Chapter 27
As for who Mineo really was, Senzaemon didn't want to investigate that too deeply just yet.
The thing that truly occupied his mind was what a young man like Mineo was planning.
The Nakiri family had been able to stand tall in the Japanese culinary world for hundreds of years, and the existence of the God's Tongue was one of the primary reasons for that. It could even be said that the God's Tongue had become a highly influential brand synonymous with the Nakiri name.
But now, a new owner of the God's Tongue had appeared in the outside world, and his was even at a higher level than his own granddaughter's.
If this news spread, what kind of reaction would ripple through the Japanese culinary world?
Senzaemon sank deep into thought. At the same time, he began to weigh the pros and cons of Mineo's sudden appearance in his heart.
A few minutes later, Senzaemon raised his head and looked at Erina.
The old man cleared his throat, then asked in a low, heavy voice, "Erina, I have a few questions I hope you can answer."
"As for whether Mineo-kun truly possesses a higher-level God's Tongue, let's set that aside for a moment."
"What I want to ask is, how did you and Mineo meet?"
"Why did he come to Japan? Why did he seek you out?"
"And just what kind of relationship is there between the two of you...?"
Initially, Erina's emotions had been relatively stable, but hearing Senzaemon suddenly fire off those specific questions, she instantly became tense again.
Her little heart beat rapidly and erratically. Her small hands even began to clench tighter.
Me... and Mineo-kun... it's a friendship, right!
He... he came to Totsuki... he was only supposed to treat me to a meal...
But... Mineo-kun clearly said he wanted to be closer to me!
He... he even closed his old restaurant just to open one on the back of the Totsuki mountain!
How... how should I answer Grandfather!
If I... if I tell Grandfather all of this, he won't misunderstand, will he!
Seeing Erina remain silent, Senzaemon looked at her with a hint of suspicion.
The questions he asked were perfectly ordinary.
Erina, why are you getting so worked up!
Why did your face suddenly turn so red?
At this moment, Senzaemon suddenly realized something was wrong. His granddaughter was indeed acting quite unusual today.
When she left the house this morning, she had dressed up with such deliberate care for the first time. Even now, she was still wearing that exquisite princess-style gown.
Thinking back on these things and connecting them to Erina's current flustered appearance, Senzaemon's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Don't tell me that boy named Mineo has that kind of relationship with my granddaughter!
Keeping his expression neutral, Senzaemon continued to speak:
"Erina, are these questions so difficult to answer?"
"I recall that usually, any tasting requests you receive are sent to Hisako and handled centrally by her."
"This young man named Mineo previously managed a restaurant in China. How did you even receive a request from him?"
Seeing her grandfather press for an answer, Erina lightly bit her thin lip.
"That... Grandfather!"
"Actually... actually, Mineo-kun and I are online friends!"
"I... I've known him for several years!"
"Before this, we always... always exchanged opinions on cooking techniques over the internet! Some of Mineo-kun's views on culinary arts... were very beneficial to me!"
"I... I suppose Mineo-kun and I can be considered best friends!"
"This time, he closed the restaurant in his hometown and came to Tokyo to manage a new one!"
"He said... he wanted to treat me properly for once... that's why I turned down all other requests today and went to eat at his restaurant..."
"But Grandfather... I... Mineo-kun and I are really just ordinary friends... we don't have... we don't have any other kind of relationship..."
Watching Erina ramble on so nervously, the situation became crystal clear to Senzaemon.
I haven't even asked yet, but you're already in such a hurry to explain!
Doesn't this obviously show that there's something going on?
Friends?
A male and female friend?
It seems this is also the first time you've told me you even have a friend, Erina!
Although Senzaemon was getting on in years, he wasn't old-fashioned. He understood the things the younger generation did on the internet. He had heard of things like "online relationships" before.
His granddaughter's current expression was clearly a confession without even being prompted!
Furthermore, that young man named Mineo was also highly suspicious!
Leaving his own restaurant behind just to manage one on the back mountain of Totsuki... wasn't his intention blindingly obvious?
Wasn't this a blatant move to meet in person after an online relationship?
To think his precious granddaughter actually managed to get acquainted with a "best friend" through the internet!
At this moment, a sudden feeling welled up in Senzaemon's heart—as if the fresh vegetables he had painstakingly raised at home were about to be snatched away by someone else.
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