Chapter 43. Calm before the Storm.
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{POV: MC}
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The moment I came out of the dimensional gap, the time was already morning and I bet everyone currently having breakfast.
*Growl*
I'm forget that I haven't eaten any dinner last night.
Anyway, I called Iris in this rural area. I could always teleport back but what we are going to talk is quite important so I need to be with her privately.
There is a chance that she knows what I'm talking about in the dimensional gap... her minion in my shadow after all.
"Iris-chan!! Come to me!!" I yelled out.
*Blink*
...!!
She immediately appeared in front of me and yelled back "Aaah!! Noisy, Satoru. I'm about sleep you know? And you, what are you doing last night in the dimensional gap?"
...She really act like my fairy or something like that, to have appeared when I randomly called out.
"So you know what I'm going to talk about right?" I said to her.
"No, I'm not. The connection with my minion got closed when you only go to the dimensional gap. There is no shadow on the dimensional gap, remember?" Iris replied.
Oh... She is right.
After that, I proceed to tell her what happens there, the dragon god's plan, the situation, and their information about knowing the enemy base location.
...
"To get the dragon god's support easily, that is something impossible to do, as expected of the protagonist. I know that I look like a friend with Great Red and getting along with him but he is always able to kill me anytime he wants." Iris explained.
"Did you afraid of him?" I asked.
"Not really, that big guy mostly doesn't care about me. For now, I will inform the rest of the alliance about this situation and you should just take a rest for now." Iris said to me.
I agree with her, and also I'm feeling pretty hungry too.
I should meet the friend's group after this.
>>>>>
I walk toward the dining room to meet everyone. I should prepare an apology too.
...
As expected they are currently having breakfast. When they have noticed me, all of them showing concerned expressions to me.
...
"Satoru-kun!! Where do you go last night?" Akeno greets me.
"Satoru-san! Are you alright?" Kaori also greets me.
"Are you done with your own self-loathing?" Kaguya followed greeting me with the very spicy remark.
...
I feel so lucky to have them... Though Kaguya never stops being herself.
"Ah, sorry. I was just walking around last night. Hunting shadow and stuff. You know, it is my responsibility" I said to everyone.
...
I sit down and take a portion of the food on the table which is a sandwich and salad (?). After that, I begin to look at everyone here properly... There are Akeno, Kaguya, Ai, Hachiman, Komachi, Kaori, Asia... and that's it?
...
"Where is the rest of the group?" I asked.
"Erina-san and Hisato-san is the one who made our breakfast, Ravel-san is still unconscious... Only your sister, we are don't know about it Satoru-san. Last night she said she will find you but she hasn't come back." Kaori explained.
...fishy.
I know the fact that my sister always could teleport to my location yet I don't think she did that last night.
How much lie my sister cause until now without I realize it?
I am really blind, aren't I?
I really should talk with her later.
....
As I thought where is my sister goes, I take a bite on the sandwich... and damn, it is quite good. As expected of Nakiri heir and her assistant.
Not as good as my cooking though.
...
"I know what you are thinking right now!! You thought you are better at cooking than us right?" (???)
???!!???
I look up then found Erina and Hisato currently watching me eat with everyone.
Did it really show in my face?
"Nah Nah!! I think it is great, right!! Erina nee-sama and Hisato nee-sama are really good cooks." Asia said to Erina as she flail her hand, panicking.
"Y-Yeah! I think all the people on here could agree about that, except Satoru-san... that's it." Hachiman also followed.
It seems everyone realizes what happens and tries to minimalize the potential conflict, but...
"Hmm... I think Satoru the dufus cooking is better than this." Kaguya said bluntly
...I know Kaguya would bluntly rebuke it.
...
...
Erina and Hisato who hear what Kaguya said look at me intensely as looking on the killer of their parent.
I can predict where is this going.
...
Erina then pointed at me. "You and me, Let's do Shokugeki. Cooking battle proving who is the better chef among us."
Yep, called it.
She is a proud woman. I bet she forget that I'm her grandfather's student too.
*Sigh*
I stand up from my chair after only take a bite from their sandwich... which is kind of... bruh. Damn, I'm even not having breakfast yet.
"Alright then. The bet?" I asked.
I honestly didn't need any bet but I think it will be interesting to have one.
...
"OOooooohh!!"
Kaori yelled and get everyone's attention in the room.
???
"How about whoever the one did lose calling others with -sama suffix for the rest of the week. This way no one really suffer physically even if they did lose" Kaori said.
!!!
"That's a good idea. I agree." I said.
"I also agree. But then who will be the judge?" Erina asked.
"Everyone on here will be the judge, is that okay everyone?" I said to everyone here.
...
