Inner Voice: All Heroines Hear My Inner Voice

Chapter 641 - Rindo's green junior, and slapped Azami again

"Hey Kuga, give me some spicy ramen!"

Having visited 24 stands out of 120 at the festival, Rindo was now visiting the stand of one of her juniors. It was a Chinese food stand that was actually located in front of Soma's stand.

However, it was not like before where she met with Soma. She was now sullen and in a bad mood because why not?

The guy she was waiting for, Eiji didn't come to see her even though he seemed to have come to her school. Instead, he was busy flirting with two girls from the Nakiri family and even talking about marriage between them.

Still, Kuga— Terunori Kuga who was the Eighth Seat of the Elite Ten Council did not care about Rindo's mood. A vein stood out on his forehead before he said irritably. "Rindo-senpai, my stand is a Chinese food stand."

"So?" Rindo propped her chin with one hand on the customer table. There was indifference on her pretty face.

Kuga's lips twitched. "Isn't it obvious? There's no ramen here! Ramen is Japanese food! If you want ramen, go to a Japanese food stand or whoever sells it!"

"Hahahah! I know, I was just joking. Still, Kuga. Do you think I'm really pretty? What if I'm compared to Erina and Alice?" Rindo laughed and asked as if she doubted her beauty.

"Huh?" Kuga was confused and wondered if he had heard wrong?

He thought Rindo was an annoying senior because she teased him a lot. However, their relationship was not bad and could be considered good.

And to be honest, although he didn't want to admit it, she was beautiful and sexy. When he first saw her, Kuga even felt his heart skip a beat.

But as far as he knew, Rindo was only interested in food and cooking. Why did she seem to care about her looks now?

Come to think of it, she now looked more feminine which made Kuga's heart rate increase.

He vowed not to tell Rindo what he was feeling at the moment. Otherwise, she would definitely tease him!

"The Erina you're referring to must be the owner of the God's Tongue and the Tenth Seat but Alice? Is that a girl from the Nakiri family? They are both beautiful but Senpai, you are no less beautiful than them and are the Second Seat of the Elite Ten Council, you should be more confident."

Kuga was a little embarrassed to say this but he was telling the truth. Still, he suddenly realized something and looked at Rindo in surprise.

"Heh, I didn't expect Kuga to be able to compliment a girl. Do I look like that in your eyes? Oh my~"

Rindo covered her mouth with one hand as if she was holding back laughter.

Kuga's face became grim as Rindo teased him. Even so, he was relieved that he seemed to be thinking too much, right?

Other than just being interested in food and cooking. There was no way Rindo...

"By the way Senpai, did you ask about that and dress up more than usual because you like someone?" Kuga asked nervously.

"Ara? Kuga, do you care about that?" Rindo smiled teasingly.

"Dammit! I was just asking!" Kuga's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. Then, he hurriedly changed the topic. "Say what you want to order? If not, get out of my stand!"

"Fufu. Kuga, you're a tsundere."

"I'm..." Before Kuga could argue, a man entered his booth and caught the attention of the customers, waiters and even himself because of his appearance.

Kuga could not help but think the man was even more handsome than his senior and First Seat of Elite Ten, Eishi.

Rindo naturally turned her head towards Kuga's gaze and was surprised.

"Eiji!"

"....?" Kuga was also surprised that Rindo recognized this blond man?

Could it be...

He had a bad feeling.

Eiji had finished his date with Alice and drove her to the Nakiri Mansion. He was tempted to continue staying there since there was also Leonora. However, he decided to leave immediately and told the mother and daughter that he still had other business. He still had to be patient to eat Oyakodon Nakiri.

Instead, he searched for Rindo. With one of the shadow soldiers in her shadow, it was easy to find her.

"Rindo, sorry for making you wait so long." Eiji naturally walked over to Rindo and sat down beside her. He ignored the spiky brown-haired boy with blond bangs who looked frozen. His hairstyle reminded him of Azazel...

"Eiji, I thought you had forgotten about our promise to meet because you were busy flirting with other girls~" Rindo who had been pouting before, now looked cheerful. She even poked Eiji's muscular arm with her finger and said flirtatiously.

