WGO Headquarters – Mana Nakiri's Private Quarters
"Lady Mana, I understand your concerns about the culinary world," Anne said carefully. "Although the results of this year's assessment were disappointing, I did make an unexpected discovery… I found a chef who may be capable of conquering the God Tongue."
Mana Nakiri, usually composed and indifferent, froze.
"…What did you just say?"
For the first time in years, a flicker of genuine interest crossed her golden eyes.
After a brief silence, she abruptly turned and seized Anne's shoulders, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
"Who? Who is it?"
Anne inhaled deeply before answering.
"A tavern owner," she began, recounting everything she had witnessed. She described the mysterious chef Zane, his humble yet captivating tavern, and—most importantly—the dishes he prepared.
When she spoke of the Cassava Bean Curd, her words grew almost poetic.
Mana listened intently, her expression unreadable.
"You're telling me this chef, Zane… he isn't driven by fame or wealth? He simply wants to present the purest form of culinary artistry to his customers?"
Anne nodded firmly.
"Interesting…" Mana murmured, a rare smile tugging at her lips. "Such people are practically extinct in today's culinary world."
A moment of silence stretched between them before Mana made her decision.
"Anne, book two tickets to Japan. We leave tonight."
Anne blinked.
"Tonight?"
She had just returned from Japan—now she had to go back?
Mana's golden eyes glowed with something close to excitement.
"Yes. I can't afford to wait any longer. If there's even the slightest possibility that this chef can create a dish to overcome the God Tongue's curse, then I need to see it for myself."
Anne sighed in resignation.
"Understood, Lady Mana. I'll arrange everything immediately."
As Anne left to prepare for their departure, Mana gazed out the window once more.
"It's been ten years… I wonder how Totsuki Academy is now. How are Erina and… him?"
Midnight – The Tavern
As the last customer left and the doors finally closed, a familiar chime echoed in Zane's mind.
Ding! Sign-in successful.
Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained a new special recipe: Comet Fried Rice!
Zane raised an eyebrow.
"Comet Fried Rice"…?
The name instantly reminded him of a legendary dish from Chuuka Ichiban—a dish so vibrant it appeared to glow, earning its name from its comet-like presentation.
This dish, while visually stunning, was deceptively simple: made primarily of spinach, bok choy, and rice. However, its high vitamin C content allowed it to restore energy rapidly, making it perfect for exhausted customers in need of revitalization.
Zane smirked.
"A dish that restores stamina and spirit? Perfect timing."
Although the tavern's foot traffic wasn't high yet, he had already achieved unexpected success within just a month. His skills had grown at an astonishing pace.
Perhaps it was time to consider hiring an assistant.
Stretching lazily, he closed up for the night.
Totsuki Academy – Erina's Villa
Morning mist rolled over the sprawling campus of Totsuki Academy. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft golden glow across the land.
Inside an extravagant villa, Erina Nakiri paced impatiently.
"What's taking Hisako so long…?"
She glanced at the clock.
"It's been two hours since she left to buy manga!"
Just as frustration threatened to boil over—
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Excitement surged through Erina.
She all but flew to the door, her heart racing as she pulled it open.
"Hisako! Did you get Honey and Clov—"
Her voice caught in her throat.
Instead of Hisako, the person standing before her was—
"Alice?"
Silver-haired and mischievous, Alice Nakiri smirked.
Disappointment flickered in Erina's eyes before she quickly masked it with her usual cold demeanor.
"If you're here to challenge me to a Shokugeki, you can leave," she stated flatly. "As the Tenth Seat of the Elite Ten, my status is far beyond yours."
Alice chuckled.
"You really haven't changed, Erina."
Without waiting for an invitation, she stepped inside.
Erina scowled but didn't stop her.
Alice's gaze wandered the luxurious room—until she spotted a manga book on the sofa.
Her eyes widened.
Erina turned scarlet.
"Ah!"
In a blur, she snatched the book away, clutching it to her chest.
Alice arched an eyebrow.
"Erina… is the tavern owner handsome?"
Erina's mind involuntarily conjured an image of Zane—his confident smirk, his deft hands working their magic in the kitchen, the way he crafted dishes that sent shivers down her spine.
Her cheeks burned hotter.
Alice grinned.
"He must be handsome, right?"
Erina cleared her throat, struggling to suppress her reaction.
"Ahem. His skills surpass mine, that's all you need to know," she said, her tone clipped.
Alice's expression shifted slightly.
"…Surpass yours?"
As a child, Alice had slaved over a dessert, only to have Erina dismiss it as "utterly unpalatable." That single moment had fueled years of rivalry between them.
Now, hearing that a mere tavern owner had surpassed Erina Nakiri—the infamous God Tongue—shook Alice to the core.
"Unbelievable…" she muttered.
"If you don't believe it, go see for yourself," Erina snapped, crossing her arms. "You have too much free time if you're worrying about me instead of passing tomorrow's school admission exam."
Alice smirked.
"Oh, I don't need to take the exam. I was admitted through special recommendation."
Erina rolled her eyes.
"Figures."
Alice stretched lazily.
"Since you insist, I will check out this tavern. But I don't know its exact location, so…"
Erina's eyes narrowed.
"You want me to take you there?"
Alice gave her a sweet, innocent smile.
Erina sighed in defeat.
"…Fine."
Evening – The Tavern
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a faint starlight illuminated the sky.
Inside the tavern, Zane was preparing his own dinner.
He carefully unwrapped a lotus-leaf-covered jar, releasing an intoxicating aroma that instantly filled the entire room.
This was Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.
The rich, decadent fragrance wafted through the air, slipping into the neighboring Shunkatei Restaurant, where its owner, Sonoka, was cleaning up for the night.
She froze.
"…What is that smell?"
Her stomach rumbled.
As a professional chef, she knew that crafting such a powerful aroma required an extraordinary level of skill.
Her curiosity got the best of her.
After a moment's hesitation, she made up her mind.
"…I need to see what's going on next door."
And with that, Sonoka stepped out of Shunkatei and headed toward the tavern.
Unbeknownst to her, she wasn't the only one.
At that very moment, two elegantly dressed young women approached the same destination—one silver-haired and smirking, the other reluctant but resigned.
Erina and Alice Nakiri were about to step into Zane's world.