As the night deepened, Mana left the director's office, turning back to her father, Director Senzaemon, "Father, let's leave it at this for now."
"You're leaving already?" The director's eyes held a mix of reluctance and helplessness as he tried to persuade Mana to stay. "You haven't even seen your daughter, Erina, yet!"
"There are some things I'm not yet ready for. And I fear the longer I stay, the more regret I will feel," Mana replied calmly.
"In fact, Erina still has feelings for you," the director sighed deeply, his gaze becoming distant as if recalling past joyful family moments. Seeing her father like this, Mana felt a tightness in her chest.
She shook her head and quietly replied, "I believe that everything will turn out well in the end, but now is not the right time to meet her."
"So, please forgive me."
"There's nothing more to be done; I respect your decision," the director sighed again.
"It's getting late, I must go. Take care, Father!" After speaking, Mana no longer heeded the director's attempts to keep her and swiftly left the office with Annie.
...
"Miss Erina," Hisako reported as she walked along a narrow path dressed in a Totsuki Academy uniform, brimming with youthful vigor, "the headquarters building of the Sumo Hot Pot Cuisine Research Society has been completely demolished."
"Good!" Erina paused briefly before nodding in satisfaction. "It seems the demolition team is quite efficient."
The demise of the Sumo Hot Pot Cuisine Research Society seemed trivial to her; if she wished, she could rebuild a cooking building overnight based on that very foundation. Yet, she felt irritated thinking about Alice's approach today.
Striving for excellence is a commendable trait! Wanting to fight for and win everything isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, Alice's rash actions seemed too impulsive in her eyes.
"I hope she sees reality. If a victory in a Shokugeki goes to her head, she'll have a hard time ahead," Erina muttered to herself as she continued walking down the path.
...
Suddenly, a black sedan whisked past her. In that moment, inside the car, Mana and her daughter Erina inadvertently made eye contact.
Erina, startled, stood frozen on the spot, murmuring to herself. After a moment, she came to her senses and turned to chase after the car, but it was already gone. She stopped, her eyes filled with deep helplessness.
"Miss, what's wrong?" Hisako approached with a puzzled look and watched Erina for a long time before asking with concern.
"It's nothing. You don't need to worry about me," Erina snapped back to reality and responded lightly.
"Did you mistake someone?" Hisako seemed to sense the weight in Erina's expression.
"Yeah, I guess so," Erina forced a smile.
Hisako looked sympathetically at Erina's resigned demeanor and gently patted her back to comfort her.
Despite not having seen each other for ten years, and the memories of Mana being vague, Erina was certain the face she just saw resembled her mother, Mana, and that feeling briefly flickered in her heart, prompting her to want to catch up.
"Her? Could it really be her?" Erina thought. "Zane once told me she came to Neon Country, but why... why wouldn't my mother come to see me?"
Erina struggled to accept this. She had naively thought she might never see Mana again and had gradually given up hope on her mother. Yet, deep down, she still couldn't let go.
...
[Ding Dong!]
[Host has successfully signed in.]
[Ding Dong!]
"Congratulations to the host for acquiring the special recipe, Buddha's Delight recipe, with ingredients including 10 catfish, 20 sea bream, and 50 squids."
With Rindo's departure, the tavern finally closed for the night. As usual, the system's voice rang out in Zane's mind.
This sign-in reward was quite generous. Not to mention the fish ingredients, the recipe for Buddha's Delight, which includes various fresh seasonal vegetables like mushrooms, grass mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and leafy vegetables, was a pleasant surprise.
According to general understanding, vegetarian food means no meat, and no meat means not killing. Vegetarian meals, typically consumed by monks in temples, suggest that this Buddha's Delight dish could be considered a type of temple food. However, this understanding can be right or wrong. In fact, the origin of vegetarian meals began not in temples but in palaces due to many emperors and officials in Tian Dynasty history who practiced Buddhism.
Today, vegetarian dishes like Buddha's Delight have become popular among the public and are considered the pinnacle of vegetarian cuisine.
...
Well then, it's about the noodles that are not noodles. This phrase was a cooking challenge in the plot of "Chūka Ichiban!" where Liu Maoxing participated in a Super Chef test.
