After confirming they would help.
Fueguchi Hinami asked: "So shop owner big brother, what can I do?"
Hayashi thought for a moment: "You sit at the bar counter, help watch the customers, call people to check out, and while helping, study math."
Hinami's face stiffened.
Fueguchi Ryouko covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "Thank you, shop owner."
Kirishima Touka looked at the time.
"Should we open now? Do we need to change into uniforms?"
"Right." Hayashi thought for a moment and extended his hand.
The next moment.
Thin threads appeared in groups from his hand, weaving together, finally forming 4 beautifully detailed armbands.
Hayashi handed three of them to the girls.
"Just wear them on your left arm. This way it's easy for everyone to recognize you. As for clothes, you can wear whatever you like."
"Wow~" Fueguchi Hinami looked at the armband.
She not only loved it extremely but was also curious about how Hayashi made it.
Hinami stepped forward to take an armband, slipped her hand through it, and pulled it up to her upper arm.
The armband's elasticity and smoothness felt like nothing at all.
And there was barely any sensation.
Wearing it on her upper arm was extremely comfortable, like premium silk.
"So beautiful."
Fueguchi Hinami immediately fell in love with this armband.
Seeing this, Kirishima Touka and Ryouko also stepped forward to take theirs and put them on their arms.
"Tohru."
"Coming~!"
Tohru entered the kitchen.
Hayashi handed her the other one.
"There are many people today. Wearing armbands makes it easy to recognize us. You wear one too. These three are here to help for three days."
"Mm-hmm."
Tohru immediately put on the armband.
Looking left and right, she liked it very much.
"Is this a gift? Hehe~"
After all four put on their armbands.
Hayashi looked at these four people and felt much more at ease.
At least when dozens of customers came to the shop, he wouldn't have to worry about being too busy to handle it.
As for him cooking?
With the power of the Eternity Devil, he wasn't afraid of that.
After a while.
6 PM arrived.
The sun began to set.
Dusk spread over the streets, turning the streetscape golden.
The crowd outside the midnight diner saw that the time was about to arrive.
Everyone's conversation topics.
Immediately changed to when the shop owner would open, whether the shop owner would open on time, etc.
The answer was of course punctual.
When the time came.
Hayashi nodded at Tohru who was looking at him.
Tohru's figure flashed.
She came to the entrance, pulled open the door, and flipped over the "Now Open" wooden sign.
"Now open for business. Seating inside is limited, please enter in batches."
Tohru began controlling entry at the door.
She knew exactly how many seats were inside.
Looking at Nakiri Senzaemon's group.
Tohru asked: "How many people?"
"3 people." Arato Hisako replied.
"Then go to the four-person table."
"Thank you."
Tohru confirmed the number of people, assigned seats, and let people in batch by batch.
After Hayashi looked from the bar counter.
He turned to Touka and Ryouko and said.
"Touka, Ryouko, please take orders, record the slips table by table, bring them to the bar counter, then have Hinami give them to me."
"Tohru can usually handle serving dishes, thank you for your help."
Touka and Ryouko perked up: "No trouble, we'll go now."
Thus.
People entering the restaurant began taking their seats.
Touka and Ryouko began taking orders.
Following the order.
Touka first went to Nakiri Senzaemon's table.
"What would you like to order?"
Nakiri Erina was looking at the menu.
She glanced up: "Dongpo pork curry rice bowl, and lemon tea."
Senzaemon looked: "Red wine braised beef, and a bottle of sake."
Arato Hisako also chose her meal.
After Touka noted everything down, she nodded.
"Coming right up."
Then while going to the next table.
She handed the slip with the table number to Hinami at the bar counter.
"Hinami, this is for table one."
"Got it."
Hinami took the slip and hurriedly delivered it to Hayashi in the kitchen.
"Shop owner big brother, this is the order for table one."
"Alright."
Hayashi took the order.
He knew this was from Nakiri Erina's table.
But it was all the same - he'd still cook normally.
After scanning the requirements.
Hayashi began cooking.
The String-String Fruit ability, the Eternity Devil's power, the Ice Teigu's ability.
Hayashi used all his abilities in cooking.
Every portion, every minute, every second was timed with incredible precision!
At this time, outside the diner.
After the first batch all went in.
The crowd queued up, with dozens more people still waiting in line.
Seeing the restaurant was full.
Tohru told everyone: "It's full inside. Please wait until the current customers finish dining before other customers can enter."
The customers all expressed understanding and disappointment.
A few people left.
But most were still willing to wait in line.
Just wait!
I must eat this meal!
Inside the restaurant.
Nakiri Erina was examining the restaurant's decorations and interior design.
