7:30 PM.
After the banquet, in the hallway of Totsuki Resort.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened.
Gin Dōjima, who had just escorted Luo Shu back to his suite, immediately spotted Senzaemon Nakiri waiting by the elevator on the first floor.
Seeing this, Gin Dōjima nodded slightly and said:
"Teacher."
"Gin, how did it go?" Senzaemon Nakiri asked calmly.
"I've escorted him back to his room to rest. During the process, Director Luo inquired about some of the resort's facilities, and I answered all his questions."
After speaking, Gin Dōjima sighed in relief:
"To be honest, I was quite startled. I never imagined the SDS's Black Reaper would be such a young... gentleman."
"Never judge a book by its cover, Gin," Senzaemon Nakiri admonished. "Once you enter the SDS's Research Department, consider yourself an apprentice just starting school again. Show reverence to everyone, regardless of status."
"People from that circle are fundamentally different from us in the culinary world. Whether child or elder, any one of them could be an extremely terrifying existence."
"So, moving forward, you must be cautious."
Hearing this, Gin Dōjima's lips twitched before he nodded:
"But teacher, is aligning ourselves so closely with the SDS truly wise?"
Senzaemon Nakiri sighed deeply:
"Do I not know the risks? But both Sōe and Mana are deeply entangled with this organisation. Even if I wanted to bet on someone else, I'd have to consider their opinions. Given that, we might as well commit fully."
Then, Senzaemon Nakiri asked Gin Dōjima:
"In your opinion, would Director Luo prefer Erina or Alice?"
Gin Dōjima gave Senzaemon Nakiri a strange look.
Noticing this, Senzaemon Nakiri chuckled and scolded: "What's that look for? Aren't my granddaughters of marriageable age?"
"Besides, this is the first time I've seen Erina laugh so happily in front of a man..."
"You've already reached your conclusion, haven't you?" Gin Dōjima said wryly. If Erina was laughing happily, why even ask who was suitable? Wasn't the answer obvious?
But then Senzaemon Nakiri frowned:
"For Erina, exposure to those ingredients might be too soon."
Understanding his teacher's concern, Gin Dōjima said: "The God's Tongue?"
"Mana..." Gin Dōjima recalled his junior from years past.
After the God's Tongue went out of control, she became practically anorexic, only able to eat dishes prepared by top-tier chefs - and never the same dish twice.
But what top-tier chef has time to constantly develop new dishes for one person?
The elite chefs stationed at Totsuki Group had nearly been drained dry by Mana Nakiri.
It was precisely for this reason that Mana Nakiri had left for America, eventually coming into contact with the SDS and becoming one of their researchers.
The reason was simple: ingredients from the mystic side far surpassed common ingredients in every aspect, better satisfying the palate of the God's Tongue.
Of course, the premise was that the harmful substances in those flesh and plant essences could be effectively removed. Otherwise, consuming such things would be akin to swallowing poison.
With Mana Nakiri's precedent, mystic side ingredients were likely seen by his master as a last resort. Unless Erina Nakiri also developed anorexia, his teacher would never allow her to come into contact with them.
"So, teacher, you're favouring Alice then?"
"Yes." Senzaemon Nakiri did not attempt to hide this from his disciple. "That child, Alice, is indeed a step below Erina in talent. But without the influence of God's Tongue, early exposure to that side of cuisine might allow her to advance further."
Hearing this, Gin Dōjima offered another reason:
"Miss Alice's expertise in molecular gastronomy also suits that side better."
So-called molecular gastronomy was a culinary art that used scientific methods to explain all cooking techniques and results, with precise numerical control. To some extent, this bore remarkable similarity to scientific research, making it naturally compatible with the SDS's various biological studies.
With such talents, Alice Nakiri was indeed more suitable than Erina Nakiri for involvement in this.
Senzaemon Nakiri and Gin Dōjima exchanged glances, tacitly confirming Alice's selection.
Then came the next matter:
"Teacher, the Research Department has openings for eight members."
At Gin's words, Senzaemon immediately understood - the discretionary slots might only number six.
"The Shiomi girl excels in medicinal cuisine - she can count as one. The Mito girl is Totsuki's key partner. As for the rest... Gin, you may consider them yourself."
Hearing this, Gin's eyes filled with gratitude. He wasn't unaware of whom Senzaemon meant or what the implications were.
Among the Nakiri family's subordinate houses, the Mito family had served for generations; benefits naturally went to them. Meanwhile, the Shiomi family, as recent affiliates, also required appeasement.
Adding Alice Nakiri from the main family and Gin Dōjima himself made four slots - exactly half. The remainder would allow Gin to cultivate his own connections.
Truthfully, this showed remarkable goodwill. After all, the collaboration opportunity had been secured by Senzaemon trading 45% of the Nakiri family's profits, yet half the cultivation slots were given to Gin.
Faced with such substantial nurturing, Gin naturally recognised this debt of gratitude.
Senzaemon wasn't oblivious to the implications either, but Gin was his closed-door disciple after all. Compared to Sōe Nakiri and Mana Nakiri's rebellious ways, Gin was the true inheritor of his culinary legacy.
His own children merely shared his blood, but Gin represented the continuation of his spirit and skills.
Therefore, despite the potential detriment to Totsuki's development, Senzaemon had made this decision.
"Teacher..." Gin began hesitantly.
Senzaemon stepped forward to clasp his shoulder, sighing:
"Work hard, Gin. Perhaps... you may find methods there for chefs to advance further."
Clenching his fists, Gin responded solemnly: "I'll strive towards that goal."
Senzaemon patted his shoulder again before asking:
"Speaking of which, where have Alice and Erina gone?"
Gin Dōjima thought for a moment before replying, "They seem to be accompanying the young lady of the Fujiwara family."
"The young lady of the Fujiwara family... Excellent, excellent."
Senzaemon Nakiri seemed to recall the days when he and the old master of the Fujiwara family battled together at the club, an involuntary nostalgic smile appearing on his face.
Gin, who witnessed this beside him, thought to himself, 'Why does the teacher's smile look so... lecherous? Is it just my imagination?'
...
Totsuki Resort, another elevator entrance on the first floor.
Wearing yukatas and carrying washbasins, Erina Nakiri, Alice Nakiri, and Toyomi Fujiwara stepped out of the elevator together.