Chapter 627: Waitress Alice, Nervous Alice
Yuuki Kyouko observed the young man behind the counter, her mind still turning over the enigma of Ren's identity. The only absolute certainty she possessed was that he was an extraordinary individual, and genuinely, remarkably young.
Before she could dwell on it further, the soft rattle of wheels drew her attention. Alice emerged from the kitchen, carefully pushing a silver dining cart. This was one of Ren's strict mandates for the day: once the doors opened for business, the girls had to treat every diner with the utmost professional distance. There would be no casual chatting with friends, only the refined dialogue between server and patron.
Alice had drawn the short straw to go first. Her knuckles were white around the handle of the cart. Just watching the preparation of these dishes had tied her stomach in knots. The cart she pushed carried ingredients that dwarfed the price of gold, and this was her very first time stepping onto the floor as a true waitress.
Behind the kitchen partition, Hisako wrung her hands. "Miss Erina, do you think she will..."
"That idiot Alice," Erina muttered, her violet eyes tracking her cousin's stiff posture. "She better not say the wrong thing or spill a single drop, or it will be an absolute disaster!"
Ren leaned against the counter, a faint, amused smile touching his lips. "Relax. She is a top student from Totsuki, after all. Have a little faith."
Erina and Hisako nodded slowly, though their tension hardly eased. At the table, Asuna blinked in surprise at the unfamiliar, silver-haired girl delivering their meal, but recalling that this was a practical training session, she kept her silence.
As Alice approached, Yuuki Kyouko finally snapped out of her reverie. Seeing someone other than Ren serving the food caught her off guard for a fraction of a second, but she quickly deduced the nature of the exercise. A spark of curiosity lit up Kyouko's eyes. She wanted to see if the pampered young miss of the Nakiri family would stumble. After all, the Nakiri clan stood at the absolute apex of the global culinary world, managing countless high-end establishments.
Offering a warm, polite smile, Kyouko asked softly, "You are a student from Totsuki, I presume? Here for your practical training?"
Alice managed a stiff but bright smile, giving a slight nod. "That is correct. I have to cherish this opportunity. After all, even my Grandfather could not convince Shopkeeper Ren to visit our academy. It is a rare privilege to stand in this dining room, so I must learn everything I can."
Kyouko nodded approvingly. Alice did not waste time with further idle chatter. Taking a steady breath, she reached for the massive platter of bluefin tuna sashimi. Chilled air rolled off the dish in thick, white waves. Gripping the edges firmly with both hands, she lowered it perfectly into the center of the table between Asuna and Kyouko.
As the sole cold dish, and the most visually imposing, it commanded the center stage. Kyouko looked down at the vibrant, ruby-red slices of tuna resting against a miniature mountain of crushed ice. The sheer quality of the meat was stunning, radiating an unmatched freshness.
"First, the bluefin tuna sashimi," Alice said, her voice dropping into a gentle, rehearsed cadence. "The cuts provided are the Chutoro, Akami, and Otoro. A chilled lemon wedge has been placed on the side, and your requested seasonings are arranged to the right. We have also provided freshly grated wild wasabi."
A few delicate lemon wedges rested alongside scattered mint and herbs, their colors contrasting beautifully with the deep red fish. The plating alone demanded a perfect score.
Next, Alice retrieved the main course: the Chateaubriand steaks. The meat was seared to absolute perfection. Tiny, glistening droplets of rich oil seeped from the complex marbling, catching the ambient light across the beautifully caramelized, golden-brown crust.
Beside the heavy cut of beef sat a modest portion of creamy mashed potatoes, crisp asparagus spears, and several grilled shiitake mushrooms. The mushrooms had been delicately scored, their charred tops adding a rustic elegance to the plate.
"Next are your Chateaubriand steaks," Alice continued, her hands steady as she set the plates down. "They are lightly dusted with black pepper. On the side, you will find mashed potatoes and grilled shiitake mushrooms. The primary seasoning has been applied directly to the mushrooms."
