"Here."
"I made a few extra for you to enjoy."
Holding two soufflés, Zane casually approached Erina and Hisako.
"Really?"
Erina hesitated upon hearing Zane's words.
"Of course."
"Well… then, thank you!"
Blushing slightly—since thanking others wasn't something she often did—Erina accepted the soufflé. Without any hesitation, she took a big bite right in front of Zane.
Seeing this, Hisako also took a soufflé from Zane's hand and eagerly tasted it.
Every Girl's Dream
Deep down, every girl has a princess dream.
Whether it's a naïve young girl or a mature woman, they have all, at some point, imagined themselves as a beautiful princess—wearing a crown, living in a magnificent palace, and being adored by everyone around them.
Even if the dream is unrealistic, it reflects a longing for beauty.
Momo was no exception.
When she was little, she had her own "princess dream." In her eyes, fairy tales filled with "cute elements" dictated that in order to marry a handsome prince, she had to first become an adorable princess!
Yet at this moment, the prince charming she envisioned hadn't appeared.
Instead, she found herself completely captivated by the soufflé Zane had given her.
Just like when he ran his tavern, creating dishes that mesmerized countless people, Zane's desserts had an undeniable charm.
In just a short while, the dozen soufflés he had made were completely devoured—without a single crumb left behind.
Momo's Curiosity Awakens
"Owner, the key to preventing soufflés from collapsing is starch, right?"
"Can we use tapioca starch instead of cornstarch?"
After eating three soufflés, Momo blinked a few times, her curiosity piqued, and asked Zane.
"Hmm… how should I put it?"
"Although both are starches, there are still some differences."
"Cornstarch and flour have similar textures, giving a soft feel but with less elasticity. Tapioca starch, on the other hand, creates a chewy, elastic texture, which could actually help stabilize the soufflé better."
"But… don't just focus on the results."
"The essence of a soufflé lies in its delicate, airy softness. While cornstarch stabilizes the protein foam, it also ensures a tender, delicate texture. If you use tapioca starch, it might make the soufflé too chewy, taking away its signature softness."
"Mmm-hmm…"
"Well… I have another question!"
"Can we use white vinegar instead of lemon juice?"
"Sure!"
"What about rice vinegar?"
"That works too!"
"Wait a minute." Zane gave Momo a slightly puzzled look. "You're one of the Elite Ten. Why are you asking me such basic things? Don't you already know this?"
The Ice Begins to Melt
In truth, people like Momo—who are somewhat introverted—often feel a bit uneasy in unfamiliar environments.
However, once they feel comfortable, they become much more open in expressing their thoughts.
At first, she had been distant and somewhat cold toward both Zane and his tavern. But as she spent more time here, witnessing his skills firsthand, her admiration and curiosity grew.
Deep down, she wanted to talk to Zane, to share her thoughts with him.
Watching Momo's eager conversation with Zane, Rindo couldn't help but feel surprised.
After all, there weren't many people in this world who could make Momo willingly engage in small talk.
Had a mere soufflé melted her icy heart?
"This Zane guy is really something," Rindo sighed, shaking her head. "Even Momo is falling for his charm."
"Uh… I do understand these things…"
Momo hesitated for a moment before quickly adding, "I just wanted to learn more about this dessert from you!"
Realizing Zane was looking at her in amusement, she blushed and instinctively hugged the plush toy in her arms tighter, lowering her head to avoid his gaze.
They say lolis have three signature traits: purity, tenderness, and being easy to fluster.
With Momo's petite and adorable figure, soft short hair, and shy expression, she could easily stir up anyone's protective instincts.
Zane could only shrug helplessly and say, "Honestly, this dessert isn't too difficult to make."
"With your skills, if you practice a few more times, you'll understand its secrets soon enough."
"Then… why is it that when soufflés expand in the oven, they usually crack, but yours don't? Yours come out perfectly smooth. Can you tell me how?"
Seeing Momo's large, expectant eyes, Zane sighed with a smirk.
The Secret of a Perfect Soufflé
"A good soufflé should have gentle, wave-like undulations when it rises—like the ripples of a seashell or a slight dome."
"Cracks aren't necessarily a bad thing, but if left uncontrolled, they can affect the soufflé's overall appearance."
"To prevent cracking, when folding the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture, do it in three stages. Use a spatula to fold from the bottom up each time, making sure not to deflate the air. Keep folding until no streaks of egg white remain."
"In other words, the batter should form glossy ribbons when lifted. That's the key."
Momo's round eyes sparkled as she listened intently, completely absorbed in Zane's explanation.
More Food, More Surprises
Tea-stained rice.
Grilled eel.
Oden.
Tempura.
Chawanmushi.
Sizzling stir-fried vegetables.
And finally, an order of pan-fried dumplings—without spicy sauce.
After finishing her soufflé, the ever-hungry Rindo rattled off her order without hesitation.
Zane couldn't help but be amazed.
Just how big was this girl's stomach?
Still, he always welcomed customers with hearty appetites. Without another word, he got to work.
Unlike typical grilled eel, Zane's version was delicate yet slightly chewy.
Each bite brought out a subtle but rich umami flavor—not overpowering, but smooth and elegant.
To enhance its texture, Zane had used a technique called "active destruction"—destroying the eel's nerves early and letting it bleed out properly. This preserved the meat's best state, making it incredibly fresh and tender.
Crispy on the outside.
Soft and flavorful on the inside.
Rich but never greasy.
Paired with his signature sweet-savory sauce, sesame seeds, and a touch of pepper, the dish was divine.
Momo, clutching her teddy bear, glanced at Rindo, who was devouring the eel with wild enthusiasm.
She subtly scooted away.
Perhaps she now understood why she had refused to accompany Rindo earlier.
After all… this girl's appetite was something else.
A Gift for Zane
The night was cold, with an unexpected early spring rain falling in torrents, accompanied by the occasional crack of thunder.
Inside the tavern, the atmosphere was… a little awkward.
Perhaps because she couldn't tolerate Rindo's eating habits, Momo chose to sit as close to Zane as possible.
At times, she stole glances at him—watching as he leaned against the counter, arms crossed, occasionally flashing a faint smile.
Each time he caught her staring, she quickly averted her gaze, flustered.
"Chef Zane, I've been curious about something."
"Your right hand… it looks a little burnt. Is it from cooking?"
"Yeah. It's not a big deal."
Momo stared at his hand for a moment, hesitated… and then handed him something.
"For you."
"A heat-resistant glove I always use."
Zane blinked in surprise.
"Momo, you should keep it. My burn isn't serious—"
"Please, just take it."
Seeing her disappointment, Zane hesitated… then finally accepted it.
At last, Momo smiled sweetly.