"So, for this trip to China, does everyone need to go?"
Three peaceful days passed.
Dylan had given everyone a three-day break. Although some couldn't stand the quiet and came over, he sent them all away.
And so it went until three days later. On this day, Dylan called everyone over for a brief meeting.
At the end of the meeting, Hisako Arato raised her hand and asked the question on everyone's mind.
"That's right. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even if you don't participate in the competition, you can gain experience by watching the masters duel, learn a few things, and improve your own culinary skills."
Dylan nodded. The main reason for calling everyone over was for them to learn, not just to watch a competition. He hoped they would gain something from this trip.
"The competitors for this tournament will be Erina Nakiri, Alice Nakiri, Megumi Tadokoro, Hisako Arato, and Liu Yu. I hope you all perform well."
"The age range for this competition is very wide, from as old as thirty to as young as twelve. Anyone within this age range can participate."
"So, you will be facing opponents who have been studying cooking for several years, or even more than a decade, longer than you have."
"It's no shame to lose to such opponents. Don't put too much pressure on yourselves; after all, you are still very young."
"Of course, if you can win, don't even think about losing. I look forward to meeting you at the summit!"
Dylan's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally moving. Especially when he mentioned meeting at the summit, everyone's body trembled slightly.
It wasn't fear, but intense excitement!
Because from what Dylan-sensei was implying, it seemed he would also be participating in the competition. As long as they kept winning, there would come a day when they would meet and compete against him.
"Also, there's this. I've prepared masks for you, along with pure black cloaks. They symbolize your identity with the Underground Cooking Society. You cannot use your Totsuki identities for this competition."
As he spoke, Dylan picked up a box from beside his feet and placed it gently on the table. It was filled with masks of various designs and black cloaks.
"So tacky..."
Yūki Yoshino looked at the items in the box and couldn't help but blurt out a complaint. She then picked up a mask that looked somewhat like butterfly wings and put it on.
"Not bad, it feels quite fitting."
Looking at herself in her phone's camera, Yūki Yoshino made a peace sign at the lens, thinking to herself that the mask really did suit her face shape.
"I like this one, like a demon that crawled out of hell. If I wear this to face my opponent, maybe they'll be scared off before we even start!"
Alice Nakiri picked up a red-headed demon mask, put it straight on her face, and then made a series of baring-teeth-and-claws motions at the others.
However, paired with her stunning figure, such actions had no intimidating effect whatsoever. Instead, a strange thought of wanting to pin her to the ground and force her to do certain things emerged in people's minds.
She thought she could be the hunter, little knowing that in the eyes of others, she was merely the prey. Of course, Dylan wouldn't say such things to her face.
"Ahem."
Seeing Alice Nakiri's gaze turn toward him, Dylan subtly shifted his line of sight, looking at Liu Yu, who was seated to his left.
"Competing while wearing a mask? It feels kind of cool. It's time to let them know how formidable our Underground Cooking Society is!"
Putting the mask on her face, her voice filled with irrepressible excitement, Liu Yu's entire aura changed, becoming mysterious and noble.
"This one suits you quite well."
"Thank you."
Seeing this, Dylan couldn't help but offer a compliment. Liu Yu, in turn, thanked him as if she were overwhelmed by the favor.
"Speaking of which, are we allowed to wear masks in the competition? Won't that violate the rules...?"
After playing with the mask in her hand for a moment, Erina Nakiri asked the crucial question.
In her opinion, not showing one's face during a competition was extremely rude. Would the organizers in Fujian, China, allow such a thing to happen?
"Don't worry. A culinary competition tests a chef's technical skill, not their looks. If your cooking is up to par, it's fine even if you use a codename. But if your skills are lacking, you won't gain much respect, no matter how beautiful you are."
On that topic, Dylan continued speaking. The main purpose of this competition was to recruit for the Underground Cooking Society; otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to so much trouble.
Additionally, it was also a chance to test what Erina Nakiri and Alice Nakiri had learned during this time. The Totsuki Summer Selection was of too low a caliber; the opponents didn't even include a single Special Grade Chef. It couldn't serve as a proper test.
"I understand."
After listening to Dylan's explanation, Erina Nakiri nodded in agreement, indicating she understood, and then remained silent.
