Fancy Dinner

After an hour-long drive, we finally arrived at the hotel. When I was still on the plane, I realized I wouldn't be able to read Japanese so I made contacts that would translate for me in addition to the other two I had already made. And looking up at the hotel, I could read that it said Shinomiya.

'Shinomiya as the name of the hotel really goes to show how proud of their name they are.'

"Would it be possible to freshen up before dinner? I've been on a plane for the better part of a day and I feel a little unclean." I asked Hayasaka-san as we made our way into the lobby.

"Of course, a room is already prepared for you to stay in." he answered as we made our way to the elevators.

"Great, thank you."

After a quick ride on the elevator, it opened up to reveal that the room I was staying in consisted of the entire floor.

"Phew, this is a little too much for just a doctor, isn't it?"

"Nonsense. You managed to diagnose Shinomiya-sama when countless other doctors were unable to. This is the bare minimum you deserve."

"Well, alright then." I said as I took a look around. The suite had aspects of both Western hotels as well as traditional Japanese homes. It was a seamless blend that didn't make it seem like they were in disarray but rather in harmony.

"Dinner will be ready within the hour, and I will be back to take you to see Shinomiya-sama then. For now, goodbye." he said slightly bowing, before riding the elevator elsewhere.

'This place is really nice, I must admit. This must be the best hotel under the Shinomiya Zaibatsu, I doubt Gan'an would use a second-rate one, not to mention inviting a chef like Joichiro is best reserved for the best hotel. But if Joichiro is here, then that means the Totsuki Culinary Academy and Totsuki Group exist as well as the World Gourmet Organization. Which in turn means, the food in this world should be better than what I've eaten so far and I can't wait.

I wonder what the meeting is about though. I should take this time right now to go over the assets that are under Shinomiya Zaibatsu, just in case any surprises arise.'

Opening the Status page and navigating to assets, I expanded the share of Shinomiya Zaibatsu I had and my eyes popped a little looking at the breakdown. Banks, cars, trains, you name it, it's probably on the list. Every sector from entertainment to weapons manufacture was on the list, varying in size of course. But as I was going over the list two particular names caught my eye and triggered a memory from my past life.

'Shuei Clan Yakuza, from Nisekoi. Not surprising to see that world merged but it is surprising that the Shinomiya have some connection to them. I knew it was more than likely that the Shinomiya Zaibatsu was somehow connected to the Yakuza, as I'm sure most companies are connected to criminals in some way, but to think it's the Shuei Clan from Nisekoi. But this other name is even more fun.

Kengan Association, from Kengan Ashura. The world where the wealthy companies of Japan have been using fighter representatives to fight over their vested interests for generations. And apparently, the Shinomiya Zaibatsu does the same thing. If Kengan is here that means Baki must be as well, but Yuujiro's powers are slightly supernatural so I wonder if he's been nerfed to just be at peak human condition. Either way, the more days that pass in this world, the more I'm grateful and excited for being transmigrated. But besides those two names, there isn't anything that pops out to me, so let me get ready now.'

~~

"I must say you dress up rather nicely, Garetty-sensei." said Hayasaka-san as he entered the suite.

"Thanks, I didn't know how casual or formal this dinner was so I decided to put on a suit, just in case."

"It suits you. Please follow me, Garetty-sensei." he said as we entered the elevator and rode it for a few moments before the doors reopened.

Walking down a hallway, we came upon doors that were being guarded by two massive security guards that looked like they could be sumo wrestlers.

"I'm sorry Garetty-sensei, but we have to make sure you are not carrying any dangerous items." said Hayasaka-san while looking a little sorry.

"Not a problem. If I was that wealthy and important, I would ask the same be done."

One of the guards came over and waved a metal detector wand all over me which beeped when it went over my phone, which made them ask me to empty my pockets. After that nothing else was found and they returned my phone back and opened the doors.

The room that Gan'an was currently waiting in resembled that of Arasaka's back in Cyberpunk, minus the cyber aesthetic. In the middle of the room was a platform with a walkway that was surrounded by a pond of koi fish with bamboo. The platform held a chabudai where Gan'an was currently seated, drinking tea while waiting for my arrival. To the back of the room, there was a door that most likely led to the kitchen, seeing as there was a fantastic aroma emanating from it.

