Chapter 293: The First Man She Ever Admired
A fragrant dish is not always a masterpiece, but a masterpiece will invariably possess its own unique, unforgettable fragrance. For tea, this principle is absolute. Regardless of the variety, it must possess a soothing aroma that calms the mind and settles the soul. Even a simple milk tea merely exchanges a tranquil scent for one of peaceful, mellow warmth.
The moment she took a sip of the floral tea, a wave of fragrance bloomed across her palate, a sensation so deep it momentarily intoxicated her senses and stole her thoughts. This tea was more than just fragrant and refreshing; it carried an air of obvious luxury. She could distinctly feel the floral notes, yet she could not place the specific flower, as if it were a blend of blossoms that existed only in dreams.
With each delicate sip, she was transported. One moment, she felt herself embraced by an endless sea of flowers. The next, she was seated in a quiet, sun-dappled garden, lost in the pages of a literary magazine. Then, the scene would shift again, placing her at a flourishing flower banquet, where she stood apart from the crowd—a solitary flower blooming on a high mountain, aloof and content in her own splendor.
This is the universal experience for any true tea connoisseur: that single sip of fragrant tea that sends a refreshing clarity piercing through the heart, a deep, moist coolness that seems to bloom from within. The art of the tea ceremony has spanned countless years, always accompanied by its two most faithful companions: fragrance and elegance.
Tea tasting is an elegant affair, and the young girl before him was undoubtedly a master of it, perhaps even to the point of perfection. She possessed the inherent bearing of a queen, her temperament as exquisite and untouchable as the high-mountain flower she resembled. Simply sitting there, quietly sipping her tea, was a sight to behold—a feast for the eyes.
The tea, the person, the heart, the soul—all were in perfect harmony. This was the effect tea was meant to bring. And with Ren's specially crafted, magically enhanced floral blend, the fragrance and its deep effects were amplified to their absolute peak.
After finishing the cup, the girl let out a soft, slow breath, feeling as though the very air she exhaled carried a faint, sweet perfume. The warmth of her sigh dissipated, leaving only the deeply penetrating aroma that had settled within her.
"How is this floral tea made? I can smell so many different floral scents, yet they aren't muddled in the slightest..."
Ren, seated across from her, offered a placid smile. "It's quite a complicated process. Even if I told you, you might not be able to replicate it."
"That is precisely why I wish to know."
"First, you must carefully remove the thin membrane from each jasmine petal, then mash them into a fine paste. The resulting juice is set aside in a teacup. You then line the bottom of the teapot with a layer of the flower paste. Next, you take dried lavender and bamboo leaves, crush them together, and steep them with fresh lavender until the water reaches the perfect temperature. Finally, you add salted cherry blossoms and rose petals, boiling it all to a very specific degree."
The girl was stunned by the sheer complexity of the process. Still, a question lingered. "But that refreshing note... what is that from?"
"Just open the lid and take a look."
She did as he suggested, her eyes widening slightly. "Hmm? Is this... lemon verbena?"
Ren nodded, his smile unwavering. "I also steeped a roselle tea bag in the middle of the process, but I only left it in for a moment before removing it. That's why you all smelled that sudden burst of fragrance earlier."
The girl nodded in understanding, her gaze shifting to the exquisite sunflower cake. It was a beautiful creation, constructed in layers like a miniature pagoda, and her eyes lit up with appreciation. In terms of appearance alone, the cake was captivating. It featured a pristine white base, a clear, translucent middle layer, and a topping of crushed sunflower petals that looked exceptionally lovely.
She knew that sunflower petals were naturally bitter and typically used for medicinal purposes. As she prepared to take a bite, she expected one of two outcomes: either an overwhelming sweetness from syrup used to mask the bitterness, or the unadulterated bitter taste of the petals themselves.
But she had to admit, Ren had surprised her yet again.
The first taste was soft and utterly delicious, with a delicate, subtle sweetness. 'Could honeyed sunflowers, prepared like honey osmanthus, truly be this delightful?'
