Chapter 203: Shopping with Hisako
Zhang Ailing once said:
"Delicious food is a fundamental form of living art."
Beautifully crafted and rich in flavor, European desserts are indeed irresistible.
The mille-feuille has three layers of golden, flaky pastry, resembling a beach shell, with each layer crafted like a work of art. In between, it's filled with rich, sweet vanilla cream and custard.
Its golden color is tempting.
The layers stack like rolling waves.
The mille-feuille shatters in your mouth, filling it with the rich flavor of butter, bringing a sense of happiness that seems unmatched.
The delicate texture remains crisp, with buttery layers and creamy fillings that melt in your mouth. Each bite causes crumbs to fall, adding to the experience.
...
"The secret to mille-feuille lies in the dough wrapped in fat, folded repeatedly to form hundreds of layers of dough and butter."
"Each outer layer is very crispy, with a light texture."
"The flavor combines crispiness, fragrance, crunchiness, caramelization, and sweetness, all essential."
"The golden layers are tightly packed, with a hint of high-quality butter's subtle saltiness, making each bite produce a satisfying crunch."
"The almond slices, baked to a rich aroma, melt in your mouth, winning you over in seconds!"
With just a small taste, Leonora praised Takumi's mille-feuille.
Naturally, pairing it with a cup of coffee would make the perfect tea-time treat, making you forget about calories, thinking:
"Just one!"
"Yes, just one!"
...
In 1492, Columbus discovered the Americas.
The sugar and cocoa beans he brought back sparked a revolution in pastry making.
Before this, honey was the only sweetener for pastry chefs. With the introduction of sugar, baking and pastry making became more complex, leading to new recipes.
Many basic pastries we know today first appeared in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Mille-feuille was one of them.
Takumi's mille-feuille showcases how Western desserts incorporate architectural elements into their creation.
His skilled craftsmanship brings out the essence of the dessert.
Next, it was Ryo's turn with his dessert:
Hawthorn Black Chocolate Cinnamon Roll!
As soon as it was brought out, the rich cinnamon aroma quickly filled the competition venue.
"Is this a cinnamon roll?"
Director Osaji sniffed the air, astonished.
Moving closer, he saw the cinnamon roll covered in a thick layer of chocolate, looking like a mini mountain range flowing with chocolate rivers.
Traditionally, cinnamon rolls are high in fat and carbohydrates, with each roll containing about 880 calories.
To make it healthier, Ryo adjusted the recipe.
Handmade from scratch, he used cinnamon from the tropical forests of Indonesia, making it even more tempting.
Of course, being a spice expert, Ryo didn't just focus on the sweetness. The cinnamon roll had a strong chocolate aroma with a hint of bitterness and the spicy warmth of cinnamon.
Finally, the sweet and tart flavor of hawthorn added a refreshing touch to the dessert.
...
A bite into the thick chocolate shell revealed a burst of sweetness, transporting one into a sweet dream.
Then, the spicy warmth of cinnamon mingled with the sweet-tart flavor of hawthorn, creating a perfect match.
Each layer, from the outside to the inside, had different textures and flavors, layering and complementing each other, bringing a new exploration and discovery with each bite.
The judges were astonished.
Although Takumi's mille-feuille was well-made, utilizing Italian techniques for innovation, he fell short compared to Ryo. Thus, with the judging phase over, the result for the fourth round was:
3:0
Winner: Ryo Kurokiba!
...
"His puff pastry soup was already amazing, something I still remember vividly!"
"But I never expected him to create an even better cinnamon roll dessert in the quarterfinals."
Osaji couldn't help but marvel.
"Indeed, judging by his cooking skills."
"He might be Alice's strongest opponent in the Autumn Selection!"
Leonora, staring at the empty plate, thought deeply and agreed.
"Yes, but he seems too obsessed with certain things. If not careful, he might easily go astray." The Director's eyes flashed with concern.
The three judges were impressed by Ryo's performance, but each had different evaluations and thoughts.
With the fourth round over, the two-day quarterfinals came to an end.
Next was the announcement of the four semifinalists:
Ryo Kurokiba.
Alice Nakiri.
Soma Yukihira.
Ryo Kurokiba.
A week later, these four would compete in Totsuki's sacred venue, Tsuki no Ten, for the semifinals and the final!
...
At dawn, the soft light gently outlined the earth.
The air carried a fresh scent, whispering hopes and energy for a new day.
Sunlight peeked through the curtains, warm and gentle.
Hisako slowly opened her eyes.
Her bleary eyes still held traces of tiredness but were beautiful enough to make flowers feel ashamed.
She moved slightly, feeling lazy and comfortable.
Then, she got out of bed, her bare feet touching the soft carpet, feeling cool.
