The hall was full of guests.
Okabe, Erina Nakiri, and their group came out of the room and sat down together at the kids' table, which was filled with all sorts of dishes that children love.
Typhoon shelter chicken wings, sizzling grilled lamb chops, salt and pepper crispy chicken legs, sweet and sour pork ribs, and fragrant top-grade Wagyu beef cubes—all dishes focused on being crispy, crunchy, and aromatic. These were generally the favorites among children.
Scanning the surroundings, Okabe noticed that the children at this table were generally under twelve years old. The youngest was only seven and was laughing and joking with a friend next to them.
Since Okabe was tall, the tallest at the table, he was naturally assumed to be older. This led to the other children toasting him with quite a bit of coconut milk.
Although it was a bit strange, and quite childish.
But looking at the innocent eyes of the boys and the cups in their hands, Okabe ultimately didn't rebuff them. He accepted all their milk "toasts" like an adult, guessing they were probably imitating the grown-ups.
A new dish was brought over by a maid in a maid outfit. A closer look revealed they were golden fried shrimp balls, followed by fried fresh milk, garlic pork ribs, and more…
However, because he'd been "toasted" with so much milk, Okabe could only take a symbolic bite of each dish. Then he watched the other kids devouring the food and fighting over it.
The truth became clear!
What a bunch of scheming boys.
Watching a few kids fight over a single pork rib, occasionally glancing warily at him, Okabe didn't know whether to laugh or cry. In the end, he reached out with his chopsticks and snatched that last rib away.
Seeing him make his move, the others all stopped, watching with wide eyes as the last pork rib disappeared into his mouth.
As the one who looked like the biggest kid here, his power was absolute.
So, while being watched by them, a wicked idea popped into Okabe's head.
And so, for the dishes that followed, he claimed the very last piece of every single one for his own plate. Not a single child there could snatch it from him.
And this feeling of bullying little kids made the corners of his mouth curl up uncontrollably.
The evening passed quickly amidst the teasing of the children. Erina Nakiri watched Okabe, who was now roughhousing with the kids, a bright smile constantly on her face.
She didn't participate, nor did she stop him.
She simply sat gracefully by his side, like an unattainable flower on a high peak, and so no child dared to disturb her.
But she didn't mind.
For her, as long as Okabe and Hisako Arato were by her side, it was enough.
Meanwhile, Alice Nakiri was not with them, but was sitting next to her mother.
Finding it a bit boring at the adults' table, she ran over from the crowd of grown-ups after eating and drinking her fill, and started chattering away to Okabe.
In the latter part of the banquet, the kids' table was completely empty.
The adults, however, were still drinking, their gazes fixed on the temporary cooking stage set up in the center of the hall, waiting for the chefs who had been voted for earlier in the evening to come up and demonstrate their culinary skills.
Unsurprisingly, Alice Nakiri won the MVP.
Although the techniques she displayed were baffling to many, the novel textures and flavors of her molecular gastronomy still won everyone's unanimous approval. Nearly ninety percent of the people present voted for her.
From then on.
The Nakiri family gained the prestigious reputation of having "Two Tigresses in One House."
The banquet ended.
Erina Nakiri and Alice Nakiri were called away by Senzaemon Nakiri.
Okabe and Ikaros were walking back to their room.
"Let me tell you, from the moment Erina nominated me until the match began, my whole body was tense. I was terrified I'd make a mistake, cause us to lose, and become the villain. But once the competition started, my body suddenly relaxed. It felt like it wasn't such a big deal after all."
On the way, Okabe chattered on, telling Ikaros about the tense feelings he had during the match.
These were words he had been suppressing since noon.
If he told anyone else, they'd think he was being dramatic or pretentious, but when he told Ikaros, she would listen intently to every single word.
When he looked emotional, she would even gently pat his head as a sign of encouragement.
"So this is the doll that young brother Hakuji brought back from the Gourmet Sanctuary? She looks exactly like a real person. It seems she even has an emotion system loaded. A doll like this is no different from a human... No wonder he dared to leave with such peace of mind."
Just as Okabe and Ikaros were enjoying their private time together.
A voice, somewhat familiar yet strange, rang in their ears.
'Who's there?
Okabe shouted at his surroundings, his brow slightly furrowed.
The next moment, a figure emerged from a nearby building and appeared before him with a smile.
"Senior Lan…
Looking at the newcomer, Okabe's tense heart relaxed.
He then noticed the underlying meaning in the man's words. The man called Hakuji "young brother"—could he be a friend of his father?
"Just call me Uncle Lan. Your parents and I have been friends for many years."
"And tell that little maid next to you not to be so vigilant. I'm not a bad person."