Seeing this, Kuga felt uncomfortable.

Eiji noticed this and was a little surprised because had the next green hat target been found?

This would be more fun.

"How could I forget to meet a beautiful senior like Rindo? I was just late because I took care of some things first." Eiji did not admit that he was late because of flirting with Erina and Alice.

Rindo who could hear his inner voice knew this and rolled her eyes.

But before she continued to talk flirtatiously to him and show her slight dissatisfaction.

"Ahem!" Kuga pretended to cough and looked at Eiji awkwardly. "Excuse me, but who are you? You call Rindo-senpai a senior... Are you a student from the first or second year of this school?"

This was the first time he had seen Eiji and although the man was not wearing a school uniform, he hoped that Eiji and Rindo's relationship was nothing more than that of a junior and senior like him.

"Oh? Who is this, Rindo?" Eiji made a surprised expression as if he had just realized Kuga's existence and ignored his question.

Kuga felt annoyed.

Rindo answered while pointing at Kuga. "This is Kuga, he's my junior and this Chinese food stand is his."

"My full name is Terunori Kuga, I am the Eighth Seat of the Elite Ten Council." Kuga also introduced himself and he did so with pride.

Rindo looked at the boy in confusion. Was it just him or was Kuga a bit hostile to Eiji? Why?

Eiji smiled at Kuga and said, "Hello Kuga, nice to meet you. I'm Eiji Seiya, a second year high school student from another school who happened to know Rindo not long ago."

[I remember wasn't Terunori Kuga a minor antagonist in Food Wars? Although at some point he also became a supporter of the protagonist. However, I don't remember him having romantic feelings for Rindo.]

"....?" Rindo was surprised because she now understood why Kuga was somewhat hostile to Eiji. But sorry, she just thought of that boy as her junior.

Eiji wouldn't misunderstand, right?

Kuga didn't know that the hidden feelings he had for his senior were known. He was happy that Eiji and Rindo had not known each other for long even though he was still annoyed that the two people were flirting with each other.

"I see. So, are you two going to order food?" Kuga was reluctant to say this but as the stand owner, he had to do that.

Instead of answering the boy standing like a waiter in front of him, Eiji ignored him again and looked at Rindo. "Did you eat already?"

"....." Kuga.

"Hehe. I've actually tasted a lot of food from other booths before coming here, Eiji."

"Then we can do something else for a date?"

"D-Date?! You two are dating?!" It wasn't Rindo who was surprised to hear what Eiji said. But Kuga, his expression looked ugly.

Eiji was happy to see that and said, "This morning Rindo invited me to enjoy the festival at her school together. Isn't this like an invitation to a date? Am I wrong, Rindo?"

Kuga was a little relieved after knowing this but instead of saying no, Rindo just...

"Fufu. Yes, it's not wrong."

I don't know if it was a hallucination or not. In the eyes of others, Kuga's face was rather green.

"As for anything else to do on our date? Eiji, what do you want? As long as it's fun, I'll do it with you~"

Rindo said that flirtatiously while hugging Eiji's muscular arm.

Now Eiji suspected that the girl had a muscle fetish. As proof, her positivity level increased by one point in this situation.

Even so, he did not forget to take advantage of this opportunity. "I remember the last time we met, you promised to let me taste your cooking, Rindo."

"Hm..." Rindo held her chin as if remembering she had said that. "I remember saying that before... Alright Eiji! I'll let you taste my cooking! Kuga, lend me your kitchen for a moment."

"What?! Senpai, you want to cook here? But, but almost all the ingredients here are special ingredients for Chinese food."

Kuga was reluctant to lend his kitchen, especially since Rindo would be cooking for Eiji! He was jealous of Eiji because he could taste the food Rindo made!

Although he had tasted Rindo's food in the past, but it was in a cooking competition where the two of them dueled. In this situation, Rindo was like a girl who wanted to cook only for her boyfriend.

