Chinese cuisine boasts a vast array of culinary styles.
Likewise, Western cuisine is diverse—ranging from French, British, Italian, German, American, and Russian traditions.
Though Shunkatei was a Western-style restaurant, its signature dishes leaned heavily toward French and Italian cuisine.
Perhaps this was because its owner, Sonoka, excelled most in these two styles.
After exchanging pleasantries, Sonoka wasted no time in preparing her best dish for Erina's tasting—
Marseille Fish Soup.
A classic of French cuisine, this renowned seafood soup was cherished for its rich, layered flavors and unique texture, achieved through a meticulous balance of fish, shellfish, and aromatic spices.
A Masterpiece in a Bowl
As the dish was served, Erina's golden eyes swept over the steaming bowl.
The first thing she noticed—
The thinly sliced golden fish, shimmering in the broth, exuding a faint yet enticing aroma.
The fish gently cooked in the simmering broth, mingling with the olive oil, onions, and garlic, releasing an intoxicating fragrance.
Then came the colorful shellfish, piled elegantly in the pot.
As they slowly opened under the heat, they revealed tender, glistening meat, their juices blending into the soup.
Even more fascinating—
The shellfish contracted slightly under the heat, releasing a deep, umami-rich seafood essence that spread through the air.
As Erina leaned in closer, the herbal fragrance of thyme, Italian parsley, and bay leaves danced around her, deepening the dish's allure.
And finally—
The touch of cream.
It added a luxurious silkiness, elevating the soup to a true portrait of the Mediterranean.
Erina didn't just see a bowl of fish soup.
She felt the sun-drenched shores of Marseille.
She could sense Sonoka's love and dedication to her craft, infused into every drop of broth.
Erina gently lifted her spoon, taking the first sip.
The flavors exploded on her tongue—
Rich. Decadent. Unforgettable.
The fish was tender, melting effortlessly in her mouth.
The shellfish carried a deep oceanic sweetness, with a slight chew that provided a satisfying contrast.
Each bite made her crave another.
Then, as the soup slid down her throat—
The herbs and spices unfurled, revealing layers of warmth and complexity.
And finally—
The cream enveloped her palate in a velvety finish, completing the experience like the final stroke on a masterful painting.
In that moment—
A surreal vision bloomed in her mind.
She was no longer sitting in Shunkatei.
She had become a small fish, swimming freely through a vast, endless ocean.
The coral reefs stretched before her in dazzling colors, schools of fish darting around playfully, beckoning her to join them.
Guided by curiosity, Erina swam deeper—
Weightless, carefree, alive.
She twirled and danced through the waves, embraced by the rhythm of the sea itself.
And in that deep blue world—
She discovered a profound reverence for life and nature.
With a soft gasp, Erina's vision faded.
She blinked, placing her spoon down.
Then—
"Hmm," she murmured, her voice thoughtful.
"The execution is remarkable. This level of authenticity in Marseille fish soup is truly rare."
Sonoka's lips curled into a pleased smile.
"But," Erina continued, "there are some flaws."
"For instance—"
She tapped the rim of the bowl lightly.
"The oysters—while they should be fully cooked—were slightly overdone, which compromised their texture."
"That said…"
She let out a breath, her expression softening.
"There's no such thing as absolute perfection in cooking. Some imperfections are inevitable, as long as they don't overshadow the dish itself."
Then, her gaze met Sonoka's.
"Senior… To create a dish of this caliber—"
Her voice took on a rare gentleness.
"—I truly admire you for that."
Perhaps the Marseille fish soup hadn't been flawless.
Perhaps it hadn't conquered her God's Tongue.
But—
For the first time in a long while, Erina had tasted the soul of a cuisine.
And that alone—
Made it worthy of her respect.
"Really?"
Sonoka chuckled softly.
"I'm glad to have satisfied you."
But then—
Erina's expression turned serious.
"Senior…" she murmured, her fingers grazing the edge of the table.
"I heard that Shunkatei is about to close down?"
Sonoka's smile froze.
"…Close?"
Her brows furrowed, caught between confusion and disbelief.
"That's ridiculous," she scoffed, dismissing the thought.
But then, she let out a slow sigh.
"However… I can't deny it—"
She met Erina's gaze, a wry smile playing on her lips.
"Shunkatei's business has been declining."
And the reason?
"A month ago, the Japanese restaurant next door was mismanaged and shut down."
"It was then taken over by a young man—"
"And he turned it into a tavern."
At first, no one cared.
After all, the tavern's business hours didn't even overlap with Shunkatei's.
Plus—
It served humble, commoner-style cuisine, completely opposite to Shunkatei's elite French dining philosophy.
"But," Sonoka admitted with a sigh, "what no one expected—"
"Within just a few days, that tavern became the biggest sensation on this food street."
As she spoke, an image surfaced in her mind—
A figure, somewhat blurred yet strangely magnetic.
A handsome man, exuding an elegant, composed charm.
Even from afar, the mere sight of him lighting up his tavern's sign was… captivating.
And yet—
Who was he?
For an entire month, no one had uncovered his identity.
No one knew what culinary academy he had trained in.
There was only one clue—
He had once told a customer:
"I come from a greater culinary nation—China."
And that was it.
Everything else about him was a mystery.
Hearing all this, Erina and Hisako exchanged glances.
A tavern?
A single man, running it alone?
"It's strange, isn't it?" Sonoka continued.
"His tavern has no head chef. No assistant chefs. No waiters. Not even a cashier."
"And yet—"
"Because of his unparalleled skill, people are going insane over his food!"
Sonoka's voice dropped lower.
"Erina… can you believe it?"
"A skewer—costing less than 100 yen—"
"Has been declared better than Shunkatei's 100,000-yen foie gras dish."
Erina's golden eyes widened.
A skewer—?!
Outclassing French haute cuisine?!
Her fingers curled into a fist.
"Common food… defeating noble cuisine?"
Her voice was sharp with disbelief.
But deep inside—
A new feeling stirred.
Curiosity.