Chapter 28 The Night Before the Proposal
The next morning, the three of us hurried to the International Science Institute, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Professor Utonium and Ken were already waiting for us there. As we entered, Ken greeted us with a smile and joked, "Finally, you made it! Dad and I haven't even had time to eat these past two days."
My eyes immediately landed on the three small velvet boxes on the table, and my heartbeat quickened. All the hardships and adventures of these past days were condensed into these three boxes.
We walked swiftly to the table, where Professor Utonium, with a calm expression, said slowly, "Here are the rings you wanted. To be honest, they really cost me a lot of effort."
Professor Utonium carefully opened the boxes, revealing the three Powerpuff Girls Z rings lying quietly on the soft velvet, so exquisitely crafted that it was hard to look away.
The first ring was set with a heart-shaped ruby, red as flames, symbolizing my burning love for Momoko. This ruby was unearthed from deep in the mountains of Myanmar, meticulously polished to embody this deep affection.
The second ring held a round sapphire, as deep blue as the sea. This gem, mined from a perilous region in Sri Lanka, shone with a calm, steady light, symbolizing Kagami's love and protection for Miyako, boundless like the ocean.
The last ring bore a star-shaped emerald from Colombia. Its gentle green glow sparkled like stars, symbolizing Shigeru's unwavering love for Kaoru, a guiding light in the night sky.
"Beautiful, Professor. Your craftsmanship is extraordinary!" I couldn't help but exclaim, my heart racing with excitement.
Ken chuckled and added, "This is the result of our round-the-clock effort. Each of these gems is flawless, and their six-carat size is guaranteed to impress."
Hearing this, we were filled with gratitude and emotion. These three rings were not just gems but the embodiment of our love and promises to the girls, the culmination of countless storms we had weathered together. These rings would serve as our sincerest confession.
Kagami, Shigeru, and I exchanged a smile, filled with unspoken understanding. These rings were sure to bring them joy and happiness, and we couldn't wait to see that moment.
"Thank you, Professor, and you too, Ken. We're truly grateful," I said sincerely.
Professor Utonium smiled and nodded. "Remember to treat them well—that's what really matters."
The three of us nodded firmly. Everything was for them. Holding the three ring boxes, we knew our moment of happiness was finally approaching.
Today was a rare day off, and the girls had originally planned to relax.
However, when Momoko woke up, she was surprised to find that Yuzuhiko, Kagami, and Shigeru had left the house early. These boys were always like this—acting all mysterious, saying half of what they meant, as if no one would notice. What could they be up to this time?
Momoko sat on the couch in the living room, growing more suspicious by the minute. Since the "archaeology" incident and those extravagant gifts, they had become particularly sensitive to the boys' actions. Every time they said they were off to "take care of something," it always ended in something spectacular. And now, with the three of them going out together, this was definitely not a small matter.
"What do you think they're up to today?" Momoko asked, glancing at Miyako and Kaoru, seated across from her.
"It's hard to say," Miyako replied, frowning. She was clearly uneasy too. "But with all three of them going out together, it's definitely no simple errand."
Kaoru leaned her elbow on the couch's armrest, her hands folded across her chest, and said thoughtfully, "They were exhausted last night, yet today they left so early. That's unusual."
Hearing this analysis, Momoko's unease only deepened. Just last night, they had finally gotten the boys to admit they were once "Oniwaban" agents for the Cabinet and that they had even earned quite a bit from their side ventures.
Discovering that they'd taken on so many dangerous activities without their knowledge left the girls feeling both worried and annoyed.
"I think we should follow them and see what they're up to," Momoko decided, looking at Miyako and Kaoru with a determined gaze. "Last time, they didn't tell us the whole truth. This time, we're not staying in the dark."
"I agree; we need to find out what they're hiding," Kaoru nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing with resolve. "No matter what, we need to know what they're doing this time."
Miyako smiled, shrugging. "Then let's go together. We didn't have any other plans for today, anyway."