"Are there any other questions?"
"If there are no more questions, you can go back and pack. We will officially depart in three days. Make sure to arrange any unfinished business and clear your schedules."
Clapping his hands and looking at the girls whispering among themselves, Dylan asked once more if there were any questions, then announced the specific departure time.
"Since there are no more questions, the meeting is adjourned. Everyone gather at the villa in three days. We'll leave for the airport from here."
After saying this, Dylan stood up, ready to return to his room. But just then, Megumi Tadokoro suddenly stood up and blocked his path.
"Um... Dylan-sensei."
Megumi Tadokoro's face showed a hint of hesitation, as if she was debating whether to speak here. Dylan saw through her thoughts and said with a smile, "Let's talk as we walk."
"Okay."
Watching Dylan's departing figure, Megumi Tadokoro quickened her pace to follow him. Soon, the two disappeared from the living room, leaving only the soft sound of a closing door.
"Thump."
"What did you need me for?"
Looking at the young woman before him, Dylan sat casually on the bed, then patted his own thigh, motioning for Megumi Tadokoro to sit down.
"I want you to come home with me. I let it slip when I was on the phone two days ago, and I had no choice but to tell my family about... you and my mother's wishes. My mother wants to meet you."
Although she was a bit shy, considering their current relationship and the fact that there were no outsiders around, Megumi Tadokoro mustered her courage and stepped forward to sit on Dylan's lap.
"Your mother? Alright. But the competition is about to start, so there isn't much time. I'll go back with you tomorrow morning and stay at your house for two days to help out."
Hearing Megumi Tadokoro's words, Dylan thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. He didn't have much to do for the next two days and had time to meet his future in-laws.
"Really?!"
Megumi Tadokoro's voice rose a couple of notches, her face beaming with excitement.
She originally thought Dylan was managing a million things and would be too busy. She wouldn't have said anything even if he had refused, but she never expected him to agree!
"Why would I lie to you about something like this? Besides, I've been wanting to see your hometown for a while now, to see the place where Megumi grew up. To see what kind of place could nurture such a gentle and lovely girl."
Reaching out to pinch Megumi Tadokoro's nose, Dylan's eyes were filled with affection as he spoke sweet words, which made the young woman in his arms very shy.
"You'll have to introduce me to everything then, take me around, and show me the local specialties."
"Okay! I'll be a great tour guide."
Stroking Megumi Tadokoro's head and hearing her reply, Dylan smiled. He would treat it as a short trip to relax, especially since her family ran a ryokan.
"Oh, right. Remember to help me buy a gift for visiting your family. It's my first time calling on them, so I can't leave your father and mother with a bad impression."
As if remembering something, Dylan added a reminder for Megumi Tadokoro. After all, it was his first visit; he had to leave a good impression.
"Don't worry! Leave it all to me. You don't need to worry about a thing."
Hearing Dylan's words and seeing that he had even considered gifts for the meeting, Megumi Tadokoro felt deeply valued and looked at him seriously.
"Mm, let me know if you need anything. I'll transfer the money to you later."
As he spoke, Dylan lowered his head, burying his face in the crook of Megumi Tadokoro's neck and sniffing gently. A faint fragrance entered his nostrils, refreshing his spirit.
"I understand. Dylan-sensei... I want to kiss."
Feeling the tickling sensation on her neck, Megumi Tadokoro's cheeks flushed red. His steady breathing on the back of her head made her entire body feel weak.
"As you wish."
With such a beautiful, well-endowed girl sitting on his lap, and with her acting so seductively, her body squirming slightly, Dylan could barely hold back. Hearing her words, he immediately used his hand to cup her head.
This time, Megumi Tadokoro was very proactive. Dylan's hands started to wander, causing her to melt in his arms like a puddle of mud.
After about half an hour, Megumi Tadokoro left the room with a faint blush on her face. By now, everyone else had left, and only Alice Nakiri remained in the house.
"You're out. I thought you two wouldn't be done until the afternoon. But looking at things, it seems you still haven't broken through to the final step."
Seeing Megumi Tadokoro appear in the living room, Alice Nakiri looked somewhat surprised.
She hadn't come out for so long that Alice assumed they were having an intense battle in the room. She had even pressed her ear to the door and did hear some strange sounds...
