Shinji Ikari, the pilot of Unit-01 during the Spirit Awakening Era

"Alright, be careful yourself." Shinji Ikari looked at Asuka, who seemed to be fine, then turned back to Ritsuko Akagi, still glaring at her with dissatisfaction. "Still not satisfied?"

"So you really only made a few?" Ritsuko Akagi pointed to a small bag spread out on the chair, a plastic bag that looked like it contained about four liqueur-filled chocolates.

“Yes.” Shinji Ikari crossed his arms. “I told you, if you really want it, I’ll make you a few tomorrow. It’s not like it’s a big deal.” Shinji rolled his eyes. What was this all about? It seemed like it had been a long time since he’d encountered something like this. Ritsuko Akagi was usually very good to him. Just looking at the gloves on Unit-00, he knew how much effort she had put into him. He really didn’t have anything to be angry with her about.

Then the situation really turned into the feeling of being violently searched by one's own mother, with Shinji Ikari rolling his eyes and grumbling on the side, a real-life family drama.

"Pfft... I can't hold it in anymore... Hahahaha..." Misato Katsuragi, who was standing to the side, was also holding back her laughter with great difficulty. Soon, she was laughing so hard that she was shaking all over. When Ritsuko Akagi remembered this matter, she was planning to ask Shinji Ikari for it. But when she came in, she saw Shinji Ikari holding one in his hand and already putting it in his mouth and starting to chew.

I was already having a headache figuring out how to use subtle language in the report to downplay the matter for that little bastard Shinji Ikari, and just gloss over it. And look at that brat! He's hiding here eating! Besides, I already asked him for this thing as a serious research sample. If it works, it would be a very meaningful thing for all mankind.

"If you're hungry, why don't you go to the cafeteria?" Ritsuko Akagi put her hands on her hips and glared at Shinji Ikari. Luckily, this wasn't really her son, or she would have been driven crazy by him! "And Misato, you sit down."

"Huh?" Misato Katsuragi sat down in front of Ritsuko Akagi without knowing what was going on. "Mmm!" Then Ritsuko Akagi quickly stuffed a chocolate-covered liqueur into her mouth.

"Tell me your thoughts. You've had Sakaki Ryoko's sake before, so let's compare." Akagi Ritsuko flipped her wrist to check the time on her watch, then grabbed Katsuragi Misato's wrist and started counting her pulse.

"So they're using me as a guinea pig?" Misato Katsuragi rolled her eyes at her best friend. "Help me write the report later!"

“No problem.” Ritsuko Akagi, who was already completely overwhelmed with debt, nodded in agreement. Her intention was naturally to obtain firsthand basic data before the official testing, making it easier for her to compile data and control groups. Since Gendo Ikari was unwilling to disclose much about Shinji Ikari, Ritsuko Akagi wasn't worried about being criticized. After all, she had given them a seemingly reasonable explanation, hadn't she?

"My first impression is that it tastes amazing...like the taste of love!" Misato Katsuragi crossed her legs, rested her chin on her hand, and winked at Shinji Ikari. "Not bad! Your cooking skills are getting better and better."

"Asuka, did you feel this way when you ate it before?" Ritsuko Akagi asked simply. What she did was an informal test. Since it was made by Shinji Ikari, there was no need to consider toxicity or anything like that. All that was needed was to conduct a proper experiment.

"I didn't feel anything special. It just felt like I ate a piece of chocolate, and then I felt my blood flow accelerate throughout my body, that's all." Asuka turned around, sorting out her chaotic thoughts. That was indeed how she felt. There was nothing special about it. "After all, with the plug inside, as long as I open my mouth, I can taste LCL, so I naturally didn't feel anything. The feeling of love is a bit nauseating."

"It should be the natural flavor of chocolate and nuts inside," Shinji Ikari said from a chef's perspective. "Since it's for Asuka and Rei Ayanami, I didn't add too much chocolate powder. Instead, I added a lot of milk and some light cream, which should make it smoother and more flavorful."