The three quickly changed into casual clothes and hurried out the door. The boys had been subtle this time, seemingly hoping to avoid the girls' notice. Unfortunately, they underestimated the girls' intuition and vigilance.
Throughout middle and high school, the girls had often visited the International Science Institute, and Professor Utonium and Ken were like family to them.
Although they didn't go as often now in college, they still knew the place inside out. Seeing the boys acting so mysteriously only heightened their suspicions.
"I'm guessing they're heading to the research institute," Miyako speculated, her gaze sharp and focused. "They wouldn't get up this early otherwise."
Momoko nodded. "Exactly. Their destination seems pretty clear."
Sure enough, they followed the boys all the way to the gates of the International Science Institute. Seeing this, Momoko felt a sinking feeling in her chest. They knew this place well—it was, after all, the "headquarters" of the Powerpuff Girls Z, where they'd solved many a crisis.
"What do you think they're doing here?" Kaoru whispered.
"They're not just here to catch up with Professor Utonium and Ken, are they?" Momoko replied, a flood of possibilities filling her mind. Professor Utonium and Ken had once been their battle and research partners, and now the boys were here, making it unlikely to be a simple visit.
The three girls exchanged a look of shared understanding. No matter what, they were going to uncover the boys' plan this time. These boys always found a way to keep them on edge, and this time, whatever they were up to, the girls were determined to get to the bottom of it.
Just as we carefully placed the rings into our backpacks, the three of us stepped out of the research institute's doors, hearts full of anticipation as we imagined presenting these carefully prepared rings to the girls and witnessing their joyful and surprised expressions.
But as I took my first few steps, an inexplicable pressure washed over me.
"Yuzuhiko—" A sweet but slightly ominous voice came from not far away.
My heart leapt. I looked up and saw Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru standing by the street outside the institute's gate, smiling warmly at us. Their smiles, so soft in the sunlight, sent a shiver down my spine. How did they know we were here? And why did they have those slightly unnerving smiles?
I instinctively took a step back, feeling the sweat start to form on my back. Kagami and Shigeru stopped in their tracks as well, their expressions just as tense. We shared a silent exchange of thoughts: Damn, how did they find out we were here?
Momoko gently shook her long orange ponytail and walked over to us with a bright smile. "Good morning, my little 'archaeologists.' Was your 'dig' productive today?"
Her voice was so sweet that it made me feel uncomfortable all over. I forced an awkward smile. "Uh, yeah, a bit busy today…" I stole a glance at my backpack, trying to keep my composure while my mind raced, searching for a plausible explanation.
Miyako and Kaoru quickly moved to stand beside Kagami and Shigeru, both wearing similarly meaningful smiles. Miyako spoke softly, "It seems like your 'archaeology' yielded quite the treasure."
"Uh…yes, it did," Kagami replied, his voice a little shaky. Although he tried to sound casual, the way he gripped his backpack gave everything away. Clearly, he was feeling just as pressured as I was.
Kaoru clapped a hand on Shigeru's shoulder, her smile carrying a hint of mischief. "Well, can we see your 'archaeological finds'?"
Now we were in real trouble. I could practically hear our heartbeats, and countless possibilities flashed through my mind: if we showed them the rings now, the surprise we had planned so meticulously would be ruined!
I forced myself to stay calm, lowering my voice as I said, "It's… not the right time yet. We're not ready."
"Oh? Not ready?" Momoko's smile grew even more mysterious as she took another step closer, her gaze sharp as a knife, as if she were trying to pierce every secret in my heart. "Yuzuhiko, we've been waiting for you all morning, you know?"
I tried to keep the stiff smile on my face, but my facial muscles began twitching uncontrollably.
I knew there was no hiding it—Momoko had already seen through our plan. I sighed inwardly, knowing we were well and truly cornered.
"So, how about we head home first?" I suggested tentatively, hoping to buy a little more time.
"No rush," Momoko replied, her smile growing brighter—and somehow more ominous. "We don't have anything else planned; we'd just love to chat with you for a bit."
