Sunlight streamed in through the window cracks, casting dappled light and shadows on a soft bed.
Sosuke pushed open his room door, only to see Erina lying on the bed, clutching the covers tightly, her pretty face flushed with nervousness and happiness, her eyes growing increasingly hazy!
This sight instantly petrified Sosuke, freezing him in place.
Erina, too, jolted, her mouth agape, stuck in place as if her gears had jammed.
Her eyes were filled with terror, and for a moment, she couldn't snap out of it.
"What's wrong?"
"Is my bed that good?"
"Or are you just a perverted young lady who likes my scent?"
Seeing Erina's expression, Sosuke, having somewhat recovered, couldn't help but tease her.
"N-no, I found this manga in your room, so I just lay on the bed and read for a bit."
"Hey!"
"You're really something."
"How can you have such lewd manga in your room?"
After Erina finished speaking, her already flushed face began to steam, and she finally, shyly, threw the copy of "Slave of the Magical Capital's Elite Soldiers" next to her back to Sosuke.
Sosuke took the manga, glanced at it briefly, and said with an indifferent smile, "I say, do you really treat the Izakaya like your own home?"
"You dare to trespass into my room without my permission and mess up the bed!"
"What's wrong with this bed? It's not like I haven't slept in it before."
Erina pouted and mumbled.
Sosuke:???
...
Ever since their last encounter in Akihabara.
Her relationship with Sosuke had become quite unusual, and subtle changes were gradually occurring in certain aspects.
Especially after experiencing many things later, including reuniting with her mother, Nakiri Mana, at the Izakaya, and moving into the Izakaya as a temporary part-time worker, all of these deepened her feelings for Sosuke!
To put it bluntly, she was already deeply infatuated, beginning to try to fall in love with Sosuke in her heart.
Perhaps it was this emotional drive that caused her life at the Izakaya to become increasingly casual?
"Alright, hurry up and get up."
"The Izakaya isn't open tonight, so I specifically bought two amusement park tickets."
Sosuke smiled, handing her a ticket.
"Amusement park? I remember there's a Ferris wheel, right?"
Erina blinked, got up from the bed, and walked over to Sosuke. After taking the ticket, she softly murmured, asking.
"Besides the Ferris wheel, there's also a carousel, a haunted house adventure, a pirate ship, bumper cars... lots of fun things. Just get ready, and we'll leave soon."
Hearing this, Erina's eyes sparkled, and her heart became incredibly excited!
In fact, judging from her experience of going to the public swimming pool with Alice Nakiri, her daily life was indeed very different from that of ordinary commoners.
When it came to cooking.
She had a deeper understanding than anyone else.
But in many aspects of life, for example:
She couldn't even figure out how to operate the smart automatic dishwasher at the Izakaya.
She had no experience going to outdoor vegetable and meat markets to buy ingredients or to supermarkets to buy things.
And as for entertainment and leisure places like Akihabara, amusement parks, swimming pools, and things like novels and manga, she had never encountered them in her life.
Therefore, upon learning that Sosuke wanted to take her to an amusement park.
She was naturally very happy.
...
If there are only two things in the world that can stimulate all five human senses.
Then one is love, and the other is:
Food!
Snails as big as small conches.
Filled with butter, various spices, and a green sauce made with garlic, then baked in the oven.
This appetizer dish wasn't meant to fill you up, but paired with a few slightly salty slices of baguette and warm coffee, it was incredibly fragrant, simple yet satisfying.
At this moment, in the busiest and most prosperous city center.
A branch of a French restaurant named [SHINO'S].
As the first batch of diners took their seats, the entire back kitchen was instantly filled with a suffocating sense of pressure.
"Everyone, the first batch of customers has arrived."
"All of you, quickly start preparing the ingredients according to my instructions. Remember not to break the rhythm!"
Shinomiya Kojiro, the Chef, maintained a serious and cautious expression on his face, and said coldly.
"Yes!"
"Chef Shinomiya."
The kitchen assistants, upon receiving his orders, responded in unison.