"Thank you for your professional advice!" Ritsuko Akagi nodded. She was very satisfied with what Shinji Ikari had said. This kind of cooperative attitude was the best approach.

"I'm getting a little tipsy. Hmm, Shinji, are you sure you didn't make these chocolates with bad intentions?" Misato Katsuragi teased Shinji Ikari with a half-smile and a sidelong glance.

"35 seconds, which roughly matches the time we detected. Her thoughts started to wander, and she clearly felt the effects of intoxication." Ritsuko Akagi nodded, recording her observations with a voice recorder.

"Do I need this?" Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes. I'm not single, I have a girlfriend, so I don't need the adult group's demonstration of the so-called KISS method (the episode I couldn't understand the most when I was a kid, Asuka kissed Shinji, and Shinji almost suffocated, then Asuka angrily turned and left! Looking back now, in the TV series, to be honest, there were quite a few scenes where Shinji drove me crazy. Thinking about it carefully, most boys that age would do those things, but... it really did make my blood pressure rise).

"Indeed... It makes my blood rush and feel hot all over, very similar to the last drink!" Although there wasn't a strong smell of alcohol, Misato Katsuragi's condition had clearly changed. The heroic aura she had as a NERV operations commander was rapidly fading, and a more alluring feeling was beginning to emerge.

"It should be about time... In about a minute, Rei and Asuka's levels will reach their peak." Ritsuko Akagi released her hand. "Shinji, I remember you can use your breath to help sober up." Ritsuko Akagi turned her head away so Shinji wouldn't see her expression. Last time, she was really messed with by this little rascal and Rei Ayanami. Although pouring water over her head made her feel better, it also made her get soaked in the workplace. Luckily, not many people saw it, or she would have been really in trouble.

“It is indeed possible. Shall we sober up now?” Shinji Ikari placed his hand on Misato Katsuragi’s back and began to channel his energy into Misato’s body.

"Hmm, what a considerate boy! Oh, no, he's already an excellent man." Misato Katsuragi felt that Ritsuko Akagi's experiment was nearing its end, so she turned around and smiled at Shinji Ikari.

"..." Asuka glanced at Shinji Ikari, and for some reason, the words Rei Ayanami had said began to echo in her mind: "It's not difficult." "But you can't do it." "You have to open your heart to Shinji." Although when she heard them at the time, Asuka felt as if those three sentences were hitting her head with a hammer, she seemed to understand something for some reason.

"Can I try it too?" Asuka sat down next to Misato Katsuragi and said, "Don't get me wrong, I just..."

"I understand. I'm not feeling well today. Shall I cook you some red date and barley porridge?" Shinji Ikari placed his other hand on Asuka's back, the silky smooth touch of her skin even permeating through her shirt.

"Hmm~" Misato Katsuragi, who had felt Shinji Ikari's ki enter her body before, hummed and then didn't say anything more. Every time she worked overtime, Shinji would see it and let his ki circulate in her body to help relieve her fatigue.

Of course, Ritsuko did even more! Several times, when Shinji was helping her relieve fatigue due to blocked meridians, Ritsuko Akagi made a charming voice that was completely inconsistent with his image because of the soreness and distension caused by unblocking her meridians.

"Ugh..." Even Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi, who had experienced this many times before, were in such a precarious state. Asuka's condition was extremely precarious. She was already beginning to regret coming up with such a stupid idea! Seriously, she felt like she was about to go crazy. This tingling, itchy, numb, and throbbing sensation slowly surged in, but one wave after another relentlessly assaulted Asuka's nerves of endurance...

"Asuka~ Are you really okay? Your face is so red it's about to bleed?"

"It's okay... I'm fine... Ha... Hiss... Ouch!"

