What would I say to my past self? And what must I definitely do? Renz didn't know. Because he felt that no matter what answer he gave, he wouldn't consider it the best answer. After all, the best answer is always the one not given. The answers that can be given, as time changes, will always have a better one emerge. Renz couldn't give an answer.
He wanted to keep the most perfect answer for Erina. If he had to express it in words.
Going back to the past, he would tell himself that he must always keep Erina's smile on her face, and let her be happy forever and ever. As for what absolutely must be done. That is! He must marry Erina at all costs! He must bear all the pressure from everyone and marry Erina! He must not choose to marry in secret! He must let Erina bask in everyone's gaze. And marry him!
Erina could withstand the pressure and register their
marriage with him, so why couldn't he withstand the pressure and publicly hold the wedding? They didn't need to hide, didn't need to conceal their happiness. Not marrying would make people speculate that Renz couldn't bring Erina happiness.
But why worry about such things? A grand wedding was what Erina wanted. If Renz could go back to the past, the thing he wanted to do most was to give Erina a grand wedding, even if he had to borrow money from the old man to hold the wedding, bearing the heaviest pressure, he wouldn't hesitate.
This was the answer in his heart, but he didn't say it, didn't tell anyone. He didn't want to say the answer out loud; he just wanted to slowly practice and achieve this answer in his heart through his words and actions.
It's time to make breakfast. Renz's biological clock reminded him of this, and Renz raised his hands, stretching his body as much as possible to make himself more comfortable. The bed was a bit small, the floor a bit hard. When he woke up, he realized he wasn't in his Tokyo apartment.
What was going on? Renz carefully looked around. He was sleeping on a futon, next to him was Erina, still sleeping peacefully, and the person sleeping on the bed was Hisako Arato. This place was very familiar.
Renz was very familiar. He was back, back to the very beginning. How did he return to the original timeline again?
Renz immediately identified the current timeline. He vaguely remembered that in the future, he first cooperated with Erina to challenge the Japanese culinary world, single-handedly defeating the entire Totsuki Gourmet Street.
Afterward, he received an invitation to participate in a variety show. The show was very successful, bringing in a lot of income. Soon after, he challenged Eishi Tsukasa; challenging Eishi Tsukasa was to reclaim Totsuki Academy's honor.
At that time, the variety show Renz recorded was in its hot broadcast period. It had to be said that Renz was experiencing a career boom during that period. It could be said that a max-level boss was re-rolling a character.
The hardware wasn't bad to begin with, and with his unparalleled cooking skills, once he gained fame, everything he did was like adding wings to a tiger.
Being able to return to the past only meant that he had met the conditions for time travel. And the requirement from the [Life Simulator] seemed to be to gain Senzaemon Nakiri's approval, specifically, to make Senzaemon Nakiri willingly agree to Renz marrying Erina.
Secondly, he needed to reach a certain level of prestige and have a considerable income. Among these requirements, the most difficult was certainly making Senzaemon Nakiri willingly agree to Renz marrying Erina.
For this, Renz had already prepared for a protracted battle, focusing on achieving the latter two conditions first. Renz could be said to have been taking on various activities, trying to make a name for himself, and challenging famous chefs from all over the culinary world.
Then. The task was suddenly completed. And then he returned to the past? Renz calculated the timeline, and it should be around the time of the "Midnight Diner" show.
And it was during a heated, critical battle. Renz, after passing the three mentors' assessments, chose to work alone in the 'sacrificial pawn' team, opting to break the deadlock in this situation. However, Renz noticed that his hands were already much more agile than before, which would make it easier to break through this situation.
"How... how did I go back to the past again?" Erina also woke up vaguely, roused by her headache. After waking, she surveyed her surroundings and spoke in a low voice.
"Didn't you ask me what I absolutely must do if I went back to the past?" Renz leaned close to Erina's ear. "Of course, I'm coming clean, I'm going to marry Erina!"
Renz's words echoed in Erina's ears, and the next second, Erina broke into an incredibly joyful smile.
Yes. This was the answer Erina wanted to hear. She could withstand all the pressure and register her marriage with Renz, but she had never understood why Renz dared not tell others about their impending marriage.
