[Chime!]
[Successfully checked in once!]
[Chime!]
[Received: Super-light non-stick pan ×1, new omelet rice recipe, 5 kilograms of tofu, and 20 kilograms of A5-grade beef!]
Zane glanced at the system notifications and sighed.
"Not the most exciting rewards today."
The new recipes for omelet rice and tofu barely caught his attention. What did intrigue him, however, was the 20 kilograms of A5-grade beef—premium quality, rare on the market, and notoriously expensive. Still, 20 kilograms felt a bit lacking.
The real highlight was the super-light non-stick pan.
Despite its name, the pan wasn't exactly light, weighing in at 5.2 kilograms. It had a 28 cm diameter and a depth of 6.5 cm, made from an iron alloy with a PTFE coating. With this pan, frying eggs or making delicate dishes like milk pancakes wouldn't require oil at all. The surface was so smooth that even eggs could glide effortlessly across it.
However, there was a catch—due to the PTFE coating, cooking temperatures needed to stay below 260°C, as overheating could damage the non-stick properties. Fortunately, most regular cooking oils had smoke points far below that threshold, so it shouldn't be an issue.
[Chime!]
[New task posted.]
[Mission: Ensure a customer flow of at least 80 people in the tavern within 24 hours. Completion will yield rewards!]
"Eighty customers?"
Zane raised an eyebrow but quickly shrugged it off.
"Not difficult at all."
With that thought, he freshened up and went straight to bed. The tavern would remain closed for the day.
Erina's Thoughts on the Mille-Feuille
On the way back to Tōtsuki Academy, Erina Nakiri sat in the car, gazing out the window, her expression unreadable.
"Hmph, what a foolish man," she muttered under her breath.
Even as she spoke, her hand instinctively reached for a delicate pastry box. Inside was a mille-feuille, still warm from the tavern. Without hesitation, she took a bite.
And then—
"Huh? This taste…"
Erina's golden eyes widened in shock.
The texture was unlike any mille-feuille she'd had before. Though she couldn't count the exact number of layers, each one carried a different flavor.
Some layers were lightly salted, others subtly sweet, creating a dynamic flavor experience with every bite. The aroma of butter, onions, wheat, and eggs blended harmoniously, and when she bit down, the crispy layers shattered like delicate glass, releasing a rich and complex fragrance.
Her mood, once clouded with irritation, cleared instantly.
"You really like Zane's cooking, don't you, Miss?" Hisako Arato chuckled from the driver's seat, watching Erina's expression with amusement.
"I—I don't like it at all!"
Despite her sharp denial, Erina swiftly took another bite.
A Distinguished Guest at Shunkatei
Around 9 a.m., a distinguished figure arrived at Shunkatei, an elegant Western restaurant nestled in a bustling gourmet district.
Standing before its entrance was Anne, a high-ranking executive of the World Gourmet Organization (WGO). Dressed simply but exuding an air of authority, she carried a thick book embossed with the title "THE·BOOK"—the WGO's prestigious guide.
She pushed open the glass door, stepping into the restaurant's refined ambiance.
Inside, Sonoka, the restaurant's owner, had been expecting her. The moment Anne entered, Sonoka hurried forward with a welcoming smile.
"Executive Anne, it must have been a long journey for you!" she greeted respectfully. "I prepared foie gras, fresh oysters, and grilled salmon with butter and white sauce for today's inspection."
Anne nodded approvingly and followed Sonoka into an exquisitely prepared private dining room.
The moment she stepped inside, she could tell—Sonoka had spared no effort in making a lasting impression.
• The table, crafted from high-quality solid wood, gleamed under the chandelier's warm glow, polished to perfection.
• The corners, shaped in elegant French curves, added a sophisticated charm.
• The tableware, fine porcelain with delicate, intricate patterns, exuded luxury.
• Even the napkins were folded into elegant floral shapes, placed beside a small bouquet of roses, their subtle fragrance complementing the ambiance.
Anne took her seat, gracefully adjusting her posture. Her sharp gaze met Sonoka's as she placed THE·BOOK beside her.
"Sonoka," Anne began, her tone even, "I can see that you're truly dedicated to achieving a two-star rating."
"Yes," Sonoka admitted, a hint of determination in her voice. "It's my greatest ambition."
Anne smiled slightly.
"Then, let's see if your cooking speaks for itself."