Erina refused to believe it.
No matter how many times she replayed the scene in her mind—
That country bumpkin… had a Culinary Heart?
That made no sense at all.
It wasn't just her—everyone present found it hard to accept.
After all, the girl in question had only been brought in as a server.
And yet, she alone had been acknowledged by the Legendary Utensils?
Dōjima Gin, however, simply nodded.
"Tadokoro Megumi, was it?"
"Prepare a dish. Let everyone taste it."
"Prove it with your own hands."
"Y-Yes!!"
Megumi's voice trembled as she hurried off, stiff with nervousness.
The others exchanged uneasy glances.
Someone like her… really has a Culinary Heart?
Even with the utensils' acknowledgment, doubt lingered.
Erina stared at Megumi's retreating figure, her chest tightening.
Those were her utensils.
Bought with borrowed money.
And yet—
They had chosen someone else.
It felt like she had been cheated.
"…What do we do now?"
She turned to her grandfather, her voice low.
"Are we just… stuck like this?"
Nakiri Senzaemon stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Take them back to Tōtsuki."
"Have every student try them."
"I refuse to believe that among all of Tōtsuki… there isn't a single person worthy."
"Perhaps… there are more like Tadokoro Megumi."
His gaze grew distant.
If even Erina—his pride—could not be acknowledged…
Then perhaps the academy itself had gone astray.
A system that produced elite chefs—
Yet failed the test of these legendary tools.
"…Things may need to change."
Erina lowered her head.
"…Understood."
There was nothing else she could do.
Find those acknowledged.
Train them.
Bring them here.
But that meant more investment.
More spending.
More debt.
Her shoulders slumped.
"…This is just getting worse…"
(○｀3´○)
For once, Nakiri Erina felt utterly defeated.
...
Meanwhile...
Unaware of Erina's crisis, Izumi stood before a new group, deep in thought.
How should he "negotiate" this one?
Arriving before him were:
- Rem
- Ram
- Roswaal L Mathers
- Emilia
- and the spirit Puck
Practically the entire Roswaal mansion faction had arrived.
Their expressions were filled with awe.
"Another world… really exists…"
Emilia whispered, eyes wide.
"Even knowing it's possible, seeing it is something else entirely."
Puck floated beside her, equally intrigued.
Rem stepped forward without hesitation.
"Izumi-sama."
"I've brought my sister."
"How can her horn be restored?"
Izumi smiled faintly.
"No need to rush."
Then he shifted his gaze.
"To Roswaal-sama… shall we discuss a deal?"
Roswaal narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…What kind of deal?"
Izumi's smile deepened.
"Give me Ram and Rem."
"I happen to be building a maid team."
"In exchange…"
"I can give you anything you desire."
"…Dragon's blood."
"…And…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But Roswaal understood instantly.
—Echidna.
His teacher.
The one he longed to revive.
His pupils shrank.
"…Then I accept."
No hesitation.
No negotiation.
He agreed instantly.
Ram's brows furrowed.
Rem froze.
Even Emilia looked stunned.
He… sold them?
Just like that?
Izumi didn't waste time.
Snap.
A vial of dragon's blood appeared.
Along with a flood of knowledge pouring directly into Roswaal's mind.
"The deal is complete."
"From now on—Ram and Rem belong to me."
Snap.
A silver-haired maid appeared beside him.
Rita Rossweisse bowed elegantly.
"Izumi-sama. You called?"
Izumi gestured casually.
"Our new maids."
"Take them."
"Have Aiba Asagi handle Ram's treatment."
Rita nodded without question.
"As you wish."
Izumi turned to the sisters.
"Questions can wait."
"First—fix your sister's horn."
Rem fell silent.
Then—
She bowed deeply.
"…Understood, Izumi-sama."
"Please take care of us from now on."
Acceptance.
Calm, but firm.
Inside, however—
So that's why…
She finally understood why he had asked her to bring Ram.
"…What a perverted method…"
She shot him a subtle glare.
Strong, yet manipulative.
Bad review.
Ram glanced at Roswaal—
Already completely absorbed in his newfound prize.
No hesitation.
No regret.
"…So we've outlived our usefulness."
She closed her eyes briefly.
Then followed.
Rita turned gracefully.
"This way, please."
The sisters nodded and left with her.
No resistance.
No turning back.
"…Wait—Ram, Rem—!"
Emilia stepped forward instinctively.
But—
Puck stopped her.
"Emilia."
"They've already made their choice."
"Don't make it harder for them."
She froze.
Watching their backs disappear—
Into another world.