On a cold, rainy day.
A cup of ginger tea seems like a symbol of warmth.
It carries a faint spiciness, the unique aroma of ginger, lightly lingering at the tip of the nose, like the warm sun in winter. Though not scorching, it is enough to dispel the chill in the heart.
The color of the ginger tea is a warm amber, looking especially inviting in a transparent glass.
Holding it gently, the warm feeling spreads from the palms, like holding a small sun, warming every inch of the skin.
Take a sip.
The spicy taste spreads in the mouth.
Next comes a bit of sweetness, the unique taste created by the blend of brown sugar's sweetness and ginger's spiciness.
As it slowly flows down the throat, the slightly trembling body feels comfortable and warm, a warm current flowing inside, dispelling all the cold.
...
"Erina."
"Whether it's the past, the present, or the future, I hope you can live happily!"
"Don't worry, no matter how much pain you're in, I'll do everything I can to heal the wounds in your heart."
Zane glanced slightly.
Seeing Erina's trembling lips, wanting to shout, but unable to make a sound.
Her eyes, under the cover of fear, had become dull and lifeless.
So, he could only lean closer, gently patting her back, softly comforting her.
"Zane, what should I do? What should I do?"
Erina's forced strength collapsed entirely in front of Zane.
Any girl, after experiencing a childhood shadow, would be just as lost and hopeless as now, especially such a high-status young lady!
Seeing Erina's emotions collapse further, Zane could only hold her tightly in his arms, hugging her firmly.
Suddenly, Erina felt a strong current filling her body, her clear eyes becoming misty, burying her head in Zane's neck.
In her heart, she knew clearly.
In this life, she could never leave Zane!
...
"Zane, in the days to come."
"I can foresee that Totsuki Academy will inevitably fall into chaos because of my father. By then... I hope you can help."
"Although it's a rather unreasonable request, since you've always wanted nothing to do with Totsuki."
"But I..."
Erina's feelings were extremely conflicted now.
After all, one was her father, and the other was the person she loved the most. But between family and love, she finally abandoned the former and chose the latter.
But does she regret it?
The answer should be no regret!
Because she knows, she has deeply fallen in love with Zane, with the man in front of her!
Especially knowing that after so many years, she still hasn't overcome the psychological shadow from then. Therefore, she gradually realized that in this world, the only one she could rely on in the end was Zane!
"Heh, if you find it embarrassing to say something, you don't have to say it in front of me. Actually... I know what to do."
Zane laughed softly by her ear.
Then, he felt Erina stiffen slightly, so he lightly patted her back with the other hand to ease her nerves.
Erina exhaled lightly.
She took a deep breath, unintentionally smelling the masculine scent on Zane, feeling a sense of peace.
Yes~
Just lying in his arms feels really good!
"Zane, can... can you kiss me?"
With that, Erina, who was gradually calming down, closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling adorably in the light.
Zane was slightly stunned, then gently kissed her!
...
Erina is actually a reserved person.
Maybe it's because of her noble background, her character is cold and proud, rarely showing emotions. Even on usual days, it's rare to see a faint smile on her face.
Perhaps, at this moment, she was recalling some past events in her mind.
Therefore, a few tears fell from her tightly closed eyes.
Finally, she slowly opened her eyes in Zane's arms, the memories replaying in her mind like a movie.
She carefully felt the long-lost kiss, the long-lost warm embrace, and their synchronized heartbeats!
Maybe?
She realized.
The way they were now, very close and intimate.
Unable to help savoring the warmth on her lips, her face instantly turned red with shyness.
No, looking closely, even her earlobes and neck turned red.
...
After a while.
Erina gently pushed Zane away.
She moved slightly, seemingly intentionally keeping a "bit" of distance from him.
However, her bright, clear eyes kept gazing at his familiar yet slightly unfamiliar handsome face.
Although Zane wasn't much older than Erina, he always had a bit more maturity and integrity!
"Zane."
Then, like a little girl, Erina pouted, "Will you leave me like my mother did?"
"Silly, of course not."
Hearing this, Zane flicked her nose, a smile on his lips.
"Mm, Zane, it's so good to have you!"
After saying this, Erina showed a happy smile.
From this moment on, although they had different statuses and views on cooking, there was no barrier between them anymore.
Maybe it was the heavy rain outside, or maybe he was worried about Erina's well-being, so tonight, Zane didn't open for business as usual!
...
He wasn't very interested in the situation at Totsuki Academy.
Because such things had nothing to do with Zane, an "outsider."
However, the Totsuki students involved in this matter made Zane feel a bit troubled.
Thinking about how Azami had just appeared, and Erina directly escaped and stayed at the tavern.
Then, what about later?
Will other Totsuki students who are unhappy with Azami's actions escape like Erina and plan to stay at the tavern too?
Will this tavern eventually become a new stronghold against Azami's forces?
So, every time he thought of this, Zane felt a headache!
