Though Yuuta was still fuming over how wasteful the system was, in the end, the system ruled all, and his skinny arms clearly couldn't win against this steel-backed thigh of a system.
So, he quickly focused his attention back on making the ice cream.
To create a smooth and silky ice cream, it wasn't just about having the right tools, high-quality ingredients were essential too.
Yuuta wanted to test the recipe first before officially adding it to his menu.
So, he only pulled out a single serving's worth of ingredients from the fridge: two eggs, one box of milk, and one box of cream.
Looking at the slightly smaller-than-average eggs in his hands, Yuuta raised a brow.
"System, if even the little milk pot is this expensive, I can only imagine what these ingredients must cost."
"Host, the eggs provided by this system originate from a major agricultural estate in the Land of Rivers," the system intoned solemnly.
"The hens there are fed a specially formulated diet, tailored with daily precision. They are also free-ranged across open fields to maintain optimal health and muscle tone."
"Eggs laid by these hens are smaller than those found in the average market, but contain concentrated nutrients. These eggs are a staple breakfast item for nobles and feudal lords across the continent."
Yuuta's mouth twitched.
Chickens… that exercise daily? Are you kidding me?
He didn't even dare ask how much the two eggs in his hands cost. His heart probably couldn't take it.
Determined to stay focused, Yuuta forced himself to stop asking questions and got to work.
He picked up an egg, gently tapped it on the edge of the counter, then held it above a bowl, skillfully cracking it open just enough to form a gap, carefully separating the yolk from the white.
The clear, silky egg white slipped down into the bowl like flowing satin. A light, natural eggy aroma filled the kitchen, but curiously, without a trace of unpleasant odor. Instead, it was rich, fresh, and incredibly fragrant.
Yuuta only needed the yolks, so he set them aside in another bowl.
One bright, golden-orange yolk sat gleaming in the empty bowl, like a miniature sun.
He cracked open the second egg and added its yolk as well, then stirred in a spoonful of sugar and a portion of cream, mixing them until the color gradually changed, from bright orange to a pale, milky gold, like twin suns melting into a misty white nebula.
Next, Yuuta poured milk into the pot and brought it gently to a simmer.
Instantly, a rich wave of milky aroma enveloped the entire room.
At that moment, Yuuta felt like every cup of milk he'd ever had in his past life had been a lie. This one tiny batch smelled better than any carton of milk he'd ever known.
The deep, velvety scent reminded him of wide, green meadows, where herds of cows grazed leisurely beneath an open sky. The fragrance wrapped around him like a pastoral lullaby.
And as the scent drifted outside, it wafted straight into the crowd waiting across the street at Ichiraku Ramen.
"Holy crap, what is that smell?! It's amazing!"
"I'm starving! That aroma's driving me insane!"
"No way... something smells better than Ichiraku's ramen?!"
"For some reason... it reminds me of my late mother's cooking…"
"Same here. It's making my heart ache…"
Finally, one customer pointed toward Yuuta's store and shouted,
"Look! The smell's coming from that shop!"
Like a pack of wolves, the entire Ichiraku line surged across the street.
Inside the ramen stand, Teuchi emerged from the kitchen holding a fresh bowl of ramen, only to find that his shop had emptied out completely. His face darkened instantly.
"Ayame, what happened to all the customers?!"
"Dad!" Ayame pouted. "They all ran across to that new shop over there!"
"What?!" Teuchi's brow furrowed. "Are you telling me that brat's food is better than mine?!"
He had noticed the new shop across the street from day one, how could he not? It was direct competition.
At the time, when he'd found out that the owner and chef was just a twelve-year-old kid, Teuchi had scoffed:
"True culinary skill is forged through years of experience!"
And indeed, just as he expected, the new store had barely any customers at first.
But now? What was going on with the world?
Has time really passed me by? Or… has that kid actually made something that good?
Teuchi fell into deep contemplation.
Back in the kitchen, Yuuta was finishing the next step, gently pouring the hot milk into the egg mixture while stirring to prevent it from curdling.
Just then, the crowd of villagers burst through the shop's entrance, startling him.
He thought for a second he was being raided by thugs.
"Boss, whatever you're cooking, give me a portion too!"
"Same here! Actually, make that two! I'm bringing one home!"
So they were here to eat, not rob him. Good.
Yuuta calmly pointed to the menu on the wall.
"Please check the prices before ordering."
He sounded so cool.
To the villagers, it was shocking.
What kind of restaurant owner doesn't leap at the chance to take customers' money? This is unheard of!
But the moment their eyes landed on the menu, they all froze.
What the hell?!
A single bowl of beef ramen, 128 ryo?!
This guy had to be insane.
Just like that, the once-packed store cleared out.
Everyone turned and ran straight back to Ichiraku.
Across the street, Teuchi saw his customers return and instantly beamed with satisfaction.
"Hmph! I knew it! This old man still has it!"
He sneered quietly.
There was no way some snot-nosed kid, no matter how talented, could beat the kind of flavor honed over decades.
Meanwhile, Yuuta barely glanced at the now-empty shop.
He just scoffed and got back to work.
He poured the smooth milk-egg mixture back into the pot for a second round of heating, letting it simmer slowly.
As the temperature rose, the once-pale liquid deepened into a rich, golden hue. The previous aroma mellowed, becoming something more refined, like a vintage wine, aged to perfection.
Finally, Yuuta poured the finished custard into a container and left it to cool before placing it in the freezer.
"A few more hours and it'll be ready," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.
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