Chapter 236 Babem's Appetite

"You guys came really fast..." Shinji Ikari, wearing an apron, opened the door and looked at Helena Barbem in front of him with surprise, as well as Gin Dojima and Ryoko Sakaki behind him.

Because theoretically, they had at least heard about the data on this alcoholic chocolate. Here, we have to thank NERV for the reporting regulations and the United Nations for its leaky secrecy. So Babem had obtained the specific data and knew that Shinji Ikari could make it himself, and that the pilots of Unit-00 and Unit-02, who had not received any training so far, could use it.

The few prototypes that leaked out were treated as stimulants for combat by the Onmyoji, although their shelf life might be a little short. So they were considered to be something with great versatility. Although the shelf life might not be long, having them and not having them are two completely different concepts.

“I was planning to visit anyway! Ayato, oh, he’s here too. He’s having a great time here.” Helena Barbem said with a smile. She came today because she was really interested in the new product that Shinji Ikari had created. The effect was so obvious that even the few samples that had leaked out so far had caused a sensation in the Onmyōryō.

So, the head priestess of the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang) rushed to the Third New Tokyo City immediately, intending to hang Raiko up and whip her, having wasted more than half of the precious potion she had obtained! Then, Maou Sadao leaned against the door and said, "I ate it, is there anything wrong with it?"

"She didn't even offer it all to you!" The head priestess with high emotional intelligence instantly switched sides. There was no way around it; the Onmyo-ryo had quite a few "fathers and mothers" now, but they all got along well, especially this one in front of her. Since she was standing up for Raiko today, wouldn't her future be promising? From the Onmyo-ryo's perspective, it was naturally not something to be angry about.

"Hmph...you guys are so boring!" How could Maou Sadao not understand? Looking at Raiko clinging to him with her big, watery eyes, and the shrine maiden behind her who was overjoyed, the well-informed Maou Sadao understood that this was a well-intentioned scheme.

This also illustrates, in a sense, the value of the thing that Shinji Ikari developed entirely unintentionally, and to what extent this portable device will become a necessity in future battles.

"Please come in. The second batch of prototypes has just been produced. Why don't you help me taste them?" Shinji Ikari invited them in. Shinji was very pleased to have free and highly professional test subjects.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Helena nodded, very satisfied with Shinji Ikari's agreeable manner. She walked into the room and saw Ayato Kamina stirring chocolate with Rei Ayanami. Helena smiled, took out her handkerchief from her purse, and went over to wipe the cream off Ayato Kamina's face.

“Oh, Shinji, it smells very milky.” Unlike Ryoko Sakaki, who took off her apron from the wall to help, Gin Dojima walked over to Shinji Ikari. “Looks like you’re improving the recipe? Didn’t you say it was working really well?”

“Yes, it was just a functional formula before. Now that you really want it, I have to study it properly, or I’ll be so embarrassed.” Shinji Ikari shook his head. He was forced into this situation. He should have been conducting related tests at NERV, but Ritsuko Akagi overruled everyone’s objections and made Shinji go home to make liqueur-filled chocolates. And her reasons were so compelling that they shocked everyone.

"After Rei Ayanami ate the liqueur-filled chocolate, her synchronization rate increased by 12%. Asuka's synchronization rate didn't increase by as much, but it still peaked at over 7%. All our previous research on improving synchronization rate, including various psychological studies, hasn't been as quick and effective as this chocolate in front of you! Moreover, we don't know if this synchronization rate increase is a long-term effect, whether it can be cumulative, or whether Shinji Ikari's improvements can truly lead to further increases in synchronization rate for all EVA pilots! So, having Shinji Ikari make the chocolate right now is the most important thing to do!" Ritsuko Akagi spoke confidently and forcefully at the meeting. "We can't refuse its effects!"

The argument was so convincing that no one could refute it, so Shinji Ikari was released and told to hurry back and study whether he could improve the chocolate's effects.

Shinji Ikari certainly wouldn't refuse to go home and rest. Moreover, since EVA-related experiments would be meaningless without Shinji, Asuka and Rei Ayanami were also released so they could get some rest after the battle.

