Besides chefs,
in this world, brewers, baristas, food writers, critics, and so on, also have very good development prospects.
The most typical example is Chitose Natsume and Zhi Hui's HUB Foods, which directly controls a curry market worth 200 billion annually, dominating the entire curry industry.
Of course,
for Sosuke,
because he operates an Izakaya and has to provide alcoholic beverages every day,
he had no choice but to brew some sake, shochu, fruit wine, and red wine himself.
Indeed, as Sonoka said, with the brewing techniques he currently possesses, changing careers to run a winery might not be without prospects.
But he would never do that, because he is inherently a chef, naturally making a living from the catering industry.
...
Late at night,
approaching 12 o'clock,
the Izakaya was finally about to close again!
Perhaps, it was because Totsuki was holding its entrance examination tomorrow.
Therefore, Rindo, who was serving as an examiner, did not come to the Izakaya again today.
And because she accidentally got drunk at the Izakaya last time, Sonoka dared not drink too much today, but before leaving, she would often steal glances at Sosuke.
When she felt his gaze happen to look over and meet hers unintentionally, her cheeks would slightly redden.
"Shopkeeper,"
"Do... do you have time tomorrow morning?"
Finally, Sonoka still mustered her courage and asked.
"Aside from needing to purchase ingredients and seasonings at the nearby fresh food market and supermarket, I have time for everything else!"
Sosuke was momentarily stunned.
Then he looked at Sonoka slightly, and his brows couldn't help but rise.
Clearly, he couldn't quite understand Sonoka's intention.
"It's like this."
"Tomorrow, a good friend of mine is coming to Spring Fruit Pavilion."
"I was thinking that last time I got drunk at your Izakaya, I didn't get a chance to properly express my gratitude to you, and tonight I shamelessly freeloaded another dinner from you."
"So... so I thought that while entertaining my friend, I also hope you can come and show your support!"
After Sonoka finished speaking, she quickly lowered her head, seemingly intentionally trying to hide her nervousness and anticipation.
From her words, it should not be difficult to guess that her good friend is Kakizaki Taki.
And as the two spent more and more time together,
Sonoka had clearly come to regard Sosuke as important as Kakizaki Taki, otherwise she wouldn't have invited him to Spring Fruit Pavilion tomorrow morning.
"What time?"
"Morning... 10 AM."
Sonoka replied flustered.
"Okay."
"At that time, I just hope your friend doesn't dislike me too much!"
Sosuke just nodded and replied with a smile.
"How could that be?"
"She... she might have a fiery temper, but she's not unreasonable."
"And Sosuke's Restaurant's Shopkeeper's personal charm is evident; I believe she will eventually appreciate you deeply, just like me!"
Sonoka quickly said.
"In your heart,"
"I'm such an excellent person, am I?"
Hearing this, Sosuke chuckled.
"This... that... Shopkeeper, it's getting late, I'll head back to Spring Fruit Pavilion first!"
Sonoka's little face instantly turned as red as a monkey's bottom, and then she found an excuse to escape the Izakaya!
Seeing this, Sosuke could only shrug his shoulders.
Apparently, he hadn't expected Sonoka to be so easily shy either.
However, knowing that he still had some appeal, he couldn't help but feel a sense of smugness.
...
He prepared the remaining bit of low-gluten flour and eggs by mixing them with water into a flowing batter.
Then he poured it onto a greased and preheated mold, and when it was about eighty percent cooked, he added chopped cabbage and octopus pieces.
After it had slightly set, he poured in more batter and flipped it until it formed a smooth spherical shape.
Then,
he continued to heat it until it was thoroughly cooked.
Sosuke then quickly used an exquisite small box.
He packed five super-sized Takoyaki into it, wrapped them up, and handed them to Erina.
"Here you go."
"Just a little bit of ingredients left."
"It would be a waste to throw them away anyway, so I just made them into Takoyaki for you to eat slowly on your way home."
"Mm!"
"Tha... thank you!"
Erina originally wanted to refuse.
Because her cousin Alice Nakiri was next to her, she wanted to try her best to maintain her 'lofty' image of despising commoner cuisine.
But alas, even though Sosuke was just making ordinary Takoyaki, she still wanted to eat them.
Beside her, seeing Erina getting a portion of Takoyaki before leaving the Izakaya, Alice immediately came to Sosuke, stretching out a hand directly.
"What's up?"
"What do you mean by this?"
Knowing that Alice was definitely 'jealous' inside, Sosuke pretended to be clueless and asked.
"I want Takoyaki too!"
"Erina has some, but I don't; aren't you thoughtless?" Alice pouted and said to Sosuke unhappily.
"Heh!"
"You want some too?"
"Too bad the Izakaya only had that much ingredients left tonight; there's none after making five Takoyaki!"
Sosuke said with a chuckle.
Upon learning that she truly didn't have any, Alice felt even more puzzled, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
"Alright!"
"I was just teasing you."
"Although there are no more Takoyaki, I still have the Mille-feuille I set aside."
After speaking, Sosuke handed a crispy Mille-feuille to Alice Nakiri.
"Eh?"
"Is it really for me?"
Seeing the Mille-feuille in front of her, Alice was first stunned.
Then her vexation instantly vanished, and a smile returned to her face: "You're still considerate; then I won't be polite!"
...
On the way back,
Erina remained somewhat silent.
In contrast, Alice Nakiri beside her seemed very excited.
She first opened her mouth wide and took a big bite of the Mille-feuille in her hand, and as her teeth continued to chew, a 'crunch, crunch' sound echoed in her mouth!
At the same time, the crispy crust and fluffy meat filling of the entire Mille-feuille instantly formed a strong contrast in texture.
The crust was fried until it was fragrant and crispy, and the rich smoky flavor and the satisfying fullness of the filling made her even more intoxicated!
"Mmm~"
"So delicious."
"How can Sosuke's Restaurant's Shopkeeper of this Izakaya be so amazing?"
Finally, Alice said with a look of contentment.
"Alice,"
"What are your plans for Totsuki next?"
Erina looked at Alice slightly.
As cousins, she really didn't want to bother with her, but things always seemed to exceed her expectations!
Moreover, it was quite strange.
While at the Izakaya, although she occasionally bickered with Alice,
their relationship didn't further deteriorate under Sosuke's influence; on the contrary, it gradually improved.
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