Dusk, the sun was setting!
After a long day of shopping, Erina and Zane were resting in an upscale restaurant. Erina picked up her glass, gently shaking the ice cubes and listening to the crisp, pleasant sound of them clinking against the glass. She enjoyed the sight of the clear, crystalline world within the glass and savored the cool, refreshing taste of her drink, preserving its original flavor.
As she took a small sip, she felt a cool sensation spread through her. It was a perfect moment, as if time had hit the "pause" button. The oppressive weather no longer felt unbearable; instead, she wished the scorching sun would melt away as slowly as the pure fruit juice in her glass.
Afterward, Erina slowly opened her eyes. She then fixed her gaze on Zane, and her thoughts began to swirl.
…
Recently, with Azami Nakiri's emergence and the upheaval at Totsuki Academy, Erina had been plagued by nightmares every night.
But somehow, she always found peace by the end.
In her dreams, a familiar face often appeared. The sharp contours, the intense black eyes, and the faint smile all belonged to Zane.
If it were just dreaming of Zane, it wouldn't have been so unsettling.
But in the dreams, Zane would always hold her tightly and lean in to kiss her.
Thump-thump!
Thump-thump!
The sound of her heartbeat seemed like an invisible "red thread of fate," binding them together.
In her dream, Erina wanted to resist, to push him away, but she found it futile. She and Zane's lives were becoming more intertwined, impossible to separate.
"Love?"
"Is this... love?"
Touching the ring Zane had bought, Erina muttered to herself.
…
The showdown between the Elite Ten ended unexpectedly with Eishi Tsukasa, the seventh seat, winning.
This victory was seen as a successful rebellion against Azami Nakiri's regime, giving hope to students, instructors, and professors discontented with Azami's policies.
This turn of events was not within Azami's control.
Therefore,
After this incident,
He immediately summoned the Elite Ten to issue another directive:
Hunt the Remnants!
…
Since Azami Nakiri's new regime, the Central Gourmet Institute, took over, Totsuki Academy had undergone many changes.
One notable change was in the teaching format. Originally, there were two types of culinary classes:
One involved completing a dish with a specified theme within a limited time, and the other allowed students to create dishes based on designated ingredients or themes.
Azami Nakiri's reforms abolished the second type of class.
This move angered many instructors, who protested vehemently.
However, times had changed, and Azami, holding the power of the Director, implemented harsh policies, dismissing many instructors who couldn't adhere to the Central Gourmet Institute's guidelines.
For instance, in a cooking class that morning, a similar scene unfolded.
"It's strange."
"Chef Chapelle, who is usually punctual, is late?"
"I heard many instructors have been protesting against the new Director's teaching methods and have been forcibly dismissed. I fear Chef Chapelle might be next…"
"What's going on?"
"Abolishing so many research societies wasn't enough?"
"What does the Central Gourmet Institute want?"
"It's terrifying. So many things have happened at Totsuki in the past few days."
"Sigh!"
"Who can deny that?"
At that moment, a group of students waiting for class, puzzled by Chef Chapelle's absence, began to speculate.
…
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a group of people walked in.
These individuals were staff members from the Central Gourmet Institute, their faces unfamiliar to most. Consequently, all the students were stunned, unsure of what was happening.
"Because the instructor for this class, Chef Roland Chapelle, cannot comply with the policies of the Central Gourmet Institute, he is... temporarily suspended."
At this announcement, the room fell silent.
Many faces turned ashen.
Everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving everyone bewildered, shocked as if struck by lightning.
After all, within just two or three days, Totsuki Academy had seen the Director step down, three Elite Ten members removed, all cooking societies and clubs abolished, and battles between the Elite Ten members.
Some instructors were either dismissed or suspended!
Each of these events alone would be shocking enough, let alone all happening at once!
Reform?
Is this what reform looks like?
…
"How will our classes proceed?"
A student stepped forward and asked the staff from the Central Gourmet Institute.
"Don't worry. A substitute instructor has been assigned to teach today's practical cooking class. Pay attention, as this is a standardized practical class from the Central Gourmet Institute. You students must study carefully and master it well."
"Now, please welcome the instructor…"
Despite the haughty tone, many students fixed their gazes on the door.
Gradually,
A figure approached.
When he reached the podium, everyone finally saw his face clearly.
White hair, gray eyes, and a handsome, gentlemanly appearance.
"Huh?"
"The first seat of the Elite Ten, Tsukasa Eishi?"
"He's going to be our instructor?"
"Wow, am I dreaming?"
Usually, Tsukasa Eishi avoided public exposure unless it was for important events or the Autumn Leaf Hunt!
