"Shirou, you know... maybe being a chef suits you more than being a magus..."
Those were the words Kiritsugu said with a smile after tasting Shirou's cooking for the first time. Shirou could never forget that smile. In fact, that gentle smile held almost as much significance in his heart as the look of genuine relief on Kiritsugu's face when Shirou first opened his eyes and saw him. With these thoughts, Shirou's eyes filled with determination.
That's right! The reason I kept cooking was to see that smile again! As long as someone can be happy because of my cooking, I'll continue doing it! And...
Shirou glanced at Archer, who was meticulously and efficiently preparing his dishes, and thought:
Even if someone says Emiya Shirou's cooking is meaningless, it doesn't matter. Even if they call the intention behind cooking for others hypocrisy, it doesn't matter! Besides, every chef starts by imitating their master's techniques when they first learn to cook. So...
With a firm resolve in his heart, Shirou put down his knife, placing both hands under the counter where the spectators couldn't see.
I'll just copy his methods, replicate his techniques, analyze his seasoning, and finally... deduce his cooking style!
Projection begins—!
Seeing Shirou pull out two knives identical to Archer's, Shinji felt an inexplicable surge of excitement, even though the scene was slightly off.
Click! Click! Click!
Cassette, tape recorder, switch!
Last Stardust, BGM starts—!
"Incessant rain pouring down~"
Seeing Shinji skillfully insert a tape, close the cassette deck, and press play in one smooth motion to start a familiar-sounding BGM, Rin's expression became somewhat peculiar.
"What are you doing?"
Shinji folded his arms and, without taking his eyes off the intense competition, casually replied, "Don't mind me, I'm just cheering for Emiya."
Rin: ...
At that moment, Taiga suddenly noticed something, looking at the synchronized movements of Shirou and Archer on the cooking battlefield, and exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh wow! What's going on? Is it a coincidence? Or is Shirou doing it on purpose? Their movements are astonishingly in sync!"
Simultaneous chopping, simultaneous flipping, simultaneous control of the heat, even synchronized seasoning!
Seeing such operations, Illya couldn't help but exclaim how Shirou had innovated a new way of using projection magic! Naturally, this was the smartest approach since Archer's cooking was at the pinnacle, and the only way to compete was to replicate his methods.
—Start by imitating the opponent's techniques, gradually learn and surpass them!
Watching Shirou mimic his actions, Archer scoffed, thinking disdainfully:
Projection, huh? That's all you've got left, right? A fake desire coupled with a fake ideal—this is the extent of what you can do!
But a replica will always be a replica. It can't compare to the real thing! This time, I'll make sure he understands the gap between us!
I will crush him!
I will shatter Emiya Shirou's naive ideas completely!
Imitation? Ha!
That is, if you can keep up, Emiya Shirou!
With these thoughts, Archer's face turned serious, and his movements sped up.
His previously traceable knife skills became so fast that even their shadows were hard to see for the onlookers!
Simultaneously, Shirou felt the pressure from Archer's increasingly faster techniques, sweat dripping from his forehead.
However, he did not show any signs of defeat or frustration. Instead, he kept up with Archer's movements while speaking.
"Archer, I admit it. In terms of cooking techniques, seasoning, years of experience, and unique creativity, I can't compare to you. And I know it's not something I can imitate overnight. But..."
Stopping there, Shirou raised his knife, eyes filled with determination as he pointed at Archer. "Even if I lose now, one day, I'll create dishes that surpass yours! As long as there's someone who wants to eat my cooking, I won't put down my knife!"
Hearing this, Archer's expression changed slightly, once again recognizing that no matter what, this Emiya Shirou was incredibly stubborn!
"Even if my ideals are fake, even if the taste isn't perfect, even if people criticize it as mere imitation, as long as someone feels happy because of it... as long as the intention is genuine, I won't give it up!"
With that, and as the BGM reached its climax, "Even if I'm covered in wounds," Shirou shouted the words with conviction.
"As a chef, my pride will never lose to you!"
