Totsuki Resort.
Luo Shu and Daichi Fujiwara listened to Senzaemon Nakiri's introduction of the resort as they made their way to the dining area.
Toyomi Fujiwara followed the trio at a leisurely pace, slightly behind.
Meanwhile, Alice Nakiri and Erina Nakiri, who were accompanying them, trailed at the very rear.
"Erina, are all Japan's SDS directors this young? In Europe, it's always some stern-faced old lady who can't take a joke."
Alice Nakiri whispered to her cousin, occasionally stealing glances at Luo Shu.
But before long, Alice noticed Erina hadn't responded. Turning her head, she saw her cousin's gaze fixed on Luo Shu, though clearly lost in thought.
"Erina, you're ignoring me!"
Alice immediately took offence.
Her dear cousin would rather stare at a man than listen to her? What was this supposed to mean? Was she being looked down upon?
'So what if I lost to my cousin in a childhood cooking competition and had to concede my status as the elder sister? Was that any reason to look down on me like this?'
Just as Alice Nakiri was feeling thoroughly aggrieved, Erina Nakiri finally snapped out of her daze and asked blankly, "Did you say something just now?"
This immediately riled Alice up. She glanced towards Senzaemon Nakiri, standing not far ahead, confirming he wasn't paying attention to them before turning back and lowering her voice:
"I'll only repeat this once."
"What do you know about Japan's SDS? Are all their directors such young high-ranking officials?"
"SDS?" Erina blinked, then frowned. "I don't know. This is actually the first time I've heard that name."
"Oh?" Alice raised an eyebrow, giving Erina a meaningful look before puffing out her chest triumphantly.
'That 'I know more than you, I'm better' expression... impressive how you managed to pull it off in under two seconds.'
Erina stared at Alice speechlessly. Was this girl's mind entirely occupied by competition and one-upmanship? Always prickly as a hedgehog.
Still, after her silent complaints, Erina couldn't help asking:
"Is my mother... collaborating with the SDS?"
At this, Alice's mouth fell open slightly before she, too, lowered her voice:
"So that's why you were staring at Director Luo earlier?"
Erina's mother, Alice's aunt Mana Nakiri, had left home long ago. When Erina was about seven or eight, she'd essentially abandoned her daughter to forge her own path in America.
Alice never really understood why her aunt would leave her daughter like that, but judging from her father's usual attitude, it must have been something truly unavoidable.
The specifics, however, remained unclear as the elders never spoke of it, and Alice knew better than to pry.
So for once, instead of provoking Erina, Alice answered seriously:
"I don't know the details of their collaboration. But judging by how my parents work with them in Europe, Auntie is probably responsible for developing new ingredients provided by the SDS in America."
She added:
"I heard these new ingredients are exclusively for special classes. As for what exactly... Father always tells me not to ask, only that it's something that could elevate Totsuki to greater heights."
Erina's lips parted. She wanted to ask, 'Are these new ingredients more important than me?', but immediately realised that in her mother's eyes, they probably were.
Among the female descendants of the Nakiri family, one would occasionally be born with a superhuman sense of taste - someone who could effortlessly reach the pinnacle of the culinary world, becoming a world-class seasoning master and gourmet critic.
This ability was called the God's Tongue by the Nakiri family.
Naturally, such power came at a price.
Those blessed with the God's Tongue developed extraordinarily picky palates. Where ordinary people could enjoy the same dish repeatedly, God's Tongue bearers would quickly reach saturation, becoming unable to enjoy previously sampled delicacies - sometimes even developing anorexia.
Both Erina Nakiri and her mother, Mana Nakiri, were bearers of this God's Tongue.
Compared to the still young Erina Nakiri, whose threshold remained relatively low, Mana Nakiri had already reached a state where common food held no appeal for her—only a select few master chefs could prepare dishes that satisfied her.
Thus, in Erina's eyes, she likely held less importance to her mother than even a single satisfactory meal.
As for the infinite possibilities offered by new ingredients, that went without saying.
Noticing Erina's low spirits, Alice Nakiri grew slightly nervous and clumsily changed the subject:
"Speaking of which, that young director just now must also be here to discuss collaboration with Totsuki, right?"
Hearing this, Erina was somewhat distracted and replied casually:
"Seems that way. Didn't he just ask Grandfather whether matters should be handed over to the third generation?"
Relieved to get a response, Alice pressed on:
"But the Nakiri main family's third generation only has the two of us, doesn't it?"
The Nakiri main lineage had always been sparse, with barely two descendants per generation.
The previous generation's Sōe Nakiri and Mana Nakiri were siblings, but since Mana possessed the God's Tongue, she was naturally groomed as the heir—even taking a husband into the family—while Sōe ventured to Europe to expand their influence.
However, after Mana, the heir apparent, had a fierce argument with Senzaemon Nakiri and left home, Senzaemon had no choice but to focus on cultivating the next generation—Erina.
Alice, raised with far less scrutiny, understood this perfectly. She even knew that by her grandchildren's generation, her branch would likely become a new collateral line.
But for now, the family remained undivided.
Among the third generation, she still held a sliver of competitiveness. Tiny as it was, she simply couldn't resist challenging Erina.
"Erina, who do you think Grandfather will assign to this collaboration?"
Erina shot Alice a glance. Was this even a question?
Outwardly, however, she remained vague:
"Didn't that director imply we weren't suitable?"
"That was just Grandfather and him feeling each other out," Alice bluntly retorted. "Ultimately, it'll definitely be one of us—though probably with an additional reputable and capable supervisor."
Hearing this, Erina immediately thought of Gin Dōjima, head chef of Totsuki Resort and her grandfather's protégé.
If Alice's reasoning held, he seemed the perfect candidate.
But Erina kept this thought to herself, merely echoing:
"So? What are you plotting now?"
"A bet, of course!" Alice declared eagerly. "On who gets chosen."
"The stakes being that 1.6-metre teddy bear in your room."
'The stakes were inevitably that teddy bear.'
Erina had already mentally sighed before Alice spoke.
'Still hung up over losing that one toy in childhood? It's been nearly a decade.'
"I'll humour you, provided you don't cry about it later."
Erina's victor's smirk left Alice fuming.
"You said it! No take-backs!"
As Alice complained, Senzaemon Nakiri led the group into the resort's guest quarters.
"Please wait here for a moment; the dishes will be ready shortly."
After smiling and gesturing for everyone to take their seats, Senzaemon Nakiri cast a glance towards his two granddaughters.
'The guests are now in your hands. Treat them well.'
Erina Nakiri and Alice Nakiri nodded simultaneously before sitting beside Luo Shu and Toyomi Fujiwara, respectively.
It seemed the wager had already begun...