Totsuki Culinary Academy.
In this world where gastronomy reigns supreme, "Totsuki" is Japan's premier culinary school, a prestigious institution with a graduation rate of less than 10%.
In other words, this school operates on a brutal system of elimination.
Incompetent students are mercilessly expelled, but those who manage to graduate, backed by the Totsuki brand, will enjoy the glory of being culinary superstars for the rest of their lives.
At this moment, a tense atmosphere pervades the Totsuki Academy...
Even though it's after school, the spacious schoolyard is practically devoid of first-year students.
"Erina-sama, please wait for me!"
A crimson-haired girl with a secretary-like demeanor rushes across the schoolyard, clutching a file.
薙切绘里奈 turns her head in surprise.
"Hisako?"
"Where are you going, Erina-sama? The training camp starts tomorrow."
新户绯沙子 catches up, her expression serious. "Although I know Erina-sama doesn't care about something like a training camp, you specifically told me to reschedule all my appointments after today yesterday..."
"Calm down, Hisako, I just have something to do..."
"Eh?"
The secretary's face freezes in shock.
In her memory, Erina-sama had always been inseparable from her. Suddenly, to say she had personal business and leave her behind was unheard of.
But just then, a bluish light descends from the sky without alarming anyone.
A portal to another world opens.
方明镜 appears there.
新户绯沙子's eyes widen in disbelief, while beside her, 薙切绘里奈's face lights up with joy.
"Mingjing-didi." Her voice loses its usual arrogant tone.
"Erina-jiejie～"
方明镜 smiles at her with a hint of excitement.
But seeing that smile, 薙切绘里奈 feels an inexplicable nervousness.
Even though this wasn't the first time she had seen Mingjing-didi's face, when he stood before her, 薙切绘里奈 still felt a huge impact.
His long, black hair is tied up with a crown.
His frail body, so light that a single glance reveals its weightlessness. His snow-white, delicate skin emanates an air of luxury. When he looks at her with his exquisite, sculpted face, as delicate as a painting, for a moment, she feels as if the whole world has faded to black and white, with only his extraordinary beauty shining through...
新户绯沙子 is completely stunned.
What's going on?
What was that light?
Am I hallucinating?
"Are, are you alright?"
"What?"
"You should be fine after coming here, right?"
薙切绘里奈's question is a bit strange, like she's worried he might be carsick or airsick.
方明镜 shakes his head with a smile.
The girl soon realizes she's asked a stupid question, a blush spreading across her adorable, charming face. But by now, she has also relaxed a little.
"Since Mingjing-didi is here, Erina-jiejie will take you out shopping, okay?"
"Shopping for what?"
"Well, clothes, I guess? And then all sorts of useful stuff..."
薙切绘里奈 had already made a plan days ago.
Since Mingjing-didi would be staying here for a few days, clothes and other necessities were essential. And then she'd buy some things he likes...
"Erina-sama, are you going out shopping?"
新户绯沙子 seems to have heard something unbelievable.
"Y, yes."
"But is that okay? Erina-sama has never shopped for herself before. Do you know how to do it?"
"It's fine, I studied it all in my manga."
"Manga..."
新户绯沙子's expression becomes even more worried.
Despite living in the modern world, 薙切绘里奈 is actually a bit lacking in common sense.
She doesn't know how to shop, doesn't know how to use a washing machine, and even while everyone around her is using smartphones, she still uses that old-fashioned mobile phone.
If it weren't for the constant care and attention of 新户绯沙子 and the maids, she might be completely clueless about anything beyond cooking.
"Manga... Is it not suitable?"
"It's too dangerous!"
"Eh, but I feel like there shouldn't be any problems. And I also have a guide on how to go to an internet cafe in it..."
薙切绘里奈 remembers 方明镜 saying he wanted to play on a computer. And the manga she's been reading recently had a scene about an internet cafe.
She reread that scene many times after that, thinking it would be absolutely fine.
"Internet cafe!? Absolutely not! I insist on coming with you!"
"...Alright."
Overwhelmed by the sudden outburst of 新户绯沙子's energy, 薙切绘里奈's voice softens.
The secretary, having gotten her way, breathes a sigh of relief.
She quickly takes out her phone and starts typing a message to the driver, asking him to pick them up. Totsuki Academy is located in the suburbs, so to go shopping in the city, they need to take a car.
"It's good to have this sister around, huh?"
"Yeah..."
Hearing 方明镜's words, 薙切绘里奈 responds dejectedly.
She wanted to give Mingjing-didi the impression of a kind and capable older sister.
...
This chapter counts towards yesterday's update.
I'm a bit worried that this "Food Wars" part of the story might feel boring... Feel free to leave feedback in the comments. If it's boring, I'll write it quickly and end it.
Also, you can suggest which characters you'd like to see in the chat group.