"Hisako is currently occupied with a task I assigned to her."
"What? So, I won't have the pleasure of witnessing Ryo-kun outshine your little secretary?"
"If Ryo-kun can best your little secretary, it would be a testant to my superior judgnt in selecting attendants."
"Well, that's unfortunate."
Upon learning that Hisako was unavailable, a tinge of disappointnt colored Alice's expression.
Despite knowing that she and Alice had never quite seen eye to eye since childhood, Erina couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Alice's confident assertions.
"Hey, the competition hasn't even taken place yet. How can you be so certain that your Ryo-kun will erge victorious?"
"Tsk, Ryo-kun is bound to win. My judgnt is superior to yours, Erina."
"Alice, you..."
"Hmph, Erina, your temper remains as volatile as ever."
"..."
Sensing that the two cousins were on the brink of a heated argunt, Senzaemon Nakiri, the family patriarch, raised his hand to quell their impending dispute.
"Enough! Erina, Alice, cease this bickering. There will be ample opportunities for competitions in the future."
"However, Erina, are you truly planning another cooking contest with young Hachiman today?" As the head of the Nakiri family, Senzaemon was naturally inford of Hisako's intentions.
Upon hearing her grandfather's inquiry, Erina affird resolutely, "Indeed, Grandpa. I won't allow myself to lose casually. I must erge victorious."
anwhile, Alice was taken aback to discover that Erina had already suffered defeat at soone else's hands.
"What? Erina, you lost to soone else before ? You're not rely bad; you're incredibly bad."
Alice Nakiri employed her taunting skills. It was remarkably effective!
"Wha-..." Erina was on the verge of a retort but was promptly interrupted by Senzaemon Nakiri once more.
"Enough, Erina, and Alice, kindly hold your tongues for the ti being."
"Ugh..." Both Erina and Alice held their grandfather in high regard, and at his request, they reluctantly fell silent.
Observing their subdued manner, Senzaemon Nakiri nodded and then redirected his attention to Erina.
"Since you've made up your mind, Erina, I won't stand in your way. Today, with Soue and Leonora back, let the three of us serve as judges."
"Grandpa, but..." The young girl appeared taken aback by her grandfather's decision.
Senzaemon Nakiri, the head of the Nakiri family and the renowned "Demon King of Cuisine" at Totsuki, Soue Nakiri, the founder of Nakiri International, and Leonora Nakiri, the head of the Nakiri International Research Association – such a judging panel was unheard of, not just for a student like her but even for many esteed chefs who had never experienced such an honor.
"Is that so? Do you lack confidence, Erina?" Senzaemon Nakiri inquired calmly.
However, the young girl didn't falter and instead donned a self-assured smile.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. Today, I'll undoubtedly win, and you'll witness it."
---
The black car gradually ca to a halt, and Hachiman and Hisako both disembarked.
Standing at the entrance, Hisako introduced, "Mister Hikigaya, we've arrived. This is the Nakiri family's primary residence."
Observing the expansive estate before him, frad by the continuous mountain peaks in the background, Hachiman couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
Rich people, always flaunting their opulence.
After passing through security at the entrance, the two of them settled into a car within the courtyard and set off for the main villa where Erina resided.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the villa, and with Hisako guiding the way, they proceeded toward Erina's chamber.
"Knock, knock."
Hisako rapped gently on the door, signaling their arrival.
"I've returned, Erina-sama."
"Enter, Hisako."
Upon the door swinging open, Hisako was taken aback to find the room occupied by a gathering of people. Swiftly, she offered her greetings to each of them.
"Hello, Senzaemon-sama. Hello, Soue-sama. Hello, Leonora-sama."
"What about ? What about ?"
Upon noticing that Hisako had omitted her, Alice displayed a childlike petulance.
"Ah, and Alice-sama too."
Observing her current deanor, Hisako couldn't help but smile and extend a greeting to her as well. Then, she pivoted to report to Erina.
"Erina-sama, I've brought Mister Hikigaya as requested."
"Thank you, Hisako," Erina acknowledged and then focused her attention on Hachiman.
"Hikigaya-kun, it's been so ti."
"Good morning, Miss Erina," Hachiman nodded in response and greeted Senzaemon Nakiri, who stood nearby.
"Long ti no see, General Nakiri."
"Hahaha, indeed, it has been a while, young Hachiman," Senzaemon Nakiri chuckled heartily.
In contrast to his status as a corporate tycoon, Senzaemon Nakiri now appeared more like an amiable elderly man, though his appearance didn't quite align with that image.
Seeing his father's deanor, Soue Nakiri and Leonora Nakiri, on the other hand, appeared sowhat taken aback. As his son, Soue Nakiri naturally understood his father's disposition.
You see, Senzaemon Nakiri wasn't the most approachable individual. In his heyday, he had been a formidable General. Following his retirent and subsequent marriage to their mother, who held the position of Nakiri family head, he assud leadership of the Totsuki Group. With his own hands, he had carved out a substantial share of the Japanese culinary world, eventually transforming it into the current powerhouse of Japanese cuisine and ingredient industries.
Senzaemon's deanor suggested that he saw potential in this seemingly ordinary young man.
"No need for formality. Please take a seat, young Hachiman, along with Hisako."
As both of them settled into their seats, Senzaemon Nakiri proceeded to introduce everyone in the room to Hachiman one by one.
"Allow to introduce everyone: these two individuals are my son, Soue Nakiri, and daughter-in-law, Leonora Nakiri. This young lady is their daughter, another of my granddaughters, Alice Nakiri. And this young man here is Ryo Kurokiba, a friend of Alice's."
Listening to Senzaemon Nakiri's introductions, Hachiman offered greetings to each person in succession.
In truth, even without Senzaemon Nakiri's formal introductions, Hachiman, having watched the ani, was well-versed in their identities.
One could say that, aside from Erina's mother, Mana Nakiri, and her father, Azami Nakiri, who had been estranged from the family, the entire Nakiri family now stood before him.
After exchanging greetings, the lively Alice couldn't resist making a comnt.
"So, you're the one who defeated Erina. You don't look all that strong."
"Alice! Show so respect in the presence of a guest."
Although he doted on his daughter, speaking so impolitely in front of a guest was sothing Soue Nakiri couldn't tolerate.
"Ugh..."
It had to be said that Soue Nakiri, with his tall mohawk hairstyle, could appear quite intimidating when he beca serious.
"Haha, it's okay. To be honest, I also won against Miss Erina by chance the last ti," Hachiman replied with a smile.
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