"A new wave, is it really about to come?"
"How should everyone respond to the future situation, and what choices should they make? Just thinking about it is quite exciting!"
Osaji, the owner of the Gourmet Club, couldn't help but sigh after watching this "good show."
At this moment, everyone knew very well that a sudden coup at Totsuki had occurred. No one present could stay out of it; they all had to jump into this circle.
"What on earth is going on?"
"Why did the Director suddenly step down?"
The many bodyguards standing behind the Director were shocked when they learned that Azami had manipulated the Elite Ten, using their power to forcibly replace the Director.
"Haha, as you can see, I, Azami, will be the next Director of Totsuki Academy."
Azami smiled, looking at the speechless Senzaemon, whose face had turned extremely pale, and felt a special pleasure in his heart.
After all, he did not expect the situation to develop so smoothly. He couldn't express his current emotions with simple words; it felt like every hair on his body was dancing with joy.
Then, he couldn't hide his inner laughter anymore and laughed out loud.
This booming laughter seemed to declare that Totsuki Academy was entering a new era, a new chapter of stories!
...
Life needs surprises, but also the unexpected.
If Senzaemon hadn't seen the signed council documents from each Elite Ten member, he wouldn't have believed all of this.
The cruel reality mercilessly devoured the years of life. Who can predict the fleeting events of the world?
"Grandfather, how could this be..."
Erina was stunned as if struck by lightning, unable to come to her senses for a long time.
Looking closely, her empty eyes were filled with despair.
The Moon Banquet Festival!
It was only the second day, but instead of a new dawn, there was an endless, bottomless night!
In no time, the news of the new Director's appointment spread throughout Totsuki Academy.
All the students, lecturers, professors, and other related personnel were instantly shocked. Perhaps they didn't know, but even more terrifying things were gradually spreading across Totsuki.
At the same time, the collective defection of the Elite Ten meant that the previously dispersed power had suddenly concentrated in one place. Anyone dissatisfied with this coup and opposing it...
Just thinking a little would know that it meant going against the entire Totsuki Academy.
This also meant going against the Elite Ten.
Ask yourself.
In the present time.
Who has the ability to challenge all this?
Therefore, tonight, even if some were unwilling to accept Senzaemon's resignation, they had no power to change anything!
...
Originally, every student should have been living a temporarily peaceful and stable life during the Moon Banquet Festival.
But a sudden coup, and the new Director's appointment, cast an indelible shadow over everyone's hearts.
At this moment.
In Erina's room.
The room was brightly lit, a small world full of youthful atmosphere and dreamy colors.
Pushing open the door, the first thing that caught the eye was a soft pink tone, as if one was in a sweet dream.
The walls were decorated with exquisite paintings of colorful rainbows and drifting clouds, each revealing the purity and romance of a girl. By the window was a soft white bed with cute cartoon patterns embroidered on the bedding.
In the corner of the room was a bookshelf filled with "pure" manga and light novels.
Erina sat by the window, her beauty rivaling that of a goddess under the faint moonlight, her luxurious hair reaching her waist, but her clear pupils revealed a trace of fear!
Her figure was stunning, but her face was pale.
The fear in her heart lingered, never going away.
Thinking about her weak performance just now made her hate herself. Why, after so many years, did she still feel afraid when facing her father?
No!
This is not the Erina I know...
...
Creak.
At this moment, Azami pushed open the door and walked in.
"Erina, you don't need to attend tomorrow's Moon Banquet Festival activities."
"Such a banquet is a meaningless entertainment show. You should spend that time on more valuable things." Azami's sharp eyes stared at Erina as he spoke coldly.
Erina's eyes were dull, and she felt helpless and despondent inside.
She had put in a lot of effort for this Moon Banquet Festival and eagerly looked forward to Zane visiting her stall to taste the wagashi she made.
But such a beautiful vision was shattered!
"Father, I understand."
Erina replied weakly, like a deflated balloon, without any resistance.
"Good!"
"Then get a good rest. I'll come to see you in a few days."
Seeing his daughter still so obedient, Azami felt very satisfied.
Finally, he got up and left, seemingly busy with other important matters.
...
The following days.
It was completely predictable that she would be justifiably imprisoned.
Then, like more than ten years ago, under her father's special arrangements, she would constantly taste all kinds of high-class dishes from around the world every day.
Tired?
Physically not, but the heart... so tired!
Now, even her closest friend, Hisako, had been fired by her father.
Now the whole room was left with only her, making it even more dull and painful. So Erina could only continue to sit by the window in a daze, not moving at all, like she was "dead"!
Zane, where are you?
I... I really... really want to see you!
"Hey!"
"Erina, are you there?"
Just when Erina didn't know what to do, she suddenly heard a slight sound outside the window.
This startled her. She quickly pushed open the closed window and looked down, only to find her cousin Alice climbing up a ladder she had found herself.
"Alice, why... why are you here?"
Shock!
Joy!
