"You started a research group, right? If I lose, how about I join your group?" Miyoko proposed with a confident smile.
Even when Kuga, head of the Chinese Cuisine Research Society, had invited her to join, she had refused. Yet now, she was willing to make this offer.
"Deal," Sui nodded in agreement.
"I know you're strong, but I've trained at the Hojo Household since I was young. When it comes to real combat experience, I'm far more experienced than you," Miyoko said, waving her hand with a faint smile. "Work hard."
"Haha, you too," Sui responded with a smile of his own.
Sui and Megumi were assigned to serve the guests at table 40, while Miyoko and her partner were responsible for table 39.
It didn't take long before the customers started to arrive, and soon the restaurant filled with people eager to dine at the prestigious Tōtsuki establishment. Given the academy's reputation, business was booming.
Before long, Sui and Megumi received the orders from their table.
"Two servings of sakura sushi, two seared steaks, and one chocolate cake? What a weird mix," Megumi said with a frown.
"Since this restaurant serves Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, customers often order a variety of cuisines. It's part of the test for us to handle it all," Sui explained calmly. To pass this class, students needed to have at least a basic understanding of multiple cuisines.
"Alright then, let's get started. I'll handle the steaks. Megumi, can you work on the cake first?" Sui directed.
"Got it," Megumi nodded seriously, already familiar with how to coordinate with Sui after so many lessons together.
The two began working swiftly. Meanwhile, at table 39, Miyoko was also reviewing her guests' orders.
"Shrimp dumplings, tempura, and soba noodles? Chinese and Japanese cuisine mixed together? This test really challenges your understanding of different cuisines," Miyoko murmured to herself. Her eyes glinted with determination. "But I won't lose!"
——
Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Tohru and Kanna were walking along a busy street.
"Tohru-sama what are those iron boxes that move?" Kanna asked, pointing at the cars driving by.
"Those are called cars," Tohru replied, thinking for a moment. "They're probably powered by magic. And to drive them, humans need a magical license."
"Wow, Tohru-sama is so knowledgeable!" Kanna exclaimed.
"Haha, of course," Tohru said, smirking proudly.
"Tohru-sama what's that?" Kanna asked again, this time pointing at a passerby using a phone.
"That's a magic device used to communicate with people far away," Tohru explained, still in her role as a mentor.
"You're amazing, Tohru-sama!" Kanna continued to gush with admiration.
As they passed through a park, Kanna pointed at a group of children playing on a seesaw.
"Tohru-sama what is that?" Kanna asked, her eyes curious.
Tohru hesitated, unsure of how to explain, but quickly recovered. Her eyes lit up as she said, "That's a training device for launching stones! One person jumps on one end, and the other side gets launched to practice fighting airborne enemies. Children use it to train."
"Tohru-sama is truly incredible!" Kanna said with wide-eyed wonder.
The two continued their walk, but a certain thought lingered in their minds.
"When is Sui coming back?" Kanna asked suddenly. "I want to eat his magic fried rice."
Tohru patted her head gently. She missed Sui too, but comforted Kanna, saying, "He'll be back soon, don't worry."
Neither of them noticed the red-haired girl sitting quietly on a bench in the corner of the park, nibbling on a piece of bread. It was none other than Emilia, the brave hero who had just escaped from a mental hospital.
"Damn it, where is the Demon Lord?" Emilia muttered under her breath, clearly frustrated. "And what is up with this world?! Rent, phone bills, water and electricity fees—I can handle all that. But why is it so hard to find a job here? This world is too cruel!"
No sooner had she finished complaining when her stomach growled loudly.
After a brief pause, Emilia sighed and picked up the bread she had dropped earlier, silently continuing to eat it.
"Guess I'd better find a job first," she muttered to herself.
——
Back at the restaurant, Sui and Megumi were placing their completed dishes in front of their guests.
"Here are the sakura sushi, grilled steak, and chocolate cake you ordered," Sui announced as they presented the food.
"You're fast! As expected of Tōtsuki chefs," one of the guests, a middle-aged man, exclaimed. He and his wife had expected to wait much longer, but were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the dishes were prepared.
Without hesitation, they began to eat. As soon as they tasted the food, their eyes widened in amazement.
"This is delicious! Can this really be the work of a student from Tōtsuki? It tastes just as good as food from a high-end restaurant!" the man marveled.
"You're very talented for someone so young," the woman smiled warmly, clearly impressed. "And you look so composed and elegant. You're definitely worthy of being from such a prestigious school."
"Yes, this is exactly what I would expect from a Tōtsuki student—amazing work," the man added, nodding approvingly.
"Thank you for your kind words," Sui responded with a modest smile, while Megumi beamed with happiness. It was clear they would pass with flying colors.
Suddenly, a loud, angry voice erupted from a nearby table.
"What kind of dumplings are these?! They're awful! The skin is too thick, and the filling is raw! Is this how Tōtsuki treats its customers? This is pathetic!"
The sound of a bowl crashing to the floor followed the complaint.
Sui and Megumi turned toward the commotion, surprised to see that it was coming from the guests at table 39—Miyoko's group.
"How is this possible? There's no way there's anything wrong with my steamed dumplings!" Miyoko's face turned pale, her voice shaking with frustration.