"Hah~ Hah~ What kind of chili is this?! How can it be so spicy?"
Thoma felt as if he had taken a huge bite of a mixture of chili and mustard, and his tongue was almost numb.
"Hahaha, if chili isn't spicy, can it still be called chili? Thoma, if you can't take it, you should give up quickly. Don't end up with a stomach ache..."
Kamisato Ayato laughed heartily, seeing Thoma's lips swollen from the spice and chugging cold water, and advised him to give up.
"Impossible! I, Thoma, will never surrender in a hot pot game!"
Thoma gulped down the cold water in his cup and then finished the remaining half of the chili.
"Alright, I'm done! I guess Mr. Feng Yi put this chili in, right?"
Thoma, with his red and swollen lips like sausages, looked intently at Feng Yi, because Inazuma didn't have this kind of chili.
"Mm, that's right. This is a specialty I brought from Liyue—Jueyun Chili. It is said that those who can eat a whole Jueyun Chili will not be able to defecate for three days. Thoma, you're very brave~"
Feng Yi chuckled. Although the legend was a bit exaggerated, the spiciness of Jueyun Chili was evident. One shouldn't eat too much, or hemorrhoids would surely find their way to your backside.
"Please, I'm super brave, okay!"
Thoma grinned and took the first point.
Next, he reached for the bone broth pot with his chopsticks. He was afraid of the chili pot.
"Hmm? Cabbage, a very standard side dish. Who put it in then?"
Thoma put down his chopsticks and scanned the Kamisato head of household and Miss Ayaka.
"Head of household, you must have put this cabbage in, right?!"
Thoma finally fixed his gaze on the Kamisato head of household because he had keenly observed some residual cabbage leaves in the head of household's vegetable basket.
"Hahaha, I did put in some cabbage, but not in the bone broth pot. Thoma, remember, sometimes what you see is what I intentionally let you see..."
Kamisato Ayato chuckled lightly, giving Thoma a lesson.
"I understand, Head of household. Now it's your turn. A piece of advice: please try not to choose dishes from the chili pot. Hmm... this is experience from someone who's been there!"
Thoma, having guessed incorrectly, was a bit disappointed but quickly adjusted his mindset and kindly advised the Kamisato head of household.
"Thank you for the reminder. However, Thoma, games should have some challenge, otherwise, what's the fun? Sometimes, even if you know there are many difficulties ahead, you must charge forward..."
Kamisato Ayato smiled slightly.
He mainly wanted to subtly tell Feng Yi that although the Kamisato clan currently had many enemies, he would never surrender. Facing difficulties head-on was his attitude towards life.
"You see, this small chili is fierce and spicy, but it's small in size, so it won't pose any threat to me..."
(Implied meaning: The small families coveting the Kamisato clan's position in the Yashiro Commission, although troublesome, are not something I even consider. If I wanted to, I could swallow them in one bite!)
Kamisato Ayato took a small bite. It was damn spicy.
But since he had already made his statement, he had to eat it without frowning, even if he had to force himself.
He even put on a calm and relaxed facade.
As expected, Kamisato Ayato guessed the answer correctly and picked a second serving from the chili pot for another challenge.
"This chili is much larger, but it's not insurmountable. As long as you dip it in some sauce to neutralize the spiciness, you can still eat it!"
(Implied meaning: This chili is like the Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission blocking the Kamisato clan's path. Although troublesome, as long as their weaknesses are exploited, they can be dealt with.)
Kamisato Ayato frowned, swallowed this large chili, and then moved to the bone broth pot.
Kamisato Ayato felt his tongue had already gone on strike. If he ate any more chili, his stomach would probably go on strike too.
He had already conveyed what he wanted to say to Feng Yi. There was no need to torture himself with chili anymore.
After guessing a few more dishes correctly, Kamisato Ayato, considering the feelings of others, deliberately guessed wrongly and put down his chopsticks.
"Mr. Feng Yi, it's your turn!"
Kamisato Ayato smiled and looked at Feng Yi, believing that Feng Yi was a smart person and would surely understand his intentions.
"I can handle spicy food, but I prefer not to eat it!"
(Implied meaning: I'm not afraid of trouble, but I prefer to avoid it!)
Feng Yi chuckled, then picked up a small, crumbly cake from the bone broth pot.
"I guess this side dish must have been put in by Miss Ayaka, right?"
Feng Yi ate the cake without changing his expression. The strange taste and texture almost made him spit it out.
Fortunately, he held back.
"Mm-hmm, Feng Yi, how does the cake taste?"
"Mm... it's very special, indescribably special. You can try it yourself later!"
Feng Yi was very tactful to save face for Kamisato Ayaka.
"Mm-hmm, okay!"
Kamisato Ayaka nodded. This flavor of cake was her first attempt. If it tasted good, she would make more next time.
Feng Yi picked up a few more pieces of side dishes from the bone broth pot. Unable to bear Kamisato Ayato's scrutinizing gaze, he then moved to the chili pot.
As expected, he was surprised!
Feng Yi's first pick was a bright red Jueyun Chili.
"I am truly ashamed. The chili is too spicy, I choose to give up!"
(Implied meaning: I can try to solve problems, but if the problems are too difficult, then I can only offer my apologies!)
Feng Yi took a small sip and then chose to forfeit, passing the opportunity to challenge the side dish to the next player—Miss Ayaka.
Feng Yi's intention was clear: he was a slacker, and Kamisato Ayato shouldn't have high hopes for him.
He could help, but he wouldn't be taken advantage of.
"I choose the chili pot!"
Kamisato Ayaka chose the difficult chili pot right from the start, clearly indicating that she was not afraid of difficulties and was willing to accept challenges.
Unfortunately, Kamisato Ayaka picked up a large Jueyun Chili.
"Miss Ayaka, large chilies are very spicy. I advise you to give up!"
Feng Yi warned her.
"Yes, yes! It's just a game, Miss. You don't need to try so hard!"
Thoma, who still hadn't figured out what was going on, also urged her repeatedly.
Thoma felt that this hot pot meal was a bit strange, but he couldn't pinpoint why.
Alas, how strange!
"Thank you for the reminder, but my mind is made up. I must eat this chili!"
(Implied meaning: Since I've encountered this trouble, I can't give up!)
A determined look flashed in Kamisato Ayaka's eyes. Some troubles, she couldn't just ignore.
This was also her way of cheering on her brother, vowing to advance and retreat with him and show Feng Yi her resolve.
And then...
"Cough... cough cough cough..."