"Sorry, Miss Erina!"
The chef knelt before Erina, his face pale, his disheveled appearance a stark contrast to the arrogance he had earlier. With a heavy thud, he kowtowed, his forehead pressing against the cold floor.
But Erina's sharp gaze remained unwavering, cutting through the air like a finely honed blade.
"Do you think a simple apology can atone for what you've done?" Her voice was cold, each syllable laced with disdain.
She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.
"If I recall correctly… your ramen shop hasn't been doing well, has it?"
The chef visibly tensed.
"It's been 120 years since this establishment was founded. And yet, times have changed. Your original recipes no longer suit the modern culinary world.
Or perhaps…
You knew your ramen couldn't satisfy my God's Tongue—"
Her eyes narrowed.
"—so you resorted to deception?"
The room fell silent.
Hisako's expression twisted in anger as realization dawned.
"You…!" She turned toward the chef, her voice rising.
"You added poppy shells to the broth?!"
A stunned murmur swept through the staff.
"Poppy shells?"
"The kind used to create addictive flavors?"
"That's… that's illegal!"
The chef trembled.
"No, I— I just—"
"Shameless!" Hisako didn't let him finish. With a swift movement, she stepped forward and kicked him, her eyes blazing with fury.
"How dare you try to taint Miss Erina's God's Tongue with such underhanded tricks?!"
"That's enough, Hisako."
Erina didn't even spare the chef another glance. Her tone was flat—completely indifferent.
"A man like him doesn't deserve to be called a chef."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Just like that—
The prestigious, century-old Tokyo Ramen Hall would be erased from history.
Hisako, still seething, shot the chef one last glare before kicking him again for good measure. Then she hurried after Erina.
"Miss, I'm truly sorry," Hisako said, catching up to her. "If I had known he would resort to such disgusting methods, I never would have let him serve you!"
Erina didn't slow her pace.
"You don't need to apologize."
She flicked a strand of hair from her forehead.
"Even I didn't expect someone to be this foolish."
Then, as if brushing the entire incident aside, she changed the subject.
"What's next on my schedule?"
Caught off guard, Hisako blinked before quickly scanning the list of upcoming restaurant visits.
"Tonight at 7 o'clock, you have a reservation at a Western-style restaurant in Shunkatei."
Erina's steps faltered slightly.
"Shunkatei?"
The name felt familiar.
"Yes, Miss. It's a Western restaurant run by Sonoka, the former Second Seat of the Elite Ten."
Realization dawned in Erina's expression.
"A year ago, she invited me to taste her dishes," Hisako continued.
"You gave her very high praise back then."
"Ah… that's right."
Erina recalled the meal clearly.
"After I approved her cooking, Shunkatei became incredibly popular for a time."
But then—
Something didn't add up.
She frowned.
"Wait… why is she inviting me again only a year later?"
Hisako hesitated before replying, her voice uneasy.
"Well… from what I've heard, Shunkatei hasn't been doing well lately. In fact… it's on the verge of closing down."
Erina stopped walking.
She slowly turned to face Hisako, her golden eyes filled with disbelief.
"Closing down?"
"That's what I heard…" Hisako scratched the back of her head.
"It's surprising, right? She used to be the Second Seat. Her skills were undeniable.
And yet—
Just one year after receiving your approval, her restaurant is failing."
Erina's expression hardened.
"That makes no sense."
Even if the restaurant was on a competitive gourmet street, Sonoka was far too skilled to fall this quickly.
There had to be more to it.
Realizing she might have overreacted, Erina composed herself and cleared her throat.
"…Very well."
She flicked her hair over her shoulder.
"Let's go there tonight."
"Understood, Miss!" Hisako gave a small bow before stepping away to make the arrangements.
Left alone, Erina stood still for a moment, lost in thought.
"Shunkatei… Senior Sonoka… just what is going on?"
Later That Night – Shunkatei
It was just before 7 PM, and the restaurant wasn't yet open.
But in the building next door—
A young man sat by a second-floor balcony window, calmly sipping tea as he gazed at the night sky.
His name was Zane.
It was his daily habit—
Relaxing before opening his tavern.
But more importantly—
He didn't belong to this world.
His fingers tightened slightly around his teacup.
"A month…" he murmured.
"It's already been over a month since I arrived in this world."
The moon cast a soft glow through the window, highlighting his sharp features.
Zane let out a slow breath, his expression thoughtful.
He didn't know what the future held.
But with his skills—
And the system's help—
He would rise to the top of this culinary world.
He would stand above all others—
And reshape this era of cuisine.
Determination flared in his eyes.
With a lazy stretch, he set his empty cup down and prepared to open his tavern.
But then—
A sleek, black luxury car pulled up in front of Shunkatei.
Zane arched an eyebrow.
The restaurant often had wealthy customers.
But at this hour?
Something felt off.
His sharp gaze flickered toward the car.
And when the doors opened—
His breath hitched slightly.
"Huh…?"
The two figures stepping out took him by surprise.
"…It's actually her?"