Chapter 23
Erina laid out her thoughts to Mineo, and he finally began to grasp what she was trying to get at.
Totsuki Academy was the premier culinary institution in Japan, but its international influence was still considered somewhat lacking. Because of this, the school had been adding numerous new departments over the last few years to bolster its global reputation.
French, Turkish, and Chinese cuisines had been staples for a long time. Later, Russian and Mediterranean cuisines followed suit.
Molecular Gastronomy, being a relatively new discipline on the international stage, had immediately captured the culinary world's attention since its inception. Nakiri International Research was the specific department under the Totsuki umbrella dedicated to studying this field.
In recent years, Nakiri International Research had developed many internationally recognized pieces of Molecular Gastronomy equipment. However, the number of actual teaching staff for that major within the school was incredibly small.
Most experts in this field were focused on research in Denmark. As a result, the Molecular Gastronomy Research Department at the academy had become little more than a department in name only.
In the entire school, only Alice truly delved into the subject. If Mineo could come to the academy to serve as the instructor for the Molecular Gastronomy department, it would bring about a massive shift for the entire faculty.
So, Erina's intention is to make me a teacher at Totsuki!?
Seeing the hopeful gaze in Erina's eyes, Mineo began to weigh the feasibility of the idea. If it were a matter of being a student, he would have rejected it outright.
However, being a teacher was a different story. As an instructor, his free time would be highly flexible. On top of that, he could order students around to do various tasks. Mineo felt that this offer was actually quite tempting.
Noticing that Mineo was deep in thought, Erina quickly added:
"Mineo-kun! I am inviting you with the utmost sincerity!"
"Our academy will definitely provide you with a very generous compensation, even though I know that to Mineo-kun, money isn't the primary concern."
"However, teaching at Totsuki occasionally is a very meaningful thing! If a customer comes to your restaurant, you can return here anytime to serve them!"
"The most... the most important thing is... if you go to Totsuki, the distance between the two of us will become much..."
At the end of her sentence, Erina began to falter. She didn't have the courage to finish the words "closer to me." But suddenly, Alice chimed in:
"I think Erina's suggestion is wonderful!"
"A guest lecturer, huh? Why didn't I think of that before?"
"Mineo-kun, we've known each other for several years now; surely you can grant us this one small request, right...?"
"Moreover... I'll even give you an extra little surprise!"
Mineo was already feeling intrigued by Erina's explanation. Adding in the offer of a "little surprise" from Alice, he became genuinely curious.
"Alice, what kind of little surprise? Tell me first!"
Hearing Mineo's question, Alice glanced at Erina, then skipped over to Mineo's side with a playful air. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered something directly into Mineo's ear.
After Alice finished whispering that short sentence, Mineo's eyes instantly lit up.
"Really? Alice, you're not lying to me?"
"Mineo-kun! We've known each other for so long; in your eyes, am I really someone who can't be trusted?"
Alice gritted her teeth and huffed:
"Anyway, I've already told you the little surprise bonus I can provide!"
"If you still don't agree, then there's nothing more I can do!"
Mineo immediately reached out and patted Alice on the shoulder.
"Alice, I'm very interested in your proposal!"
"It's decided! I'm willing to accept your invitation to become a guest lecturer at Totsuki!"
"The salary and things like that aren't the main point!"
"The main point is, I feel like I have a hidden passion for educating others!"
Hearing Mineo's words, the corners of Alice's lips couldn't help but twitch. Mineo was truly a piece of work. Just a moment ago, he acted completely uninterested, but the second he heard about the little bonus, he flipped his stance instantly. It turned out Mineo was that kind of person.
Erina, standing to the side, watched Alice with narrow, suspicious eyes. She had no idea what Alice had whispered to Mineo to make him change his mind in an instant. She strongly suspected that Alice had whispered something utterly scandalous.
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