It was nearing dusk.
The evening sun was about to slip below the horizon.
Tokyo was entering its nighttime mode.
Nighttime in Tokyo was when the city truly came alive.
The corporate drones, freed from the oppressive work of the day, would gather to seek out entertainment.
Whether it was going out for a meal, watching a movie, or even getting a prostate massage at a brothel...
A low-key, luxurious black sedan was slowly making its way through the streets of Tokyo.
No matter where, once a city reached a certain level of development, traffic jams were inevitable.
Ordinary cars on the road were giving this black luxury sedan a wide berth.
After all, even a slight bump could result in a devastating blow for an ordinary person.
The figures seated in the back of the car were rather well-known figures in Tokyo, and even throughout the country.
Senzaemon Nakiri, with a full head of silver hair as majestic as a lion.
Nakiri Erina, with blonde hair, her appearance like that of a noble and beautiful princess.
Beside Nakiri Erina sat a quiet, beautiful girl with pink hair.
"Grandfather, just where is this shop you're talking about?"
Nakiri Erina's eyebrows twitched slightly, her eyes filled with confusion.
Today, her grandfather had suddenly summoned her to go eat at a mysterious little shop.
But along the way, Senzaemon Nakiri had kept his eyes closed in rest, revealing no information at all.
Seeing the car gradually move away from Tootsuki Culinary Academy, Erina finally couldn't help but ask.
"Shinjuku."
Senzaemon Nakiri opened his eyes and simply said one word.
His eyes held a look of fascination and intoxication.
The only thing that could make the "Demon King" show such an expression was food.
And it had to be extremely, extremely, extremely delicious food!
Anything ordinary would absolutely not affect him this way!
A trace of doubt and contemplation flashed through Erina's eyes.
'Shinjuku....'
In her memory, there didn't seem to be any famous restaurants there.
...
The luxury car drove on, finally turning onto a street in Shinjuku named "Ichinosuke."
The moment Nakiri Erina and Arato Hisako got out of the car, they were stunned.
This street...
It was a red-light district!
"Grandfather! Why did we come to a place like this?!"
Erina vented her dissatisfaction at her grandfather, her face flushed with shame and anger.
When she saw the 'madams' in kimonos standing at the doorways, soliciting business, her face instantly turned crimson.
"My lady, a lot of people are looking at us..."
Hisako was also very shy, avoiding the gazes from all around.
Although she was usually Erina's capable secretary, in a place like this, the young girl was still too inexperienced.
"Well, it can't be helped. The shop that kid opened is deep inside this street!"
Senzaemon's tone was helpless, yet tinged with a hint of exasperation.
If he hadn't discovered it by chance, he would never have imagined that such a delicious little shop could exist in a place like this.
"Anyone who opens a shop in a place like this is definitely not a good person!"
Erina had already formed a preconceived notion, believing the owner of the little shop her grandfather mentioned was a profligate who frequented the red-light district.
"That's not necessarily true. Follow me."
Senzaemon didn't say any more, his broad figure leading the way.
Erina and Hisako followed behind him.
A group of bodyguards surrounded the three of them, vigilantly watching their surroundings.
As they walked deeper into the red-light district, the women here became more and more wanton and bold.
Erina and Hisako were so nervous they didn't dare to look around, their faces redder than ever.
Senzaemon's figure turned again, entering a deep and quiet alley.
He descended a few steps.
The surrounding environment suddenly became tranquil.
Though it was only a few steps away from the red-light district outside, it felt like two different worlds.
There were a few small shops in the alley, but they looked like their business was very poor.
It was already late, and these shops had closed their doors.
Only one small restaurant still had its bright yellow lights on, and the voices of customers could be heard from inside from time to time.
Senzaemon gave a few instructions to the bodyguards behind him, then led his granddaughter and Hisako to the entrance of the small restaurant.
Screech—
Senzaemon slid the door open.
Inside was a very ordinary Japanese-style pub design.
The owner and chef was a very handsome young man.
There were already a few customers in the small shop.
Senzaemon and the young man looked at each other and smiled.
"Boss, I'm back again."
"The usual?"
Their conversation sounded as if they had known each other for a long time.
"The usual for me, but I brought my granddaughter today."
Senzaemon entered the shop and turned to the side, revealing Erina and Hisako's figures.
The appearance of the beautiful young women made the lights in the shop seem brighter.
A hint of amazement appeared in the young man's eyes, but it quickly returned to calm and gentle.
"Welcome. What would you like to order?" the young man asked with a gentle and calm smile.
...
The moment Erina entered the door, she had already swiftly sized up the small restaurant.
'The decor was a very common civilian design.'
