Chapter 40: Compensation & Disciple

Tatsuya Minami:" Well you do now!"

Hearing that Eric started laughing lightly and said,

Eric:" You are cracking good jokes Minami-chan, truly funny."

Tatsuya Minami was getting pissed off that this guy wasn't taking her seriously, and then said with a cold voice,

Tatsuya Minami:" What if in front of you wouldn't be standing your professor, but an agent of the secret service, offering you your life, or collaboration.

Not to mention that with what happened today at the coffee shop there is no way that Takeshiba's Young Master would leave it at that, don't you think?"

Eric didn't seem fazed at all by all her words though, then turning serious for a moment he looked her into the eyes, and said seriously,

Eric:" Does this mean that we are not bounded by the school ethics, and can have an intimate relationship with Minami-chan?"

Tatsuya Minami was about to vomit blood by his words, she expected something serious and she got teased again.

Looking him directly into the eye, she said in a solemn and serious voice,

Tatsuya Minami:" No this means that I can kill you if you don't collaborate Eric Jade. So tell me do you want your life or not?"

Her words didn't break Eric's carefree expression though, looking at her with a slight smile he said,

Eric:" Aren't you a feisty one Minami-chan. I never said I wouldn't do it, but you never offered me something more than my life to.

All this stuff seems too risky and my life will be on the line, so shouldn't I be compensated in some way?"

After those words, Tatsuya Minami thought that this guy was finally showing his true colors and that now she had him in the palm of her hand.

With this thought in mind, she said in a calm and cold voice,

Tatsuya Minami:" So tell me, how much do you want?"

Looking at her with a confused look, that made even Tatsuya Minami confused, he asked,

Eric:" Did I mention anything about money Minami-chan?"

Even more, confused after his question, Tatsuya Minami looked at him in the eye for a moment and said,

Tatsuya Minami:" Then what do you want exactly Eric?"

Finally getting in his line, Eric said with a calm and carefree voice, with a tone of seriousness as well,

Eric:" Well what I want is simple Minami-chan, I want to have 5 dates with you, in exchange for my help."

Hearing this, Tatsuya Minami was left speechless. What was wrong with this guy? Did he understand the gravity of the situation?

She didn't know what to say to that, she had never expected such a thing, but before she could even open her mouth to say anything, someone came abruptly to them.

It was a middle-aged guy wearing a white Chef uniform, and he looked really cool on it. Without caring about ethics or conduct he came running to their table.

Seeing Eric he immediately started speaking excited,

Chef:" Dear Sir I am the owner and Chef of this restaurant.

I came here to tell you that I am really sorry to have doubted your recipe. I was so stupid that I failed to recognize Mount Fuji for a moment.

All your recipes are so fresh, so innovative, and so good that I had to stop myself from tasting more of that divine dish.

I wanted to offer you my sincere apology, and also ask you if it is possible for me to become your disciple!?"

If what happened until now wasn't enough, hearing this statement, made Tatsuya Minami's jaw drop to the ground.

What and who was this guy!? He seemed such a loafer and carefree person that you would think he was good for nothing.

And in just two recipes he turns to be a genius Chef that even this guy wanted to have him as a master, without thinking of his age and position.

While Eric wanted to categorically refuse this offer at first, he thought that if he could use his experience of cooking in this place, he would make a fortune.

Of course not only with this restaurant, but he could also plan to open many others, like a big chain of restaurants. This would make it easier for him to assemble an army too.

It was a good true opportunity for him to have an extra business, so turning serious and solemn towards the Chef he said,

Eric:" While I don't like to be bothered much, and live a happy carefree life, I can consider making you my disciple, but there are some conditions involved."

These words were like a melody to the Chef, he had never thought that he would accept, after all just looking at the detailed instructions one could understand how good he was.

To him this was the luck of ten lives in one stroke, so he immediately replied happily,

Chef:" Tell me, Master, your disciple will fulfill any conditions."

