Chapter 421: Festival 

Miyoko's face turned a deep shade of red as she glanced at Sui shyly. Normally as beautiful and distant as an ice queen, she now resembled a flustered young girl. Stamping her feet in embarrassment and frustration, she shouted, "Father! What are you saying? Sui and I are just regular classmates!"

"So, you're just ordinary friends?" Chef Hojō muttered in slight disappointment, shaking his head.

Hearing her father's words, Miyoko was simultaneously angry, amused, and utterly embarrassed. She shot him a glare, thinking how utterly mortifying he was.

Sui, too, was left speechless. Uncle Hojō's enthusiasm was starting to feel a bit much.

Chef Hojō cleared his throat and laughed heartily. "It's fine if you're not dating. We're all like family here. I'll be leaving this food festival in your hands, Sui!"

"If Sui is handling it, there's no need to worry!" 

"I'm sure we'll win first place this time!"

"Absolutely!"

The other chefs chimed in, nodding with smiles of agreement.

Chef Hojō then led Sui and the group to the venue for the event, located at the west gate of town.

The town was buzzing with activity. Red lanterns hung everywhere, adding to the festive atmosphere. The streets were packed with tourists—both Japanese and foreigners—wandering around curiously, many holding freshly bought snacks.

As they walked through the lively street, Sui couldn't help but feel curious himself.

Before long, they reached the West Gate, where a tall archway loomed in the distance. Each of the four gates of the town had a similar archway. Beneath this archway, several display stands were set up, likely in preparation for showcasing dishes to the festival-goers.

"What do you think, Sui? Pretty lively, isn't it?" Chef Hojō asked with a smile.

"Yeah, it's really something," Sui nodded in agreement.

"It's even livelier during the Spring Festival. There are dragon and lion dances. You should have Miyoko show you around then," Chef Hojō said with a grin, motioning to his daughter.

Miyoko, feeling a headache coming on, sighed but nodded, saying, "Yes, it's indeed much more festive during the Spring Festival. Sui, you should come check it out."

"Really? I'll definitely have to come and see it then," Sui replied with a smile.

Although Japan no longer widely celebrates the Lunar New Year, the tradition is still maintained in some towns and some rural areas.

Just then, a loud voice rang out.

"Hojō, you old ghost! Still kicking, huh? I thought you'd be too weak to show up at this year's food festival."

Sui turned to see a group of people approaching. The man who had spoken was a large, big-eared middle-aged man in a chef's uniform.

"That's Tomita Hiroshi, the head chef of Tomita-ro. Even though they always bicker when they meet, he and my father actually have a good relationship," Miyoko leaned in and whispered to Sui.

Chef Hojō glared at the man and retorted, "Tomita, you old thief! I thought you'd kicked the bucket by now."

"Hah! If you're still around, how could I be gone?" Tomita Hiroshi laughed heartily, puffing out his chest. "Of course, our Tomita-ro is going to take first place at this year's festival. After all, I have three strong sons to carry on the business. You, on the other hand, only have a daughter. No wonder we've been keeping you down for so long!"

Chef Hojō clenched his fists in frustration. That old thief always rubbed salt in the wound, knowing Hojō couldn't argue back.

Despite Japan being a modern society, it still retained many ancient traditions, including the primogeniture system. Temples, shrines, and various professions such as chefs, sumo wrestlers, and artisans were often passed down through generations of a single family. As a result, male heirs were particularly valued in families facing inheritance issues.

Chef Hojō, with only one daughter, had faced a lifelong challenge. Chinese restaurants in Japan had long discriminated against women, leaving him feeling a sense of shame among his peers. He had always longed for a son—or at least a capable son-in-law.

Still, while he wished for a son, Chef Hojō dearly loved his daughter. Wanting a male heir wasn't the same as favoring sons over daughters.

"Eh? Is that you, Miyoko?" Tomita Hiroshi's eyes lit up when he noticed Miyoko. "Miyoko's grown more and more beautiful. Thankfully, she doesn't take after you, Hojō. I hear you're studying at Totsuki? You've really become something!"

"Thank you, Uncle Tomita," Miyoko responded politely, though inwardly she cringed. Despite always teasing her father about his lack of a son, Tomita Hiroshi had always been kind to her.

"Miyoko, long time no see," a young man in his twenties standing behind Tomita Hiroshi greeted her with a smile.

"Long time no see, Big Brother Joji," Miyoko replied with a small smile. The two families had known each other for a long time, and she was on good terms with Tomita Joji.

"Uncle Tomita, is your son participating in the food festival again this year?" Miyoko asked.

"Of course! Joji's a natural when it comes to cooking. Not like certain people who have to rely on their family chefs to do all the cooking." Tomita Hiroshi chuckled, taking another dig at Chef Hojō.

"Oh, and Miyoko, do you have a boyfriend at Totsuki? If not, I think Joji would be a good match. With no sons of his own, your father could use a good son-in-law!" He laughed heartily.

"Uncle Tomita, please stop," Miyoko said, embarrassed. She only saw Joji as a friend and nothing more.

"Haha! You're wrong this time, old thief!" Chef Hojō suddenly burst out laughing triumphantly. "The chef representing Hojō House this time isn't an outsider. It's Sui!"