#394 - Is Nakiri Senzaemon a big shot?

Even Souma Yukihira hadn't expected that the Saiba family's restaurant was now so impressive.

Now, even coming for a meal meant being suspected of being a fraud? And before him, there had been ten people who had impersonated Saiba's friends to cut in line?

Minezaki, who was also helping out in the restaurant, noticed the dispute at the entrance and curiously went to see what was happening.

When she saw Souma Yukihira arguing with the staff, she looked at him with surprise and said, "Isn't this the kid from next door? Didn't you go to Totsuki Academy? Why are you back now?

I heard that the classroom evaluations at Totsuki Academy are quite strict. Did you get expelled for failing?"

Hearing what Minezaki said, Souma Yukihira immediately protested and retorted, "You're the one who got expelled! I, Souma Yukihira, am destined to stand at the pinnacle of Totsuki Academy!

What about you? Hasn't Saiba kicked you out yet?"

Minezaki and Souma Yukihira were not fond of each other. Souma Yukihira still resented Minezaki for trying to wreck their business before.

Minezaki also didn't like seeing Souma Yukihira because she was worried that he wouldn't give up and would try to drag Saiba to Totsuki Academy with him.

"Minezaki-san, they said they were friends of Saiba-san…"

"I know, you go back to helping in the restaurant. I'll take care of them."

Because the restaurant's business had improved and some management reforms had been implemented, Saiba and Minezaki couldn't handle everything alone.

So after discussing it with Saiba, Minezaki hired a few new employees.

Originally, with the restaurant's business getting better and better, and Saiba wanting to slack off, he planned to hire some beautiful female waitresses.

After all, he wasn't short of money now! Even if the beautiful girls weren't as capable as the male employees and would cry for a long time after being hit, at least they were pleasing to the eye.

However, Saiba's suggestion was rejected by Minezaki, who used Saiba's own words, saying that the restaurant wasn't a café and the waitresses needed a certain level of physical fitness, so she hired all men.

Of course, besides the fact that the restaurant work was indeed quite hard, Minezaki also hired male employees because she was worried about inviting trouble.

No way, she hadn't even managed to get to first base yet! Although she was confident in her looks and figure, what if a strong rival appeared?

"As you can see, not only have I not been fired by Saiba, but I'm now the second-in-command in the restaurant.

Saiba is really busy right now. If you want to challenge him to a shokugeki, why don't you come back tonight?"

Minezaki naturally knew about the relationship between Souma Yukihira and Saiba, but Saiba had also complained to her that Souma Yukihira often challenged him to shokugeki without any warning.

So Minezaki thought that Souma Yukihira was here to challenge Saiba to a shokugeki again, but Saiba was already too busy to handle it, so she said that.

"I really didn't come to challenge him to a shokugeki this time. These guys wanted to try Saiba's cooking, so I brought them here."

As Souma Yukihira spoke, he stepped aside, allowing Minezaki to see Nakiiri Senzaemon and the others behind him.

Nakiri Erina, with her "God Tongue," was always treated as an honored guest whenever she went to a restaurant. Now, being turned away by a small shop, she looked quite unhappy and wanted to say something.

However, before she could speak, Nakiri Senzaemon, who was next to her, took the initiative to say, "I apologize for coming without a reservation.

But this old man is usually busy with matters at Totsuki Academy. Could you please make an exception this time?"

Although he was the Director of Totsuki and known as the "Food Demon," Nakiri Senzaemon didn't put on any airs and instead expressed his apologies.

"Erina, you need to understand that no matter what your status is in Totsuki Academy, here, we are just diners who want to taste delicious food, just like everyone else waiting in line.

Compared to those who are waiting, we are not special. It was wrong of us to come without a reservation and try to cut in line. If you don't understand this, you can't become an excellent chef."

Hearing Nakiri Senzaemon's reprimand, the proud Erina humbly nodded and didn't dare to speak again.

Minezaki, who had once been in a leadership position, saw the silver-haired old man's aura and the presence he exuded when he spoke. Anyone who wasn't an idiot could tell that he was a big shot.

Unable to figure out his identity and afraid of offending him, Minezaki quickly pulled Souma Yukihira aside and whispered, "Who is this old man? I don't think he's an ordinary person."

"This old man is…" Souma Yukihira wanted to introduce the old man, but then suddenly realized that he didn't seem to know him either.

Although he didn't know the old man's name, after thinking for a moment, he said, "I don't know who this old man is, but he's the one who let me enter Totsuki Academy. He must be some kind of instructor or leader at Totsuki Academy…"

Seemingly hearing Souma Yukihira and Minezaki's whispering, Erina had just been reprimanded by her grandfather and was embarrassed to speak again, so she could only give a look to her secretary.

As Erina's close confidante, Hisako Arato sighed and said, "The two people in front of you, this is Nakiri Erina-sama, who advanced to the high school division from the middle school division with top honors and is the tenth seat of the Totsuki Ten Masters.

As for this gentleman, he is the current Director of Totsuki Academy, the titan of the Japanese culinary world, Nakiri Senzaemon-sama, known as the 'Food Demon.'"

Hearing Hisako Arato's words, Souma Yukihira was one thing, but Minezaki's expression was completely stunned.

No wonder she felt that the old man's aura was much stronger than her pot-bellied former boss. It turned out that he was a big shot beyond her imagination!

And that blonde beauty, no wonder she felt that she looked familiar. It turned out that she was the "Ice Queen" with the "God Tongue" among the Totsuki Ten Masters. She had seen her on TV before.

Seeing the surprised expression on Minezaki's face, Erina proudly raised her fair neck and looked at Souma Yukihira with a provocative gaze.

The meaning revealed in her eyes was also very clear, as if to say, 'See, this is the expression a normal person should have when they hear my name.'