But now, things were different. As a member of the Central Gourmet Institute, he naturally needed to appear more frequently.
"Hello!"
"I am Tsukasa Eishi, the first seat of the Elite Ten and a member of the Central Gourmet Institute."
Standing at the podium, Tsukasa Eishi felt a bit nervous. Despite being the first seat, his personality could be timid, hesitant, and very cautious!
However, his demeanor quickly put the students at ease, blending into the classroom atmosphere.
"Today, I will demonstrate a few of my dishes."
"When you make these dishes in the future, please follow my methods."
Gradually, Tsukasa Eishi took a deep breath, relaxed, and his lazy gaze became sharp, exuding a kingly aura that intimidated everyone.
"When preparing sashimi, always cut against the grain at a 90° angle to the fish's muscle fibers. This way, the fish slices will be tender and easy to chew. Never cut along the muscle fibers, as this will make the texture tough and unpleasant."
The cooking classroom echoed with Tsukasa Eishi's instructions.
Meanwhile,
In the education department headquarters at Totsuki Academy,
It was filled with chefs from all over the world, possessing rich culinary experience.
To be a teacher at Totsuki Academy, one's skills must be exceptional.
"It's over!"
"Azami Nakiri, that guy, doesn't spare anyone."
Sitting in a chair, Chef Chapelle's face was full of worry.
Now, many teachers either sided with Azami and joined the Central Gourmet Institute or, like Chef Chapelle, resisted firmly.
Of course, under such circumstances, many instructors were ruthlessly dismissed by Azami. Esteemed instructors like Chef Chapelle were only temporarily suspended due to their high standing.
This situation created widespread anxiety among the teachers, even those seemingly unaffected.
…
Night fell.
The tavern continued its business.
Tonight's first guest was the former Director, Senzaemon Nakiri.
After Azami's sudden rise to power, Senzaemon Nakiri's life had drastically changed.
He used to handle numerous affairs and heavy workloads daily as the Director of Totsuki Academy!
Now, he was free from official duties.
Of course, he knew the responsibilities now lay with Azami Nakiri.
Yet, aware of Azami's character and methods, he often stayed in the shadows of Totsuki Academy, observing his every move.
His visit to the tavern tonight also had a purpose.
Given the upheaval at Totsuki, the situation was increasingly turbulent.
In Senzaemon Nakiri's eyes, the most suitable candidate for the Director's position was the young, talented Zane!
…
"Director, you only ordered a few small dishes like stir-fried beef, pearl meatballs, stir-fried chicken gizzards with chili, and steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce?"
"I've just developed a new dish. Would you like to try it?"
"Um!"
"I am no longer the Director."
"So, there's no need to call me that anymore!"
Senzaemon Nakiri sighed and added, "Alright! Since you have a new dish, I must try it."
"Okay!"
"Please wait a moment."
With that, Zane turned and busied himself.
…
At this moment, Senzaemon Nakiri continued drinking. The peach blossom wine was crystal clear.
The taste was sweet with a hint of fragrance. To brew such fine peach blossom wine, one needed to collect freshly blooming peach blossoms from southeast branches, combined with three-year-aged pure barley wine, wild honey, and traditional ice sugar!
A layer of peach blossoms.
A layer of ice sugar.
Sweet and refreshing.
Lightly intoxicating.
The wine was not strong but very fragrant!
It had a magical effect, flowing through the body.
Senzaemon Nakiri couldn't help but take another sip, feeling the delicate aroma of the wine. The mildly sweet fluid spread within him! With the wine's fragrance, his heart began to feel soft and calm.
Outside the window, the sky showed a hazy view.
A few sparse stars shone faintly. Meanwhile, the gentle sunlight was about to appear from the hillside!
This serene scenery was undeniably beautiful!
At that moment, Senzaemon Nakiri, after drinking, was filled with many thoughts.
…
Currently, Totsuki was undergoing significant changes.
Witnessing all this, Senzaemon Nakiri felt somewhat helpless, unsure if Azami Nakiri's reform plans were right or wrong.
However, in his heart,
The most suitable person to lead Totsuki was
Zane!
But he also understood that Zane's aspirations didn't lie with Totsuki Academy. Therefore, despite having much to say, he couldn't fully express his thoughts to Zane!
He could only try to ease his worries with alcohol, pouring his emotions into the wine…
In the peach wine,
He tasted warmth, intoxication, and a hint of loneliness!
"Hey, Zane!"
"The Nakiri family keeps troubling you!"
"I now realize that Erina and Mana can't stay away from you! It's a shame I couldn't protect my granddaughter well. I feel truly ashamed!"
Finally,
Senzaemon, returning to his senses, said to Zane.
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