Worry!
Fear!
Facing Alice's appearance, Erina's expression was complex.
Moreover, what was more puzzling was that her cousin didn't come in openly but secretly climbed up to the window using a ladder.
At this moment, even a three-year-old child could vaguely understand something.
"I know everything that happened tonight."
"No matter what grudges or conflicts we cousins had in the past, at this moment, I... I've put them all aside."
"Hurry up and come down, try to escape Totsuki tonight, the farther, the better."
Alice said urgently.
"But doing so would defy my father's orders, wouldn't it?"
It was clear that the shadow Azami left in Erina's heart had never dissipated!
Even now, at the most critical moment, what filled her mind was not to resist, to change, but to worry about the consequences if Azami found out she had secretly run away!
To be honest, if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.
Alice couldn't believe that the Erina she most wanted to defeat in her life would be so downcast and timid.
"Stop saying such discouraging things."
"Erina, you must show Uncle Azami your backbone."
Listening to Erina's discouraging words, Alice on the ladder quickly responded.
"I... I understand!"
Hearing this, Erina knew that time was running out and she couldn't afford to be so hesitant and indecisive.
So she clenched her fists, determinedly climbed out of the window, stood firmly on the ladder, and then secretly ran away along the ladder.
...
A winding path.
The emotionally drained Hisako felt utterly exhausted, as if she had lost all her strength.
She had just been fired from her position as secretary by Azami.
Naturally, she was unwilling to accept this, so she planned to sneak back to Erina's villa but found that more guards had been added around the villa, and no one was allowed to approach.
Therefore, Hisako felt completely hopeless and wondered what Erina would become without her by her side to take care of her?
Moreover.
What would Azami do to her?
Thinking about this, she couldn't help but worry!
...
Late at night, in the tallest building of Totsuki Academy.
This place was the office of the new Director, Azami, and the whole room was filled with a repressive atmosphere.
"Lord Azami, Miss Erina Nakiri is not in her room. It seems she was taken out by Miss Alice Nakiri. I have already sent more men to find her."
A security guard in a suit stood in front of Azami, speaking calmly.
Hmm!
It was clear.
Erina's escape didn't surprise anyone too much.
While seriously reviewing the documents, Azami seemed to see through everything: "As expected of Alice, her actions were quicker than I anticipated."
Hearing this, Azami replied leisurely.
However, there was a flash of light in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Will Miss Erina still follow your wishes to taste those high-end French dishes tomorrow?"
"If it's really necessary, I think..."
"No need. Let her rest for now. Before she returns, cancel all her work! Moreover, it's the time of great change at the academy. As the new Director, I am very busy."
After saying this, Azami looked back at the document in his hand.
"Cancel three seats of the Elite Ten Council" was clearly going to be another major event.
"I heard that at every Elite Ten Council meeting, there is always one person who is often late and makes a fuss?"
After a few seconds of silence.
Azami asked the security guard.
"Well... I'm not in a position to talk about the Elite Ten Council."
"Well, I can understand that."
"However, this is an opportunity to set an example. Let the first seat, Tsukasa, handle this matter."
Azami's face was dark, and the strong
aura he exuded made the security guard break into a cold sweat, not daring to breathe loudly.
"Yes... yes, I understand."
The night deepened.
And more surprising things were slowly brewing, about to unfold.
Meanwhile, having finally escaped Azami's clutches, Erina was now free after sneaking out of her villa.
But this also meant she was homeless. Although this was a runaway act, under such helpless circumstances, it seemed Erina had no other choice.
...
Pitter-patter!
Pitter-patter!
Coincidentally, it started to rain.
Fortunately, the rain was light, but this drizzle created a hazy feeling from afar, with raindrops splashing up little water flowers on the ground!
As usual, after doing all the preliminary work, Zane lit up the sign outside, ready to open for business.
But at this moment, a delicate figure appeared behind him in the rain.
"Zane."
The voice was very small, but fortunately, Zane could still hear it.
So he looked back and saw Erina standing in the rain!
Her clear, beautiful eyes looked like a clear spring, but upon closer inspection, they were filled with tears, as if they would fall at any moment.
"No."
"Please don't leave me, okay?"
Erina saw Zane looking at her with concern!
She couldn't help but sob and threw herself into his arms, her small body trembling! This sudden situation made Zane pause for a moment.
Then, recalling the original story, he vaguely understood.
"Don't be afraid."
"I will stay by your side and not leave you."
Zane gently patted Erina's back, speaking softly.
"Really?" Erina asked softly, her eyes filled with tears.
"Yes, more real than pearls."
Zane pressed Erina's head into his chest and whispered in her ear.
"You said it, no going back... no going back..." Erina's voice trailed off, and the exhausted girl began to feel warmth and security in her lover's arms!
But even so, she still clung tightly to Zane's clothes, afraid he would run away.
Seeing this, Zane could only sigh lightly, picking up Erina and carrying her back into the tavern.
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