She took out her phone to check the current time.
There was still half an hour until departure.
Tokai Shizen didn't know if she should change into a chef's uniform, but after a brief thought, she decided against it, as she didn't even own one. So, she wouldn't change.
Tokai Shizen, without her cooking utensils, locked her small shop and then sent an email to Maruzensky, Representative Chiaki, and others, asking them to help look after Mochizuki. After that, Tokai Shizen left the restaurant.
Rudolph Symboli, sitting in the private car, watched the scenery rapidly receding outside the car window.
She was thinking about what she might have overlooked.
Sirius Symboli was handling the Tokai Family, so Rudolph Symboli didn't need to worry.
However… a slight sense of crisis lingered in her heart, forcing Rudolph Symboli to consider what else she might have missed.
Tokai Shizen, sitting on the bus, looked at the scenery outside the window, still thinking about what would be best to do today.
After all, it was a family banquet, so the usual family dinner style probably wouldn't be suitable. But if she were to prepare a French multi‑course meal, would it be too formal for a family gathering?
Thinking about various problems, Tokai Shizen took out her phone.
She needed to research what kind of meal would be best for such a gathering.
Eventually, time gradually passed as she conducted her research.
Even after getting off the bus, Tokai Shizen didn't stop her research; she continued walking forward with her phone in hand.
As Tokai Shizen walked forward, researching information, a black sedan drove past on the road.
Although it was an internal family banquet, there were still parts for inter‑family communication, so Rudolph Symboli would arrive a certain amount of time early.
"Are we almost at the Mejiro Family?"
"We'll be there in a moment."
Hearing the driver's reply, Rudolph Symboli didn't say anything further. She simply withdrew her gaze from outside the car window and readjusted her posture back to her original dignified sitting position.
And because Rudolph Symboli was looking straight ahead, she missed someone slowly walking on the pedestrian path.
Tokai Shizen noticed the changes in her surroundings and looked up.
Only then did she realize that she seemed to have entered the Mejiro Family's domain.
Noticing this, Tokai Shizen put away her phone and returned her gaze to the front.
The Mejiro butler stood at the main entrance, seemingly there to usher guests into the Mejiro Family.
Behind the butler, within the Mejiro residence, a black sedan was gradually driving towards the parking lot.
Tokai Shizen, seeing this scene, didn't pay too much attention. She simply quickened her pace slightly and walked up to the butler.
"Ms. Tokai, the kitchen is ready. Please follow me to the kitchen."
The butler didn't make any unnecessary gestures regarding Tokai Shizen's arrival. He simply treated Tokai Shizen as he would any other guest.
And following behind the butler, Tokai Shizen didn't ask anything.
After all, she was working here now, and it wouldn't be good if asking questions made others feel displeased.
Together with the butler, Tokai Shizen bypassed the main entrance where many guests were entering and walked into the Mejiro residence through a side door. She was quickly led to the kitchen by the butler.
After the butler pushed open the kitchen door for Tokai Shizen, she saw the chefs already standing by, waiting for her.
Looking at them, the petite Tokai Shizen's expression became noticeably more nervous: "Um, you can just follow the usual recipes from previous years, and I'll add one final dish."
She chose not to make all the dishes herself, as Tokai Shizen felt she might not be very good at those types of cuisine.
The head chef, hearing Tokai Shizen's words, looked at her.
The head chef knew that Tokai Shizen was still unfamiliar with the Mejiro Family's pre‑determined menu, which was why she was adopting this approach.
However… "I'll leave the seasoning and temperature control to you, Chef."
Hearing this, Tokai Shizen simply nodded, then took out her phone to continue researching what she hadn't finished earlier.
Mejiro Ardan looked at the dishes on the table, which were the same as in previous years, and her expression didn't change much.
Rudolph Symboli, seeing the familiar dishes in front of her, didn't say much either. She simply picked up her knife and fork and began to eat.
However, it was only after taking a bite that both of them realized something was off.
Although the dishes looked similar to previous years, the taste was completely different.
This was a standard that would make anyone exclaim how delicious it was.
And finally, a main course completely different from previous years was placed on the table.
Of course, the portion size was more like a dessert than a main course.
Looking at the main course on the plate, which was stacked with various sliced root vegetables, resembling a dessert, Rudolph Symboli's expression softened slightly.
Even she would become gentle when eating delicious food.
She picked up a small portion with her fork, put it in her mouth, and then Rudolph Symboli's expression changed slightly.
This was a dish that, compared to before, wasn't necessarily better, but it made the person tasting it feel better.
Savoring such a taste, Rudolph's expression finally relaxed.
She wasn't sure who made it, but the thoughtfulness within it was indeed tasted by Rudolph Symboli.
Moreover… there was also a slight sense of familiarity.
With this attitude, after finishing the last small portion, Rudolph Symboli put down her fork: "This chef is truly amazing."
Her voice and tone were slightly softer than usual.
"Yes, a chef I happened to find before. She only comes when invited."
Mejiro Ardan, who said this, simply looked at the plate with only a little sauce left.
An empty plate is an affirmation of the dish.
And eating this main course, the girl's expression changed once again: "She usually runs a restaurant on the Shopping Street near Tracen Academy, so you can taste her cooking there normally too."
Mejiro Ardan's words only made Rudolph Symboli nod.
After finishing this meal, Tokai Shizen had no intention of staying longer, because just as the Mejiro Family had a Christmas banquet, Tokai Shizen also had people to celebrate Christmas with.
So, after completing her duties, she left the Mejiro residence.
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