Chapter 6: Magical Snacks
Akanegakubo Momo scratched her head, hugging her stuffed bear Bucchi tighter as she watched Kobayashi Rindou practically melt into her chair. The usually fierce Second Seat was radiating an aura of pure, domesticated bliss. It seemed her good sister had really been won over these past two years.
And looking at Ren's calm, somewhat oblivious demeanor as he chopped vegetables in the open kitchen, it seemed to be a classic case of unrequited love. Or perhaps, a very dense wall of silver-haired indifference.
"Are you really not going to continue fighting in the Kengan matches?"
Amou Kirukiru broke the comfortable silence, her voice laced with a lingering dissatisfaction. She swirled the remaining liquid in her glass, staring at the amber fluid as if it held the answers to her frustration.
Ren, while flipping through a recipe book on the counter with one hand and stirring a sauce with the other, said softly, "My goal has been achieved. I have enough capital to run this place comfortably. So there's no need for me to continue competing in those brutal arenas. And if I were to continue, I would definitely be banned sooner or later~"
A trace of unwillingness flashed in Amou Kirukiru's sharp eyes, but she also knew that what Ren said was likely true. She was an extremely martial person, the "Empress" who ruled her school with an iron fist and a sharper blade. She had met Ren at a Kengan Match, an underground fighting tournament where corporations settled disputes with blood.
At that time, Ren was a phantom. He never let his opponent touch him. He didn't use flashy moves or brutal finishers; he simply evaded, redirected, and delivered a single, precise blow that knocked them unconscious instantly. It was beautiful. It was terrifying.
Back then, Ren would fight one match, take his pay, and then switch employer companies, never staying in one place for long. It was as if he was gathering resources for something specific. It took Kirukiru a lot of effort, calling in favors and using her school's intelligence network, just to track him down.
But when she finally found him, expecting a dojo or a secret training ground... he was opening a Restaurant!
And it was a cooking Restaurant! Not a front for an assassin guild, but a legitimate place that sold food!
Amou Kirukiru, unable to accept this waste of talent, had challenged Ren for guidance on the spot. The result was humiliating. She couldn't beat him at all. She couldn't even land a hit. In the end, she was exhausted, hungry, and essentially forced to order dinner because the smell coming from the kitchen was too distracting. That's how the two of them met, and how the "Empress" became a regular who liked to have her orders corrected.
Ren sighed, closing the book. "The most crucial thing is, if this continues, I'll be jointly sought out by many companies. The Kure Clan, the Kengan Association... they don't like independent variables. That would be very troublesome for me. I just want to cook."
Amou Kirukiru showed a disdainful smile, her lip curling. "Those small fries? You think they can threaten you?"
"It's my peaceful life they threaten, not my physical safety," Ren corrected gently. "Alright. Your Black Forest Cake is ready~ I put it in the fridge for you to keep it cool. Remember to take it when you leave. I don't eat sweets at night, so I won't be sharing it."
Kobayashi Rindou, however, smiled teasingly, resting her chin on her hand. "You don't eat sweets at night, yet you open a night Restaurant? You're something else, Ren-kun. A walking contradiction."
Ren wiped his hands on his apron and said, "It's quiet at night. The people who come out at night are usually more... interesting. Also, why aren't you leaving yet? The sun set hours ago."
"Hmph! I'm not leaving!" Rindou puffed out her cheeks. "Tomorrow is a holiday, and even if it weren't, there are no assessments, so I don't have to go to school. Do you really want me to leave so badly? Am I bothering you?"
Just as Ren was about to speak, likely to tease her further, the bell above the door chimed.
An old but deep voice, carrying the weight of authority, resonated from the entrance.
"I thought I heard wrong, but it really is you, girl! Skipping classes and hiding away here... I can't pretend I didn't hear that!"
Kobayashi Rindou was startled. She jumped in her seat, turning her head rapidly.
Standing there, removing a heavy overcoat, was an old man with a formidable presence. He had wild, mane-like hair and a beard that spoke of power. His eyes, though aged, were sharp enough to strip a soul bare.
Kobayashi Rindou immediately stood up, her delinquent attitude vanishing instantly. She bowed slightly. "Director! How do you know about this place too?!"
It was Senzaemon Nakiri, the "Demon of Food," the Director of Totsuki Culinary Academy. The Godfather of the cooking world.
Senzaemon Nakiri walked to a front seat and sat down heavily, the wood creaking slightly under his intimidating aura. He smiled, the expression transforming his face from terrifying to merely grandfatherly.
