Sato and Takanashi Toka looked at each other, eyes wide as they stared at one another. Both were curious about why the other would appear here.
Wait.
Sato suddenly remembered something. If he recalled correctly, he had once heard Rikka mention that her sister, Takanashi Toka, was a chef with extremely refined culinary skills. Appearing at a culinary academy like this did not seem strange at all.
"I came here to accompany someone taking the transfer student exam."
"I see. However, the chief examiner this time is not someone easy to pass."
Takanashi Toka rubbed her chin and spoke calmly. When she mentioned the chief examiner, her eyes flickered slightly.
"You mean Nakiri Erina?"
"Hm? How do you know her name?"
Takanashi Toka frowned slightly as she looked at Sato. Compared to her younger sister Takanashi Rikka, she was a true ice queen. When she frowned, Sato felt as if the surrounding temperature had dropped.
"Well, I just heard those people talking about it. It seems after learning the chief examiner is Nakiri Erina, those people did not even have the courage to take the test."
Sato spoke with a somewhat strange expression.
Takanashi Toka nodded.
"That is normal."
"After all, that is Nakiri Erina, the one known as the God Tongue."
"God Tongue?"
"Yes. Nakiri Erina possesses an extraordinary sense of taste far beyond ordinary people. She holds tremendous prestige in the culinary world. With a single evaluation of a dish, she can determine the life or death of a top restaurant."
"Tch."
Sato clicked his tongue lightly. No wonder Yukihira Joichiro had said the culinary world hid blades and flashing steel. Being able to decide life or death with a single comment really was terrifying.
However...
He looked up at Takanashi Toka.
"Speaking of which, why are you here? I remember Rikka saying you work as the head chef at a high-end French restaurant."
"Yes. I came here this time only to ask my former teacher about some culinary questions."
Takanashi Toka looked at Sato calmly as she answered.
"Teacher?"
"Yes. I also graduated from here. My teacher is the head of the French Cuisine Department."
So that was it.
Sato nodded in realization. He had not expected that Takanashi Toka was also a graduate of Totsuki Academy.
Just then, voices coming from the area beneath the culinary building not far away drew their attention.
"Damn it! That arrogant guy!"
"Just a commoner's dish, yet he dared to speak so arrogantly in front of me, Nakiri Erina!"
"Lady Erina, is your foot alright?"
"Damn it! Mm... it hurts!"
Hisako Arato followed helplessly behind Nakiri Erina, watching her painful yet stubborn expression.
"Hm?"
Suddenly she saw Erina stop walking and turn her head toward the front left.
Those two...
Hisako Arato frowned. Erina-sama was still angry, which made things troublesome.
Whoosh.
Nakiri Erina suddenly walked past her, causing Hisako Arato's expression to change slightly.
Hopefully those two were not new students.
After seeing Lady Erina like this, their lives at school would probably become very difficult.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
When Takanashi Toka saw Nakiri Erina approaching, her expression immediately changed.
Within Totsuki Academy, Nakiri Erina was a famous figure. The youngest "Ten Elite" in history, she was absolutely one of the most well-known people in the culinary world.
Aside from the heaven-given God Tongue, her frightening personality was equally famous.
Watching Nakiri Erina draw closer, Takanashi Toka's brows tightly furrowed.
Although she had already graduated from Totsuki Academy, she still knew the extent of Nakiri Erina's influence. To put it bluntly, with just a simple comment, Nakiri Erina could cause a famous restaurant to decline.
At the same time, she wondered why Nakiri Erina had noticed this place. Could it be because she had just seen her?
Unexpectedly, Nakiri Erina's suddenly joyful voice shattered all her guesses.
"Sato?!"
Takanashi Toka: "..."
Hisako Arato: "..."
Both of them stared blankly at Sato. Their minds went completely empty. For someone to make Nakiri Erina show such an expression, who exactly was this guy?
"Yo, long time no see, Erina."
A faint smile appeared on Sato's face as he looked at the surprised girl in front of him.
Nakiri Erina looked at Sato with delight.
"Why are you here?!"
"I came with someone I know who is taking the transfer student exam."
"Who? Wait."
At first Nakiri Erina was confused, but soon she thought of something. Her expression instantly became somewhat unpleasant.
Could it be that the only one left inside right now was that guy?
Sato gave a dry laugh as he looked at the girl in front of him. He had heard clearly what she said when she came out earlier.
Obviously, Erina had realized it as well.
Immediately, a blush spread across Nakiri Erina's beautiful face, and she fell silent.
Takanashi Toka frowned as she looked at Sato.
This guy actually knew Nakiri Erina?
Was he lying to her earlier?
Meanwhile, Hisako Arato behind Nakiri Erina looked at Sato with far more vigilance. Countless questions were spinning in her mind.
Who was this boy?
Why did she not know that Lady Erina knew this person?
Why was he here?
...
"Erina-sama, who is this?"
Hisako Arato forced herself to remain calm as she asked Nakiri Erina.
Takanashi Toka also pricked up her ears, wanting to know the relationship between Sato and this Miss Nakiri.
"He is a friend of mine. We met a long time ago. I think I told you before about that place I go to every year."
Nakiri Erina twirled a strand of her golden hair with her finger. She seemed somewhat uncomfortable, since she rarely used the word friend in front of others.
Hm?
A flash of realization crossed Hisako Arato's mind. She quickly remembered that every year Nakiri Erina went to a rural place to gather matsutake mushrooms and meet a childhood friend she had met there.
So that was it.
A glimmer of understanding flashed in Hisako Arato's eyes, and she quietly let out a breath of relief.
She gave a slight bow toward Sato.
"Hello. I am Erina-sama's secretary, Hisako Arato. Please take care of me."
"Hello. I am Nohara Sato. Please take care of me as well."
Sato returned the greeting.