As the night deepened, Mana left the director's office. She turned back toward her father, Director Senzaemon.
"Father, let's leave it at this for now."
"You're leaving already?" he asked with a mix of reluctance and helplessness. "You haven't even seen your daughter yet."
"There are still things I'm not ready for," Mana replied quietly. "And the longer I stay… the more regrets I'll carry."
"Erina still holds feelings for you," Senzaemon said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. His gaze drifted, as if recalling brighter days.
Mana felt a tightening in her chest but simply shook her head.
"I believe things will work out in the end—but now isn't the right time."
"I won't stop you," the director sighed, accepting her decision. "Just… take care of yourself."
"It's late. I must go. Goodbye, Father."
With that, Mana left the office with Anne by her side.
"Miss Erina," Hisako reported as they walked the narrow campus path, "the Sumo Hot Pot Research Society building has been completely demolished."
"Good," Erina replied flatly. She paused, nodding slightly. "At least the demolition team is efficient."
To her, the loss of another society meant little. If necessary, she could rebuild a new facility overnight. Still, Alice's reckless behavior earlier lingered in her thoughts.
Striving for excellence was fine—but arrogance born from a single victory could be dangerous.
"I hope she learns soon. One win in a Shokugeki doesn't mean you've conquered the world," Erina muttered.
Just then, a black sedan sped past them.
Erina happened to glance at the car—and her eyes locked with a woman in the back seat. A fleeting moment, but it made her freeze in place.
"That face—!"
Her heart skipped. Before she could react, the car was already gone. Erina turned and ran a few steps after it, but it had vanished into the night.
"Miss Erina?" Hisako asked, hurrying after her. "What's wrong?"
"It's… nothing," Erina said, forcing composure.
"Did you mistake someone?"
"Yeah. I must've," Erina replied with a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Hisako looked at her with concern, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
Even if the memory of her mother had grown faint, Erina was certain. That face—it had been Mana Nakiri.
But if her mother had really come to Totsuki… why hadn't she come to see her?
A dull ache stirred in Erina's chest.
She really was here… So why won't you come to me, Mom…?
[Ding Dong!]
[Sign-in complete.]
[Congratulations! You have received: Buddha's Delight Special Recipe. Ingredients: 10 catfish, 20 sea bream, 50 squid.]
With Rindō gone, Zane finally closed the tavern for the night. As usual, the system voice rang in his mind.
The reward was a generous one. Not only the rare seafood ingredients, but also the renowned vegetarian recipe, Buddha's Delight.
A dish rooted in Buddhist traditions, it originally flourished not in temples, but in the imperial courts of the Tian Dynasty. Today, it stood as the pinnacle of refined vegetarian cuisine—often incorporating mushrooms, wood ear fungus, bamboo shoots, and other seasonal vegetables.
Then there was "noodles that aren't noodles."
The phrase referenced a challenge from Chūka Ichiban!, in which Liu Maoxing faced a test during the Super Chef Exam. It could mean two things:
First, noodles made with noodle ingredients but shaped into something else.
Second—and more creative—noodles made from non-noodle ingredients.
The system's reward, Mian Fei Mian, clearly embraced the second: slicing catfish into delicate noodle-like strands.
"These are some solid dishes," Zane mused with a stretch.
"The tavern's business is booming. I seriously need to hire help."
Rubbing his temples, he headed off to wash up and sleep.
The next morning at Totsuki, Ikumi Mito stood before her mirror, adjusting her outfit. Her toned, bronzed skin gleamed in the light, and even her smooth back could turn heads.
"Nope, this lingerie's way too flashy," she muttered, pulling on a crop top instead.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell cut her off. Grabbing her top, she answered the door.
"Hisako? What brings you here?"
"There's something that needs your attention," Hisako said, explaining the situation with the Donburi Research Society.
Ikumi crossed her arms thoughtfully. Kanichi Konishi, the society's timid leader, was all bark and no bite. This wouldn't take much effort.
"Tell Miss Erina I'll handle it personally," Ikumi said confidently. "The competition on campus is fierce—I won't let her down."
Hisako gave a nod, pulling out a small, hand-drawn map.
"Still, there's somewhere I'd like you to visit first. It may help."
"A tavern?" Ikumi blinked at the destination.
"Yes. That's the place."
Totsuki's research societies were like clubs—some prestigious, others obscure. The Donburi Research Society fell somewhere in between.
Inside its modest room, Kanichi collapsed in despair.
"It's over… We're finished!"
"You still have a choice," Ikumi said coldly. "Surrender the society, or we settle this in a Shokugeki."
"C-Can you give us a few days—?"
"No deals. Hand it over or fight."
Just then, a new voice entered.
"Is this the Donburi Research Society? I'm a transfer student looking to join."
The door opened to reveal a red-haired boy—Sōma Yukihira.
Ikumi turned, surprised by his presence.
Kanichi, unsure how to respond, tried to protect him.
"If you're interested in donburi, maybe consider another club…"
"Why disband a good society?" Sōma asked, puzzled, already grasping the tension in the room.
"If I join now, can I challenge her in a Shokugeki?"
Both Kanichi and Ikumi were stunned.
"Thanks for the thought," Kanichi said, touched. "But getting involved with Miss Erina's people could get you in trouble."
"If it's ending anyway, why not give it a shot?" Sōma said, his eyes sharp with determination.
"Tch. You're really asking for it," Ikumi scoffed.