As the early morning sun filtered through the window, its golden light kissed the delicate features of a sleeping beauty.
Sonoka stirred, her long lashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes. A dull ache throbbed in her head, remnants of last night's drinking.
Then, as her vision cleared, she suddenly froze.
Her pupils dilated, and after a moment of realization—
"Ahhh!"
A sharp scream pierced the silence.
Frantically, she patted herself down, checking her clothes. Fully intact.
Only then did she exhale in relief.
Memories of last night were hazy. She vaguely recalled drinking at the tavern, Zane complimenting her alcohol tolerance… but after that? Nothing.
"Did Chef Zane… bring me back?" Sonoka muttered, cheeks turning crimson.
The mere thought of being carried in his arms, held close against his firm chest, made her want to bury herself under the blankets.
"So embarrassing…"
—Meanwhile, at the WGO Headquarters—
Inside a grand castle-like structure, every inch exuded opulence. Gilded domes, intricate archways, marble floors—it was a place befitting royalty.
In one of the chambers, Mana Nakiri, the revered special executive of the WGO, had just finished her bath.
Draped in a silk kimono, her long, damp hair cascaded down her back, droplets of water tracing delicate paths along her porcelain skin.
Before her sat a plate of the world's finest caviar—glistening black pearls harvested from a century-old, 20-foot-long sturgeon.
The price? Over 1.5 million dollars.
"I hope this can satisfy my God Tongue…" Mana murmured, her voice tinged with both expectation and apprehension.
Using a mother-of-pearl spoon, she scooped up a portion and gently placed it on her palm, allowing her warmth to enhance the caviar's aroma before bringing it to her lips.
As soon as it touched her tongue—
Snap!
An explosion of briny richness flooded her senses.
At first, her delicate palate reveled in the symphony of flavors—hot and cold, fresh and umami, a harmonious blend that was almost divine.
But then…
A wave of nausea hit her.
Her body recoiled.
Her expression twisted as she violently spat out the chewed remnants.
"This taste… It's vile!" she gasped, her hands trembling.
No matter how luxurious, how refined, how rare the ingredient—her God Tongue would always reject it.
A cruel curse.
Over the years, she had sampled the world's most exquisite cuisines, yet each time, the same despairing outcome awaited her.
Her body, slowly withering away.
"Will I… starve to death in the end?" Mana whispered, a hollow look in her eyes.
—Back at the Tavern—
As night fell, the tavern bustled with energy.
After a brief absence, Rindo Kobayashi finally returned, her usual playful charm intact.
Tonight, however, she wasn't in her familiar Totsuki uniform. Instead, she wore a deep red cropped jacket, tailored snugly around her petite frame, paired with a knee-length black velvet skirt and sleek black boots.
The outfit accentuated her youthful allure while adding a hint of mature elegance.
Yet, despite her stylish appearance, a troubled expression clouded her face.
With a soft sigh, she slumped into a seat.
"Something on your mind?" Zane asked casually, placing a bottle of low-proof sake in front of her.
Rindo hesitated for a moment before uncapping the bottle and taking a generous swig.
"Ahh… That's the stuff," she sighed, setting it down. But almost immediately, her expression dimmed again.
"In a few days, the new term exams start," she muttered. "And somehow, Eishi convinced me to be an interviewer for them."
Zane nodded, unfazed.
"Ah… So that's why you haven't been around."
Rindo shot him a half-hearted glare. "Hey, you could at least pretend to be concerned!"
But before she could continue, something else caught her eye.
In the corner of the tavern, an aquarium housed a group of ten lively fugu.
Her golden eyes lit up.
"Boss, are you keeping fugu here?" she asked, intrigued.
"Not exactly 'keeping' them," Zane replied, smiling slightly.
Rindo's curiosity got the better of her. She walked over and reached into the tank, grasping the tail of one of the fish.
The fugu, startled, puffed up instantly.
"Hehe, look at this little guy!" she giggled, holding it up. "It's so cute!"
Zane smirked. "If you like it that much, I can prepare fugu sashimi for you right now."
Rindo's expression froze.
"…Huh?"
—The Art of Fugu Preparation—
Handling fugu was a test of skill. A single mistake could mean fatal consequences.
Zane worked with meticulous precision, starting by thoroughly rinsing the fish under running water to remove any surface toxins.
Then—
With a swift, practiced motion, he severed the fugu's mouth with a pair of sharp scissors.
Rindo watched, fascinated yet slightly unnerved.
Next, he separated the pectoral fins, carefully peeling back the tough skin while ensuring not to puncture the poisonous internal organs.
Using the tip of his knife, he deftly removed the eyes, the gills, and the intestines, placing them aside.
His movements were steady. Flawless.
Even Rindo, who had seen many elite chefs at work, couldn't help but hold her breath.
Finally, Zane switched to a fresh knife and began slicing.
Thin, translucent slices fell in uniform precision.
Rindo was mesmerized.
Soon, a beautifully arranged plate of fugu sashimi was placed before her.
Under the dim tavern lights, the dish shimmered like a delicate, ethereal fan—each slice thin enough to see through.
The tail fin pieces sparkled like tiny mirrors, reflecting the glow around them.
"It's… breathtaking," Rindo murmured in awe. "I've never seen fugu sashimi this exquisite before."
Zane chuckled. "Try it."
With her chopsticks, Rindo carefully lifted a slice and dipped it lightly in ponzu sauce.
She placed it on her tongue—
A subtle sweetness melted into a clean, oceanic richness, the texture smooth yet slightly chewy.
It was unlike anything she had ever tasted.
Closing her eyes, she savored the delicate interplay of flavors, an involuntary smile curling on her lips.
"…This is incredible."
Zane simply smirked. "Glad you like it."
And just like that, the tavern continued its quiet symphony of flavors, laughter, and late-night indulgence.