"Not yet. I feel like it still needs a bit more time. These things should happen naturally. Alice, may I borrow the bathroom?"
Knowing what Alice Nakiri was referring to, Megumi Tadokoro's face turned beet red, especially when she thought about what had just happened. So she asked to borrow the bathroom.
"This is your home from now on. Use the bathroom whenever you want, no need to ask me. The room at the end of the hall on the third floor is one I've specially reserved for you."
Alice Nakiri nodded. Since Megumi Tadokoro was with Dylan, she was now one of her sisters, so she had specially prepared a room for her.
"Thank you."
Hearing the acceptance in Alice Nakiri's words, Megumi Tadokoro felt a warmth in her heart and thanked her sincerely before heading into the bathroom.
"I'll lend you my clothes, so you don't have to put your dirty ones back on."
Watching Megumi Tadokoro go straight into the bathroom, Alice Nakiri seemed to remember something and trotted back to the room, where she was greeted by a familiar scent.
"So it's reached that stage? But Megumi said they haven't broken through the final line of defense, which means they used..."
Her face flushed unnaturally. Because of her frequent nightly 'tastings', Alice Nakiri was very familiar with the scent currently in the room.
As if realizing something, Alice Nakiri shot a look at Dylan, who was lying on the bed playing on his phone as if nothing had happened. No wonder Megumi needed a shower.
"Stop playing on your phone. If you have time, hang up the laundry from the washing machine. You're going out shopping with me later. We haven't had a proper date in so long!"
"Alright."
Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Dylan put down his phone and started busying himself around the villa.
The next morning.
After the usual closing ceremony before the holidays, Megumi Tadokoro, pulling a suitcase, appeared with Dylan at the train station at the foot of Totsuki mountain.
By now, the sky was bright. It was just eight in the morning. The station was filled with students heading home, along with a few working adults.
"Goodbye, Dylan-sensei."
"Goodbye."
Smiling and bidding farewell to a student boarding the train, Dylan wore a professional smile.
"Tadokoro-san, I saw your match at Totsuki. It was truly astonishing! I never knew there was such a way of cooking. I'll always be rooting for you!"
Nearby, Megumi Tadokoro also had a fan, clearly someone who had watched the Shokugeki match a couple of days ago. Seeing her, they came over to express their admiration.
"In any case, thank you for your support."
Being spoken to so suddenly, Megumi Tadokoro couldn't help but blush. She clearly hadn't expected to have fans of her own and replied politely.
"Can we take a picture together?"
"Of course."
"And an autograph!"
"Sure."
At the end of their conversation, the girl looked at Megumi Tadokoro with eager eyes, asking for a photo and an autograph. Finally, she grabbed her hand with a joyful expression.
A successful fan moment!
"See you after the autumn break, Dylan-sensei! I'm going to go home and train hard. The next person to shine on the competition stage will definitely be me!"
"Good luck. I look forward to your performance."
"Dylan-sensei..."
As the most skilled teacher at Totsuki and the students' pillar of support, Dylan was noticed by a group of students as soon as he appeared at the station.
However, no one crowded around him. Instead, they watched from a distance, only approaching to say hello when their train was about to arrive before departing with an air of detached coolness.
This avoided any awkwardness while still allowing them to be seen by Dylan—killing two birds with one stone.
About ten minutes later, the train they were waiting for pulled into the station. Since it was a direct train to the countryside, no one else besides them boarded.
"Dylan-sensei is really popular, isn't he?"
As soon as they boarded, the two found a window seat with a view of the scenery outside. Megumi Tadokoro looked at Dylan with a grin and spoke in a slightly teasing tone.
"Speaking of popular, isn't Megumi, too? It seems that Shokugeki match the other day won you quite a few fans."
Dylan teased back. The fervor of that fan just now had left even him a bit speechless.
"This is just a small thing for me. If Dylan-sensei wanted, the whole world would probably be your fans. Of course, the biggest fan is me."
Resting her head on Dylan's shoulder, looking at the sparsely populated train and feeling the warmth from his side, a strong sense of happiness washed over Megumi Tadokoro.
This was the life she wanted.
Simple, happy, with the person she loved by her side.
_____
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