Rei Ayanami naturally came to help. To be precise, the place where Shinji Ikari was tinkering with making chocolates was right outside Rei's room. Asuka hesitated for a moment before saying that she would come and help them if she had nothing to do later. Of course, tsundere always finds some seemingly reasonable reasons for herself, such as, "This stuff is actually quite useful. If I learn how to make it, I can do it myself... so I won't have to bother that idiot Shinji."

So Shinji Ikari had no choice but to abandon his idea of ​​lying down and instead study his recipes like a chef to improve them. Except this time it was chocolate. Back then, Shinji didn't make chocolate himself, but he ate so much chocolate that he was about to throw up. Just look at the cookies that Shinji is best at making. Even Ryoko Sakaki and Kirie Himuro praised his cookie-making skills. Wasn't that just a way of returning the favor?

"I must say, Shinji is really good at making desserts." Ryoko Sakaki placed several cooled chocolate balls on the table and pushed them toward Gin Dojima and Helena respectively.

"Phew! I'm exhausted... I never imagined that making some pastries and chocolates would be so tiring." Ayato Kamina slumped into a chair next to him. Making chocolate with Shinji Ikari this time had really broadened his horizons. He never thought that chocolates, which are usually sold cheaply in convenience stores, would be so troublesome to actually make.

"This is..." Dojima Gin cut the chocolate. The outer layer of chocolate was thin and crisp, breaking apart effortlessly. Inside was a layer of crunchy biscuits mixed with nuts, and a rich, flowing cream filling that exuded a strong aroma of liqueur. "A very clever idea, and the texture is very rich... Could the outer chocolate be a little more bitter, so the flavor would be even stronger?"

“No… As a woman, I don’t like chocolate that’s too bitter.” Helena, who had also cut a little and put it in her mouth, felt a little strange, as if the cheerful laughter of a young girl was ringing in her ears.

“Actually, Shinji also made a sample like this, but I guess it was just to appease Mei downstairs.” Ryoko Sakaki smiled as she brought over several chocolates that looked almost exactly like the ones you buy in supermarkets and placed them in front of the two of them. “The taste is relatively bitter, but the aftertaste is great. However… Miss Helena, I don’t recommend you try it! Shinji put too much alcohol in it.”

"On the contrary, this white chocolate version of butter cookies looks very mild." Ryoko Sakaki smiled and placed a relatively large sandwich cookie in front of Helena.

"Oh?" Helena didn't refuse Ryoko Sakaki's offer. She didn't touch the chocolate that looked like a Dove chocolate, but instead put the biscuit in her mouth. "A strong milky flavor, just the right amount of sweetness... Mmm!" Helena's eyes blinked, and she felt as if she were sitting in a library, looking out the window. The person she was waiting for seemed to be slowly walking towards her from the other side. Hearing the familiar footsteps, Helena opened her eyes, a smile involuntarily appearing on her lips. "Delicious...taste, Shinji-kun. It seems you've already grasped some of the tricks."

"It's only a few, and we have to thank Ryoko for that." As Shinji Ikari said this, Ryoko Sakaki, her face slightly flushed, kicked Shinji's shin, making a "thump thump!" sound.

"Hahaha...you're so young." Watching Shinji Ikari scream and hop away on one leg, Gin Dojima laughed heartily, then popped a Dove chocolate into his mouth.

In the early autumn sunshine, I put down my coffee, closed a book I had been reading for a long time, and felt completely content in the warm and cozy atmosphere...

Gin Dojima opened his eyes, his gaze full of laughter. "Shinji, I have to admit one thing: your talent is indeed terrifying. Old Master Nakiri's regrets were not in vain." Feeling the rush of blood through his body, Gin Dojima, his palms slightly sweaty, glanced sideways at Helena beside him, who remained calm and composed, not even blushing. This woman was no ordinary character either.

