Chương 337: Chapter 335: Moon Banquet Festival (8)
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"Ahhh, is this the same fish I had last time?"
Rindō, standing beside Sui, stared in awe at the massive steamed fish before her.
Sui shot her a sidelong glance. "I thought you weren't coming."
"Why wouldn't I?!"
Rindō snorted, crossing her arms. "Even if the world were ending tomorrow, I'd still show up for good food!"
She eyed him suspiciously. "Boy, what's with that look in your eyes? Are you giving me the side-eye? I see a hint of disdain there."
Grinding her sharp little canines in frustration, she looked like she wanted to take a bite out of Sui. Her toothy expression reminded Sui of their passionate kiss earlier in the day.
As expected from a food hunter, she was as wild and unrestrained in kissing as she was in eating.
Yet, it was clear that Rindō wasn't experienced, which made Sui wonder—was that passionate kiss her first?
Still, her attention quickly returned to the fish in front of them, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Can we start tasting now?" One of the guests, unable to contain their anticipation any longer, asked eagerly, eyes locked on the dish. Many others were visibly salivating.
Sui nodded and signaled Miyoko.
Miyoko, along with Megumi, poured a generous helping of fresh chicken broth and steamed fish sauce over the dish. Instantly, the aroma intensified, filling the room. The dark red sauce mingled with the fresh chicken broth, seeping into the tender fish, making it glisten with oil. The rich fragrance engulfed the entire hall, making everyone's mouths water.
A quick glance at Leonora showed that even she was struggling to maintain her composure. Her pale cheeks flushed pink, her eyes fixed on the dish, and her throat moving as she desperately swallowed saliva. The Sendawara Sisters fared no better, their flushed faces betraying their suppressed desire for the meal before them.
Sui smiled slightly. "Everyone, please enjoy."
At his words, the crowd eagerly grabbed their chopsticks and plates, momentarily tossing aside all formalities.
The fish, far from being tough or dry as some had anticipated, was tender enough to be pierced effortlessly with chopsticks.
Natsume popped a piece into her mouth, and her face immediately transformed, consumed by a look of pure bliss. The delicate, melt-in-your-mouth fish felt almost ethereal on her tongue.
"It tastes even better than last time!" Rindō exclaimed joyfully.
Indeed, Sui's culinary skills had grown since then, and the improvement in flavor was undeniable.
"I thought such a large freshwater fish would have a rough texture, but it's surprisingly smooth and delicious!" one guest remarked in awe.
"The fat just melts in your mouth, better than foie gras or even bluefin tuna!" another added.
"I never imagined such an extraordinary dish existed in this world!" The entire hall was filled with gasps of surprise and delight.
These were seasoned gourmets who had sampled the world's finest delicacies—bear paws, shark fins, rare birds, and exotic sea creatures. Yet here they were, utterly captivated by a fish they had never even heard of before.
"It has the fresh, tender texture of sturgeon but also the rich, melt-in-your-mouth fat like goose liver. However, it surpasses goose liver in its perfect balance of chewiness and lightness. Its plump, powerful body resembles that of a catfish, and with every bite, it feels as though you're being swallowed by the fish itself…"
Leonora, draped in a regal golden robe, stood there with a dignified air, her face illuminated as though touched by divine light. She seemed to exude a sacred, noble aura as she recited her evaluation of the dish in flawless, eloquent prose.
Sui was speechless. His usually reserved mother-in-law had suddenly transformed into a passionate food critic, her language flowing effortlessly after tasting the dish. Though she now appeared almost saintly, Sui couldn't help but recall how, during a previous family gathering, she had drunkenly slurred her way through a song in broken Japanese, banging the bottom of a bowl like a drum. The contrast made him smile inwardly—Leonora was truly a unique character.
"This is amazing!" Sonoka exclaimed, holding her cheeks in delight. "It's my first time eating something so delicious!"
Hinako joined in, also covering her cheeks with glee. "Sui is really incredible!"
Taki raised an eyebrow. "What does this have to do with you?" she muttered, clearly annoyed.
"Oh, stop being so grumpy! I'm just happy!" Hinako playfully punched Taki's shoulder, her voice sweet and innocent.
"The flavor is remarkable," Mizuhara Fuyumi mused, "and there's none of that typical earthy smell you get with freshwater fish."
"Exactly," Hitoshi Sekimori agreed. "Catfish usually live near the lakebed, close to the mud, and it's rare to find one without that distinctive muddy flavor. But this fish has none of that—just pure, delicate taste. And for such a large fish, the quality of the meat is extraordinary."
Sui suddenly noticed Senzaemon standing still with his eyes closed, chopsticks in hand. A sinking feeling settled in his chest. He quickly turned to Megumi and Miyoko. "Megumi, Miyoko, hurry! Get the towels ready!"
"T-Towels?" Megumi stammered, confused.
Just as Sui feared, a powerful wave of energy burst through the hall. The guests, lost in their food-induced euphoria, suddenly felt a chill. Their clothes vanished into thin air.
"This dish is simple yet divine, seasoned only with salt, chicken broth, and steamed fish sauce. The flavor of the fish is elevated to its natural peak...Kya!!!"
Leonora, still lost in her food critique, suddenly realized her predicament. Her face turned bright red, and she let out a startled yelp.
The once poised and elegant Leonora, who had seemed like an angel moments before, now resembled a flustered young girl caught in an embarrassing situation. She scrambled to cover herself, cheeks burning with mortification.
"It's so annoying! My clothes are gone again!" she cried, her voice filled with both frustration and embarrassment.
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