She understood Renz's concern about everyone putting pressure on them, but Erina didn't believe Renz couldn't resolve such a situation. Erina had always trusted Renz implicitly. She acknowledged Renz's abilities, had no regrets about marrying him, and believed Renz could achieve what others couldn't and dared not.
At this moment, Erina finally heard the answer she most wanted to hear.
"After 'Midnight Diner' ends, let's get married," Renz said with a smile. Going back to the past, Renz believed he wouldn't regret this answer he gave, and he also believed Erina would approve of Renz's answer.
And now, it was time for his show of fame. The team system of "Midnight Diner" first required two decisive teams to emerge from the four small teams, and then came the quarterfinals, round after round of elimination, ultimately determining the winner of the "Midnight Diner" program.
Renz would no longer hide anything; he would display everything he knew, without reservation, in his strongest state, with the fiercest dishes, and the most comprehensive overall ability. Such a performance would be difficult for even a Special-Grade Chef to contend with, simply because the intensity was too high. Who was Renz?
The future titan of the culinary world, someone who could spend a lifetime with the God's Tongue. His knowledge reserves were not something ordinary people could possess. When he was serious, forget about inadequate hardware; just his vast knowledge alone could crush others on the spot.
Midnight Diner. Renz won the championship with an overwhelming performance. At the championship ceremony, he immediately announced his marriage to Erina. He wasn't afraid of the uproar from the outside world. He just wanted to stand up and express his feelings without any reservations. And this declaration at the Midnight Diner championship ceremony truly caught Senzaemon Nakiri off guard.
Just moments before, he had talked about the terrifying nature of the God's Tongue, how it could destroy any talented chef, and how approaching the God's Tongue meant being prepared to be devoured by it. Yet, Renz dared to announce his marriage to Erina at the Midnight Diner championship ceremony, in front of all the cameras and all the viewers, leaving himself no way out. It was a complete checkmate.
And the most ruthless part wasn't Renz's confession at the Midnight Diner championship ceremony, but Erina's high-profile response, accepting the confession. This declaration directly exploded the entire Japanese media.
The information was too explosive, the news too astonishing; it was difficult for ordinary people to digest such incredible news. What was going on?
Renz, the champion of Midnight Diner, confessed to Erina, the God's Tongue? And they're getting married? Weren't they still in a passionate relationship?
In a passionate relationship, and getting married so soon? Then the progress bar is even more outrageous!
This news came so fast, it caught everyone off guard.
However, everyone still offered their blessings for the wedding, and Renz also went to Senzaemon Nakiri to lay his cards on the table and be honest.
That's right. He laid out their situation and revealed his plan, which was his plan to marry Erina. For this, Renz even borrowed a large sum of money from Senzaemon Nakiri for the wedding funds, and Renz seriously promised to repay this debt in full within three years after the marriage, willing to sign an IOU.
What more could Senzaemon Nakiri say?
He couldn't say anything.
With Renz alone, Senzaemon Nakiri still had room to refuse. "I won't let my granddaughter marry you, what can you do?" Who would have thought that Erina would switch sides at the last minute, secretly backstabbing Senzaemon Nakiri, saying that she wouldn't marry anyone else?
Erina's 'coup' was like a knife to Senzaemon Nakiri's throat, an attitude that implied she would elope if he didn't agree. Senzaemon Nakiri could only agree to the marriage with a bitter smile. However, what would happen after the marriage? Senzaemon Nakiri still had to see. For now, he could only bless the two of them, because their marriage was truly overwhelming; they had completely disregarded everyone else's thoughts.
Whatever he said would be useless now. He could only hope that the two of them wouldn't regret their rash actions today.
...
On the wedding day. "Hisako, do you think I look beautiful today?"
"Eh!!! Erina-sama is incredibly beautiful! Although you were beautiful before, today... how should I say it... I just feel like, Erina-sama, you're like an angel... even more beautiful now." Inside the church's private room, Hisako Arato stared blankly at the pure white girl... no, perhaps after today, she shouldn't be called a girl, but a true woman. She would become a married woman in name!
Erina was wearing a luxurious wedding dress custom-designed by Italy's top designers. The pure white long gown perfectly complemented her figure, making her look like a fairy descended to the mortal world. Renz had borrowed this large sum of money from Senzaemon Nakiri and spent it all on the wedding, not on making more money.