Kyouko's eyes brightened with genuine appreciation. Pairing the Chateaubriand with such earthy sides would elevate the flavor profile immensely. The steak offered a tender, meaty chew, which would be perfectly balanced by the smooth, soft texture of the shiitake and the crisp, refreshing snap of the asparagus. A touch of the rich mashed potatoes would only deepen the savory experience.
Alice then presented a plate of salt-grilled pork chop resting elegantly on a bed of fresh bamboo and perilla leaves—the exact same dish Senzaemon had ordered previously. As Alice recited the introduction, Kyouko nodded in quiet approval. The center of the meat retained a succulent, pale pink hue, while the edges boasted a mouth-watering char. A small mound of pure white sea salt and a slice of lemon sat waiting on the side.
Setting down the tomato pasta, Alice secretly let out a long, silent exhale. Her tense shoulders dropped a fraction. "Finally, your second main course, the tomato pasta. It features slow-cooked beef brisket. Please note that instead of traditional dairy, a plant-based cheese has been used, so you may enjoy it without any dietary concerns."
Asuna's expression instantly brightened. The mention of plant-based cheese was a massive relief for her waistline, though she knew she would still have to put in a grueling workout once she got home.
For the final touch, Alice brought out two elegant wine glasses. One held a rich, ruby-red liquid, while the other contained crystal-clear soda water.
"These are your beverages," Alice said softly, placing them down. "A glass of Romanée-Conti, and sugar-free soda water served at room temperature. All of your dishes have now been served. Please enjoy your meal, and feel free to call for me if you require anything else."
Kyouko gave a gracious nod. 'Flawless,' she thought. There were no errors in the serving order or the dish introductions. Her hands had not trembled once, keeping the immaculate plating entirely intact. Her tone was natural and polite. The only slight imperfection was her gaze—she had barely looked her customers in the eye.
Still, for a student who had yet to graduate, and a pampered heiress at that, to present dishes of this astronomical caliber to complete strangers with such poise was practically perfect.
"Thank you," Kyouko replied warmly. "I will let you know if we need anything."
Having successfully retreated with the empty dining cart, Alice finally allowed her lungs to expand. She looked toward Ren, her crimson eyes wide with quiet expectation. Ren merely smiled, offering no immediate praise.
Alice instantly stiffened, leaning close to Erina. "Did I do something wrong?" she whispered frantically.
Erina ran a hand through her blonde hair, frowning slightly. "I do not know. I feel like there were no obvious mistakes. Hisako, what do you think?"
"I did not notice anything out of place either," Hisako murmured.
Nearby, Akanegakubo Momo tilted her head. "Momo-chan thinks Alice looked a bit strange just now."
Alice flinched. Kobayashi Rindou let out a heavy sigh, crossing her arms. "It would be strange if she wasn't acting weird. Alright, park the cart and go get your critique from Ren."
Nodding rapidly, Alice shoved the cart into its designated corner and hurried over to the counter. At that moment, Ichihara Yuko and Lucifer were flanking Ren, both peering at a book resting in his hands. Nakiri Mana and the other WGO executives glanced at Alice, exchanging quiet nods before murmuring among themselves.
The sheer presence of the room's occupants was suffocating. It wasn't just Ren; Nakiri Mana and the highest-ranking culinary judges in the world were watching her every move.
"Shopkeeper Ren," Alice asked, her voice tight with lingering nerves. "Did I mess something up out there?"
Ren closed his book. "You... were incredibly nervous, weren't you?"
"Ah? Mm..." Alice lowered her head, her cheeks flushing.
"That is why you didn't look up at them even once."
Alice blinked, suddenly realizing her mistake. The ingredients on that table were so terrifyingly precious that she had focused entirely on her hands, treating the plates like fragile glass bombs. She hadn't made eye contact with Kyouko or Asuna the entire time.
Erina let out a quiet breath of realization. That was the 'strange' feeling she hadn't been able to put her finger on.
Ren's smile softened into something warmer. "But you did very well. It seems you actually pay attention in class. Your knowledge reserve is solid."
Alice rubbed the back of her neck, a sheepish, relieved giggle escaping her lips. "Hehe..."
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