Around her, people waiting for their food.
Many were taking photos of the giant dragon ice sculptures in the center of the restaurant.
Because the ice sculptures were so exquisitely detailed, they looked like artworks rather than industrial products.
Erina also took out her phone to take some photos.
Then she looked around, observing the decor.
Strictly speaking.
The restaurant's interior design definitely couldn't be called luxurious or noble, couldn't compare to those prince restaurants or world-class top restaurants.
But it had an atmosphere that was unique in this world.
No other restaurant had it.
The materials, style, design, and materials used in this decor were all distinctive.
Making the final product one-of-a-kind.
That is, unique.
Others would find it hard to copy even if they wanted to!
Looking at these ice sculptures again.
Erina was certain these ice sculptures were definitely hand-carved by the chef to showcase their knife skills.
When knife skills reach the ultimate level, ice sculpting naturally becomes effortless.
So from the perspective of knife skills, Erina already approved.
At this time.
Senzaemon spoke up: "What do you think of this decor compared to those Totsuki system restaurants?"
Nakiri Erina immediately shook her head.
"They're completely different."
"Totsuki system restaurants are all decorated according to grade and price, aiming for luxury."
"But this restaurant shows more style and care."
"Or you could say, it's about taste."
"Unique."
Senzaemon nodded: "Mm."
He agreed with this view.
The two sides had almost no comparability - the style gap was too large.
Senzaemon looked around.
His gaze was naturally also attracted by the ice sculptures.
Two such large dragons.
And the cats and dogs at their feet.
Ice sculptures with such detail definitely weren't industrial products, but hand-carved.
If handwork could reach this level.
Then knife skills must also be excellent.
"Showing strength without leaving traces?" Senzaemon murmured.
In their eyes.
Strength was displayed so casually.
And in all aspects.
Not necessarily just in culinary skills.
At this time.
A call came from the kitchen.
All three looked toward Tohru entering the kitchen.
Senzaemon looked down at the time.
"10 minutes?"
In less than 10 minutes, Hayashi had already finished all the dishes for table one.
"Tohru."
"Coming~!"
When Tohru came to the kitchen.
Hayashi had already plated the dishes and stuck the labels on them.
"Look at the labels, table one."
"Got it." Tohru looked and carried several dishes at once to serve them.
Coming to the restaurant.
With a clatter.
Tohru placed the three dishes and drinks on the table.
"All dishes are served, please enjoy."
Then she left.
At the dining table.
Senzaemon looked at the dishes, then at the time.
"10 minutes?"
What the hell could be cooked in 10 minutes?
A glance showed.
Three dishes at that!
Did you serve me pre-made food!?
For a moment.
Senzaemon and Erina looked at each other, both showing helplessness and embarrassment on their faces.
Like a work that had high expectations placed on it, but then...
"Wait."
Before the thought in his mind was finished.
The aroma of the cuisine had already wafted to his nose.
Senzaemon took a light sniff.
"This aroma..."
No mistake, it was definitely fresh cuisine!
This taste definitely wasn't any pre-made food or frozen meat - it was all fresh!
"How could this be, it's only been 10 minutes?"
Erina also smelled it.
Her eyes were also puzzled.
"This aroma is indeed fresh, authentic flavor."
The two looked at each other.
Arato Hisako was already swallowing her saliva.
"Well, let's try it first."
Senzaemon still decided to taste it first.
Everyone divided up the dishes.
Utensils in hand.
Then almost simultaneously.
Each person picked up a piece and put it in their mouth.
Nakiri Senzaemon: !
Nakiri Erina: !
Arato Hisako: !
The three pairs of widened eyes reflected their inner shock!
Senzaemon was still in shock.
But his mouth had already begun chewing on its own.
This was instinct!
This rich, mellow texture and complex layered flavors were intoxicating!
The beef was stewed to perfection, retaining the meat's natural texture while providing a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
With a light sniff, the fragrance of red wine and spices hit him.
When they mixed together.
Chewing produced saliva, and he simply couldn't stop!
"Rip~!"
Suddenly.
With a ripping sound, the clothes on Senzaemon's body burst open, revealing his muscular physique that remained strong despite his age!
Arato Hisako couldn't care about the deliciousness in her mouth and widened her eyes in shock.
Senzaemon-sama's clothes exploded!?
And it was just the first bite!
This was too exaggerated!
This cuisine... was indeed delicious!
Arato Hisako was only shocked for a moment, then hurriedly continued eating.
She couldn't help it!
This was too delicious!
Hearing the commotion, customers around them all stared in shock.
"Is this for real?"
"Is it that delicious?"
Amid everyone's surprised voices...