Because after several 'baptisms,' Renz understood that money, as long as one has the ability and reputation, can be easily earned. But a wedding, each person only gets one chance. So Renz had to seize this one chance.
At this moment, Erina's exquisite face was adorned with light makeup. The makeup wasn't heavy; the makeup artist had simply applied a light touch, avoiding overdoing it, only adding a few embellishments to make the already stunning Erina appear even more beautiful and incomparable.
Her natural beauty was already there. A beautiful person is beautiful no matter how you look at her. And undoubtedly, today's Erina was the most beautiful and eye-catching person present. But even so, Erina's heart was not calm; instead, she was very nervous and uneasy.
Even though she had lived with Renz for many years, this was truly her first wedding.
Because every time it came to a wedding, time would jump. Erina was afraid that this time, time would still jump. This made Erina's mind filled with various thoughts. She took a deep breath, emptying all the distracting thoughts from her mind.
After all, such emotions shouldn't appear on her, but today was, after all, the most important day of her life as a woman. She was a little worried that she wasn't good enough, not... satisfactory enough for that guy.
A woman adorns herself for the one who pleases her, and so it was. Erina looked at herself in the mirror, pursing her lips. The person in the mirror no longer held the haughtiness and arrogance of the past; instead, there was a fullness of shyness and gentleness. She had been changed by that person, but she didn't dislike this change.
"Erina." Just then, a voice came from the doorway. Erina's body trembled slightly; even without turning to look, she knew who it was.
"Renz, why are you here?" The secretary-tan looked at Renz, who had suddenly walked in, a little bewildered.
"According to the wedding process, you shouldn't be meeting Erina-sama right now."
"If you don't say anything, no one will know I came, right?" Renz coughed at Hisako Arato, then smiled sweetly at Erina.
"Hmm..." Meeting Renz's gaze, Erina suddenly felt her heart pound, and even her cheeks seemed to start warming up. The long-awaited wedding seemed to have arrived. It had been so, so long since she felt this nervous. So, the first thing he wanted to do when he went back to the past was to marry me?
Hmm. Proving it through action? Then Erina was still overjoyed with this answer. Right, this guy... why is he so handsome today?
Although he's not bad normally, is it because it's their wedding day, so there's an extra layer of filter from the bride?
Like Erina, Renz was also wearing a groom's suit, a sharp black suit that made him look handsome and dashing.
Hisako Arato sighed, walking past Renz helplessly. It seemed she would have to stand guard outside to prevent them from being disturbed. A soft 'pe' sound of the door closing echoed crisply and sweetly in the silent space.
Erina watched Renz walk towards her with a smile, and she suddenly felt inexplicably nervous, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her wedding dress, her face flushed.
"My tsundere-chan, why do you suddenly seem like a different person today? This isn't like you," Renz said with a smile, standing in front of Erina and looking at his little wife's shy expression. No matter what, Erina's aura had never been even slightly disturbed. This time, Erina could be said to have shown a hint of weakness for the first time.
"N-none of your business!" Erina was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, slapping Renz's hand away, her face flushing even redder.
"Are you perhaps nervous?" Renz chuckled. He had already guessed that Erina would lose her composure when it actually came to the wedding, even though she had always yearned for it. But don't forget, the more you desire something, the easier it is for your heart to get flustered. Remembering his haughty tsundere's usual domineering demeanor, now looking like a toothless kitten, Renz's smile never faded for a moment. However, that was also part of her charm.
"I... I'm not nervous at all," Erina bit her lip, saying somewhat guiltily.
"Hehe... there's nothing to be nervous about, Erina," Renz smiled faintly, gently taking Erina's hand, then bending down, looking into her eyes, his voice gentle. "Yes, I don't know how many times it's been, this should be the third time, right? From today onwards, we will officially become husband and wife again. From today onwards, I will once again entrust half of my life to you. So please, also share half of your life with me. This is what we decided long ago, isn't it?" Three times to decide their lifelong commitment, Renz had never regretted his choice.
Taking this opportunity, Renz leaned in and kissed Erina's forehead. "So, there's nothing to be nervous about, Erina. Just follow me. Whether it's in life, or on this path to the altar, my hand will not let go."
