"Alice, after you get to Totsuki, remember to keep in touch with young brother Dylan more often. He's been out in the world for a year, seen its dazzling and distracting side, and he himself is exceptionally outstanding. It's inevitable that bad women might target him."
At the airport in Denmark, Leonora Nakiri looked at Alice Nakiri, who had grown into a graceful young lady before her, and began to patiently admonish her.
"I know! Besides, we've already confessed our feelings for each other. Even if he really has other women out there, I'm still number one in his heart!" Hearing Leonora Nakiri's advice, Alice Nakiri's face turned a little red. At this moment, more than a year had passed since Dylan left.
"Isn't this because I'm worried about you? I watched you two grow up; how perfectly matched were you before? But now you only call once a week! Men, as creatures, if left to their own devices for too long, will inevitably develop other ideas. So you must hold onto him tightly!" Leonora Nakiri said with an experienced air. These two were a couple she had shipped since they were little; nothing untoward must happen to them, they absolutely had to end up together successfully!
"Brother Dylan isn't that kind of person!" Alice Nakiri pouted and retorted. Having grown up with him, she knew better than anyone what kind of person Dylan was!
"Even if he really has other women by his side, there will definitely still be a place reserved for me!"
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. This time when you go to Totsuki, you must get along well with Erina. I remember you two didn't get along when you were little and even argued often. Time flies, doesn't it? In the blink of an eye, you've grown so big. Having you leave so suddenly, I'm really a bit reluctant. If it weren't for the research I still have to conduct here, I would have gone to Japan with you."
Although Leonora Nakiri wanted Alice to stay with her a little longer, she also knew that when children grow up, they need to go out and hone their skills. Thus, despite her immense reluctance, she still decided to let Alice Nakiri go to Totsuki, to enter the third year of the middle school division as a transfer student, following Dylan's original idea: to hone her culinary skills through constant competition.
"That's because Erina said the cake I made was terrible! I made it with so much care, but she actually threw it away after just one bite!" Thinking about how Nakiri Erina had said with a disgusted look that her cake was terrible back then, Alice Nakiri still got extremely angry! That childhood incident, even thinking about it now, made her furious.
"You've completely transformed now. Go and show Erina what you're made of! Use your cooking to make her personally say the words 'delicious'!"
"Absolutely! This time, going to Totsuki, the first thing I'll do is find Erina for a Shokugeki, and severely crush her confidence! Consider it revenge!" Excitement burned in Alice Nakiri's eyes. This was another thing she had been looking forward to for several years: to shock Nakiri Erina with her skills! Being told her cooking was terrible back then was truly unforgettable for her; it even became a childhood trauma that made her stop cooking for a long time.
"In that case, go all out! No matter what you do, Mom will support you. After being trained by young brother Dylan for six years, followed by another year of settling and digestion, your culinary skill level has now thoroughly stabilized at the Special Grade. When you get to Totsuki, you'll definitely give your grandfather a big surprise!" Thinking of Alice Nakiri's progress this past year, a smile appeared on Leonora Nakiri's face.
In the year since Dylan left, it was as if Alice had suddenly had an epiphany, thoroughly internalizing all the knowledge she had previously learned. She could now consistently produce dishes of Special Grade quality. One could imagine that once Alice Nakiri arrived at Totsuki and showcased her abilities, she would definitely bring a 'little shock' to the students there!
"Speaking of which, why don't you take the Special Grade examination? With your skills, you'd definitely pass if you participated. Having a Special Grade Chef certificate is quite convenient in many aspects." As if remembering something, Leonora Nakiri asked with some confusion. Alice clearly had Special Grade abilities, so why didn't she take the Special Grade examination?
"I don't want the Danish Special Grade Chef armband. I want to be like Master, go to Guangzhou, China, and take the Special Grade examination there! And then obtain the dragon-shaped Special Grade Chef armband!" Thinking about how Dylan possessed extraordinary strength back then but didn't care about any empty fame, staying calmly in Denmark for so many years, Alice Nakiri naturally wasn't in a hurry to take the Special Grade Chef exam or fight for those so-called empty titles. She wanted to walk the same path as Dylan!
