A simple cooking contest.
Since they had to compare dishes, both sides chose recipes that could be completed quickly.
So…
"Ramen?" Looking at the bowl of ramen placed before her by Tokai Natural—with broth so rich it could almost be mistaken for miso—and beside it, a classic beef and carrot stew—
Mejiro Ardan seemed distinctly lacking in appetite.
This wasn't surprising at all.
Because Mejiro Ardan's body, much like Tokai Natural's, had long been burdened with illness. As such, Ardan typically preferred lighter, milder flavors.
But…
Seeing the two heavy dishes before her, Ardan truly didn't know what to say.
For Tokai Natural, who didn't know Ardan's health details, this was understandable. But…
Glancing over toward her own chefs, Mejiro Ardan's expression clearly said: What were you thinking?
But since Ardan was the judge, she could only taste-test her own chef's beef stew first—the one they'd clearly prepared expecting to lose.
"Mm… Generally speaking, it's consistent with your usual standard. Nothing remarkable, but no obvious mistakes either."
Hearing this, the chef bowed slightly. "Thank you, Miss."
After shifting her attention away from the beef stew, Ardan stared down at the ramen placed before her by Tokai Natural, feeling vaguely unsure.
Judging by its broth alone, it looked incredibly rich.
Yet…
Raising her eyes toward Tokai Natural again, Ardan picked up her chopsticks.
"Eh? What's this? The taste is actually… very mild."
"I noticed during your tasting the other day, you weren't particularly interested in dishes with heavy oil, so I adjusted the recipe slightly and tried preparing a vegetarian broth."
"Vegetarian broth?"
"In short, a rich but mild broth made primarily from kombu and mushrooms."
"I see. Then what about this topping here?"
Holding a piece of the topping with her chopsticks, Ardan looked up at Tokai Natural curiously.
"That's made from soybean crumble mixed with a bit of flour."
Ardan went silent for a moment after this explanation. "Then, in other words, there's no actual meat in this dish?"
"Yes, that's correct."
At this reply, Mejiro Ardan paused briefly once more, then quietly set down her chopsticks.
She looked toward Tokai Natural. "We'll proceed with hiring you."
"As for compensation…"
After thinking briefly, Ardan continued, "How does 300,000 yen per visit sound?"
"Eh?"
"Is that too little?"
"N-no, that's not it at all—!"
"Good. Actually, 300,000 yen per visit is rather low. If my grandmother agrees, then maybe…"
Ardan paused momentarily, then spoke again. "By the way, Miss Yayoi—you're planning to open your own restaurant soon, correct?"
"Yes, though the menu's already finalized, so I likely won't add any new dishes."
Saying this, Tokai Natural's eyes shifted slightly.
Her gaze settled finally on the chef team. After studying their expressions for a few seconds, Tokai Natural opened her mouth again.
"Um, I made two extra portions. If you'd like to taste it, they're right over there."
After saying this, she turned back to Mejiro Ardan.
Ardan didn't say anything further. She merely turned around. "All right, let's head back. Miss Yayoi, do you plan to stay here a bit longer?"
"That…"
Remembering the bus schedule she'd glanced at earlier, Tokai Natural shook her head. "I still need to return home, so…"
"Then see her off, Afu."
"Yes, Miss Ardan."
The butler stepped forward, leading Tokai Natural out of the Mejiro estate.
Watching Tokai Natural leave, Mejiro Ardan quietly stared down at the ramen bowl before her. After thinking deeply for a few seconds, she murmured softly to herself:
"This faint bitterness… Is it just my imagination?"
...
By the time Tokai Natural returned to Maruzensky's home, about twenty minutes had passed.
The sounds coming from inside the house were exactly as always. Without hesitation, Tokai Natural walked to the front door and pushed it open.
The two people inside were the same as always:
Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky.
Seeing them, Tokai Natural paused briefly, then spoke quietly, "I'm home."
Hearing this, both Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky turned to look at her.
"Welcome back."
"How did things go at the Mejiro estate?"
Their responses differed completely—
Which was only natural, considering their entirely different personalities.
"Mm, I'm back."
She first responded to Maruzensky's greeting, then turned toward Mr. C.B.: "The test at the Mejiro estate went pretty smoothly. You could say I basically passed… I think?"
"What kind of answer is that?" Mr. C.B.'s face was full of confusion as she looked at Tokai Natural.
"Well, the head chef and a few others accepted the situation, but some of his team members were a bit…" Saying this, Tokai Natural showed a helpless smile. "I suppose having someone parachuted in above them suddenly was hard for them to accept."
"Oh, I see." After Tokai Natural's explanation, Mr. C.B. finally grasped the situation. "And then?"
"We had a cooking contest. The outcome…"
Recalling how the chefs eagerly tasted her food after she'd left, Tokai Natural came to a modest conclusion: "I guess… it went pretty well?"
Hearing this, Mr. C.B. let out an impressed little gasp: "Oh! In that case, your job there is basically secure. How about pay?"
"For the pay… it's about 300,000 yen per visit?" Saying this, Tokai Natural's gaze shifted away slightly. "Honestly, that feels a little too much."
"If you go there three times a month, then your monthly living expenses will basically be covered. That way, we can also feel more at ease about you living alone." Maruzensky spoke this time. Clearly, compared to Mr. C.B., Maruzensky's level of care for Tokai Natural wasn't any less—she was just less visibly anxious.
Hearing Maruzensky's consideration, Tokai Natural nodded. "Mm. If that's the case, living alone won't be an issue. Only…"
"Hm?"
"I'm more worried about you two. After all, neither of you are particularly good at cooking, right?"
"Exactly!" Mr. C.B. answered instantly without hesitation.
Maruzensky just glanced sideways at Mr. C.B., then nodded. "Mm. We both know basic cooking, but…"
"Then, after my restaurant opens, come over for dinner. It'll be closer to Tracen Academy too, won't it?" Tokai Natural glanced at Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky as she asked this.
Facing the quiet expectation in her eyes—
Maruzensky smiled gently, nodding. "We'll come by often."
"Me too!"