When did you become a chef, Emiya?
Shinji thought, mentally exasperated. Why is this turning into something else? Aren't you supposed to be a magus? Is it because of your competitive spirit?
Looking at Archer, who was gritting his teeth in frustration, Shinji wondered, why is he so worked up? You've already completed your mission, man!
He's so provoked that he wants to become a chef! Being a magus is already forgotten, man! But seriously, this is impressive. How did you even come up with this?
"You..."
Archer clenched his teeth, a flash of an idea crossing his mind. He pretended to accidentally bump into Shirou.
"Oh no!"
As Shirou stumbled, the potato he was peeling fell into the trash. About to complain, he heard Archer's casual comment.
"Oops, I didn't see you there. But it's your fault for getting in the way."
"What did you say!"
Angry, Shirou thought Archer was cheating but came up with a counter-trick of his own.
"Oh dear! Who spilled detergent on the floor?"
Pretending to slip, Shirou nudged Archer, causing him to spill chili powder into his dish.
From then on, the competition turned into a series of "accidental" bumps and nudges.
Three minutes later, after being bumped again with the excuse of "Why is there a banana peel on the floor," Archer finally had enough.
"Oops! Hand slipped! Watch out!"
Clang!
Their knives clashed, Shirou gritting his teeth: Weren't you the one who started cheating? Now you're getting mad? Really mature... person?
In utter disbelief, Shinji, Rin, and the other spectators watched a cooking competition turn into an intense dual-knife battle.
"Rin, I have to ask..." After a long silence, Shinji pointed at the two clashing their knives furiously. "Isn't this supposed to be a cooking competition? What are they doing?"
"Don't ask me! I'm wondering the same thing!"
At that moment, Taiga, the temporary judge, looked at the clock and blew the whistle.
"Time's up!"
Hearing this, Shirou and Archer finally stopped their duel, remembering that this was originally about cooking.
After a moment, they both turned to look at their stoves, seeing the dishes ruined by neglect. Their expressions became peculiar.
Turning off the heat, both of them lowered their heads, dark-faced and silent.
"It's all Archer's/Shirou's fault!" they both exclaimed simultaneously, pointing at each other, their synchronization perfect.
"Quiet down, everyone!"
Seated at the table, Taiga, the chief judge, banged the table and spoke with authority. "Now, it's time for the tasting and scoring. Competitors, present your dishes."
...
The result was predictable.
Compared to the unappetizing, charred dishes of the two competitors, the consistent quality of Shirou from Miyu's world earned him the crown of the first Emiya Cup Chef King competition!
Facing Shirou's dishes, all six judges (Taiga, Illya, Saber, Miyu, Rin, and Shinji) unanimously gave perfect scores.
When asked about his cooking philosophy, Shirou's simple statement, "I just wanted to make the best food for my sister," moved everyone present to tears!
Especially the girls, many of whom were moved to tears! Food cooked for a single person can't be bad!
So, after a brief deliberation, the judges came to a final decision, and Taiga, with tears of emotion, announced the results.
—Not only in taste but also in the meaning behind the cooking, Shirou from Miyu's world surpassed both Shirou and Archer!
Even though they lost to Shirou's heartfelt cooking, neither Shirou nor Archer felt too discouraged.
"Who came second?!" Shirou demanded, pointing at the table where his and Archer's dishes sat. "Was it mine or Archer's?"
Looking at the two charred, unappetizing dishes, the judges unanimously replied, "It's too hard to choose between them, so there is no second place."
Thud!
"Damn it! Losing for such a reason..."
Shirou pounded the table in frustration but then thought of something and looked at Shinji like he had found a lifeline.
"Shinji, please! Try a bite and judge! My dish is definitely better than Archer's!"
Staring at the two indistinguishable dishes emitting a dark aura, Shinji squinted and remained silent for a long time.
"Are you serious, Emiya?"
At his words, Shirou eagerly handed over a spoon.
"Of course! Hurry, Shinji, just one bite!"
"Absolutely not!"
"Why not—!"