"Sigh!"
"Can't I ever have peace?"
Helpless, Zane could only sigh deeply.
...
In the early morning of late autumn, the sky had completely brightened.
The coup at Totsuki had just passed, but the new Director, Azami, had not yet taken any drastic measures or policies!
At this time, the Elite Ten Council convened again.
Unlike previous meetings, this discussion ended quickly.
After last night's council, the Elite Ten had begun to split into opposing factions. One faction was those who supported the new Director, Azami, and the other was those dissatisfied with Azami's actions and ready to resist.
In other words, the conflict among the Elite Ten had become public, and everyone had to reevaluate who their enemies and friends were.
"Very well, except for Erina, it seems everyone else is here!"
However, at this moment.
Sitting at the top, Azami looked around and smiled at everyone.
"Hmph, ridiculous."
"Since when did the Elite Ten Council allow outsiders to interfere?"
Eighth seat, Kuga, with his hands behind his head, glanced coldly at Azami.
"Well... it wasn't a rule before."
"But since Azami became the new Director, this has been the rule."
Tsukasa hurriedly explained.
"Changed?"
Kuga was bewildered!
...
"Everyone, what I'm about to discuss is very important to all of you."
"First, the school festival activities will continue."
"Second, after the school festival ends, all cooking classes, practice rooms, laboratories, research societies, and all self-managed groups within the academy... will be disbanded."
Azami said calmly.
But this statement caused an uproar in the entire meeting room.
Most of the Elite Ten, as if struck by lightning, couldn't process it for a moment.
Even though they knew the new Director would make significant changes, no one expected the reforms to be so thorough and radical!
...
The research societies at Totsuki Academy.
They are platforms where students continually hone their cooking skills based on tradition and discuss specific topics together.
Generally, research societies are highly specialized.
And they are inclusive; any student in the academy can understand and participate in them.
Therefore, the research society system has always been a tradition of Totsuki Academy!
But now.
There are countless research societies in Totsuki Academy.
These research societies specialize in Chinese cuisine, local cuisine, hot pot cuisine, ramen cuisine...
Of course, the most famous ones might be Jun's Jun Research Society and Kuga's Chinese Cuisine Research Society!
...
"Is this a joke?"
"Research societies, clubs, and laboratories in the entire Totsuki Academy are countless, and you want to abolish them all?"
Rindo blinked, feeling incredulous.
"Damn it!"
"Is this your so-called correction plan?"
"This action is an insult to Totsuki Academy's tradition!"
Third seat, Somei, with a flash of anger in his eyes, said to Azami.
"Sigh, has it come to this?"
Satoshi looked helpless.
...
Clearly, Azami's decision met opposition from some Elite Ten members.
But he ignored them and continued, "Second, I will establish a new organization within Totsuki Academy!"
"This organization will have the Director and the Elite Ten Council as its decision-making body."
"It will gather students personally selected by the Director, an elite organization exploring new cuisines together. In simple terms, it is an organization where students can share all kinds of cuisine!"
"I've already thought of a name: Central Gourmet Institute."
...
Listening to Azami's second decision.
Whether those who initially supported him or those who opposed him, all were shocked, speechless.
"Ridiculous."
"Food is an expression of individuality!"
"Just as a thousand people have a thousand Hamlets! Similarly, everyone's cooking should be unique!"
"Following your model, won't everyone
become slaves to food?"
"What's the point of this?"
Rindo was utterly confused.
She never imagined that Azami would be so crazy!
"Absurd!"
"How can such tyranny be allowed?"
"Do we, the Elite Ten, not even have a chance to resist? Do we have to obediently follow whatever you say from now on?"
Kuga slammed the table and stood up.
His distinctive personality naturally couldn't stand Azami's actions!
...
"No."
"I think this proposal is really good."
Unexpectedly, the usually timid Tsukasa stood up.
"So far, the academy's education system has been very unreasonable."
"Always advocating for strength first, completely abandoning those with weaker abilities. But everyone makes mistakes and has bad times. Should one mistake ruin a person's entire life?"
"On the other hand, the excessive advocacy of elite education has caused constant disputes among Totsuki students."
"I'm often exhausted from dealing with student conflicts every year."
"If there's a system where everyone can sit together peacefully, learn cooking, improve together, and enjoy the results together."
"I think it wouldn't be a bad thing!"
...
"Tsukasa."
"How could... you think like this?"
Rindo looked deeply at Tsukasa, unable to calm down!
As the first seat of the Elite Ten, his influence was far greater than the others! If he sided with Azami, there was nothing more to say.
So, Rindo could only choose to stay silent, feeling utterly disheartened.
"Well, then after the school festival ends, the disbandment of all research societies, clubs, laboratories, and self-managed groups, and the establishment of the Central Gourmet Institute will be implemented!"
Seeing this, Azami could only smile faintly.
From now on, Totsuki would undergo comprehensive changes after the school festival.
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