Alice Nakiri

"Miss, Miss, we were just passing by..." The researchers gave an awkward but polite smile.

"Go do what you're supposed to do!" The white-haired girl frowned as she spoke, turning her attention to Jilan after being seen arguing. "And you, who are you? Who let you come here?"

"I invited him, is that not allowed?" Erina Nakiri said casually, smiling at Jilan. "You've come at the right time. I discovered something new and was just about to come to you." Both of them were wearing white lab coats, looking like researchers.

As she spoke, Erina came to Jilan's side, took Jilan's arm, and walked towards the laboratory at the end of the road.

As he passed the white-haired girl, she suddenly blocked Nakiri's path, smiling as she said, "Wait, sister, aren't you going to introduce this guest to me?"

"... He's a student in the U.A. High School. Hero Course, my classmate, Jilan Jiyu." Erina Nakiri seemed unwilling to get entangled with her, looking up at her. "So, can you move aside now?"

The white-haired girl ignored Erina and turned to Jilan to introduce herself, "My name is Alice Nakiri, I'm this guy's younger sister, I'm 15 years old, I came to this island two years ago, and I'm a researcher contracted with the Totsuki Research Institute, in charge of 'Quirk Cuisine' research."

Alice's overly detailed explanation made Nakiri frown. "... What do you mean?"

"I was just thinking, since my sister doesn't agree with my research ideas, how about letting this outsider give his opinion?" Alice smiled confidently. "He's a student in the Hero Course, destined to become Pro Hero. As a future customer, he should have more authority to speak than you, a student in the General Studies Course, right? What do you think, Jilan?"

Erina Nakiri paused for a moment, then turned to look at Jilan, her eyes pleading. Though she didn't say anything, it seemed she wanted him to accept Alice's suggestion.

"Although it wouldn't hurt to agree, I refuse." Jilan sighed. "I didn't come here for a food tasting, Erina, you should know that, right?"

Erina and Jilan agreed to share their findings without harming Little Red Riding Hood. Hisako Arato left a message for Jilan at the Totsuki Café, saying that Erina Nakiri needed to see him about something, and that her destination was the research institute. Clearly, Erina Nakiri has been working overtime on Little Red Riding Hood's research these past few days.

Hearing Jilan's refusal, Nakiri looked somewhat disappointed, but still nodded. After gesturing for Alice to move aside with his eyes, he led Jilan towards the research lab.

"Jilan, are you really not interested? This is a major invention that can enhance your Quirk. It should be very necessary for you!" Alice shouted somewhat unwillingly.

Enhancing one's Quirk? Jilan had once seen Dark Shadow selling Quirk- enhancing potions, but they had severe side effects and were illegal drugs. To enhance one's Quirk, besides rigorous training, the only other option was to take unconventional methods. Now, Alice claimed her Quirk Cuisine could boost one's Quirk, and frankly, Jilan was somewhat intrigued.

Jilan stopped in her tracks.

"Hehe, it seems you've agreed. Well then, come in." Alice smiled smugly and pushed open the glass door to the adjacent conference room.

On the edge of the white rectangular table facing the glass door, there was a plate of food still steaming, and a pair of chopsticks on a porcelain plate next to it.

"This is my 'Quirk Cuisine,' which should enhance your Quirk to some extent. Please enjoy." Alice sat in the chair with her hands folded, watching Jilan's movements intently.

Is this a way of letting oneself taste it...?

As Jilan reached for the chopsticks, Erina Nakiri's face suddenly turned bright red, and she said urgently, "Jilan...!"

"What's wrong?" Jilan turned around in confusion. "Could this dish be poisonous or harmful to the human body?"

Alice Nakiri slammed her hand on the table in dissatisfaction. "Hey, who would poison this? If you don't want it, just say so! There are plenty of Pro Hero out there; I can easily pull one in!"

If it weren't for wanting you, an acquaintance, to personally confess Erina's mistakes, who would want you to enjoy this dish for free? This dish, made with various expensive ingredients, could easily fetch an astronomical price!

Nakiri hesitated for a moment, then managed a somewhat forced smile, "It's nothing, I just wanted to say, be careful, it's hot."

I just used those chopsticks. Although I'm a little bothered by it, I wonder if saying this will make Jilan think I'm being too fussy, and that might ruin my image in his eyes...

"Oh." Jilan didn't pay attention to Erina Nakiri's expression. His mind was completely absorbed by the dish in front of him. Its exquisite color was incredibly appetizing. Even without the ability to enhance his Quirk, Jilan wanted to try it.

Jilan picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of soft beef into her mouth. A sweet taste melted in her mouth and traveled through her intestines to her whole body. Jilan used Hamon Overdrive on her hands. The golden light emitted by the Hamon made Jilan's eyes squint.

Efficient...

Not only can Hamon detect other people's bodies, but when Jilan uses Hamon, he can also observe the condition inside his own body, and his accuracy in detecting various data is comparable to that of machine examinations.

After taking a moment to reflect on her Quirk, Jilan gradually concealed her brilliance, plopped down in a chair, and slowly but incredibly quickly ate the stew. Just two minutes later, Jilan placed the bowl, now completely empty of soup, back on the table.

Thank you for your hospitality.

The Nakiri sisters stared blankly as Jilan ate, Alice couldn't wait to ask, "How is it? Does it greatly enhance your Quirk?!"

Although Erina tried taking a bite just now, her Quirk is God Tongue, so she couldn't say that her Quirk was enhanced in any way.

"Hmm, very big." Jilan wiped her mouth with the tissue Alice handed her. "When I took my first bite of beef, I could feel my Quirk increase by one percent, although that feeling only lasted for about ten seconds before disappearing..."

Just one bite can enhance it by one percent! Alice's eyes sparkled. "And now!"

"Currently, conservatively speaking, it should have increased by fifty percent, and the food hasn't been digested yet. I feel it could increase by up to seventy percent, and the duration should be around half an hour," Jilan gave a precise answer.

Alice's confidence grew even stronger, and she excitedly shouted to Erina, "Sister, did you hear that? My research was a success! If those Pro Hero eat this dish, they will definitely be greatly enhanced!"

"... Alice, you still don't understand what I mean." Erina Nakiri sighed, looking at Alice with a gaze that was hard to decipher—it was hard to tell if it was pity or sympathy. "I never said your Quirk Cuisine was useless; I've just been emphasizing one thing—your cuisine isn't applicable to this society."