Chapter 192

Um?

He stared at Kita Ikuyo in surprise. Gotou Hitori, being Social Anxiety Disorder n't even look him in the eye, so why was this cheerful and outgoing girl also avoiding his gaze? Was there something on his face?

"Oh, I see! Hello! I'm Ichiji Nijika, the younger sister of the shop manager here, and also the leader of the Kessoku Band. Nice to meet you!"

Knowing that they were practically "family," Ichiji Nijika greeted them warmly.

"Oh, oh, nice to meet you." Yukino Shita Yukino was somewhat surprised by her enthusiasm. She observed her for a while, then looked at Ichiji Hoshika not far away and murmured, "She really does look alike (especially the hair, especially the Ahoge)."

"The Kessoku Band?" Yuihama Yui a curious expression after introducing herself.

"Haha, that's..." Ichiji Nijika scratched the side of her head, explaining to them with embarrassment.

"I see! So you guys are playing in a band? Kakoi (So cool)!" Yuihama Yui leaned forward excitedly, her expression like a blooming sunflower. Her trembling, ample bosom made the other four people, except for Gotou Hitori shudder.

Gotou Hitori also looked away with a gloomy expression. She hadn't even gotten used to the masculine aura within the team, let alone the aura outside.

"I don't think I've seen any bands at our school yet. Wow, Tokyo is really something else!"

After all, the closer you are to the band, the further you are from academic qualifications. Soubu High School is, after all, a school with a pretty high deviation score, Sakurakoji Talent thought to himself.

Chapter 244 The Call from Okura Iyo

"Ha, haha... Anyway, that's it. Would you like to come and take a look around with us?" Ichiji Nijika's eyes turned lifeless, her optimistic expression vanished, and she instinctively asked in a rapid-fire, polite manner.

"May I?!"

"Hmm, it's okay~" After a brief moment of disappointment, she continued to act as the team leader, glancing behind the counter, "Let's each grab a Drinks and go in! The hard practice is about to begin, okay!"

"Oh!" / "Oh~" / "Oh, oh..."

Sparse responses rang out, making it impossible to tell where the band had ended (or where they were united).

Drip, drip, drip, drip...

Suddenly, a gentle, emotionally rich Piano melody began to play, attracting the attention of everyone around.

The tune was "Sound Illumination," which he knew very well. Sakurakoji Talent picked up his phone and glanced at it; sure enough, it was his call.

The ringtone was a recording he made last night when he played the fifth rendition of the Okura Rumin. He placed his phone next to him because the sound moved him deeply, so he set it as his most recent ringtone. He never expected that someone would call him on the very first day.

The recipient's name on the caller ID was... Uncle Iyo.

Huh? He was a little confused; he hadn't expected it to be him.

When there's nothing important, Okura Iyo rarely calls him, probably because he understands the generation gap between them and doesn't want to upset him.

The phone rang suddenly today, could something have happened?

After thinking for a few seconds, he answered the phone. Although he wanted to listen to the Piano music a little longer, it would be impolite to listen any longer.

"Moshi moshi~ Uncle Iyo?" He uttered a voice that was unlike his usual sweet and cloying tone, which made those around him who knew him feel a chill, and their expressions were a mixture of complex emotions.

There was no way around it; after all, it was his uncle who had given him a building as a gift. Even though he wasn't short of money, it wouldn't be right not to show some appreciation.

"Oh, Talent, huh?" On the other end of the phone, Okura Iyo's mature, calm, and magnetic voice was restored to his ears through electronic audio.

It might be his imagination, but he always felt that along with that sound, it was as if a powerful and magnificent piece of music was playing.

If he remembers it correctly, the name of the music should be: を rejected み overbearing を ゆ く genius の テ ー マ.

What a thrilling and exhilarating drama of a domineering CEO! A hint of barely suppressed mockery flashed in his pupils and at the corners of his mouth.

"Did I disturb you? If you're busy, I'll call you back tonight," Okura Iyo continued.