Hearing Okabe's address, Lan Tianqiu corrected him.
Then, he looked helplessly at Ikaros beside him, whose eyes had turned red as if she was about to enter combat mode.
"Ikaros, there's no need for that. This man isn't a bad person.""
Hearing Lan Tianqiu's reminder, Okabe finally reacted.
He turned his head and said something to Ikaros, which finally calmed her down.
"Senior Lan... Uncle Lan, you're here because...?"
After Ikaros calmed down, Okabe looked at Lan Tianqiu standing before him, his voice filled with clear confusion.
The man's sudden appearance surely had a reason, and now was the time to find out what it was.
"Your parents asked me to come and check on you, and also to take a few recent photos of you back with me."
Lan Tianqiu quickly explained his purpose, but was met with silence.
"Why don't they come themselves."
Okabe asked the crucial question, his eyes sharp.
Lan Tianqiu also fell into a brief silence upon hearing this.
"Hakuji is a bit different from a peace-loving chef like me. The work they're doing now tends to make enemies. And they've offended not just the Dark Culinary World, but also many chefs with chaotic allegiances."
"These chefs from the chaotic zones are even more dangerous than those from the Dark Culinary World. They are true rule-breakers, people without the soul of a chef!
After organizing the information he could share, Lan Tianqiu answered Okabe's question.
This world is vast.
Light and darkness are merely the two largest factions in the culinary world, composed of countless smaller powers. Strictly speaking, they are the two largest offensive and defensive alliances in the gourmet world.
There are also many powers that haven't joined either side, lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity.
And besides these scattered small powers, there are quite a few powerful chefs who dislike being disciplined or constrained.
Without constraints, some of them act without any scruples.
When facing chefs from the Light and Dark worlds, they don't like to solve problems with cooking. If they can use their fists, they generally use their fists.
Only when they can't solve the problem at its source will they bring cooking back to the table.
People like them are called 'Demon Chefs' around here.
They are all scum without the soul of cooking.
Hakuji has dealt with many such destabilizing elements in society.
In fact, this is the main job for him and Koyuki, and it's the kind of work that earns the most hatred.
If those rogue elements found out that the couple has a child, I'm afraid many of them would come to Japan and use any means necessary to kill him. Then they would bring his head before the couple and challenge them to a Shokugeki right when their spirits are broken.
A Shokugeki where lives are on the line.
This is the only legitimate means of killing in the gourmet world.
So, until Okabe is fully grown, Hakuji and Koyuki don't plan to acknowledge him, or even have any contact with him. They will only reunite when he at least has the strength to protect himself.
"I see. So such people actually exist in the world…
Hearing Lan Tianqiu's explanation, Okabe showed a shocked expression. He finally understood why his parents had to leave him.
Having come into contact with the Dark Culinary World recently, he could sense it.
Although the Dark Culinary World does evil things, they have their own code of conduct. They worship the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest.
Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't resort to bothering someone's child just because they can't beat the parent.
Even if they did, it would be to provoke a Shokugeki, to defeat their opponent fair and square in a formal duel.
"If it's really as Uncle Lan says, then now is indeed not the best time for a reunion."
Thinking of this, Okabe nodded in deep agreement.
Even though staying at Ryōzanpaku could guarantee his safety, and he had Ikaros by his side.
But unless there was no other choice, who would want to live every day being hunted?
"It's good that you can understand your parents' difficulties.."
Looking at Okabe's calm expression, Lan Tianqiu was a bit surprised.
He marveled inwardly—this temperament was far better than Hakuji's back in the day!
"So, Uncle Lan, you came here just to tell me this and take a picture? If so, let's go over there and take it.."
Although he didn't have much affection for the parents of this lifetime, they were clearly thinking of him and doing everything in their power to pave the way for him, making his journey in the world of cooking smoother.
Okabe was not a heartless person.
This love, though not directly conveyed, had clearly reached him through the people and events around him.
"Mhm, besides that, I have something else to give you."
Seeing Okabe's composed demeanor, Lan Tianqiu nodded slightly. As he spoke, he waved for him to stand in a well-lit spot and took a photo with his phone.
Afterwards, he took out a rectangular wooden box from his coat.
"What's this…..
Looking at the wooden box Lan Tianqiu handed him, Okabe's expression was a bit puzzled.
Seeing the yellow paper talismans sealing the wooden box, he seemed to realize something, an expression of disbelief on his face.
"This is your tenth birthday present from your parents. Your birthday should be coming up soon, right?
As for me, Uncle Lan doesn't have much to give. You wouldn't care for ordinary things, so I'll teach you a move or two later as a gift.
