On the Eve of Change
"Waiter."
Azami Nakiri wiped his mouth with a clean napkin, then elegantly raised his hand to call a nearby "train conductor."
The conductor quickly approached and asked softly, "Sir, what do you need?"
"Call your head chef. Tell him it's Azami Nakiri," Azami said with a warm smile.
The perfect arc of his smile made the young "conductor" blush and her heart race.
"Please wait a moment. Our chef usually doesn't come out to meet customers, but the name Nakiri carries weight here at Totsuki. I'll go inform him."
The conductor, blushing, quickly walked toward the kitchen.
Not long after, Eizan Etsuya, the chef of this stall, came to the front hall looking flustered.
"Eizan Etsuya," Azami said calmly.
"Are you really..." Eizan stammered.
...
"Ah, it feels good to be full," Rindo said as she left Eishi Tsukasa's stall, feeling revitalized.
Trailing behind her, Megumi's expression was dazed in the dim light. She had truly witnessed Rindo's astonishing appetite. She had never seen anyone eat so much!
Sometimes, Rindo felt she was easy to please. For her, a satisfying meal could be as simple as instant noodles, hot pot, or a beef patty. For a foodie, hunger was akin to a martial artist losing their skills, but a good meal would make her feel reborn.
"Megumi, you don't eat much, do you? Eishi's portions are always small and never enough for me," Rindo said, turning to Megumi with a twinkle in her eye.
"It's not that I eat less; it's that your appetite is huge!" Megumi replied with an awkward laugh.
"Well, you're right about that," Rindo agreed, nodding. She then excitedly added, "Tonight we visited Eishi's stall. Tomorrow morning, we need to start with Kuga's in the central area, then Erina, Momo, Nene, Satoshi, and so on. If I keep this pace, I might finish visiting all 120 stalls by the fourth day."
Megumi: (⊙o⊙)
...
In high-end dining, customers pay not just for a meal but for a holistic experience, including the quality of food, brand image, service level, and personal experience. In such establishments, excellent service can be more crucial than the food itself.
Eishi, though not highly ranked in the past two days in the mountain area, earned high praise from all customers for his meticulous service. His stall, frequented by high society elites, catered to their need for more than just filling meals. They sought unique environments, flavors, and exclusive experiences worth the extra cost.
"Phew, this is exhausting," Eishi said, slumping to the ground in his now-closed stall. "Even with just three tables, I've been busy non-stop without a break."
...
Suddenly, his phone rang. Eishi quickly answered, seeing it was from Eizan. "Hello, Eizan? What's up? Got it, I'll inform them."
Hanging up, Eishi stood and hurried out, only to spot Rindo and Megumi still nearby. "Rindo, gather Fuyumi Mizuhara, Momo, Satoshi, and the others for an emergency Elite Ten meeting at 8 PM sharp!"
He then rushed past them without further explanation.
"At 8? That's in less than 20 minutes!" Rindo exclaimed. "Eishi, what's going on?"
This was the first time Rindo had seen Eishi so panicked, filling her with a sense of foreboding.
"Rindo, what's happening?" Megumi asked, sensing the urgency.
"Don't ask me, I have no idea!" Rindo shrugged but quickly set off to notify the others.
...
At 8 PM sharp, in a dimly lit meeting room, the Elite Ten, minus Erina, gathered. Each wore a grave expression. The oppressive atmosphere was palpable.
"Good evening," Azami said, entering with a gentle smile. "I trust Eizan informed you all, so I'll skip the introductions."
Sitting in Erina's usual seat, he leaned forward, his hands on the table. His smile, though soft, carried a menacing air.
"I'll get straight to the point. I want your support to overthrow the current director and install me as the new head of Totsuki Academy," Azami stated bluntly.
The Elite Ten were stunned into silence, their eyes wide with shock.
"You all understand what's at stake, correct?" Azami continued. "I expect your votes to support this change."
Eishi was the first to break the silence. "The Director is old and it's time for a change. I support Azami Nakiri as the new head of Totsuki Academy."
Azami clapped his hands in approval.
Most of the Elite Ten remained silent. Though some were displeased with Azami's abrupt appearance, they acknowledged that Totsuki needed change. The current Director, Senzaemon Nakiri, was aging and struggling to keep up. A new leader might indeed be necessary.
