Late at night, the stars still twinkled.
As closing time approached, Tadokoro Megumi was about to leave.
"It's rare for you to stay at an Izakaya for so long!" Sosuke said with a smile, looking at Tadokoro Megumi.
"Shopkeeper."
"It's actually very interesting talking to you."
"And every time I watch you cook, my heart feels very at peace."
"If it weren't so late, I… I really would want to stay here longer!"
After speaking, Tadokoro Megumi took out money to pay the bill, then politely bid Sosuke farewell, and turned to leave.
"Wait, don't rush off yet." Seeing this, Sosuke quickly called out to her.
Immediately, he took out five Japan Wagashi (a type of Japan dessert), simply packaged them, and handed them to her, saying, "Here! Take these. Remember to eat them on your way back. Don't save them for tomorrow morning."
"Isn't… isn't that good?"
Looking at the exquisite Japan Wagashi in front of her, Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but cover her small mouth.
Clearly, at the moment of parting, she was surprised and touched by Sosuke's gesture of giving her some small sweets.
Initially, she wanted to refuse, but when she looked up and saw Sosuke's unusually firm gaze, she could only obediently extend her hand and carefully accept the Japan Wagashi.
"That's enough."
"It's just some Japan Wagashi."
"You're acting as if you owe me a great debt, and your gaze is giving me goosebumps!"
"In any case, work hard and strive for a triumphant start in the first assessment of the new semester."
Sosuke smiled and lightly patted Tadokoro Megumi's shoulder.
"Shopkeeper!"
"I understand, thank you very much!"
Tadokoro Megumi was instantly moved to tears, her nose and heart aching.
...
These past years, at Totsuki Academy.
A laggard like her, whose grades were so poor, had suffered much discrimination and ridicule from other classmates.
Although her dorm mates at Polar Star Dormitory, such as Yoshino Yuki, Sakaki Ryoko, Isshiki Satoshi, and Marui Zenji, were all quite good to her, she felt the strongest sense of care from Sosuke!
This care made her feel very happy, and also made her feel a heavy burden.
After all, she was too weak now. If she couldn't become stronger soon, she would only disappoint Sosuke's expectations of her.
Finally, after exchanging a few more words with Sosuke, Tadokoro Megumi reluctantly left the Izakaya!
...
"General!"
"Why do you and I meet in such a small place?"
As Totsuki's new semester began, the date for the most important Practical Training trial for new students was gradually approaching.
As the Chef Director of Far Moon Resort, Gin Dojima, naturally received an invitation from the General.
However, Gin Dojima never expected that General Senzaemon Nakiri would bring him to a small Izakaya.
An Izakaya.
At most, it's a place for casual people to relax.
Regardless of its scale or the chef's culinary skill, it definitely couldn't compare to a five-star hotel like Yue Yuan Li Gong inside a resort!
What's more.
One is the current General.
The other is the Chef Director.
How could such identities and statuses choose a place like this?
The more Gin Dojima thought about it, the less he understood, only feeling deeply depressed, completely unable to guess the General's thoughts!
...
"Gin."
"Don't underestimate this Izakaya."
"Furthermore, people like you and I often feel constrained in important settings."
"But in a place like an Izakaya, besides having a few drinks and some small dishes, we can also open up to each other and talk about what's on our minds!"
"Of course, the most important thing is that I wanted you to meet that Shopkeeper."
"I think with your own strength, after experiencing the dishes he makes, you should be able to understand some of his secrets better than I can!"
As if seeing through Gin Dojima's thoughts, the General merely stroked his beard and smiled mysteriously.
Then, he no longer paid attention to Gin Dojima, and directly pushed open the door and walked into the Izakaya.
"Hmm?"
"Could it be…"
Gin Dojima, behind him, became more and more confused the more he listened, and at the same time, his curiosity grew.
At night.
An Izakaya Shopkeeper itself isn't that rare.
To put it without exaggeration, if you casually reach out on any street in Japan, you'll always be able to grab one.
But from the General's reaction, it seems that this Shopkeeper is exceptionally gifted and completely different from other Izakaya Shopkeepers!
After thinking for a moment, Gin Dojima could only sort out his complex emotions.
Then he stopped pondering and quickly walked into the Izakaya with steady steps.
...
Upon entering, seeing Sosuke busy, the General's face immediately showed a kind and benevolent smile.
"Sosuke."
"Quite busy, aren't you!"
"Hmm?"
"What a rare guest!"
"General, it's been a long time since you've been to the Izakaya."
Seeing that the newcomer was Erina's grandfather and Nagiri Mana's father, Sosuke warmly greeted him: "Do you want sake? Or shochu?"
"Two bottles of sake."
The General chose a seat and still smiled as he spoke.
"Two bottles?"
Sosuke frowned upon hearing this.
Just then, Gin Dojima, who was following closely behind, walked into the Izakaya.
And he quickly came to the General's side, and Sosuke couldn't help but realize upon seeing this.
Gin Dojima, who was deeply impressed before his eyes, was dressed in a formal black suit.
The soft and detailed comfort of the fit, as well as the jewel-encrusted belt buckle, perfectly showcased his robust and sturdy physique!
Perhaps it was because strong individuals always make a grand entrance, so all the surrounding diners were affected and turned their gazes towards them.
For Sosuke, this person represented the strongest monster in Totsuki's history.
That he would accompany the General to his Izakaya today was something he had never expected.
"Sosuke."
"Let me introduce you."
"This is Gin Dojima, the Chef Director of our Totsuki Group's resort!"
"He is the First Seat graduate of the 69th Elite Ten, and his graduation results have yet to be surpassed by anyone in the entire Totsuki Academy."
Next to him, the General quickly introduced.
"Hmm!"
"I've heard a little about him."
Sosuke, after retracting his gaze, merely nodded faintly.
Meanwhile, Gin Dojima, after sizing up Sosuke for a few moments, couldn't help but show an admiring look.
Ever since he walked in, he noticed that this young man showed no restraint in front of the General, as if he only regarded him as an ordinary diner.
Therefore, Gin Dojima immediately concluded that Sosuke, before him, might be more extraordinary than he had imagined!
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