If it's just for drinking, you can drink anywhere.
As for delicious food, there are plenty of high-end restaurants and hotels.
From a functional perspective, an Izakaya isn't about seeking thrills; it has its own aesthetic: enjoying solitude in a crowd!
Some regulars go to the same Izakaya two or three times a week.
It seems Sosuke's Izakaya is also a place for treating social anxiety; once you muster the courage to push open that door, an unknown grand adventure is about to begin.
Sometimes, you can speak your mind freely and loudly express all your thoughts.
...
Late at night, the hour hand was almost at "12."
Nagiri Mana got up and left the Izakaya. She stood outside the door for a long time, finally sighing softly.
Her discussion with Sosuke today made her determined. Although she felt a pang of sadness, she also felt relieved. Perhaps it was time to return to Totsuki!
"Mana-sama."
"Shall we return to the WGO Gourmet Organization branch now, or go to..."
Beside her, Anne, seeing through Nagiri Mana's thoughts, asked softly.
"Hmm!"
"Let's go to Totsuki."
Nagiri Mana said calmly.
"Okay, Mana-sama, please get in the car..." Finally, Anne proactively opened the car door.
Nagiri Mana couldn't help but glance back at the Izakaya, her gaze seemingly holding some profound meaning, then she got into the car without looking back and headed straight for Totsuki Academy!
...
"No, please, no!"
"The headquarters building of the Sweet Dessert Cuisine Research Association was only converted into a laboratory by Young Lady Alice and... and was not demolished."
At the Shokugeki venue, Seishi Kōdabayashi buried his head in his hands and cried bitterly.
"The weak have no room to bargain."
"Instead of wasting all the expenses and resources on you useless people who have achieved nothing, it's better to tear it down and start anew."
"I believe that under my brilliant leadership, Totsuki Academy will only get better and better."
After speaking, Erina didn't even bother to look at Seishi Kōdabayashi.
Competition is the foundation of Totsuki Academy's survival; without it, Totsuki Academy would cease to exist.
Just like animals that survive in a forest, they must be fast and strong.
Whether it's a carnivorous animal at the top of the food chain or an herbivorous animal at the bottom, they must have strength to gain the right to survive in this jungle.
And animals without strength are naturally hunted down and eliminated!
"Hisako, what's the next target?"
After winning this match, Erina didn't show much happiness.
Her face was calm as she asked Hisako blandly.
"Young Lady Erina, the next one to be destroyed is the Gaijin-fan Research Association."
"The captain is Konishi Kaneichi, a second-year high school student. I heard this person is timid and cowardly, and his own cooking skills aren't very strong!"
"Therefore... I hope to personally go out and help you deal with him."
Hisako Arato volunteered.
"No need to trouble you. Since it's a minor character, just let Mito Ikumi handle it." Erina pondered for a few seconds, then shook her head and replied.
"Huh? Mito Ikumi?"
Hisako was startled when she heard this, thinking she had misheard.
"Yes, let her handle the Gaijin-fan Research Association. I also want to see if her cooking skills have improved?"
Erina replied softly.
"Okay, Young Lady Erina, I will go notify her."
Hisako, having received the order, could only comply.
Afterward, Erina tidied her clothes slightly, then put on a cold expression and left the Shokugeki competition venue.
...
Late night, the General's office.
It was still brightly lit, and the elderly General had not yet gone to sleep, still handling various affairs.
"General, it's only just the beginning of the school year, and Totsuki has already had two Shokugeki matches, both related to your granddaughter."
Eishi Tsukasa, representing the highest combat power ceiling of Totsuki, spoke with distress, completely lacking his usual presence before the General.
"I've understood the whole story."
"Eishi Tsukasa, you've really worked hard these past few days. I will try to persuade both of them."
Looking at the weary Eishi Tsukasa, the General could only sigh softly and comfort him.
"General, then I'll leave it to you."
Upon hearing this, Eishi Tsukasa's eyes showed a hint of joy, and then he added: "Regarding the plan for the Practical Training, Gin Dojima-senpai and I, among others, have discussed it."
"We thought it would be the same as last year, inviting a few Totsuki graduates to serve as examiners!"
With that, he handed a newly drafted list to the General: "This is the list of several graduates, please take a look."
"Eishi Tsukasa, you don't need to show me such lists and documents anymore."
"You, the Elite Ten, already have the right to manage various affairs within the academy."
"As for who will serve as the examiner for the Practical Training, you all have the right to decide. I have no right and no desire to interfere!"
Unexpectedly, the General waved him off, pushing the Practical Training affairs back to Eishi Tsukasa.
"Understood!" Seeing this, Eishi Tsukasa didn't waste words and took the list back: "Then, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave!"
With that, he disappeared from the General's office.
The General stood up and paced around the office, sighing deeply: "After all, I'm old. Many things are gradually becoming beyond my strength!"
...
The night grew darker!
In the quiet environment, a black car silently appeared at Totsuki Academy.
The car stopped in front of a towering building, and then Nagiri Mana and Anne both got out.
As soon as she got out of the car, Nagiri Mana began to carefully observe the cherry blossom trees around her that had grown into large trees.
They were all covered with pink flowers, as if welcoming her return.
Looking closely, some marks on those trees had become blurred by the passage of time, but those were the marks of her growth from childhood and evidence of her past life and studies here.
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