Chapter 135
At this very second, Alice and Erina finally understood the reason behind Kobayashi Rindou's willingness to work as a waitress in Mineo's restaurant.
These high-grade ingredients, which existed far beyond the boundaries of human understanding, were an overwhelming temptation for any professional chef.
Wearing a maid costume was hardly a hurdle at all.
In all likelihood, even if they had to dedicate their entire lives to this restaurant, there would be plenty of attractive female chefs from the outside world willing to flock to Mineo's side.
Erina cast a glance toward Mineo, momentarily at a loss for words.
These ingredients were incredibly enticing even to her, awakening a deep-seated desire to possess them.
If she could consume ingredients of this caliber every day, it would be the absolute ultimate form of happiness for both herself and her God's Tongue.
This man, Mineo... he had likely planned to use these ingredients to lure her in from the very beginning.
While Erina remained silent, Alice had already latched onto Mineo's arm in a very familiar and possessive manner.
"Mineo-kun!"
"The ingredients in your restaurant are truly extraordinary!"
"Do you realize? After checking the quality of the components contained within them, I nearly suffered a massive shock."
"Look, we're best friends, right? I've always been so kind to you all this time."
"People like Kobayashi-senpai and the others definitely don't have a closer bond with you than I do!"
"So, in the future, just leave all these ingredients to me!"
"In my eyes, Mineo-kun is the greatest and most generous person ever!"
"So, would you be willing to grant this tiny little wish of mine?"
Hearing Alice's words, Mineo rolled his eyes.
He moved his hand and flicked Alice's forehead with his fingertip.
The flick carried enough sting to make Alice immediately cover her forehead with her hands.
"Uuuu... Mineo-kun, why did you flick my forehead again..."
"Do you enjoy bullying me that much?"
"I want to ask you, Alice—am I the one bullying you, or is it the other way around?"
"You come here and say all these flattering words, but your end goal is just to be an 'Empty-handed White Wolf' and get something for nothing."
"Please remember, this place is a restaurant, not a charity. These ingredients were obtained with great difficulty even for me. If you want me to just give them away for free, that's simply not going to happen!"
"But then, why were you willing to give so many ingredients to Kobayashi-senpai?"
Alice stared at Mineo with teary, pleading eyes.
"Does Mineo-kun feel that I'm not as pretty as Kobayashi-senpai?"
"I don't think my looks lose out to hers. I have plenty of admirers at school... and also... I'm much gentler than Kobayashi-senpai. I'm even willing to wear a maid uniform in Mineo-kun's restaurant..."
"I'm a young woman with fair skin, a beautiful face, and long legs. My body is perfectly proportioned, too. Mineo-kun, you should at least show me a little mercy."
"Mercy toward a beautiful woman?"
Mineo pinched the side of Alice's pale face.
"Do you really think Kobayashi-senpai uses so many ingredients in my restaurant without paying any price?"
"I'll have you know, Kobayashi-senpai has signed a total surrender contract with this place!"
"Otherwise, on what basis would I give her so many high-quality items to use? Even between friends, one shouldn't try to gain an advantage without providing compensation."
"Kobayashi-senpai signed a surrender contract with you?"
Hearing Mineo's explanation, Alice's expression instantly froze.
"When did that happen?"
"It happened just yesterday!"
Mineo walked toward the bar counter, took a contract document out of a drawer, and handed it to Alice.
"See for yourself, I'm not lying to you!"
"If Alice is also willing to sign a surrender contract like this, then I can hand over the ingredients in my shop for you to use freely!"
Alice took the document from Mineo's hand.
She skimmed through the points listed in the contract.
A minute later, her complexion turned a bit dark.
"Mineo, you... you actually let Kobayashi-senpai sign this?"
"Working in your restaurant for 20 years after graduation? Not allowed to refuse any task you give her?"
"Does this mean you actually plan to keep Kobayashi-senpai as a pet in this shop?"
"You... you're actually capable of... of keeping someone like this?..."
"Using the term 'keeping' is a mistake!"
"This contract was signed by Kobayashi-senpai of her own free will and consciousness, without any coercion."
Mineo thought for a moment, then continued his explanation:
"I promised Kobayashi-senpai that if I manage to obtain high-quality ingredients again in the future, she would be allowed to use them."
"Alice, you just researched those ingredients and saw their intrinsic value."
"Just by working in the shop for 20 years, she gains the right to use my ingredients. In your opinion, is Kobayashi-senpai gaining or losing in this deal?"
Hearing Mineo's argument, Alice fell silent.
If she used rational logic to analyze the matter, she could feel very clearly that Kobayashi-senpai was actually getting a huge bargain!
Even if she had to work for a long time in Mineo's shop, isn't a chef's greatest happiness found in the process of creating delicious food?
In Mineo's place, a vast world had opened up for chefs!
Any chef would surely be willing to come here.
Not just Kobayashi-senpai—even she herself felt a little tempted!
So, what kind of choice should she make right now?
After glancing at Mineo, Alice bit her lower lip hard.
The next second, a very sweet smile appeared on her face.
"Mineo-kun! You're showing this contract to me! Are you giving me a hint?"
"Does this mean you also want to turn me into an exclusive waitress for your restaurant?"
"If I'm also willing to sign a surrender contract for you, will you give me equal treatment?"
"Does this mean Alice also has a desire to work in my restaurant?"
"I don't have any desire to work as a laborer... Being a shop waitress is exhausting! Mineo-kun, would you have the heart to see a girl with such natural beauty like me turn dull because of the fatigue of working in your restaurant?"
"I don't want to sign a surrender contract like that, but on the other hand, I really want the right to use these ingredients... Mineo-kun, can't you provide a third option for me?"
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
50 Power Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter (Up to 5 bonus chapters per week).
Read ahead and support the story on Patreon: patreon.com/FaaanzKun
✅ 120+ chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ 4 new chapters every day (Monday–Saturday), exclusive on Patreon
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —