stjorthotic Chapter 1949 The Cat Teacher Immersed in the Deliciousness of Cooking: An Irresistible Temptation
Chapter 1949 The Cat Teacher Immersed in the Deliciousness of Cooking: An Irresistible Temptation
Chapter 1949 The Cat Teacher Immersed in the Deliciousness of Cooking: An Irresistible Temptation
The cat teacher's nose twitched a few times, its round nose moving at an unprecedented frequency, as if trying to capture every tempting scent in the air.
His golden pupils narrowed into two thin lines in extreme shock and longing, fixed intently on the dish that had suddenly appeared in Natsume's hand.
"This taste."
"It smells so good! It's unreasonable! It's unfair, Natsume!"
The cat teacher's voice had changed, and there was a trembling in his tone as if he had encountered a natural enemy.
Its fur was slightly ruffled, its tail was swinging wildly uncontrollably, and its short front paws were unconsciously stomping on Natsume's arm—a cat's instinctive reaction when it's extremely excited.
Is this really food?
"This aroma is even more enticing than the fattest saury in the forest when grilled to a golden brown, and a hundred times more tempting than freshly baked red bean buns from Nanatsujiya!"
"No, a thousand times! Ten thousand times!"
"There's alcohol mixed in? No, something even richer!"
"And the freshest scent from the deep sea, the sun-dried hay and spices—how could they be so complex and wonderful!"
It spoke incoherently, but its meager language could not adequately describe the aroma that overwhelmed all its senses.
Takashi Natsume was equally shaken, almost as much as Nyanko-sensei.
Although he was prepared, he couldn't help but widen his warm brown eyes upon smelling the incredible aroma. His pupils reflected the work of art on the plate and the surging waves of fragrance that followed.
He had read the memory copies of "Cooking Master Boy" and "Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma" and knew how amazing Liu Maoxing and Erina Nakiri's cooking skills were, and how delicious their dishes were beyond common sense.
But that's ultimately just a "picture" in the background. It's like reading a travelogue describing breathtaking scenery; no matter how beautiful the writing, it can't compare to even a fraction of the awe you feel standing in that world yourself.
And right now, he is standing right here.
No, he hadn't even tasted it yet; merely being enveloped by the tangible aroma emanating from the dish, he already felt an impact that reached the very depths of his soul.
This aroma seems to possess a life of its own, directly affecting the most primal appetite center of living organisms.
It is sweet, mellow, and intense yet layered, possessing a domineering and sharp lobster flavor that concentrates the essence of the sea and sunshine, as well as a warm and profound complex symphony, like aged wine dancing with top-quality oils and spices.
You can even smell a faint, refreshing plant fragrance.
Like a morning breeze in the mountains, it dispelled any lingering greasiness, leaving only endless aftertaste and a deeper longing.
"Is this the taste created by 'glowing cuisine' and 'God's Tongue'? Just the aroma alone is enough..."
Natsume muttered to himself, unable to find the right words to describe it.
He thought he already had an understanding of "deliciousness," but now he realized what it meant to be narrow-minded and ignorant.
But the next second, Natsume's expression suddenly changed. The fragrance was too strong, too penetrating, and too alluring!
The Fujiwara family's traditional Japanese house couldn't stop the aroma from spreading.
Aunt Tazi might be preparing dinner in the kitchen, and Uncle Zi might be reading in the study. Once the aroma wafts out, they will inevitably smell it, which will then cause them to have doubts or even worries.
Natsume didn't want to hide too much from the Fujiwara couple, who cared for him like his own parents. For example, he never told them about his ability to see spirits.
Chat groups are more incredible than monsters; their impact is too strong.
He hopes to reveal his specialness to them little by little in a gentler way at the right time in the future.
Instead of using such an exaggerated, almost dreamlike approach to suddenly dump unimaginable things into their peaceful lives.
"Nyanko-sensei!"
"Can you control this fragrance so it doesn't spread? Aunt Ta and Uncle Zi are still at home. This smell is too unique; we can't let them smell it."
Natsume immediately looked down at Madara, who was almost driven by cravings and was itching to pounce on the low table, and said in a hurried tone.
"Leave it to me, it's a small matter!"
At that moment, Nyanko-sensei's mind was completely focused on the lobster dish that exuded a deadly temptation. Upon hearing Natsume's request, he agreed almost without thinking.
For a powerful demon like it, setting up a barrier to isolate scents was not difficult, especially in this room that it and Natsume were both very familiar with, a room filled with Natsume's spiritual power and its own demonic aura.
Without making any big moves, it simply narrowed its eyes slightly, and an invisible and intangible demonic power rippled outwards like water, quickly spreading to every corner of the room and forming a transparent film that enveloped the entire room.
The intense fragrance that had been spreading so freely, seemingly about to break through the walls and windows, was suddenly held back by an invisible hand, firmly locked within the barrier, and could no longer leak out even a fraction of it.
After doing all that, Nyanko-sensei immediately turned all her attention back to the dish, her eyes shining with such intense light that they seemed to burn holes in the air.
Only now could it more carefully "appreciate" the treasure it was about to eat.
The lobster was of moderate size but perfectly shaped, with a shell that displayed a breathtaking, magnificent color, like a top-quality ruby soaked in honey and the glow of the sunset.
It is delicately split open from the back, and the plump and tender shrimp meat, like the finest white jade, trembles slightly, soaking in a thick sauce that is golden, shiny, and shimmering with an amber luster.
The sauce was extraordinary; upon closer inspection, one could see tiny, star-like golden particles suspended within it, along with fresh, vibrant green herbs, finely chopped.
The sauce is thick and silky, coating the shrimp meat firmly without being sticky at all.
Just looking at it makes one's mouth water and one's stomach rumble with longing.
"Quick, Natsume, what are you waiting for! Let's dig in!"
The cat teacher had abandoned its composure as "Madara-sama" and was wriggling wildly in Natsume's arms, its tail slapping against Natsume's arm. If it hadn't retained the last shred of its sanity, it would have already plunged headfirst into the plate.
Natsume Takashi looked at the impatient cat teacher in his arms, then at the unrealistically beautiful dish on the table, shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were filled with a warm smile.
He carefully placed the cat teacher on his own cushion beside the low table, then sat down opposite him, clasped his hands together, bowed slightly towards the void, and said softly and earnestly:
"Well then, I'll begin. Thank you very much, Mr. Chef and Ms. Erina."
"Stop nagging! Eat up!"
The cat teacher quickly clasped its front paws together, just like the cat teacher, and then, with lightning speed, extended its paws, aiming straight for the largest, plumpest piece of lobster meat that was soaked in the most sauce!
Takashi Natsume also picked up his chopsticks and, with an almost reverent heart, picked up a piece of shrimp meat near the tail of the lobster, which was also covered in sauce, and put it into his mouth.
In that instant, time seemed to stretch out infinitely, or perhaps it suddenly froze under the overwhelming impact of the exquisite flavor.
"Whoosh!!!"
The cat teacher let out a strange sound that was somewhere between satisfaction and shock.
It held the lobster meat in its forepaws, its pupils somewhat unfocused, as if its soul had been blown away by the delicious taste.
Takashi Natsume's feelings were equally unparalleled.
When you gently bite into the seemingly soft but subtly chewy shrimp skin, an explosion of delicious juice bursts in your mouth.
It cannot be simply described as "fresh and sweet." It is a mellow sweetness that concentrates the essence of the entire warm sea area, a song of the ocean woven from sunshine, coral, clean currents and the vigorous vitality of lobsters.
The texture of the shrimp is exquisite, incredibly springy yet melting gently in your mouth, with every fiber soaked in the complex and luxurious sauce.
The sauce is the soul of this dish.
The golden, glistening sauce, upon first touch of the tongue, brings a rich, mellow sensation, like aged fine wine, warm like melting gold. But then, a hint of smoky fruitwood and a subtle brandy aroma emerge, balancing the richness.
The tiny golden particles in the sauce burst gently on the tongue, releasing an even richer, salty, and savory ocean flavor that complements the lobster's natural taste perfectly, creating a layered and delightful experience.
Takashi Natsume felt as if he were standing on an endless beach, bathed in warm golden light, with soft white sand beneath his feet and shimmering seawater before him, like melted sapphires.
The warm sunshine enveloped my whole body, carrying the slightly salty scent of the sea and the warmth of the sun.