"Okay"
"No problem"
"Sure I always have stomach for a good food."
...
Seems everyone agrees to be the judge. Well, it is free food for them.
"Because everyone already has their breakfast, I think the theme of cooking will be something light to eat." Hisato said to give to her idea.
Both of me and Erina nodded at the same time.
"I'm fine with it. Let's just started cooking." Erina said.
...After that, we proceed to go to the kitchen and try our best to create the best light food to consume for the groups.
...
...
Later, I will be reminded that my sister is still missing.
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{POV: Matsuzaka Satou}
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Last night I sneak out from the friend's group and going to Khaos Brigade as they called me.
I have no idea why they called me but I need to because they are currently blackmailing me.
Grrr...
...
They might be asking the detail of the alliance meeting yesterday, I bet.
While slowly walking in this dark hall, My thought currently occupied by something more important.
...
Onii-chan's love toward me has been decreased.
And perhaps there's potential where is Onii-chan doesn't love me anymore.
I can feel it.
Onii-chan begin to doubt me... like he got so mature suddenly or getting smarter.
In the past, he would not care about what I did for him.
He will just believe me.
But now, he didn't.
He even asked Iris-sensei about what I did to him and why I lied to him.
Why?
Did the war make him a bit matured... from all the experiences he got on this week?
Or it is because he use that mode again? Encounter.
...
Probably the latter. But that's means I can't do anything about it.
Knowing Onii-chan, he might use it more to save more people in this war and at some point Onii-chan won't love me anymore.
...
I don't know what to do to make Onii-chan love me again.
I am very scared that he will leave and be disappointed with me.
...
...
If I were only able to actually lock Onii-chan away, from others...
Only for myself...
I wouldn't have this much-complicated problem on my hand.
...But Onii-chan in fact is always stronger than me and that's what makes it impossible.
Even though I have done my best with all my ability to train, Onii-chan is the peak of a cheat existence.
*Sigh*
...
Let's put it aside for now. The result of the 'protagonist', The guy, Kusanagi Shuuma or Aconite is quite disappointing.
He might be strong in supernatural standards, but to win against that thing, he is nowhere to be enough.
...
But I have no other concrete plan to fight that thing. I am desperate enough. All of my secrets will come out if I didn't kill it faster, yet I know perhaps the one who is able to do that is only Onii-chan.
I need to end this war faster or Onii-chan will be forced more to use that mode.
I will decide what I need to do later on.
...
Finally, I have arrived at a big ass hall where all asshole of Khaos Brigade gathering.
"Yoo Miss Knife, you are late!! cuddling with your brother again?" Rizevim the clown greets me.
Tch. I always hate this guy so much, second only to the masked girl.
"I need to make sure no one followed me and that takes a bit of time" I said and give a reasonable cause for my late.
"Pffft. Like I would believe that. Miss Knife" The masked girl responded.
...!!
She summoned her spear and immediately aim at my stomach.
!!!
This girl..!! Immediately I throw my knife toward her neck in less than the blink of an eye.
*THROW*
....!!
But she easily stops that with her cheating sphere.
*Clank*
!!!
"Nice attempt miss knife. You would get me if I'm currently not holding my proudest spear." She responded.
Both of me and her prepared our fighting stance but then...
Rizevim shoot me from behind with a magic attack.
*BANG*
!!!?
He almost got me!
Why he attacked me?? It was a normal occurrence for me to fight against a masked girl but I think I have no problem with this clown.
Even though I also hate him.
"Why you are attacking me, clown!?" I yelled out and prepare my knife.
Hearing what I said, Rizevim the clown grinning and replied: "New plan, we are going to catch you so we have hostage we could use against the champ"
...!!!
They called me to capture me, I thought they call me to ask for the info from the meeting!
I'm forgetting that they didn't really need me anymore!
How I didn't think this through at all and just coming down here without preparing anything.
I just need to escape.
I need to get out of this dark castle and teleported away.
I wouldn't last against all of them and I might need to open some of my abilities right now.
[Potential]
!!!
Immediately transformed into my adult form and I can feel my instinct amplified.
"Interesting form, so you able to get adult as much as you want?! Let me stab those big breasts damn it!" The masked girl yelled to me.
"Run Chicken Run!" The clown said with an amused tone,
*Bang* *Bang*
!!!!
I quickly ran out to the west side, the place where I came from but then I feel space distortion around me.
It is the mask girl attack as I'm too familiar with it.
!!!!!
Left Right Left Bottom Right
!!!!!
*Bang*
I jump and move slightly to avoid the incoming teleport spear attack.
Thanks to my sense and instinct I am easily able to detect that. Especially in this form, it was amplified.
