Late at night!
Full of mystery and tranquility.
The heavy rain finally stopped, and Rindo and Akikubo Momo, full from their meal, finally left the Izakaya!
Perhaps it was because the long-standing problem in her heart was finally resolved, or perhaps Sosuke was simply very charming; Akikubo Momo's face was beaming with a happy smile the entire way.
On the other side.
Rindo didn't seem as excited.
Her stomach was a bit bloated, and she even let out an unexpected burp!
"Phew~"
"That was truly satisfying!"
"Thinking about it, Shopkeeper Sosuke's culinary skills seem to have improved again; I feel incredibly content with that meal!"
Recalling the deliciousness of all the dishes she had just eaten, Rindo couldn't help but exclaim.
"Rindo."
"Thank you so much this time!"
"If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have known there was such an interesting Izakaya on this gourmet street."
Hugging the plush bear that had lost its hands, Akikubo Momo glanced at Rindo and found that she wasn't so annoying anymore!
"Momo!"
"If you ask me."
"Your performance today seemed a bit too enthusiastic!"
"It's one thing to proactively talk to Shopkeeper Sosuke, but you even gave him a pair of heat-resistant gloves in the end!"
Seeing the often absent-minded Akikubo Momo, Rindo's golden eyes darted around, and then she couldn't help but tease her.
"Mm!"
"Shopkeeper Sosuke."
"He is a chef worthy of my respect."
Clutching the plush bear tightly, Akikubo Momo blushed.
"Respect?"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple, is it?"
Rindo smiled faintly and asked in return.
Akikubo Momo knew what she meant and gave Rindo an annoyed look, but her cheeks grew even redder: "Initially, I was definitely skeptical of his abilities."
"But that astonishing Souffle dessert in the end truly moved me deeply!"
"In the realm of desserts alone, honestly, I... I am willing to call him the strongest pastry chef!"
"Strongest?"
"That's a bit..."
Rindo was stunned, never expecting Akikubo Momo to give such a high evaluation to Sosuke, whom she had only met once!
But thinking of the taste of the Souffle just now, she felt relieved.
After all, even she herself felt that every dish Sosuke made was filled with many astonishing elements. It was as if even the most ordinary dish would become completely different in his hands!
...
"After school starts."
"Both of us will be third-year high school students."
Then, Rindo tentatively asked, "So, during this time, Momo, do you have any plans for your future life?"
"No!"
"I haven't thought that far ahead!"
"Don't look at us being Elite Ten now; whether we can even make it to graduation is still uncertain."
"If you look through Totsuki's history, the number of people like us who became Elite Ten but couldn't graduate smoothly for various reasons is more than you can count on two hands!"
"So, for now, I just want to do my best in everything and leave no regrets!"
Akikubo Momo shook her head, her expression more serious than ever before.
"Momo!"
"To tell you the truth!"
"I used to think that after graduation, I would go on adventures alone, searching for undiscovered wild ingredients around the world!"
"However."
"Over the past month."
"As I spent more time with Sosuke, I gradually found the meaning of life in him!"
"Therefore, I plan to work at this Izakaya after I successfully graduate next year, and while following in his footsteps, I will also strive to become his most accomplished assistant chef!"
Looking at Akikubo Momo, Rindo told her all the thoughts in her heart.
"Ah?"
"Is that true?"
Clearly, Akikubo Momo was shocked to hear Rindo's idea!
...
Undeniably.
Those who can successfully graduate from Totsuki Academy are all exceptional!
Most of these people become leaders in the entire Japan culinary world after graduation, or even stand at the forefront of the culinary industry.
Although they all go their separate ways and make different choices after graduation, their achievements are often remarkable!
For example:
An Elite Ten like Shinomiya Kojiro.
After graduation, he resolutely chose to develop in France, independently managing a French restaurant.
As a result, in a short period, he achieved the honor of the "Prix Prud'homme"!
Therefore, once a Totsuki Elite Ten member graduates, they are highly sought after in the entire industry.
Many high-end restaurants, five-star hotels, ingredient suppliers, and so on, eagerly extend invitations to recruit them.
So, upon hearing that Rindo wanted to work at an Izakaya after graduation, Akikubo Momo's shock was inevitable!
However, calming down, she also deeply understood that Rindo's decision was by no means an impulsive one!
"In my opinion."
"You want to work at the Izakaya."
"It's just that you're craving Shopkeeper Sosuke's... well, craving his cooking, right?"
"After all, if you live at the Izakaya as an assistant chef for a long time, you'll be able to eat his food every day!"
Seeing through Rindo's little trick, Akikubo Momo replied without reservation.
"Momo!"
"Don't spoil the fun by saying it out loud!"
"Hehe, anyway, I see countless possibilities in him, and choosing to work at the Izakaya doesn't necessarily mean I'll be worse off than anyone else!"
After speaking.
Rindo quickened her pace, walking ahead in a joyful mood.
Akikubo Momo, behind her, paused slightly, and after watching the gradually receding figure, she couldn't help but lower her head in thought!
...
12 AM.
The Izakaya finally closed!
After spending two evenings together, Erina's impression of Sosuke had greatly changed.
She slightly raised her head, looked at him, and softly said, "Sosuke, are you about to close up?"
"Yes!"
"Almost!"
"Is that so?"
"Indeed, the Izakaya's five-hour operating time is too short!"
After a slight complaint, Erina could only prepare to get up and leave the Izakaya.
At this moment, she certainly had many things she wanted to say to Sosuke, but unfortunately, time passed too quickly, and she couldn't possibly delay him from closing up and resting, could she?
But before leaving, she still gave Sosuke a deep look and said, "Actually, with your ability, there's no need to run an Izakaya at all!"
"If you have an idea, a greater pursuit, I can go back and tell my grandfather to hire you as a teacher at Totsuki Academy—no, a professor!"
"That way, after Totsuki reopens, you'll be able to achieve even greater things on that grand stage!"
Having said that.
Erina left the Izakaya without looking back.
And with her and Hisako's departure, the entire Izakaya closed for the night!
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