"Cooking?" Subaru repeated, her irritation shifting to a spark of interest. "That's more my territory."
Ryu swallowed hard, suddenly feeling the weight of the competition pressing down on him. "Yeah, well, I'm pretty good myself. I'll make sure to do my best"
"You'd better!" Subaru shot back, a fierce determination lighting up her eyes. "I won't lose to you in the kitchen."
Kanade clapped her hands, bringing everyone's attention back to her. "Alright, competitors! You have thirty minutes to whip up your best dish!
The winner gets bragging rights, and of course, the chance to win the overall championship!"
As Kanade's voice echoed in the gym, excitement rippled through the crowd. Ryu and Subaru stood at their cooking stations, the pressure mounting as the countdown began.
"Time starts now!" Kanade shouted, and both competitors sprang into action.
Ryu hurried to gather his ingredients. He had a vision of a savory stir-fry with a twist—something that combined traditional flavors with a modern flair. He diced vegetables with precision, feeling the rhythm of the kitchen envelop him.
Meanwhile, Subaru was in her element, her energy infectious. She moved swiftly, her confidence shining as she expertly handled her ingredients. "I hope you're ready to taste the best dish you've ever had!" she called over her shoulder, her voice laced with competitive spirit.
As the countdown began, Ryu quickly gathered his ingredients, determined to create a standout dish that would impress the audience.
He envisioned a Savory Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry, a dish that balanced traditional flavors with a modern twist.
The cooking had started and moved on to its peak. The door swung open, and in walked Erina Nakiri, the God Tongue herself, her presence commanding immediate attention.
The crowd quieted, all eyes on the acclaimed judge known for her discerning palate.
"Erina's here!" someone whispered, and a murmur of awe rippled through the audience.
"Welcome, Erina!" Kanade greeted with enthusiasm.
"We're thrilled to have you judging this culinary showdown! Our competitors are eager to impress you!"
Erina, dressed impeccably in her signature attire, nodded but remained stoic, her gaze sweeping over Ryu and Subaru.
"I expect nothing but the best from both of you. I'll be judging based on taste, presentation, and creativity. May the best chef win."
Ryu felt a shiver of excitement and nervousness at her words.
He respected Erina immensely, and the thought of her tasting his dish added a layer of pressure that was both thrilling and daunting.
With only fifteen minutes remaining, Ryu ramped up his pace, adding spices to his stir-fry and plating it with careful attention to detail.
He glanced over at Subaru, who was adding a final touch to her dish, a delicate drizzle of sauce that glistened in the light.
"Looks impressive," Ryu admitted, a note of genuine admiration in his voice.
Subaru shot him a quick grin. "Just wait until you taste it. You might change your mind about your own dish!"
Ryu chuckled, the rivalry fueling his determination even more. "I wouldn't be so sure about that!"
As the timer approached zero, both competitors rushed to finish their plating. Ryu quickly garnished his dish with fresh herbs, while Subaru meticulously arranged her dish, ensuring every detail was perfect.
"Time!" Kanade announced, clapping her hands again. "Step away from your stations, and let's see what you've created!"
Ryu stepped back, feeling a mixture of pride and nervousness wash over him. He looked at his dish—a colorful stir-fry with vibrant vegetables and perfectly cooked meat—and hoped it would hold up against Subaru's creation.
Erina approached the first dish, Ryu's stir-fry. She examined it closely, her expression neutral as she took a forkful and brought it to her lips. Ryu held his breath, waiting for her reaction.
"Ugly," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It tastes like flying duckling bananas"
Ryu's heart sank a little, but he nodded, accepting the critique.
Next, Erina moved to Subaru's dish. She took a bite, and a moment of silence enveloped the gym. The crowd leaned in, anticipation hanging thick in the air.
Erina's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Meh! Tastes like a rotten apple"
Both Subaru and Ryu were beaten up by her comments. They both had their pride in cooking.
Kanade stepped forward, beaming. "Now that we've tasted both dishes, it's time for Erina to deliver her verdict!"
Erina cleared her throat, holding the audience's attention. "Both dishes were disgusting in their own right, showcasing the talent and creativity of each chef. However…"
Ryu's heart raced as he waited for the conclusion.
"…the winner of this round, based on flavor, creativity, and presentation, is Subaru!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, and Subaru threw her hands up in victory, a huge smile breaking across her face.
As the applause echoed around them, Ryu knew this battle was far from over.
With more rounds ahead, he was determined to learn from this experience and come back stronger. The championship was just beginning, and he wouldn't back down from the challenge.
As the cheers began to die down, Kanade stepped up to the mic again, her enthusiasm infectious. "What an exciting cooking battle! But now, let's move on to the next championship round!"
Ryu felt a knot in his stomach. "What could it possibly be this time?"
Kanade clapped her hands, grinning. "It's time for a challenge of wits! The next round will test your strategic thinking and knowledge! Get ready for a game of chess!"
Ryu's eyes widened in surprise. "Chess? I've played a bit here and there…"
Subaru's expression turned serious, her competitive spirit rekindling. "You better not underestimate me, Ryu. I'm ready to claim victory again!"
Ryu took a deep breath, the thrill of competition igniting within him once more. "Bring it on. Let's see who's the real strategist here!"