Shirou's clones number 30 million

Besides scouting enemy positions, we also need to find people to taste-test the fried chicken later.

And such people—

Seeing him fall silent, his childhood friend Mayumi Kurase stood up amidst encouraging glances from those around her. Just as she was about to speak, Soma Yukihira suddenly said:

"I've got it! Let's call Xiaohui over. She's staying at school and hasn't gone home. She should be bored and have nothing to do."

Who is that?

Kurase Mayumi froze, unable to utter the words of self-recommendation.

Soma Yukihira, oblivious to the subtle expression on his childhood friend's face, took out his phone and quickly dialed Megumi Tadokoro's number.

"Xiao Hui, are you free this weekend?"

"That's wonderful! Actually, I'd like to ask you for a favor..."

After hanging up the phone, Soma Yukihira rushed out impatiently.

He ran so fast that Kurase Mayumi didn't get a chance to say a word.

Soon after, inside the station.

"Soma, what are you doing here?" Tadokoro Megumi asked curiously.

"Isn't today a holiday? After I got home, I heard from my neighbors on the street..."

Soma Yukihira gave a brief explanation, then smiled and said:

"Can I ask you for help, Xiaohui?"

"No problem, I really like fried chicken nuggets, and I hope we can make delicious fried chicken nuggets together."

"Thank you! I knew Xiaohui would agree. To make the research easier, please stay at my place tonight."

"Huh...? I left in a hurry and didn't make any preparations, this..."

"If it's just a change of clothes, don't worry, just use mine."

Tadokoro Megumi paused slightly, then involuntarily lowered her head to hide the shy expression on her face.

Before she could speak, Soma Yukihira suddenly looked at the distance with a surprised expression.

There, Yaeko Minesaki was in line, and it looked like she was alone.

"Why are you here alone? Where is Chairman Sakurai?"

Upon seeing that it was Soma Yukihira and Megumi Tadokoro, Yaeko Minesaki immediately relaxed, but at the same time revealed a frustrated expression.

"I guess I'm about to lose my job?"

Heartbroken?

"It's unemployment! Waaah... Well, it's pretty much it. Ever since that girl showed up, I've fallen out of favor. We barely have time to spend together each day, and we can barely exchange a few words at night before she kicks me out."

Minezaki Yaeko seemed to have been given a free hand, and began to complain incessantly:

“I used to accompany her everywhere, but lately I take that girl with me everywhere I go. I’ve become someone I don’t need anymore.”

"If this continues, I'll probably lose my job soon."

"Waaah... So what if she's a little younger? So what if she's a little prettier?"

"I'm so angry! I should have done everything I could to stop that food battle."

Soma Yukihira couldn't help but look away, gesturing to Megumi Tadokoro with his eyes:

Say something already, this is so embarrassing.

Not only did she lose face, but we also lost face along with her.

Before Chapter 141, I always thought you were repulsive.

Before Chapter 141 (Section 142), I always thought you were repulsive.

Just then, a telephone rang abruptly.

Yaeko Minesaki, who was complaining halfway through, quickly picked up her phone and pressed the answer button.

"Yes, yes... I understand, I'll get on it right away."

After a long while, she put down her phone and sighed softly.

Noticing the two looking at him curiously, he couldn't help but explain:

“I have a new job. They want me to acquire a commercial building so I can open a candy company.”

"Huh...? A commercial building and a candy company, there's no necessary connection between them, is there?"

"That's what I thought too, but since it's the boss's request, I have to do it."

Soma Yukihira pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly realized what he was doing and asked in surprise:

"Wait a minute, are you still working for the construction company? Aren't you the principal of Zhengyang Academy?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"Two different jobs in a row, and both of them are quite busy. Do you have the ability to be in two places at once?"

“I wish I could have a clone technique too! But where do you get something like that?” Yaeko Minezaki paused for a moment, then explained, “Actually, it’s not as hard as you think. Whether it’s the construction company or the academy principal, it’s all just a title. In terms of the nature of the work, I’m pretty much like a personal secretary, right?”