Glancing at the box in Okabe's hand, Lan Tianqiu's voice held a teasing tone: "Also, don't unseal it lightly, or its existence will be sensed by the people of the Dark Culinary World. Wait until you have the strength to wield it before you open it.,"
Silently retracting the hand that was about to peel off the talisman, Okabe looked at Lan Tianqiu's face with a resentful expression. He was sure the man was doing this on purpose.
"Haha, you've probably guessed what's inside. Revealing it too early would be no different than a child carrying gold through a bustling market. You'll have to gauge the right moment yourself.
"To avoid anyone seeing us meet privately and getting the wrong idea, I'll be on my way.
After saying this, Lan Tianqiu waved and walked into the building next to them.
Okabe looked at the box in his hands, his expression complicated.
The next moment, he placed it against his chest, keeping it close.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, being sealed with this kind of talisman, plus Lan Tianqiu's warning that its reveal would be sensed by the Dark Culinary World, meant it was undoubtedly one of the Legendary Cooking Utensils.
And this box wasn't very large. It being able to hold a kitchen knife was already impressive, so the answer was obvious.
The birthday gift from his father and mother was most likely the Ever-Soul Knife. After all, the Garuda Knife was in Lan Tianqiu's hands. No matter how good their relationship was, he wouldn't give his family's heirloom to a friend's child.
But—
giving him the Ever-Soul Knife at this point in time, he couldn't even use it!
Having it was more like a hot potato. Could it be his parents wanted to use this as an opportunity to train him?
But that contradicted the whole reason they left in the first place—to keep him out of the spotlight...
Feeling the heavy weight in his arms, numerous thoughts flooded Okabe's mind.
After thinking for a long time with no conclusion, he shrugged and decided to go with the "cross that bridge when you come to it" plan.
Anyway, now that it was in his hands, there was no way he was giving it back!
Before long, he and Ikaros returned to their room.
Seeing the familiar layout, Okabe's body suddenly relaxed.
He then went to his suitcase to get clothes for a shower.
"Don't you dare sneak in while I'm in the middle of my shower. I want to rest early tonight, so you get in bed first and warm it up for me, okay..""
Because a similar incident had happened before, Okabe said this before entering the bathroom, effectively issuing the 'bed-warming' mission.
Yes, Master.
Hearing Okabe's instructions, Ikaros extinguished the idea of going to the bathroom to protect her Master up close. A subtle hint of regret appeared on her face as she went to the bed, lifted the covers, and slipped inside.
However, because her body temperature was very low, she couldn't actually warm the bed even after getting in.
This was just an excuse Okabe made up to prevent her from launching a surprise attack.
Of course from Ikaros's perspective, Okabe needed her, so she would do everything in her power to complete the task, no matter the cost.
A dozen or so minutes later, Okabe walked out of the bathroom looking refreshed.
He was shirtless, his muscles well-defined, enough to make any woman or girl who saw him blush.
But Ikaros looked at him without any change in expression. This was a common sight for her.
At first, Okabe would feel shy being seen like this, embarrassed to show his body in front of Ikaros.
But since she didn't seem to care at all, he gradually stopped thinking it was a big deal and would usually change into his pajamas after coming out of the bathroom.
"Hey!
"Okabe definitely isn't asleep yet…"
The room door was pushed open from the outside, accompanied by a noisy clamor.
"Wh-what are you two preparing to do!?
Alice Nakiri's incredulous voice suddenly rang out from the doorway. She stared at the shirtless Okabe and Ikaros, who was already lying in bed, her mouth agape as if she could fit an egg in it.
"Oh my, little Okabe has grown up.
Leonora Nakiri peeked out from behind Alice Nakiri. When she saw the scene inside the room, an equally shocked expression appeared on her face.
"This is an improper relationship between a man and a woman! It... it shouldn't be like this!
Alice Nakiri's eyes darted around, unsure where to look, but she still stood her ground, her fair face filled with righteousness.
Don't ask how she knew about such things.
People in Northern Europe mature early. The teacher had talked about it in biology class, and out of intense curiosity, she had acquired some video resources.
The explosive content of those videos had left a powerful shock on her young mind.
Later, she sealed them away in some unknown corner of her computer.
"What are you two thinking? I just finished my shower and came out to change into my pajamas.
A scene like this was indeed easy to misunderstand.
Especially since, before they came in, Okabe was facing the bed, looking like he was about to devour Ikaros completely.
"So it was just a misunderstanding. You were just getting ready for bed."
Hearing the explanation, Leonora Nakiri's voice carried a meaningful tone, and it was unclear how much of Okabe's words she believed.
"Forget it, I'm not explaining anymore. Aunt Leonora, Alice, is there a reason you two came to find me?"