"I see." Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Leonora Nakiri suddenly understood. If it involved Dylan, then everything made sense.
"Attention passengers traveling to Tokyo, Japan. Flight XY4426 is now boarding. Please proceed to counter number 3 for check-in. Thank you!" Leonora Nakiri was about to say something more when the airport announcement sounded. The time for farewell pleasantries was coming to an end; it was time to board and depart.
"It's getting late. I'll be going then. I'll miss you, Mom." As she spoke, Alice Nakiri opened her arms and hugged Leonora Nakiri. The scene at this moment reminded her of how she felt when she saw Dylan off. Mom must be feeling just as upset as she did back then.
And at this very moment, apart from a faint sadness deep in her heart, she felt more excitement—excitement that she could break away from her previously unchanging life.
As for why she was going to Japan first? That was, of course, because the Guangzhou Special Grade Chef examination in China was very difficult. So she decided to first go to Totsuki to learn from a senior female student who had taken the Guangzhou Special Grade Chef examination with Dylan at that time. That senior's name was Megumi Tadokoro, currently the First Seat of the Totsuki Elite Ten!
"Be careful on your way!" Watching Alice Nakiri gradually recede into the distance, about to board the plane, Leonora Nakiri stood afar, waving and shouting loudly. At this moment, her feelings were equally complex.
"Master, I'm coming!"
Holding her ticket, she found her seat. Since she had money, she bought a first-class ticket. Alice Nakiri took out the photo of Dylan she always carried with her and gazed at it affectionately, her fingers gently caressing the boy's cheek in the picture, her face flushed with an indescribable, excited blush.
The day before leaving for Totsuki, she had a video call with Dylan. She told him about her upcoming trip to Totsuki and asked when he would come over. Originally, she had just asked tentatively; after all, she missed Dylan terribly. But unexpectedly, he directly replied: "I'll go to Totsuki after some time and stay with you there for a while." This sentence had kept her so excited that she couldn't sleep the entire night!
"This time, I absolutely won't let you leave so easily! Even if I have to cry and throw a tantrum, I won't let you run away! Alice is all grown up now; I can satisfy whatever you want!" Her fingers traced down the photo as Alice Nakiri murmured softly, her eyes revealing determination. Then, she hugged the photo to her chest, as if Dylan in the picture could embrace her.
The plane slowly took off, carrying the young girl's longing for her beloved and her yearning for a new life.
Destination: Totsuki Saryo Culinary Academy!
Japan, Tokyo Airport.
"When on earth is Alice going to arrive? How long do we have to wait here! Speaking of which, why did Grandpa insist that I wait here!" Constantly looking at her watch, a young girl with waterfall-like golden hair complained, dissatisfied. She had already been waiting here for over an hour!
"Due to a flight delay, it's been held up a bit. But in half an hour at most, Miss Alice's plane will arrive." Short, pinkish-purple hair, a bluish-purple top, and a plaid pleated skirt. With a slightly dashing look, the girl spoke softly beside the golden-haired girl.
"I had originally planned to let you, Hisako, try my newly developed dish today. Now, thanks to the flight delay, all plans are ruined!" Although she said this, her eyes still frequently glanced towards the arrival gate, clearly not as indifferent to her cousin, whom she hadn't seen for many years, as her words suggested.
"Lady Erina's new dish!!?" Hearing Nakiri Erina's words, Hisako Arato showed an excited expression, a blush visibly creeping onto her cheeks, lost in some thought.
"What a little glutton. Don't worry, even if it's a bit late, I'll still make it for you. I happen to want to hear your opinion too."
"Lady Erina's cooking is flawless from the moment it's created! How could I possibly offer any opinion!"
"That's true too. Well then, just enjoy it thoroughly when the time comes—my special dish~" Looking at Hisako Arato's expectant face, Nakiri Erina smiled, then reached out, lifted her chin, and gazed deeply into her eyes.
