As a true food enthusiast, Rindō Kobayashi loved to eat—but simply enjoying food wasn't enough.
Beyond that, she pursued something deeper: understanding.
Understanding food wasn't just a fancy term. It meant having knowledge of ingredients, mastering various cooking techniques, and appreciating the diverse culinary cultures and flavor profiles from different countries, cities, and regions.
It also meant recognizing that a single dish could be transformed in countless ways depending on the chef preparing it.
With this mindset, Rindō Kobayashi approached every unknown dish with curiosity and excitement. This passion—this insatiable love for food—had shaped her entire life.
She would travel great distances, climb mountains, and venture into the wild just to find a rare ingredient. For her, the thrill of discovering new flavors outweighed any hardship.
That was why she was so carefree.
Yet, despite her playful and laid-back nature, her ability to master rare ingredients from around the world at such a young age was nothing short of extraordinary. It was this talent that had earned her the prestigious title of the Second Seat in Tōtsuki Culinary Academy's Elite Ten.
Still, for Rindō, nothing mattered more than taste.
Take the Thousand-Layer Pancake, for example. A crispy texture was essential, and at first glance, the process of layering 1,462 sheets of pastry seemed excessive—perhaps even just for show.
But the fragrant aroma of scallions, the rich scent of the pastry, and the savory filling had already awakened her appetite.
Shocked yet eager, she took a bite under Zane's watchful gaze.
Crunch.
The crisp sound resonated as over a thousand delicate layers shattered beneath her teeth, releasing pockets of trapped air.
The first sensation was the pastry itself—so light, so impossibly crisp that it seemed to melt on her tongue.
It was a texture unlike anything she had ever experienced before. The layers didn't just crumble; they dissolved, leaving behind a delicate, buttery aftertaste.
Then, as she continued chewing, the filling emerged—a perfect contrast to the airy crispness of the pastry.
A second bite revealed something even more surprising.
The butter, folded between the layers, had baked into thin, golden streaks that deepened the pancake's flavor. The combination of textures—the shattering crispness and the tender, juicy filling—made even this humble pancake feel luxurious.
Her tongue brushed against the pastry's layers from different angles, slowly unraveling the pure, wheat-like essence hidden within.
At that moment, everything else faded away.
The world around her no longer mattered.
All that remained was the Thousand-Layer Pancake.
But then, something caught her attention—the small black specks scattered across the surface.
"Wait a second…" she murmured.
"These aren't sesame seeds."
She took another look.
"This aroma… Could it be Lanxiangzi?"
A rare and elusive spice, Lanxiangzi was known for its subtle yet distinct fragrance.
"So that's the secret," she realized.
"By evenly sprinkling Lanxiangzi onto the pastry before rolling and folding, its oils are absorbed into the layers. Then, as the pancake cooks, the Lanxiangzi crisps up, creating an even crunchier texture that enhances both the outer layers and the filling!"
"In other words, this tiny spice elevates the Thousand-Layer Pancake to another level!"
She let out a long sigh, completely in awe.
"Amazing… This is simply perfect."
She turned to Zane with newfound respect in her eyes.
"This isn't just any Thousand-Layer Pancake. You've transformed it into something truly one of a kind."
Then, placing a hand on her chest, she grinned.
"Ah, I feel so lucky! To think I, Rindō Kobayashi, would get to eat such a divine, crispy snack in my lifetime—now I can die without regrets!"
She was exaggerating, of course, but the sentiment was genuine.
This pancake had completely blown her away.
Zane, still casually eating his own portion, smirked.
"You're not bad yourself," he said.
"You noticed the Lanxiangzi right away—most people would have mistaken it for sesame."
"As expected from Tōtsuki's Second Seat. You are worthy of your reputation."
Rindō Kobayashi chuckled, rubbing the back of her head.
"Hehe… I just happened to learn about Lanxiangzi while hunting in the mountains once."
But as she said this, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Zane paused.
"…Wait, why are you blushing?"
"Huh?" She immediately placed her hands on her face, as if trying to hide it.
"I—I'm not blushing!"
Zane stared at her, confused.
Women are so hard to understand.
All he did was compliment her skills, yet here she was, acting flustered.
He shook his head in amusement, but before he could tease her further, Rindō suddenly turned serious.
"Chef Zane," she said, looking straight at him.
"I've always admired your culinary skills."
"But… I just don't understand. Why don't you aim for something bigger?"
"With your talent, you could easily be the head chef at a five-star hotel, or even open a world-famous restaurant!"
Her words hung in the air, but Zane remained unfazed.
He simply finished his pancake, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and then fixed his gaze on her.
Feeling his eyes on her, Rindō suddenly grew nervous.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that?" she stammered, quickly averting her gaze.
Zane leaned back slightly and asked,
"Rindō… what are you pursuing?"
She blinked.
"What?"
"What is it that you're looking for?" Zane repeated.
For a moment, she was silent. Then, after thinking it over, she shrugged.
"Nothing, really."
"I just want to explore the world, discover rare ingredients, taste every dish imaginable, and enjoy good food whenever I can."
"That's all."
Zane smiled faintly.
"Then we're the same."
Rindō tilted her head.
"Huh?"
Zane exhaled and leaned forward slightly.
"I was the head chef of a five-star hotel once."
"But that kind of life was too dull."
"So now… I run this little tavern instead."
Silence.
Rindō stared at him, completely dumbfounded.
"…What?"