Then, they quickly sprang into action, and the entire restaurant was instantly plunged into a particularly busy atmosphere.
"Hey, you over there, quickly button up your Chef's uniform. If you're dressed sloppily like that again, you're out directly."
Shinomiya briefly glanced at the busy Chefs out of the corner of his eye, then pointed a finger at a certain assistant, looking particularly angry.
"Yes, yes, yes."
"Chef, I promise it won't happen again."
The assistant was instantly frightened and quickly buttoned up his uniform, finally panicking in front of Shinomiya.
...
A few days ago, Shinomiya Kojiro, like Kakizaki Taki, was defeated by the Midnight Chefs.
And this result meant that his Chef career at his self-owned restaurant in France was completely bankrupt.
But even so, no one would question his strength, question him as the former First Seat of Totsuki, or even question him becoming the first Japaneseperson to receive the "Proust Pur Medal"!
No one really knew the specific details of that Shokugeki match against the Midnight Chefs.
However, there was a rumor circulating throughout the culinary world.
It was said that Shinomiya, by himself, consecutively defeated 5 Midnight Chefs who came to challenge him.
Finally, the leader of the Midnight Chefs, who had been directing from behind the scenes, was forced to step in personally, and only then was Shinomiya completely defeated!
Such a record, to say it made him famous in one battle, or that he was glorious even in defeat, would not be an exaggeration.
So much so that.
Not long after, when Shinomiya reluctantly closed the SHINO'S headquarters.
All the famous Chefs in the area voluntarily gathered to mark the perfect end to the closing of this French restaurant.
Yes!
Shinomiya, indeed, lost!
But in the entire French culinary world, his immortal legend was destined to live on.
Afterward, Shinomiya Kojiro chose to return to Japan and reopened a branch of [SHINO'S] restaurant in the city center of Tokyo.
...
The newly opened restaurant facade was relatively small, but the interior was larger than expected.
The overall decoration was simple and heavy, with charcoal grilling steaks and duck breasts in the fireplace, emitting a faint fruity aroma.
Each dining table was made of solid mahogany, neatly arranged with cutlery and napkins, and the soft lighting always seemed to dispel the weariness of every diner.
"Mmm, it's truly delicious!"
At this moment, in front of Fuyumi Mizuhara, was a classic French dish:
Veal in White Sauce.
Upon closer inspection, the warm veal and sauce were served in a brown French casserole, accompanied by freshly baked baguette and crispy yet tender fries.
With one bite, the lips and teeth were filled with the taste of "happiness."
You could feel the tender veal shank, after slow simmering, becoming exceptionally easy to chew.
During the simmering, the addition of white wine removed any hint of gamey smell, while the acidic components in the wine broke down the meat fibers, making the taste more elegant.
As for the final white sauce, it is a commonly used sauce in French cuisine, made by simmering High Soup, butter, fresh cream, and egg yolk together.
A pinch of fine salt, black pepper, and a small amount of lemon juice were added to the sauce.
Instantly, that fresh, crisp acidity made the originally thick base even more mellow and lingering.
Scooping a spoonful with the sauce, the warm white sauce further enveloped the beef, smooth and gentle on the palate, as if the flavor of white wine still lingered within, intoxicating!
"The potatoes weren't stewed until mushy; they had a slight chew to them, and the texture was just right."
"And this state allowed the center of the potatoes to retain their original mellow aroma, even carrying the unique sweetness of potatoes."
"Indeed, when it comes to vegetables, few can compare to you, Shinomiya!"
Fuyumi Mizuhara, who was meticulously savoring the Veal in White Sauce, couldn't help but exclaim.
...
It is well known that.
French cuisine has always been regarded as the world's finest Western cuisine.
Leaving aside other ingredients for now, just the wine alone has 450 types that have received AOC quality certification.
If the Eastern Heavenly Dynasty is a culinary kingdom, then in the distant West, France is also a culinary sanctuary!
This French cuisine, characterized by its exquisiteness, nobility, delicacy, and richness, has always been deeply loved by many, and Shinomiya's French cuisine now makes people even more nostalgic for it.
