Food Wars: Taste Reversal

"That, Eizan-sama... The kid across the street doesn't have a shop today, but your new burger..."

The manager of Nakamura hesitated, trying to organize her words, fearing that her next statement might anger Eizan, who was on the other end of the phone.

"What's wrong with my new burger?"

Etsuya hadn't noticed anything wrong at this point.

"After you put your new burger on the shelves, the diners kept saying they felt like they had eaten... well, shit..."

Manager Nakamura's words came out stammering. She couldn't help but feel angry when she thought about the reactions of the diners. But even if she had ten times the courage, she wouldn't dare get angry at Eizan. She could only lower her tone again.

"What do you mean, it's delicious, right?"

"No, no, the diners say... no, it's very unpalatable. Um, Eizan-san, did you make a mistake with the ingredients?"

Manager Nakamura finally mustered the courage to say this.

"I see... it's very unpalatable. Of course, after all, this is me... Wait, what are you talking about?!"

Etsuya, who had already closed his eyes, suddenly became alert. His tone turned cold instantly.

"I-I said... well, the customers don't seem to like the new burger, and didn't you see... the reason why yesterday's ingredients were written incorrectly..."

Manager Nakamura rubbed her hands nervously, looking submissive, and spoke cautiously into the phone.

"It's unpalatable? Mr. Nakamura, are you fooling me?"

Etsuya's tone also hardened in an instant. "There's nothing wrong with the formula I gave you. As long as you don't make mistakes, this formula is enough to be the signature of your store. Are you doubting my skills?"

"No, no, you misunderstood, Eizan-san. It's just that those guests don't know how to appreciate it. I've also tasted your new hamburger, and the taste is really not lacking. But... but the guests don't think so. I don't know why, but today's burger isn't selling at all. You see..."

Cold sweat ran down Manager Nakamura's face as he spoke in a flattering tone.

"The customer is not satisfied? That's because there's a problem with your hospitality, Manager Nakamura. We've been working together for so long, and how much the recipe I provide is worth, I believe I don't need to explain it to you. But even so, if the burgers in your store aren't selling, that's your problem."

"Yes, yes, Eizan-san, but..." Manager Nakamura was about to say something, but before he could finish, Eizan interrupted him.

"Okay, stop wasting time on this issue. If that branch of yours is really doing poorly, shut it down. Don't let this little problem delay the progress of Big Mac Burger in the country."

After saying this, Etsuya hung up the phone directly.

Once the phone call ended, all the bruises on his face were exposed.

"You actually say my burger is unpalatable?!"

If it weren't for his belief that Manager Nakamura wouldn't dare joke with him, Eizan really wouldn't have believed this kind of nonsense.

However, there are always diners with some quirks, and Eizan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his chest.

Although money is more important than cooking, it doesn't mean Eizan will sit back and watch others say his food is unpalatable.

A mere Big Mac burger couldn't make him take it personally. After all, most of the consulting fees still came from those famous large enterprises. That was also the confidence Etsuya and Manager Nakamura's store had. When dealing with the world's top 100 enterprises, even he had to smile and greet them.

"By the way, go get the information on a student named Shiraki. I want to take a look."

Waving his hand at a subordinate who was waiting in the kitchen, Etsuya suddenly remembered something and immediately gave the order.

"Yes!"

The student, a boy who didn't look particularly impressive, immediately took the order and ran quickly toward the door.

---

At this time, at the Totsuki School Resort...

The girl with long blonde hair slowly put down the knife and fork in her hand. She looked at the delicate fruit tower in front of her, half-closed her eyes, and said to the waiter beside her:

"Please ask your manager to come over."

"Okay, Erina-sama, please wait."

The waitress, who had been called, didn't dare be careless. She bowed slightly and said goodbye, then quickly ran out of the restaurant.

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