Opening the window, a rush of fresh air mixed with the morning fragrance greeted her. Taking a deep breath, she felt more refreshed.
...
Leaving her room, Hisako saw Zane coming out of the adjacent room.
They met eyes unintentionally. Zane paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "You're awake?"
"Just...just woke up!"
Maybe because she had just woken up, Hisako's voice was lazy and husky.
"Did you sleep well?"
Zane asked with concern.
"Not really. Probably because it's my first time not staying at Totsuki Academy. My sleep quality was poor!"
With her hair down, Hisako indeed looked tired.
"Okay, then rest some more. I'll make you breakfast. After you rest, we can go shopping."
"Alright, I guess that works."
Hisako yawned and replied sleepily.
...
The city is always bustling.
Besides the food street filled with various snacks, restaurants, and diners, there was also a commercial street brimming with glitz and glamour!
Especially in the morning, various unique shops opened for the new day.
Billboards, promotions, and beautifully displayed products attracted countless passersby.
In the crowd, Hisako, following closely behind Zane, occasionally glanced at him.
Noticing his eyes often looking back at her, her face blushed, and her heart fluttered!
For a long time, she had been taking care of Erina as a secretary, often busy with various tasks, leaving her little time for shopping.
Only recently, because of Erina's obsession with "shojo" manga, did she have a chance to shop in Akihabara.
As a girl, she naturally loved shopping.
Besides, she had hurriedly moved into the tavern yesterday, so she hadn't prepared many things, like cosmetics and clothes.
Even when she left, she only grabbed a comfortable outfit from her suitcase.
...
"Huh?"
"Why are you standing there?"
"Didn't you want to buy some pajamas and everyday clothes? Let's go, there's a women's clothing store ahead. I'll take you there."
Seeing Hisako lost in thought, Zane urged.
Knowing she hadn't fully recovered from the shadow of her Autumn Selection loss, Zane decided to take her shopping to help her forget her worries and feel better.
However, she seemed shy or dissatisfied, just window-shopping without buying anything.
"Hey, what exactly do you want to buy?"
"If you see something you like, just let me know."
After an hour of aimless wandering, their hands still empty, Zane felt helpless.
"I just think...shopping for clothes together might make people, especially the store clerks, think we're a couple."
Hisako glanced at Zane, her face blushing.
Hearing this, Zane smiled helplessly.
Girls are indeed mysterious creatures. You never know what they're thinking.
...
Just then, Hisako's eyes lit up. She pulled Zane into a women's clothing store.
At the store's most prominent spot was a new spaghetti strap dress adorned with star-like sequins, looking like a starry night, making it hard for her not to be captivated.
"So beautiful!"
Hisako's eyes sparkled with love for the dress.
"It is beautiful. It should suit you well."
Zane said.
He wasn't just trying to make her happy; the dress truly suited her delicate look.
Hisako was tempted but hesitated and smiled wryly, "Maybe not."
"This dress suits special occasions. I'm staying at the tavern and helping you at night. I can't wear this every day."
"Haha! Why not?"
"You can wear whatever you like. I have no right to restrict you!"
Zane laughed.
Hisako's gentle eyes darted around, then she bravely asked the clerk if she could try the dress.
The clerk smiled professionally and agreed.
...
Finally, with the changing room curtain opening, Hisako stepped out in the sparkling dress.
With short purple hair, brown eyes, and a cute round face, she was one of Totsuki's prettiest girls.
Calling her a "classic beauty" was no exaggeration.
Erina might be a noble lady, but such characters are rare in reality.
Though Erina's brilliance often overshadowed Hisako, she was like a thorny rose, admired from afar but untouchable.
The starry dress spread out from the waist, like stars dotting the night sky.
Above, her collarbone area, her fair skin glowed under the lights.
Since it was Hisako's first time wearing such a dress, especially in front of Zane, she felt uneasy and shy.
Zane walked over, circling her, looking her up and down, finally exclaiming, "Un
believable, this dress fits you perfectly. You look stunning!"
"Really?"
"Well...maybe just a bit."
Hisako blushed, pleased with his compliment.
Most girls care about their appearance and figure, and her gentle demeanor added to her charm.
The starry dress showcased her femininity to the fullest!
...
Hisako stood before the mirror, examining her reflection.
The dress made her look elegant and confident, enhancing her aura.
"Wow, I didn't realize I could look this good!"
Hisako covered her mouth in surprise, deciding to add the dress to her wardrobe.
Leaving the store, she was back in her casual clothes, but now carried a shopping bag with the starry dress.
Clearly, she had bought it.
"You didn't have to change back. Wearing it would have been fine."
Zane remarked.
"No way, I don't want others to see." Hisako pouted cutely.
Sigh!
Indeed, girls are so unpredictable!
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