"No~ no." Sakurakoji Talent glanced at the crowd who had all stopped what they were doing, waiting to see what happened, and coughed lightly. "So, what brings you here? Do you want some of my Iberian black pork fritters?"

"Hmph hmph hmph... Ha, ha, ha... That's quite good too! The pork chop you made is truly unmatched in flavor, just to my liking!" Okura Iyo strange and hearty manner, his composure vanishing instantly.

After a moment, he composed himself and said, "Unfortunately, I'm still in France right now. I guess I'll have to wait until this weekend to taste your cooking."

"Hmm~ Have you been very busy lately? No, you must be busy every day, right?"

"That's roughly it. Although the fashion weeks for the first half of the year are over, there's still so much going on at the Europe branch, it's non-stop every day," Okura Iyo attempt to hide anything.

"But you seem to be enjoying it quite a bit."

"Hmph, I guess so. Unlike you guys, at my age, the only things that bring me joy, besides art and food, are the booming success of my career!"

"You're truly remarkable," he complimented, then returned to the main topic, "So, based on what you just said, are you going back to Japan this weekend?"

"Ah, not bad!" Okura Iyo affirmed. "I need to go back this weekend to take care of some things and also see the CEO."

"Tch, so what if you're a siscon? Why are you making it sound so serious?" Sakurakoji Talent said with a nonchalant sneer.

"So you want me to go with you?" he asked, puzzled.

If it's just them exchanging feelings, they shouldn't need to involve me.

"No, there's something else I need to trouble you with." Okura Iyo seemed hesitant, pausing for a few seconds before continuing, "Although I feel bad about bothering you during this crucial stage of your recovery, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Because the other party has helped me a lot, and it wasn't anything difficult to do, it's hard for me to refuse their request."

"Hmm~ What kind of request is it?" Sakurakoji Talent was surprised that something was related to him, and also a little curious.

"I wanted you to meet someone when you had some free time, even though you probably don't know them." Okura Iyo stopped there.

"Hmm... so you mean interpersonal communication, right?"

"Not bad." A soft voice came from the phone, perhaps as he stood up from his chair. "You just need to have a meal with them, and then it's up to you how things develop. What do you think?"

Sakurakoji Talent hesitated for a few seconds, and both sides remained silent. After a while, he closed his eyes slightly and said, "I understand. Since it's your request, Uncle, of course I won't refuse."

"I won't ask for the reason; you should know by the weekend, right?"

"Okay, thank you for your help!"

"No! Don't say that, it's nothing to worry about!"

"Okay, I'll give them a definite reply right away. See you this weekend!"

"Understood~ I'll prepare the finest pork in advance."

"Hmph hmph hmph...! That's really something to look forward to!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the other end of the phone hung up.

Sakurakoji Talent put away his phone, a faint question lingering in his eyes. He'd been so low-key, why would anyone still want to see him?

For ordinary wealthy and influential people, networking within their social circles is a very normal thing, even commonplace.

But he's rarely left his residence in his entire life, and he's hardly ever attended banquets. Besides, he used to have a rather bad temper, so probably no one would want to go out of their way to see him, right?

Oh well, we'll find out when the time comes.

Since it was Okura Iyo to make the connection, there shouldn't be any danger or unpleasantness.

If it's just a simple blind date or something, you can just meet once and then decline. Anyway, Okura Iyo said it doesn't matter.

Compared to this...

"Why are you all staring at me like that? Haven't you ever seen someone talking on the phone with their family?" He stared speechlessly at the group of gossipy women in front of him, feeling utterly exasperated.

"Oh~ I'm so curious because I've never met Mr. Talent's family!" Ichiji Nijika giggled and scratched her head.

"Hmm, I'm very curious."

"Curious."

"Ah, um, hi..."

"Hehe, so you can make that kind of sound too. You've seen something good."

"I thought you were sent to Earth in a spaceship."

"Was that your uncle who called just now?" Ichiji Hoshika's interest was piqued. "What kind of person is he?"

