Buhara suddenly sniffed the air, his eyes widening slightly. "It smells like something delicious is being cooked in the kitchen," he couldn't help but speak, already feeling the pangs of hunger despite having just eaten a full meal.
Menchi's expression grew serious. Though she wasn't as sensitive to ordinary food smells as Buhara, she trusted his nose implicitly; if Buhara was intrigued, the food was far beyond ordinary cuisine.
"Let's go take a look," Menchi declared, standing up and walking decisively toward the kitchen. As a Gourmet Hunter, when she encountered what promised to be delicious food, she considered it a professional obligation to investigate and taste it.
Buhara, of course, needed no further encouragement. Satotz, however, remained seated, explaining that while he appreciated fine food, he was full and not a Gourmet Hunter himself.
When Menchi and Buhara arrived in the kitchen, they found Ryusei, Leorio, and Kurapika serving dishes at a table. Several airship chefs were gathered around, excitedly surrounding Ryusei and observing his technique.
The examiners' entry startled everyone. Ryusei, Leorio, and Kurapika quickly snapped to attention.
"Examiner Menchi, Examiner Buhara!" they greeted in unison.
"It's you!" Buhara and Menchi acknowledged the three, still having clear recollections of the candidates who had been at the center of the recent controversy.
"I wonder what brings you here, examiners?" Ryusei asked, though he already had a strong suspicion that Buhara's sensitive nose was the culprit.
Leorio, still exhausted, looked worried, wondering if Tonpa's ridiculous warning about a surprise third exam was somehow true. Kurapika, however, remained confused but attentive.
"I smelled a very enticing aroma," Buhara spoke directly, his eyes immediately fixed on the spread of food on the table. Menchi, though silent, also surveyed the dishes with professional interest.
Hearing Buhara's admission, a bright smile appeared on Ryusei's face. He seized the opportunity.
"Then, Examiner Menchi, Examiner Buhara, would you like to try the food I prepared?" Ryusei enthusiastically extended the invitation. "As for the taste, it should be quite acceptable."
Ryusei was calculating. He desperately needed to learn Nen. Even with a Hunter License, the Hunter Association would assign an instructor, but the wait time was completely uncertain. He knew he couldn't afford to waste days or weeks waiting if he wanted to maximize his time in the Hunter x Hunter world. Menchi and Buhara, being licensed Hunters, were right there. Could he leverage this goodwill to get them to teach him directly after he secured his license?
"Then I won't hold back," Buhara said, sitting down without hesitation. When truly delicious food was involved, all pretense of restraint vanished.
"Thank you very much," Menchi also took a seat, intrigued.
Ryusei then invited Leorio and Kurapika to join them.
"This Twice-Cooked Pork is one of my best dishes," Ryusei recommended, pointing to the steaming platter. "I hope Examiner Menchi can give me her professional opinion."
Ryusei had developed this recipe based on the techniques of a master chef from his previous life (The Cooking Master Boy). It was already one of his specialties using regular pork, but this version, made with the superior Great Stamp meat, would undoubtedly be even better.
"Then I'll give it a try." Menchi picked up her chopsticks, carefully took a piece of pork and some vegetables, put them in her mouth, and chewed lightly. Her eyes widened slightly, and she immediately took a second bite, then a third…
Seeing Menchi abandon her slow evaluation, Buhara needed no further confirmation. He immediately grabbed his chopsticks and began eating, quickly competing with Menchi for the best portions.
Ryusei also tasted the dish and nodded in satisfaction. It was spicy with a hint of sweetness. Because the meat was fully cooked before being stir-fried, it was juicy and tender, lacking the rough texture of raw fried meat. Each piece was enhanced by the superior quality of the Great Stamp pork, which added flavor and a pleasant toughness. The crisp texture of the accompanying vegetables added much-needed layers.
Ryusei knew this dish's exquisite quality was largely due to the high quality of the Great Stamp meat, perhaps exceeding his actual current skill level. But he wasn't concerned; obtaining superior ingredients was a skill in itself and a hallmark of a great chef.
Soon, all the food on the table was devoured. Although the other dishes weren't as spectacular as the Twice-Cooked Pork, they had also been carefully prepared by Ryusei and were consumed with gusto.
By the end of the meal, Leorio and Kurapika were completely convinced that Ryusei possessed a truly professional culinary level, deserving of his pass. They thanked him warmly, then, remembering Tonpa's fabricated warning, excused themselves to rest.
Menchi and Buhara were also preparing to leave, but Ryusei quickly intercepted them.
"Tell me what you want, kid," Menchi said, looking at him directly. She was deeply satisfied with the Twice-Cooked Pork and was genuinely interested in befriending Ryusei. As a Gourmet Hunter, she didn't want a chef of his potential to slip away.
"If it's within my power, I won't refuse," she promised.
"If I manage to pass this Hunter Exam…" Ryusei began, his tone becoming serious. "I'd like you to help me open my aura, Menchi."
He quickly explained his dilemma: "After that, I'll be going to a place with very few people. So, even if I pass the Hunter Exam, I won't have time to wait for the Hunter Association to assign me a Nen instructor." Ryusei looked at her intently. This was his last chance to secure a Nen teacher from the current group.
Upon hearing the request, Menchi and Buhara's expressions became noticeably serious.
"You know quite a bit about Nen users!" Menchi looked at Ryusei in surprise. She had suspected he might be a Nen user already, given the disappearing eggs, but his request to "open his aura" meant he hadn't formally awakened the ability.
However, the fact that he knew about the post-exam process—that the Hunter Association assigned Nen instructors—suggested an unsettling depth of knowledge for a seemingly ordinary applicant.