Kagami, Shigeru, and I exchanged resigned looks, fully aware that we were trapped. It was clear that today's "loving interrogation" was inescapable.
In the end, we had no choice but to be "escorted" home by the girls. The whole way back, we were racking our brains, desperately trying to figure out how to explain ourselves and keep the rings hidden—at least until the right moment came.
As soon as we stepped into the house, the girls maintained their gentle smiles, but the faint sense of danger made me shiver. Those seven days we spent "archaeologizing," gone without a word, had sparked serious suspicion, and it was clear we wouldn't escape a full interrogation.
Just as we tried to feign innocence, before we even had a chance to sit down, my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl, instantly becoming the focus of everyone's attention.
Momoko raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "What's the matter, Yuzuhiko? Hungry?" Her tone was gentle, but the playful edge in her voice was definitely the beginning of an interrogation.
Just as I was awkwardly trying to cover it up, Kagami and Shigeru's stomachs joined the chorus, grumbling in "protest." Yes, we'd skipped breakfast to retrieve the rings, and now it was already past noon, and we were starving.
Miyako covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "It seems like it really was an exhausting 'archaeological' trip if you skipped breakfast too?"
Kagami scratched his head awkwardly, managing a small smile. "Yeah, we were in a hurry, so we rushed out."
Kaoru, while smiling, looked at us with a sharp gaze. "In that case, let's get you a meal first, and then we can 'chat' properly. How does that sound?"
Her words sent a shiver down my spine; it meant that after dinner, we'd be in for a full "interrogation." Reluctantly, I nodded in agreement; I had no choice but to endure this meal first because an "empty-stomach interrogation" would be even harder to withstand.
Momoko smiled warmly, heading into the kitchen to prepare a simple meal. Her movements were light and smooth, but whenever she glanced back at us, there was a subtle hint of chill in her eyes.
Miyako and Kaoru also helped, occasionally exchanging significant glances, clearly anticipating the upcoming "questioning," causing cold sweat to trickle down my back and Kagami and Shigeru's.
The meal was soon ready, filling the table with enticing aromas. We, having not eaten properly in days, couldn't resist the temptation and quickly surrendered. The girls put down their chopsticks after finishing, still wearing faint smiles that were far from reassuring.
Forcing a smile, Kagami cautiously picked up a bite, aware that this might very well be the "last supper." We ate quickly and ravenously, knowing that any delay would only prolong the inevitable.
"Are you full?" Momoko asked, her smile widening as we finished the last bite. I instinctively nodded, though my heart pounded with unease, bracing for the hard conversation to come. "Alright, let's talk about this 'archaeology' trip," she said sweetly, setting her chopsticks down and fixing her gaze on me, her smile brimming with both questions and determination.
I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself. Talking my way out of this would be almost impossible. But then, an idea struck me.
Gently, I took Momoko's hand, intertwining my fingers with hers as I looked earnestly into her eyes. "Momoko, I'm not going to give you any excuses or roundabout answers this time. I'm just asking you to trust me, alright? I promise there's a real reason for this trip, but I can't explain it right now. When the time is right, you'll understand."
Momoko blinked, a trace of hesitation flickering in her eyes. Then she looked down at our interlocked hands, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as her lips curved in a soft smile. "…Alright, Yuzuhiko. I'll trust you this time."
Her voice was low, with a touch of sweetness in her smile, her eyes still holding a bit of doubt but softened by a gentle warmth, easing my tension.
Kagami and Shigeru, too, silently held Miyako and Kaoru's hands. Kagami looked tenderly at Miyako and said in a soft tone, "Miyako, please believe me this time. There's a plan, and it's for you. I swear, you won't be disappointed." The sincerity and gentleness in his eyes seemed to touch Miyako, her cheeks turning slightly pink as she gave a small nod.
Shigeru, holding Kaoru's hand with a gentle smile, said, "Kaoru, this is really important. Please, just trust me, alright? You'll find out soon enough. It's all for you." Kaoru's face flushed as she bit her lip, nodding slightly despite her lingering suspicion.
