Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

Haruto carried the tray of freshly baked tarts over to Erina and gently set one in front of her.

"Orange Molten-Center Custard Tart. Please, give it a try."

Erina studied the tart before her.

Its presentation was flawless, at least.

She gave a small nod, though her expression barely changed.

"It looks acceptable. I suppose I can bring myself to taste it."

She picked up her knife and cut through the crisp pastry shell.

A delicate crack sounded as the crust gave way, releasing the warm filling inside.

The orange-colored custard flowed onto the plate in a glossy pool, carrying a rich aroma of milk and citrus.

Erina cut off a small piece and placed it in her mouth.

The pastry shattered delicately between her teeth, crisp and buttery, with the orange salt adding a subtle savory edge.

A moment later, the warm custard glided across her tongue, silky and smooth without being overly sweet.

Rich cream and fresh orange intertwined perfectly, the citrus cutting through the heaviness of the dairy and leaving behind a long, refreshing finish.

It felt as though tiny orange sprites were dancing across her palate.

The rush of flavor made Erina’s body go weak. A soft sound slipped from her lips before she could stop it, its ending trembling ever so slightly.

Color bloomed across her cheeks, and her golden eyes grew hazy with pleasure.

She leaned forward against the table as her mind drifted into a sunlit orange grove, where golden fruit hung from every branch and warm light filtered through the leaves.

Haruto watched her reaction with a faint smile before quietly looking away.

’Looks like I’m getting better at making people lose their minds over my food.’

...

As the last of the molten custard slid down her throat, Erina reached for a second tart without hesitation.

This time, she did not bother with a knife and fork. She simply lifted it to her mouth and took a bite.

Hisako’s eyes widened slightly.

She had served beside Erina for years and knew exactly how demanding the God Tongue could be.

Erina rarely took more than a single bite of an ordinary dish.

Yet Haruto’s orange custard tart had made her reach for a second.

Noticing Hisako’s curiosity, Haruto offered the tray to her.

"Would you like one? I made plenty."

Hisako’s gaze lingered briefly on the golden pastry.

The crust had been baked perfectly, its slightly curled edges shining with a tempting caramel hue.

A faint citrus fragrance mingled with the sweetness of egg and cream, teasing her appetite.

She soon lowered her eyes, however, and shook her head.

"I’m sorry, Suzuki-kun. I’m currently on duty."

Erina was the examiner, so tasting the dishes was part of her responsibility. Hisako, however, was there to assist her in conducting the examination.

It would not be appropriate for her to sample an applicant’s food.

Haruto did not press her.

He smiled, picked up one of the tarts himself, and pinched the edge lightly.

The pastry cracked beneath his fingers, scattering a few crisp flakes into his palm.

He casually tipped them into his mouth before biting into the tart and chewing at an unhurried pace, obvious satisfaction in his expression.

"Hey, Haruto-san!"

Soma’s voice came from the next station.

He was holding a spatula and standing on his toes to peer in Haruto’s direction, his eyes shining with curiosity.

"Can I try one of those orange tarts?"

"I really want to know what they taste like!"

Haruto glanced over at him.

"Finish your own dish first. Don’t worry, there are plenty left."

"All right!"

Soma nodded and immediately turned back to the eggs in his pan.

...

By the time Soma returned to cooking, Erina had finished her second tart.

She rested a finger lightly against her lower lip, an unusual trace of uncertainty appearing in her eyes as she fell silent.

For once, she was not sure how to evaluate a dish.

Strictly speaking, Haruto’s orange molten-center custard tart had far exceeded her expectations.

The pastry had distinct, delicate layers that crumbled beautifully with every bite.

Its faint citrus note was subtle enough to keep the butteriness from becoming heavy.

The filling was even more impressive.

Warm custard flowed across her tongue, carrying a vivid orange fragrance through the deep richness of egg and cream.

It was sweet without becoming cloying and rich without overwhelming the palate.

The flavors came together with such effortless harmony that even the God Tongue could find no obvious flaw.

That very perfection, however, was what unsettled her.

Her God Tongue could identify the precise proportion of ingredients within a dish.

It could detect the slightest difference between spices and judge exactly how the heat had been controlled.

Yet the elusive orange fragrance within the pastry completely baffled her.

There was none of the bitterness of orange peel or the sticky sweetness of concentrated juice. The scent seemed woven directly into the pastry itself—fresh, clean, and natural.

She could not determine what Haruto had done to create it.

Her curiosity about that mystery soon became even stronger than her amazement at the flavor.

...

After a long silence, Erina finally lifted her head and looked directly at Haruto, her expression more serious than before.

"You.... pass."

The requirement had been simple: prepare an egg dish capable of satisfying her God Tongue.

Haruto had not merely succeeded. He had done so brilliantly!

Judged on the tart alone, his ability was already comparable to that of a student in Totsuki’s High School Division.

That was more than enough to earn him a place through the transfer examination.

Whether he could establish himself at Totsuki afterward would be his own problem.

Still...

’How did he create that orange fragrance?’

Erina’s fingers curled unconsciously as curiosity grew inside her like an untamed vine.

The question nearly escaped her lips, but she swallowed it at the last moment.

Asking someone outright for the secret behind their dish would be the same as admitting that even her God Tongue had failed to identify something.

Haruto had no idea how much she was struggling with herself.

The moment he heard the words "You pass," his smile deepened, and the last of his tension finally disappeared.

Now he only needed to keep an eye on Soma and stop him from doing anything foolish.

It was not long before Soma strode over carrying a white porcelain bowl.

Inside was a bed of rice covered with separate, golden pieces of seasoned egg.

He placed the bowl on the table in front of Erina, his voice brimming with confidence.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

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