When they returned to the mansion, Satou saw a few shadowy figures lurking within a few hundred meters, likely sent by Azami Nakiri to monitor them.
However, seeing that they didn't dare to come in and were only stealthily observing from a few hundred meters away, Satou couldn't be bothered with them. He figured they would just run away if he chased them.
"Um… Satou, did you buy the protection we talked about last time?" Erina Nakiri's face was flushed, and she hesitated, asking shyly.
"Not yet, why?" Satou asked.
"Hmm… I think it's better not to buy it," Erina Nakiri said in an almost inaudible voice, clutching the corner of her clothes, and then lowered her head.
"Huh? Didn't you ask me to buy it?" Satou exclaimed, looking at her strangely.
"Hmm… Grandpa said to have ten, and I'm worried there won't be enough time," Erina Nakiri's face was so red it looked like it could bleed, and she whispered.
Satou looked at her, somewhat speechless. He hadn't expected that she would believe him just from a casual remark. Wasn't she too naive?
She was really easy to trick.
"Oh, what's wrong?" Seeing Satou's strange expression, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but ask.
"Uh, nothing. Erina, you really are a well-behaved and sensible child." Satou nodded, praising her.
…The next day, the Elite Ten members successively submitted their Elite Ten candidate lists, and sixteen people were ultimately selected.
In addition to the first-year students who entered the Autumn Election Top 8, Satou was also among them. The rest were all second-year and third-year students.
In the morning, the first round of selections was held, and Satou easily defeated his opponent.
The second round of selections was held in the afternoon, and the original sixteen people became eight.
In the arena, Satou saw Tadokoro Megumi, Yukihira Soma, Hayama Akira, Alice Nakiri, and Ryo.
"Satou, I won't give up in the Elite Ten competition!" Yukihira Soma chuckled and said.
"Okay, good luck," Satou smiled.
"What foolishness are you talking about? The person who wins in the end will definitely be me," Ryo said indifferently, staring at Yukihira Soma.
"No need to say it, it's definitely me," Hayama Akira said calmly.
"Alice, you also want to win an Elite Ten seat?" Satou ignored the three friends and turned to Alice Nakiri.
"Of course! Because it sounds like a lot of fun!" Alice Nakiri was enthusiastic. "And since Erina can be an Elite Ten, I definitely have to be an Elite Ten too!"
Looking at her, Satou was quite speechless. He felt like she was just… here to play.
"Hey, hey, Satou, come here for a moment." Alice Nakiri suddenly thought of something, her eyes darted around, and she pulled Satou, stealthily leading him to a corner.
"What do you want to say?" Satou looked at Alice Nakiri's expression, feeling somewhat helpless.
"Hey, hey, if I win, how about we have a baby together?" Alice Nakiri clasped her hands behind her back, leaned forward, revealing her full chest, and with a mischievous expression on her delicate and beautiful face, she blinked at him.
Satou was somewhat amused and asked, "Why do you suddenly want to have a baby?"
"Well, I think babies are so soft and cute, and they're fun to play with!"
Alice Nakiri stuck out her tender little tongue and said.
Satou was a bit speechless, feeling that Alice's playfulness was too much. "Having a baby isn't for playing with."
"If having a baby isn't for playing with, then what's the point of having one?" Alice Nakiri blinked and asked.
Satou thought about it and suddenly felt that she made a lot of sense.
"Hey...! Let's have a baby together in the future and take it to my parents so they'll acknowledge us.
But after hearing what my mother said yesterday, I'm worried he might kill me."
Alice Nakiri lowered her head, pouting a bit, looking wronged, like a little girl who had done something naughty.
Thinking of Leonora Nakiri's terrifying appearance yesterday, Satou also felt a bit guilty.
At this moment, all the Elite Ten members had arrived, including Erina Nakiri.
"Ah! Satou, you really are participating! That's wonderful!" Eishi Tsukasa's eyes lit up when he saw Satou, then he said with a smile, "Now, let the second round of selection begin! We, the Elite Ten, will serve as judges."
As soon as he finished speaking, Azami Nakiri also walked over, saw Erina Nakiri in the crowd, smiled faintly, and asked, "Erina, how was yesterday?"
Erina Nakiri subconsciously took a step back, wanting to distance herself from him, a hint of vulnerability appearing on her beautiful face, but she looked much better than yesterday.
"Yesterday was very good, Father."
"Is that so? I'm relieved then."
Azami Nakiri smiled slightly, then looked at the Elite Ten candidates, and when he saw Satou, his eyebrow twitched slightly. "These... are the candidates who won?"
"That's right, the second round of assessment will begin now," Eishi Tsukasa said with a smile, "We'll select four winners from these, then there will be the semifinals, and finally the finals."
"That will be too slow," Azami Nakiri shook his head and said indifferently, "Let these eight people cook together and select the final winner."
"Eight people? Together?" Eishi Tsukasa was stunned.
"That's right, taste the dishes of all eight people simultaneously, and you will vote. Whoever gets the most votes will be the new Elite Ten member," Azami Nakiri said.
"This is a good suggestion; it will save a lot of time," Nene Kinokuni nodded, and the others had no objections either.
"Then what's the theme?" Eishi Tsukasa asked.
"There's no limit on the theme or the form of the dish. The time limit is two hours," Azami Nakiri sat down in a chair, crossed his legs, and calmly scanned the several people. "Show your strongest side... Let's see it."
Then he turned to Satou and smiled faintly, "Satou, I'm really looking forward to your performance."
According to the intelligence, Satou should have the Elite Ten's level, but he wasn't worried, because second-year students Shiratsu Jurio and Suzuki Shoko also possessed Elite Ten level strength, especially Shiratsu Jurio, who came from a prestigious family, was someone he favored.
However, he didn't know that his intelligence was already somewhat outdated. Satou's strength was indeed like that initially, but now he had long surpassed the First Seat, Eishi Tsukasa.
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