Undoubtedly, Erina Nakiri knew how to create an awkward silence.
As her words were spoken, the scene fell into an eerie quiet. This made Hoshino Sora sigh helplessly, then he flicked his finger, giving Erina Nakiri a sharp rap on the head.
"What are you doing?!"
With her head 'severely injured,' Erina Nakiri immediately clutched her head and crouched down, staring intently at Hoshino Sora, who was a head taller and sturdily built. She began to regret why she hadn't brought Hisako with her.
If Hisako were here, she definitely wouldn't suffer this indignity.
"Come here, there's Longjing tea here. Brew it yourself."
Grabbing Erina Nakiri's wrist, Hoshino Sora pulled her to the living room sofa, then tossed her a can of tea leaves, telling her to brew her own tea and rest.
Eh?
Looking at the tea leaves in her hand, and Hoshino Sora who had returned to his seat to continue eating, Erina Nakiri was full of questions. Was this how he treated guests? He didn't even brew her a cup of tea.
Her delicate face flushed slightly. Holding the tea can, her gaze fixed on her wrist, which had several red marks because Hoshino Sora had used a bit too much force.
"What a barbaric and rude person!"
Looking at the marks on her hand, Erina Nakiri thought angrily. Being in a high position and living a pampered life, she had never been treated like this before. Hadn't she just made a few perfectly normal comments?
As she thought, her hands moved involuntarily: boiling water, washing the teapot, selecting tea, rinsing tea, brewing tea, pouring tea. The entire sequence of movements was seamless, without the slightest pause, with perfect timing.
Erina Nakiri was indeed Erina Nakiri. Whether it was cooking or anything related to it, she could do her best. As the tea poured from the pot, falling into the teacup with a crisp clink, it resembled a heavenly elixir, emitting a sparkling glow.
As soon as the tea was brewed, Nakitiri Senzaemon and Hoshino Tani Ren emerged from the room, having apparently finished their discussion. After a few pleasantries at the door, Hoshino Tani Ren personally saw them off.
Thus, Erina Nakiri brewed the tea but didn't drink a single sip. Just then, Hoshino Sora finished his meal and was thirsty, so he stepped forward and, in front of her, drank the tea she had brewed, letting out sounds of admiration.
"Not bad, not bad. Much better than what I brew."
It was just this one sentence that made Erina Nakiri, who had reached the door, turn her head and glare fiercely at Hoshino Sora for two seconds, before finally departing at Nakitiri Senzaemon's urging.
Afterward, Ya Xiang and Rika cleared the dining table, while Hoshino Sora was called to his father's room.
"You should go to Totsuki Academy."
Looking at his well-mannered son, Hoshino Tani Ren was silent for a few seconds, then spoke.
"This…"
"Although Far Moon is only considered a top-tier academy at the international level, it is a genuine top-tier institution in Japan. It's perfectly suitable as a springboard for you to enter the world."
Sensing Hoshino Sora's hesitation, Hoshino Tani Ren continued, opening the room's window as he spoke. His gaze fell downwards, revealing a view of half of Tokyo.
Their home was on the eighteenth floor of an apartment building.
"Didn't you say you like cooking? As a career path, it's no worse than graduating from a regular university. On the contrary, employment is free. Whether it's working for someone or opening your own small shop, it's a very good choice.
Of course, the final decision is yours."
"I don't dislike it, but is my cooking skill really good enough for a culinary school? There are many geniuses there, and it operates on a cruel elimination system."
Hoshino Sora was a bit hesitant. Actually, compared to studying, he preferred to pursue a career in cooking. There was no special reason; if he had to say, it was probably out of interest.
However, interest is one thing, but Hoshino Sora was somewhat disheartened about his talent. Although the dishes he made tasted good, they were only "good."
"You can do it. I've seen all your efforts this past year. You've built a solid foundation and learned a lot of knowledge. What you lack is perfecting each dish."
His face revealed warmth. In the past year, he had guided Hoshino Sora in making no fewer than a thousand dishes. The basic principles had been mastered; now, what was needed was to refine each dish.
After that, it would be innovation—adding one's own flavor to traditional dishes, eventually forming one's own style.
Currently, most students at Far Moon were in the second stage. A small number of students who advanced to the second year could enter the third stage, and third-year students were those who had reached the pinnacle in this stage. However, very few students could advance to the third year.
All of this was related to Far Moon's educational philosophy.
Competition!
"So what should I do now?"
"You're also on summer vacation now. I've rented a small restaurant for you near home. Practicing cooking through hands-on experience is the best method. Three months later, you'll enroll in Far Moon."
Coming out of his father's room, Hoshino Sora had many thoughts. After transmigrating for so long, he actually never knew what he should do. He had just been living aimlessly, trying his best to appear excellent.
But was such a life truly what he wanted? Hoshino Sora shook his head. His father's remarriage had opened a new life; what about him? Should he also choose his own path?
This world was more complex than he imagined. Characters from anime works in his previous life could all be seen in this world. Aside from the initial excitement, he was left with fear.
Because he was just an ordinary person, without the system that transmigrators usually came with, and without superhuman strength. The only special things were that he dated Yano in middle school, and his father used to be quite impressive.
Thinking of Yano, Hoshino Sora's face showed a hint of loss, then he sighed softly, closed his room door, and lay on the bed, contemplating his future.
Then let it be cooking. At least he liked it, and becoming a chef meant he could cook his favorite dishes himself. He had already studied for over ten years in his previous life; this life, he wanted something different!
Ding, host has clearly defined direction, system is evolving, Gourmet Enhancement System activating.
System activated.
Publishing mission: Open a Restaurant.
Mission Description: Own a store in the prime real estate of Tokyo, receive good reviews from surrounding customers, and establish a foothold.
Mission Reward: Crystal Mirage.
Crystal Mirage: Observe a chef's cooking process to perfectly replicate their dish, while also gaining partial culinary insights.
"Good heavens, a free reward right at the start! But earning good reviews from the surrounding customers will be a bit difficult..."
Hearing the system's voice in his mind, Hoshino Sora excitedly sat up. So he wasn't without a system; it just couldn't awaken until he had determined his life's direction.
Good heavens, it's quite user-friendly. This time, it's his.
If he had decided on his future dream earlier, perhaps this system would have awakened long ago: a Prince of Tennis system if he played tennis, an Investment system if he did business, a God-tier Wealth system if he spent money, a Harem Conquest system if he pursued girls...
Damn it, isn't this a huge loss?!
Realizing he could have awakened some systems that required no effort, Hoshino Sora suddenly gritted his teeth. He had missed an opportunity to soar to the heavens!
Amidst his regret, there was a commotion at the door. He got out of bed in confusion to open it, only to see Ya Xiang, dressed in pajamas, her face slightly flushed and her demeanor shy.