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n“Could we not do this right now?” John looked up and said, “I just want to have a nice and calm breakfast.”

nHonestly, of all people to run into, it had to be that granddaughter of that famous chef. It seemed like she really hadn’t forgotten John after he left his shadow servants behind to beat up the yakuza members when he ran across her in that warehouse.

nThe young woman narrowed her eyes and said, “Calm!? Do you know what kind of mess-!”

n“Yuri!” A stern voice called out from the kitchen. After that, the old man from earlier walked over, wiping his hands down. “What are you doing yelling at our customers like that?”

nThe young woman flinched, causing her blonde hair to scatter. “B-But Grandpa!” She pointed at John and said, “That man is-!”

n“I don’t care who he is.” The old man put on a stern face and said, “In my establishment, even if it is a Demon Lord, we serve them with grace and civility! Or did the past week of lessons go in one ear and out the other?!”

nThe young woman flinched again and then lowered her head. “…I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

nThe old man sighed and then pointed to the kitchen. “Go prep the materials. I’ll take their orders.”

n“But Grandpa-“

n“No buts. I already had to clean up your mess last week when you ran off and got involved with that Torabu brat. Even your Grandpa has a limit to his patience, Yuri.”

nThe young woman lowered her head, nodding. After that, she turned and walked off to the kitchen… though not before sending John a venomous gaze.

nThe old man watched the young woman… Yuri, leave and then shook his head. “That girl… Maybe I spoiled her too much.” Turning back to John and the others, he said, “My apologies, dear customers.”

nJohn waved his hand. “It’s fine. I expect things like these to happen to me these days.”

nAnd maybe he should take some time off to cultivate since things seem to be going off the deep end… At the least so he could clear his mind.

nThe old man smiled and bowed his head. “Thank you.” Afterwards, he raised his head and said, “Then, since my granddaughter is still too immature, allow me to serve as your waiter for this morning.” He smiled and said, “I am Minato Miyamoto, owner of this humble cafe.”

nJohn nodded. “John Smith-“

n“Wait.” Sakura cut in and said, “Miyamato… As in Master Miyamoto? The famous chef?!”

nMinato chuckled. “Oh, I am far from famous. Merely a humble cook seeking enlightenment along the path of fine cuisine.”

nSakura blinked. And then she turned to John. “You… Did you know about this place?”

nJohn shrugged.

n“In any case,” Minato said. “Have you decided on what you would like to order? Or shall I give you some more time to consider?”

nAlpha spoke up first again and said, “Pancakes and French Toast with a side of strawberries.”

nMinato nodded. “Understood. And you, young miss?” He turned to Rin.

n“U-Um…” Rin quickly opened the menu, scanning it. “Could I… have the caramel crepes?”

n“Of course. You, Madam?” He turned to Sakura.

n“I’ll have the same as my daughter. The caramel crepes.”

n“Excellent. And Sir?”

n“Hm…” John stared at Minato, quietly considering him, and then said, “Give me what you’re most confident in making.”

nA strange glint flashed in Minato’s eyes. “Oh?” He gave John an evaluating gaze as well and said, “It seems that Sir is a connoisseur.”

n“Mm. You could say that.”

nMinato nodded. “Very well. Then I will return shortly with your orders.”

n—–AI|IA—–

nYuri scowled as she heated up the stove and sorted out the ingredients. “That bastard…!”

nShe clearly remembered him. That pretty boy that marched down into the middle of her arena as she was ordering around her men and learning from the other chefs in Tokyo.

nYuri pulled a hairnet over her blonde hair and then vigorously washed her hands, as if she could wrangle that man’s neck.

nThe curtains to the kitchen opened and then Minato walked in. The old man looked at Yuri and then sighed. “Again, you are letting your emotions control you, Yuri.”

nYuri froze and then let out a sigh. “…My apologies, Grandfather.”

nHe shook his head and then walked over to wash his hands as well. “Honestly… What did that man do to make you so upset? Did he reject you or something?”

nYuri scoffed. “As if I would even look at a hateful man like that.”

nMinato chuckled. “I suppose so. Your father would roll in his grave if I let you get involved with a man like him.”

n“Hm?” Yuri sensed something strange in her grandpa’s words and said, “What do you mean?”

nMinato frowned and then dried his hand on a towel. “That man is dangerous. It might be this old man’s imagination… but my instincts are warning me.” He narrowed his eyes and glanced back at the tables. “For a man like that to be surrounded with such beautiful women, particularly that black-haired beauty…”

nYuri rolled her eyes. “What, are you afraid that he’ll snatch me up like the Seiryuu Alliance head?”

n“No. But I do sense that he isn’t to be trifled with, particularly considering that he is a clear foreigner and yet speaks fluent Japanese.” Minato walked over and cracked some eggs into a bowl before saying, “…It’s strange. Staring at that man, I get the same feeling I did from the boss back in his heyday. But for a young man to give off the same feeling…”

nYuri clicked her tongue. “You’re imagining things, Grandpa. Now, what did they order?”

n“Two caramel crepes, one set of pancakes and French Toast with strawberries on the side…”

nYuri nodded, walking over to grab the ingredients. “So a typical order. Understood.”

n“…And the dish that I am the most confident in.”

nYuri froze. Turning to look at her grandfather, she said, “You mean ‘that’?”

nMinato smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Interesting, is it not? And that young man didn’t order it half-heartedly either. Instead, he seemed to be testing me.”

nYuri huffed. “That bastard? Testing Grandpa?” She narrowed her eyes. “Who does he think he is?”

n“Now, now.” Minato shook his head and then walked to the cupboard, pulling out six different bags of tea leaves. “Regardless of his intentions, he is still indeed our dear customer. Moreover… I am curious as well.” He placed them on the counter and then began rummaging for other ingredients. “How much he can determine, the extent of his expertise, the type of man he truly is… this dish will reveal it.”

nYuri glanced over at what her grandfather was doing and then froze. “G-Grandpa. That… are you truly making ‘that’?”

n“Of course.” Minato Miyamoto- No, the former chairman of the Torabu clan smiled. “Let us see exactly what the ‘truth’ is behind that young man.”

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