The early morning air was crisp and refreshing.
In the spacious courtyard, the gentle breeze carried the mingling scents of delicate flowers and fresh grass, creating an atmosphere so soothing that one could easily get lost in it.
Seated upright, eyes closed in quiet concentration, was Erina Nakiri.
In just the past few days, she had secured the Tenth Seat in Tōtsuki's Elite Ten Council.
It was the lowest rank among the ten, but considering she was the only junior high school student to hold such a position, her potential was undeniable.
More importantly—
She was a Nakiri.
A name that commanded fear and respect throughout Tōtsuki Culinary Academy.
No one dared to challenge her.
No one even considered provoking her.
From the moment of her birth, Erina possessed something extraordinary.
A gift that transcended human understanding—
Her unparalleled sense of taste.
Her ability to perceive and analyze flavors was beyond comprehension.
She could taste a single grain of salt and immediately deduce its composition and origin.
Her gift was nothing short of divine.
And so, she was hailed as:
The Girl with God's Tongue.
Because of this ability, Erina had been a rising star in the culinary world since childhood.
Renowned restaurants and elite chefs sought her approval.
Many even invited her to act as a supervisor, desperate for her validation.
After all, if you earned the recognition of God's Tongue, it meant you were an accomplished chef, capable of shaking the entire culinary world.
You could question many things.
But when it came to food—
You could never question God's Tongue.
Her words alone had the power to determine the fate of a chef.
Or even an entire restaurant.
"Miss Erina," a respectful voice interrupted her thoughts.
"This is the Tokyo Ramen National Hall—a prestigious establishment with 120 years of history. They have prepared their signature dish for you: Tonkotsu Broth Lobster Ramen."
At her side stood Hisako Arato, her ever-loyal secretary.
Seeing Erina remain indifferent, Hisako leaned in and gently reminded her, "Miss Erina, the dish is ready for you to taste."
Erina slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze fell upon the bowl placed before her.
Although it was labeled lobster ramen, it was clear that this dish was a fusion of traditional Eastern noodles and Western seafood elements.
The bright red lobster rested atop golden noodles, a stunning contrast that made the dish visually appealing.
Spring onions, seaweed, and fish balls added not only vibrant color but also depth and nutritional balance.
Erina nodded slightly.
"As expected from a century-old establishment," she murmured.
"The ingredients have been selected with great care."
The head chef, standing nearby, beamed with pride.
"Yes, Miss Erina. We used distilled water to make the noodles, ensuring a purer taste and a delicate texture. Normally, distilled water is unsuitable for noodle-making due to its lack of minerals, which can affect the dough's elasticity, but—"
"Stop."
Erina cut him off with a sharp tone.
"I don't need a lecture."
"The quality of a dish speaks for itself."
She tapped her finger against the table.
"No ingredient can escape the judgment of God's Tongue."
A tense silence followed.
Then, without another word, Erina picked up her chopsticks.
She first sampled the lobster, lifting a piece from the broth.
The moment it touched her tongue—
She knew.
The meat was exceptionally fresh—plump, tender, and bursting with oceanic essence.
The chef had meticulously prepared it, ensuring it absorbed the richness of the broth while still retaining its natural sweetness.
It felt as if she were swimming through the deep blue sea, enveloped by the purest flavors of the ocean.
Then came the noodles.
She lifted them with her chopsticks, taking a delicate slurp.
Soft yet springy, they carried an almost ethereal lightness—an effect of the distilled water technique.
When combined with the succulent lobster, each bite became a harmonious dance of flavors, a sensation both indulgent and refined.
Finally, the broth.
A complex layering of flavors—rich tonkotsu, fragrant rice wine, and a secret blend of spices—all coming together in perfect balance.
Each sip deepened the experience.
Each element complemented the others, elevating the dish into something truly exceptional.
There was no doubt.
This was a first-class bowl of ramen.
And then—
Something strange happened.
The flavors overwhelmed her senses, and suddenly, she was no longer sitting in a restaurant.
She was—
Underwater.
A mermaid, swimming through the deep, boundless ocean.
But she wasn't alone.
A massive red lobster chased after her, snapping its claws playfully as if it were dancing.
Panicked, she flicked her tail, propelling herself forward.
But the lobster wasn't attacking her.
It was… offering her something.
A small, delicate piece of lobster meat, cradled in its claw.
A gift.
Hesitantly, she took it and placed it in her mouth.
The taste was exquisite.
The flavors exploded across her tongue, richer and deeper than before.
She reached out toward the lobster.
It extended a claw.
And suddenly, they were dancing together, swirling in a rhythmic waltz beneath the waves—
"Ah!"
Erina jolted awake.
The illusion shattered instantly.
Reality rushed back.
She was in the restaurant.
The bowl of ramen was still in front of her.
A wave of disgust and fury surged through her.
That ridiculous vision—
That absurd, humiliating experience—
"You bastard!"
Before anyone could react, she grabbed the bowl of steaming hot ramen and—
Dumped it over the chef's head.
Gasps filled the room.
The chef yelped, soaked in broth and noodles.
"Was this your intention?!" Erina seethed, eyes burning with rage.
"To make a fool out of me?! To make me—dance with a lobster?!"
The restaurant fell into a stunned silence.
No one dared to speak.
Except for Hisako, who sighed.
Another chef.
Another ruined dish.
And yet another victim of God's Tongue.