The director had been watching Zane intently, his gaze never wavering. He wondered if his generous offer had been too difficult for Zane to refuse. Meanwhile, Erina, while discreetly glancing at Zane, noticed that his expression remained unchanged—calm, composed, almost indifferent. Was he silently weighing the offer, or simply dismissing it?
"At Totsuki Academy, the stage is grand," the director mused. "But for you, Zane, perhaps it's not where you can truly shine. Right now, you choose to run this tavern—seeing customers enjoy your cooking and smile is enough for you, isn't it?"
Zane's reply was silent yet firm. The director, accustomed to being surrounded by prodigious talents, felt a pang of disappointment at failing to recruit such a remarkable chef. Still, he quickly eased his disappointment. Zane's flat refusal indicated that he wasn't driven by the lure of fame or fortune.
In this world, many live their lives in constant pursuit of wealth and status—often at the expense of their true passions. Erina herself, with her extraordinary God Tongue, was tormented by the pressure to uphold a legacy of meaningful culinary artistry. That very pressure made the director appreciate Zane's choice even more.
But then a question lingered: Why did Zane refuse?
What was so unappealing about a lecturer's role at Totsuki Academy compared to running this humble tavern?
When news reached Erina that Zane had flat-out rejected the position as a lecturer, she was incredulous and deeply disappointed. In her eyes, accepting such an offer would be a step toward a more prestigious future.
In fact, the Nakiri family's own history was fraught with turmoil. After Mana Nakiri ran away and Azami was expelled from Totsuki Academy, a rift had formed over the family heir. Logically, the best candidate to lead the family was Alice Nakiri from the "Main Family." Yet, Erina, blessed with the God Tongue, seemed destined to replace her. The Nakiri family had long disregarded bloodlines—the marriage of Azami into the family had already signaled that an outsider might be the one to inherit the legacy. While Alice's background was superior, for two consecutive generations the God Tongue had appeared, making Erina the de facto third-generation heir. It was a choice that, though practical, felt painfully helpless.
Time passed slowly. As the director finished his bottle of sake, the tavern neared closing. Whether it was the dopamine released by the alcohol or the thrill of witnessing Zane's culinary genius, the director's expression brightened. Zane's Ascending Dragon Dumplings had shown him that this small tavern might one day change the entire culinary era. Unlike the overly ambitious Azami of the past, Zane's view of cooking was refreshingly honest. He wasn't trying to chase fame; he simply wanted to make people happy with his food. And for the director, knowing that Zane could satisfy Erina's God Tongue was the greatest reward of the evening.
The Nakiri family simply could not afford a repeat of the tragedies of ten years ago. If Erina's fate were to mirror her mother Mana's, it would spell the end of hope for the entire family.
"Ah, time really flies!" the director finally remarked as midnight approached.
With the arrival of midnight, the tavern's lights dimmed, and the doors closed. Before leaving, Zane handed Erina a delicately boxed thousand-layer cake.
"Here, Erina—this is a thousand-layer cake. Enjoy it on your way back," he said.
Surprised, Erina took the cake, her nose catching the rich aroma of the dessert. Normally, she dismissed such "junk food" from street vendors, but when it came from Zane, she felt differently.
"Who else would I give it to but you?" he teased.
"I didn't expect you to be so generous—actually giving me an extra thousand-layer cake," Erina replied, blushing as she cradled the cake carefully.
"Since the tavern is closing, I must clear out the unsold dishes," Zane added with a wry smile.
Erina frowned. "So, are you giving me close-to-expiry food?"
"No," he said, shaking his head. "This thousand-layer cake is made with real 1,000 layers of pastry—it's been praised by our customers. Wasting something so good is simply not an option."
Hearing this, Erina's tone turned cold as she clutched the cake protectively. "Who said I didn't want it?"
Just then, Hisako reminded them, "Miss, the director has already left. We should head out."
"Zane, I'll be back again!" Erina called out as she stepped out of the tavern.
As two black cars disappeared down the brightly lit street, the tavern officially closed for the night.
In the quiet aftermath, Zane reflected on the evening. Though the director's words had stung, they confirmed his belief: his cooking was his true calling. He wasn't chasing accolades or prestige—he was simply making food that made people happy. And in a world where many elites had lost touch with their love for cooking, Zane's humble, authentic approach was a beacon of hope.
The director had his own regrets, having witnessed the downfall of brilliant chefs burdened by the pressure of their inherited talents. If Erina's fate were to mirror that of her mother, Mana, it would mark a dark day for the Nakiri family.
But tonight, as Erina departed with the thousand-layer cake in hand, Zane's heart swelled with quiet pride. His decision to remain true to his passion—cooking simple, affordable, and soul-satisfying dishes—was, in his eyes, the only way to truly excel.
In the end, Zane knew that even if he wasn't a renowned lecturer at Totsuki Academy, his work here in the tavern was already transforming lives. And perhaps, one day, his influence would extend far beyond these walls, changing the culinary world for the better.