For Shiraki's dish, Alice could be described as greedy for a long time. When Shiraki extended the chopsticks toward her, she opened her mouth without hesitation. Feeling that Shiraki's movements were too slow, she leaned forward to take the initiative.
"Ahhh~"
The moment the food entered her mouth, Alice's eyes widened. Though she thought she had mentally prepared herself, the reality of tasting such a top-tier delicacy shattered her so-called preparation into pieces.
As the second lady of the Nakiri family, and having spent a significant time abroad with her parents, Alice had experienced countless dishes—from humble street food to the luxurious creations of three-Michelin-starred restaurants.
However, she never imagined food like this could exist in the world.
The ingredients burst into a fragrant juice upon entering her mouth. Not only was the aroma divine, but the taste was a sweetness so pure it felt mythical—like heavenly nectar. As the juice spread, the entire mouth began to revel in this miraculous flavor. The sensation extended to her throat, leaving it comforted and warm. Before she could discern the ingredients behind the juice, the texture of the dish surprised her again. The first bite was crisp, with a hint of caramelized char, but as she chewed further, the shell revealed its elastic texture.
Finally, the shredded cabbage—fully infused with flavor—combined seamlessly with two mysterious ingredients. Together, they were elevated by a perfectly balanced seasoning that evoked pure comfort. It felt as though the dish had transported her into a painting, where every flavor stroke built a masterpiece.
Alice closed her eyes in bliss, savoring the taste as it enveloped her senses. The unparalleled flavor echoed through her body like the strains of a perfect symphony. It was as if the painting's figure had come to life, taken her hand, and danced a waltz. In this ethereal moment, Alice surrendered entirely, her thoughts dissolving in the sublime beauty of the taste.
In the midst of this imagined waltz, the figure in the painting grew clearer under the soft light. It was Shiraki's face! Though she had suspected Shiraki's relationship with Erina was far from simple, Alice, lost in the moment, abandoned her guilt. She leaned forward on her tiptoes to kiss the figure before her.
Just as she was about to touch "Shiraki," an angry voice pierced through her dream.
"F@@@, Alice!" Erina's voice snapped her back to reality. Confused, Alice opened her eyes, only to discover she had mistaken Erina for Shiraki. At that moment, she was holding Erina, leaning in for a kiss. Naturally, Erina was mortified. She shoved Alice away, her face a mix of embarrassment and fury.
"What on earth are you doing?!" she demanded.
"Eh, Erina?" Alice muttered, her expression one of regret. She couldn't believe she had mistaken Erina for Shiraki. Only moments ago, she could swear Shiraki was right in front of her.
Alice glanced over at Shiraki, who was now chatting with Hisako Arato. She pouted, an inexplicable irritation bubbling inside her.
"By the way, Erina, there's something I've wanted to ask you since this morning."
Alice was never one to suppress her emotions. Acting on impulse was her way of life. Fixing her gaze on Erina, she bluntly asked, "To be honest, how far have you and Shiraki progressed?"
"Huh?" Erina froze, her expression blank.
"You know, normal couple things. Holding hands, maybe...?" Alice elaborated, her tone teasing as she began listing off relationship milestones.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Erina, her face flushing, clamped a hand over Alice's mouth. Overwhelmed by embarrassment, she momentarily forgot about the food and stammered, "Who said I have that kind of relationship with him?!"
"Oh, so you're not dating yet?" Alice mused, her expression thoughtful. Then, without warning, she leaned closer to Erina and whispered mischievously, "That means... I still have a chance, right?"
"W-What?" Erina stammered, utterly baffled.
"Hmph, nothing," Alice replied, turning on her heel and trotting toward Shiraki. Watching Alice's retreating figure, Erina couldn't suppress an unfamiliar sense of unease.
"Oh, by the way, Erina, if it's you, I wouldn't mind sharing him," Alice called over her shoulder.
"WHAT?!" Erina's face grew even redder, but before she could retort, Alice had changed her tone.
"Just kidding. You're so gullible, Erina. I still remember that time when we were five. Don't think you can keep that queenly composure forever." Alice's voice carried a teasing edge.
Erina opened her mouth to respond but faltered, unable to find the words. Ultimately, she fell silent.
If it were a simple provocation, Erina wouldn't hesitate to counter. But when Shiraki was involved, her mind seemed to short-circuit. In the face of Alice's bold challenge, she had no idea how to respond.
While the two cousins clashed, Kuga Terunori stood nearby, his expression grim.
"Ugh! Must these two women ignore my suffering while they squabble?!" he grumbled inwardly. The tantalizing aroma from Shiraki's dish gnawed at his resolve. Though he tried to resist, the dish's sweetness was overpowering, breaking him down physically and mentally.
"Damn it!" he cursed. No matter how hard he tried to maintain his pride, the allure of this first-year's cooking was monstrous.