Queen of the Morning Rush: Erina’s Record-Breaking Feast

The moment the first omelet was served, the result was clear.

The soft egg wrap shimmered with a golden hue. Slightly set on the outside, but still luxuriously runny within, it cradled a chilled mousse that melted on the tongue. Crisp spinach purée and savory ham bits rounded out the flavor. And then came the finish—rum flamed at the final moment, igniting the dish with literal fire.

The fusion of hot and cold—crisp exterior, cool mousse, and soft egg—was unlike anything the guests had ever tasted.

"Smooth and cool… it's like eating silk."

"This is dessert and breakfast at once!"

"I could eat this forever."

Lines formed instantly. People doubled back for seconds. And then thirds.

[Ding! Stand #78: Erina Nakiri has reached the goal of 200 breakfasts. She has passed the test.]

Time: 7:25:34.

Barely twenty-five minutes had passed.

"What the hell?! Already?!"

Even Hinako Inui, one of the examiners, was floored. "Two hundred sold in that time? That's faster than even Dojima in his prime."

"It's Erina," Fumio said simply. "She doesn't just cook. She rewrites what's possible."

"She's the Director's granddaughter," Gin Dojima added. "And the God Tongue? It doesn't just taste—it creates. She's born to dominate the kitchen."

Meanwhile, Alice Nakiri was having the worst morning of her life.

Her stand showcased delicate "molecular eggs"—mango juice spheres mimicking yolks inside real eggshells. The craftsmanship was stunning.

But no one came.

Her cousin had stolen every pair of eyes, every stomach.

Alice clenched her fists. "Why… why are they all over there?!"

It didn't help when Erina's total shot up again.

[Ding! Stand #78 has sold 300 breakfasts. New Totsuki record!]

Time: 7:38:18.

Another hundred, sold in just over ten minutes.

Alice gritted her teeth. Mango yolks aren't enough. I need something else. Something that'll turn heads.

And Erina?

She was already packing up.

"You went too complicated, Alice," she said with a haughty toss of her golden hair. "Sticky mango yolks for breakfast? Who wants to suck on goo at 7 A.M.?"

Alice fumed.

Erina continued, voice cool. "Scotch egg base. Balanced macros. Ham, spinach, egg, mousse. Inexpensive, fast to prep, and scalable. Parents can buy them for their kids without breaking the bank."

She paused, then turned back one last time.

"Keep your flair. But if you want results? Understand the battlefield."

With that, she walked out, leaving only silence behind.

…

"Monstrous," murmured Gin Dojima as the numbers continued to climb.

[Stand #78 has sold 521 breakfasts at 7:57:36. Due to ingredient shortages, sales have ended.]

Cheers erupted from both tourists and examiners.

"She could've hit 600 if she hadn't run out," Shingo Kanazawa whispered in disbelief.

"It's terrifying," said Fumio. "We're witnessing a prodigy—no, a myth—being born."

"She's not just talented," Gin said quietly. "She's the perfect culinary weapon. The Nakiri bloodline's apex."

…

Alice didn't give up.

She returned to her workstation with a deep breath and an idea.

She hollowed out eggs, then filled them with fresh yogurt blended with milk and agar. For the "yolk," she used mango spheres created through spherification, each one bursting with sweetness.

Tourists finally took notice.

"Is this… a poached egg?"

"Nope! Just looks like one. Try it—mango, yogurt, and milk!"

A hesitant bite.

Then eyes widened.

"Whoa. This is… refreshing!"

"Sweet and smooth!"

"Totally not what I expected!"

Though not as crowd-dominating as Erina's masterpiece, Alice's poached egg dessert-milkshakes drew steady attention—an artistic, futuristic take that captivated the curious.

The battle may have been lost.

But the war for culinary supremacy?

It was just beginning.