Chapter 86: A Favor?

"Are you going to add barbecue to the menu now?"

The soft, intrigued voice echoed through the small restaurant, which resembled a traditional Japanese eatery.

Tsuna turned to Alice, who was curiously looking around, while Ryo casually sat at the countertop right before the workstation.

"Hmm, it's pretty nice..."

Though there weren't major changes, Alice could see that the furniture had been upgraded to better quality, giving the restaurant a more refined atmosphere.

The lighting was adjusted to a warmer tone, neither too bright nor too dim, and the polished light wooden interiors helped to spread the warm glow, making the space look brighter than before.

The renovation, completed in just three days, seemed almost too good to be true and Tsuna couldn't help but marvel at the speed and quality of the transformation.

"Yeah, I might add barbecue," Tsuna replied while taking in the new ambiance.

"The renovation team did an amazing job in such a short time."

Alice nodded, "It's really impressive. It has a much more welcoming vibe now."

"Well, it's all thanks to your channel, I guess," Tsuna shrugged, his eyes scanning the new kitchenware in his workstation.

Each item had the Totsuki Group label, a clear sign that all the old equipment had been completely replaced.

He chuckled, "Still, I wasn't expecting it to be that expensive..."

The renovation cost around 7 million yen, but fortunately, the furniture was included in the price. The kitchenware seemed to be a gift from the principal, after knowing it was him that asked for a favor.

"Though it was quite impressive that you could get the cow for 1.25 million. I guess the Totsuki Group is truly resourceful, huh?"

He mumbled, recalling the Hanwoo cow he had slaughtered.

The rest of the cow's parts were his since they had been paid for. Acquiring a fully alive Hanwoo cow for just 1.25 million yen was no small feat; most wouldn't part with it for that price.

Alice's expression turned smug with a proud smile on her face, "That's the power of Totsuki Group!"

"Having money is sure convenient, huh?"

In just a couple of days, Tsuna had spent around 8.25 million yen, including the cow, roughly $50,000.

Thankfully, it was covered by Sakamoto.

He had a feeling he knew how Sakamoto would react, which made him smile slightly as he silently thought, "I gave you the 1.25 million yen receipt first before giving you the rest. Aren't I considerate, Sakamoto-senpai? Hehe..."

You think you're taking advantage of me? That's incorrect.

That guy must've thought he'd only go as far as getting good ingredients for the food war, but surprise surprise, Tsuna hadn't only gotten some of the most expensive ingredients out there but also renovated his restaurant on the side.

"I was the one taking advantage of you. Hehe..."

Tsuna could guess Sakamoto must've passed out in fright at the receipt.

"Yay, can we order now that everything is done?"

Alice exclaimed loudly, her eyes twinkling at the thought of tasting the barbecue Tsuna had cooked before in the last round.

She immediately sat down, looking at him expectantly.

Tsuna chuckled, "Sure, what do you want?"

"Galbi Barbecue, please!"

With that, the sizzling sounds of grilling meat echoed throughout the small restaurant. The aroma of marinated short ribs spread far and wide, drawing people's attention to Tsuna's establishment.

"Oh! What is this smell?"

The door burst open, revealing a familiar face. Alice tilted her head slightly, recognizing the newcomer.

Tsuna peeked through the workstation and raised his eyebrows, "Soma? You really showed up, huh?"

"Haha, of course, and I'm bringing my hot pot along as well!"

Soma laughed heartily, raising a container of food in his hand.

The council had decided on hot pot as the theme for the next round, giving them a few days to prepare. Tsuna expected Soma to come by eventually but was still surprised he showed up so soon.

Tsuna shook his head at his supposed opponent, who came looking for advice.

"Alright, though you gotta order first, as I told you before," He said while shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh? Isn't this interesting, Ryo-kun? Why don't we make a bet?"

Alice suggested, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. She noticed Soma genuinely wanting advice from Tsuna, who seemed indifferent.

Ryo turned to Soma with his usual bored expression, mumbling, "Yeah, sure..."