"Ayato, study hard! Although TERRA doesn't have as many girls your age as NERV, there are still options..." Helena Babem pointed to someone who was trying to eat a piece of white chocolate, only to be choked by the strong alcohol she was drinking.

"You seem to be classifying things? And there are other colors?" Circling the "Himuro-ryu" passed down by the fierce god, Dojima Gin quickly controlled his surging blood, and then immediately realized that he seemed to have a considerable benefit. Sakaki Ryoko's obstruction was not meaningless after all.

However, Gin Dojima then watched as Shinji Ikari took out the latest batch of baked goods from the oven, which even included egg tarts. Clearly, Shinji had taken advantage of his free time to experiment on a large scale.

"It doesn't seem to be working very well. The effects of the alcohol have mostly evaporated." Shinji Ikari put an egg tart in his mouth and then frowned. Although the alcohol flavor hadn't completely evaporated, it had become very diluted. The alcohol brewed by Ryoko Sakaki with special ingredients had also almost completely evaporated.

"Is it the temperature?" As a seasoned craftsman, Dojima Gin sensed the problem almost immediately from the smell of alcohol wafting through the air as soon as Shinji Ikari opened the oven. Shinji's previous creations were quite well-made, and there were even some progressive combinations, ranging from low to high alcohol content, which were good ideas. But these later ones were probably a complete disaster.

“Ah…yes.” Shinji Ikari sighed. “It’s almost completely evaporated.” To say it was completely useless wouldn’t be accurate, but at such high temperatures, alcohol is utterly meaningless, so it seems this approach won’t work.

"Considering portability and preservation, these baked goods can probably only be kept for about four days at most, and they'll definitely be worn out in five to seven days, and that's without extreme temperatures. But this thing, if wrapped in aluminum foil, can probably be preserved for several months," Dojima Gin said with a smile. Undoubtedly, the appearance of this item will greatly increase the combat power of the exorcists, and for the Totsuki Group... this will be a huge boon!

What other reason could there be for Gin Dojima to bring Ryoko Sakaki here now? Ryoko Sakaki's beverage production line has reached a level of automated production, comparable to a handcrafted manufacturing process. While handcrafted manufacturing might sound unappealing, the process of brewing these beverages is actually quite complex. Most importantly, the target market for these drinks is very narrow; there aren't many people who actually need them, and the amount consumed each time is limited. Otherwise, there's the precedent of Yusuke Urameshi nearly passing out after a single gulp.

Therefore, based on a basic fermentation cycle, the production of handicrafts, amounting to hundreds of tons, is already sufficient for the Far Moon Group's sales and for giving as gifts. However, it seems that if the application scenarios can be expanded, it will obviously greatly help the sales of this kind of alcohol. Some people don't like drinking alcohol, but they might not refuse chocolate-filled liqueurs, right? Moreover, it seems that by differentiating in a layered manner, it can be said that the product has been completed.

“Oh~” Helena glanced at Dojima Gin beside her, “I guess I’m late after all…” Of course, it wasn’t just the Totsuki Group that thought of this. “Last time, since the sake was made with Sakaki Ryoko’s technique, we at Babem didn’t have any objections, so this time…”

"Do you want exclusive distribution or to join the production process?" Before Gin Dojima could speak, Shinji Ikari placed a cup of milk tea he had just made in front of Helena. Of course, everyone else received one as well.

"Hmm... the production process isn't really that significant to us. Exclusive global sales outside of Japan?" The Babem Group's gaping maw loomed wide.

"Isn't this a bit too much? How about we expand to areas outside of Asia?"

"For Shinji's sake, but you shouldn't have any problem giving me enough samples to take back today, right?"

"Gintoki, help me."

"Of course!"