Hearing those words Eric knew he had this guy on the palm of his hand, and that from now on he would do anything he ordered, so he said lightly,

Eric:" Firstly I want 49% of your restaurant's revenues from now on. While I don't care for wealth doesn't mean I don't need it to live as I wish.

Secondly, in the next 5 years, you will have to turn this small restaurant into a chain of restaurants across all of Japan. Of course, I will help you with that.

Thirdly, nobody, and I mean nobody should know about our relationship until I say so!"

While saying the third condition he threw a serious look towards Tatsuya Minami, meaning that this was effective for her too.

Tatsuya Minami on the other hand was still unable to get her mind around what was happening right now. Just who was this guy!?

As for the Chef, he seemed to be flying in the sky, he was that happy. He was ready to give everything he had to become a disciple, these conditions were nothing.

With that happiness he said,

Chef:" I agree to all those three conditions Master, can we have the ceremony now?"

Eric was satisfied that this guy was so happy and enthusiastic about it, but he said calmly,

Eric:" Not now, I will give you time to think about this until I and the lady have had our dinner. If you still haven't changed mind until then, we can proceed with the ceremony."

Only now was the Chef able to see at his future Master's guest, and looking at her face, he said in a sorry voice,

Chef:" Sorry Miss, I was unable to notice you due to my huge excitement. I really apologize if I have inconvenienced you. It just that this is the luck of my 10 lives.

I will wait for you to finish dinner so we can proceed with the ceremony Master."

Saying that he left and the waiters were able to serve the dinner for the duo. All this time Tatsuya Minami was curious if this recipe was really worth it.

And when she tried it, damn, she felt like this taste should be forbidden, like this was something that only Gods should taste.

It was amazing, with just one bite and she was lost in her imagination. What if she ate the full dish, what if she had this every day she wouldn't get bored with that.

It was extremely good, she would give everything she had to taste this daily. She already had a way though, but that just made her more pissed off.

This guy was not only hitting on her, but also saying that he would have many women, and a harem. Which woman would agree to that?

But the taste of what she was eating hit her taste buds once again, and all the negative thoughts turned to happiness. It was like someone cast magic on her.

When she finally chewed the bite, and it left towards her stomach, and she couldn't feel that taste anymore, she felt so lost.

Like she had lost something really important in her life! That sadness brought her back to the real world, where Eric was looking at her with a grin all over his place.

It was one of those grins that meant, see this is what you will lose if you don't become mine. At least that was in Tatsuya Minami's head right now.

She felt like a little ship that had felt into the trap of the big bad wolf. But that taste was too good, she couldn't give up on that, so she just ate her shame with her dish.

It was a three-course dinner, and with each plate, Tatsuya Minami's taste buds discovered new heights of taste and pleasure.

It seemed like a dream, really too good to be true. And when everything happened, she felt like the Cinderella leaving the palace that night, desperate for more.

Finishing his plate, Eric cleaned his lips and looking at Tatsuya Minami said in a carefree tone,

Eric:" So what where we talking about Minami-chan? Oh yes, my compensation for the mission! So do you agree to it or not, Minami-chan?"

It had finally come to this once again, she didn't know if she should accept or not. It truly felt like inviting a big bad wolf to the ship's den, even though the wolf seemed a weak fool.

Actually, she should have understood already that this wolf was just acting dumb, but the taste was still lingering in her mouth, and taste buds.

Her concentration was really off right now. But at the same time she couldn't show as a desperate woman, so she said,

Tatsuya Minami:" Well, only if you cook personally on those 5 dates!"

Hearing this, Eric started laughing, and said with a satisfied tone,

Eric:" Well, of course, I will be cooking for my Minami-chan after all."

For a reason, Tatsuya Minami felt like she had just fallen into a trap, but thinking of the food she completely forgot about that feeling.

Seeing that their discussion was over, Eric made a sign towards the Chef to tell him that they could continue now.

The Chef seeing the sign, immediately came over and said,

Chef:" Master I have…

(TO BE CONTINUED…)