The three girls exchanged a knowing smile, seeming to relax a bit under the boys' affectionate appeal, reluctantly setting aside the "interrogation" for the moment. Kagami, Shigeru, and I knew this was only a "temporary victory," but with the surprise already in motion, we were determined to show them our sincerity.
The girls, although still doubtful, seemed to sense the depth of our feelings. They didn't say much, but the softness in their expressions was unmistakable.
I let out a gentle sigh of relief, holding Momoko's hand tightly as my heart filled with anticipation for that future moment when they'd truly understand the meaning of all our preparations.
Two months flew by, and the girls became engrossed in their own work, almost seeming to forget that we had borrowed their Powerpuff Girls Z rings.
Meanwhile, Kagami, Shigeru, and I worked quietly on our individual plans, preparing for the upcoming Obon Festival. This time, we decided to bring the girls home to meet our adoptive families.
After all, we'd been busy with studies and work these past few years, and rarely had the chance to return home, much less introduce the girls to our families.
"Yuzuhiko, are you sure it's okay to suddenly invite them to meet the family?" Shigeru asked, holding a notebook as if jotting down plans.
"Don't worry, this is a great opportunity," I replied confidently. "The girls are eager to learn more about our past, to see how we grew up. It's the perfect way for them to understand us better."
Kagami nodded in agreement. "Besides, our families are also looking forward to meeting them. Grandma Kiyoko recently asked me when I'd bring Miyako home to meet everyone."
The three of us quickly agreed and decided to take advantage of the Obon Festival to bring the girls home to meet the family.
So, a month before Obon, we left work early, waiting for the girls to come back after their shifts.
When they finally walked through the door, we had already prepared a lavish dinner. The table set, we looked slightly nervous but tried to keep the atmosphere light.
"Why the formality today?" Momoko asked curiously as she took off her coat.
"Well, we wanted to discuss something with you," I began, glancing at Kagami and Shigeru, who both nodded slightly. "With the Obon Festival coming up, we thought we'd invite you to join us and meet our families."
Miyako looked surprised. "Really? We can go meet your families?"
"Of course," Kagami replied with a smile. "You're so important to us, and our families are eager to meet you."
Kaoru nodded but had a hint of hesitation in her gaze. "So, we'll be able to learn more about your past too?"
"That's right," Shigeru said softly. "You'll get to see how we grew up and understand why we are who we are today."
Hearing this, the girls seemed excited. We continued the meal, and the atmosphere relaxed. But then, Momoko suddenly looked up, frowning slightly. "By the way, Yuzuhiko, do you remember borrowing my Powerpuff Girls Z ring? You still haven't returned it."
Her question made my heart skip a beat, and I caught Kagami and Shigeru's expressions, which had also shifted slightly. That's right, the rings—we had borrowed them months ago, and in the chaos of everything, they hadn't mentioned it. We almost thought they'd forgotten.
Miyako added, "Yeah, Kagami, I remember you took mine too. Kaoru, what about yours?"
Kaoru looked at Shigeru, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Shigeru, don't tell me you lost it?"
The three of us boys exchanged a resigned smile. I managed a nervous grin and tried to downplay it. "Ah, well…actually, we're planning a surprise, so we can't give them back just yet."
"A surprise?" Momoko tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes. "What kind of surprise?"
"Well…" I replied with a mysterious smile. "You'll find out after Obon, once we've met the family."
The girls looked intrigued but eventually nodded, seeming convinced by our words. But we all knew that when they finally met our families, our modest explanations wouldn't stand a chance against reality.
Our backgrounds, the influence of our families, and everything we'd done would show them that we were far from "ordinary." This journey home would reveal the truth, putting our love for them—and theirs for us—to the ultimate test.
After dinner, the atmosphere relaxed a bit more, and the girls grew curious about our families. Although they had been with us for many years, they didn't know much about our family backgrounds.
Momoko was the first to ask, her eyes full of curiosity. "Yuzuhiko, you mentioned before that your family is in Hokkaido, but you never really went into detail. What is your family like?"
