Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine-Chapter 194 ⟴ End of Vacation

"Mai, what's wrong?"

Sitting in the living room, Mei noticed that Mai suddenly had a strange expression on her face and thought that something unusual had happened in the Jujutsu World again.

"Nothing. Kasumi just asked me about Inspector General Daiki's culinary preferences. She said the Prime Minister is planning a grand ceremony." Mai helplessly closed her phone screen.

Don't these people know that Daiki actually doesn't like attending these ceremonies?

"Oh, that? People from the Jujutsu World and the Public Security Exorcism Division have already been calling to ask about this. Doesn't Kasumi know?" Mei's fine eyebrows raised slightly.

Logically speaking, this girl from Kyoto Jujutsu High shouldn't have any connection to this matter.

Mai shrugged slightly and said helplessly, "She might be asking on behalf of a friend, probably someone from Tōtsuki Culinary Academy."

Jujutsu Sorcerers need to eat too, and those with prestigious backgrounds usually have very discerning tastes when it comes to cuisine.

Mei said softly, "I see!"

Then turning to Daiki, she said, "Daiki-kun, the Prime Minister has put a lot of effort into organizing this ceremony! I heard they're selecting talented chefs from Tōtsuki Culinary Academy and having them impress you with their creativity."

Sitting beside Daiki, Iroha pouted and said, "It's just cooking. If I work hard for two nights, my culinary skills will easily surpass theirs."

Ayase and Mai had the same thought — after all, Daiki's cooking skills were well-known and definitely top-tier.

Faced with the thought processes of Iroha and the others, Mei covered her beautiful eyes and laughed, "That's not it at all!"

Maki and Mafuyu glanced over, the former interested in the details, the latter wanting to understand the situation in the Jujutsu World.

Mei continued helplessly, "Don't you think the Prime Minister and his advisors know that these newcomers' culinary skills aren't quite there yet? Rather than valuing the chefs' unlimited potential and creativity, they're more interested in the chefs themselves."

Ayase and Mafuyu suddenly widened their eyes, while the innocent Fumino stared blankly at everyone else's reactions.

Iroha paused momentarily, then took out her phone and opened the Tōtsuki Culinary Academy website, seeing photos of all the Elite Ten.

Even she had to admit that while these Elite Ten members might not be excellent cooks, their appearances were absolutely flawless.

Each with their own unique charm!

"Damn it! Are these little bitches here to cook or to show themselves off? Can't they focus their attention where it should be?!" The furiously frustrated Iroha tugged at Ayase's sleeve and whispered, "Ayase, don't just stand there. Don't you have any thoughts about this?"

Ayase puzzledly whispered back, "Iroha, stop it. This is a ceremony hosted by the Prime Minister. What more do you want? Besides, they earned their opportunity through their culinary skills. If you had that kind of ability, you could participate too."

Although she felt angry and dissatisfied inside, her long-standing upbringing made her respectful of terms like "Prime Minister",

Iroha frowned with displeasure. Chefs who could fight their way through Tōtsuki Culinary Academy were genuinely skilled. After all, she noticed while searching earlier that Tōtsuki's philosophy was that 99% of culinary students were merely whetstones.

Compared to these Elite Ten, her cooking skills were nowhere near adequate. If she were to cook alone, she'd probably end up cooking herself... hmm?

Iroha's spirits suddenly perked up. She might not know how to cook, but she knew some tricks!

What was that dish called again? Foursomething?

"Senpai, my cooking skills are excellent. I'll give you a surprise tomorrow! Also... do you still have those magic-replenishing bullets?"

Daiki couldn't help but look up. Facing her smiling face, he nodded slightly and said, "Yes, we'll see how you perform."

Noticing the conversation between the two, Ayase became curious. Her friend's cooking skills weren't as good as she claimed, were they?

At that moment, her gaze fell on Iroha's phone screen, and her face immediately turned red with embarrassment.

She knew it! Iroha was only good at being shameless!

While Ayase was embarrassed, Fumino sat awkwardly, wanting to ask Daiki for tutoring but not knowing how to bring it up. From the current situation, it seemed unlikely that he would have time to tutor her, so she could only sit quietly and wait.

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As time passed, the last day of Sōbu High's vacation ended.

Maki left Daiki's house with Fumino.

Iroha was busy planning how to prepare delicious dishes, deciding to cram cooking basics tonight and buy ingredients tomorrow.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Ayase and Mafuyu didn't leave. They took Kirino next door, then secretly returned under the cover of night.

Of course, the Tōtsuki side, including Nene and others, didn't sit idly by. They used their Elite Ten privileges to skip classes and leave Tōtsuki Academy. They planned to seek out former Elite Ten graduates to gain experience and break through their current culinary limitations.

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Night fell soon after.

Watching the neon lights flash by outside the car window, Erina and the others sat in thoughtful silence.

"In other places, you couldn't just go out at night like this. You might encounter Evil Spirits and Cursed Spirits." Nene said, breaking the silence.

Rindō nodded in agreement, "Indeed, the world has become too dangerous. I used to roam around with consecrated prayer beads from the shrine, but now even with them, I don't dare leave Tokyo."

She used to be able to collect ingredients from around the world, but now she couldn't even think about collecting precious ingredients — she didn't dare stay overnight outside.

"Wasn't it said that Cursed Spirits and Evil Spirits in other regions, limited by population factors, wouldn't possess particularly cunning personalities or high intelligence?" Erina asked.

Hisako Arato, sitting nearby, nodded. The intelligence she had gathered indicated that Cursed Spirits in other regions were relatively weaker.

Rindō explained, "That was true before — the more remote the area, the fewer Cursed Spirits. But the situation has changed now. The escape of Cursed Spirits from Chiba has increased pressure everywhere, causing various supernatural incidents, compounded by frequent rumors. Cursed Spirits outside Chiba have grown stronger, and there might even be many Grade 2 and Grade 1 Cursed Spirits hidden there, so it's safer to stay in Chiba."

After explaining for a while, Rindō suddenly changed the subject.

"By the way, which Elite Ten alumni are we visiting in Chiba this time?"

Nene said softly, "The 89th graduating class, Sonoka Kikuchi-senpai!"

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