Late at night, the world was shrouded in mystery and tranquility.
The heavy rain had finally stopped, and two satisfied girls, Rindo and Momo, stepped out of the tavern.
Perhaps it was the resolution of a long-standing dilemma, or maybe it was Zane's charm, but Momo carried a bright smile on her face the entire way back.
Rindo, however, didn't seem as thrilled.
Her stomach was slightly swollen, and in the end, she unexpectedly let out a small burp.
"Ahh~"
"That was refreshing!"
Stretching her arms with satisfaction, Rindo sighed contentedly.
"I swear, Chef Zane's cooking has improved again. That meal was exceptionally satisfying."
As she savored the lingering taste of the dishes, she couldn't help but admire them.
"Mmm… Rindo, I really appreciate you taking me here."
"If it weren't for you, I never would've known about such an interesting tavern on this food street."
Momo clutched her bear—the one missing its hands—and stole a glance at Rindo.
For once, she didn't find her as annoying as before.
"Heh, Peach."
"I have to say, you were pretty enthusiastic today."
"It's one thing to chat with Chef Zane, but giving him a pair of heat-resistant gloves at the end?"
Seeing Momo lost in thought, Rindo's golden eyes sparkled with mischief as she teased her.
"Yeah… Chef Zane is a chef worthy of my respect."
Blushing slightly, Momo hugged her teddy bear tighter and admitted her thoughts.
"Respect?"
"Come on, it's more than just that, isn't it?"
Rindo smirked knowingly.
Momo immediately turned red, glaring at her in exasperation.
"At first, I doubted his skills," she admitted.
"But that soufflé at the end… it was breathtaking."
"In the realm of desserts, honestly, I…" She hesitated, then took a deep breath.
"I would call him the best dessert chef."
"The best?"
Rindo raised an eyebrow, surprised by the high praise.
They had only met Zane briefly, yet Momo—one of the most critical and skilled pâtissiers of their generation—was already acknowledging him at such a level.
Then again, after tasting that soufflé, she understood.
Graduating from Totsuki Academy meant entering the elite ranks of the culinary world.
After graduation, most alumni became top chefs, leading Japan's food scene and even pushing the industry forward.
Though each took different paths, their impact was undeniable.
For example:
Kojirō Shinomiya, a former Elite Ten member.
After graduation, he pursued his craft in France, managing his own restaurant.
It wasn't long before he earned the prestigious "Pluspol" accolade.
That's why graduates of Totsuki's Elite Ten were highly sought after in the industry.
With that in mind, when Momo heard Rindo say she wanted to work at the tavern after graduation, she was stunned.
But after thinking it over, she realized—Rindo wasn't being impulsive.
"As I see it, you want to work at the tavern…"
"But you're not just after Chef Zane's… well, his cooking, are you?"
"After all, working there means you'd get to eat his dishes every day."
Momo looked at her knowingly.
Rindo chuckled.
"Hehe, Peach, you really see through me, huh?"
"But I see something in him… possibilities."
"Working at the tavern might not leave me falling behind after all."
With that, she quickened her pace, walking ahead cheerfully.
Momo remained still for a moment, lowering her gaze in contemplation.
Midnight – Closing Time
The tavern's doors finally shut for the night.
After spending two nights here, Erina's impression of Zane had shifted dramatically.
She glanced at him, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"Zane, are you about done?"
"Yeah, just finishing up."
"Really?"
She sighed.
"The tavern's open hours are way too short. Just five hours a day!"
Though she complained, she knew it wasn't her place to interfere.
She had a lot she wanted to say to him, but time was slipping away.
She couldn't keep him any longer—he needed to close up and rest.
Just as she was about to leave, she turned back and looked at him deeply.
"You know…"
"With your abilities, you don't have to run a tavern."
"If you have bigger aspirations, I can talk to my grandfather."
"He could hire you as a teacher at Totsuki Academy—no, a professor."
"Once the new term starts, you could stand on a much bigger stage."
Leaving those words behind, Erina turned and walked away.
Hisako followed her, and the tavern fell into silence once more.
The Tavern's Atmosphere
The tavern was warm and inviting, a classic setup with wooden tables and chairs.
The walls were decorated with an old-fashioned clock, paintings, and paper fans, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an ancient town.
Customers had different reasons for coming.
Some simply drank, others specifically sought out Chef Zane's cooking.
Some dined alone, lost in their phones, manga, or newspapers, occasionally chatting with Zane.
Groups of three or five gathered for drinks, conversation flowing freely.
The best-selling dish?
Grilled meat.
Served in two flavors: sauce or salt.
Some customers, unable to decide, let Zane choose for them, leading to creative variations—grilled meat with tomato sauce, egg yolk sauce, and more.
Every visit to the tavern was a feast for the taste buds, a unique experience defined by Zane's extraordinary culinary skills.
As for Zane himself…
Ever since he transmigrated into this world, fate had woven an intricate path for him.
First, he met Rindo.
Then, he became Sonoka's neighbor.
Two seemingly small yet destined events.
It made him realize—he couldn't separate himself from this world.
His tavern would eventually gain recognition and attract major figures.
He even had a premonition…
In less than six months, the World Gourmet Organization would take notice of him.
At the same time, Totsuki's influence in Japan's culinary world was immense.
By running his tavern here, it was inevitable that he would cross paths with them.
But in truth—Zane had no desire to get caught up in that world.
Just like how Erina hoped he'd pursue a career at Totsuki instead of staying in a small tavern…
He, on the other hand, rejected Totsuki's "survival of the fittest" system.
Its brutal competition crushed many promising chefs.
One failure could ruin a person's future entirely.
He had no interest in that kind of battlefield.
[Ding Dong!]
[Host, successful check-in!]
[Ding Dong!]
[Rewards obtained: Wensi Tofu recipe, Ascending Dragon Dumplings recipe, Chinese Iron Pot x1!]
Zane smirked.
"Wensi Tofu, huh?"
"That's a fine addition to the menu."
With that, he turned his attention to the Ascending Dragon Dumplings…