If it's just for drinking, alcohol can be consumed anywhere. For delicious food, there are plenty of high-end restaurants and hotels. Functionally speaking, an tavern is not just about seeking thrills; it possesses its own aesthetic: enjoying solitude among the crowd.
Some regulars visit the same tavern two to three times a week. It seems that Zane's tavern also serves as a place to cure social anxiety. Once you muster the courage to push open that door, a grand adventure begins. Sometimes, you can speak your mind freely, voicing various thoughts aloud.
...
Late at night, as the clock hand neared the "12" mark, Mana stood up and left the tavern. She paused outside the door for a long time before sighing lightly. Her conversation with Zane earlier had solidified a certain resolve in her, and though bittersweet, she was ready to return to Totsuki Academy.
"Miss Mana," whispered Anne, sensing her thoughts, "shall we head back to the WGO branch, or..."
"Let's go to Totsuki," replied Mana quietly.
"Very well, Miss Mana, please get in the car..." Anne then opened the car door for her.
Mana couldn't help but look back at the tavern with a complex expression before getting into the car without turning back, heading straight for Totsuki Academy.
...
"No, really no!" wailed Shiro, head of the Dessert Cuisine Research Society, which had just been converted into a laboratory by Alice and not demolished.
"The weak have no right to bargain," stated Erina. "Instead of wasting resources on you incompetents, it's better to start afresh. Under my leadership, Totsuki Academy will only get better."
Erina then dismissed Shiro with a glance. Competition is the foundation of survival at Totsuki Academy; without it, the academy would cease to exist. Like animals in a forest, only the quick and strong survive, whether they are at the top or bottom of the food chain. Without strength, animals are simply culled.
"Hisako, what's the next target?" Erina asked calmly after her victory, showing no signs of happiness.
"Miss Erina, next up is the Donburi Research Society," reported Hisako. "Its leader, a second-year student named Kanichi Konishi, is known to be timid and weak, both in character and culinary skill."
"I was hoping to handle it personally..."
"No need to bother; let Ikumi take care of it," Erina decided after a moment's thought.
"Uh, Ikumi?" Hisako was taken aback, thinking she had misheard.
"Yes, let her handle the Donburi Research Society. I also want to see if she has improved her cooking skills," Erina replied softly.
"Understood, Miss Erina. I'll inform her," Hisako complied, organizing her thoughts.
Erina then adjusted her clothing and left the Shokugeki venue with an aloof demeanor.
...
At midnight in the director's office, the lights were still bright, and the aged director was still handling affairs. "Director, with school just starting, there have been two Shokugeki matches already, both involving your granddaughter," reported Eishi, representing the peak of Totsuki's combat strength but appearing utterly distressed.
"I'm aware of the situation," the director assured. "Eishi, you've been working hard. I'll try to persuade them."
"Thank you, director," Eisuke replied, relieved, then added, "Regarding the planning of the dormitory training activity, I've discussed it with senior Dojima and others."
"We thought of inviting several Totsuki graduates as examiners, just like last year."
Eisuke then handed over a list he had drafted: "Here are the names of the graduates for your approval."
"Eishi, you don't need to show me these lists anymore," the director refused, pushing the responsibility back to Eisuke. "The Elite Ten have the authority to manage school affairs. You have the right to decide who acts as examiners for the dormitory training activities. I don't have and don't want to interfere."
"Understood," Eisuke accepted, taking back the list and leaving the office.
The director then paced the office, sighing deeply: "I'm getting old. It's becoming harder to handle these matters."
...
The night deepened. A black sedan quietly arrived at Totsuki Academy, stopping in front of a towering building. Mana and Anne alighted from the car. Stepping out, Mana looked closely at the cherry trees around her, blooming with small pink flowers as if welcoming her return.
Touching a cherry tree, Mana murmured, "I'm back... I've finally returned!" She took a deep breath, filled with nostalgia and anticipation for the future, and headed towards the director's office, knowing that whatever happened next, Totsuki Academy would always hold a special place in her heart as one of her most precious memories.
...
The crisp knock on the office door interrupted the director's thoughts. "Eishi, did you forget some documents? The door's unlocked, just come in..."
"Father! It's... it's me. It's been many years. How have you been?" The familiar yet strange voice startled the weary director, who turned to see his long-sought daughter. "Mana... you're back?"
"Good, now don't leave again. You don't know I have been these past ten years," the director's eyes reddened as he spoke.
Mana, taken aback, simply lowered her head and whispered, "I'm sorry."
"No, you don't need to say that," the director reassured her. "I never expected you to come back so suddenly... maybe you've found the cuisine that can conquer god's tongue?"
"I have. I've recently found a chef who can completely satisfy the god's tongue. You've met him before," Mana replied.
"So it's really him!" the director realized, recalling various past events. He sighed deeply and revealed, "Mana, I've driven Totsuki away. He's no longer my son-in-law, nor a part of the Totsuki family!"
Mana, learning of Totsuki's "cage education" approach to exploiting Erina's god's tongue abilities, clenched her teeth in anger, finally understanding the pain Erina endured over the years.
"Let it go! Those things are in the past. He's received his due punishment, and you've had a hard time," the director sympathized, seeing Mana's pale, frail appearance.
"Father, you've aged a lot too," Mana sighed.
"Mana, honestly, your relationship with Azami ends here! If you want to pursue happiness, I support you, and I think Erina will understand your decision," the director concluded, effectively ending any connection between Mana and Azami.
"Father, let's put my matters aside for now. I came to catch up with you and to discuss something important. I believe you've also realized that the culinary world is about to undergo a drastic change, ushering in a new era."
"You think so too?" the director was taken aback.
"Yes, so shouldn't we start preparing for the future now?" Mana asked, her eyes flickering with determination.
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