Late at night, with the stars shining brightly.
As closing time approached, Megumi was also about to leave.
"It's really rare for you to stay at the tavern for so long!" Zane smiled as he glanced at Megumi.
"Owner."
"Chatting with you is really interesting."
"And every time I watch you cook, my heart feels at ease."
"If it wasn't so late, I... I really want to stay here longer!"
After saying this, Megumi paid and courteously bid farewell to Zane, planning to leave.
"Wait, don't rush to leave." Seeing this, Zane quickly stopped her.
Then, he took out five beautifully-wrapped wagashi (a type of Japanese candy) and handed them to her, saying, "Here! Take these, remember to eat them before going back, don't leave them until tomorrow morning."
"Is it... okay?" Looking at the exquisite wagashi in front of her, Megumi couldn't help but cover her mouth.
Apparently, at the parting moment, she was a little surprised and touched by Zane's gesture of giving her a little sweet treat.
At first, she wanted to refuse, but when she looked at Zane's determined gaze, she obediently reached out and carefully accepted the wagashi.
"It's fine."
"It's just some wagashi."
"Stop making it seem like you owe me such a big favor. Your look is giving me goosebumps!" Megumi said with a smile, feeling a bit touched.
"In any case, work hard and strive for victory in the first assessment after the start of school." Zane lightly patted Megumi's shoulder and smiled.
"Owner!"
"I understand, thank you very much!" Megumi was deeply moved, her eyes welling up with tears.
For the past few years at Totsuki Academy, someone like her, whose academic performance was abysmal, had suffered discrimination and ridicule from other students.
Although her dormitory mates at the Polar Star Dormitory, including Yuuki, Ryōko, Satoshi, and Zenji, treated her fairly well, she felt the most intense care from Zane!
This care made her feel very happy, yet also weighed heavily on her heart.
After all, she was currently too weak. If she couldn't become stronger quickly, she would only disappoint Zane's expectations.
Finally, after exchanging a few more words with Zane, Megumi reluctantly left the tavern!
...
"Director!"
"Why did you come to such a small place?"
With the start of the new semester at Totsuki, the date for the most important residential training event for new students was approaching.
Naturally, as the head chef of Totsuki, General Affairs, Gin, was invited by the Director.
However, to Gin's surprise, General Affairs Senzaemon had brought him to a small tavern.
A tavern.
At most, it was just a place for people to relax.
Whether in scale or the chef's culinary skills, it was certainly far inferior to the Totsuki Resort, a five-star hotel inside the resort!
Moreover,
One was the current Director, and the other was the head chef of General Affairs.
How could people with such status and position choose to be in such a place?
The more Gin thought about it, the more confused and depressed he felt, unable to understand the Director's thoughts!
"Hey."
"Don't underestimate this tavern."
"And people like us often have some restraints on important occasions."
"But in a tavern, besides drinking a little sake and eating some food, we can also open our hearts and talk about personal matters!"
"Of course, the most important thing is to let you meet the owner."
"I want you to explore his secrets after experiencing his cooking, relying on your own abilities."
Seeming to have seen through Gin's thoughts, the Director just stroked his beard and mysteriously smiled.
Then, he ignored Gin, and directly walked into the tavern through the door.
"Huh?"
"Could it be..."
Gin, who was behind, became more and more puzzled, and at the same time, more curious.
At night.
The owner of the tavern himself wasn't particularly remarkable.
To put it plainly, you could easily find someone like him on any street in Japan.
But from the Director's reaction, it seemed that this owner had extraordinary talent and was completely different from other tavern owners!
After some thought, Gin had to gather his complicated emotions.
Then, he stopped thinking about anything and quickly walked into the tavern.
As soon as he entered, seeing the busy Zane, a kind and gentle smile immediately appeared on the Director's face.
"Zane."
"Very busy, huh!"
"Hmm?"
"What a rare guest!"
"Director, it's been a long time since you came to the tavern."
Seeing that the visitor was actually Erina Nakiri's grandfather, Zane warmly welcomed him, "Sake or shochu?"
"Two bottles of sake."
The Director chose a place to sit down and continued to smile.
"Two bottles?"
Zane frowned upon hearing this.
At that moment, Gin, who followed closely, entered the tavern and swiftly reached the Director's side. Seeing this, Zane suddenly realized.
The figure before his eyes, Gin, was dressed in a black suit.
The soft and detailed comfort of the outfit, along with the gem-studded belt buckle, perfectly reflected his burly and stout figure!
Perhaps when a strong presence appeared, it always commanded respect. Hence, all the customers around were influenced and turned their gaze in this direction.
For Zane, he represented the strongest monster in Totsuki's history.
It was completely unexpected for him that the Director and Gin would visit his tavern together today.
"Zane."
"Let me introduce you to"
"Gin Dojima, the General Affairs Head Chef of our Totsuki Resort!"
"He was the number one graduate of the 69th class, and his academic performance upon graduation remains unrivaled throughout Totsuki Academy."
The Director swiftly made the introduction.
"I see."
"I have heard a little about him."
Zane nodded lightly after retracting his gaze.
After sizing up Zane for a few moments, Gin's eyes couldn't help but show a flash of admiration.
Since he came in, the young man in front of the Director seemed completely at ease, as if he only treated the Director as an ordinary customer.
Therefore, Gin determined outright that Zane before him might be even more extraordinary than he had imagined!
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