Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine-Chapter 207 ⟴ The Dinner Party at the Yukinoshita Residence

"Mr. Tsukasa, how do you find the taste? Is there anything that needs improvement? I'll fix it right away." Nene's expression grew unusually tense.

She had given it her all, but whether it would satisfy Daiki remained uncertain.

Sonoka looked at her in surprise — weren't the Elite Ten of Tōtsuki supposed to be arrogant? Yet she seemed quite gentle.

Erina watched Nene, then turned to look at Alice, and after a long contemplation, her pupils suddenly contracted.

"Lady Erina, are our senpais hiding something from us? Their cooking seems far stronger than we imagined. Nene's soba and Rindō's special chili sauce — these aren't techniques we normally see in training."

Erina quickly gestured for Hisako to stop talking.

Could it be? This person might be the Dragon King — the one about to be elevated to divine status by the Prime Minister and his cabinet!

'Damn it! Did Kinokuni-senpai and the others know this beforehand?'

Erina knew well that her culinary skills couldn't compare to these seniors. While they had given their all, she had been distracted.

With this dish, there was no way she could gain recognition. Would she lose the Nakiri family's honor?

Her gaze shifted to Alice, who rested her chin in her hands with interest — clearly enjoying her cousin's struggle.

"It's acceptable, no obvious flaws."

Nene's eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but she could do nothing about it. Her own limitations held her back.

She had originally sought out Sonoka to break through her plateau, but who knew this senior's connections would be so impressive? Bypassing the food selection process to serve dishes directly to the Dragon King — no wonder she hadn't wanted to participate in the selection. Anyone with such connections wouldn't.

"What about mine?" Rindō asked eagerly.

"The spice is too strong."

The simple evaluation left Rindō wilting like a frost-bitten eggplant.

"This medicinal cuisine tastes decent, though it seems you haven't been studying it long. As for this dish... it lacks heart."

Erina's cooking was mediocre, and hearing the evaluation, her face flushed with shame at her lack of effort.

"As expected of Daiki-kun!" Sonoka smoothed things over.

Her impressive figure left Itsuki and the others dazzled — even Haruno felt unusually self-conscious.

"I'm sorry, please give me another chance. I'll definitely try harder this time." After a moment's hesitation, Erina bowed in apology.

Itsuki's eyes widened in shock — as expected of a culinary academy student, her dedication to cooking surpassed anything she had ever witnessed.

"No need, we have enough food. Let's leave it at that." Daiki said, waving his hand. Eating too much isn't good for exercise.

Erina wanted to explain but remained silent.

While she was still feeling guilty, Alice quietly approached and said, "Erina, if you want to make amends, go pour Itsuki a drink."

"Hm?"

Erina looked at her cousin in confusion, then at Itsuki, and noticed Haruno and the others frantically pouring drinks for her — as if they were trying to get her completely drunk!

"What's going on?" She asked quietly.

Alice whispered, "She's blocking our access to Daiki-kun, so we need her to leave quickly."

Both Haruno's group and Alice's circle found the redhead troublesome, feeling constrained by her presence. Only by having her temporarily leave could they fish in troubled waters — and if others left too, even better.

And so the Yukinoshita family's banquet grew increasingly lively, with even Erina, who normally avoided red wine, picking up a glass.

"Uwuu, you're all too kind... don't do this... hehehe..."

Initially, Itsuki maintained her composure, but as the aroma of Elite Ten-level dishes wafted around her, the feast truly began!

Her cheeks bulged like mochi, resembling a cute hamster storing food — she couldn't keep up at all! How was this any different from a mouse discovering a rice storehouse?

"Isn't this child's appetite rather extraordinary?" Mrs. Yukinoshita covered her mouth, watching in amazement as the girl accepted everything offered.

Nothing escaped her once it came within reach. From a certain perspective, her capacity exceeded normal human limits — unless her physique had been enhanced by Cursed Energy!

Haruno's eyes flickered — she had underestimated the Nakano quintuplets; this Itsuki was just like Yotsuba.

'It makes sense. After all, encountering someone like Daiki-kun with supernatural powers would move anyone, but quintuplets...' She lifted her flushed face and glanced at the dizzy Yukino beside her before quickly looking away.

In her fluster, she dropped her chopsticks. When she bent to retrieve them and looked up, she froze.

'Mother's kimono... no... how is this possible...'

Her usually dignified mother had revealed such a different side behind closed doors. What had transpired when Daiki and mother went to discuss business earlier?

Haruno's pupils trembled as she looked at her mother with shock and conflicting emotions, while casting disapproving glares at Daiki.

"Itsuki, have another glass!" She walked behind the redhead, poured her a glass of red wine, then bent down to pour for Daiki, and whispered in his ear, "Daiki-kun, how was mother's kimono? Was it comfortable to play with? You've certainly made yourself at home in someone's sacred space."

Speaking in hushed tones that only they could hear, Haruno dropped her usual formal manner, seemingly seeking revenge for past grievances.

"I'll be honest — it was excellent. Why don't you two compete tonight and see who does better?"

Haruno gave Daiki a shy punch, and the Yukinoshita family's banquet continued under the bright hall lights.

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The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

Meanwhile.

The trace of Spiritual Power within Keika Kawasaki suddenly erupted, manifesting as a massive black and white hand that crushed a Grade 2 Evil Spirit.

The little girl stood stunned, while her classmate Rumi Tsurumi watched in disbelief, once again confronting the vast differences between people.

Only Saki Kawasaki remained frozen in place, staring fearfully down the dark road as her thoughts began to shift.

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