"Ha..." He was helpless with them too. "He's a handsome, capable, tall, rich middle-aged man, although you can't tell his age from his appearance at all." (Meryl: Ah~ right)

"Really? I'm getting more and more curious! Could you show me a picture?"

"Damn!" He made an X gesture, sternly refusing.

"Hey~ You're so stingy!"

"Being stingy is unacceptable!"

"..."

Surprisingly, no one questioned the veracity of his words.

It's possible that by deducing from his appearance, they determined that the other person was very likely that one person.

After their attempts to persuade her failed, Ichiji Nijika and the others also left.

Sakurakoji Talent finally allowed him to bring Yukino Shita Yukino to the kitchen, and it was pretty much confirmed that today's meal service would be delayed.

Even though she was alone, she was his only target anyway.

It's much more comfortable and rewarding to teach an already intelligent student than to spend a lot of time teaching others.

He estimated that it would only take him half that amount of time to teach Ichiji Nijika back then.

"Take a look at the menu first, then I'll introduce you to the machines here, and then we'll begin." He took off his coat, took out a mask from under the cabinet, and put it on.

"Why are you wearing a mask?" Yukino Shita Yukino noticed his action and asked, puzzled.

"My identity here is a mystery."

"Ha?"

She couldn't understand what he was saying, but she didn't really care and put down the menu she had finished looking at.

"I've memorized it all, let's begin."

"Let's start with the preparation of the drinks... First, Black tea. Add 15g of tea leaves, three spoonfuls of fine sugar, and 15g of caramel to the kettle..."

"..."

Yukino Shita Yukino studied very diligently. Knowing in advance that his cooking skills were indeed superior to hers, she adopted a "not ashamed to ask questions" attitude and carefully wrote down many recipes and precautions in her small notebook.

Time passed by, and before we knew it, it was time to open the door.

It must be said that Yukino Shita Yukino is definitely a good student. Not only does she have an excellent memory, but she also has strong practical skills and can apply what she has learned to other situations, which makes his teaching process exceptionally smooth.

Compared to when she was teaching Ichiji Nijika, her efficiency was much higher.

I don't know whether I should feel regret or not, and that's why the close contact like the previous "hands-on" teaching never happened again...

According to Sakurakoji Talent assessment, after she has digested the contents of the notebook and practiced a few more times, she should be able to successfully debut.

"Let's exchange contact information. I'll let you know if I need anything later." After thinking for a moment, he added, "If Teacher Shizuka is unavailable, I'll reimburse your travel expenses in full, and your wages for that day will also be yours."

"No need, it's only once anyway." Yukino Shita Yukino, practicing making a parfait, refused without looking up, "We didn't agree for the money—ugh!"

Looking at the disastrously ruined dish, so bad that it was almost unbearable to eat, she let out a soft cry, her expression a mix of adorable frustration and disappointment at having messed it up.

"Well, you'll get better with practice." He glanced at the cup of green clay, its condition unclear, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Even if you offered this to Kanau for free, she probably wouldn't be able to bring herself to eat it.

Hearing his soft chuckle, Yukino Shita Yukino's face flushed. After a moment of silence, she walked to the side and decided to start with something simple.

"I'll practice making pudding first!"

Chapter 245 Invited on a Date by Umi Ling

"Wow, what a fun night!"

At the entrance of the Starry Sky Plaza, Yuihama Yui, carrying a takeout box, twirled around and cheerfully called out.

"Well, thanks to this, my wallet is quite unhappy." Hikigaya Hachiman looked at his empty wallet with a pained expression.

While Yukino Shita Yukino was practicing her cooking skills, the two of them, unable to help, first went to the recording studio to observe the wonderful practice of the "Kessoku Band." After getting bored, they were sent by Sakurakoji Talent to clean the hall.

In return, the three of them were treated to a free snack and a free performance, so it was definitely not a bad deal.

The reason he was still worried about the cost was because he was immediately amazed by the taste after eating it and decided to buy some more to take back to Komachi (his younger sister) to try.

As someone with similar Sakurakoji Talent, he's not the kind of guy who'd be stingy with his allowance!