The phrase can be understood in two ways. First, as noodles that don't look like noodles—using the ingredients for noodles but ending up with something other than noodles. The second, more challenging and creative interpretation, is making noodles from ingredients that aren't typically used for noodles.
The special recipe Mian Fei Mian embodies the latter meaning: making noodles from ingredients that aren't noodles, specifically using catfish cut into the shape of noodles.
"Very good, these are excellent recipes. It seems the tavern's business can't help but boom!" Having received the sign-in rewards, Zane couldn't help but stretch and sigh.
After the recent renovation and upgrade, the tavern's business was booming more than ever, making Zane feel a bit overwhelmed.
"The most important thing now is to hire some staff," he muttered, rubbing his temples before going to wash up and then heading straight to bed.
...
The next day at Totsuki Academy, Mito Ikumi changed into a new outfit in front of the mirror. Her healthy tanned skin, mostly bare, glowed attractively, and even her smooth back would mesmerize any man who saw it. "No, this underwear is too bright," she noted after inspecting herself.
*Ding Dong! Ding Dong!*
Just then, the doorbell rang, disrupting her thoughts. Reluctantly, she gathered the eye-catching lingerie, put on a belly-baring top, and went to open the door.
"Is it you, Hisako? What's the matter?" Seeing the visitor was Miss Erina's secretary, Ikumi was surprised.
"There's something you need to take care of," Hisako explained after explaining the situation with the Donburi Research Society.
Listening, Ikumi's eyes darted around as she considered various issues. Considering Kanichi Konishi, the head of the society, who was known for his exaggerated hairstyle and leather jacket but weak culinary skills, she realized she wouldn't need to exert much effort.
After weighing the pros and cons, Ikumi replied, "Please tell Miss Erina that I'll personally handle the Donburi Research Society and won't tarnish her reputation. You know how competitive the different powers are right now, so we can't afford to fail in this."
Seeing Ikumi agree, Hisako nodded slightly. Then, she pulled out a hand-drawn map from her pocket and continued, "Though you're likely to defeat Kanichi, the unknown always carries uncertainty. I hope you'll visit this place first. I believe it will be beneficial."
"What place?" Ikumi took the map, puzzled, then looked, "Ah? You want me to go to a tavern?"
"Yes, that's the place."
...
Research societies at Totsuki Academy function somewhat like school clubs, formed by groups with common interests. While many such societies exist, most are obscure. The more famous ones include the Chinese Cuisine Research Society, led by Terunori Kuga, and the Shiomi Seminar.
"It's over! Our Donburi Research Society is doomed!" At that moment, Kanichi slumped to the ground, his face ashen.
"Have you decided?" Ikumi asked. "If you surrender now, I'll just take over your society. Otherwise, we'll settle this with a cooking duel according to Shokugeki rules!" Glaring at him disdainfully, Ikumi was filled with contempt.
"This... Can you give us a few days to..."
Kanichi stuttered.
"No negotiations. You either hand it over, or we follow the rules of a Shokugeki," Ikumi insisted firmly.
Just then, Sōma Yukihira, a transfer student, gently pushed open the door and asked, "Is this the Donburi Research Society? I'm a new student looking to join..."
"Huh?" Upon hearing Sōma's voice, Ikumi turned around.
Seeing the red-haired boy, though he appeared laid-back, she sensed an imposing aura around him.
"This student," Kanichi began, appreciating Sōma's gesture, "if you're interested, you might want to consider joining another research society."
"Disbanding? Why would you disband a perfectly good club?" Sōma asked, puzzled.
He noticed Ikumi pressuring Kanichi and understood the situation. Having been spurred by Alice's Shokugeki the day before, he was eager for a challenge.
"If I join the Donburi Research Society now, does that mean I could have a chance to duel with her?" Sōma finally voiced his thoughts.
His words immediately stunned both Kanichi and Ikumi.
"Thanks for your kindness, but you shouldn't get involved with Miss Erina's forces,"
Kanichi, grateful yet not wanting to drag Sōma into trouble, declined his offer.
"Senior, if the club is going to be disbanded anyway, why not let me try?" Sōma's eyes hardened with determination.
"Humph! You're really looking for trouble!" Ikumi scoffed, glaring at him.
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