Erina Nakiri shifted her gaze to the cat-like creature.
Nyanko-sensei.
"Being able to travel between worlds means he can obtain things from other worlds," Nyanko-sensei said calmly. "Magic. Superpowers. Maybe even treasures that extend life, eternal youth, or a path to immortality."
Erina Nakiri stiffened.
Her eyes drifted toward Emiya without her realizing it.
Had she just refused an unbelievable offer?
Emiya gave a wry smile. "You're giving me too much credit, Nyanko-sensei. The things you mentioned are extremely high-level items. With my current abilities, I have no way of obtaining them."
Erina Nakiri let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
Then Emiya added, "In the future, though, it's possible."
Erina Nakiri: "..."
Could this guy not finish a sentence properly?
She fumed internally, but regret crept into her heart all the same.
To be honest, no one could truly refuse something like that.
Immortality might be unrealistic, but prolonging life or eternal youth?
Just those two alone were impossible to ignore.
No one wants to live less.
No one wants to grow old and lose their youth.
Why did he wait until now to say it?
If he'd mentioned this earlier, she would never have refused him.
But he had waited until after she said no.
Is he a devil?
She had already firmly rejected him. If she changed her mind now, wouldn't she be someone who broke her word?
Erina Nakiri was torn.
Before she could speak again, Hisako Arato stepped forward.
"I'll do it," Hisako said without hesitation. "I'm willing to be your private chef, Mr. Emiya."
Erina Nakiri stared at her in shock.
I thought of you as a friend, and you betray me like this?
Hisako didn't notice her expression.
She bowed earnestly. "My cooking isn't as good as my mistress's, but I'll work hard. If you ever obtain something that grants eternal youth or extends life in the future, please share it with Miss Erina."
Emiya raised his thumb. "That was unexpected. You really are Miss Nakiri's loyal secretary-ko."
Hisako's face instantly flushed.
Secretary-ko?
That was humiliating.
At the same time, she clenched her teeth, silently cursing Soma Yukihira, who had given her that nickname. She resolved to teach him a painful lesson once she returned.
Off to the side, Erina Nakiri looked at Hisako with gratitude.
She had thought Hisako was tempted and had betrayed her.
She was wrong.
Hisako had done it for her sake.
Shame welled up in Erina's chest, and she finally spoke what she truly felt.
"Hisako isn't my secretary."
"She's an irreplaceable friend."
"Miss Erina!" Hisako's eyes filled with tears.
Erina Nakiri took a breath. "So what if it's a private chef? I'll do it. Bring it on. Whatever you want to eat, I, Erina Nakiri, will satisfy you. I stake the reputation of my God's Tongue on it."
Emiya nodded. "I don't doubt that."
In the Food Wars! story, Erina Nakiri never lost a single food duel.
Even Soma Yukihira, protected by plot armor, had lost to her.
With the God's Tongue, once she matured, Erina Nakiri was destined to become a monster-level chef.
That was why Emiya invited her.
Of course, if she had refused, he wouldn't have forced her. Talented chefs existed in other worlds as well.
For example, Pai-Sama from the Cooking Master Boy world far surpassed Erina Nakiri. Even with the God's Tongue, a grown Erina might not defeat Beli-Sama.
There was also the Blue-Eyed Tiger Mila.
Beautiful. Skilled. Known as the Empress of Spices.
She would make an excellent chef too.
Emiya had already decided.
If he ever reached the Cooking Master Boy world, he would recruit them.
But with his travel ability being random, who knew how long that would take?
So for now, Erina Nakiri was the best choice.
A bird in the hand was worth two in the bush.
Hearing Emiya's affirmation, Erina Nakiri lifted her chin slightly.
A smug smile appeared on her face.
Nyanko-sensei jumped down from Takashi Natsume's lap and landed on the coffee table.
"Since the young Miss Erina has agreed," he said, "let me taste her cooking now. Emiya boy, may I use your kitchen?"
Erina Nakiri looked at Emiya.
Emiya nodded easily. "I haven't had breakfast yet. Just make something simple with what's in the fridge. But be warned-the ingredients are ordinary."
Erina Nakiri stood. "Who do you think I am? Hisako, come help."
Hisako straightened, as if heading into battle. "Yes, Miss Erina."
They went into the kitchen.
About half an hour later, they returned with several bowls of porridge and a small plate of side vegetables.
"Porridge for breakfast?" Emiya said. "Not bad."
He looked at the bowl.
It resembled ordinary eight-treasure porridge, yet the aroma was special.
He took a spoonful.
Delicious.
Unreasonably delicious.
He had never eaten eight-treasure porridge like this.
Emiya wasn't a food critic. He couldn't describe flavors like the judges in Food Wars!
He only had one thought.
So delicious.
He ignored the heat and finished the bowl in record time.
As the porridge settled, he felt every cell in his body cheer.
His consciousness drifted.
It felt like swimming in a sea of porridge, where endless grains turned into soldiers massaging his entire body.
Utterly satisfying.
When he finally came back to his senses, Emiya used his phone as a mirror.
His face was flushed and radiant.
Like he'd just experienced multiple orgasms.
As expected of Food Wars!, he thought. The drugging techniques are no joke.
He turned and saw Takashi Natsume and Nyanko-sensei.
Takashi looked fine.
Nyanko-sensei, however, wore a dazed, lecherous expression that was difficult to look at.
Emiya immediately looked away.
"How was it?" Erina Nakiri asked.
"Amazing," Emiya replied without hesitation, giving a thumbs-up.
Erina Nakiri snorted. "Naturally. I am Erina Nakiri. Still, with such ordinary ingredients, this is the limit. If you came to my world, I could do far better. Hiring me was the best decision you've ever made."
Nyanko-sensei nodded. "I acknowledge your skill, young lady."
Takashi Natsume followed. "Thank you for the meal, Miss Nakiri."
"You're welcome."
Emiya checked the time. "Let's end it here for today. You two have school tomorrow, and there's a training camp. I'll send you back."
Though it was daytime in his world, it was still night in both of theirs.
Takashi remembered his classes and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Emiya-san."
"You're welcome. Oh-haven't you finished that manga yet? Want to take it with you?" Emiya asked, pointing at the Natsume's Book of Friends volumes.
Takashi shook his head. "No. I'll leave it here. I'll handle things on my own from now on."
"Alright."
Emiya snapped his fingers.
The scenery shifted.
They returned to Takashi's world.
This time, they appeared in Takashi's room, not the bathroom.
That surprised Emiya.
I left from here.
So if I leave from a specific place, I return to the same place?
Then when I go back to Erina's world, I'll probably land in her room.
He turned to Takashi. "Get some rest. I'll pick you up in a few days. We'll go to Erina's world for the training camp. Totsuki's students make great breakfasts. Not as good as Erina's, but they have their own charm."
Takashi hesitated. "Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
Nyanko-sensei immediately panicked. "What are you saying, Takashi? This is a rare chance to eat food from another world! Do you want to miss it?"
If Takashi didn't go.
Neither would he.