Erina had already begun preparing her dish.

  Her movements were precise, filled with a quiet fidehat showed just how skilled she truly was. It was clear that cooking was where Erina's true fidence shone.

  Meanwhile, Alice watched with a mischievous smile.

  "I wonder what Ryuji and Miss Kaguya would like to eat?"

  "For me, anything is fine!" Ryuji said, unfazed. He wasn't picky as long as the food was delicious.

  Kaguya thought for a moment and nodded. "If possible, something lighter would be nice!"

  "No problem!" Alice replied cheerfully and turned her attention back to her preparations.

  pared to Erina's more traditional approach, Alice's setup was more plex, plete with scales accurate to the gram.

  Alice specialized in molecur gastronomy, a type of cuisihat required absolute precision in ingredient measurements and cooking teiques.

  "Amazing, isn't it?"

  Ryuji noticed how Kaguya's eyes were fixed owo chefs and asked with a smile.

  "It's incredible!" Kaguya said, uo hide her awe.

  Having spent most of her life fio her family's estate and fog solely on academic studies, she wasn't aced to seeing something like this. While her family had talented chefs, their cooking didn't pare to what was unfolding before her now.

  "It's more than just cooking—it's like watg an artist at work."

  "Hahahaha!"

  Senzaemon's hearty ugh echoed across the room as he heard Kaguya's words.

  Erina and Alice were both pride and joy to him. Hearing Kaguya's genuine admiration for them filled him with satisfa.

  "Miss Kaguya, if you ever wish to visit Totsuki Academy again, you're more than wele at any time."

  Even if Ryuji wasn't involved, Kaguya's status as the daughter of the powerful Shinomiya family would have been enough for Senzaemon to extend the invitation.

  "Thank you, Mr. Nakiri. I'll keep that in mind!"

  Kaguya didn't refuse. Seeing the level of skill firsthand had piqued her i, and she wao know more.

  But what really caught her attention was Ryuji. Standing nearby with a warm smile as he watched Erina and Alice cook, an idea suddenly crossed Kaguya's mind.

  "Ryuji-san," she started, intending to ask him something, but before she could tinue, he reached out aly flicked her forehead.

  "I've told you before, don't be so formal. Just call me by my name," he said, smiling.

  He'd told her this before, but Kaguya always reverted to calling him "Ryuji-san" out of habit. It felt more distant that way, and he wanted her to feel fortable around him.

  "I uand," Kaguya said, toug her forehead where he'd tapped her. There was no trabarrassment, only a fluttering feeling in her heart.

  Does this mean he wants us to be closer? she wondered, a shy smile spreading across her face.

  "Ryuji, do you enjoy food a lot?"

  The thought that Ryuji might be a food enthusiast, and that's why he came to Totsuki, filled her with excitement.

  Ryuji didn't think much of the question and answered holy, "Food is one of life's greatest joys. Life would be too dull without having something to enjoy."

  Once you reached a certain level of strength, life could beonotonous. For Ryuji, his pursuits were simple: good food, beauty, and the small pleasures of life.

  "I see!"

  Kaguya nodded, her expression thoughtful as she pondered something to herself.

  Senzaemoed across from them, ughed again and added, "A simple pursuit indeed! You're a man after my ow, Ryuji."

  "…"

  Sometimes, if you couldn't find the right words to pliment someo was best not to say anything at all. Senzaemon's attempt to bond over shared ses felt clumsy and a bit awkward.

  "Food's ready!"

  Erina's voice broke the moment of awkwardness, drawing everyone's attention.

  A dish of seafood ced in front of Ryuji and the others. The vibrant colors and rich aroma were enough to captivate anyone who looked at it.

  "Erina, you've truly outdone yourself," Senzaemon said, his eyes gleaming with pride. He knew his granddaughter's talent well, but her skills had clearly reached new heights.

  "Hmph!"

  Erina crossed her arms and looked away, a small, proud smile on her face. Despite her fideerior, she couldn't help but g Ryuji, eager for his rea.

  "I'm dooo!"

  Alice was just a moment behind, presenting her dish with equal pride. Her food, a stunning dispy of molecur gastronomy, was delicate and intricate in a way that trasted beautifully with Erina's bold presentation.

  "Please enjoy," Alice said with a wink.

  "Let's dig in!"

  Ryuji reached for Erina's dish first.

  "This is incredible!"

  Kaguya, who had taken a bite, couldn't help but excim.

  She'd always heard that Totsuki students were ary prodigies, but she never imagihe food would be this exceptional. Her past had been so focused on studies and responsibilities that food had been little more than susteo her.

  Now she uood why Totsuki was sidered the pinnacle of ary education in Japan.

  Senzaemon, oher hand, didn't say anything immediately. Instead—

  "Crack!"