Three years.
A full three years.
Tadokoro Megumi had spent every day in a state of constant trepidation.
In every assessment over those three years, her own grades were always the lowest E-rank, occasionally performing slightly above average to earn a D-rank.
But let alone an A-rank, she had never even achieved a B or C-rank during her entire middle school period.
However, today, she received the highest A-rank from the strictest instructor, Roland Shaper, thus successfully passing this entrance assessment!
It all felt like a dream, yet it was so real!
…
"For this assessment, the content was simply to meticulously follow the recipe I provided."
"You merely felt that the method in this recipe wasn't good, so you chose to replicate someone else's recipe and then made an even more delicious Burgundy Beef Bourguignon. Therefore, I have no reason to fail you."
Shaper explained.
After speaking, he rose and left the cooking classroom.
But before taking a step, he continued, "Actually, your cooking is full of tenderness!"
"This is very precious, after all, Totsuki only ever teaches knowledge and culinary skills, focusing more on the development of individual ability."
"However."
"What is the true meaning of cooking?"
"What is true cooking? And what is a true chef?"
"Regarding these questions, we are unable to provide correct guidance and education!"
"Every year, many students graduate from Totsuki, whether they successfully complete their studies or drop out halfway."
"Although they possess great talent, their future lives may not necessarily be smooth, and they may not even continue to shine in the culinary world!"
"Ultimately, individual ability is very important, and the platform is also very important."
"But I think a correct educational approach is the most important factor influencing a chef's future development."
"In a sense."
"That Izakaya might be even more sublime than Totsuki Academy."
"And that mysterious Shopkeeper, perhaps, is truly an excellent instructor!"
"Your dish has successfully passed the assessment this time."
"But I hope that in your future life, you can still change and grow."
"I believe that as long as you continue to maintain this gentle heart towards cooking, you will profoundly influence the entire Totsuki Academy in the future."
"No."
"The entire culinary world!"
With that, Roland Shaper departed.
And watching his receding figure, Tadokoro Megumi over there tightly clutched the grade sheet in her hand, stunned, frozen in place, at a loss.
At this moment, she couldn't understand Shaper's meaning.
But it wasn't until the future coup by Nakiri Azami, when she had to make a difficult choice, that she truly understood the deeper meaning of his words today!
…
Early morning.
The sunlight, filtered through thin clouds, shone upon the land that had just regained its vitality.
In the southwest of the city, this was the bustling and prosperous Akihabara district.
Looking closely, both sides of every street were lined with countless delicious Ramen shops, comic bookstores, toy stores, arcades, figure exhibitions, and even seductive maid cafes…
Of course, there were many fun places.
But the crowds coming to Akihabara were also as dense as ants, especially numerous.
Many times, pedestrians were squeezed into the narrow spaces on both sides, shoulder to shoulder, and this overwhelming sense of restlessness would inevitably make everyone feel a bit suffocated!
However, amidst the vast crowd, Erina was surprisingly wrapped in thick clothing.
The weather wasn't very cold to begin with, yet she seemed to wish she could wrap every part of her body tightly, which was truly amusing!
Moreover, she also wore a cute-style baseball cap and a mask on her face, covering her mouth.
But!
Even so.
She still felt uneasy, and even pulled out a pair of dark black sunglasses and quickly put them on.
…
"How is it?"
"This way, no one should recognize me, right?"
Behind her, Hisako Arato looked at Erina's comical appearance and couldn't help but cover her mouth with a smile, saying, "Young Mistress, you can rest assured!"
"With your disguise like this, it's very difficult for acquaintances to recognize you."
"Good."
"Then let's keep going."
Subsequently, Erina continued to adjust her baseball cap and sunglasses.
Then, she cautiously looked left and right, and then took anxious steps into a nearby comic bookstore.
This store was not very conspicuous, its exterior was relatively plain, even a bit old, looking as if it had a sense of history.
But its charm lay in its ability to attract those with a deep love for comics.
Upon entering the store, one could instantly smell a faint scent of ink.
Looking closely, the interior decoration was very simple, with various comic posters and artworks hanging on the walls, and display shelves neatly arranged with all kinds of comic books.
Whether it was classic comic works or works by newly emerging cartoonists, you could find them here.
So much so that Erina, who had just entered, was dazzled.
Suddenly, she saw a copy of "Masou Gakuen HxH" on a display shelf, and her eyes lit up!
She leaned forward, quickly stood on her tiptoes, and tried to reach for the comic book. But perhaps the position was too high, even with great effort, she still couldn't reach it!
"Let me help you get it."
Just then, a figure appeared behind her.
Then, under her gaze, he reached out and took down the "Masou Gakuen HxH" comic book.
"Thank you." Erina, after receiving her beloved comic book, quickly thanked him.
"You're welcome."
"It's just a small favor, Erina."
"Ah?"
"You… you are…"
The familiar voice made Erina suddenly freeze.
She was so startled that she quickly looked up, only to find that the person standing behind her was indeed Sosuke, the Shopkeeper of that Izakaya!
"Erina, what a coincidence."
"To meet you in Akihabara, could this be what they call fate?"
"No, you've got the wrong person, I'm not the Erina you're talking about, please don't look at me like that."
Erina's pretty little face instantly flushed, thankfully she was wearing a mask and sunglasses now, making it hard for others to notice!
Unexpectedly, no sooner had she finished speaking than Sosuke covered her forehead.
"You… what are you doing?"
Erina asked, both embarrassed and anxious.
"No fever, huh?" Sosuke then said impatiently, "I mean, there's nothing embarrassing about liking these kind of perverted comic books, why do you have to be so secretive about it?"
Upon hearing this, Erina's ears grew even hotter with embarrassment!
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