"Can't I come here too? I have a stomach that needs filling, just like anyone else. I'm a regular, after all. But every time I come, you're not here, girl! Hmm?"
His gaze shifted to the other tables. "Amou is here too? The 'Empress' of Aichi Symbiosis?"
Amou Kirukiru's expression became a bit awkward. She looked away, sipping her juice. There was a reason for her embarrassment; the first time she found Ren and challenged him, there were only two customers in the shop. One was a random salaryman, and the other was this old monster. Senzaemon had witnessed the entire process of her being completely defeated, scolded about her diet, and then forced to eat vegetables like a child.
Ren put down his towel and leaned against the counter with a familiarity that shocked Momo. "Old man, it seems you don't have much to do today~ The usual? Or are you feeling adventurous?"
Senzaemon Nakiri chuckled twice, a deep, rumbling sound. He thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. "No, this time I want Mapo Tofu and Fried Tempura. I haven't had dinner, and I specifically saved room for your cooking. Do you have the ingredients?"
Ren smiled and nodded. "Of course. Not many people come here, so there's naturally plenty left. I have some excellent minced beef for the Mapo."
Senzaemon Nakiri sighed, shaking his head. "The fact that no one comes here is truly a loss for this country... no... for this culinary world! If the Michelin guides knew about this place, they'd fight to give you stars. Give me a pot of that Demon King's Shochu. And what are today's snacks?"
"Pickled Cod Stomach (Changja) and Eggplant Stuffed with Meat (Hasami Age)~"
Senzaemon Nakiri's eyes lit up instantly. "You have Eggplant Stuffed with Meat?! Didn't you say you were too lazy to make it last week?"
Ren waved his hand dismissively. "It's opening day for the renovated shop today. I'm in a good mood~ You want this?"
"Hahaha! Isn't that obvious? Getting you to make Eggplant Stuffed with Meat is like asking for your life usually!"
"Isn't not being able to eat it like asking for your life? What filling do you want? Pork? Beef? Shrimp?"
"You decide! Surprise me!"
"OK~ One Chef's Special Hasami Age coming up."
The conversation between Ren and Senzaemon Nakiri left both Kobayashi Rindou and Akanegakubo Momo stunned. The banter was so casual, so equal. Most people trembled before the Director; Ren treated him like a neighbor.
After ordering, Senzaemon looked at Kobayashi Rindou and smiled, his eyes crinkling. "It seems you're a regular too, little Kobayashi. You have good taste."
Kobayashi Rindou nodded, then immediately reacted, her shock turning into indignation. She shouted at Senzaemon Nakiri, forgetting momentarily who he was, "Wait... wait! No! Why are you, Director Nakiri, so familiar with this place too! And it looks like you know a lot of hidden dishes! What is 'Pickled Cod Stomach'?!"
Kobayashi Rindou was extremely displeased. Ren didn't tell her about the hidden dishes! No... he didn't even proactively make them for her! How outrageous! When she takes him over later—marries him or kidnaps him, whichever comes first—she'll make him write down all the hidden menus and eat something different every day!
Senzaemon Nakiri smiled and nodded, enjoying her reaction. "Of course! This kid's cooking has a kind of magic. It strips away the years. After I came once by accident, wandering these back streets, I became a regular~ Hahaha!"
Just as Kobayashi Rindou was about to speak, she saw Ren poke his head out from the kitchen hatch.
"I know what you're going to say. Don't worry. Everyone gets a share. I'm making a large batch. Old man, you're really setting me up here, revealing my secrets."
"Hahaha! What does it matter? You can make the filling all at once anyway, can't you?"
Ren just smiled and then returned to the stove to prepare the dishes.
Kobayashi Rindou propped herself up on the table and huffed, crossing her arms. "Hmph. At least you have a conscience. By the way, Director... What were you two talking about earlier? What was 'that' pot you ordered?"
Senzaemon Nakiri smiled slyly. "Wine, of course! This kid brews a lot of good wine himself. Medicinal wines, fruit wines, spirits. You can't find it outside; the fermentation process is unique. But this kid usually drinks it all himself or hoards it, practically turning regular products into limited editions."
Kobayashi Rindou narrowed her eyes, her interest piqued. Just as she was about to speak, Ren's voice floated out from the kitchen.
"You can't drink hard liquor~ You're underage."