Chapter 237 Changing Teammates

"Thank you so much! I'll take all these samples with me. I'm really looking forward to the official products from the Totsuki Group." Helena watched as the staff of the Babem Foundation carefully loaded the liqueur-filled chocolates that Shinji Ikari had led the way into the car, and then nodded in satisfaction. "Shinji, you've really worked hard today. Ayato, when are you planning to go back? I'll send a car to pick you up."

"Actually, I want to join NERV!" Ayato Kamina looked directly at Helena without flinching, showing neither anger nor fear, remaining remarkably calm. He had witnessed Shinji Ikari's strength, his composure, and the scene of Shinji facing the Angels. Furthermore, Shinji's arrangement for him to go directly to the aftermath of the battle had subjected him to various shocks and spiritual baptisms, causing the young man's character to mature rapidly. "But it seems there's something only I can do at TERRA, so you're getting off easy."

After saying this, Ayato and Shinji exchanged a smile. I will not become a hero, but when fate comes before me, I must not back down. Shinji Ikari will face Angels who have come from nowhere, as well as monsters that roam the night.

"However, my treatment needs to be improved. I can't be treated like a guinea pig like before, otherwise you'll just leave that robot gathering dust." Of course, Ayato Kamina also learned one thing: the labor he puts in must be rewarded. Labor without payment is often taken for granted and its value is not appreciated. So! I'll go to war, but you have to pay me!

"That's quite an unexpected request." Helena Barbem looked at Ayato Kamina before her, her eyes flickering. Had he realized his worth? Impossible, who would tell him? Then Helena saw Ayato Kamina and Shinji Ikari exchange a smile, their lips curving upwards. It seemed the little boy before her was beginning to understand his own value?! Helena felt this was a relatively good start, beneficial to everyone.

Even Shinji Ikari himself hadn't expected Ayato Kamina to pull such a stunt. However, this reaction wasn't necessarily a bad thing, given Ayato Kamina's rather awkward position in TERRA. He was a key target snatched away, but in reality, to put it nicely, he was essentially left to his own devices; to put it bluntly, he was only needed when his value diminished, and then discarded.

But after watching the whole series and then watching it again, you'll suddenly realize that both the Babem Foundation, the shadow boss behind the scenes, and TERRA, which is on the surface, have a close relationship with Tokyo Jupiter, and may even have some connection. Wow, the people from TERRA didn't even try to stay out of this mess. This double act is brilliant.

"So can you give me a relatively clear answer?" Looking at the refrigerated truck that was fully loaded and waiting for Helena's orders, Ayato Kamina said with a smile. After witnessing a series of events, he had come to understand a lot. Help those you are willing to help, help those who deserve your help, and as for the rest, you want me to do things I don't really want to do? Sure, give me the money.

Looking at Shinji Ikari's life, and then at his own meager allowance from TERRA—which was less than what his mother gave him before he left Tokyo—he felt utterly ashamed. Ayato, too, had his own hobbies and wanted to buy a high-end motorcycle like Shinji, carrying the girl he liked around everywhere.

“Money is not a problem. Your daily salary will be paid as a full-time employee's salary, and for combat situations, we will pay you according to the Onmyoji Guild's C-level mission bonus. How about that? After all, you still need a lot of support, and all of that costs money.” Helena suddenly laughed. This was indeed a good idea. Since you're planning to take this money, shouldn't you put in more effort? A working person should act like a working person; this isn't a place for you to throw tantrums.

“Alright! Then I’ll return at the time that TERRA and NERV agreed upon beforehand. I’ll wait for your vehicle then.” Under everyone’s gaze, Ayato Kamina made his decision: to leave that place he disliked and then return to that place he disliked again, all for the sake of responsibility.

"She really has...grown quite a bit!" Helena nodded, taking a deep look at Shinji Ikari, who was standing not far from Ayato Kamina. She couldn't believe that such a significant change had nothing to do with Shinji. Moreover, Shinji had clearly made his own judgment. Ayato Kamina was different from him; Shinji's understanding of the world was more typical of teenagers his age, characterized by a somewhat immature and superficial perspective, leading to some psychological issues. And mental illness requires mental medicine. "Then see you later."

