"Yu!"
"Kiss… Kiss me!"
Erina Nakiri's delicate fingers trembled slightly as she held the manga in her hands, her cheeks flushed red. Alone in her dorm room, she was engrossed in The Place of Meeting, her golden eyes filled with anticipation as she turned the page.
But then—
"Why is it gone again?"
She flipped through the remaining pages, only to find that the chapter had ended at the most critical moment.
"Seriously… Did they really kiss in the end?"
With a pout, she closed the book and let out an exasperated sigh.
"That damn author always cuts off at the most agonizing part! I really want to send him a box of razor blades!"
Even after finishing the latest chapter, Erina felt unsatisfied. She turned toward her roommate, Hisako Arato, who was browsing manga on her laptop, and asked in a soft voice, "Hisako, is the next chapter out yet?"
"Miss Erina, are you talking about The Place of Meeting?"
"Yes, that one."
"It's not available yet. The author has only drawn up to this point. The next chapter won't be released until next Monday."
"Monday?" Erina groaned. "But it's only Tuesday today!"
Her expression darkened. The idea of waiting nearly a whole week to find out what happened next was unbearable.
How annoying!
If she knew the author's address, she might have been tempted to send a strongly worded letter—along with a demand to work overtime for faster updates.
—
At first, Erina had looked down on manga and light novels. As a Nakiri, she had always considered such things to be vulgar entertainment for commoners.
But lately, she had developed a dangerous addiction.
Once she started reading, she couldn't stop. Sometimes she even skipped meals, completely immersed in the stories.
Of course, manga wasn't her only guilty pleasure. During her time at Totsuki, Erina had been known to secretly play cards with Hisako late at night and even hum tunes when she thought no one was listening.
Once Hisako discovered her newfound interest in manga, she had taken it upon herself to carefully select stories that suited her taste. Now, every night, Erina devoured at least ten light novels or finished multiple manga series.
At first, Hisako had struggled to figure out what genres Erina liked. But after some time, she noticed a pattern—Erina preferred "pure" romance stories, ones that made her heart race but never crossed the line into anything too indecent.
And so, Hisako continued her duty, ensuring Erina's secret hobby remained well-fed.
—
"Miss Erina," Hisako suddenly said, as if remembering something. "On my way back from buying manga, guess who I saw?"
"Who?" Erina asked, only half-interested.
"Alice."
Her eyes widened. "Alice? But she's in Northern Europe, isn't she?"
"Not anymore," Hisako replied with a knowing smile.
For a moment, Erina was silent. She hadn't thought about her cousin in a long time. As children, they had lived together, but after Alice left for Europe, their contact had gradually faded.
Now, suddenly, she was back.
"What do you think she's here for?" Hisako asked.
Erina's lips curled into a confident smirk. "What else? Alice has always wanted to defeat me. But she's not there yet."
"That's true," Hisako agreed. "But she didn't come alone. She has a follower now."
"A follower?" Erina raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. A lazy-looking guy, but something about him seems… dangerous. He might even be stronger than Alice."
Erina scoffed. "It doesn't matter. No one will stand in my way. One day, I will stand at the very top of Totsuki."
Her golden eyes turned sharp, her aura radiating cold determination.
Alice was family, yes, but if she became an obstacle—Erina wouldn't hesitate to crush her.
—
"But… did she see you?" Erina suddenly asked, her voice laced with urgency.
Hisako shook her head. "No, of course not. I always wear a hat, sunglasses, and a mask when I go out to buy manga. Unless someone knows me personally, they wouldn't recognize me."
"Good," Erina sighed in relief.
Alice must never find out about this secret.
If she did… Erina would never live it down.
—
Late Night at the Tavern
Loneliness. Hunger.
Two of life's greatest misfortunes.
But luckily, there was Zane's Tavern—a warm refuge where good food and a slightly tipsy atmosphere could soothe even the emptiest hearts and stomachs.
Gurgle gurgle!
In front of Rindo Kobayashi, a fugu hot pot bubbled enticingly. The special paper pot contained chunks of fugu meat, fugu skin, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and various seasonings. Compared to the earlier sashimi, this dish was rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.
She picked up a piece of fugu, letting it stew for just the right amount of time before taking a bite.
Crispy on the outside. Tender on the inside.
Pure bliss.
A fugu feast was like an exquisite play—each dish showcasing a different side of the same ingredient. From the steaming hot pot to the golden-fried fugu, every bite was an adventure.
—
A New Group of Guests
As Rindo enjoyed her meal, the tavern's door swung open again.
Three girls from the Polar Star Dormitory stepped inside.
"Cheers!"
Yuuki Yoshino raised her teacup, clinking it against those of Ryoko Sakaki and Megumi Tadokoro. "To a brilliant new semester!"
She gulped down her tea with satisfaction, then turned to Megumi, who remained silent.
"Megumi, are you okay?" she asked gently.
"I… I'm fine," Megumi replied with a forced smile.
But she wasn't fine.
Totsuki's grading system was brutal. Five consecutive failing grades meant immediate expulsion. And right now, Megumi had already accumulated four.
One more failure, and she was out.
As the new semester loomed closer, the pressure was crushing her.
—
Zane, observing the situation from behind the counter, decided to step in.
"Looking for a recommendation tonight?" he asked casually.
Yuuki nodded. "Yeah, we just want to eat something good."
Zane stroked his chin. "I've got some beef and a bottle of Burgundy red wine left. How about a Burgundy Red Wine Beef Stew?"
"A French dish?" Yuuki glanced at Ryoko. They hadn't expected Zane to suggest something like that.
But knowing his skills, they trusted him.
"Megumi, what do you think?"
"I… I don't mind," Megumi said hesitantly.
"Alright, Owner! We'll take it!" Yuuki grinned.
—
The Art of French Stew
Burgundy Red Wine Beef Stew was a dish beloved by the French, surpassing even delicacies like foie gras and truffles.
Traditionally, it was left to stew overnight to fully develop its flavors, but in a fast-paced world, adjustments had to be made.
Zane moved swiftly—cutting beef into cubes, slicing bacon, chopping onions, and prepping mushrooms.
First, he browned the beef and bacon in olive oil, then sautéed the onions and carrots. A sprinkle of flour, salt, and black pepper followed before everything was transferred into a cast iron pot.
Then came the magic—an entire bottle of Burgundy red wine, bay leaves, thyme, and a touch of tomato paste. The pot was set to simmer, the rich aromas gradually filling the tavern.
Two hours later, the dish was ready.
As Zane lifted the lid, a wave of steam rose, carrying the deep, intoxicating scent of slow-cooked beef and red wine.
He smirked, placing the dish before them.
"This is my recommendation for the night. Words won't do it justice—taste it for yourself."