"Lady Erina!" Hearing Nakiri Erina's words and looking at her exquisite, beautiful face, Hisako Arato's eyes became somewhat dazed. As the most talented genius girl at Totsuki Academy, Nakiri Erina's cooking was undoubtedly exceptional; she was currently the strongest in Totsuki's middle school division!
"You two have such a good relationship! Long time no see, Erina."
Unbeknownst to them, the plane had already landed. Just as Alice emerged from the arrival gate, this was the scene that greeted her. For these two to be like this at an airport—they were quite bold!
"You... when did you arrive?" Hearing the vaguely familiar voice, Nakiri Erina was startled. Then she saw Alice Nakiri walking towards them from not far away. In just that short moment, the other party had already arrived in front of them.
"Just when you two started your lovey-dovey moment." Alice Nakiri answered truthfully. She had seen the two of them gazing deeply at each other, looking very much like a yuri couple, as soon as she walked out of the gate. "However, Nakiri Erina really hasn't changed a bit. She looks exactly the same as when she was little, just a bit taller."
"We were not being lovey-dovey! We were just having a normal conversation!" Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Nakiri Erina's cheeks flushed red, while Hisako Arato straightened her clothes and stood aside silently.
"Mm, I understand. Normal conversation, right?" Alice Nakiri nodded, showing an 'I get it, no need to explain' expression. However, seeing her like this, Nakiri Erina became a little flustered.
"It's not what you think! You... I... Forget it, just assume it was like that." Nakiri Erina anxiously wanted to explain, but found all words of explanation too feeble. In the end, she could only give up helplessly and turned her head away.
"Since we've met up, let's go quickly. The driver has been waiting outside for a long time." Continuing to stay here was somewhat awkward. Nakiri Erina called out to someone behind her and prepared to leave.
"Wait!" Watching the girl about to leave, Alice Nakiri suddenly raised her voice.
"Is there anything else?" Nakiri Erina stopped, turned her head, and looked at Alice Nakiri with confusion.
"Let's have a Shokugeki, Nakiri Erina. Let me see how much you've improved over these years." Without much preamble, looking at the girl whose expression was stunned and whose eyes held disbelief, Alice Nakiri revealed a provocative smile.
"A Shokugeki? Me and you?"
"Of course. You wouldn't dare refuse, would you? The number one genius girl of Totsuki Academy!" Before coming, Alice Nakiri had already done her research. Nakiri Erina was number one in Totsuki Academy's middle school division, crushing the second place with an overwhelming gap in skill. She was also hailed as the genius with the most potential at Totsuki Academy.
"Not dare? What a joke! Since you want to compete, I'll grant your wish! So, what's the wager for the Shokugeki? Don't tell me you haven't prepared one." Although it was a simple provocation, Nakiri Erina easily took the bait. On one hand, she felt she wouldn't lose. On the other, she also really wanted to test this cousin who had grown up in Northern Europe. She had heard that Alice had made considerable achievements in molecular gastronomy and even had a notable reputation internationally; her grandfather had specifically told her about it. However, something new like molecular gastronomy, no matter how impressive, could never surpass time-honored traditions. So, she had never really considered Alice Nakiri as her rival. Now, reunited after a long separation and faced with this sudden challenge, although she felt a slight panic, after some thought, she still agreed.
"The wager? Let me think... If you lose, you have to call me 'Big Sister' every time you see me. That's my wager." She placed a finger on her lips and thought for a long time. Then, as if struck by a flash of inspiration, Alice Nakiri said to Nakiri Erina with a cheerful expression.
No wonder she felt something was off earlier. Nakiri Erina was being too disrespectful to her! She's the younger sister; she should use honorifics for her older sister!
"Call you Big Sister... Then what if I win?" Hearing Alice's words, an image of herself unwillingly calling Alice 'Big Sister' appeared in her mind, and dark lines immediately appeared on Nakiri Erina's forehead.
"If you win, I can unconditionally grant you one request. However, you can't possibly win." Alice Nakiri said bluntly. After six long years of training by Dylan, plus a year of her own settling and digestion, it was impossible for her to lose! This wasn't confidence; it was a statement of fact.