I felt a slight tremor in my heart, knowing this question had finally come up. I tried to stay calm and answered with a light-hearted smile, "There's nothing much to say. My family just raises sheep and cattle; my parents are just an ordinary uncle and aunt running a small ranch you'd find on the side of the road, pretty simple."
Momoko frowned, clearly not convinced. "Just like that? Ranches in Hokkaido aren't usually small, and every time you mention it, you make it sound so casual. Is it really that simple?"
I kept my tone easygoing, still smiling as I replied, "Honestly, I'm not lying. It's a modest ranch. Our milk and butter supply a few pastry shops, but there's nothing special about it."
Deep down, I knew Shirakawa Ranch was far from "simple." It's a nationally renowned organic ranch, and its dairy products are a vital part of Hokkaido's economy, beloved by numerous pastry chefs.
However, I didn't want to put too much pressure on Momoko, especially with this being the first time she would meet my family. I hoped everything would stay easy and natural.
Then Miyako chimed in, with a tone mixed with curiosity and doubt.
"Kagami, what about your family? When we visited your house in high school, it was ridiculously huge. We even had to ride horses to get around, but you've never talked about your family."
Kagami chuckled lightly, playing it off. "Miyako, you already visited once, didn't you? Yes, the place is a bit big, but that's about it. We only need horses because the land is 'slightly on the larger side.'"
Miyako sighed, clearly dissatisfied with such a vague answer. "Yeah, the place was huge, almost unreal, and it was full of world heritage sites. But I've never seen any of your family. What are they like?"
Kagami paused briefly, then laughed it off. "Well, there's not much to say. My father's skilled in kendo, and my mother's a designer—pretty good, just like you. My sisters are talented in archery, ikebana, equestrianism, tea ceremony, and traditional Japanese dance. They also travel abroad for fashion shows a lot. Honestly, I don't know much about it myself."
Miyako was clearly skeptical. "What? Your family sounds incredibly impressive. There's no way that's an ordinary family!"
Kagami kept up his smile, but he was a little nervous inside. His family wasn't just a noble family from Arashiyama, Kyoto—they wielded power and wealth on par with the Japanese government and could easily produce funds equivalent to the nation's annual budget.
His father, Kennosuke, was globally renowned as the strongest kendo master, and his mother, Tamaka, was a founding legend in Japanese fashion design with a portfolio spanning all the"Big Four" events.
His twin sisters, Hina and Tsukihime, excelled in archery, tea ceremony, ikebana, and equestrianism, and as international supermodels, they frequently participated in shows at major fashion events.
But revealing all this would feel overwhelming for Miyako, so he hoped she could discover it gradually when they finally met.
Then Kaoru turned to Shigeru, with a slightly challenging tone. "What about you, Shigeru? You never talk about your family."
Shigeru replied with his usual casual tone, "There's really nothing much to say. Just a small family restaurant. My mom's pretty good at cooking."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow, obviously unconvinced. "A small restaurant? Isn't your mother quite skilled?"
Shigeru chuckled, trying to sound nonchalant. "Yeah, she does run a restaurant, but it's nothing special."
In reality, Shigeru's mother, Yoh, was far from an ordinary chef. She was the head chef at "Yohkaku," a Michelin three-star restaurant, and a top-tier ryotei frequently visited by the Japanese Imperial family, Prime Minister, and other elite figures.
Yohkaku had maintained its three-star rating for twenty consecutive years, and Ha's culinary skills were revered as a national treasure.
She was even known as the "God of Cuisine" in the culinary world. But sharing this with Kaoru might make her feel pressured, so Shigeru kept things understated.
The girls listened to our simple answers, with expressions of mild doubt, clearly not fully convinced. However, they seemed to decide not to probe further and exchanged a few knowing glances among themselves.
I knew that once they actually met our families, these modest descriptions wouldn't hold up to reality. Our backgrounds, our families' influence, and all we had accomplished would show them that we were far from "ordinary." But this homecoming would also allow them to see our inner worlds and understand how we became who we are today.
