5:0
As the judging segment concluded, the entire venue erupted into a frenzy! No one could have predicted, nor did anyone know, that despite the delicious Black Forest cake, it was still defeated by Alice's molecular cuisine.
"Wow!"
"Am I seeing things?"
"Senpai got defeated instantly; could her Black Forest cake really not win over any of the judges?"
"It's over, it's over."
"I was thinking of joining the Dessert Culinary Research Society, but it's all been swept away now…"
"Sigh."
"Even a 3:2 or 4:1 would have been better!"
"But to lose with a dramatic 5:0, it's too embarrassing to watch."
"Just starting school and she can challenge higher grades, and also achieve such an unexpected crushing victory, Alice must be the closest freshman to the Elite Ten, right?"
"Who knows?"
"Anyway, it's best to steer clear of both Nakiri sisters in the future."
...
Instantly, everyone at the venue was abuzz about the first Shokugeki of the school year.
Of course, most people were somewhat schadenfreude about the fate of the Desert Culinary Research Society in the competitive environment of Totsuki, where the disappearance of one such society might not necessarily be a bad thing for them.
"Why?"
"Why did my proudest Black Forest cake lose?"
Shiro, extremely pale, was struggling to accept this devastating defeat.
"Senpai."
"If you're not convinced, why not try my dish?"
At this moment, the victorious Alice didn't gloat as usual.
Instead, she brought her dish to Shiro.
The light purple noodles under the lights shone with an enticing gloss, looking like the essence extracted from grape juice, presenting a vivid color! Upon closer inspection, not only was the color enticing, but it also emitted a strong grape fragrance.
That light fruity scent, fresh and melodious, made it hard to believe that these noodles were made from grape juice, filling one with anticipation.
Shiro gently picked up a strand of noodles and immediately felt their delicacy and elasticity.
The noodles were thin and elongated, like strands of translucent pearls, creating an urge to pop them into one's mouth.
Without hesitation, she put the noodles into her mouth.
The first thing she noticed was their bouncy texture, as if little sprites were dancing on her taste buds.
The rich grape aroma spread in her mouth, followed by a mix of mild tartness and sweetness.
After swallowing, a light fruity aftertaste lingered, as if to remind you that what you had just tasted was not noodles, but a dessert delicacy themed with grape flavor.
"How can this be? This dish... actually..."
Shiro couldn't fully express her feelings.
She knew her painstakingly crafted Black Forest cake had indeed lost.
"The contest is decided."
"According to the rules of this food war, I declare that from now on, the Dessert Culinary Research Society no longer exists."
Seeing Shiro completely convinced, Alice turned around with a triumphant smile and then loudly proclaimed to everyone present.
At that moment, she exuded an air of supremacy.
Perhaps she wasn't as fearsome as the other Miss Nakiri, but her easy victory over a second-year student clearly showed her strength, not to be underestimated!
...
"Wait."
"Do you really want to destroy our society?"
Shiro, showing a look of terror followed by deep regret.
If he had known this would be the outcome, he wouldn't have accepted Alice's Shokugeki challenge.
But there's no such thing as regret medicine in this world.
The moment he lost the match meant the Dessert Culinary Research Society was destined to be erased from Totsuki Academy.
"Hmm?"
"How could it be?"
Alice's counter-question suddenly reignited hope in Shiro.
"I just want to transform your society's headquarters into my first experimental lab building."
Alice, approaching Shiro, said softly with a smile.
"No!"
"You... you can't do this."
"Please, let the Dessert Culinary Research Society remain."
"It's a place built through the hard work of me and my seniors! It holds our ideals, our shared memories!"
"You... you can't destroy it..."
Hearing this, Shiro immediately collapsed weakly to the ground, his eyes filled with despair.
She then clutched Alice's trouser leg, pleading like a pitiful dog.
"There's an old saying from Tian Dynasty, 'The victor becomes king, the loser turns to dust!'"
"I gambled my future on initiating this food wars."
"If I didn't have the resolve to trample everyone underfoot, how could I challenge Erina?"
With that, Alice shook off her leg and left the contest area with a fierce look.
"Demon."
"You're a ruthless demon."
Behind her, Shiro was stunned.
Only then did he fully comprehend how terrifying Alice was, and she continued to scream in vain.
But at Totsuki, her screams won no sympathy or compassion.
...
On a street in Akihabara.
Erina, holding a black rabbit doll, displayed a smile of satisfaction and pride.
Originally, since she didn't win the doll herself, she had no reason to feel so pleased.
But every time she thought about how Zane managed to grab her favorite doll with just one coin, she felt an inexplicable joy.
"Zane, this doll…"
Then, Erina gathered her excitement and said softly.
"If you like it, consider it a gift from me."
Zane, indifferent, replied.
"Oh."
"Thank you!"
Erina, her cheeks slightly red, thanked him again.
Looking at the doll in her hands and recalling the manga Zane had lent her, she felt a strange sensation inside.
Later, she stole glances at Zane, her bright eyes seemingly containing something more.
Their initial meeting in the pub, the dishes he made, had always solidified a certain conviction in her, but now, it began to waver.
Moreover, frighteningly, as she got to know him better, the distance between her and Zane seemed to be closing.
She had tried to escape what seemed like a fate, but it was as if a force was binding her and Zane together.
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