The texture was a revelation. The white glutinous rice layer was a perfect embodiment of what it should be: sweet, soft, and wonderfully chewy. That subtle, slightly sticky quality was present in both the bottom and top layers, and with a single bite, the astonishing sensation traveled directly from her teeth to her brain.
The transparent interlayer was a work of art, a mixture of white sugar, cooked flour, oil cake flour, and the honeyed sunflowers. It had been perfectly dyed by the golden, inviting color of the sunflower itself, making it glisten like crystal-clear glass.
Finally, a sauce of blueberry jam and more honeyed sunflowers had been poured over the top glutinous rice layer. She watched, mesmerized, as the syrup, dotted with tiny pieces of sunflower, slowly slid down the side of the cake. The honeyed sunflower and blueberry jam mixture cascaded over the layers of deliciousness, drop by drop, before finally settling in a perfect pool on the plate.
Even then, it didn't stop, creeping a few millimeters further across the fine porcelain. It was enticing, this damnable sweetness. This amplification of flavor, balanced with a faint floral fragrance and a whisper of bitterness... this damnable combination was irresistibly delicious.
The young girl's dining etiquette was exceptionally refined. Despite the cake's allure, she did not devour it. Instead, she used her knife and fork to cut a small, precise piece. She speared it with her fork, dipped it into the honey-sunflower sauce that had collected on her plate, and brought it gracefully to her lips.
It was difficult to tell if she was sipping or chewing; her mouth barely seemed to move after the food entered. She would simply pause for a moment, her eyes distant, before repeating the exact same, deliberate action.
'It seems... these two are meant to be enjoyed together.'
It was only halfway through her portion that the thought occurred to her. Pouring herself another cup of the floral tea, she first took a bite of the sunflower cake, then followed it with a sip of the tea. In that instant, she felt as if her entire being had been transported to a legendary garden where the gods themselves resided. She was sitting in its very center, quietly eating divine fruit and drinking nectar brewed from celestial flowers.
Leisurely. A truly high-end enjoyment. Calming and refreshing, with a fragrance that lingered on her lips. That was her simple evaluation. She felt as if she had truly, deeply fallen in love with these creations. For a moment, she felt a bit... flustered.
However, she was no ordinary person. While the experience was indeed stunning, she quickly regained her composure and continued to enjoy the afternoon tea in this 'Garden of the Gods' that had materialized before her.
"Eh? So, Sora, you and your teacher used to be neighbors?"
"That's right! But Kirisu-sensei is so tired all the time... Next time I go see her, I'll bring her here for a meal. Maybe she'll even become your regular customer, Ren-gege!"
Ren paused, a little surprised. "Why do you say that?"
"Because she's always working overtime! If she doesn't have time to cook in the evening and doesn't even have instant food, she can just come here to you, Ren-gege. And eating here for a month feels like it would be cheaper than her eating instant food all the time."
Ren nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. It's always a good thing to have more customers."
"Mhm!"
"Human."
Hearing that familiar, level voice, Ren turned his head. He saw the completely empty plates and smiled. "It seems it suited your taste."
The young girl looked at Ren, a sudden, enigmatic smile gracing her lips. "Human... come here."
Ren walked over without hesitation. This time, however, he was met with something entirely unexpected. As soon as he was within range, she threw a punch. It was a blur of motion, a strike packed with terrifying power. She knew Ren would be fine, but what she didn't expect was...
"Human... let me go!"
Her fist, which could shatter stone, had been caught casually in his palm. No matter how she pulled or twisted, she couldn't break free. In that moment, she felt a chilling echo of what her enemies must have felt—utter powerlessness.
Ren held her for another second before releasing her. After clearing the plates, he smiled faintly and said, "Quite a powerful punch. Very impressive."
The girl's mouth twitched. She stared at him for a long moment before speaking, her voice soft but clear. "Human, you are very strong, and your cooking is very delicious. You might be... no... you are the first human man I have ever admired."
"Thank you for the compliment."
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