'The customers looked like ordinary people.'
'The owner, although he looked pleasing to the eye, there was no guarantee he wasn't just a pretty face.'
The young girl's mind had already made a basic summary and judgment of this small restaurant.
'This was nothing more than the most ordinary of ordinary little eateries!'
When she heard the young man ask what she wanted to eat, her expression was indifferent.
She brushed back her long hair with a fair, jade-like hand.
"Just bring me whatever."
Although Erina felt impatient with this place, since it was a place Senzaemon had led her to...
She could spare a little patience.
However, if the dish that followed failed to satisfy her, then she couldn't be blamed for being merciless!
A dish that cannot satisfy people has no reason to exist in this world.
The young man nodded slightly before turning his gaze to Hisako, who stood behind Erina.
"What would you like?"
The young man's voice was warm and smooth, carrying a gentleness like the spring sun within its calm tone.
"Is this all you have?"
Hisako pointed to the menu hanging on the wall.
The gentle-eyed girl's eyes were filled with big question marks.
As Erina's secretary, she was currently just as puzzled and confused as to why Senzaemon Nakiri had brought the two of them to this small establishment.
"Besides these, you can also tell me what you'd like to eat. If I know how to make it, I can make it for you."
This was generally how Japanese-style pubs operated.
The menu on the wall was only a fraction of the dishes a restaurant had to offer.
"Hmm—in that case, could I have Ochazuke?"
As one of Japan's traditional dishes, Ochazuke was a very light meal.
It was well-suited for this time of night.
"Alright, please wait a moment. Have a seat and I'll be with you shortly."
After taking note of the three's orders, the young man walked into the back kitchen.
The back kitchen of the Japanese-style pub was separated from the front hall by nothing more than a short curtain.
Sitting at the table, one could look up and see the owner busy in the kitchen.
Such a design made the entire restaurant feel a bit cozier.
Watching the young man's busy figure inside, Erina had many questions she wanted to ask.
She looked at Senzaemon, who was sitting beside her.
"Grandfather, why did you bring us here?" Erina asked, a little bewildered.
The beautiful girl's charming face was currently filled with confusion.
Senzaemon chuckled upon hearing his granddaughter's words.
"Because the cuisine here is quite excellent!"
Senzaemon's clear eyes gazed at the young man bustling about inside.
If he hadn't stumbled upon this place by chance, he would never have believed that this young man, the same age as his own granddaughter, could produce such top-tier cuisine!
It was a deliciousness that surpassed all the dishes within Senzaemon's prior knowledge!
Even Saiba Joichiro, whom he had praised countless times in the past, could not compare to this young man!
The first time Senzaemon had tasted it, the feeling the other's cooking gave him was simply mythical!
Erina regarded her grandfather's words with a half-believing, half-doubting attitude.
She had her own views on cooking and chefs.
If this person could make a dish that satisfied her grandfather, then why was he staying here?
Why not go to Totsuki?
And why had she never heard of this person's name?
In her heart, she still couldn't believe that the young man before her could make a dish that would satisfy Senzaemon.
"I don't believe he can make a dish that will satisfy me."
When it came to the art of cooking, Erina was thoroughly confident.
Moreover, with her heaven-sent talent, her tasting of dishes was a hundred times more meticulous!
The slightest flaw would be magnified a hundredfold on her tongue!
No mistake in a dish could escape her judgment!
"How rude, to say such a thing in someone else's establishment."
A female voice, tinged with a hint of drunkenness, rang out.
Due to the alcohol, the voice was more cat-like, long and alluring.
Erina's gaze shifted to her right.
There sat a very pretty girl.
Her already beautiful face was now flushed with an even more charming blush from the intoxication.
A white ribbon was tied in the girl's black hair.
The contrast of black and white complemented each other, enhancing her charm.
"Hmph! You're just an ordinary person. How much fine food could you have possibly eaten?"
There was a bit of an edge to Erina's words.
When it came to cooking, she was always serious!
Coupled with Erina's inherently proud personality, it was not surprising for her to speak in such a manner.
"Tsk, a young lady, are we?"
The corners of the drunken girl's mouth tilted up slightly, the mockery in her words on full display.
This made Erina even more inclined to argue with her.
But before she could speak, the young man had already walked up to her, carrying the three's dishes.
"Please enjoy your meal."
After speaking, the young man turned his gaze to the drunken girl.
He sighed inwardly before walking over to her.
"Kasumigaoka-san, I'm confiscating the rest of your alcohol."
"Aww~~ Noooo"
"Objection overruled. Confiscated!"
"Hiks, Yuto-kun is bullying a girl..."