Erina froze when Izumi asked if she wanted the loan.
Of course she wanted it.
But the sheer amount of points involved forced her to stop and think seriously.
If she borrowed from Izumi, she could finally purchase the full set of Legendary Cooking Utensils. Not only that—she could also elevate the overall skill level of her kitchen staff.
In other words, she would be spending future earnings in advance.
For a long time afterward, every point she earned might go straight into repayment.
But even so… it was still a profitable gamble.
"…I'll borrow it!"
Gritting her teeth, Erina made her decision.
One year to repay it—but she believed in herself.
She had the entire Tōtsuki network behind her.
With sheer manpower, she refused to believe they couldn't earn a million points.
Izumi smiled the moment she agreed.
With a snap of his fingers, the transfer was complete.
"Done. The points are in your account."
"Just remember to repay me in a year."
"Otherwise… you know what happens."
With that, he turned and walked away as if it were nothing.
...
Taking a deep breath, Erina opened the shop interface and navigated to the Legendary Cooking Utensils.
The price displayed made her heart race.
Her total funds—just barely over one million points.
Enough.
And with about ten thousand left for ingredients.
No hesitation.
She pressed Purchase.
What she didn't notice… was a single, easily overlooked line in the description:
"Only those acknowledged by the utensils may wield their true power."
...
Carrying the newly acquired utensils, Erina rushed downstairs.
Everyone gathered immediately.
"Legendary utensils?!"
"We actually have them now?!"
Yoshino Yuki practically bounced with excitement.
With business declining due to their rival's overwhelming success, morale had been low.
Now, hope had returned.
But just as the excitement peaked—
A calm voice interrupted.
"Erina-sama… did you read the description carefully?"
It was Dōjima Gin.
Erina blinked.
"…Is there a problem?"
"Aren't they just… usable after purchase?"
Dōjima sighed slightly and pulled up the item details on his own interface.
Then pointed.
"There."
Erina leaned in.
And the moment she saw it—
Her face went pale.
"Only… acknowledged users?!"
"What kind of joke is this?!"
"Let's verify it," said Nakiri Senzaemon calmly.
"I've heard from Chef Abe next door—when someone is recognized, a Dragon Mark appears."
"Erina, try first."
She nodded stiffly.
Grabbing the Eternal Spirit Knife, she held her breath.
Nothing.
No glow.
No reaction.
Silence.
"…What?"
Around her, confusion spread.
"Could it be fake?!"
"Erina-sama wasn't recognized?!"
Yoshino blurted it out without thinking.
Dōjima shook his head.
"No. This place doesn't deal in counterfeits."
"Everyone—try one by one."
One after another, the chefs of Tōtsuki stepped forward.
The Elite Ten.
Veterans.
Masters.
Yet—
None of the utensils reacted.
Not even Senzaemon himself.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Erina clenched her fists.
Then… oddly, she felt a bit relieved.
At least it wasn't just her.
Then—
A quiet voice.
"…Um… may I try?"
It was a timid first-year server.
Tadokoro Megumi.
She picked up the knife.
And—
Light burst forth.
A radiant golden glow enveloped the blade.
A majestic dragon pattern emerged, alive and vivid.
"…!!"
Everyone froze.
Erina's eyes widened in disbelief.
"T-This… can't be real…!"
Megumi herself looked like she might faint.
"I-I didn't do anything…!"
Yoshino and Ryōko stared in shock.
"Megumi?!"
"You got recognized?!"
Back at Tōtsuki, she had been a borderline dropout.
And yet—
She alone had been chosen.
Dōjima exhaled slowly.
"I see now."
He turned toward Erina.
"Do you remember the knowledge you purchased from Liu Mao Xing's world?"
Erina froze.
"…You mean…"
"The concept of 厨心—the 'Culinary Heart'."
Silence.
Then realization struck.
Her pupils trembled.
"You're saying… Megumi possesses it?"
"That wasn't just theory…?"
Dōjima nodded.
"These utensils don't recognize skill alone."
"They respond to something deeper."
"Respect for ingredients. Sincerity in cooking. The will to nourish others."
"And among us…"
He looked at Megumi.
"…she has it the most."
...
Erina stood there, speechless.
She had taken on a massive debt.
Risked everything.
And yet—
The tools she bought…
had chosen someone else.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Not from anger.
But from something unfamiliar.
A crack… in her pride.
For the first time—
Nakiri Erina began to question herself.