The tasting continued.
After finishing the entire beef burger in one go, Erina pursed her lips, a trace of dissatisfaction flashing in her eyes—not because the burger wasn't good, but because she wanted more. Without hesitation, she reached for the butterfish fries and took a bite.
As she slowly chewed, the crisp texture gave a satisfying crunch, each bite releasing a delicate sweetness. It was like a soft, melodic tune, drawing her deeper into its rhythm.
At that moment, the lingering shock from the beef burger finally faded. A realization dawned on her—this chef, Zane, was unlike any she had ever encountered.
Fragrant.
Crisp.
Sweet.
Fresh.
These flavors blended seamlessly, yet the original taste of the tofu dregs was nowhere to be found. The contrast between the crunchy fries and the tender butterfish inside was simply irresistible. The rich umami of the fish, paired with the crisp exterior, created a perfect harmony between land and sea.
Then, there was the subtle addition of scallions. A dash of salt and pepper.
A simple Western fast food snack, yet elevated to something sublime.
Because the butterfish fries were thicker than regular ones, they should have been difficult to fry evenly. Yet, rather than being a flaw, this became their strength—crispy on the outside, soft and delicate within. Combined with the fresh, tender aroma of the butterfish, the dish had an undeniable depth.
A wave of sweetness and umami flooded her senses, filling her mouth and nose.
Slowly, Erina's mind drifted into a blank state.
In that moment, it was as if nothing else existed—only these butterfish fries.
"This taste… How do I even describe it?"
"It's like… soldiers in golden armor, sailing across an uncharted ocean—venturing, exploring, conquering!"
As she searched for the right words, the flavors on her tongue told their own story.
She could almost see them—these tiny, golden warriors braving the heat of the oil, transforming themselves, fighting to become something greater than they once were.
And suddenly, tears welled in her eyes.
"What…?"
A single tear rolled down her cheek, slipping silently to the floor.
In her mind, an old memory stirred—an image she had long tried to bury.
Her mother, Mana Nakiri.
The woman who had been tormented by the curse of the God Tongue.
The woman who had left everything behind in search of freedom.
The woman whose absence had changed Azami Nakiri forever, turning him into the man who shaped Erina's childhood—a man obsessed with tearing down common cuisine, ensuring his daughter's palate would accept nothing but perfection.
Under his rule, Erina had been raised to reject ordinary food. Her once-curious love for simple flavors had been erased, replaced by an unshakable belief:
"Mediocre dishes are worthless. Only the highest-grade ingredients can define true cuisine."
And yet—
Zane had just shattered that belief.
Using nothing but toast, tofu dregs, and rice bran—ingredients so cheap they were practically discarded—he had created dishes that not only satisfied her but touched something deep inside her.
A beacon of light in the darkness.
A dish that made her feel alive again.
"I… I don't want to admit it."
Her voice was soft, almost trembling.
"But your cooking… truly satisfies me."
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
"Whether it's the beef burger or these fries, whether it's toast or tofu dregs… the flavors astonish me. And I know I'll never forget them."
For the first time in years, she found herself wondering—could she create something like this?
Could she, with her skills, make simple food that brought this kind of joy?
But deep down, she already knew the answer.
Impossible.
She could master the most refined techniques, cook with the rarest ingredients, but she could never recreate what Zane had just done.
And that terrified her.
Zane, on the other hand, remained unfazed. As if all of this was just… natural.
"People may have different values," he said calmly, "but food doesn't."
His words echoed in her mind.
"Expensive ingredients might seem superior, but if you break them down—vitamins, minerals, proteins—are they really so different from the affordable ones?"
"In the end, it's all just perception."
"As a chef, the only thing that truly matters is making food that satisfies people."
She wanted to refute him. To argue that gourmet cuisine existed for a reason. That there was a difference between high-class dishes and everyday meals.
But she couldn't.
Because, sitting right in front of her, the proof was undeniable.
Silently, she studied him.
This chef, standing in his small tavern, had just shaken the very foundation of everything she believed in.
His cooking wasn't just skillful. It was something else entirely.
And for the first time, she found herself wanting to know more.
To understand him.
To engrave every detail of his face, his movements, his presence—so that she would never forget.
Then, Zane placed a plate before her.
Chocolate brownies.
Perfectly square, about ten centimeters wide.
Dark, glossy, with a smooth surface that radiated elegance.
It looked like the finest chocolate dessert—except she knew better. The rich color didn't come from chocolate at all.
Rice bran.
Yet, if she hadn't been told, she would never have guessed.
She took a bite.
And just like before, the original ingredient had vanished.
There was no grainy texture, no unpleasant aftertaste. Only the luxurious, velvety smoothness of chocolate.
The brownie was filled with molten chocolate sauce and crunchy nuts, layering richness upon richness.
Each bite melted on her tongue, the flavors unfolding in perfect harmony.
"Oh…"
She didn't mean to let the sound escape.
Then—
"Burp~"
The soft hiccup slipped out before she could stop it.
Erina froze.
Wait.
Did I just… burp?
A deep blush spread across her face as she quickly covered her mouth.
She never burped. Ever.
She was Nakiri Erina, heir to one of the most powerful culinary families in the world. She carried herself with elegance and poise at all times.
And yet—this man had made her forget all of that.
Made her eat without restraint.
Made her enjoy food like a normal person.
And now, even made her burp?
Unbelievable.
Rindo, watching from the side, chuckled as she took a sip of sake.
"Amazing," she murmured.
Zane had done what no one else could.
Even the most celebrated chefs struggled to please Erina. But he had not only satisfied her—he had shaken her to her core.
The God Tongue, the ability that could dissect flavors at an instant, had met a challenge it couldn't unravel.
And as Rindo glanced at Erina's empty plates, the truth became obvious.
Zane had won.
Then, Zane placed a cup of floral tea in front of Erina.
"Here. This will help with the sweetness from the brownie."
She blinked, startled out of her thoughts.
The tea was pale yellow, its aroma delicate and calming. A single sip sent a cooling sensation through her body, clearing away the lingering richness of chocolate.
She swirled the tea in her hands, deep in thought.
"Could it be… that everything here is done so perfectly?"
And when she looked up again—
She found Zane already looking at her.
Their eyes met.
For a split second, the air seemed to still.
A strange, unfamiliar feeling stirred in her chest.
Flustered, Erina quickly looked away, turning her head to hide the warmth creeping up her face.
She wasn't sure what this feeling was.
But one thing was certain—
Zane's presence, and his cooking, had left an imprint on her she would never forget.