The waves gently lapped against his ankles, bringing a comfortable coolness; he could even "see" colorful schools of fish swimming leisurely in the clear water, and corals swaying gently.
All the weariness, loneliness, and anxiety were washed away by the warm seawater, leaving only pure joy and satisfaction.
One bite, just one bite, and both the person and the cat were completely captivated, unable to tear themselves away.
Natsume and Nyanko-sensei forgot to speak and act, instinctively and greedily savoring the ever-changing delicious aftertaste in their mouths.
Only when the wonderful taste gradually subsided, turning into a warm current flowing into the stomach, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort, did one slowly awaken from a magnificent dream.
"Why is it so delicious?!"
With an almost choked-up sense of satisfaction, the cat teacher then picked up another piece without hesitation.
Takashi Natsume took a deep breath, reached out with his chopsticks again, and picked up a second piece of shrimp.
One piece, another, and yet another.
After finishing three pieces, Takashi Natsume put down his chopsticks.
It wasn't that he didn't want to continue; the unparalleled deliciousness, like the most alluring siren song, still lingered in his ears, tempting him to devour the remaining delicacies on his plate.
But Aunt Tako is probably already preparing dinner, right?
If he couldn't eat the dinner prepared by Aunt Touko because he had tasted this dreamlike deliciousness, even if Aunt Touko didn't say anything, or even if she might worry that he was feeling unwell, Natsume would feel guilty and uneasy.
So, Natsume Takashi gently put down his chopsticks, pushed his plate towards the other side, and with a gentle and satisfied smile on his face, softly said to Nyanko-sensei, who was already eating without even looking up:
"Nyanko-sensei, the rest is yours."
Nyanko-sensei looked up from the food, glanced at Natsume with his round eyes, and seemed to instantly understand what the thoughtful boy was thinking.
It didn't criticize Natsume for being "pretentious" or "wasteful" as usual, but just hummed and mumbled:
"Idiot Natsume, you don't know how to enjoy life."
But they moved even faster, devouring the remaining lobster meat and side dishes on the plate almost in a whirlwind.
Finally, it stretched out its tongue, which was covered in tiny barbs, and licked the edge of the now spotless porcelain plate with lingering relish.
For a cat, this is probably the highest praise for food.
Once Nyanko-sensei finally put down the plate that had been licked shiny, Natsume took out another dish from the chat group's space.
It wasn't another fancy dish, but a plate of fried rice.
The rice grains are distinct, displaying an enticing golden color, and garnished with emerald green scallions, tender pink shrimp cubes, orange-red carrot cubes, and pale yellow egg flowers.
Although it didn't have the same aroma and fancy appearance as the lobster dish we just had, it had a comforting flavor.
The aroma of rice, eggs, the sweetness of shrimp, and the perfect amount of oil blend together harmoniously, making it a satisfying sight to behold.
Natsume placed the fried rice on the low table and pushed it in front of Nyanko-sensei, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness:
"Nyanko-sensei, once you've finished this, you can't eat anymore."
The cat teacher, whose eyes had widened again upon smelling the aroma of fried rice, immediately meowed in dissatisfaction upon hearing Natsume's words, and scratched at the edge of the plate with its paw in protest:
"What! Natsume, you stingy bastard! I could eat ten more plates of that delicious lobster, no, a hundred plates! This is nothing!"
"This fried rice just smells so-so!"
Even so, its nose twitched twice more towards the fried rice, clearly indicating that this "ordinary" fried rice was quite tempting to it.
Natsume found Nyanko-sensei's contradictory behavior somewhat amusing, but his attitude remained firm:
"No, Nyanko-sensei, you've already eaten a lot."
"And you really should control yourself. If you keep going like this, the new mat Aunt Tazi bought for you will soon be too small to fit you."
His gaze fell on the cat teacher's round belly.
"Hmph, I'm not fat."
The cat teacher turned its face away, but its paws honestly scratched at the plate before it buried its head and started eating.
The fried rice is springy, with a rich egg flavor and bouncy shrimp. The flavors of all the ingredients blend perfectly with the simple seasoning. Although it doesn't have the overwhelming impact of lobster dishes, it has a unique, warm and comforting feel.
The cat teacher ate with great relish, even eating faster than before.
Seeing that Nyanko-sensei was still enjoying his meal despite complaining, Natsume's smile deepened.