I keep running onward but then a blonde man with mixed blond and black hair wearing a black coat coming to me while grinning.
"Where are you going, Ojou?"
The evil dragon Crom Croach said to me. I'm trapped!
As I prepare to jump out the way from him, I didn't realize someone was already at my behind and anticipated my next move.
A solid punch landed on my back and thrown me after the impact.
....!!!
*BAMM*
I get thrown away and crashed to this building pillar. The impact was so great that the entire column of a pillar was destroyed.
!!!!!
*Crash*
"...I hate hitting women but this is the command from Enosh-sama." (???)
I look up and found the strongest human number 7, Azai Gonzou was the one hitting me.
...
*Cough* *Cough*
It hurt so bad! I forget to activate strengthen magic. What's wrong with me?! Why I'm so stupid?!
...
Deep down I know the reason why I become like this is becauas Onii-chan's love decreased toward me. Occupied my mind and making me think irrationally all day.
I can't really think logically.
...
Then the masked girl, Rizevim, Crom Croach, and Azai Gonzou already surrounded me before even I'm able to stand up.
!!!
...
I probably need to go all out for real to escape from here.
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{POV: MC}
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Erina and I were roughly done with our cooking a half hours later with a Light food theme, which easily means 'desserts'.
Erina has made a fine chocolate homemade pudding meanwhile I have made a strawberry one. Thanks to the magic refrigerator too made it possible to cut a lot of time instead of waiting for days.
Both puddings have a plain appearance, so only the taste would be judged here.
...
...
Well, the result is obviously on my side. Erina at this age is not at the same level when she is at the academy (canon) and even if she did, I doubt she would win either.
But as a fellow chef, I did my best... to respect her effort. The final score was me winning with a landslide.
...
"As I thought, Satoru just much better cook. You really able to do anything huh?" (Kaguya)
...Not really, but thanks for your opinion.
"Pink boy cook better" (Ai)
...In the past, I would slap you if you call me that, you know?
"Mm... I hate to say but Satoru-san cooking was more impactful than Erina-san dessert." (Hachiman)
...That's quite a good opinion Hachi.
"Komachi think this strawberry pudding was much better!" (Komachi)
...Thanks Komachi-chan, I shall make more dessert for you to eat later on.
"Satoru-san pudding is just much softer and sweeter than Erina pudding. But I think both is the best!" (Kaori)
"I agree with Onee-chan!" (Asia)
...Well, but it is still my win thought, blonde sister.
"The texture, taste, sweetness, and aftertaste of Satoru-kun pudding are much better than Erina-san pudding. Satoru-kun also seems to use special honey and milk on its ingredient... which is kind of fresh too." (Akeno)
...Thanks for your lengthy commentary Akeno-san, I also surprise you notice the main ingredients.
"I hate to admit it, Erina-sama. But Satoru-san food tastes much better than you." (Hisako)
...Even your own assistant didn't bias her opinion in judging food huh.
>>>>>
Erina sitting down on the chair look defeated on her face.
"For the first time, someone of the same age defeated me." She muttered.
...
Well of course. There are always bigger fish in the ocean.
She really forgets that her grandpa is privately guiding me huh. And my supernatural advantage too.
I take out one last special pudding that I prepared earlier for my sister from my storage magic. I know this might be a ridiculous idea normally to give out something that I prepared for my sister
But I can always make more later for my sister.
I offered her the strawberry pudding in front of her.
"Eat it."
...
She look at me hesitating and replied "I didn't need any of your pity."
"Eat it."
...
Everyone was still here watching me and Erina curiously.
...
After a few seconds, Erina finally take a plate of pudding on front of her and begin to taste it.
....!!!
?????
Her face immediately distorted and moaning pleasure.
"Ahhhhhn!?"
Erina begins furiously ate all the pudding left in seconds and then she has a very 'satisfied' expression on her face. Everyone in this room was surprised by the ever-majestic Erina-san actually being able to make that kind of face.
Oi Oi Oi!! I didn't put any drugs on there. The others also taste this but they didn't have your kind of face. Looking at a ducking 12 years old kid make ahegao expression is illegal you know?!
..
"Erina-sama?!" Hisako yelled out.
"Dufus, what's wrong with that pudding. Did you put something more on that?" Kaguya asked me.
.....???
I also wondering about that, Kaguya.
...
["User, you might be putting much more effort than other pudding on that one unconsciously since that one was for your sister. Also remember, she has God Tongue right, so the taste might be intensified in her mouth."] The system comment on me.
...Oh!! That might be true! Also, welcome back system. But I don't really remember God Tongue has such effect. Another thing different from canon?
Anyway, Did you successfully contact ROB?
Yeah, the reason why there is no system comment on me all this morning is that I told him to focus on an attempt to contacting ROB.
