The answer to the question of which to choose, Ein-san's or Alice's dish, was still unanswered, but as I was having a very difficult time thinking that it would be bad if I made everyone wait for my judgment any longer... the scenery around us suddenly changed.
The place was the familiar flower garden in the God Realm, and I was sitting not in the Judges' table, but across from Shiro-san.
[...Arehh?]
[You seemed to be in trouble.]
[Ah, no, but the judging...]
[I've shifted the time here in the Sanctuary so that no matter how much time you spend here, no time actually passed outside. This being the case, you can take your time and think about it.]
Listening to Shiro-san's words while drinking tea, I took a deep breath and stroked my chest. This really helped. I'm really grateful that I had the time to think about this.
[Thank you... This really helped. It's just that I still didn't have an answer.]
[Fumu... Answer for what?]
[Errr, the answer to which one is better, Ein-san's or Alice's dish.]
When I thanked her, Shiro-san tilted her head without any expression on her face, then listening to my explanation, she tilted her head again.
[Do you absolutely have to decide which one of them is better?]
[Eh? Of course, as the Judge...]
[Couldn't you just call it a tie?]
[...…Eh?]
The words that were spoken to me as if it were a matter of course, shocked me so much that my mind went blank for a moment. How should I say this... That thought never occurred to me.
[In Kaito-san's mind, their dishes were evenly matched, weren't they? Then, doesn't that make it a draw?]
[...Indeed.]
Now that she mentioned it, that was a blind spot. I thought that Ein-san would settle things harmoniously, but if you think about it, wouldn't a draw be the most beautiful end here?
In fact, in my opinion, both of their dishes were the greatest and were quite delicious, and that their dishes were totally even. If I had to give my honest opinion, I would say they were a tie.
[I'm sure the two of them wouldn't forcibly want you to choose which between them is greater, right?]
[I can't argue with that at all. Now, if only I had the courage to say it in that atmosphere...]
[It's alright. If you just think "I'm the rule", you'll do great.]
[A- Ahaha... How should I say this... That certainly sounds like Shiro-san.]
Shiro-san completely helped me out this time. Yes, it would be great if I could just say my honest opinion without worrying about it. Just as Shiro-san said, neither Ein-san nor Alice would want to force a settlement. As for Alice, it seems she doesn't care whether she wins or loses...
[Thank you, Shiro-san.]
[I'm glad you got your answer. Well then, I'll bring you back.]
[Yes!]
As I responded, the scenery switched again and I'm back at the Maid Olympia venue. In front of Ein-san and Alice looking at me, before the other Judges and the audience, I put both plates in front.
"Whoa, this is? Judge Kaito had held out both plates in front."
[As for my opinion of the food, I would say they were both totally even and there was no difference between them. And so, the result of my judgment... is that it was a tie.]
When I declared this, the audience was in a commotion, seemingly puzzled. I guess it's understandable. Me judging it as a tie in a 2-2 match where this would be the decisive vote, so it was inevitable that the atmosphere would be a bit delicate.
But in my mind, it's really a perfect tie... so this is fine. As I was thinking this, a smile appeared on Ein-san's lips and she spoke.
[...As expected of Kaito-sama. To be honest, when I saw her finished dish... I also felt that we were exactly equal. Perhaps, that's what she thinks so as well.]
[....]
Alice nodded silently after hearing Ein-san's words. Perhaps, she may be following up with me, but either way, both of them seemed to have no disagreement with the results of my judgment.
"Then?"
[Yes, this match is a draw... Fufu, I guess this is to be expected. Among the 5 dishes I made to suit the Judges' tastes, I was particularly proud of the dish I served to Kaito-sama but... I'm just happy. I'm just grateful that even when I stand in this realm, there's still someone who can fight evenly with me.]
[....]
"I understand! Well then, this exhibition match... ends with a draw! Everyone, a hearty round of applause for these two great maids who fought evenly!"
As the Live Commentary brought the event to a conclusion, the venue was filled with thunderous applause. Thanks to Ein-san's neatly organized speech, I was relieved that there were no criticisms of my judgment.
However, well... I would really like to ask for a situation like this not to happen when the next opportunity comes. I mean, seriously, I really don't wanna be a Judge in the Maid Olympia anymore.