A plate of soba noodles, accompanied by fried shrimp tempura and a cup of bonito soy sauce, was carefully placed in front of the three judges.
Senzaemon and the other judges wasted no time, swiftly picking up their chopsticks and beginning to savor the dish.
The delicate, thin soba noodles, dipped in the soy sauce, were brought to their lips. The natural Soba flavor, combined with the umami of bonito, gradually blossomed across their tongues.
"This is a taste of elegance and finesse," Senzaemon remarked in a deep, satisfied tone. "It feels as though one is wrapped in fine, silken threads."
"The tempura shrimp," added Dojima with enthusiasm, "its crisp exterior gives way to tender shrimp inside. Each bite bursts with flavor, leaving you craving more!"
As he bit into the tempura, the crunch echoed in the quiet room, making it impossible for the nearby students to ignore the aroma and sound. They swallowed nervously, envious of the judges.
"It truly is exceptional," Chapel agreed, nodding. "The soba carries a light sweetness, a smooth texture, and a refined freshness. Paired with the tempura, it's a harmonious marriage of soba and seafood."
Looking down at the dish with a smile, Chapel asked, "Is this sakura shrimp?"
"Yes, Chapelle-sensei," Nene confirmed.
"Sakura shrimp brings a graceful touch," Chapel continued. "It perfectly complements the light and delicate texture of the soba."
As they continued to eat, the aftertaste lingered—a perfect balance of flavors that stayed with them. "As expected from someone of such esteemed heritage," Chapel praised. "This dish reflects the sophistication of a culinary legacy."
As the three judges enjoyed the soba, their imaginations conjured an image of a young woman, adorned in a kimono, dancing gracefully before their eyes. Before long, every last morsel of the dish had been consumed.
"You've lived up to the legacy of your ancestor!" Senzaemon declared, his eyes flashing open as his voice echoed through the hall. The force of his declaration was so strong, the very collar of his robe tore apart!
"His collar ripped open!" one student exclaimed. "She truly embodies the power of Kinokunii!"
"Wow, incredible! She might just defeat the transfer student!"
The onlookers gasped in amazement. Even Megumi covered her mouth, anxious for Sui's chances.
"A flawless balance of soba and seafood," Miyoko observed, biting her lip. "Nene-senpai's skill with seafood is also extraordinary."
Subaru, standing nearby, frowned. "I thought I could simulate her level during training, but I've barely achieved 30% of her expertise. I need to push harder in training for the Elite Ten."
"What's this simulation training?" Rindō asked, curious.
"Heh, nothing important," Subaru replied with a nervous laugh. But the image of him in a skirt, mimicking Kobayashi Rindō, flashed in those familiar with him—sending an involuntary chill down their spine.
Everyone silently prayed such an event would never occur.
"I warned you before," Nene said coldly, her crimson eyes fixed on Sui. "Even if you dodged a direct soba duel, your chances of winning are still zero."
"That's not necessarily true," Sui replied calmly, placing his dish before the judges.
It was a large pancake, fried to perfection, with fragrant aromas wafting from its filling. In stark contrast to Nene's elegant presentation, Sui's dish was much heartier.
"A pancake?" the students whispered, recalling the pancakes they'd made during their training camp.
"No," Sui corrected them with a smile. "This is a Buckwheat pancake, filled with pork."
"A Korean food?" Nene remarked dismissively. "I expected something more creative."
"Please, give it a try," Sui invited, ignoring her ridicule.
Without hesitation, the judges took bites of the pancake. The moment they did, the soft dough gave way to warm, savory juices, and the rich buckwheat flavor exploded on their tongues.
The judges' eyes widened in surprise. In a brief moment of reverie, they envisioned vast fields of buckwheat swaying in the breeze, with a distant farmhouse and pigs lounging under the sun. The deep, hearty flavor of buckwheat had left an indelible impression.
"This is magnificent!" Senzaemon exclaimed. "The robust buckwheat flavor is released with every bite, like a burst of natural goodness. It brings to mind the wide, open land."
His clothes, unnoticed by him, had torn apart, and a cool breeze swept through the room. His expression was one of pure excitement.
If Nene's dish had been a sharp, graceful samurai sword, Sui's was a sturdy and enduring shield—simple, yet profoundly impactful.
"This simplicity is touching," Dojima said, savoring the flavors. "It's a cuisine that connects with nature, straight from the heart."
The judges devoured the pancakes with evident satisfaction.
"Could this transfer student really be so skilled?" a student muttered in disbelief.
"How did Kinokuni-senpai not win by a landslide?"
Even Nene's usually calm expression faltered in surprise.
Finally, Kawashima Rei, her voice trembling, asked, "Judges, who do you choose as the winner?"
The room fell silent as the judges closed their eyes, making their final deliberations.
If Nene's dish was the sword, elegant and lethal, then Sui's dish was the shield, steadfast and unwavering. When the two met, who would emerge victorious?
Senzaemon opened his eyes and, with authority, announced, "I believe the winner is Sui."
"I agree," Dojima nodded.
"Me too!" Chapel added.
The room plunged into silence.
—_—
[Author's Note: Soba is made from buckwheat flour, so the main character's dish also fits within the theme.]
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