The night grew deeper.
Kobayashi Rindo truly lived up to her reputation as Totsuki's famous glutton.
After devouring an entire banquet of crocodile dishes, she still ordered several small plates, to the point where Sosuke couldn't even remember how much she had eaten in the end.
He only knew that she left the Izakaya with a "ten-month pregnancy" and a look of utter satisfaction!
"Miss, are you sure you don't want to return to Totsuki Culinary Academy?"
At this moment, Hisako, who had finished her teriyaki chicken rice, chatted with Erina for a little longer before getting ready to leave.
But before she left, she still hoped Erina would change her mind and return to Totsuki Culinary Academy, instead of working as a temporary employee at this Izakaya!
"Mm, I don't want to go back for now."
"You've been by my side all these years, doing so much for me, I… I am very grateful to you."
"Here at the Izakaya, Sosuke and Kikuchi-senpai can take care of things, and you can take this time to rest properly and do things you enjoy."
"Huh? Hisako, what's with that expression? There's really no need for this, it's not like we're separating forever."
"As long as there are Elite Ten matters or unexpected situations within the Academy, I will still go back, so you don't have to be like this."
Erina looked at Hisako's reluctant expression, a flicker of panic in her eyes, but then she said firmly.
"Alright, Miss, please take care." Knowing that once she made a decision, it would be difficult to change her mind, Hisako could only reluctantly accept this reality.
"Don't worry, Sosuke will definitely take good care of me."
With that, Erina even secretly glanced at Sosuke, who was busy over there, out of the corner of her eye, then whispered, "You also know, he's a very reliable person!"
"Miss, what you said makes me very sad."
"Have I, who has followed you for a full 10 years, been completely unreliable?"
Upon hearing this, Hisako almost broke down.
"To be honest, you… you are indeed far worse than him, at least in terms of cooking skill, you are completely defeated!"
After carefully scrutinizing her, Erina couldn't help but cover her mouth and tease, "Alright, you should hurry back. If you miss me in the future, just come to the Izakaya more often."
"Yes!"
"Miss, then I'm leaving."
With words spoken to this extent, could Hisako not leave?
She paused briefly, then walked with light steps to Sosuke, waved her small fist at him, and said, "Sosuke, I hope you can temporarily take my place and take good care of Miss Erina."
"In Totsuki, both the General and I regard her as a brilliant gem, not to be scratched in the slightest."
"So if I find out she has been insulted and bullied here with you, I… I will never forgive or pardon you in this lifetime!"
"Haha, as the Chef, I naturally won't treat any employee unfairly."
"Hisako, you can rest assured, I will definitely make her plump and healthy."
Sosuke patted his chest and replied with a light laugh.
"Hmph, I hope you can be true to your word."
Hisako withdrew her gaze, her mood feeling a little better now, and then she looked back at Nakiri Erina.
Regarding her willingness to work as a temporary employee at the Izakaya, Hisako could understand it in her heart, but she just couldn't figure out why she had to live in the Izakaya.
After much thought, she guessed it was probably because living in the Izakaya meant she could taste Sosuke's cooking at any time?
Of course, upon seeing Erina occasionally showing happy smiles, Hisako also somewhat understood.
Even though she had always followed her as her "Secretary," she didn't truly know what Erina herself ultimately wanted to pursue.
Forget it, thinking so much is useless.
Since it's the path the Miss has chosen, I should support it without question!
Finally, Hisako composed her complicated emotions, said goodbye to Erina, and completely turned and left the Izakaya.
"Hisako, do you… do you know?"
"Actually, I truly want to treat you as my closest confidante, not like the master-servant relationship we have now, and certainly not just as my so-called Secretary!"
Looking at Hisako's departing back, Erina's gaze gradually deepened.
She recalled her childhood, where she never had any friends to play with or confide in.
Only that "little loli" with short, light red hair was willing to use her meager strength to help her out of difficulties and take care of her daily life.
...
In this era, terms like 'things remain, people change' and 'time flies' sound somewhat old-fashioned.
The rise of skyscrapers is as common as having a home-cooked meal at an Izakaya, and the roads are so packed with cars that you can never tell who is merely passing through, just like:
Kakizaki Taki, who had just experienced the Midnight Chefs incident.
She had strived her entire life, from being an impressive Totsuki graduate to becoming the Chef who single-handedly managed the "Taki Amarillo Restaurant."
The achievements she had made were goals that many Chefs never attained in their lifetime!
And then.
In just one night.
She lost the most important thing.
Perhaps for her, she didn't feel much regret; although the group of Midnight Chefs used coercive methods, it ultimately came down to her own skills being inferior, so she couldn't blame anyone.
However, the feeling of watching a tragedy unfold and being powerless to stop it constantly made her feel extremely depressed.
It was as if a stone was pressing on her heart, making her feel breathless.
Helpless and utterly frustrated, she could only take advantage of tonight's beautiful scenery, dress up a bit, and come to the Izakaya, intending to use the taste of "alcohol" to drown her sorrows!
"Taki, I knew you'd come."
As soon as she entered, Kikuchi, the assistant Chef, immediately greeted her, smiling.
"Sonoka, give me three bottles of shochu first, no, I want five bottles."
Kakizaki Taki stared at her, seeing her like this, she knew Kikuchi had completely integrated into her role as an "Izakaya assistant Chef," which naturally made her feel even more uncomfortable.
Afterward, she casually found a seat and, without thinking, ordered five bottles of shochu.
"Taki, I know you have a high alcohol tolerance, but with five whole bottles of shochu, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."
"Although the Izakaya is a place where you can drink to your heart's content, the Chef, no, no, Sosuke, he doesn't want to see customers get drunk, and I'm also very worried..."
Knowing that Kakizaki Taki, like herself in the past, intended to drink away her sorrows at the Izakaya, and even wanted to get completely drunk.
Kikuchi was instantly frightened and quickly kindly tried to persuade her.
"Less nonsense, a mere five bottles of shochu won't get me drunk."
Kakizaki Taki, however, became even more impatient.
Seeing that her persuasion had no effect at all, and instead angered her, Kikuchi couldn't help but feel a little emotional, and finally reluctantly went to get a bottle of shochu and handed it to her!
...
One sip, all worries gone.
The shochu at the Izakaya was surprisingly smooth.
That layer of delicate liquid, upon first taste, brought a mellow mouthfeel.
As it slowly flowed in the mouth, one could feel a slight alcoholic sting, but it wasn't overly stimulating, and it also didn't give a greasy or sticky sensation, but rather left a refreshing aftertaste in the mouth!
Such a taste made Kakizaki Taki feel instantly refreshed, as if she were in a boundless wonderland.
"Ah!"
"I'm unwilling, truly so unwilling."
Then, she was seen slamming down her cup and loudly venting all the negative emotions in her heart.
"Chef, can you… can you go persuade her?"
"She's clearly here tonight to drink until she can't stand up."
Beside her, Kikuchi watched with a heavy heart, but her own personality was very gentle, and facing the strong and domineering Kakizaki Taki, she naturally had no solution at all.
Therefore, she could only place her hopes on Sosuke, hoping he could conquer and enlighten her with his cooking and his own charm, just like before!
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"