"Phew..." Ayato Kamina watched Helena get into a luxury car and drive away, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

"Well done, deserves a big meal tonight." Shinji Ikari patted Ayato Kamina on the shoulder. To be honest, negotiating with the Babem Foundation is a really crazy idea. Their private soldiers often deal with some brainless idiots with such fanciful thoughts.

However, Ayato Kamina is different. He himself is the most tangible condition because he is irreplaceable. Yone Winged God has already condensed the Machine Soul in the image he desires. Replacement? Impossible! Even Ayato Kamina's younger brother, who is more than a certain level, was simply rejected by Yone Winged God. Therefore, if the conditions he offers are not too unreasonable, TERRA and the Babem Foundation will definitely agree, because to be fair, they are the relatively weaker party at this negotiating table.

"Alright, we've been busy all afternoon! It seems like Shinji's oven is having a little problem." Gin Dojima loosened his collar. Shinji, you're just giving this to Totsuki like this? Don't you have any requests?

"Limited edition Ryoko's sake." Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes simply, making a request that the Totsuki Culinary Group wouldn't refuse.

Currently, the Totsuki Group doesn't have anyone skilled in brewing, but with a real commitment to training, given the group's resources and capabilities, it's likely just a matter of time and money to cultivate a few talented individuals. However, after considering various factors, Grandpa Nakiri has already decided to directly invest in Ryoko Sakaki to establish a brewery, and this brewery might soon be able to continuously supply others with sake brewed using Ryoko Sakaki's recipe.

"So that's the decision?" Dojima Gin said with a smile. Shinji Ikari's request was practically no request at all. Ryoko Sakaki's brewery had just started production, so naturally they wouldn't refuse to further develop the uses of this beverage. And Shinji Ikari had just led Dojima Gin through a series of production processes without any hesitation, which clearly meant that he had already given the formula to the Totsuki Culinary Group.

"These white chocolate sandwich cookies taste really good! Isn't it a bit expensive to sell two for 1,000 yen?" Mei Isayama said to Yusa Emi while they ate cookies in small bites. When it came to exploiting Shinji Ikari's labor, Mei Isayama was never the kind of person who would act like a human being.

Yuza Emi's eyes were still a little unfocused. In her hometown, due to the war, she spent most of her time on the battlefield, and simply didn't have the time or energy to study what tasted good or how to make it taste good. But no matter what, she had eaten the dishes prepared by the chefs from her original world at some victory banquets and celebrations.

Although the food the chefs painstakingly prepared was undeniably delicious, Yusa Emi had to admit that anyone who didn't know better would think she'd been subjected to some kind of mental spell! It was like how she'd just now suspected Maou Sadao was nearby, casting a spell on her! To think that eating a few sweets could cause hallucinations—what kind of deadly culinary skill was that?! Even now, her eyes were still a little unfocused…

"Whatever, I think 1200 yen for two pieces will sell!" Yusa Emi sighed. They had been relatively low-key when they first put them up for sale, but they didn't expect them to sell out so quickly. Now that the variety was different, they had a perfectly legitimate reason to raise the price!

"Hey! I can't possibly provide you with a stable supply." Shinji Ikari almost covered his face. In fact, Mei Isayama shouldn't be worrying about family heirlooms anymore, since she herself is the greatest heir! However, Mei Isayama's greedy habits don't seem to have diminished; on the contrary, they seem to have amplified. So, when she heard that she wanted to sell her cookies, he twitched with embarrassment.