"That's right, Senior."
"It's absolutely wonderful that you can open a new restaurant here."
Beside him, Hinata-ko, after eating a small piece of foie gras, couldn't help but excitedly say to Shinomiya Kojiro.
"Thank you."
"This restaurant has just opened, and it still needs your support."
"Honestly, knowing the opening time of the SHINO'S branch and then all agreeing to come together to celebrate with me, I'm truly grateful!"
Shinomiya habitually pushed up his glasses, and his voice then became somewhat choked as he spoke.
"Shinomiya, we Totsuki graduates, although not from the same class, are all the best of friends."
"Your decision to develop your career in Japan makes us all very happy, because this way, we'll have more opportunities to meet you."
"Hahaha..."
"I'm still not very good with words."
"I don't even know how to congratulate you."
Gin Dojima, raising his wine glass and taking a sip of Lafite, couldn't help but awkwardly mock himself.
Immediately after, as if he remembered something, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Oh, by the way, since you're personally at this restaurant branch, who's in charge of operating the main branch in France?"
"Senior, the main branch has already closed down!"
Shinomiya replied helplessly.
"Oh!"
"It closed down?"
Gin Dojima was indifferent, continuing to drink his wine.
Then, in the next second, he realized something and spat out a mouthful of wine, his face filled with disbelief!
...
Along the bustling and lively streets, various clothing brand stores stood tall.
At the same time, places like cinemas, cafes, arcades, karaoke, and Ramen shops were everywhere, but the constant flow of people didn't stop to linger.
Walking on the street, Sosuke was handsome, but everyone around him treated him as if he were air, looking past him. Only Nakiri Erina, who followed closely behind him, kept her watery, bright eyes fixed on him.
Afterward, she gathered her courage, took a few steps forward, and actively linked her arm through his.
This gesture naturally stunned Sosuke, and he couldn't help but say, "Erina, if you hold my arm like this, I can't walk properly!"
"I can't help it."
"If I don't hold your arm like this, I'm afraid I'll get lost later."
Erina tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling, and began to gaze deeply at the man in front of her.
Hearing this, Sosuke couldn't help but let out two bitter laughs, exchanging glances with Erina with a look that said, "Do you take me for a three-year-old?"
Helplessly, Erina could only avert her gaze and softly said, "Sosuke, I've been thinking on the way here, does going to the amusement park together like this count as a date?"
"Why do you think that?"
Sosuke was a little confused when he heard this.
To be honest, he was now finding Erina more and more interesting.
The longer he spent with her, the more he realized she lacked life experience in many areas, and was "silly" in a very cute way!
"Isn't it? This kind of thing is a bit like a date storyline in a manga."
Erina's voice was still soft, but it seemed to subtly reveal a hint of anticipation, a hint of joy?
"Alright, if you say so, then it is."
Sosuke pondered for a moment and could only reply like this.
...
Soon, the two arrived at the amusement park.
Upon stepping inside, the joyful atmosphere immediately enveloped them.
Colorful flags fluttered in the air, always intertwining with the cheerful laughter of visitors, forming a beautiful symphony.
A gigantic roller coaster came into view, winding and twisting, soaring into the sky, like a massive silver dragon soaring and roaring in the sky, astonishingly impressive.
Continuing forward, the amusement park also had various other rides, such as:
Carousel!
Pirate ship!
Bumper cars!
Especially the carousel, always spinning to cheerful music, like a fairytale world.
Of course, besides the rides, the entire amusement park also had various performances and activities.
Acrobats flipped and jumped on a high-wire, their thrilling performance making the audience hold their breath.
Singers and dancers on stage danced and sang, presenting a visual and auditory feast for the visitors.
"This... this is an amusement park?"
"It feels like there are so many people, and every attraction seems so interesting and fun."
At this moment, Erina's eyes were filled with curiosity, but even more so, a sense of awe!
"Ferris wheel first? Or the carousel?"
Sosuke looked down at Nakiri Erina and asked with a slight smile.
"Ferris wheel!"
Erina replied without hesitation. (End of Chapter)
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