All eating equipment was arranged neatly on the dining table.
Totu looked at the table — different kinds of dishes were placed before him, each releasing a gentle aroma.
He calmed his breath and began to eat.
Totu took a small bowl, inhaled deeply, and gently smelled the aroma.
Then he picked up a piece with his chopsticks.
(The main ingredient was Romanesco broccoli, cut into beautiful spiral shapes.
On the side were red and yellow bell peppers, snow peas, and baby carrots, lightly stir-fried with garlic.)
He chewed slowly.
"It's crunchy," Totu said softly.
"The taste is light… not heavy. It feels clean in my mouth."
He nodded and took another bite.
After finishing about half of the dish, Totu turned to his teacher and asked,
"Teacher, did you give this dish a name?"
The teacher continued eating calmly. He shook his head and replied,
"This is a common dish. I didn't give it a name. I just made it casually.
As usual, you can name it."
The teacher continued eating.
When Totu heard this, he felt quietly happy.
His teacher always named his dishes, so Totu understood why there was no name today.
The ingredients were simple, the cooking was natural — yet the taste was still excellent.
Totu looked at the half-empty bowl and fell into deep thought.
Many names passed through his mind.
Finally, he made a decision.
"This dish shall be called—
Romanesco Broccoli Fractal Stir-Fry."
He placed the bowl aside, deciding to finish it later.
Totu moved to the next dish.
He lifted a soup bowl with both hands, inhaled deeply, and smelled the aroma.
Using a soup spoon, he took a sip.
(The main ingredient was fresh wasabi root, gently grated into a clear broth.
Inside the soup were daikon radish, spring onions, and mushrooms.)
A gentle warmth rose and quickly faded.
"It's warm," Totu commented.
"It doesn't hurt. The heat disappears fast. I like this feeling."
He nodded.
Second Dish: this name is Mountain Wasabi Root Soup
He set the bowl aside.
Totu reached for the next dish, inhaled softly, and scooped it with his spoon.
(The main ingredient was purple sweet potato, mashed smoothly.
On the side were spinach, green beans, and leeks, lightly sautéed.)
He tasted it carefully.
"It's sweet," he said.
"Not too much… it feels comforting."
He took one more spoonful, then paused.
Third dish this name is— Okinawan Purple Sweet Potato Mash.
Totu moved on.
He gently mixed the curry with rice, inhaled the aroma, and took a bite.
(The main ingredient was bamboo shoots, soft but slightly crunchy.
The side vegetables were eggplant, drumstick (moringa), and tomato.)
"The bamboo is soft," Totu said.
"The curry is light. It doesn't block my breathing."
Fourth dish name is— Bamboo Shoot & Garden Vegetable Curry.
Totu moved next dishes,
Totu picked up a thin slice with his chopsticks and inhaled again.
(The main ingredient was lotus root, sliced into beautiful round patterns.
The side vegetables were cucumber, red cabbage, and coriander leaves.)
Crunch.
His eyes brightened slightly.
"It's fresh," he said.
"I like the sound when I bite it."
Fifth dish this name is — Lotus Root Crunch Salad.
Totu moved to the next dish.
He lifted a small portion, inhaled deeply, and tasted it.
(The main ingredient was fiddlehead ferns, tender and green.
The side vegetables were mushrooms, zucchini, and onion.)
"It tastes like the forest," Totu commented.
"It feels calm."
Sixth Dish is — Fiddlehead Fern & Mushroom Sauté.
Totu reached for the next plate.
He cut a piece gently, inhaled the aroma, and tasted it.
(The main ingredient was kohlrabi, roasted and hollowed.
Inside were potato, peas, and carrots.)
He tasted the filling first, then the outer layer.
"It's filling," he said.
"The outside is mild. The inside feels warm."
Seventh Dish name — Kohlrabi Stuffed Vegetable Roast.
When Totu looked at the next dish, his expression turned strange.
He hesitated briefly, then inhaled deeply and tasted it.
(The main ingredient was young durian, cooked until soft.
The side vegetables were pumpkin, long beans, and onion.)
He blinked once.
"The smell is strong," Totu said honestly.
"But the taste… is good."
He nodded.
Eighth dish name is — Young Durian Vegetable Stew.
Totu moved on.
He inhaled softly and scooped the dish slowly.
(The main ingredient was taro root, soft and creamy.
The side vegetables were taro leaves, spinach, and green chilies, cooked in coconut milk.)
He swallowed.
"It's heavy," Totu said.
"But it gives strength."
Nineth Dish name is— Taro Root & Leaf Coconut Dish.
Finally, Totu reached the last dish.
He picked up a thin green stalk, inhaled deeply, and tasted it.
(The main ingredient was sea asparagus (samphire).
The side vegetables were cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and shallots.)
Crunch.
"It's salty," Totu said.
"But no salt was added. It tastes like the sea."
Tenth Dish name is — Sea Asparagus Coastal Stir-Fry.
Only after naming every dish did Totu return to the table let out satisfied smile.
He began eating properly, finishing each dish slowly and fully.
When he finally placed his chopsticks down, he spoke calmly,
"All of them are good," he said.
"They feel… peaceful."
When he finished eating, Totu picked up a pure snow-white water bottle.
He placed the mouth of the bottle directly to his lips and drank calmly.
Anyone who noticed closely would realize that the bottle had no cap at all.
After finishing, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Then he looked up and suddenly froze.
In front of him, both the teacher and Toku were staring at him with puzzled expressions.
This kind of scene was not new to them.
They were already used to it — familiar with it.
Yet every time they watched Totu eat, it felt different.
Whenever Totu ate, he ignored the entire world.
His focus rested only on the food before him.
They had seen him eat countless times, but every single time, it felt as though he became a different person.
This time, Totu had even directly rejected five dishes — he only smelled them and did not taste them at all.
Finally, Totu broke the silence.
"Why are you two looking at me like that?" he asked, his expression confused.
He truly did not understand.
The teacher and Toku regained their senses and withdrew their gazes.
Totu's teacher stood up and said calmly,
"You two go outside. I will come shortly."
Totu removed the white cloth tied around his neck.
He then put away his eating equipment and the water bottle into his colorless bracelet.
The spoon, chopsticks, and soup spoon he had used were all perfectly clean,
surprisingly free of even the smallest trace of dirt.
After that, Totu and Toku walked outside together.