"Is that so?"
After hearing Satou's words, everyone was very disappointed, especially Isshiki Satoshi. He had never encountered cabbage with such a taste before.
But thinking about it, it made sense. Such a good taste must come from very precious ingredients, so it was normal for Satou not to have much.
"Anyway, let's continue celebrating. I don't know why I feel so energetic."
Isshiki Satoshi said happily, wiggling his butt.
"Exactly! I feel like I can stay up all night!"
Aoki Daigo and the others were also in high spirits.
Looking at these overly energetic guys, Satou suddenly felt a little regretful. He should have made Yangzhou Fried Rice instead of Hand-pulled Cabbage.
"Let's play cards!"
Yuki Yoshino took out a deck of playing cards.
"Ca… cards?"
Erina Nakiri stammered.
"Yes, let's play until dawn!"
Yuki Yoshino said enthusiastically.
Time passed quickly, and it was soon early morning.
Although they had eaten Satou's energizing Hand-pulled Cabbage, after a day of classes and a night of playing, everyone unconsciously fell asleep and didn't really fight until dawn.
Erina Nakiri was curled up on the floor, sleeping like a kitten.
"Well, it's getting late, so we'll take our leave."
Satou bid farewell to Isshiki Satoshi and Yukihira Soma.
"What about Nakiri?"
Isshiki Satoshi asked.
"I'll carry her back."
Satou said, carefully carrying the Tsundere on his back.
"Then I'll leave Nakiri to you."
Isshiki Satoshi nodded, saying meaningfully, "I look forward to your future performance."
"Satou-jun, I look forward to the day I can have a match with you!"
Yukihira Soma also said.
"Mm."
Satou carried Erina Nakiri out the door, waved his hand, and said, "Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Isshiki Satoshi and Yukihira Soma waved at the door.
Next, under the starry sky, Satou walked alone on the road, carrying Erina Nakiri.
"Phew, I didn't expect her to be so heavy."
Thinking of the forty-minute walk to the mansion, Satou felt like crying without tears.
Erina Nakiri was sleeping soundly on his shoulder, her lips slightly curved, as if she was dreaming a sweet dream. Gone was her usual imperious young lady image; she was unexpectedly delicate and cute.
"This girl, she must have had a lot of fun tonight, right?"
Satou muttered to himself. Although Erina Nakiri sat alone at the banquet, not talking to anyone and out of place with the lively atmosphere, he could still tell that she was very happy inside.
"She's really not honest."
Satou recalled how Erina Nakiri looked like she wanted to play poker but didn't dare, staring longingly, and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.
By the time Satou returned to the mansion, he was almost exhausted.
He carried Erina Nakiri into her room, then placed her on the bed, helped her take off her shoes, and covered her with the blanket.
Before leaving, Satou hesitated for a moment, leaned down, and gently kissed her petal-like lips, muttering to himself, "This is the reward for carrying you back."
Just then, Erina Nakiri suddenly reached out and hugged his neck, softly murmuring in her sleep, "Don't go, will you stay with me?"
Satou was pressed against Erina Nakiri, smelling her faint girlish scent and the glimpse of snowy white from her open collar. Satou couldn't help but swallow.
To say he wasn't tempted would be a lie.
But in the end, he still didn't harden his heart.
Even though the Tsundere was usually imperious, she probably really hoped for someone to accompany her, right?
Satou got up from her, stroked Erina Nakiri's soft blonde hair, and whispered, "Have a good dream."
Then he covered her with the blanket and quietly left the room.
After arriving in his own room.
"Host has completed the mission and received the Steamed Fish recipe."
"Steamed Fish
Recipe Level: Bronze
Effect: Makes one radiant."
"Host has created a dish with a score of 80 or above and received a reward of Cooking Level +2."
"Forget it, I'll practice tomorrow."
Satou was truly exhausted today. He yawned, took off his clothes, and went straight to sleep.
…
The next day.
The morning sunlight streamed through the large balcony, falling on Erina Nakiri's fair face.
She frowned slightly, then slowly opened her eyes.
"I think I fell asleep yesterday."
Erina Nakiri sat up, found herself in her own bedroom, and then looked at the tightly pulled blanket over her and her intact school uniform beneath it. "Did that guy carry me back?"
She knew how far Polar Star Dormitory was from here. Satou carried her back alone…
A warm current slowly flowed from her heart.
"This guy isn't too bad after all."
A faint smile blossomed on her lips.
After Erina Nakiri got out of bed, she changed into a new school uniform, then went to the bathroom and found that Satou was already awake and brushing his teeth.
"Good morning."
She rarely greeted him.
Satou was instantly startled!
The Tsundere actually greeted him first?
Had the sun risen from the west?
"About yesterday…"
Erina Nakiri's face flushed, and she turned her head, hesitating how to thank Satou, when she heard Satou complain, "Speaking of which, Erina, you need to lose weight. Do you know how tired I was carrying you, who was like a dead pig, by myself yesterday?"
A vein popped out on Erina Nakiri's fair forehead, and then she saw that what Satou was holding in his hand was the very cup she usually used for brushing her teeth.
All gratitude instantly vanished into thin air.
"You hateful guy! Didn't I warn you not to touch my personal belongings?"
A roar echoed from the bathroom.
The two of them, as usual, finished washing up amidst their bickering and then went to school.
That day, Satou attended classes at Far Moon for another day, and he received an A in every subject.
After class, Satou originally wanted to go back with Erina Nakiri, but the Tsundere seemed to be avoiding him, so he had no choice but to return alone.
"Host has received a new mission.
Mission description: Form the Rare Ingredients Research Society.
Mission reward: Illustrated Guide to Fantasy Ingredients.
Time limit: Within seven days."
As soon as he returned, Satou received a new mission.