Totsuki, a VIP reception room with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The view here is expansive, quiet, and comfortable, complemented by soft sofas and elegant carpets. Just being in it fills one with a sense of security.
At this moment, two elegant and noble beauties were anxiously waiting.
"Sorry for keeping you all waiting."
"First, let me introduce myself. I am Kobayashi Rindo, the current Second Seat of the Totsuki Elite Ten."
Not long after, Kobayashi Rindo pushed open the door and entered the reception room. Seeing these two famous Curry Queens, she couldn't help but say apologetically.
"Is this your attitude?"
"We received a last-minute invitation and managed to squeeze out time from our busy schedules to come here."
"As a result, we were left in the reception room for over half an hour."
Chitose Orie, the younger sister, cast a sidelong glance at Kobayashi Rindo, feeling a surge of displeasure.
If she hadn't considered the many years of cooperation between her HUB Foods and Totsuki Culinary Academy, she would have long since walked away.
The powerful Totsuki certainly had many collaborators externally.
After all, in essence, it was a place that cultivated excellent chefs, and the amount of ingredients and resources consumed daily was enormous.
And HUB Foods, which currently boasts an annual curry market of 200 billion, naturally also had a cooperative relationship with Totsuki as an ingredient supplier.
No, to be more precise, it should be a curry supplier.
Every year, the amount of curry Totsuki Culinary Academy purchased from this food company was absolutely astronomical.
Therefore, seeing her sister behave so unfriendly towards the representative sent by Totsuki, Chitose Natsume couldn't help but look a little flustered.
"Orie, don't be so rude."
"For Totsuki to send a representative of the Elite Ten level, it already shows they think highly of our HUB Foods."
After speaking, Natsume looked at Kobayashi Rindo with some helplessness.
"It's alright, it's alright."
"I should be the one saying I'm rude."
"After all, leaving you two in the reception room for over half an hour was indeed an oversight on our part."
As she spoke, the gluttonous Kobayashi Rindo couldn't resist pulling out a small bag of cookies, tearing it open, and directly stuffing them into her mouth, munching away, completely disregarding her image as the Second Seat of the Elite Ten.
"So, it's already so late."
"But your side suddenly invited us. Is there something important?"
Perhaps realizing that her tone and attitude just now were indeed a bit much, Chitose Natsume could only take a deep breath and then calmly asked.
"One month from now is the start of the Autumn Elections."
"And after our Totsuki Ten Masters Council's collective deliberation at noon, it was decided that the preliminary round's dish theme would be curry."
"This means that all the ingredients needed by the 60 contestants in both the A and B competition areas, including spices, curry blocks, curry powder, seasoning packets, and so on, will need to be purchased from your HUB Foods."
"The content of this meeting is about the specific details of purchasing these ingredients."
Kobayashi Rindo explained to the sisters while eating cookies.
"Purchasing ingredients?"
"Don't you, Totsuki, have a dedicated purchasing department?"
"Does such a small matter require sending someone of your Elite Ten level, and us two high-level executives, to meet in person?"
Hearing that Totsuki wanted to purchase ingredients from HUB Foods, Chitose Natsume clearly breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, she felt deeply puzzled and confused.
Because such a small matter simply didn't require such a large mobilization.
"Since things have come to this, I will no longer hide anything."
"For this Autumn Elections, we hope both of you can serve as judges."
"After all, in the field of curry, both of you have achieved exceptionally high accomplishments. If we can have you judge all the contestants' curry dishes, I think that would be most suitable."
Kobayashi Rindo said truthfully.
"Serving as a judge for the Autumn Elections?"
"How interesting, sister, why don't we agree to it?"
Upon hearing this, Chitose Natsume pondered for a moment, and finally couldn't help but reveal a meaningful smile.
Currently, HUB Foods was actively and diligently expanding into overseas curry markets, and greatly needed a batch of professionals related to curry.
If they could agree to serve as judges for the Autumn Elections, it would, firstly, allow them to maintain their cooperative relationship with Totsuki, and secondly, they could use this platform to scout for the talent HUB Foods desired!
Therefore, Chitose Orie, understanding the pros and cons, nodded.
"Very good, since you both agreed."
"Then regarding the specific matters and details of the Autumn Elections, let me add a few points."
Knowing that things were progressing much more smoothly than she had anticipated, Kobayashi Rindo's heart immediately filled with joy.
Afterward, she continued to discuss with the Chitose sisters until over an hour had passed and the topic of the Autumn Elections was completely concluded.
"Ladies, I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
"There's still some time left, why don't I treat you to dinner?"
After the meeting ended, just as the Chitose sisters were about to leave the reception room, Kobayashi Rindo hurriedly stepped forward and proactively invited them.
"No need."
"We still have matters to attend to."
Chitose Orie waved her hand and replied.
Even though they had long since achieved financial freedom and held high positions, their daily lives were far from leisurely.
Especially having to oversee the operations of the entire massive HUB Foods, it often left them mentally and physically exhausted. Therefore, right now, they just wanted to leave quickly and return to the company to rest well.
"Hehe, don't worry."
"The place I'm taking you to is an Izakaya, a place where you can completely relax your mind and body."
"And I dare say, you will all love the dishes made by that Shopkeeper."
Kobayashi Rindo said with a smile.
For many people, childhood is the most precious time.
Because many things, once shaped in childhood, are difficult to change, and even some tragic experiences can affect the latter half of one's life. That is to say:
Childhood misfortune truly needs a lifetime to heal.
Nakiri Erina experienced this most deeply.
However, in comparison, Tadokoro Megumi's childhood was absolutely very fortunate.
Sosuke could tell this from the happy smile that always bloomed on her face whenever she mentioned her mother.
Just as he was chatting animatedly with Tadokoro Megumi, a black car stopped at the door, and then three beautiful women slowly stepped out.
"Can a place like this really make dishes that even an Elite Ten like you finds satisfactory?"
As soon as she got out of the car, Chitose Orie, wearing sunglasses and high heels, couldn't help but look up at this Izakaya a few times, and finally could only sigh, clearly feeling very disappointed.
"Hmm?"
"Next door, is it Kikuchi's Harukatei?"
"Could it be that this Izakaya is the one recently recognized by WGO Gourmet Organization Executive Officer Anne...?"
Chitose Natsume, standing nearby, focused her gaze on the Harukatei restaurant next door, quickly thought of something, and felt a little startled.
As the CEO of HUB Foods, she naturally had dealings with the WGO Gourmet Organization, especially frequent contact and communication with First Executive Officer Anne.
Not long ago, she learned about the existence of this Izakaya from Anne.
At that time, she didn't pay much attention, after all, no matter how an Izakaya operated, how could it compare to their HUB Foods? Could it stir up huge waves in the culinary world?
"Ladies, since you're already here, why don't you come in and eat something?"
After speaking, Kobayashi Rindo no longer bothered with them. With excitement and anticipation, she walked straight into the Izakaya.
As for Chitose Natsume and Chitose Orie behind her, they exchanged glances.
Finally, they could only helplessly follow her in.
Smoke wafted, sleeves gathered at the table.
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