After leaving the tavern, the world outside felt even more serene than before. At Totsuki Academy, where the education system is fiercely competitive, students often see each other more as rivals than as friends.
But during this banquet, Soma Yukihira had witnessed something rare—genuine bonds and warm camaraderie among the residents of the Polar Star Dormitory. Maybe one day, he would look back fondly on these moments, cherishing them as some of the most precious memories of his youth.
"Hehe, Megumi, what did the owner give you when we left?" Yuuki asked with bright curiosity, eyeing the small package in Megumi's hands. Ryoko leaned in too, clearly intrigued.
"It's nothing, really… just a little osmanthus cake," Megumi replied shyly, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"Ohhh!" Yuuki exclaimed. "You gave him cookies, and he gave you osmanthus cake in return!"
She nudged Megumi teasingly, her expression suddenly mischievous.
"I'm jealous. I wish he'd give me a bottle of sake too," Ryoko chimed in with a mock sigh. "But I'd be too embarrassed to ask."
"Exactly!" Yuuki added. "When we left, he barely even glanced at us. But he suddenly stopped Megumi, was super attentive, and then gave her a gift too. Seriously, I'm green with envy!"
"Still," Yuuki continued, narrowing her eyes with a teasing smirk, "Megumi and the tavern owner actually make a cute pair!"
"Yuuki, what are you talking about? Don't say weird things like that!" Megumi stammered, flustered, and quickly ducked behind Satoshi, her footsteps brisk.
Yuuki and Ryoko exchanged a look. Was there really something between them?
Later that Night
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees. The street lamps stretched like a string of silver beads, casting soft light over the students' faces as they made their way home.
Satoshi looked unusually contemplative as he walked. The memory of Mana's overwhelming presence still lingered in his mind.
"Shun," he asked, "what did you think of that guest?"
"Not gonna lie, Senpai. My legs were shaking," Shun admitted. "Her aura was scarier than even the General Manager's."
"I've heard rumors that the WGO has been quietly inspecting restaurants around the world. I wouldn't be surprised if she's a high-ranking executive," Satoshi mused.
"But… coming to a small tavern like that?"
"The garden next door is Shunkatei, run by Senior Yono. Maybe she stopped by during her rounds and was drawn in," Satoshi suggested. "Still, I never expected the owner's cooking to be that remarkable. That Icy Fresh Snapper Mountain dish… it's on a whole different level."
"Yeah," Shun said, still in awe. "He always exceeds expectations."
Not far behind, Soma had been quietly listening. His expression turned thoughtful before he called out, "Senpai, when we get back, could you try some of my dishes? I'd really like your feedback."
Satoshi turned back, seeing the resolve in Soma's eyes. He smiled. "Looks like you've found your direction. Sure—I'll taste them. Let's see if your cooking can move me again."
"Thank you, Senpai!"
Back at the Tavern
The delicate scent of tea drifted in the moonlit air, calming and nostalgic.
Rindō, who had never actually left the tavern, sat quietly enjoying the mood. She sipped her tea lazily, savoring the peaceful richness of the night.
Her eyes slid toward Zane, who was polishing his knife at the prep station. His composed demeanor and quietly handsome face made her heart skip a beat.
But just then, she noticed someone else was watching him too—Mana, who had just polished off five plates of sashimi, was staring at him with a startled expression.
"How long have you been in Japan now?" Zane asked, glancing up as he noticed her gaze.
"A few days."
"Don't you want to go back? To see your father and daughter at Totsuki?"
Mana hesitated. "I… don't know how to face them. It's not so hard with my father. But with Erina…"
Her voice faltered, her expression clouded with sorrow.
Ten years. That's how long she had been away from her family.
She had chosen a solitary life, one free from the burdens of her lineage, but that freedom had come at a cost. The divine tongue had tormented her for years, and the loneliness of traveling alone had worn down her soul.
If she could find a dish that could satisfy the divine tongue… maybe then the weight on her heart would lift.
Zane watched her quietly. "When you chose to leave, you knew this day might come, didn't you?"
"Yes," Mana murmured.
"Then it's fate," she added, almost wistfully.
Her thoughts drifted to Erina—her daughter, the child she'd left behind for what she thought was the greater good. Now, she wasn't so sure.
"Mana," Zane said calmly, "you've got to let go of the past, or you'll sink deeper into it."
"I can't tell you how to do that. But I can tell you this—it's scarier to stay lost in the dark than it is to take a step forward."
Mana met his gaze, her composure wavering. "You talk like some wise old sage," she said sharply. "I didn't ask for a lecture."
She had only come here for his cooking. Not to have her past dredged up. Not to be reminded of what she had left behind.
Still… she didn't walk away.
"Do you believe in fate?" she asked softly, after a pause.
Zane shrugged. "Since I started running this tavern? Not really. Fate might exist, sure. But it's too vague. Who knows—maybe one day I'll trip and end up in another world."
"So, no. I trust myself instead."
Mana's eyes darkened. "Is it possible for someone to fight against fate?"
Zane took a moment to answer.
"It's both possible… and not."
"In this world, no chef or dish has ever conquered the divine tongue. But my cooking can break your curse."
Mana froze. Her eyes filled with a complex mix of hope and sadness.
She hadn't looked like this since the day she left the Nakiri family.
"You miss them, don't you?" Zane asked gently.
"…Yes," she whispered. "I miss them so much."
"But… can I really go back?"
"Of course you can," he replied, his gaze steady.
Meanwhile, at Totsuki Academy
A dazzling Shokugeki was underway.
Brilliant lights lit up the venue like daylight. The spotlight soon landed on a burly figure—Seiji, the captain of the Sumo Hot Pot Research Society and a formidable second-year.
But now, he lay flat on the floor, completely defeated.
The screen above displayed a brutal result:
5–0.
"Unbelievable…"
"That's the strength of the Elite Ten?"
"Seiji-senpai's no joke—he's stronger than Shiro from this morning!"
"And yet, Erina wiped the floor with him…"
"First day of school, and two research societies are already gone. If this keeps up, things are going to get real ugly."
"There's no stopping the Nakiri sisters now…"
Amid the murmurs, Erina calmly walked toward Seiji, who was still dazed.
He growled, "My Ishikari Nabe Rich Soup Hot Pot had over thirty premium ingredients. There's no way it could lose to your dish!"
"I don't accept this!"
Erina didn't even flinch. After a pause, she walked over to his hot pot and took a spoonful of the broth.
After tasting it, she opened her eyes and spoke with calm authority.
"Eighteen major mistakes. Thirty-four minor flaws. Fifty-seven issues that aren't quite errors, but not good either."
"For example, the pork bones—you rushed the simmering process, so the marrow didn't fully dissolve, and the flavor's thin. Your soy sauce ratio is off. The salt's too low."
"And while you used thirty ingredients, you missed two rare local specialties from Hokkaido."
"Control of heat, timing of preparation, flavor layering—all flawed."
Seiji was speechless, stunned by her precision.
Now, he understood the terrifying power of the divine tongue.
"The result stands," Erina said coldly. "The Sumo Hot Pot Research Society is dissolved."
"From now on, this building belongs to the 10th seat of the Elite Ten."
She turned to her assistant. "Fuyuko, contact the demolition team. Tell them this entire building can be torn down."
"Yes, Miss Nakiri," Fuyuko replied.
"You're going to… demolish the whole building?" Seiji gasped, panic rising.