"Tch~ how stingy… I'm practically an adult! Fine, I'll just have a Plum Wine, alright! That barely counts!"
"Coming right up~ One Plum Wine for the brat."
"Oh! Stop calling me a brat!"
Senzaemon Nakiri scanned the Restaurant. His gaze lingered on Amou Kirukiru, then the white-haired girl in the corner, and finally Rindou and Momo. A bad feeling silently rose in his heart. He felt that these girls were all extraordinary—dangerous, talented, influential. And they were all gathering around this one young chef.
It seems he needed to quicken his pace if he wanted to secure Ren for Totsuki... or perhaps secure him for his granddaughter, Erina. The competition was fierce.
The girl on the other side, Riven, was about to leave. She had finished her chicken and soup. But hearing that everyone else was getting something new, and sensing the jovial atmosphere, she stayed.
With just one chicken and one soup, she had fallen in love with the taste of this Restaurant. It was a siren's call she couldn't resist.
A warm room, comfortable chairs, full and satisfied stomach. There were no enemies here, no smell of corpses or blood or ozone. There was only a faint floral scent and the rich aroma of cuisine. There were no sounds of fighting, only the friendly, teasing conversations between people.
The girl, having let down her guard completely for the first time in months, felt a long-lost drowsiness come over her. Her eyelids felt heavy. Her head bobbed up and down.
Just as she was about to fall asleep right there at the table, a plate was placed in front of her.
On it were three golden-fried Eggplant Rolls (Hasami Age). They were sliced rounds of eggplant, sandwiched with a meat filling, battered, and deep-fried to a perfect crisp. They sizzled softly, releasing a cloud of savory steam.
"Would you like something to drink?" Ren asked softly.
The girl was momentarily stunned. She blinked, waking herself up. After scanning around, she realized everyone—the old man, the redhead, the small girl, the swordswoman—had ordered a drink to go with their eggplant rolls.
The girl thought for a moment. She needed something to cut the richness. She softly said, her voice raspy, "Give me a pot of the strongest wine you have."
Ren was surprised. He looked at her young face, but then saw the ancient weariness in her eyes. He nodded. He went back to the kitchen and brought out a small, white ceramic wine pot and a matching cup for the girl.
"This is Demon King's Shochu. It has a very high alcohol content. Drink it slowly, or it will knock you out."
The girl said nothing. She poured a cup, the clear liquid swirling. Then she picked up her knife and sliced into an eggplant roll.
She was no longer on guard; this place was absolutely safe.
The girl watched as the cut eggplant roll released its juices directly onto the plate. The crisp sound of the blade cutting through the batter—crunch—made her eyes light up.
She had a premonition that this would be another astonishing taste.
The girl picked up half an eggplant roll with her chopsticks. She blew on it gently, dispersing the steam, and put it in her mouth. She had learned her lesson with the soup; this Restaurant would not serve you cold dishes unless they were meant to be cold.
Crunch.
The batter shattered.
"Delicious…" she whispered.
The meat juices flowed in her mouth, hot and savory. The eggplant, wrapped in the batter, burst with a superb crispy texture on the outside while retaining the eggplant's inherent, creamy softness on the inside.
She couldn't tell what kind of meat the filling was—it was a mix of pork and shrimp, seasoned with ginger and scallions—but she knew clearly that the owner of this meat seemed to have come alive, frolicking and running endlessly in her mouth. It was a symphony of textures and flavors.
The girl opened her mouth and exhaled a hot breath to cool her tongue. Then, she picked up the wine cup and took a sip.
The initial taste was spicy, a sharp burn that woke up her senses. It was followed by a mellow richness, a deep, earthy flavor of sweet potatoes and koji mold.
Her crimson eyes lit up; this was a rare good wine. Better than anything the Noxian generals hoarded.
No one noticed her reaction, because everyone else was reacting the same way.
Amou Kirukiru, the queen of ordering, had her eyes closed in bliss. Kobayashi Rindou was humming happily, swaying in her seat. Even Senzaemon was nodding in silent approval.
At this moment, they understood why Senzaemon had so desperately wanted to eat this eggplant roll.
Such a delicacy paired with their favorite drink—this feeling, in this world, only this street, this Shop, this Shopkeeper could provide them. It was a moment of pure enjoyment and tranquility, a fleeting paradise in a chaotic world.
[Akarin's Note: Hasami Age is a Japanese dish where ingredients (usually vegetables like eggplant or lotus root) are sliced, filled with ground meat, battered, and deep-fried.]
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