"No problem, I happen to be able to make some Chinese food as well." Rindo said confidently. But before she could get up from her chair and walk towards the kitchen.

"Wait Rindo." Eiji held her plump thighs which made her a little embarrassed.

Seeing that scene, Kuga clenched his fists and had the urge to beat Eiji up.

Even he had never touched Rindo like that!

However, Eiji's figure clearly seemed stronger than him which made him hesitate.

"What, Eiji? Do you have a special request for the food you want? Then say so."

Rindo did not get angry and did not dismiss Eiji's hand which made Kuga disappointed. Did she really not mind?

Damn it!

"To make it more fun why don't we compete? Besides tasting each other's food, Kuga will also be a fair judge for us and whoever wins can ask the loser one request."

This was the first time Eiji had used such a routine. Not just to woo Rindo with his cooking skills, but also to...

"Huh? Eiji, right? You mean you also want to cook and you think you can beat Rindo-senpai who is the Second Seat of the Elite Ten?!"

While Rindo grinned because she felt that having a cooking competition with Eiji sounded fun.

After all, she had heard from his inner voice that apart from possessing the God's Tongue, that man also had outstanding cooking skills.

She didn't reject his challenge but Kuga seemed very dissatisfied.

"That's true but can I beat her or not? We'll see."

Eiji said confidently and looked at Kuga indifferently.

Kuga was angry but also felt humiliated because Eiji seemed to look down on the members of the Elite Ten Council in this school.

It wasn't impossible that a boy from another school like him could cook. However, he was clearly looking down on the chefs attending Totsuki Academy!

How could his cooking skills be comparable to them and even the Elite Ten members?

Moreover, he dared to ask Rindo for one request if he won. As a fellow male, he felt that Eiji would ask Rindo for something lewd.

There was no way he would let him!

However, Kuga didn't believe Eiji could defeat Rindo and wanted to see him humiliate himself.

If that happened, wouldn't Rindo not like him anymore?

Kuga grinned like an antagonist. "You're very confident, Eiji. That reminds me of a certain junior." That junior was Soma, not long ago they had a small conflict just like in the original work in this arc. "I agreed to lend my kitchen to you two and become a judge. But does Rindo-senpai agree to compete with you?"

He glanced at the girl he liked but instead of belittling Eiji like he did and probably refusing, Rindo actually made him almost vomit blood.

"I agree and if I win... Hehe Eiji, can I touch your muscles as much as I want?" Rindo said that with a smile that looked rather lewd and a fiery gaze at Eiji.

Kuga doubted what he heard and saw because did his crush have that kind of fetish?

Eiji was not surprised and casually said, "Sure, I don't mind."

[Should I just give in? Letting a girl as beautiful as Rindo grope my body sounds like a gift to me.]

[Just kidding.]

The heroines including Rindo didn't think Eiji was joking.

...

"That pervert!"

Erina gritted her teeth and complained for the umpteenth time. At this point, none of the people in the kitchen were surprised.

Hisako sighed and said, "Erina-sama, the last customer has already left. Should we close the shop now? It's already late afternoon."

"It's already late afternoon? Alright, let's close."

Perhaps because Eiji's inner voice was often heard, Erina lost track of time. While cooking, she often scolded him.

Of course, she wasn't really angry. She was just jealous because not only was he dating Alice, Eiji also now seemed to be flirting with Rindo!

How could she not recognize the third-year senior who was the Second Seat of the Elite Ten Council?

Erina had to admit Rindo's looks and figure were not inferior to hers. So, it was no surprise that Eiji was greedy for her beauty.

Erina sighed and wondered why she could not stop thinking about a perverted man like Eiji?

To be honest since she often read shoujo manga, she understood what she felt for Eiji but her tsundere attributes prevented her from admitting it.

Erina pretended to be stupid to herself. However, she seemed to forget something and only remembered when someone returned to her shop.

"Erina, are you done? Now it's time for you to come back with me."

Who was the person who probably said that? It was Azami and not just him, there were several bodyguards who came with him.

