka at first glance.
She was beautiful today; a white gown made her appear more noble and elegant than usual, with a bow tied around her waist, paired with white high heels, it was utterly captivating!
At this moment, Sosuke realized that this Mujiuzhi was indeed a woman of both beauty and talent!
"Mujiuzhi."
"You are truly beautiful today!"
Finally, Sosuke withdrew his gaze and smiled lightly.
"Oh?"
"Is…is that so?"
Hearing this, Mujiuzhi was so shy that she quickly touched her burning cheeks, feeling a pounding sensation in her heart.
Then she feigned composure and continued, "I reserved your seat for you long ago, you…you come with me!"
"Okay, thank you for your trouble."
So, Mujiuzhi led Sosuke to the luxurious private room.
After entering the private room, Mujiuzhi thoughtfully moved the chair from the empty seat and turned to Sosuke, saying, "Please…please sit!"
"It's just a banquet, there's no need to be so enthusiastic, is there?"
Seeing Sonoka so warm and polite towards him, Sosuke felt unaccustomed to it.
But in the end, he didn't say much, accepting Mujiuzhi's kindness and sitting down directly.
…
Unexpectedly.
As soon as he sat down.
The atmosphere in the entire private room instantly became extremely cold.
Kakizaki Taki, who was beside him, stared intently at Sosuke with a hint of hostility in her eyes.
If looks could kill, Sosuke would have probably died at her hands at least 100 times.
This banquet at Spring Fruit Pavilion today was originally meant to entertain her, but it seemed that the impossibly handsome man in front of her was the main character!
Moreover, his relationship with Sonoka was somewhat ambiguous and unclear.
This situation naturally led to Kakizaki Taki's malicious suspicions.
"Taki!"
"Let me introduce you."
"This is Sosuke, the Shopkeeper of the Izakaya next door."
"He comes from China; don't let his gentle and easygoing demeanor fool you, his culinary skills are even recognized by a WGO First Class Executive Officer!"
Seeing Kakizaki Taki's "hostile" look, Mujiuzhi quickly introduced Sosuke to her.
"The Izakaya next door?"
"So, you two are now neighbors who can meet every day?"
Upon hearing this, a strong sense of crisis immediately arose in Kakizaki Taki's heart.
She began to feel that her most important and cherished possession was about to be snatched away by this detestable scoundrel in front of her.
"Yes!"
"Not only are we neighbors, but we're also very good friends."
"During this time, I often go to the Izakaya to drink and eat!"
"Taki, you don't know how amazing Sosuke's Restaurant's brewing techniques and dishes are; just that simple omurice…"
Sonoka seemed not to have understood yet, still talking to herself.
"Stop!"
"Now that everyone has arrived."
"Shouldn't the dishes you want to treat me to be served now?"
Kakizaki Taki, growing increasingly annoyed, quickly interrupted Mujiuzhi.
"Oh dear!"
"Look at my memory."
Mujiuzhi, who was just about to praise Sosuke profusely in front of Kakizaki Taki, quickly slapped her forehead.
Finally, she then called the staff of Spring Fruit Pavilion to serve the dishes she had already prepared, one by one, in order.
…
French cuisine.
Its influence in high-end dining is indeed very strong!
For romantic dates, entertaining VIP guests, or family gatherings, many people would think of taking someone to an expensive French restaurant.
Even in state banquets around the world, French cuisine is the most influential culinary style!
And today, Kakizaki Taki had finally come to Spring Fruit Pavilion, and with Sosuke's arrival, Sonoka had prepared a table full of French dishes.
Upon closer inspection, there was Sherry, salads made with various vegetables, fruits, and seafood, flavorful Marseille Fish Soup, steak tartare made with beef, tuna, salmon, mixed with avocado, onions, and other spices, onion soup…
And finally, the most exquisite caviar and foie gras!
Of course, for French cuisine, a formal meal typically consists of six or seven courses.
But these dishes are not served all at once; they are brought out one by one in sequence, so a full French set meal takes about 2 hours to finish!
"Mujiuzhi."
"Your cooking skills have improved quite a bit."
"I heard that your Spring Fruit Pavilion Restaurant is aiming for WGO Two-Star this year?"
At this moment, savoring the lingering taste of the French dishes, Kakizaki Taki, still looking unsatisfied, couldn't help but look up and ask Sonoka.
"My attempt at Two-Star, I failed this year."
At this point, Mujiuzhi's eyes showed some disappointment: "I put in a lot of effort, but in terms of cooking alone, I couldn't satisfy the WGO First Class Executive Officer."
Even though under Sosuke's influence, she had started to care less about these honors.
But every time she recalled how the several French dishes she made couldn't gain Annie's approval, she still felt a bit unwilling!
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