"It's alright, we've already filmed the production process. We'll study it and make it ourselves!" Mei Isayama laughed, while simultaneously extending his hand and waving it at Shinji Ikari, "The recipe~"

"I'll write it down for you later, but can't you just buy it from Totsuki?" Shinji Ikari tilted his head and looked at Mei Isayama in front of him. Mei Isayama gestured to Shinji, roughly meaning that it was all sorted out. Shinji Ikari frowned. Smoothed out what? I have the formula, it's not that I won't give it to you, but there are too many people present at the moment, so it's inconvenient for Shinji Ikari to ask. He looked back at Mei Isayama to see what he meant.

Mei Isayama's meaning was simple: she had successfully persuaded Emi Yusa to participate in the Dark Martial Arts Tournament with them. She had been so busy helping her girlfriend move that she hadn't even had time to gather intelligence. Besides, his fighting ability was relatively limited; he couldn't just go there and unleash a wide-area attack on everyone, could he? Wouldn't the tournament organizers immediately target them? So Mei Isayama talked to Yuu Aso, who happily expressed that it was fantastic that she didn't have to participate in the fighting tournament.

Therefore, Yusa Emi became the target of Isayama Mei's efforts to persuade her. After all, Yusa Emi's fighting skills were extremely solid, and in any situation, she was truly the kind of strong person who could "go anywhere in the world with a sword in hand!" The biggest problem now was that there was no energy source for her on Earth, and the little energy she had stored up in her body was truly dwindling with each use.

Yusa Emi had heard that there was a demon world here, and she wondered if this demon world was the one from the traditional classics. But if there was a demon world, was it somewhere on Earth where she could replenish her power? Yusa Emi wanted to know the answer, so she, who was already used to the bloodshed on the battlefield, agreed to go to this martial arts tournament, which she thought was like children playing house.

"Then it's up to you." Although Shinji Ikari didn't understand Mei Isayama's meaning, he chose to trust her as their long-time partner. In most cases, she was relatively reliable, so there was nothing to worry about.

"Beep beep!" A truck pulled up in front of Shinji Ikari and his crew. Fuyumi Mizuhara leaned out of the driver's seat, nodded to Shinji, and then honked the horn again.

"Okay, okay! Coming!" Dojima Gin walked over with a smile and began to take bags of various packaged materials from the car. "Shinji, the kitchen supplies are almost used up, so I just notified Mizuhara Fuyumi to help me buy some more. But I'm not sure why she came over herself."

"I heard the new alcoholic chocolate is out?" Fuyumi Mizuhara said, but her eyes were constantly fixed on Shinji Ikari.

"It's not exactly a new product. It's just a regular liqueur-filled chocolate with a few different ingredients, and the liqueur inside has been changed to a more fruity one. It hasn't been specially flavored, so it's not really a new product." Shinji Ikari, the second most familiar person to Shinji of the Totsuki Group, couldn't eat at her shop often, so Shinji and Fuyumi Mizuhara naturally became very close over time.

"Whether it's ordinary chocolate or not, you'll know once you try it yourself." Dojima Gin peeled off the outer wrapper of a chocolate ball and handed it to Mizuhara Fuyumi.

"Hmm..." Mizuhara Fuyumi didn't say anything, just picked it up and put it in her mouth. After chewing a few times, her eyes were a little confused, but she quickly came to her senses and opened her eyes to look at Shinji Ikari beside her. "Shinji made this?! What a pity."

"Yes, he has already given me the basic formula he developed. I will hand it over when I return to the group," Dojima Gin said with a smile. He was very strong and did not need to carry bags upstairs like Shinji Ikari. He could carry two bags at a time and go upstairs without even panting.

When Fuyumi Mizuhara said it was a pity, she wasn't referring to anything else, but rather to Shinji Ikari's talent in this area.

"Let's go upstairs and talk."

"Ok."

Chapter 238 Feast

"Phew! I didn't get to eat your feast at the Mountain God Festival before, but I'm finally making up for it today." Shinji Ikari leaned back in his chair, enjoying the unseemly eye rolls his girlfriend gave him. Shinji was very happy. To thank Shinji for so readily handing over this money-making business to them, she casually asked Shinji if they had any requests.