073. Even if I Starve to Death, I Won't Eat a Bite of Your Food( Bonus chapter 4 of 5 )

For Alice's request, Shiraki, of course, refused without hesitation.

Just kidding—until Kuga Terunori fell into the trap Shiraki had carefully prepared, there was no way he would let anything derail his plan. After all, this was about his gourmet point-making scheme.

But in truth, this idea was just a spur-of-the-moment thought from the night before. Whether it would succeed depended on pure chance. Shiraki's current behavior—well, how could he put it? Compared to Soma Yukihira, "the protagonist," he felt more like a villainous boss. Even Shiraki himself found the comparison amusing.

Shiraki's current mindset was rather casual. Recruiting Kuga would be ideal, but if that didn't work, Shiraki was fully prepared to challenge the Elite Ten one by one, humiliate them in battle, and climb to the top seat step by step. It was the classic route, after all. Both paths led to the same outcome, so there was no harm in trying. With this random thought, Shiraki devised his terrifying plan.

Now, the horror of that plan was unfolding before their eyes.

Not only were the three girls—Erina, Hisako, and Alice—overwhelmed by the dish's aroma, but even Kuga Terunori's eyes widened in shock.

"This... what kind of food is this?"

Kuga stared at the source of the aroma: a dish that resembled a masterpiece of art. Its vibrant colors blended harmoniously, creating a picture so enticing that it transported the viewer to a magical culinary realm. This sensation was no illusion.

A faint mist seemed to fill the kitchen. Everyone—Kuga included—felt as though their bodies were enveloped in warmth. The soft, comforting feeling crept up from their feet, spreading through their entire bodies like a gentle wave of nostalgia.

Erina closed her eyes, entranced. In her mind, she was transported to the backyard of the Nakiri estate. But instead of standing on her own two feet, she was being held in someone's arms.

"Erina, try my newly developed dish," a familiar voice echoed.

Erina froze as if plunged into icy water. Yet, unlike her usual impression of this voice, it now carried a warmth and care that felt foreign.

"Shh..."

Before Erina could react, a soft, feminine voice interrupted her thoughts. Her entire body trembled. That voice—it was unmistakably her mother's.

"Mom...?" Erina realized that she had somehow become a baby again, nestled in Nakiri Mana's arms. Her mother turned to someone else in the room.

"There aren't many chances to see her like this," Mana sighed softly.

"Indeed. When Erina grows up, I'll teach her how to make the dishes we created together," the man replied.

The man's face—one Erina had long associated with nightmares—looked at her with a gentleness she had never known. Trembling, Erina reached out, wanting to speak, but the scene dissolved like a dream.

Snapping back to reality, Erina found herself collapsed on the floor. The aroma in the room had overwhelmed her senses. She hadn't even tasted the dish, yet her "God Tongue" had triggered an intense reaction, vividly recreating her memories.

But why? Why had those memories resurfaced? Did she really have such a warm family once?

Erina's mind raced. She wanted answers. However, her body was numb from the overpowering aroma, and even standing was a struggle. The mere scent of the dish was enough to paralyze her.

It wasn't just her. Kuga Terunori, drenched in sweat, was also struggling.

"This... this is impossible," Kuga muttered, his voice trembling.

Shiraki smirked. "So, Kuga, how about it? Are you interested in becoming my henchman now?"

"Yes! Yes! I'll be your sidekick! Whatever you want!" Alice interrupted, raising her hand eagerly. "Just let me have one bite, please!"

Alice's words, however, went unnoticed by Erina and Hisako, who were still struggling to regain control of their bodies.

Kuga, on the other hand, managed to force out a defiant response:

"I admit... your cooking is incredible," he said, kneeling on the ground, looking like a husky refusing to eat a bone. "But don't underestimate me! Even if I'm starving, even if I die out here, even if I jump off this building—I'll never eat a single bite of your food!"

"Oh?" Shiraki raised an eyebrow. With a casual nod, he walked over to the table and picked up his dish, 'Thanatos' Garden.'

Turning to Alice, Shiraki smiled. "Alice, open your mouth."

Alice, her blank eyes fixed on him, obeyed without hesitation.

"Ahh~" she said, as Shiraki lifted a delicate, shredded cabbage leaf carved like grass to her lips.