At Chiyono O's celebration dinner, Tokai Natural brought up the idea she had mentioned to Chiyono O before.
Hearing Tokai Natural's proposal, Mr. C.B. naturally had zero objections. Tokai Natural had been living in Maruzensky's house all this time, and from C.B.'s perspective, that placed her at far too much of a disadvantage.
So regarding Natural's idea, Mr. C.B. was one hundred percent supportive.
As for Maruzensky...
She only thought for a few seconds, then agreed as well.
Though she felt something faintly off, Tokai Natural's reasoning was simply too logical—too complete.
So Maruzensky didn't stop her.
Besides, she still remembered very clearly the moment she'd nearly lost control and wanted to completely keep Tokai Natural to herself.
Because of that, she certainly wouldn't interfere with Tokai Natural's decision in a situation like this again.
In the end, since the other two had agreed, Tokai Natural confirmed the moving date.
...
Two months later—after Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky finished accompanying Symboli Rudolf for local race observation—Tokai Natural would move out.
Of course, before moving, she would definitely have to start working at the restaurant.
And before that, there was another matter she needed to deal with.
Looking at the address Ardan had given her—Tokai Natural lifted her head to look at the enormous building in front of her, a building so massive it did not feel like something that should exist within Greater Tokyo.
"Um… is there a doorbell?"
The gate looked specifically designed for vehicles rather than people, leaving Tokai Natural completely unsure of what to do.
Fortunately, the very next moment, an elderly butler with snow-white hair stepped out from her blind spot.
He took only a single look at Tokai Natural before correctly recognizing her identity.
"Miss Tokai Natural, please come in."
Pushing the heavy gate open just enough, the butler extended the invitation.
Only then did Tokai Natural notice him standing there.
Watching him pull the iron gate open, she nodded slightly. "Um… Did Ardan-san say I would be coming?"
"Yes. Miss Ardan has already given instructions. Once you arrive, you may go inspect the kitchen or meet her first."
Tokai Natural considered for a second, then said, "I'll meet Ardan-san first. I need to confirm what exactly I'll be doing."
"Understood. This way, please."
The butler turned and began walking ahead in a guide-like manner.
After roughly ten minutes, he brought Tokai Natural before Mejiro Ardan.
"Miss Ardan, Miss Yayoi has arrived."
"You're here."
Unlike the butler's formality, Ardan's tone held no distance at all. She spoke to Tokai Natural as an equal.
Tokai Natural stepped forward, nodding. "Um… Since you hired me as a special guest chef, I need to confirm the scope of the job."
"So that's what you're concerned about." Ardan set down her teacup and rose smoothly to her feet. "It does need to be explained clearly."
She glanced toward the butler.
"Miss…"
"Has the kitchen been informed?"
"Yes. Everything has been explained. What remains is simply bringing Miss Tokai there."
"Good. Then come with me." Saying this, Mejiro Ardan strode out of the tea parlor.
Tokai Natural followed right behind her.
"Yayoi, as a special invited chef, your job is simple. Whenever we request your presence, you come and prepare a meal. Whether it's a creative dish or something else entirely doesn't matter, as long as it meets the requirement."
Ardan paused for a moment before continuing:
"But even if the head chef has been informed, I'm sure there will be many who don't accept it."
"After all, parachuting in a new chef—especially as the lead—is something that naturally causes friction. We've already convinced the head chef. What remains is the staff under him."
Tokai Natural nodded. "So?"
"So—you and he will make the same dish. A direct comparison. You'll likely face some rough treatment during the process. As long as you're given the same ingredients, though… Well, as for classical techniques or textbook methods—Yayoi, you don't know those, correct?"
"Mm. I never received systematic training."
Tokai Natural looked aside briefly, then asked, "So as long as I win, that's enough?"
"The contest is simple. You only need to produce something better than the original head chef's. With your ability, it shouldn't be difficult."
Saying this, Ardan came to a stop. "We're here."
Tokai Natural looked forward.
A metal door—not a wooden one.
It was unusual for the Mejiro estate, which mostly used wood. But considering the frequent use of fire and steam in a kitchen, an iron door wasn't surprising at all.
Safety over aesthetics.
While Tokai Natural was still examining the door, the butler pulled it open.
Inside—the kitchen was immaculate. Every surface gleamed. Not a spot of grime in sight.
And most importantly—the entire Mejiro chef team was already standing inside, lined up as if waiting specifically for Tokai Natural.
Seeing this, she tilted her head. "This… is the kitchen?"
"The basics are all prepared. Special tools are limited, but… from here—"
Ardan looked at Tokai Natural.
"You'll show them your skill."
She stepped forward.
With that one step, Ardan moved from standing in front of Tokai Natural to standing just behind her shoulder.
Gazing down at Natural's small frame, Ardan shifted her gaze slightly.
"Afu, who do you favor?"
"The Mejiro family's chef team is extremely capable—practically Michelin two‑star level. But if this is someone you personally recommended, Miss Ardan… then she must far surpass that standard, correct?"
"…Mm. When I first tasted her cooking, I genuinely thought I was eating something from a state banquet."
"Then the Mejiro team's defeat is practically guaranteed."