Chapter 25

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 25

Chapter Title: The Terror of the Familiar Taste

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Elena sat in her chair, watching Carrier. The open kitchen was so close that she could clearly see every ingredient he prepared.

'The chat reactions aren't bad.'

The number of viewers watching the stream had quietly surpassed ten thousand. At this level, it was definitely hitting above average.

Separate from the smoothly progressing broadcast, her mood wasn't great right now. She hadn't expected things to unfold like this.

When the initial proposal came, she'd heard it was just about enjoying a home-cooked meal. So why had it suddenly turned into a game of culinary roulette?

'It's still within acceptable bounds so far.'

The capsaicin heat was only momentary. Since it was virtual reality, the pain could be instantly removed.

Up until now, it had been fine. She could accept it. After all, she'd pushed ahead with streams without prior consent out of her own ambition before.

But the dish starting now required full sincerity. If this one failed to satisfy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her...

'I absolutely won't do collabs like this again.'

She had no intention of badmouthing or burying him. She'd just keep her distance. That much should be fair, right?

A major streamer like Elena even agreeing to a collab was a massive opportunity in the first place.

It was true that Carrier had helped her stream, but she felt the collab more than repaid that.

'Whether she climbs higher from here... depends on Carrier's cooking skills.'

Elena leaned back against the chair, crossing her legs. After all that confident talk, she planned to judge harshly.

She skimmed the chat for a moment before turning her gaze to the kitchen. She could see him busily preparing the dish.

"Noir."

"Yes! What is it?"

When Carrier called, Noir, sitting across from her, responded energetically. She didn't used to be like this.

"What do you think Carrier will prepare first?"

She thought, 'She's changed so much in just a few months,' and posed the question to address the viewers' curiosity.

"No idea!"

But Noir's immediate response left Elena stunned.

"...No idea?"

"That's right! No idea!"

The confident tone momentarily left her speechless, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but she pressed on.

"You didn't prepare it together?"

"No. I'm a total novice when it comes to cooking..."

"I see. So even you have no clue what dish is coming?"

"Exactly! That's why I'm even more excited! Hayul is an amazing cook!"

Elena's mood lifted at Noir's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠beaming smile. It was a truly sunny expression.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Yes!"

As the two talked, Carrier emerged from the kitchen. He set down plates one by one, an intriguing sight.

On the pristine white plates, thinly sliced pork was neatly arranged. Topped with a golden sauce, beneath it lay a bed of red onion, bell peppers, and various vegetables.

'It looks pretty.'

Elena let out a small gasp of admiration at the dish that resembled a work of art.

The viewers seemed surprised too. They probably hadn't expected something like this.

"Pork salad with yuzu syrup. I prepared it with a fresh, light flavor to whet the appetite."

"How should we eat it?"

"Try a piece of pork alone first. Then with the vegetables for a harmonious blend of flavors."

"It looks like something straight out of fine dining. Have you worked at a place like that?"

"About a year at a similar spot."

Elena nodded in approval. Just as she'd suspected.

"Then, dig in."

Carrier bowed slightly and returned to the kitchen. Elena watched his back for a moment before quietly picking up her chopsticks.

'Looks good, but taste is what matters.'

They say good looks make for good eating, but not always. Some dishes sacrificed flavor for visuals.

'Let's taste it. And judge.'

"I'll dig in."

She picked up a piece of pork with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.

The tangy, subtly sweet yuzu syrup. The refreshing citrus aroma made her lips curl up involuntarily.

Crunch crunch—

The thinly sliced, cooked pork was astonishingly tender. The more she chewed, the more savory juices stimulated her salivary glands.

Gulp—

So tender it slid down her throat on its own.

"Wow..."

Elena covered her mouth in admiration. It was ridiculously delicious. Her sunken mood lifted instantly.

Across from her, Noir was eating with wide eyes. Their gazes met, and they shared a small laugh.

"This is seriously delicious! Among all the pork I've eaten in my life, this is the tenderest!"

Elena nodded at Noir's words. She felt the same.

'Even this is great. What if I add the veggies?'

Elena reached down immediately, picking up pork and the underlying vegetables for a bite.

Crisp, crisp—

A light, lively crunch filled her mouth. The missing texture was supplied by the bell peppers. The veggies' slight bitterness and subtle sweetness blended perfectly with the yuzu's acidity.

Truly delicate. Meticulously calculated flavors. Layers of taste built one by one?

"I could eat a salad like this every day. The pork and yuzu sauce pair so well with the vegetables..."

"Right?!"

The viewers donated because the two kept chatting among themselves.

"Ah, sorry. It was so good I forgot about the stream for a second. As for the taste..."

She described exactly what she'd just experienced.

"Carrier said it was to whet the appetite, right? It hit the mark perfectly. My appetite's surging now."

"Looks simple, but the taste is no joke. How was it for you, Noir?"

"First time for a dish like this, but it's insanely good. Top five of my life for sure?"

"Definitely life-changing dish material."

Elena grinned as she ate the salad. Each bite disappearing hurt her heart.

'If the salad's this good, how amazing will the next one be?'

As they ate heartily, a sweet soy glaze aroma began to waft.

"What smell is that...?"

Both turned to the kitchen simultaneously. The familiar scent revealed the dish instantly.

Gulp—

The salad had been cleared long ago. In fact, this gentle soy and heavy meat aroma had already faded the memory.

Now, she just wanted the food to come quickly.

"It's here!"

After a wait, Carrier appeared with a large plate. Set on the table, the dish revealed itself.

Thick stacks of glossy braised short ribs. Carrots and potatoes submerged in rich, dark braising liquid—dense and hearty.

"Braised short ribs!"

As she'd guessed, it was braised short ribs. But slightly different from the usual.

"No bones...?"

"Yes. Easier to eat that way, so I prepared it boneless."

"But braised ribs have that bone-gnawing joy. Kinda disappointing."

"Ah, one moment."

Carrier excused himself and went back to the kitchen. He soon returned with a bowl heaped with rice.

Dazzlingly white rice, glossy, each grain fluffy and alive—perfectly cooked, obvious to anyone.

'With the braised ribs...!'

Gulp—

Just imagining it made her mouth water wildly. She couldn't hold back anymore.

"Then, enjoy."

No further explanation this time. But it was fine. The familiar taste was terrifying. Her body already knew how to savor it best.

"I'll dig in!"

Elena picked up a large piece of meat, placed it on rice, scooped a big bite, and shoved it in.

"......!"

The moment she chewed the meat once, she froze.