Yui: "Komachi's so fast... Completely different from when she cooks with Hikki. I thought their cooking styles would be similar..."
Ryoko: "I thought so too at first, but after competing with them, I realized they're complete opposites. Not only in speed but also in talent. Hachiman develops his talent through his incredible observation skills, while Komachi grew up in an environment where cooking was necessary. So... their personalities and techniques are very different."
On stage, Komachi had a very excited smile. Even though it was her first time on such a stage, she wasn't nervous at all. As time passed, she became more comfortable with the rhythm, and her movements became faster. Clearly, this kind of basic skill isn't something anyone can do.
Hayama Akira was also a bit speechless. He wanted to use the same strategy he used against Hikigaya Hachiman against Komachi, but he realized that Komachi had completely taken control of the rhythm and atmosphere.
Erina: "Komachi... is amazing..."
Yukinoshita: "Yes, that kind of talent would be top-notch at Totsuki."
Takumi: "From her skills, I can tell she's an excellent cook, one who truly serves the service industry."
Takumi, who also grew up in the service industry, clearly felt the aura Komachi exuded, a special ability like being in a world of her own.
Hachiman: "Well, Komachi really is a genius."
Hearing Hachiman's words, everyone glanced at him with disdain.
This guy, how dare he say that...
However, Hayama Akira wasn't the same Hayama Akira as before. Even if he was being led by the rhythm, he was still thinking about ways to fight back. Making a celery dish within the two-hour time limit wasn't difficult, but... the key was how to win against Hikigaya Komachi's cooking.
After thinking while preparing the ingredients, Hayama Akira decided to make dumplings, celery and pork dumplings, and use his skills to combine spices and pork to completely capture the judges' taste buds from the first bite.
He inadvertently glanced in Komachi's direction, but it wasn't what he expected. She was grinding cream, still with a calm smile on her face.
Not just Hayama Akira, even the audience was a bit stunned.
What on earth is she trying to do?
In such a limited two hours, she actually started grinding cream, and judging by the amount, it definitely wasn't just for a dessert.
Trying to present a pre-made cake in this competition was impossible, meaning Hikigaya Komachi was planning to make everything from scratch. But in two hours... that much work was impossible to complete.
Komachi wasn't worried, just doing her work in an orderly way. Sometimes she would put her hands on her hips, and lightly wipe the sweat from her forehead.
"I'll show you the cooking I learned abroad with Dad during the vacation."
Without wasting any more time, she picked up her tools again. After a short rest, her speed doubled. This time, it was impossible to follow with the naked eye.
Sakurajima Mai: "This is like performing acrobatics..."
Eriri: "I wonder if the food will be good, since the rule that pretty food doesn't taste good hasn't been broken yet."
Toyama: "Don't be silly, this is a top-level cooking venue, Eriri, have you been reading too many comics?"
Eriri: "Idiot, of course not!"
Hoshino Ai: "Hahahaha, you two are so funny, but I think... she doesn't seem to be just putting on a show, after all, she's that guy's little sister!"
Sakurajima Mai: "That guy? What do you mean, Little Ai, I don't understand."
Hoshino Ai didn't hide anything, saying it like it was a simple matter:
"During the autumn selection, I was one of the judges. His older brother Hikigaya Hachiman presented a dish that had never been seen before. I was so excited that I immediately recruited him to our support staff!"
Eriri: "Wow, a big secret, what happened then?"
Toyama: "Are you stupid? Since that guy is still competing here, it's obvious he was rejected!"
Eriri: "Wow, he really was rejected!"
Hoshino Ai smiled faintly, saying without concern:
"Well, it's fine this way, after all, he deserves to go further on this path."
While the four girls were chatting, Ms. Yukinoshita also looked at Komachi, then at the boy named Hachiman.
She wouldn't have noticed him if Hoshino Ai hadn't said anything, he really didn't stand out.
But...
"Interesting..."
Two hours passed quickly. Hikigaya Komachi's movements were so fast that they couldn't even be followed with the naked eye, so after everything was over, the audience felt...
How could it only be two hours? It felt like Komachi had made so many dishes... This was completely irregular.
In the end, Komachi did complete her dish. Everyone was looking forward to the dish that was made from a lot of steps.
Hayama Akira was the first to present his dish. As the one being challenged, even though Komachi's actions caught the eye of some of the audience, it still couldn't hide Hayama Akira's brilliance. After all, he was a scent maker. He once again walked to the judging table in front of everyone.
"Please enjoy, Spice Celery and Meat Dumplings, a central dish."
Unlike ordinary dumplings, the dumplings Hayama Akira presented were plump from the beginning. It didn't take much to imagine how refreshing it would be if the juice burst into your mouth.
However, since the judges were all ladies, they couldn't imagine how embarrassing it would be if they couldn't control themselves and the juice splattered on their faces.
That's what they thought, but their hands moved on their own. They slowly picked up the dumpling, even though they had warned themselves countless times not to swallow it in one bite, but when the dumpling was in front of them, they couldn't control themselves and directly stuffed the dumpling into their mouths.
