Perhaps being constantly irritated by Renz had significantly improved Erina Nakiri's resilience. Though she still wanted to strangle him, she no longer burst out in anger.
"Reason?" Erina asked, frowning.
"This is an opportunity," Renz didn't hide his thoughts. "Do you think being publicly 'executed' once is better, or countless times?"
Erina didn't hesitate for a second. "Definitely only being publicly executed once is better." The feeling of being publicly "executed" by Hisako Arato today was unforgettable for Erina; she could recall that look just by thinking about it.
"Then what are you still hesitating for?" Renz bluntly stated his intention. "Isn't this an opportunity?"
Erina wasn't stupid; she had understood Renz's meaning.
"This competition of ours, it will at least gain some recognition in the culinary world, right? Presenting our best state isn't a permanent solution?" Renz continued. "Your friends and family, including outsiders, will find it very difficult to doubt our relationship. After that, the only trouble we'll have is maintaining our pretense in front of Rina and Haruki."
"Don't you want to make a comeback in the culinary world then? You can focus on your own work during the day, and I can take care of the children at home."
"In the evening, you'll just need to hug me in front of the children, and then you can rest."
"After a year, five years, ten years, Rina and Haruki will grow up and have their own ideas, and a peaceful separation will be fine."
Erina steeled herself. "Okay."
She had already held hands and hugged today. If this could be a permanent solution, reducing the number of public "executions" in the outside world, what was one more arm-linking?
Renz breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that she agreed. He had thought Erina would refuse. It seemed she wasn't completely unreasonable.
"Then let's go back and rest," Renz prepared to return to the room.
Watching Renz's receding figure, Erina hesitated, then finally blurted out, "Renz, do you think people change after ten years?"
"I don't know," Renz didn't understand why Erina suddenly asked this question.
"Hisako came to me just now, and what she said was nothing more than asking me to relax the assessment requirements a little. If it were in the past, she wouldn't have said such a thing," Erina said with a firm tone.
"Uh, that's because you two were in school back then, right?" Renz paused to think. "In school, it's definitely better to be strict, after all, if the school isn't strict, who knows what those students will become when they graduate."
"But now, having entered society, people probably care more about saving face, right?" Renz could understand Hisako Arato's actions. Renz's words were more tactful, but in adult society, it's indeed better to be a bit more flexible in handling things. Being too rigid can easily lead to being ostracized. From a certain perspective, mediocrity allows for conformity.
"Then what should I do?" Erina was actually asking Renz for his opinion. It was rare for the typically opinionated Young Lady to seek advice from someone else. Ultimately, she was still a 17-year-old girl psychologically.
"The meaning of life is to never forget your original intention. Why do you ask me?" Renz replied, "When you ask me, you've probably already made up your mind. You're only asking me to see if our opinions align, to seek reassurance. Even if I offer a different opinion, you won't change, and I won't force others to accept my opinion."
"Erina, make the choice you believe is right."
"I don't understand cooking, but I know you as a person."
"Whatever choice you make, no matter what it is, what I will and should do is only support you and support you even more."
Erina stood frozen.
"Even though you usually speak insensitively and seem unable to say anything decent, at critical moments, your words somehow manage to get a high rating from me," Erina nodded with certainty. "The future me, choosing you isn't without reason."
"On matters of principle, my stance won't change," Renz understood clearly that Erina wouldn't easily let dishes pass the assessment, regardless of whether it was a preliminary round or about saving face. He supported Erina being somewhat stricter in the assessments.
However, because Renz didn't understand many things, speaking or acting carelessly would only mislead others. He trusted the professionalism of professionals and simply supported their choices.
Erina was his wife in name. In terms of their position, they were both unlucky souls trapped ten years in the future. In choices regarding such matters, would they stab each other in the back instead of supporting each other?
"On matters of principle, my stance won't change either," Erina's statement already made her intentions clear: no substandard dishes would pass her.
"Today, on two matters, our opinions are very unified," Renz sighed. "To reward you, I'll sleep on the floor tonight." The first matter was proposed by Renz. The second was proposed by Erina. Both presented their opinions, and their steps were perfectly aligned.
As Renz walked out of the room, he measured the bed in Erina's room. It was a bit small, not as large as the one at home. It would fit Rina, Haruki, and one more person perfectly. If four people slept on it, there wouldn't be enough space.
The events of the last time he slept on the same bed as Erina were vivid, practically etched into his DNA. Renz would rather sleep on the floor now than share a bed with Erina. It would just make things difficult for himself. Besides, there was nothing wrong with his wife and children sleeping on the bed. Humility towards those who deserve it is a virtue.
"Go back to sleep, I'm getting a bit tired too," Renz said, stretching.
The next second, Erina reached out and linked her arm with Renz's.
"What are you doing?" Renz asked, perplexed.
"Just practicing in advance, so I won't be nervous then," Erina realized that linking her arm with Renz's didn't make her feel nervous at all.
"By the way, Renz, I don't know why, but lately I've suddenly started craving sour things," Erina said, frowning. "Could I be pregnant again?"
Renz pondered for a moment. "Maybe you always liked sour things before too?"
Erina thought about it. "That actually makes sense. As long as it's delicious, I can accept any flavor."
"When you make your comeback in the culinary world, since you've been retired for seven years, you'll probably need to get a health certificate, right? You can get a physical then," Renz said, shrugging. "If you really are pregnant, I'll attend the birth and be responsible all the way."
---Support with power stones