However, even though that's what I say, it still feels a bit different from a personal secretary.

In fact, before going to Nakiri's house that day, she had always thought that her boss was the president of a construction company.

If it were a private secretary, how could she not know such a thing?

"I see, I understand now."

Soma Yukihira nodded slightly, then, thinking of his current predicament, couldn't help but ask:

"Um, I have a question I can ask you."

“If it’s not a complicated issue,” Yaeko Minezaki said with a smile, “after all, I’m already here at work.”

"It will only take a minute."

Soma Yukihira looked around to make sure no one was watching, then whispered:

"The reason I came to this store today is to scout out enemy positions."

"This shop's fried chicken nuggets are very popular, stealing the crowds from the commercial street area, so much so that almost no one visits our side."

"Therefore, I came up with an idea: if I can make delicious fried chicken nuggets, maybe I can win back my customers."

"That's what I told my neighbors, but actually I don't have much confidence in this plan."

The original Soma Yukihira was a fearless person who believed that everything could be solved with cooking.

But recent events have dealt him a heavy blow, and his views are gradually changing.

First, it was that guy Sakurai who won his own shop.

Afterwards, he used despicable means to get me into the school he ran.

They were even willing to sacrifice an entire street for this.

This fantastical experience could even be written into a novel.

After that, Soma Yukihira's views changed.

Not everyone in the world can be persuaded by reason and words, and food cannot defeat a person with a firm will.

Admittedly, I might be able to make even tastier fried chicken nuggets than this shop.

But after that, who knows if they will honestly accept the result of defeat?

If they refuse to accept this and resort to some despicable tactics, they will surely lose again.

"Principal Minezaki, do you think my plan will succeed?"

Minesaki Yaeko was silent for a few seconds, then looked back at the long line behind her, nodded slightly, and then shook her head.

"If you can make even more delicious fried chicken nuggets, you should be able to win back your customers. But when it comes to such a dispute over profits, it's hard to say whether the other party will willingly accept defeat."

"By the way...don't you have my contact information? If they resort to underhanded tactics, just call me."

"Given how much the Boss values ​​you, he will definitely lend a hand."

Soma Yukihira breathed a sigh of relief, a strange sense of confidence welling up within him, and smiled:

"Thank you, Principal! When you were my enemy, I always thought you were despicable, utterly repulsive. But when you're on my side, you're incredibly reliable, giving me an indescribable sense of security."

"Well, that's really... thank you for your compliment," Yaeko Minezaki said, sounding a bit annoyed.

……

As evening fell, Yaeko Minesaki, who had been busy all afternoon, came to the Sakurai house again.

At this moment, Shirou and Erina Nakiri are having dinner together in the living room.

"Boss, I've tried to avoid mealtimes, why are you eating so late?" Minezaki Yaeko couldn't help but ask.

"I went to so many places during the day that I lost track of time and came back late, so I naturally ate dinner late as well."

Shirou paused for a moment, then added:

"By the way, is it really necessary to deliberately avoid mealtimes? Erina makes a lot of food anyway, you can just come and eat with us."

"Huh...? Is that okay?"

"Don't make me emphasize this little thing again. You're not an outsider, why make it seem so distant?"

How could someone say such a thing!

Wasn't it you who insisted on kicking me out the other night when I wanted to stay?

He said that one must be mindful of one's influence in front of Erina and maintain a certain distance.

Thinking of this, a hint of resentment appeared in Minegasaki Yaeko's eyes.

"Ms. Erina, have you been staying here all this time? Don't your family members have any objections?"

“Hmm… Grandfather didn’t say anything.” Erina Nakiri sighed softly, “But Hisako has been secretly investigating me, and has even followed me a few times. Also, Alice absolutely cannot know about this.”

In other words, it is kept secret.