"Could it really be that the young lady's friend defeated Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with such a simple dish?"
"Is that even possible?"
"Yeah, how could that happen?"
The chefs at Hōjō House looked at Miyazaki's shocked expression and quickly guessed the outcome. They were all stunned.
Even Chef Hōjō's eyes flashed with surprise. He knew, even if he used all his skills, it would be hard to surpass a dish like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Despite the flaws in Miyazaki's preparation and the uneven handling of the ingredients, the dish still boasted flavors from a variety of rare and precious components. Its deliciousness was undeniable.
But Sui managed to defeat him with a simple Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup? It was unbelievable!
The chefs gathered around to taste both dishes.
"This is so sweet and refreshing! It's definitely better than Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!"
"Agreed! Now that I've compared them, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall feels way too greasy, while this Tremella Soup is light and rejuvenating."
The cold, sweet taste of the soup instantly won them over, like taking a refreshing gulp of iced water on a scorching summer day.
"How... how did you do this?" Miyazaki Ryui demanded through gritted teeth, staring at Sui.
"I told you before, you're trying to handle too many ingredients, and you can't fully integrate their flavors. So, I kept it simple with the Tremella Soup," Sui replied calmly. "But the key is, I've brought out the best in each ingredient. None of them overpower the others; instead, they blend together harmoniously. To put it in perspective, your dish is like a monstrous, clumsy creature made of mismatched parts, while I am like a swordsman. Though I may not be as imposing, I can focus all my strength into a single sword!"
"I understand!" Chef Hōjō exclaimed, admiration clear in his voice.
The other chefs only partially grasped Sui's words but were nonetheless impressed.
"Is this the famed God's Tongue at work? It seems different from an ordinary person's sense of taste," one chef whispered.
"Yes, indeed," another replied quietly.
"There's also another important factor," Sui continued. "Your dish is simply too greasy. When so many kinds of meat are cooked together, it's inevitable."
"That's why I chose to make the Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup. Its sweetness and coolness provide the perfect counterbalance to the heaviness of your dish."
In truth, Miyazaki's dish wasn't bad, but the overambitious attempt to control too many ingredients backfired, making it easier for Sui to win.
"Damn it... Am I really worse than a mere kid?" Miyazaki murmured bitterly after a moment of silence.
He had come to Hōjō House intending to shake the chefs' confidence, but instead, his own had been shattered. For the first time, he questioned whether he was truly capable of mastering such an intricate dish.
"As expected of a Totsuki student," he said finally. "What's your name?"
"Sui," came the calm reply.
"I'll remember that," Miyazaki nodded. "With you here, Hōjō House will surely prosper."
And with that, he turned and left.
Miyoko's face flushed deeply as she stole a glance at Sui.
Suddenly, Sui felt a sharp pain in his arm. He turned and found Alice pouting and glaring at him.
Sui was speechless. The difference in personalities between the two sisters was striking. A tsundere like Erina might not say anything in the moment, but she'd hold onto it for days, while someone more forceful, like Alice, might have exploded on the spot—or worse, blown up the entire building.
"I see now. Even a simple dish can taste extraordinary. The key lies in the chef's skill," one of the chefs said thoughtfully.
The rest of the Hōjō House chefs nodded in agreement, regaining the confidence that had been briefly shaken by Miyazaki.
"Well, if everything's settled, we'll take our leave," Sui said.
"Are you leaving already? You could stay for dinner. Miyoko is an excellent cook, after all," Chef Hōjō offered, hoping to keep Sui around a little longer, perhaps to give his daughter more time with him.
The head chef was even more impressed with Sui now. A young chef with such talent would be a perfect fit as a son-in-law, and could one day take over Hōjō House!
"No, thank you," Sui chuckled. He had already tasted plenty of Miyoko's cooking during their time in the research group.
"Miyoko, why don't you see Sui off?" Chef Hōjō said, glancing at his daughter.
Miyoko blushed but hesitated only for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Tōtsuki's special car was still waiting at the entrance of the restaurant, but Sui waved the driver off, allowing him to leave.
"What are your plans now?" Miyoko asked.
"I think I'll just wander around," Sui replied, though in truth, he was planning to go on a date with Alice.
"I know the town really well. I grew up here. If you want to explore, I could show you around," Miyoko offered, trying to sound casual but clearly feeling a bit shy.
"No need for that!" Alice interrupted, grabbing Sui's arm and pulling him away. She didn't want anyone else tagging along as a third wheel.
Miyoko sighed, watching them go. She had developed feelings for Sui during their time together in the training camp program, and those feelings had only grown deeper. But she never had the courage to tell him.
As she returned to Hōjō House, the chefs were quick to approach her.
"Miss, has Sui already left? You didn't see him off properly?"
"I think you're way more attractive than that silver-haired girl!"
"Miss, you should definitely stay in touch with Sui. If he takes over Hōjō House, it'll be a win for all of us!"
"Miss, you have to work harder! Don't let him slip away!"
Miyoko's face turned bright red as she snapped back in embarrassment, "What are you all talking about?!"
But Chef Hōjō just laughed heartily. "I think they're right, Miyoko! If you like him, just go after him boldly!"
Meanwhile, Sui was about to embark on his first date with Alice.