"W-what? But didn't you say it tastes the same as before?" Manager Mita stammered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Is it the service or something else?"
"The problem lies in the taste itself," Natsuki responded coldly.
Everyone was even more bewildered.
The atmosphere became tense. Alpho, struggling to keep his composure, stepped forward and bowed. "Miss Hanaya, you said the taste is the same as in previous years. So why are you dissatisfied with the food this time?"
The same question weighed on the minds of everyone in the room.
"Because there's been no progress," Natsuki replied, her face emotionless. "Two years ago, it tasted like this. Last year, it was still the same. And now, nothing has changed."
She continued, her voice sharp, "If a restaurant doesn't evolve, it regresses. Without innovation, it will eventually die."
Her words sent a chill through the room. Sweat trickled down the chefs' faces, and even Sui could see Miss Sakai's chest heaving as she struggled to breathe.
"This pan-seared steak, it's your work, right?" Natsuki asked, pointing at Alpho's dish.
"Yes, it is," Alpho replied nervously.
"You served this same dish two years ago. While the steak is cooked properly, the red wine sauce still has the same flaw it did then. In three years, you've made no improvement."
Her critique was like a slap to Alpho's face, leaving him pale and speechless.
"And this assorted tempura," Natsuki turned to the older chef.
"That's my dish," he admitted, his voice trembling.
"The frying technique is flawed, just like last year's dish of fried tofu. The issue remains in the heat control."
Her cold assessment hit hard.
She continued reviewing the other dishes, each chef growing paler as she listed their shortcomings.
"The only dish with any promise is the pork curry. The technique is still rough, and the flavor lacks depth, but it's solid with no glaring faults."
She looked at Yuzuki and asked, "You made this, right? I don't recall seeing you the past two years."
"Yes, I'm a new intern here," Yuzuki confirmed.
"You show potential. It won't take long for you to surpass this stagnant group," Natsuki commented coolly. "But one decent dish won't satisfy me. I'll be publishing these remarks in the next issue of the food magazine."
Her declaration left the entire kitchen in shock.
"Miss Hanaya, please, give us another chance!" Manager Mita pleaded, his face drained of color. If those remarks were published, it would ruin the restaurant's reputation.
The other chefs looked equally distraught. A bad review from this woman would follow them for life, tarnishing their careers.
"I gave you a second chance last year. There won't be a third."
Natsuki's voice was final as she prepared to leave.
Desperate, Manager Mita fell to his knees. "Please, we beg you for another chance!"
As he groveled, a nagging feeling tugged at the back of his mind. It felt like he had forgotten something important, but he couldn't recall what it was.
Natsuki turned her head slightly, disdain in her eyes. "I never give second chances to failures." She began walking toward the door.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted, "Wait, there's still one more dish you haven't tried."
"Another dish?" Natsuki paused, looking puzzled.
"Yes, there's one more," Yuzuki confirmed.
At this reminder, Manager Mita remembered—Sui's dish hadn't been served yet. Because Sui was an intern, Mita had deliberately placed his dish at the end, unintentionally overlooking it.
Still, despite remembering, Mita had little hope. If the more experienced chefs hadn't impressed Natsuki, what chance did an intern have?
"Is this the dish?" Natsuki asked, pointing to a plate at the far end of the table, where a small bowl had been placed.
"Yes, it's mine," Sui stepped forward.
The dish was Sinangag fried rice made with cream matsutake mushrooms, the first time Sui had used fantasy ingredients. According to the system, these ingredients would enhance the dish, though he wasn't sure how.
He was nervous. If he failed this challenge, he would lose his chance to complete the initial mission.
"Sinangag fried rice?" Natsuki's lips curled in a mocking smile. "In a high-end restaurant, of all places. How quaint."
She shook her head but sat down again. "Fine. Out of courtesy, I'll taste it."
The rest of the kitchen staff had little expectation, with some already turning to leave.
The waiter placed the dish in front of Natsuki and lifted the bowl covering it. A rich aroma filled the room, a mix of creamy and earthy scents that immediately caught everyone's attention.
Natsuki's indifferent expression vanished, replaced with one of surprise. Those who had already started walking away stopped and turned back.
The golden fried rice, speckled with vibrant reds, yellows, and greens, looked beautiful, and the creamy fragrance made it irresistibly appetizing.
Natsuki's expression turned serious. She picked up a spoon, scooped a bite, and brought it to her mouth.
As the soft, fragrant rice touched her tongue, an explosion of flavors overwhelmed her senses.
Her pupils shrank. "This dish..."