A smug smile immediately appeared on An's lips. This was exactly what she was waiting for!
Seeing her somewhat wicked smile, Satou suddenly had a bad premonition, feeling as if she had deliberately waited for him to say that.
"How about this, I haven't had lunch yet. If you can make me a satisfying lunch, I might be able to help, you know."
An deliberately raised her voice, looking at Satou, "However, if you can't satisfy me…"
"If you can't satisfy her, then what happens?"
Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but ask.
"If you can't satisfy me…"
An's expression instantly turned cold, "Then you'll have to shout 'I was wrong, please forgive me' a hundred times at me."
Everyone instantly fell silent.
"This seems like an ex-girlfriend's punishment, doesn't it?"
Ryoko Sakaki couldn't help but say.
"It certainly does."
Yuki Yoshino also nodded.
Facing this terrifying punishment, Satou also felt a bit speechless.
However, after thinking about it, he still nodded and said, "Then it's a deal."
Anyway, the punishment didn't seem too severe; it would just make his throat a bit dry.
"I'll be taking notes then, not a single word less!"
An said somewhat triumphantly, then found a chair and sat down, placing the stack of books in her hand on the table with a "thud."
"Oh, by the way, you can use the hotel kitchen."
She suddenly said.
"Got it."
Satou said somewhat helplessly, then walked towards the hotel kitchen.
"I'll come help too."
Tadokoro Megumi subconsciously followed behind Satou and said.
Subsequently, the two of them went to the hotel kitchen together.
The kitchen was spacious and bright, with all sorts of utensils and ingredients.
"But Satou, from Miss An's demeanor, it doesn't seem like she intends to make things too difficult, does she? Maybe she wanted to help from the beginning."
Tadokoro Megumi thought for a moment and said.
"Impossible, right?"
Satou said, looking at An's wicked smile at the end, it didn't seem well-intentioned at all.
"Satou, what dish are you planning to make this time?"
Tadokoro Megumi asked.
"Hmm, I want to make some local specialty dishes."
Satou thought for a moment and said.
When he thought of local specialties, besides seafood, he also thought of Megumi's dried vegetables.
"How about we make a dish using dried vegetables?"
Satou suggested, "Mother's dried vegetable soup this morning was delicious."
"Mm."
Tadokoro Megumi smiled slightly, nodded, "Then I'll help."
"Alright."
Satou thought for a moment, and then the concept for the dish gradually formed in his mind.
"Megumi, could you please dry the cherry tomatoes?"
"Okay! No problem."
"Are there any hazelnuts here?"
…
About an hour later.
An was sitting idly in a chair, occasionally glancing towards the kitchen.
"Satou and Megumi should be fine, right?"
Tadokoro Masako said with some worry, because no matter how she looked at that girl, she seemed a bit difficult to deal with.
"No problem, the combination of those two is very powerful!"
Yuki Yoshino made a victory gesture and said with a smile.
At this moment, Satou and Tadokoro Megumi brought out the finished dish.
"What dish is this?"
An asked with some curiosity.
"Pan-Seared Chicken Thigh Stuffed with Sun-Dried Tomatoes."
Satou smiled slightly and said, "Please enjoy."
"Sun-dried tomatoes? Is this a local specialty?"
An frowned slightly, but still picked up her knife and fork, then cut a bite and put it into her cherry-like mouth.
"Sun-dried tomatoes, huh."
Yukihira Soma and the others nearby were also a bit surprised; Megumi had made this at Polar Star Dormitory before.
It tasted sour and salty, and very delicious.
The chicken thigh was pan-fried to a crispy and delicious perfection. With one bite, the inside revealed crispy, salty dried tomatoes, along with crunchy, refreshing hazelnut crumbs, accompanied by the fresh aroma of rosemary and the faint, fresh flavor of lemon, making it utterly delicious.
"It feels like all the sunshine of summer has been condensed into it!"
Ann's mouth was full, and she chewed with a happy smile on her face.
It wasn't until she had eaten the entire plate of food that Satou finally asked, "How is it? Are you satisfied with this dish?"
"Hmm, it's quite delicious."
Ann rubbed her bulging belly and nodded contentedly...
Then she turned to the manager beside her and said, "The hotel's business has gradually gotten on track, hasn't it? So, adjust the prices of those seafood items back to normal."
"This… alright."
The hotel manager was very hesitant; this was a large sum of money, but the other party was a First Executive of the organization, so he could only reluctantly agree.
"Eh? Is that all?"
Yukihira Soma and the others were all stunned.
Originally, they had thought the other party would intentionally make things difficult, but they didn't expect it to end so easily.
Even Satou felt it was incredible.
"Ugh."
Ann picked up the large stack of books again with some effort and said, "So busy, so busy! I still have a ton of work to do this afternoon!"
Suddenly, she turned her head, looked at Yuki Yoshino, and said, "Who just said I wasn't going to help?"
"Uh."
Yuki Yoshino was immediately speechless.
"I'm putting those hundred apologies on your tab. One day, I'll make you obediently say 'I was wrong' to me a hundred times!"
Ann turned her head, glared at Satou, then snorted and left the hotel.
Satou was a bit speechless.
"Miss Ann is really nice. She must have intended to help everyone from the start, right?"
Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but say.
Satou also felt that way. He had a feeling she intentionally made him prepare a lunch for nothing. Thinking about it, it was quite a loss.
"This way, I won't have to drive all the way to the neighboring town to get supplies."
Tadokoro Masako said with a relieved smile.
"Satou, but that girl seems to have a special interest in you. Could she really be your ex-girlfriend?"
"So, she intentionally made you cook a meal? What a sweet punishment."
The uncles deliberately teased him.
Satou couldn't help but feel a headache.
In the evening, Tadokoro Megumi's home became much livelier. Everyone in the town regarded Satou as a hero and came forward to express their gratitude.
This left Satou not knowing what to say, because he hadn't actually contributed much.
That night, everyone quickly went to sleep after washing up. Tadokoro Megumi didn't dare to invite Satou to her room again…
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 100 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"