"Ah, right. You did mention that..."

Soma scratched his head before noticing Alice and Ryo, "Oh! You guys are here too, huh? What did you get?"

"Galbi..."

Ryo replied passively, while Alice's eyes glimmered with a cunning look before opening he mouth, "It's basically what Tsuna cooked in the last round, so maybe you should give it a try?" 

Soma's eyes widened with excitement.

"Really? I gotta try that—NANI!?"

He was about to order before his eyes nearly fell out of their sockets.

He almost fell down, seeing the pricing on the menu, and shouted in disbelief, "What!? 35,000 yen for a serving!?"

That was pretty much half of what he got monthly from his cheapskate father. And considering it was the middle of the month, it was literally all he had right now.

"Hahaha, I knew he would react like that..."

Alice laughed at his reaction, while Ryo clicked his tongue and handed over 10,000 yen to her, who looked satisfied that she won the bet.

Meanwhile, Soma was still shaken to find out that the cheapest item was fried rice, costing 5,000 yen, which was still quite expensive in most parts of Japan.

"Sigh... Can I get one serving of fried rice, please?" he asked, resigned.

"Alright, give me a moment..."

Tsuna responded with a chuckle, seeing Soma didn't try to bargain, which made him nod in satisfaction before immediately starting on the fried rice.

Soma then sat beside the other two as they talked about the election.

Ryo was about to face Hayama, whom Soma knew to be a formidable opponent, so he was quite interested in how Hayama would develop his next dish for the semi-final.

The atmosphere in the restaurant slowly became lively with their discussion reverberating across the room.

And as Tsuna finished cooking and served them the food they ordered. All three of them reacted with satisfaction, their plates empty in no time.

"Ah, that was so good..."

Soma leaned back in his chair, holding his stomach contentedly.

"It's finally open...! Oh, there's a new customer?"

A slightly emotional voice echoed as the door burst open, revealing a tall octopus-like creature that immediately vanished before appearing again with a mask on.

"...?"

Soma blinked in shock at the sight of Korosensei, though the mask the guy quickly wore was completely futile since Soma had already seen everything.

Karasuma who was accompanying Korosensei shook his head and sighed before speaking, "...I've told you so many times to put on your mask."

"Ohoho my apologies, I didn't expect to see a new face..."

With that, Soma had to sign an NDA regarding Korosensei's existence, still somewhat in shock as he looked at Korosensei ordering food excitedly with a blank expression.

"Hehe, are you shocked by how handsome I look, young man?"

Korosensei chuckled smugly, his tentacles swirling around in delight, showing his happiness. Soma shook his head incredulously before asking, "A-are you even real?"

"Ohoho, of course!"

Korosensei replied proudly, while the others observed their interaction with interest.

However...

Soma's eyes gleamed with excitement as he grinned widely before asking, "Then, can I get a piece of your tentacles?"

"Huh?"

Korosensei's expression instantly turned blank as his whole face color turned white as he muttered, "Why does that sound familiar?"

Upon learning that Soma was Joichiro's son from Tsuna, Korosensei grew wary. His tentacles stiffened slightly as he recalled his experience tasting Joichiro's experimental dish that had shaken him to the core.

With the new addition, the atmosphere became even livelier, their discussion broadening as Soma curiously asked about Korosensei.

By the time the restaurant was about to close, Alice and Ryo had already left, leaving Korosensei, Karasuma, and Soma still there.

Tsuna asked, "Do you guys have anything you want to say?"

"So you've figured it out?"

Karasuma mumbled before looking at Korosensei, who wore a content expression with his tentacles squirming happily.

He sighed before turning to Tsuna and asking, "Can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

Tsuna furrowed his eyebrows, while Soma looked on with interest.

"What do you think about teaching middle schoolers?"

"Pardon?"

Karasuma asked, to which Tsuna blinked his eyes in confusion.

---

Alright y'all, I know you will have a question.

But you don't have to cuz I will answer it right now...

YESS!!!

HE'S GOING TO INTERACT WITH CLASS-E!!!