Chapter 19: Tasting the Rainbow Fruit
"Ugh, what a shame I can't film this," Tina lamented. To witness such a beautiful ingredient and not be able to record it was a true tragedy.
"Miss Tina, you can film it after we leave the biotope," Johannes clarified.
Tina nodded. If she angered the IGO, her career would likely be over.
Gourmet Hotel - 97th Floor Observatory Restaurant.
The restaurant manager watched Kenji and Toriko eat, breaking out in a cold sweat. He was genuinely worried that the hotel's entire food stock wouldn't be enough to satisfy the two of them.
Waiters pushed carts back and forth, tirelessly serving dishes and clearing plates. Even the professionally trained staff was flustered and drenched in sweat, unable to keep up with their eating pace.
Toriko alone could probably clean out the hotel's inventory. Add Kenji to the mix, with his Food Immersion ability, and the amount of energy needed to make him feel full was an astronomical figure.
"Kenji, are you storing the energy from the food?" Toriko asked. They had known each other for a few days, and he had never once seen Kenji's stomach bulge. It was as if the digestion step didn't even exist for him.
"It's called Food Immersion. It allows you to store a massive amount of energy from food. You'll get a chance to learn it eventually," Kenji explained. Ichiryu had plans for Toriko and the other Kings.
Toriko nodded. The skill to run on water was optional, but this energy storage ability was incredibly useful. The power of one's techniques and combat stamina were both directly related to energy reserves.
Elysia and Furina ate much less. They didn't have Gourmet Cells, so their appetites were no different from a normal person's.
"Thank you for your patience, everyone. And now, for the grand finale dessert."
Komatsu pushed a trolley toward them, swallowing repeatedly. On it were several plates, each holding a wobbly Rainbow Fruit that looked as bouncy and jiggly as jelly.
"It smells incredible," Kenji's eyes lit up. The appetizers they'd just had couldn't even compare to the aroma of the Rainbow Fruit. As the juice continuously evaporated, a brilliant, seven-colored rainbow formed above the fruit.
"What a delicious scoop! Is this the Rainbow Fruit?" Tina drooled, yet still professionally filmed the scene with her camera.
"It's so beautiful," Elysia commented. She rarely described food this way, but the Rainbow Fruit was truly beyond her wildest imagination.
Furina felt that all the little cakes she had eaten before now paled in comparison. She had made the right choice in coming. If it weren't for the unresolved prophecy in Fontaine, she would have loved to stay in this world for a few more days.
"As time passes and the temperature rises... gulp... the flavor will also change. Please... enjoy," Komatsu explained, his own saliva flowing uncontrollably.
"Let's eat."
The moment his spoon touched the fruit, Kenji felt its pudding-like softness. Yet, scooping up even a small piece felt surprisingly heavy, as if it were made of solid gold. This was a testament to the immense energy contained within the fruit.
"Delicious! So good!"
The instant it entered his mouth, Kenji's eyes widened. He felt four distinct flavors explode on his palate. The sweetness was like hundreds of ripe mangoes condensed into one, occasionally punctuated by a tartness that no lemon or passion fruit could match. Then came a fifth flavor, a nutty aroma like roasted chestnuts. Eating the Rainbow Fruit was like opening a treasure chest.
As the pulp slid down his throat, a sixth flavor erupted. A seven-colored fruit with seven distinct flavors... it was truly irresistible. Kenji felt his own strength increase slightly, an effect that even the Galala Gator meat hadn't provided. It was truly a masterpiece ingredient, specially cultivated by the IGO.
Elysia and Furina savored their portions slowly. Although it was incredibly sweet, it wasn't cloying, but rather a complex and rich sweetness.
"Dessert... it's decided... it's the Rainbow Fruit!" Toriko exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes. The flavor of the Rainbow Fruit was something he would never forget. He decided then and there to add it to his life's Full Course Menu as the dessert.
Komatsu and the others erupted in cheers. They had been fortunate enough to witness the moment one of the Four Heavenly Kings finalized a dish on his menu. Tina excitedly recorded the historic moment.
Kenji smiled and congratulated Toriko. The Rainbow Fruit was indeed a fitting dessert for him. Toriko's own Gourmet Cells had even evolved slightly. Kenji was in no hurry to decide his own menu. That would have to wait until he entered the Gourmet World.
"Kenji, I need to talk to you about something," Furina whispered, not wanting anyone else to overhear.
Kenji nodded and led her away from the group. Elysia noticed this, her eyes darting between them before she quietly followed.
Gourmet Hotel - Rooftop.
"So, Focalors, what did you want to talk about?" Kenji asked with a grin. While she was beautiful as a 2D character, seeing her in person was even more stunning. She was so much more... real.
"I'm not a fool!" Furina snapped, her hands on her hips.
"Idiots usually say that," Kenji added.
Furina: "..."
Her cheeks puffed out in anger, like a blowfish. This man is so rude! How am I a fool? I'm a genius! Death penalty!
"Haaa..." Taking a deep breath, Furina asked tentatively, "You know that I..."
Kenji finished her sentence for her. "You wanted to say you don't have any real power, right?" Furina might not have the Hydro Archon's divine power, but she was, in essence, the Hydro Archon's personality.
Furina bit her lip and nodded. Even though she knew the people in the chat group were from outside Teyvat, she still hadn't revealed her true identity, mainly because she was worried that someone from Teyvat might join the group in the future. If Kenji knew what she was thinking, he would have been speechless. You can private message people in the chat group, you silly girl.
"Heh heh heh, Lady Furina, you wouldn't want anyone to find out that you're not the real Hydro Archon, would you?" Kenji's lips curled into a wicked smile as he slowly advanced on her.
Furina's face paled. She backed away until her back hit a wall. Kenji kept getting closer.
Oh no! I've read about this kind of scenario in some of Inazuma's light novels!
She was powerless, completely at his mercy. Was Kenji really going to... do things to her, right here on this empty rooftop?
Waaaah, is my five-hundred-year-old innocence going to be lost today?!
"Y-you... stay back! I'll scream!" Furina clutched her chest, her warning utterly powerless.
"Go ahead and scream. No one will come, even if you scream your throat out," Kenji said playfully. Teasing her was just too much fun.
He reached out and tilted her chin up, feigning to lean in for a kiss. Furina squeezed her eyes shut, her face turning bright red.
It's over, it's over! Is my first kiss going to be stolen now?
To be honest, Kenji did feel a sudden impulse to kiss her. Was it the influence of the Star Forger's power? Dragons were known for their... procreative desires. Okay, fine, I'm just a pervert. Besides, who wouldn't be tempted by Furina? She was a goddess! She had the looks, the looks, and... the looks. His morals were easily swayed by a pretty face.
"Scream-Your-Throat-Out is here! Unhand that maiden! Let me... no, wait..."
A certain pink-haired "Scream-Your-Throat-Out" leaped out to play the hero, shouting dramatically.
Kenji: "???"
Furina: "!!!"
Great! It's Elysia! I'm saved!