The diners quickly discovered it wasn't an act.
Everyone was like this!
Then.
From Hayashi's side, the second table, third table, fourth table - dishes were served one after another!
As diners at each table began eating.
Suddenly.
The restaurant filled with continuous exclamations and eating sounds.
"Wow! Super delicious! This is too good!"
"This rice and curry is the best!"
"Too delicious! Om nom nom! It's truly divine cuisine! Om nom nom!"
"How can this meat be so delicious!"
"What have I been eating before?!"
Seeing others eat like this.
Other customers made continuous swallowing sounds.
So envious! Really envious!
The way they were devouring their food looked so delicious!
Was it really that good!
Amid everyone's exclamations.
At the first table.
Nakiri Erina was already somewhat dazed.
When her Dongpo pork curry rice bowl entered her mouth, that rich deliciousness exploded in her mouth.
Her tongue was like a bullied girl.
Being thoroughly dominated by the rice bowl.
Due to the overly rich layers, her tongue was processing too much information, with too many images appearing in her mind.
So she short-circuited a bit.
When she came to her senses.
Only then did she marvel at the deliciousness of this dish.
"Unbelievable..."
"The freshness of ingredients, processing methods, cooking time - all incredibly precise."
In Erina's mind.
Hayashi held various strange cooking utensils, working on her from top to bottom.
Binding with strange sharp thin threads.
Loosening with vibrating cooking tools.
Handling with powerful hands.
For a moment.
Nakiri Erina clenched her legs together, curled up, blushing as she chewed and swallowed the food in her mouth.
She also saw her grandfather who had burst his clothes.
At this moment, her grandfather was eating ravenously without regard for his image.
Stuffing pieces of beef into his mouth!
After eating almost everything.
Another gulp of sake!
Finally letting out a satisfied sound!
Erina had only seen her grandfather like this in very rare situations!
And usually he recovered immediately.
When had she ever seen him eating so ravenously without regard for image!
"No good, I can't hold back..."
Nakiri Erina found she had only restrained herself for a moment.
Then immediately became irresistibly hungry.
She immediately began eating ravenously too.
I'll eat.
I'll eat.
Dongpo pork curry rice bowl.
Nakiri Erina ate continuously!
Nakiri Senzaemon and Arato Hisako beside her were the same.
The food was served in less than 10 minutes.
They also ate for less than 10 minutes.
And finished all the cuisine in front of them!
Nakiri Senzaemon even licked the plates clean, not letting a drop of sauce go to waste!
The sake was drunk to the last drop!
Erina and Hisako were the same.
In front of her.
The cuisine was eaten completely clean.
Only leaving a little bit of sauce that couldn't be picked up.
If someone came up to her now and asked what dish this was?
Probably no one could answer.
It was eaten too cleanly!
No identifying features left!
"Whew~~~"
After finishing the cuisine, Senzaemon breathed out a long breath and picked up another piece of clothing to put on.
He opened his eyes and looked at Erina.
Actually, both found it quite unbelievable.
Such a small shop was actually hidden in such a place, deep in an alley.
If it hadn't been discovered by a popular book.
They might never have found it.
That would be such a pity!
"Hisako."
"Yes."
"Go settle the bill and ask for the shop owner's contact information."
"Yes."
Hisako went to pay the bill.
Fueguchi Hinami saw someone checking out and hurriedly called Kirishima Touka over.
Touka handled the payment while Hinami helped with calculations.
Kanna watched from the side, occasionally helping Tohru make lemon tea and fetch things, her little legs running back and forth.
But paying the bill was fine.
After Touka heard they wanted Hayashi's contact information.
She hesitated - she needed to know if Hayashi was willing.
But Hisako immediately explained.
"We have a Totsuki cuisine supervisor here who found it extremely delicious and would like to meet him. Please!"
The supervisor she mentioned was Nakiri Erina.
After hearing this, Kirishima Touka was willing to ask Hayashi.
In the kitchen.
The first batch of customers in the restaurant were almost finished with their meals.
Kirishima Touka came in and explained what had just happened.
"They want contact information? Who's asking?"
Touka replied: "They said it's a supervisor from Totsuki Culinary Academy."
That would be Nakiri Erina?
No, it could also be Nakiri Senzaemon.
But he knew both of them.
Hayashi thought for a moment and pointed to the bar counter.
"There are my business cards in the drawer. Give them one."
"Alright." Kirishima Touka nodded and went back to find the business cards.
She found the business cards in the drawer Hayashi mentioned.
Only then did Kirishima Touka discover that these business cards were actually carved from small wooden boards - made from hardwood material with the natural fragrance of raw wood.
So fragrant! So refreshing!
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