Xinhu Feishazi poured the ribs, fried to a golden brown with hints of dark brown, into a clay pot, skimming off the foam with a ladle. She exclaimed with a sigh, "It's good to have a powerful partner."
"To procure ingredients at a capture level of 10, you need at least a three-star or higher gourmet restaurant. That's the only way to get access to such ingredients."
"How can we, students still in training, ever get a chance to work with them?"
Cooking high-level ingredients, for a chef, is like a novelist hoping their work will be adapted into a movie or anime.
Such expectations are stronger than anything else.
However, not all students at Totsuki Culinary Academy have access to high-level ingredients.
Unless they're extremely wealthy or have a powerful partner.
Mizuho Ikemi arranged thin slices of ham on a porcelain plate, chuckling at Xinhu Feishazi. "Secretary-chan, the young lady is already Hong Yi's partner, which means you're practically his partner too."
Xinhu Feishazi lowered her eyes, taking a small sip of the yam and rib soup. "It's not the same..."
"Without Hong Yi's recognition, I feel like a fraud."
"By the way, where did Hong Yi go?"
"I don't know, maybe he's on the second floor..."
"Erynna is on the second floor too."
"A man and a woman alone... What if they..."
Mizuho Ikemi recalled the wild and crazy nights she had spent with Hong Yi. Her wheat-colored skin turned a rosy hue.
Second floor of the villa.
Wearing a matcha green silk robe, Nakiri Erynna was sprawled on the bed in her bedroom. She raised her white, smooth legs, swinging them back and forth while flipping through a comic book, engrossed in the story.
"It's killing me, when will the heroine and hero kiss?"
"Waaaah! They just kissed!"
"So sweet, even sweeter than the peach jam cake."
"The heroine is kissing the hero under the covers, it's like she's wearing a wedding dress!"
"Huh, what does it feel like to fall in love? When will I get to experience it..."
Nakiri Erynna couldn't help but daydream, a pink, bubbly, romantic atmosphere surrounding her.
In the hallway, Hong Yi arrived at Nakiri Erynna's bedroom.
"Huh? The door's open?"
Hong Yi's eyes flickered. Seeing the door slightly ajar, he didn't barge in but knocked gently.
When he got no response, he called out a few times.
"No answer, is she asleep? Erynna, I'm coming in."
Hong Yi pushed the door open and immediately saw Nakiri Erynna sprawled on the bed, propped up by pillows, swinging her legs while reading a comic book.
From his angle, he could see a glimpse of a breathtakingly white curve from the neckline of her white lace-trimmed robe.
"Erynna."
Hong Yi knelt at the edge of the bed, looking closely at her delicate features.
"Hm? Ah -"
"Hong Yi!"
Erynna cried out, frantically stuffing the comic book into her chest. She quickly scrambled forward, arms outstretched, pushing Hong Yi away.
"You didn't see anything, you didn't see anything."
Hong Yi stood still, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "The problem is, I did."
"Is it called 'Dragon and Tiger'?"
"!!!"
Nakiri Erynna froze, then her entire face turned red, like a dazzling sunset, spreading from her cheeks to her crystal-clear earrings, down her slender swan-like neck. Her head was emitting visible heat.
"You... You saw it!?"
"I'm done... I'm done... My life is over..."
Nakiri Erynna turned over, staring at the bedroom ceiling, her two hands covering her burning face.
"Why would it be over? There's nothing wrong with reading girl's comics."
"I've seen ecchi, and I love it."
Hong Yi stood above the bed, looking down at the girl.
【Congratulations, host, Nakiri Erynna's favorability +5 points!】
"Ecchi?"
"What kind of comic is that?"
Nakiri Erynna spread her ten fingers slightly.
Her violet eyes peered through the gaps, looking at Hong Yi's sunny and handsome face, a curious glint in her eyes.
"Ecchi... Uh, it's not important."
"Important! I want to see ecchi too!"
Nakiri Erynna was serious.
"Not suitable for young ladies, it's all about fairies fighting."
"Fairies? Like elves? I want to see it even more!"
"Uh..."
"To be strict, 'Dragon and Tiger' is a romance comic, not a girl's comic."
Speaking of which.
Hong Yi was surprised to see 'Dragon and Tiger' in the world of anime.
"Romance comic? Isn't that a girl's comic?"
Nakiri Erynna curiously sat up, tucking her legs underneath her, perched on the fluffy, soft pillow.
She was so easily distracted.
"It probably isn't."
"Anyway, I like watching 'Dragon and Tiger' too."
Hong Yi knew that Nakiri Erynna lacked common sense, but he didn't bother correcting her.
"Really?"
Nakiri Erynna exclaimed excitedly, but she looked at Hong Yi with suspicion.
"You've seen 'Dragon and Tiger'? You wouldn't be trying to make me happy, would you..."
Seeing that Nakiri Erynna didn't believe him, Hong Yi answered earnestly, "I'm not lying, 'Dragon and Tiger' is my favorite romance comic. If I remember correctly, the hero, Takasu Ryuuji, is good at housework. The heroine is called Taiga Aisaka, a tsundere like you."
"Who... Who's a tsundere!?"
Nakiri Erynna snorted and turned her head, crossing her arms, striking a classic tsundere pose.
【Congratulations, host, Nakiri Erynna's favorability +5 points!】
【Nakiri Erynna's current favorability: 80 points!】
It started at 65 points.
She had gained 5 points in favorability over the past week.
Adding the 5 points from catching her reading the girl's comic earlier.
And another 5 points for having a shared hobby.
Now, Nakiri Erynna's favorability had reached 80 points.
"20 points to go until 100. Keep trying, maybe we can increase her favorability by discussing the plot of the comic."
Thinking of that.
Hong Yi sat on the edge of the bed and began discussing the plot of 'Dragon and Tiger' with Nakiri Erynna.
For example, Taiga Aisaka using a wooden sword to pierce through Takasu Ryuuji's sliding door.
Or how Takasu Ryuuji uses his toothbrush to clean every nook and cranny.
Or how they often eat dinner together, go to school together, and go to the supermarket to buy ingredients for cooking together.
The lights in the bedroom were bright and warm.
Occasionally, you could hear Nakiri Erynna's happy laughter.
...
...
Meanwhile.
At the iron gate of the manor villa.
The lights flickered, "sizzling" on and off.
A tall man in a sharp suit emerged from the shadows.
His hair was meticulously combed, a single white strand in his black hair. His face was pale, and his expression was somewhat sinister.
"Erynna, you've escaped here?"
"Hehe, my daughter, do you think you can escape my grasp?"
Nakamura Tsugumi looked at the luxurious villa that resembled a mansion behind the iron gate, his face cold. He raised his gloved right hand and pressed the doorbell of the villa.
"Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~"
...
...
Thanks for the reward from 【★Old Salty Fish】!