This upcoming journey back home would reveal all truths, bringing our love for them—and their love for us—to a whole new level of understanding.
A few weeks later, the girls, as expected, each discovered in their respective workplaces that the family backgrounds of their three silly boys were far from simple!
Friday, August 9, 2019 - Setagaya, Tokyo - Momoyuzuya Main Store
Momoko stood in the back kitchen of "Momoyuzuya," carefully inspecting the ingredients delivered that day. Her gaze landed on a crate of fresh cream and milk, with a label reading "Shirakawa Ranch" and a line below: "Produced in Hokkaido, the highest quality organic dairy products in the country."
Momoko frowned slightly and turned to ask her colleague beside her, "Are these from a new supplier? Shirakawa Ranch… It sounds pretty impressive."
Mihoko, her colleague, turned around and smiled as she explained, "Yeah, this is top-tier stuff! The cream and milk from Shirakawa Ranch are renowned in the industry. Practically every high-end dessert shop in Japan is clamoring to use their products. There's more demand than supply every year, and some places even have to wait in line for them."
Momoko was momentarily stunned. "Shirakawa Ranch…" she murmured, and suddenly, a familiar name flashed in her mind—Yuzuhiko's surname was also "Shirakawa," wasn't it? She quickly recalled how Yuzuhiko had once nonchalantly mentioned, "My family just raises sheep and cattle, you know, just a small, ordinary ranch run by a couple of average folks."
Momoko's expression grew complicated. She remembered Yuzuhiko's casual demeanor and felt that something was definitely off. "An ordinary ranch in Hokkaido that supplies milk to all the high-end dessert shops in Japan?" she muttered, full of doubt. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked Mihoko, "Is Shirakawa Ranch really that famous?"
Mihoko nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! They say the ranch is massive, and practically the whole of Hokkaido is supplied with Shirakawa Ranch milk. Their products are even called 'national treasure-level' dairy! And the ranch owner is known for demanding top-notch quality, with all their dairy being additive-free and completely organic. Some pastry chefs even fly to Hokkaido just to visit this ranch. It's said to be a major economic pillar of the region!"
Momoko was even more shocked as she listened. "Yuzuhiko, you big fool…," she muttered, feeling exasperated. She recalled Yuzuhiko's easygoing expression and couldn't help but feel an overwhelming urge to call him and get the truth.
Her brows knitted tightly, and she murmured in disbelief, "You called it just an 'ordinary' ranch?"
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 - Milan, Italy - Fashion Week
The backstage of Milan Fashion Week was a whirlwind of activity, with lights flashing and designers and assistants bustling around, making final preparations for the grand show.
Miyako stood by a row of clothing racks, delicately adjusting the details on a model's outfit with a pin in hand. As a core team member, she was focused and efficient, ensuring everything was perfect for the runway.
At that moment, her attention was drawn to a graceful pair of long-haired, ebony-haired twin models walking past the stage. They were dressed in gorgeous, modified kimono-style outfits, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication.
As the twins passed, they smiled warmly and nodded at her, their composed and confident demeanor tinged with a hint of friendliness, which felt oddly familiar to Miyako.
She stared at them for a few seconds, still processing, when her Japanese colleague, Rika , tapped her on the shoulder. "Miyako, did you see them?
Those are the Midou twins, Hina and Tsukihime. They're the finale models for this show!"
Miyako's eyes widened in surprise. "Midou family…? Hina and Tsukihime?" Memories from high school flooded back—she recalled the time she and her friends had stayed at the Midou family's estate for two months while investigating clues about Him.
She remembered the vast estate that stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with traditional Japanese architecture and towering five-story pagodas, where riding horses was the only way to get around.
And Kagami's room had been so massive, it was practically a labyrinth, like a mini Osaka Castle!
Her Italian colleague, Fabio, joined in, his voice full of awe. "Miyako, did you know? One of the biggest highlights of this Fashion Week is Tamaka Midou's designs. She's a legendary figure in Japanese fashion, and her works are considered timeless classics in the world's four major fashion weeks. Many designers have flown here just to see her collections."