"How shameless can you be! I hope you don't cry when you lose!" Hearing Alice Nakiri's words that clearly didn't take her seriously, Nakiri Erina looked slightly annoyed and then retorted with light, mocking words.
"Cry? I certainly used to, but that's all in the past now." Thinking about the experience of being trained by Dylan until she cried, Alice Nakiri pursed her lips. That really wasn't a good experience. However, there were also things that made her happy, like Dylan always being by her side. Although he was strict, every day was incredibly fulfilling and very happy!
"Since we're having a Shokugeki, let's set a time then." From agreeing to a Shokugeki to the start of the match, there is generally a buffer period of three to seven days to allow both contestants to prepare.
"It's probably not dinnertime yet, right? In that case, why don't we just seize the day instead of picking another. Let's go right now!" Looking up at the sky outside the airport, an incredibly strong fighting spirit appeared in Alice Nakiri's eyes. She had already been looking forward to battling Nakiri Erina while on the plane. Now that the main person was right in front of her, how could she possibly endure waiting for several days? Of course, she wanted to settle it tonight and make Nakiri Erina lose sleep!
"Now? The Shokugeki Administration Bureau needs time to arrange a Shokugeki. It's not like you can start whenever you want!" Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Nakiri Erina's heart skipped a beat. Was this girl always this kind of character? There wasn't some trick involved, was there?
"Such a small problem shouldn't be difficult for you and me to solve, right?" Alice Nakiri looked at Nakiri Erina with a half-smile, then took two steps forward to her side. "Or are you scared?"
"Of course not! Since you're so eager to lose, then tonight it is! What's the theme of the Shokugeki? We can set it according to what you're good at!" Being provoked so directly to her face, Nakiri Erina couldn't take it anymore. As the favored daughter of heaven at Totsuki Academy, she had her pride too! What's more, she possessed the God Tongue, coupled with her own outstanding talent, and was hailed as the most promising person of the younger generation in Japan's culinary world!
"What type of cuisine are you best at?" In order to properly demonstrate her authority as the older sister, Alice Nakiri decided to start with Nakiri Erina's specialty and completely crush her!
"I'm an all-around player!" Nakiri Erina said with a hint of pride.
"Knows a bit of everything? That means not proficient in anything, right? In that case, let's randomly draw the theme when the Shokugeki happens." Hearing Nakiri Erina's words, Alice Nakiri pinched her chin and said bluntly.
"What are you talking about! I'm very proficient in everything, okay! In three years of middle school, I've experienced many, many Shokugekis, and I haven't lost a single one!" Seeing Alice Nakiri doubt her abilities, Nakiri Erina immediately became a little annoyed and started to talk about her track record from the side.
"Yes, Lady Erina is very skilled! She at least has the level of an Elite Ten member!" Hisako Arato also chimed in to support her, but she spoke sincerely, because Nakiri Erina was indeed very skilled in her eyes!
"That just means your opponents were too weak. Alright, Grandpa should have prepared a house for me, right? Take me to my place first~" Looking at Jonah, who was behind her carrying her large and small bags of luggage, Alice Nakiri waved at him, then looked at Erina again, asking her to lead the way.
"You, fellow, are really not polite at all!"
"After all, we're cousins! And besides, you owe me this!" Thinking about how the letters she sent to Nakiri Erina when she was little all vanished without a trace, with the other party not even replying once, Alice Nakiri's face couldn't help but pout. This girl was really too infuriating!
"What do you mean, I owe you?" Nakiri Erina frowned and asked in confusion. However, although she was a bit annoyed, she still obediently led the way. After all, this was a task her grandfather had specifically assigned her before she left.
"Hmph, you know very well in your heart!" Alice Nakiri snorted coldly and suddenly quickened her pace to walk ahead. However, before she could get far, a voice from behind made her stop.
"You're going the wrong way. The airport exit is this way." Watching Alice walk towards the underground parking lot, Nakiri Erina speechlessly pointed to the airport exit in front of them. This girl, is she an idiot?
"I know!" Alice Nakiri raised her voice, then turned around, returned to her original spot, and walked towards the airport exit according to the signs.
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