In the corridor of the first-floor lobby.
Erina Nakiri, Toyomi Fujiwara, and Alice Nakiri emerged from the elevator one after another.
"I never expected Grandfather to transfer nearly half the shares at once," Alice grumbled as she stepped out, then turned to Erina with curiosity. "Erina, what exactly are these so-called 'new ingredients'?"
Erina was equally curious, given that even Gin Dōjima—one of the top chefs in her mind—had treated the opportunity with such gravity. Unfortunately, Senzaemon Nakiri hadn't disclosed anything to her, so she could only reply, "That's not something you need to know."
"Eh? You don't know either, Erina?" Alice exclaimed in shock. "You're lying, right?"
Toyomi blinked beside them. Had Erina actually said she didn't know? Weren't her exact words "not something you need to know"? How had Alice jumped to that conclusion?
At that moment, Alice tilted her chin thoughtfully and mused, "Come to think of it, Dad's also working on some new ingredient research and won't tell me anything. It feels like the adults are deliberately keeping secrets from us."
Hearing this, Toyomi instantly understood and said with a smile, "They probably have their own reasons for keeping quiet."
"What's with that 'I actually know something' look?" Alice Nakiri turned her head and stared at Toyomi Fujiwara. "Do you know something, Toyomi-nee?"
With that, Alice immediately pressed closer, shaking Toyomi's hand as she pleaded:
"Come on, come on, can't you tell me?"
"Unfortunately, it's a secret that can't be told. Only old man Nakiri can explain it to you himself."
Toyomi then added, "Though if Luo Shu is willing to explain, that would also be acceptable."
"That Director Luo..."
Alice hesitated as she recalled her impression of Luo Shu, then muttered:
"His smile always feels so fake to me."
Upon hearing this, Erina Nakiri immediately retorted: "Alice, don't judge someone based on your personal impressions."
"Eh?" Alice froze in place, her steps halted.
Seeing this, both Toyomi and Erina, who had been walking ahead, stopped and turned to look at her.
"What's wrong?" Erina asked, puzzled. Had her words been too harsh?
At that moment, Alice came running up with a teasing expression:
"Wow, wow, wow, this is the first time I've ever seen you defend someone, Erina. And what's more, it's a boy."
Erina's face flushed red as she countered:
"What are you implying? Is it wrong for me to defend a strategic partner of the Nakiri family?"
"I never said it was wrong. I just said it's the first time I've seen you defend a boy, especially one our own age."
"Normally, you'd be like this..."
Here, Alice pinched her throat and imitated Erina's tone:
"'I have absolutely no interest in such commoner matters!!'"
Erina turned red with embarrassment and anger, gritting her teeth:
"I've never spoken like that!!"
"But this is exactly how you sound when you're angry!"
Alice touched her cheek with an innocent expression:
"I've even recorded it a few times. Want to hear?"
"You recorded me?" Erina was stunned, immediately reaching for the washbasin in front of Alice. "Give me your phone! Delete them all, right now!"
"No way! And isn't this violating my privacy?" Alice quickly grabbed her phone from the basin, dodging Erina's grasping hands indignantly.
"You were the one secretly recording in the first place!" Erina fumed.
"I wasn't secretly recording at all. I always had my phone in my hand!" Alice protested.
"Oh, so you were recording me right to my face! Hand over that phone immediately!"
Watching their squabble, Toyomi rested her cheek in her hand with an aunt-like smile:
"My, how close you two are!!"
Hearing this, both Erina and Alice shouted in unison:
"Who's close with her?!" x2
After speaking, they glanced at each other, then simultaneously snorted and turned their heads away.
Seeing this, Toyomi chuckled before picking up her washbasin and continuing towards the hot spring:
"Speaking of which, it's been a while since I've soaked in the hot springs."
As she spoke, Toyomi rubbed her shoulders curiously:
"And it's a hot spring at Mount Fuji too..."
Upon hearing this, Alice Nakiri stuck out her tongue and said:
"Mount Fuji's hot springs aren't that great anyway. And the accommodation fees at this resort are ridiculously expensive."
Erina Nakiri barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes at this.
'This resort belongs to your family, Miss Alice!!'
"Ah!"
Toyomi Fujiwara, holding a washbasin, stopped in her tracks and glanced at the framed hot spring operating hours posted on the wall. After scanning the schedule, she asked:
"At this time, isn't it supposed to be mixed bathing hours? Is it all right if we go now?"
"No problem," Alice cheerfully hooked an arm around Toyomi's shoulders. "Erina already notified the staff to have the place cleared."
"That Erina really loves abusing her authority."
Upon hearing this, Erina glared fiercely at Alice.
It was clearly this girl who said she wanted to use the hot spring and didn't want to share it with others, which was why Erina had arranged for the clearing and water change. And now she's accusing her of abusing authority?
Erina's fist clenched tightly!
"Eh? So this is what they call abusing authority?" Toyomi said with an expression of newfound understanding. "I thought things like old man Nakiri and Luo Shu's equity transactions were the real abuse of authority."
"Uh..."
Neither Alice nor Erina could respond to that.
After all, their grandfather's... personal transaction with Luo Shu had been conducted right in front of them, and even Minister Fujiwara had witnessed it.
Those 15% personal relationship shares - those who know, know.
Seeing this, Erina quickly changed the subject: "Let's hurry to the hot spring. We can't keep the area closed for too long."
"Yes, yes, Erina's right. Let's go quickly."
Alice immediately gave Toyomi's back a light push to hurry her along.
"Eh? Did I say something wrong?" Toyomi maintained her cheerful smile but allowed herself to be ushered toward the hot spring room by Alice.
Soon, the three entered the bathing area, washed up, and wrapped themselves in white bath towels.
"Hot spring, here I come!!"
Alice pushed open the door to the hot spring pool excitedly.
The next second, Luo Shu blinked, having been soaking in the pool.
Alice and Erina:
"?!!!"