"...Mmm." Listening to Renz's heartfelt words, Erina's heart had long turned into a pool of spring water, gradually filled with happiness within her.
...
A while later, the wedding officially began. Amidst cheers and blessings, Renz held the bouquet, standing beside the priest, smiling as he looked at the other side of the red carpet his pure white bride.
Erina was also looking at him, their gazes meeting as if the whole world was left only for the two of them, the surrounding sounds not interfering at all.
Watching his granddaughter gazing so affectionately at that brat, Grandpa Senzaemon Nakiri felt a little unpleasant.
After all, Erina had grown up under his care, and today she was to be given to another man... sigh, well, his granddaughter had grown up, hadn't she?
Amidst the blessings, the old man accompanied Erina down the red carpet, which represented her past life, and stood before Renz.
"Brat, if I ever find out you bullied Erina, watch out, I'll..."
"Oh, Grandpa, at a time like this, don't say such things.
You've already said it several times before, don't ruin my
wedding atmosphere!" The old man's threatening words were cut short by his adorable granddaughter's somewhat impatient tone. Instantly, the old man's heart felt as cold as ice. Was a married granddaughter truly like spilled water?
She hadn't even officially married yet, and her elbows were already turning outwards...
"Don't worry, old man, I will treat Erina well and won't let her suffer any grievances," Renz said, looking at Senzaemon Nakiri with a serious expression and a very solemn tone. This made the old man feel a little better.
Afterwards, Senzaemon Nakiri reluctantly handed Erina's hand to Renz. Thus, Senzaemon Nakiri's task was completed.
"...Erina, do you take this man to be your husband and enter into holy matrimony with him? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?"1
"I do."
Amidst the priest's prayers, Renz and Erina gazed at each other, their hearts filled with a gentle warmth at this moment. Erina subconsciously glanced in a certain direction among the audience, where Mana Nakiri and Alice Nakiri were also watching her. Alice's face was full of envy, while Mana Nakiri's expression was calm and indifferent, as if it wasn't her own daughter getting married.
Erina ignored her mother, whose relationship with her was already awkward. She nodded slightly at Alice, then suddenly felt a slight pain in her finger.
"Idiot~ At a time like this, you're still spacing out."
Renz's faint voice reached her ear. Erina looked at the ring on her finger, momentarily dazed.
Had she... finally married this guy?
Why did it all feel a little unreal?
Oh... was it because it was too beautiful?
If this was what marriage felt like, she hoped she would never wake up, always immersed in this wedding.
Erina looked at the tall boy in front of her, a smile instantly blooming on her face, like a hundred flowers blossoming, countless affections radiating from her brows.
"Will you love me for all eternity?" Erina asked with a smile.
"No." Renz's lips curled into a smile, his body leaning slightly forward. He wrapped his arms around Erina's soft, seemingly innocent waist, possessively pulling her into his embrace. "Theoretically, we've already had three lives together."
"But my love for you has never changed each time."
As the words fell, the two figures embraced and kissed tightly. The hall instantly erupted with countless applause and blessings, and even the birds in the sky seemed startled by the wedding, letting out crisp chirps of celebration.
They were finally together, openly and without any worries.
...
Half a month later, at the airport, Hisako Arato looked forlornly at the couple about to board their plane.
"Hisako, I'll leave the work matters to you and Alice for now. If there's anything you can't resolve, call me and Renz. Of course, I hope you won't have to make that call."
"Understood, Erina-sama." Secretary-tan looked somewhat resentfully at the two who were about to embark on their honeymoon, leaving a pile of tasks for her, the irresponsible couple. If she could be more assertive, she might have complained by now, but there was nothing she could do; after all, she couldn't say no to Erina.
"Secretary-tan, don't worry, we'll bring you a gift when
we come back," Renz patted the little secretary's shoulder, smiling somewhat thoughtlessly. Hisako Arato puffed out her cheeks, glared at Renz, and then exchanged a few more words with Erina. Only when the airport announcement sounded did she finally part ways with them.
"Tsk tsk, Erina, I've noticed you have more and more
_____________________________________
So much has happened -- But like all things,this story too must come to an end.
From the bottom of my heart,I want to thank every single one of you who stuck with me until now. I'm genuinely humbled and deeply grateful for the journey we shared together.