"Shinomiya-sama, Garetty-sensei has arrived." said Hayasaka-san as he bowed deeply towards the platform.

"Mm. Garetty-sensei, please sit. Masato, you are dismissed." he said while continuing to drink his tea.

"Hai." he said before departing while I made my way to the table.

"How's your health, Shinomiya-san?" I said as I sat down while making eye glances at the door towards the kitchen.

"Oh, your Japanese has improved drastically since I last saw you. Before you could only speak a few words, and now you're speaking like a native. But, worry not, this room is soundproof so as long as that door is closed. I've also instructed him to knock before entering the room." he said, understanding my signal.

"Thank you for the compliments and confirmation. So, how's your health Gan'an?"

"Hahaha, there's only a few people alive that are able to call me Gan'an and they're all old enough to be your great-grandfather." he said while chuckling.

"If you'd like I'll call you Shinomiya-san, or Geezer." I said with a small smile.

"Call me whatever you like kid, you saved my life when no one else could, and you own nearly half of the zaibatsu."

"Geezer, it is. You still haven't answered how your health is?"

"Better. The medicine you have prescribed is helping me manage. I wish there was a cure, but life is unfair. Although I did get a research team to try to find a cure for lupus. What do you think the odds of curing lupus are?"

"Slim. Lupus, for the most part, has no known trigger. We don't really know what triggers the autoimmune disease, besides some clues linked to genetics and environmental factors. The more problematic part of the disease is how it operates. Like every other autoimmune disease we know about, there is no cure because of its complicated nature. Managing the symptoms is the best we can do for now.

But I do believe after some very important breakthroughs in various fields, we'll be able to study the way the diseases work and then create a cure. Or at the very least, a way to manage the disease rather than the symptoms."

"Yes, that's what the research group said as well. Still, I'll continue the research until I decide it's outlived its usefulness."

"I suppose there are worse ways to spend money than trying to find a cure for a disease."

"Indeed."

"So if I'm not here for your health, what am I here for?"

"That can wait until after we've eaten. Joichiro is a fantastic chef, one of the best to ever come out of Totsuki Culinary Academy."

"Ah, the famous culinary academy that every chef aspires to be a part of. I'm anxious to try the food from an elite graduate of the place. But it sounds like you respect the man?"

"I've hired Joichiro more than once before, and I will tell you, you won't be disappointed. He's earned my respect, very few chefs have come closer to Joichiro's level of cooking." he said right as we heard a knock on the door.

"Oh, perfect timing it seems." I said.

"Haha, good. I've been a little anxious." he said before pressing a button on the side of the table that unlocked the door.

The door being locked seemed to have created a vacuum seal that, when opened made all the aroma of the food come out like a raging bull. And let me tell you, it was divine. Just smelling the aroma that wafted out from the kitchen made my stomach start rumbling and my mouth water. It wasn't to the point where I almost had an orgasm as they do in the anime, but it was more than I had ever experienced from food.

"Haha, you seem to have more composure than most people, sensei. I've seen people pass out from the mere aroma, and I've seen people almost reach nirvana." he said eyeing my reaction.

"I said I was excited before, but now I'm even more excited."

"Thank you for your anticipation, I really think you'll enjoy it." said the man who came out of the kitchen carrying two cloches, with a smile. The man had a rugged handsomeness quality to him, with a goatee and long, dark red hair wearing a blue long sleeve and a small white apron.

"Chef Joichiro Yukihira." he said in English.

"Please, I am a guest in your country so we shall speak Japanese. Besides, it gives me an excuse to practice my Japanese."

"Okay. Today we have a three-course meal that starts with a Galette with Egg, followed by our main course of Ramen, and finally our dessert, American Apple Pie." he said with a smile.

"Good, Joichiro, if you will."

"Of course, let's begin shall we." he replied, before placing the cloche down and unveiling our appetizer.

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AN

Just recently caught up to Tenkaichi: Nihon Saikyou, Gachiakuta, and am currently reading Dandadan. Highly recommend all three, first one is similar to Records of Ragnarok, second one is more adult shounen, and the third is chaotic/supernatural/comedy. Might even incorporate one of them as a mission somehow, not sure yet.