["ROB promise to meet us in next few days when he was free."] The system replied.
...That's good to know. Hopefully, ROB knows a way how to deal with Enosh and the reason why he is freakin strong to begin with.
....
Suddenly I felt a shake on my body, halted my thought process.
*Shake*
Erina is holding my shoulder and shaking me intensely, make me a bit dizzy.
"How you cook a plain-looking pudding this delicious! I have tasted a lot of food in my life but none able to defeat the taste of this simple dessert!" Erina furiously asked as she shaking me hard.
*SHAKE* *SHAKE*
"Damn it, stop shaking me first!!" I said to her.
"A-Alright. But first, let's introduce ourselves. I think you have not even once to call me by name right?" I said while scratching my head.
I really want to get along with Erina since she is an important character on Shokugeki no Souma... and she is also getting along pretty well with the group.
She definitely will be part of the group in the future. I can feel it.
"Ehhmm... I agree. My name is Nakiri Erina. I am the heir of Nakiri Group and holder of God Tongue. You can call me anything you want." Erina said as she introduce herself gracefully.
"Quite a short introduction, Erina-chan." I said to tease her.
...
"Erina-chan?!" Erina shocked.
"Why you are calling Erina-sama first name!?" Hisako also followed.
"What's wrong with it? I called everyone here with their first name, Hisako!" I replied.
"W-What?!" Hisako was also shocked.
"Wow, this girl really reminds me of Ai," I said with a tired tone.
"I never act like that Satoru-san." Ai quickly retort.
"S-Stop it Hisako. He can call me anything he wants, his status is also above me anyway. Besides if you notice all group members did that already with our name." Erina responded to her assistant.
"Satoru."
"Hah?"
"Call me Satoru. Don't forget adding-sama too, you lost after all. I won't tell you the secret how to make the pudding so good If you didn't do that." I said triumphantly to her.
Erina gritting her teeth, she probably doesn't like it. But it is our agreement.
"Grr... Alright, S-Satoru-sama." Erina said.
Satoru-sama.
It doesn't seem to sound too bad honestly.
...
"Watching this dufus with big ego is also gritting my gears." Kaguya said in the back.
...
I hear it Kaguya.
"Anyway, the reason why my pudding was much better than yours is that my skill was much better than you, but that pudding especially has an extra effort on it. It was the result of my love and the pudding was the embodiment of my love.." I explained to her.
Both Hisako and Erina look at me with a deadpanned expression, but that's the truth.
...
"Is this guy has something wrong in his head?" Hisako is the first one to respond.
"Are you joking?! Love?! I love cooking more than everyone else! I can't accept your answer!" Erina lashed out to me.
"Whatever, but that's the truth. I was cooking that one pudding saving it, especially for my sister. She wasn't here so I was giving it to you to cheer you up. On a note, I do really love my sister. She is the only family I got left in this world." I explain my reason calmly.
That's the most logical reason I can think of.
...
"That makes sense. I know the fact the food in Satou-san plate always tastes much better than ours. I once taste it after all." Kaori said as she nodded in understanding.
...I'm sorry Kaori.
"That's quite a cheesy reason, Satoru-kun." Akeno commented.
...No comment.
"Well, this dufus is goddamn siscon. Even though it has been lessened these days, he would be always the most retarded among us." Kaguya also followed.
...That's rude but it is the truth.
...
...
Erina hear me and the group's explanation after that calmed down and look frowned. She muttered. "I see... I never have someone that I could consider to be loved before."
"Erina-sama..." Hisako said as she was concerned to her mistress.
...
I forget Erina has a bad father issue. I wonder why Sanzaemon-san didn't do anything about it though.
["Perhaps you could teach her how to be loved?"] The system suddenly commented.
That's a good idea. I will invite her officially to be a part of the group.
["...I mean you can do it yourself use."] The system corrected me.
Nice joke, system.
...
I grab Erina's shoulder and she looks at me right away.
"Let's befriend. Join our friend's group so you can feel how to be loved!! Besides, you are not really alone. I think your assistant love you, Erina-chan. Everyone is with me right?"
She look at me with surprise and then quickly she nodded happily on my invitation.
That's cute.
...
Wait, why there's no one support me here right now? I'm pretty sure that Erina is not hated by the group.
...
...
"Ano... your sentence is quite weird there, Satoru-san. You are not thinking to include me the part of your harem just because I am also part of the group right?" Hachiman said with a deadpanned tone.
"NO, I AM NOT!!" I yelled out.
Everyone in the group is laughing at my abrupt response.
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["I feel the end is closer. I wonder what happened to the sister though."] The system monologues as he ends the chapter.