Izumi found himself in a rather unexpected situation—
He was being dragged around on dates.
For several days straight, he accompanied the girls who had participated in the mission, going out with them one after another.
Shopping, eating, sightseeing—
It was nonstop.
...
Meanwhile—
Within Izumi's Dimensional City, things were becoming livelier by the day.
People from ordinary modern worlds…
Martial arts worlds…
Even entirely different civilizations—
All gathered here.
The city was growing more vibrant.
And then—
A new storm arrived.
Liu Mao Xing—the legendary young chef—
Opened his restaurant.
Not alone.
He brought his fellow disciples with him—
And immediately set up shop.
Right across from—
Erina Nakiri's restaurant.
The result?
Total domination.
Erina was stunned.
She had never imagined—
That such a terrifying rival would appear.
And worse—
Right in front of her store.
Customers…
Flooded to Liu Mao Xing's side.
Because his dishes—
Were simply better.
After trying his food—
Even the chefs of Totsuki nearly dropped to their knees.
"…What is this…?"
"This level… it's absurd…"
They were completely crushed.
Inside their now-empty restaurant—
Erina and the others gathered, staring at the bustling shop across the street.
"…Grandfather…"
"What do we do?"
"At this rate, we're going bankrupt…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
Everything had been going so well before.
Their business was booming.
Their strength had grown after buying abilities.
But now—
A final boss had appeared out of nowhere.
Senzaemon Nakiri sighed deeply.
He too felt helpless.
Have you ever seen—
A glowing fried rice?
He hadn't.
Yet here it was.
Reality-defying cuisine.
"Erina…"
"Borrow more points."
"And buy their cooking techniques."
"It's the only way we can compete."
Otherwise—
They were finished.
Erina clenched her fists.
"…We have no choice."
"If we don't… we'll collapse."
With that—
She stood up and headed out.
To find Kayo.
...
At the plaza—
Kayo had just finished a transaction when Erina approached her.
After hearing her request—
A trace of sympathy appeared in Kayo's eyes.
Just as Izumi had predicted…
The debt was piling up.
Still—
She didn't hesitate.
"Here are 200,000 points."
"With your previous debt, you now owe 400,000."
"Please remember to repay it."
"And interest will now apply."
Erina's lips twitched.
This is miserable…
But—
She still believed she could recover.
Without hesitation—
She purchased Liu Mao Xing's cooking techniques.
And then—
Those of his companions as well.
Her points—
Disappeared instantly.
Returning to the restaurant—
She gathered everyone.
And began teaching.
They had no points left.
So they had to improve through skill.
Soon—
A new aroma spread through the air.
Customers—
Slowly returned.
Though—
It wasn't entirely due to them.
Liu Mao Xing's restaurant—
Was simply too popular.
Even after expansion—
There were never enough seats.
So overflow customers began drifting over.
...
Among the diners—
Familiar figures appeared.
Misaka Mikoto sat nearby, eating happily.
Beside her—
A certain one-eyed girl had fully embraced her identity as a foodie.
Around them—
Heroic Spirits gathered.
None of them lacked money.
And they loved good food.
Seeing the improvement—
Erina and the others finally relaxed.
At least—
They were making a profit again.
Otherwise—
That crushing debt…
Would have been impossible to repay.
...
Meanwhile—
Asuna Yuuki returned once more.
This time—
With her family.
Using her access card, she brought them into the city.
They stood there—
Amazed.
"A whole other world…"
"This is unbelievable…"
Just like everyone who came here for the first time—
Their eyes were filled with awe.
Then—
A man in a black dragon robe appeared nearby.
His presence—
Overwhelming.
Asuna's father stiffened.
"…What a terrifying aura."
The man glanced at them.
Then—
Gave a polite greeting.
And walked past with his attendants toward Kayo.
Asuna's father exhaled.
"…That must be an emperor from another world."
"Incredible…"
Asuna smiled.
"Yes."
"I heard from Asagi-onee-sama…"
"There are even historical heroes here."
"They've become Heroic Spirits."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Maybe…"
"We'll get to meet them."
...
Somewhere within the city—
There was an area where warriors clashed endlessly.
A place where legends gathered.
And perhaps—
They too would witness history.
Come to life.