Noticing Leonora Nakiri's expression, Okabe sighed inwardly and changed the subject, asking why they were here.
"It's nothing much, really. I just wanted to ask if you'd be interested in coming to stay in Denmark for a while. Alice told me she really wants to be with you."
"What are you talking about! I just said that Denmark has advanced molecular gastronomy techniques and I wanted to ask if Okabe was interested in going to learn something new. Mom, don't just add things in!
So, what do you think, Okabe? Denmark is beautiful, and it's almost autumn now. It's the perfect season for ripe berries, and the flavor of the mushrooms is unique. I'll make you molecular desserts and molecular steak then."
Hearing Leonora Nakiri's incredibly blunt words, Alice Nakiri's face turned visibly red.
She puffed out her cheeks and yelled at her, her peripheral vision glancing towards Okabe.
Nervousness.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
All sorts of emotions swirled in her heart.
"Go to Northern Europe for a while? To be honest, I can't. I haven't mastered what I'm learning now, so I don't have that much time to learn something new. This last competition really made me understand that.
Besides, although molecular gastronomy is a profound technique, it's not very mature at the moment, and it's difficult to apply to my cooking."
Looking at the girl's expectant eyes, Okabe really wanted to nod in agreement, but his current situation wasn't suitable.
Right now, he simply didn't have the energy or time to go to Northern Europe. A short trip would be fine, but staying there for a period would undoubtedly consume a huge amount of time and energy.
While molecular gastronomy was novel, it wasn't a good fit for him.
He might use it when cooking in the future, but he would never make it his trump card.
"I see... Then there's nothing to be done."
Hearing Okabe's rational analysis and merciless rejection, Alice Nakiri lowered her head in disappointment.
Although she really wanted to whine and get Okabe to go with her, she knew in her heart that she couldn't be so selfish.
"Although I can't go stay in Northern Europe, you could come to Ryōzanpaku.
Practicing martial arts can strengthen your body and improve your focus, which would surely be a great help to your future cooking.
More importantly, we can be together. You can teach me the molecular gastronomy techniques you're good at, and I can teach you the pasta and knife skills I'm good at. It's what they call mutual learning and growth. We can both improve in the process."
Seeing Alice Nakiri's crestfallen look, Okabe stepped forward, patted her head, and said the words he had prepared.
Ryōzanpaku is a good place.
The masters' cooking skills are superb, and their martial arts are profound.
Even just learning the basics can build up your body and increase your stamina when cooking.
Anyone skilled in cooking knows that it's a physically demanding process.
Processing ingredients, stir-frying, preparing sauces, and even standing for long periods can cause fatigue, which affects the precision of the cooking.
And the best way to overcome this fatigue is to train your body.
As long as you improve your physical fitness, all difficulties will be easily solved.
This was the fundamental reason for his suggestion.
Beyond that, there was another reason: he could learn Alice Nakiri's molecular gastronomy techniques in the process.
Although it might not be very useful, learning something new is always good. You never know when it might come in handy.
"That actually sounds... possible..
Hearing Okabe's suggestion, Alice Nakiri was taken aback at first, then a look of delight spread across her face.
The next moment, she turned around and looked expectantly at Leonora Nakiri behind her.
"A month or two should be fine. I've been feeling a bit stressed from my research lately, and I feel like I'm going to have a breakdown if I continue. A change of scenery to relax a bit wouldn't be bad…"
Looking at Alice Nakiri's expectant face and thinking that she indeed had nothing planned for the near future, Leonora Nakiri clapped her hands and said excitedly.
"That's great! Please take good care of me during this time, Big Brother Okabe~"
Perhaps because she was overjoyed, Alice Nakiri directly wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her way of addressing him also changed from "Okabe" back to "Big Brother Okabe."
However, Alice Nakiri quickly came to her senses, her fair little face turning bright red, clearly feeling awkward about the address.
A name she could call out so easily as a child now felt so embarrassing to say as she got older, giving her goosebumps....
"Alright, let's learn from each other."
At this, Okabe was momentarily stunned, then he reacted, the corners of his mouth lifting unnaturally.
"You two are really close..""
Seeing the slight curl of Okabe's lips, Leonora Nakiri put on an all-knowing expression.
"Of course! Big Brother Okabe and I are the bestest friends in the whole world!
Alice Nakiri also saw Okabe's upturned lips and a delighted expression appeared on her face. So he likes being called that?
The next moment, she no longer hesitated, shouting to him in the loudest voice she had ever used in her life while opening her arms to hug him.
'Well done, Alice!'*
Watching this scene, the smile on Leonora Nakiri's face could no longer be contained, and she cheered inwardly.
____
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