To be honest, Ryuji found the scene spectacular.
Even if he tried tearing his clothes apart on purpose, he doubted he could achieve the same explosive effect as the old man before him.
What remained of Senzaemon's clothes was little more than shreds fluttering to the floor. After tasting the mysterious meat seasoned with exotic spices from another world, the old man had somehow conjured a massive calligraphy brush and a scroll of rice paper—and furiously scrawled two characters:
"Delicious!"
Ryuji stared, dumbfounded.
He couldn't help but lean toward Erina and whisper,
"No wonder none of your family flinched when I pulled something out of thin air. You people already have supernatural skills of your own. And Erina, this whole… explosion technique…"
"I don't have it!"
Her face turned crimson—equal parts shame and irritation.
Alice, naturally, was enjoying the chaos. She leaned forward with mock seriousness, chin resting on one hand.
"It's said to be a technique passed down through male only. Or that only the purest bloodline of the Nakiri family can awaken it. Erina should qualify, though. Don't you think?"
Erina immediately crossed her arms over her chest and averted her gaze, refusing to dignify that statement with a response.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
But her purple eyes flicked to Ryuji's, carrying a strange mix of frustration, vulnerability—and an almost imperceptible hope.
He understood immediately.
She could, if she wanted to. But she was controlling it.Which meant…
"Looks like I need to start learning how to cook."
Ryuji sighed inwardly.
He didn't care for cooking. He wasn't aiming to become some culinary genius. He had no ambition to enroll in Tōtsuki Academy and battle his way up with skills he didn't possess and a passion he didn't feel.
Sure, chefs were prestigious here. But in the grand scheme of power, wealth, and influence—what did even the most celebrated chef amount to in front of a true titan of the business world?
Food could stir hearts, touch lives… even inspire change.But could it sustain that change?Could it shift political tides?
No. Even the greatest chef still bowed before the ones who signed their paychecks.
And Ryuji?Ryuji was just good at eating.
He respected chefs—their ability to bring joy to others was something he genuinely admired.But if he was going to stand beside Erina as the heir to the Nakiri family… a businessman was a more strategic fit. Someone who could support her from behind the scenes, secure networks, and offer stability.
"I can bring more of these rare spices and magical ingredients," he said, clearing his throat and turning to the now-robed old man.
"They may not be easy to mass-produce in this world, but surely the Nakiri family isn't targeting the low-end market, are they?"
At that, Senzaemon, who had finally calmed down, tightened his new kimono and took his seat once more—his posture stately, as if the explosive display earlier had never happened.
But the look he gave Erina and Ryuji was conflicted.
"Even so… this matter between you and Erina…"
He glanced at Ryuji's obviously adult appearance… then at his youthful granddaughter. With a soft sigh, he leaned back.
An older man and a younger woman—it wasn't unheard of, but still…
He had once hoped Erina could fall in love freely, experience the flutter of first romance. Yet here she was, making life-altering decisions.
It felt like… the end of a story before it had even started.
But in truth, Senzaemon knew—he was only playing the villain here.
Ryuji seemed like a good man. Mature, sensible. The type who wouldn't push Erina around. In fact, Erina would likely hold the reins in their relationship.
And the abilities he possessed… well, those could certainly benefit the Nakiri name.
Whether he would always stay so devoted, whether things would remain this balanced—that would be up to them.
But there was one lingering concern…
Senzaemon narrowed his eyes.A man who could travel between worlds—if he wanted to keep mistresses across dimensions, it would be child's play.
But again—there was nothing he could do about that.
Even if he said no… Erina wouldn't care.
"Very well," the old man finally said, exhaling.
"I suppose I've no grounds to object. You've proven your resolve, your intentions, and your value to the family."
He sounded wistful—like someone who had prepared to watch a sweet romantic comedy… only to be told the series had been canceled at episode one.
Still, it wasn't bad, was it?
Just… a little lonely, not having a role to play as the wise grandfather pulling strings.
"Thank you for your understanding," Ryuji said politely, following the local customs.
He didn't particularly enjoy bowing and formalities here very much—he had to do as the Romans do. Besides, since he was Erina's grandfather, Ryuji politely followed the etiquette and rules here and expressed his gratitude.
He wasn't about to stop pursuing other beautiful women in other worlds—but he couldn't deny one thing:
Erina was special.
She had been the first to fall for him.The first to share real intimacy.The one who had awakened his system.The one who had fought to survive with him.The one he had first truly risked his life for.
Whatever strange cocktail of emotion and circumstance had bonded them—it was real. And it was unique.
In terms of emotion, in terms of memory… even in terms of "merit"—Erina is still unique.
So once he decided they would marry in this world, he had already made up his mind:
"Guess I'll try to find some joy in cooking."
The diverse ingredients and cooking methods of all these worlds—it could be… fun?
With that thought, Ryuji looked up—and saw Erina's face light up with joy.
So, he smiled and asked:
"So… what kind of wedding does Erina want?"
Her face flushed instantly.
"Th-That… I…"
Erina's voice immediately turned nervous and stammering. Seeing his granddaughter so flustered, Senzaemon stroked his chin with interest before speaking.
"There's no rush. Marriage is a big decision. No matter what, it should wait until Erina graduates, right? Besides, I plan to pass the Nakiri family down to her when she marries, so we can't go rushing things. More importantly, there's still… a certain issue we need to deal with. Truth be told, it's my responsibility."
