"This place's food is really delicious. Especially the fried dough sticks—crispy on the outside, fragrant and fluffy inside. Way better than the ones I've had at department stores. And the price is so reasonable!"
Sitting in the corner of the shop, a salaryman with a briefcase praised the food non-stop. He'd heard from coworkers about a newly opened, budget-friendly restaurant and made a detour just to check it out today.
"Try dipping the fried dough stick in the soy milk. It's a divine combo! The creamy soy milk softens the crispy dough, and the clash of savory and sweet is like a symphony in your mouth!"
Takeda Harumi was hogging two seats, enthusiastically explaining the dishes to Igarashi Futaba, whom he'd run into on the street and dragged over to the shop with her.
"It's hot…"
Futaba took a sip of soy milk and immediately hissed in pain, fanning her tongue with her hand. Clearly, she'd underestimated the drink's heat.
"Haha, blow on it first next time."
"Senpai, I'm not a kid."
"This is great. Totally worth the detour. Miss, please pack two fried dough sticks and four fried pancakes to go."
"One portion of spicy fries, boss—make it fast! I'm gonna be late for school!"
Sora bustled behind the counter, fulfilling orders left and right. Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead from the intense pace of work.
However, thanks to his training over the past few weeks, his physical endurance had greatly improved. At least he wasn't aching all over like in the beginning.
"Ten fried dough sticks and one portion of spicy fries—order up!"
The restaurant was in a state of busy but controlled chaos. Around 10 a.m., the crowd began to thin out. But in less than an hour, another rush would hit again.
Staring at the bubbling braising pot, Sora found himself zoning out, wondering if he should hire help. Even the number of servers wasn't quite enough now.
Ako and Riko were both drenched in sweat from working nonstop. If this kept up, they'd collapse from exhaustion.
Sora considered that, now that the sales quota task was done, he didn't need to keep pushing for money. Leaving some time for rest might be a better idea.
"One pork trotter rice, one spicy fries, one misu soup."
Just as that thought crossed his mind, another order came through. The first lunchtime customer had arrived. Luckily, pork trotter rice wasn't a hard dish to make—but managing it all alone was still a lot.
Sigh... Sometimes, having too much business can be a pain too.
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As night fell, Sora hung the "Closed" sign earlier than usual. Ako and Rikop went out to buy more flour, while he stayed behind to clean the restaurant.
Just then, the doorbell at the entrance jingled.
"We're closed for the day. Please come back tomorrow."
"You're closing this early? Guess the commoner's business isn't so great after all."
The visitor was none other than Erina Nakiri. A slight frown lingered on her face, and beside her stood a sharp-eyed girl with lavender-pink hair, brown eyes, a blue-purple top, and a pleated plaid skirt—a strikingly beautiful and confident young woman.
Arato Hisako. Sora recognized her immediately. She specialized in medicinal cuisine and was famously known as "Secretary." She was Erina's only friend—or more accurately, her best girl buddy. The kind with very, very strong friendship vibes.
"Oho, what brings the esteemed Miss Nakiri to my humble little restaurant? Don't tell me it's just to throw shade? Or… did my good looks stir your maiden heart, and you came all this way just to get my attention?"
Seeing Erina and Hisako at his door, Sora didn't really think they came just to mock him. Still, that didn't stop him from running his mouth.
After all, who was Erina Nakiri? The top prodigy of Totsuki Academy's younger generation, the youngest member in the academy's elite Ten Council, and the object of admiration for countless male students. A true goddess on a pedestal.
Being able to tease a goddess like that? It was a strangely satisfying feeling. Especially when he saw her flustered and fuming expression.
"You think I want to be here? I don't even know what Grandpa sees in you. He insisted I personally invite you to take the Totsuki transfer exam. But with your peasant-style cooking, there's no way you'd pass."
Erina bit her lip angrily. This guy's mouth was way too sharp! To say such disgusting things right to her face—she'd never been so insulted!
If it weren't for her grandfather forcing her to come and leaving her no way to weasel out, she never would've bothered with him.
"You insolent fool! Do you even realize who stands before you?!"
Hisako stepped forward, her expression darkening. She stood protectively in front of Erina, radiating fierce loyalty.
"Of course I do. She's Erina Nakiri. So?"
Sora shrugged. Respect is mutual. Since she didn't show him any, he didn't see why he should be polite either. Sure, he knew her attitude came from her upbringing, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
Who just walks into someone else's shop and starts mocking them? This girl's attitude needed correcting.
"You dare address Erina-sama by her full name?! Do you have any idea what standing she holds in the culinary world?!"
Seeing Sora's casual attitude, Hisako was visibly agitated. Why wasn't this guy playing by the rules? Everyone else bowed and scraped before Erina!
"Oh please. So she has a refined palate and gets invited to review dishes at top restaurants. Anyone could do that. The only reason people care is because she's the granddaughter of Totsuki's Director. They're just afraid of that power."
A mischievous gleam sparked in Sora's eyes. He had a wicked idea forming. His smug, sarcastic tone was the best way to counter their arrogance.
"That's not true! Erina-sama—!"
"Enough, Hisako! It's no surprise he doesn't understand my worth. Just like a stray mutt can't appreciate the value of a diamond."
Erina gritted her teeth, veiling her fury with disdainful sarcasm. But her clenched fists betrayed her emotions.
Wherever she went, she was worshipped. She had never been humiliated like this. She would remember the name Hoshino Sora.
"Oh? You sound really pissed. Since you keep calling my food 'commoner cooking,' why don't you whip up one of your fancy upper-class dishes? Show me what that's all about.
You say peasant food is simple and easy to copy—but surely your noble cuisine can't be replicated just by watching, right?"
"What… do you mean?"
Erina narrowed her eyes, unsure if she heard him correctly—or maybe she just didn't want to believe it.
"I mean, no matter what dish you cook next, I'll be able to copy it exactly—appearance, flavor, texture—down to the tiniest detail. Then we'll see just how 'noble' your cuisine really is."
"Copy it… in every aspect?! That's impossible!"
Hisako gasped, brows furrowing. To perfectly replicate a dish, every detail must be identical—down to the subtlest nuance in ingredients. No one could do that!