11 AM
Ren followed the address given by Hayasaka and quickly arrived at Shunkatei. Shunkatei was a Western-style restaurant, evident from its elegant yet classic exterior and interior decor.
As Ren stepped inside, he was greeted by the restaurant's owner, Kikuchi Sonoka, who happened to be delivering food to a customer. The woman wore a perfectly fitted chef's uniform.
"Welcome... Wait, you're... Rokuhara-sama?!" A small, surprised exclamation escaped Sonoka's lips.
In an instant, she recognized the young man before her.
Not long ago, she and several senior Totsuki Academy alumni were hired as chefs for a banquet hosted by the illustrious Shinomiya Family. She vividly remembered her shock upon realizing that the stars of the event were two young men.
Her astonishment didn't end there. Sonoka felt her worldview collapse after witnessing Ren use rejuvenating magic on the head of the Shinomiya Family—Shinomiya Gan'an.
If Sonoka had been an atheist before, she now began to believe in mystical and supernatural things after seeing it with her own eyes.
"Oh, you're one of the chefs from that banquet." Ren said, as if he had just remembered, though Sonoka was actually his new target.
'This woman's breasts are extraordinarily large, like a plump dairy cow. I'm incredibly curious about how it would feel to squeeze those full mounds, make her do paizuri, or even produce breast milk from them. It would surely be an incredibly satisfying experience.'
Wearing the expression of a gentle gentleman, Ren entertained a slew of lewd thoughts, his eyes tracing the curves of Sonoka's body, clearly outlined by her tight chef's uniform.
Unaware of Ren's inner thoughts, Sonoka escorted him to a VIP table, personally attending to him instead of assigning a waiter.
Opening the menu, Ren glanced at the long list of Western dishes. His purpose for coming wasn't to eat but to get closer to Sonoka. So, he seized every opportunity to start a conversation.
"Any recommendations?"
"Of course, Rokuhara-sama. For the appetizer, I highly recommend our Escargots de Bourgogne. Grilled snails with garlic butter—always a favorite. For the main course, the Steak Frites with Béarnaise sauce is the most popular dish at Shunkatei. Choice tenderloin with crispy fries and a rich, classic sauce."
"Alright, I'll have that. Escargots and Steak Frites."
"Very well, I'll prepare it right away."
Sonoka smiled at Ren before hurrying back to the kitchen.
In the bustling kitchen, the chefs were busy preparing orders. When Sonoka entered, several pairs of eyes turned to her.
"Head Chef, who was that young man? Why did you seem so respectful toward him? Is he the son of some official or something?"
Sonoka glanced at them, her expression serious. She wasn't sure if Ren was keeping his identity as a Campione a secret. Better safe than sorry.
"He's a very important person we cannot afford to offend. Treat him with the utmost care. Ensure every dish we serve him is perfect."
The chefs nodded, taking the order seriously. Sonoka then grabbed a knife and began cooking, fully focused on the ingredients before her.
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Half an hour later, Sonoka returned, pushing a cart with several plates of food. The fragrant aroma instantly filled the room, teasing Ren's senses.
With graceful movements, Sonoka transferred the plates to the table.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Rokuhara-sama. Please enjoy."
"The presentation is impressive. Let's see about the taste."
Using his fork and knife, Ren cut a piece of steak, its pink interior looking incredibly tempting. He then placed the bite in his mouth.
'Alright, let's experience the aphrodisiac sensation of Totsuki Academy's cuisine.'
This time, he put up no resistance.
The next moment, the world around him blurred, replaced by an absurd scene. Ren felt as if he'd been transported to an endless green meadow under a bright blue sky. A large cow with shimmering brown fur appeared before him, grazing on the grass.
The savory, tender aroma of grilled meat, mixed with the scent of herbs and a hint of smokiness, filled his lungs. The cow turned, looking at Ren with calm, large eyes, then let out a deep "Moooo!"
Instead of milk, thick, golden Béarnaise sauce flowed from its udder, flooding the surrounding grass. Each drop of sauce sparkled, exuding the distinct aroma of butter, egg yolk, and tarragon.
Ren felt his body floating, enveloped in warmth and a heavenly aroma. The tender meat melting on his tongue seemed to awaken every fiber of his being, sending waves of pure, indescribable pleasure through him.
The cow gave a faint smile, as if it were the embodiment of culinary pleasure itself. Ren closed his eyes, letting the euphoria flood his senses, sinking into the paradise of flavors created by the perfect steak.
'Thank goodness, it seems I managed to satisfy him.'
Seeing the clear expression of satisfaction on Ren's face, Sonoka let out a relieved sigh. Her confidence, which had wavered, was now fully restored.
At the recent Shinomiya banquet, she recalled how Ren had eaten her dishes without much expression. That had been a blow to her, making her question whether her cooking skills had declined.
"This is delicious."
"Thank you so much for your praise, Rokuhara-sama. It means a lot to me."
"I understand now why Totsuki Academy graduates are so sought after by the elite as personal chefs. I'm wondering, would you be interested in working for me?"
"It's a great honor to be invited by Rokuhara-sama. However, I must sincerely apologize and decline. I only graduated last year, and this restaurant hasn't even been open for a full year. I still want to manage and grow Shunkatei with my own hands."
"I see. Contact me if you change your mind."
Ren had anticipated this outcome. In fact, he would've been suspicious if this buxom woman had agreed immediately. Her steadfast dedication to her dream only made Ren more intrigued by her.
'Ah, I want her even more now. Patience, my dear self. It'd be too boring to use mind-control magic on her right away. It'll be sweeter if she surrenders to me willingly, not by force.'
"..."
Watching Ren enjoy his meal, Sonoka felt pleased, unaware that the other party wasn't just savoring her cooking but also coveting her body.