Senzaemon's expression grew heavy, and Erina's breathing quickened.
Then, Ryuji heard a name.
"…Oh, Erina's father?"
Ryuji had never heard Erina talk about her father, but he did know some things. After all, Shokugeki no Soma had gained quite a bit of popularity, even outside its usual circles.
He knew that Erina's father was… well, a bit of a maniac. His extreme training methods were the reason her "God Tongue" evolved so rapidly, to the point where she could no longer eat normal food at such a young age.
If it weren't for the protagonist stepping in, her future would've likely ended in starvation.
So basically… he's the villain?
Ryuji pondered for a moment. He didn't know all the details, but that didn't stop him from asking.
"Was Erina's father… really that bad to her?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Erina visibly trembled. Everyone else in the room suddenly looked very serious.
Senzaemon paused for a moment, glanced at Erina, and finally spoke.
"He turned my once cheerful granddaughter into someone who forgot how to smile. Everything she did had to meet his approval. And if she enjoyed something he didn't deem worthy… he'd scold her or even punish her. In short—I drove him out of the family. But I have to admit… he was a talented man."
The moment he finished, Ryuji calmly pulled out an M60 machine gun and placed it on the floor.
The weight of the weapon left visible dents in the tatami mat. Senzaemon and Alice Nakiri's jaws dropped.
With a composed voice, Ryuji said:
"If you need the body disposed of, just leave it to me. I can send it to another world, no problem. If you need untraceable guns, I've got plenty of models. And if you lack a reliable hitman, I can fill in. I doubt Japan's police have the means to collect evidence across dimensions."
The weight of his words settled heavily in the room. It was only now that Senzaemon remembered—Ryuji had said he was from a world overrun with zombies, and he could use magic…
Given that, his fearlessness made a strange kind of sense.
Still… this nonchalant attitude toward human life…
"Ahem. Well, actually, he just… lost his way," Senzaemon tried to defuse the tension.
But Ryuji continued, lightly stroking the M60 beside him.
He had little interest in other firearms.
Sniper rifles lacked the necessary firepower and mobility.
Handguns? Magazine capacity was always an issue.
Only something like this—high-capacity, high-power, rapid-fire—was his weapon of choice.
Well, if a sniper rifle or handgun had absurd power, fire rate, and magazine size, he wouldn't complain either.
"Yes, people can lose their way. That's why I'm very skilled at… helping them start a new life."
Senzaemon: "..."
He looked at Ryuji, a thousand thoughts flashing through his mind.
I take back what I said. You're no ordinary man.
And by "new life," you clearly mean reincarnation, don't you?!
That's Erina's father, you maniac!
Eventually, Erina, her cheeks flushed, spoke up with a sigh.
"Alright, alright! He's still my father, after all. I may hate him, but not to the point where I want you to kill him."
"You're right… But I still think someone who could do those things needs a fresh perspective on life."
"Breaking his legs is also not an option!"
"Hmm. That does make things tricky."
Senzaemon held his head in his hands as he watched the back-and-forth between Erina and Ryuji.
Though it seemed his granddaughter had found a unique and… "compatible" partner, he couldn't help but worry:
Could the Nakiri family really handle someone this outrageous?
While Senzaemon wrestled with his existential dread, Alice had a very different reaction.
"This is the real deal!" she exclaimed, examining the M60 with wide eyes. "I've never seen this model before, but there's no mistaking it—it's real! How did you get your hands on something like this? With this kind of firepower, in a laid-back country like this, you could assassinate every high-ranking official if you wanted!"
Alice ran her hands over the M60 with barely-contained excitement.
She might've been Erina's cousin, but in terms of maturity, Erina clearly had her beat. Alice, in contrast, was the type to chase after excitement without hesitation.
Ryuji chuckled. "Of course it's real. And it's loaded with live rounds. So I'd appreciate it if you gave it back."
Carefully, Alice picked up the heavy weapon and handed it to him. But in doing so, she overlooked one important detail—
Her chest was quite… prominent.
As Ryuji reached to take the gun, the trigger passed directly in front of Alice's chest. One of her buttons got snagged on it.
The moment they both realized what had happened, the M60's barrel lit up.
It fired uncontrollably.
And then—
Senzaemon Nakiri took a round to the head and collapsed to the floor. As he fell, a yellow item bag dropped from his body.
Ryuji: "..."
Staring at Senzaemon's body and the stunned, gaping expressions around him, Ryuji ignored the item bag and swiftly pulled out a medical kit, rushing to his side.
"Don't you die on me!"
A miracle happened.
Thanks to the medical kit, Senzaemon was revived. But as he groggily came to and saw some of his brain matter still lying nearby, he couldn't help but feel… unsettled.
And what unsettled him most—was Ryuji.
Because when Senzaemon had been shot, he'd dropped a book.
The title?
The Power of Gourmet Cooking
Gourmet Power Lv1: Instantly grants the ability to make any food taste delicious. When stamina is consumed, anything you cook—can rival a dish prepared by a top chef.
No matter the taste preference, the result is equally delicious to anyone.
"If I use this to become a chef, it's cheating, right?" Ryuji muttered.
~~~~~~~
Bonus chapter every 200 PS.