Chapter 79
Haruto smiled as he watched the change come over Yukihira Joichiro.
"I’ll leave it in your hands, Joichiro-san. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of extraordinary flavor you can draw from this Jewel Meat."
Then Haruto suddenly remembered the seasonings.
Ordinary condiments would never be enough to complement an ingredient like Jewel Meat.
He took out a selection of seasonings and placed them in front of Joichiro, setting the Orange Salt apart from the rest.
"This is Orange Salt, Joichiro-san. It should pair well with the Jewel Meat."
He then gestured toward the other containers.
"These seasonings are excellent as well, but I’m not certain whether they’ll work with the meat."
The rest had been gathered from hidden regions in the Hunter × Hunter world and were equally precious.
Haruto believed some of them might pair well with Jewel Meat, but since they came from entirely different worlds, he had never tested the combinations.
Joichiro nodded and poured out a small amount of Orange Salt to examine it before checking the other seasonings one by one.
A complete vision of the dish rapidly began taking shape in his mind.
From the most fundamental treatment of the meat to the precise control of heat, from the choice of cooking technique to the layering of seasonings, even the final presentation—every detail was simulated, adjusted, and refined within his thoughts.
Joichiro had already become completely absorbed in the challenge.
Recognizing that any further conversation would only distract him, Haruto quietly turned and left the kitchen.
The moment he stepped outside, the Polar Star residents surrounded him.
Haruto had made no attempt to hide the Jewel Meat earlier, so naturally, everyone had seen it.
...
"Haruto, what exactly was that meat you took inside?"
"It was sparkling like a gemstone! I’ve never seen an ingredient like that before!"
Yuki was the first to give in to her curiosity.
"It’s called Jewel Meat," Haruto answered selectively. "It’s an extremely rare ingredient."
He had no intention of explaining anything beyond that.
"Jewel Meat... That name suits it perfectly!"
Yuki’s eyes shone as she nodded repeatedly, a delighted smile spreading across her face.
"Just looking at the way it sparkles makes me think it has to be unbelievably delicious. I’m already drooling."
The others nodded in agreement.
The Jewel Meat’s natural brilliance and intoxicating aroma had created an overwhelming impact on both the eyes and the nose.
Because of it, their planned celebration was delayed by another two full hours.
Not a single person complained.
Throughout that time, an increasingly rich and luxurious meat fragrance drifted from the kitchen in waves.
Layer upon layer of aroma wound its way into everyone’s nose, making their mouths water uncontrollably.
Eventually, the fragrance reached its peak.
Joichiro emerged from the kitchen with visible exhaustion on his face and placed the finished Jewel Meat dish at the center of the long table.
Beneath the warm golden lights, it gleamed like a carefully sculpted work of art.
"This is Waterless-Braised Jewel Meat."
"The flavor of the Jewel Meat was simply too powerful."
Joichiro looked at the dish with a faint trace of regret.
"Apart from the Orange Salt, I was only able to incorporate a few of the other seasonings."
The condiments Haruto had provided were excellent, but most were still unable to stand beside the Jewel Meat without being overwhelmed.
Had he possessed seasonings of equally exceptional quality, Joichiro was confident he could have elevated the dish to an entirely new level.
Even so, the dish before them contained every ounce of skill he possessed.
"I sliced the meat across the grain, allowing it to retain a satisfying bite while making it easier to chew and helping it hold on to its juices."
"Then I lightly cured it with Orange Salt to awaken the ingredient’s natural flavor."
"After that, I braised it without adding any water, using the lowest possible heat and allowing it to cook slowly in the juices and fat released from the meat itself."
"Give it a try. I hope it lives up to your expectations."
Joichiro gestured toward Haruto.
Haruto nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and slowly placed a piece of Jewel Meat into his mouth.
The instant his teeth pressed down, an astonishing flood of rich, full-bodied juices erupted across his tongue.
It surged through his mouth like a broken dam, coating every taste bud with a flavor that was both overwhelmingly powerful and strangely gentle.
What surprised Haruto most was how Joichiro had handled the ingredient’s complexity.
Jewel Meat contained the finest qualities of countless different meats, giving it an extraordinarily intricate flavor.
Under Joichiro’s hands, none of that complexity had been lost. Instead, every element had been carefully organized, allowing each layer to emerge with far greater clarity.
The lush fragrance of fat, the deep savoriness of firm flesh...
Every bite revealed a new turn in flavor, yet all of them remained perfectly harmonious.
It possessed far more depth than either eating the meat raw or grilling it the way Haruto had before.
Joichiro had unquestionably made the Jewel Meat even more delicious.
The moment Haruto swallowed, he clearly felt his dormant Gourmet Cells surge into intense activity.
A vast yet gentle current of strength slowly flowed through every inch of his body.
Haruto was now absolutely certain.
Bringing out the Jewel Meat and asking Joichiro to cook it had been the right choice!
"Everyone, come try some."
Once Haruto recovered from the experience, he invited the others to join him.
They had already been driven half-mad by the irresistible fragrance and needed no further encouragement.
Chopsticks immediately reached toward the plate, each person eagerly taking a piece of Jewel Meat.
The moment it entered their mouths, the once-lively room fell completely silent.
Everyone froze in place, eyes widening as astonishment and bliss spread across their faces.
Their minds were utterly consumed by the incomparable flavor, leaving no room for a single unnecessary thought.
At the same time, a mild current of energy quietly entered their bodies, subtly strengthening them without their knowledge.
The effect was nowhere near as pronounced as it was for Haruto, who possessed Gourmet Cells, but it was present nonetheless.
Haruto watched their reactions with a faint smile before silently returning his attention to the food.
By the time everyone finally recovered and eagerly reached for another helping, the serving plate had already been swept clean.
They stared at its spotless surface with deep regret.
The lingering richness of the meat remained between their lips and teeth, refusing to fade and leaving an unforgettable impression.
Disappointing as it was, the celebration still had to continue.
Ryoko brought out the juice she had fermented from the fresh fruit and filled everyone’s glass.
A clear, sweet fragrance slowly spread through the room.
"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses together.
The moment Haruto tasted the juice, surprise lit his eyes.
Its fruit fragrance was deep and full, while the drink itself was fresh, crisp, and pleasantly sweet.
It was excellent.
Haruto immediately decided that once he had the chance, he would give Ryoko another batch of fruit and ask her to ferment more.
The celebration eventually came to a perfect end amid cheerful laughter, leaving the entire room filled with warmth and contentment.
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