Miyako was even more taken aback. Tamaka Midou—that was her idol, the designer she had admired since childhood! Tamaka was renowned for blending traditional Japanese culture with modern aesthetics, earning her a place as a mythic figure in the fashion world. And now, she realized that this legend had some connection to her goofy, carefree partner, Kagami?
Rika chuckled and added, "Miyako, didn't you know? The Midou family is an aristocratic clan from Arashiyama, Kyoto. Their wealth and influence rival even the Japanese government! They own numerous cultural heritage sites, and they could whip out funds equivalent to a national budget anytime. Even the Imperial Family and the Cabinet hold them in high regard."
"No way…" Miyako was stunned, recalling Kagami's humble words: "My home isn't much, just a 'slightly' big place. My sisters are good at archery and flower arranging, and my mom is a designer as amazing as you." She had naively thought the surname "Midou" was common and assumed it was just a family skilled in martial arts. But now she realized the shocking truth.
Miyako was dumbfounded, finally understanding how casually Kagami had downplayed everything. She recalled his goofy smile and felt exasperated, muttering inwardly, "You big fool, hiding such an impressive background and acting like it's no big deal!"
Thursday, August 8, 2019 - Japan Women's Wrestling Federation Rest Area
The rest area was brightly lit as wrestlers gathered to relax after an intense training session, discussing their plans with excitement.
Kaoru sat cross-legged on a bench, wiping sweat off her face while holding a bottle of ice-cold water. Suddenly, her teammate Minako shouted excitedly,
"Everyone! I finally got my chance! Yohkaku! Next month, I'll be dining at the legendary Yohkaku in Nagoya for a heavenly kaiseki meal!"
Kaoru furrowed her brow, puzzled, and put down her water bottle. "Wait, Minako, are you saying you had to wait over a year just to have a meal? You're kidding, right?"
Minako laughed, her excitement shining through. "Kaoru, you have no idea how prestigious Yohkaku is! It's one of Japan's top kaiseki restaurants, on par with Kikunoi, Shin-Kiraku, Kanetanaka, and Kitcho.
Waiting for over a year is totally normal! I've been on the reservation list forever to get this spot!"
Reiko, sitting nearby, chimed in, her eyes sparkling. "Yes, Yohkaku is super famous! Its head chef, Yoh Kusama , is called the 'God of Cuisine' and is a national treasure in the culinary world. Ever since she took over Yohkaku, the restaurant has held three Michelin stars for twenty consecutive years! Even the Imperial Family dines there frequently."
Kaoru was dumbstruck. "What? Kaiseki… can be that extraordinary? And hold on, did you say it's even… a place for the Imperial Family?"
She looked at her teammates in disbelief, unable to comprehend how a meal could be so prestigious.
Minako laughed heartily, patting Kaoru on the shoulder. "Yeah, it's that impressive! It's one of Nagoya's most renowned restaurants. They say every dish is a masterpiece, and even state banquets often feature Yohkaku's cuisine."
Kaoru nodded blankly, her mind racing. The name Yohkaku felt oddly familiar, as if she'd heard it somewhere before.
Then, a figure came to mind: Shigeru. Wasn't he from Nagoya, and wasn't his surname Kusama? The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
"No way…" Kaoru muttered to herself, suddenly recalling Shigeru's classic, offhand remark: "My family just runs a simple restaurant, and my mom is pretty good at cooking." She couldn't believe it. How could a world-class restaurant, serving Michelin-starred kaiseki for twenty years and even catering to the Imperial Family, be called a "simple restaurant"? And his mother, the "God of Cuisine," Yoh Kusama?
Kaoru's eyes widened, her mouth hanging open as a storm of emotions welled up inside her. She felt both frustrated and exasperated, muttering under her breath, "That idiot… downplaying it as just a simple restaurant?!" She felt an urge to rush home and confront Shigeru immediately, demanding an explanation.