...
"Though you're just a son-in-law to the Nakiri family, I believe you understand the rules of Totsuki. Even if we agree to remove Senzaemon, it doesn't mean we'll support you," Rindo said, calmly eating a snack.
Azami remained unfazed. "Of course, which is why a majority vote is required."
"Then let's vote," Eishi declared.
Tonight would be sleepless, marking a pivotal moment that could reshape the culinary world.
...
At 9 PM, the air carried the lingering aroma of dinner. In the mountain area, Erina's restaurant was still bustling with customers.
Bang!
The door suddenly swung open, and quick footsteps echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention.
"Did you make a reservation?" Hisako asked, approaching the newcomer. "Without one, we can't serve you."
But seeing the man's face, she began to tremble.
"Why am I so scared?" she wondered.
...
"What's going on? A customer without a reservation?" Erina emerged from the kitchen, initially puzzled by Hisako's fearful expression. Then she saw the last person she wanted to see.
"Father!" Erina gasped, her eyes wide with fear.
"Long time no see, my dear Erina," Azami said with a chilling smile.
The powerful Nakiri family had expelled this man for reasons unknown, erasing most traces of his existence. Now, he had returned.
"This restaurant requires reservations," Hisako insisted, though terrified. Azami ignored her, adjusting his tie and moving forward.
"Erina, it seems your cooking has changed a lot without me around," Azami said, his voice carrying through the room. "Your dishes shouldn't be served to people of this caliber. It degrades your taste, thoughts, and soul. Remember, I told you to always choose your customers carefully."
His voice echoed, unsettling every diner present.
"Father, what are you doing here?" Erina's voice trembled as she stepped forward, trying to maintain her composure.
Azami glanced around the room, his gaze making the diners uncomfortable. "Erina, your talent is being wasted here. It's time to elevate your culinary skills and this academy to new heights," he declared.
The diners, sensing the tension, quickly finished their meals and left, leaving the room eerily quiet. Hisako stood by Erina's side, her expression one of determination mixed with fear.
"You can't just waltz in here and take over. The academy has rules," Hisako said, her voice shaking but resolute.
Azami smiled condescendingly. "Rules can be changed. And they will be. For the better."
"Father, please leave," Erina pleaded, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and desperation.
Azami's smile faded, replaced by a stern look. "Erina, you're coming with me. It's time you learned what true culinary excellence is."
"No," Erina said firmly, standing her ground. "I won't go with you. Totsuki is my home. My place is here."
Azami's eyes narrowed. "I see. Very well, then. But know this, Erina: Change is coming. Whether you like it or not."
He turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Hisako placed a comforting hand on Erina's shoulder, but Erina shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
"We need to prepare, Hisako. Things are going to get difficult," Erina said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hisako nodded. "We'll face it together, Erina-sama."
...
Back in the meeting room, the remaining Elite Ten members were still reeling from Azami's proposition. The room was filled with murmurs and uneasy glances.
"I can't believe he actually came back," one of them muttered.
"We need to discuss our next steps carefully," Eishi said, regaining his composure. "This is a critical moment for Totsuki."
"We can't let him take over," Rindo said, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a serious expression. "We have to protect the academy and its values."
"Agreed," Momo added, her voice firm. "But we need a plan. A solid one."
"We need to unite the students and the faculty," Eishi suggested. "Show them that we stand for something better than what Azami is proposing."
"And we need to ensure Erina's safety," Rindo added. "She's the key to all of this."
"Then it's decided," Eishi said, determination in his eyes. "We fight for Totsuki. For its future."
...
As the night wore on, the Elite Ten worked tirelessly, devising strategies and rallying support. The news of Azami's return and his bold move to take over Totsuki spread quickly, creating ripples of anxiety and defiance among the students and faculty.
Erina, though shaken, found strength in the support of her friends and allies. She knew that the battle for Totsuki's soul had just begun, and she was ready to fight for her home, her friends, and her beliefs.
The dawn of a new day approached, and with it, the promise of change. But whether that change would be for better or worse depended on the actions of those who stood against Azami's vision for Totsuki Academy. The stage was set, and the stakes had never been higher.
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