Completely different from what they imagined, at the instant the dumpling burst open, no juice rushed out, but a spice like a ring, giving their mouths a spa, then a warm stream flowed smoothly down their throats.
This taste was indescribable. This contrast gave the judges a feeling they couldn't describe, but there was no doubt that it was a delicious dish.
Eriri couldn't resist the food, constantly eating, and quickly cleared the entire plate.
Perhaps Ms. Yukinoshita was the only one who could remain calm when eating this kind of dish. Whether it was age or experience, she was able to crush everyone in front of her, but after taking a bite, she gently put down her chopsticks, and then smiled calmly.
"Yes, a very good dish."
Even though Ms. Yukinoshita said that, Hayama Akira knew that his dish still hadn't satisfied her. After all, she had only tasted one bite and then put it down.
At the same time, after the judges had finished commenting on Hayama Akira's dish, it was Hikigaya Komachi's turn. Her eyes were full of hope. Although she hadn't had as much success had in Totsuki as she had imagined. a series of troubles had slowed down her studies, but it didn't matter, because just being able to stand on this stage was her ultimate hope.
She wasn't the second-in-command of the Hikigaya restaurant, just Hikigaya Komachi, fighting for her ideal and freedom.
On this stage in front of everyone, she had her beloved older brother, her unreliable father, and many friends who were looking forward to her victory. In the end... all of this would come together to form her motivation.
"Hikigaya Style Celery Mousse Cake! Please enjoy!"
She gently pulled up her headscarf, and in front of everyone's incredulous gaze, revealed the final face of this dish.
Toyama: "Celery Mousse Cake?"
Sakurajima Mai: "I've never heard of that kind of thing..."
Hoshino Ai: "Yeah, it's similar to Hachiman's cooking style, in that it's unbelievable!"
Eriri: "I'm looking forward to it!"
At the same time, Ms. Yukinoshita's eyes also trembled slightly in disbelief. Although no one noticed, it was definitely there.
Eriri picked up a spoon and gently cut the cake, but the entire cake deformed because it was so smooth.
"Waaaa, my cake is ruined!"
Komachi: "Hehe, be more careful when eating it since it's handmade cream!"
Sakurajima Mai: "That hand speed just now... I knew it..."
Hoshino Ai: "In that case, I won't be polite!"
Hoshino Ai said, becoming savage, digging at her cake like a child.
After cutting it open, along with the green decoration, there was a delightful scent. The excellent baking skills made the flavor of the cake better, and the judges tasted the layers in the cake.
Eriri: "Wow, it's so good!"
Sakurajima Mai: "It's definitely a flavor I've never tasted before!"
Hoshino Ai: "I told you, pretty things aren't necessarily bad!"
Eriri: "Hehehe."
Everyone ate the cake quickly with all the jokes, but the one person who was different was Ms. Yukinoshita, who smiled slightly when she ate the dish. It went too fast to be noticed, but Hachiman saw it.
Kawashima urara: "So, please judges, choose the final winner."
"The final winner is!"
"Hikigaya Komachi!"
Like she wasn't surprised at all that she had won the match, Komachi just turned to the cheering audience and waved.
Yukinoshita: "Komachi really enjoys the stage."
Hachiman: "Well, that's just how she is."
Erina: "But she really won, she's amazing, especially since she's a first-year student! No surprise she's Mr. Joichiro's daughter!"
Hachiman: "So that makes me Joichiro's son too, how come when you saw me you wanted me to drop out of school..."
Erina couldn't say anything for a moment, and her face started to turn red. She slowly stammered: "That's... that's because you, you're a jerk!"
Hachiman: "? What did I do again..."
In any case, winning this match made the upcoming matches more tense, and Komachi was at her best, so she should keep winning. Hachiman knew that once Komachi got into the zone, she would only start cooking faster. That way, she could put more pressure on them.
So, the Hikigaya side wasn't planning on changing anything. Since Komachi had been cooking at the Hikigaya restaurant since she was little, Hachiman was sure that she would have the energy to fight ten more matches.
So, that wasn't a problem at all. What was really important was...
Who was the next enemy?
Haruno wasn't being vague. After a brief discussion, she decided to send out the fifth seat to fight.
Saito Sōmei.
It was said that Saito was very moral, which had to do with his code as a knight. But looking at the large sword behind him, Hikigaya felt that this guy definitely had his own story about cooking, too.
He's learning to be a knight but he came to cook. What is cooking to him?
Maybe, the story he tells through cooking is the only way to know.
Kawashima urara:
"So, the third match of the Regiment de Cuisine, Hikigaya Komachi vs. the fifth seat of the Elite Ten, Saito Sōmei, begin!"
Komachi put her hands on her hips, looking proud:
"Hayama-san drew the lottery for me just now, now it's your turn!"
Saito shook his head: "As a gentleman, it's only right to let a lady draw the lottery."
Komachi: "In that case, I won't be polite."
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