Three years.
A full three years.
Megumi spent each day in a state of constant anxiety and difficulty.
Throughout these three years, her grades were consistently the lowest, an E grade, with the occasional above-average performance earning a D.
But not to mention an A grade, she had never even received a B or C grade during her entire middle school period at Totsuki.
However, today, she received the highest A grade from the strictest instructor, Roland Roland, and successfully passed this entrance examination!
It all seemed like a dream, yet it was so real!
…
"This evaluation simply involved following the recipe I provided and completing it properly."
"You just felt that the recipe was not good, turned to replicate someone else's recipe, and then made a more delicious red wine beef stew. Therefore, I have no reason to fail you."
Roland explained.
After speaking, he got up and left the culinary classroom.
But before stepping out, he continued: "Actually, your cooking is filled with gentleness!"
"This is valuable because Totsuki is a place that always teaches some knowledge and culinary skills, focusing more on personal ability development."
"However."
"What is the true essence of cooking?"
"What is real cooking? And what is a real chef?"
"Regarding these questions, we cannot provide the right guidance and education!"
"Every year, many students graduate from Totsuki, whether they graduate smoothly or drop out halfway."
"Although they are very talented, their lives may not always go smoothly, and they may not continue to shine in the culinary world!"
"In the end, personal ability is very important, and so is the platform."
"But a correct educational approach, I think, is an important factor that influences the future development of a chef."
"In some ways."
"That tavern might be more noble than Totsuki Academy."
"And that mysterious owner might just be an excellent instructor!"
"This time, your dish has successfully passed the assessment."
"But I hope that in the future, you can change and grow."
"I believe, as long as you continue to maintain this gentle heart towards cooking, you will profoundly influence not only Totsuki Academy."
"No."
"But the entire culinary world!"
With that, Roland Roland then left.
Watching his retreating figure, Megumi stood still, holding her report card, bewildered.
At this moment, she couldn't understand Roland's meaning.
But when the future revolution led by Erina happens, forcing her to make difficult choices, she would understand the deeper meaning of his words today!
…
Early morning.
The sun, through a thin layer of clouds, shone on the freshly revived earth.
In the southwest part of the city, this is the bustling Akihabara district.
Looking closely, each street was lined with countless delicious ramen shops, comic book stores, toy stores, arcades, figurine exhibits, and even sexually appealing maid cafes…
Of course, although there are many fun places,
The crowd coming to Akihabara was dense like ants, extremely numerous.
Often, pedestrians were squeezed into narrow spaces on both sides, rubbing shoulders with each other, this feeling of impatience inevitably made everyone feel a bit suffocated!
However, among the vast crowd, Erina was wrapped in thick clothes.
Even though the weather was not very cold, she seemed to want to wrap every part of herself tightly, which was quite amusing!
Moreover, she also wore a cute-style duckbill hat and even wore a mask covering her mouth.
But!
Even so.
She still felt uneasy and quickly took out dark sunglasses and hurriedly put them on.
…
"How about now?"
"Surely no one will recognize me like this?"
Behind her, Fisako Shinomiya looked at Erina's comical appearance and couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, saying, "Miss, rest assured!"
"With this outfit, it would be very difficult for an acquaintance to recognize you."
"Good."
"Then let's continue on."
Afterward, Erina continued to adjust her duckbill hat and sunglasses.
She then cautiously looked around and took anxious steps into a nearby comic book store.
This store wasn't very conspicuous, relatively plain-looking, and even a bit old, showing its age.
But its charm lay in attracting those who deeply loved manga.
Upon entering the store, one could immediately smell the faint scent of ink.
A closer look showed that the store's decor was very simple, with various comic posters and artwork hanging on the walls, and shelves neatly lined with all kinds of comic books.
Whether it was classic comics or works by emerging manga artists, one could find them here.
So much so that Erina, who had just entered, was dazzled.
Suddenly, she saw a copy of "Magical Girl Academy H×H" on the display cabinet and her eyes lit up!
She hurried forward, tiptoed, and tried to reach for the comic book. But perhaps
because it was placed too high, even after a lot of effort, she still couldn't reach it!
"Let me help you."
Just then, a figure appeared behind her.
Then, under her gaze, he reached out and took down the "Magical Girl Academy H×H" comic book.
"Thank you." Erina, after receiving her beloved comic book, quickly thanked him.
"You're welcome."
"It was just a simple gesture, Erina."
"Huh?"
"You… you are…"
The familiar voice made Erina freeze.
She quickly looked up in fright, only to find that the person standing behind her was indeed the tavern owner, Zane!
"Erina, what a coincidence."
"To meet you here in Akihabara, could this be what they call fate?"
"No, you've mistaken me for someone else, please don't look at me like that."
Erina, her pretty face instantly blushed, fortunately, her mask and sunglasses made it difficult for others to notice!
Little did she know, as soon as she finished speaking, Zane covered her forehead.
"What... what are you doing?"
Erina, both embarrassed and anxious, asked.
"You don't have a fever?" Zane then said irritably: "I mean, liking such erotic comics isn't really shameful, why do you need to hide it like this?"
Hearing this, Erina's ears turned even redder!
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