"Father?" Erina was dumbfounded and finally remembered that she was in trouble because this morning she met her father. After Eiji had driven the man away by making him cry for eating his food. Didn't her father say he would talk to her again later. Is that now?"

Erina was scared but unlike this morning, she boldly told her father. "No, I don't want to come with you!"

Azami was still smiling slightly with his usual grim face. "Erina, you have no choice. You seem to have forgotten everything I've taught you. But that's okay, tonight I'll make you remember."

Erina shook her head and stepped back every time the man in front of her took a step forward with several men behind him. "I said I don't want to! My grandfather is the director of this school! F-Father, you can't force me!"

"Your grandfather?" Erina didn't know why but her father suddenly laughed and said, "Didn't he tell you yet? This morning I just ousted him from his position and now I'm the new director of Totsuki Academy, Erina."

"No way! You, how did you do it?!" Erina's face turned pale and her body started trembling.

"What do you want to do to Erina-sama?!" Hisako came out of the kitchen and stood in front of Erina.

She glared fearlessly at Azami and his several bodyguards.

Azami did not glance at his daughter's secretary at all and said, "6 out of 10 Elite Ten Council members agreed to appoint me as the new Totsuki Academy director and tomorrow everyone in this school will know about it. Erina, that's why you should come with me."

"By the way, from now on you won't need this secretary. Father will replace her for you."

"You also shouldn't have contact with anyone other than your father, especially Eiji. That boy will only bring bad influence to you."

Remembering Eiji who had made him cry this morning, Azami hated him and did not want his daughter to be close to him.

While Hisako was shocked and angry that Azami wanted to fire her. Erina felt desperate at the thought of her being controlled by her father again. The light in her eyes began to fade but just then, she suddenly remembered someone.

Although that man was perverted and shameless, wanting her and her cousin and even her aunt as his women.

Erina knew the only person she could rely on right now was...

"Eiji, help me!"

Azami frowned as his daughter suddenly called out the name of a boy he hated.

He was angry and stretched out his hand to take Erina by force. But before he could do so, Azami froze.

Not just him, his bodyguards and everyone in the shop except Erina and Hisako shuddered.

The temperature in the room suddenly dropped to freezing cold as if something frightening was about to appear. Under Erina's feet, or rather her shadow suddenly widened.

A large black humanoid figure with mauve light, neon eyes, sharp claws, and four wings appeared. Its appearance was that of a giant ant that stood up and looked at Azami and his guards with a condescending gaze.

Except for Erina and Hisako, everyone including Azami fell to the floor and looked at the monster that suddenly appeared in horror.

Some of them had even fainted from fright.

However, what was even more shocking was that the ant opened its mouth and spoke like a human. "None of you may touch my lord's woman."

"!!!" Everyone.

After saying that, Beru gently took Erina and even Hisako into his large hands. Erina and Hisako strangely did not feel afraid, they were just dazed.

Beru then opened his wings that glowed with a purple color and—

*Boom!*

The roof of the villa shattered and Azami could only see Erina and her secretary being carried across the sky by a giant ant. In an instant their figures disappeared like light in the distance.

"E... Erina, Erina! What's going on? M-Monster, give me back my daughter!"

Azami stammered, his face pale, his face full of cold sweat and his heart beating fast because of the fear he felt.

His legs were too weak to even stand up due to Beru's natural oppression. If it wasn't for Eiji's order. Beru could have killed Azami and other humans just with his oppression.

Azami was confused and panicked.

How could such a monster come out of Erina's shadow?

There were many questions in his mind, especially who was the lord the giant ant was referring to!

On the other side.

Eiji smiled and almost laughed at Azami who seemed to have a mental breakdown after seeing Erina and Hisako taken away by Beru.

With his perception and hearing, he was able to see and hear what was happening in Erina's shop. Even so, he continued to cook in front of Rindo and Kuga's surprised gazes. After all, by now Beru who was one of his shadow soldiers must have taken Erina and Hisako to his house.

The two girls were now safe.

[Host, are you sure they are safe? Aren't they in the wolf's den right now?]

'Miss System, that's not funny.'

[It's not even a joke.]