The camera turned to Kotomine Kirei, and the host extended the mic into the air, ["Mr. Kotomine Kirei, I heard that you were once the only priest at Fuyuki City's church, diligent and responsible. What was it that made you give up the duties of a priest, enter the food industry, and become an expert famous for making mapo tofu?"]
["Hmph!"]
Kotomine Kirei's lips curled, his tone amused, ["No special reason, I just have an obsessive pursuit of spice (pain)."]
["Then why did you accept our invitation to come here?"], Host Mengbao-chan pressed aggressively, ["There had been rumors in the industry that you never accepted any invitations to food events."]
["That's because,"] Kotomine Kirei said unhurriedly, ["I only serve those who are worthy."]
["In other words, the guest who is meant to come, even if I have to drag them, I'll drag them in; on the other hand, guests who aren't fit to come, even if they starve to death on the roadside, I won't serve them."]
["However!"], His words suddenly turned, ["Since this is the first time such a heartfelt event has been held in Fuyuki City, I only have two words."]
["Warm welcome!!"]
When Kotomine Kirei said this, his expression was indescribable.
Joy, anticipation, corruption? In short, the broken smile made Shirou shiver.
'What kind of joke is this, even the couples' group has mapo tofu prepared by him?'
["Mm, thank you very much for your words, Mr. Kotomine Kirei."]
Host Mengbao-chan raised her tiny hand, ["Alright, Extreme Gourmet Challenge,officially begins now!"]
["The contest will have two rounds: 1. Chinese-Western fusion challenge. 2. Japanese-style creative platter challenge. After the two rounds, three contestants will be eliminated, and the finalists will be chosen."]
["So those who can't hold out in the first round can save their strength for the second. However, the more you eat in the first round, the higher your score will be~ especially the mapo tofu pizza."]
Mengbao-chan winked meaningfully, ["Time limit, twenty minutes. We officially begin, nya~"]
"Oh! As expected of a popular contestant, going straight for the pizza? Eh? He's staring at the mapo tofu on top, looks like he's hesitating."
Nonsense, how could he not hesitate.
With Shirou's eyesight, he could clearly see that the mapo tofu on the pizza was redder than crimson, redder than scarlet, spicier than even the burning setting sun, spreading across the venue.
The smell alone was enough to make one swallow saliva, at it?
If anyone dared eat it, Shirou would give them a thumbs up.
["After ten minutes of heavenly struggle, the popular contestant finally made up his mind, ahhh, the popular contestant has collapsed!"]
Mengbao-chan urgently called, ["Ambulance! Hurry, an ambulance!"]
At this point, only four contestants remained.
"Gulp!"
With someone demonstrated the risk first, the others didn't dare to be the bird that sticks its head out, instead all turned to burgers and char siu, saving their stomachs for the next round.
Sakura hesitated a little.
She was already close to her limit. In contrast, Liz's face was expressionless, looking like she could eat endlessly.
According to what the host just said, the mapo tofu pizza gave a very high score.
If she ate it all in one go, she might advance directly.
So, a deep breath.
Sakura made up her mind.
If it weren't for Liz being here, it wouldn't matter if she gave up.
'But, senpai's women, I won't leave a single one, I'll defeat them all!'
Thus, with resolve to die, Sakura put on disposable gloves and picked up the fiery-red pizza.
"Wow~ Following the popular contestant, is Sakura also going to challenge it?"
Under everyone's gaze—
"Sakura!", Ayako Mitsuzuri.
"Sakura…", Rin Tohsaka.
One bite and she fell to her knees instantly.
Mapo tofu double kill.
["Sakura has fallen too!"]
Mengbao-chan shouted in shock, ["Isn't this mapo tofu a little over the top!"]
The organizers probably never thought a mapo tofu could be so spicy it'd need an ambulance.
And two had already been eliminated. Just one more, and they'd have the finalists.
It wasn't according to plan.
To this, Kotomine Kirei remarked, ["If they can't handle this level, how will they face the finals' double-concentrated spice and mapo water?"]
["Wait!"]
Just as the host was about to call for an ambulance, ["Sakur–Sakura is standing up again!"]
Mengbao-chan was wildly excited, ["Unbelievable! Sakura, by sheer willpower, has returned to the match, which means…"]
"That's right," Sakura's face was full of determination, "I advanced directly."
"No way!"
In the audience, Sella was shocked, "She actually survived after eating that?"
"Come on, Liz!", Illya yelled, "Don't lose to that purple-haired background character!"
"Purple…", Sakura's lip twitched.
'Since you're senpai's sister, I won't hold it against you.'
"Go, Liz!", Even Miyu shouted nervously.
With Sakura as precedent, others also tried.
Only Liz stayed calm, not touching the mapo tofu at all.
She might be slow, but she wasn't stupid. Touching that stuff, did they even want to win?
In the end, with one more person collapsing, the second round began.
Sakura ate only a little on purpose, saving her stomach for the finals.
Liz, still calm, ate steadily.
'Eat, eat hard!'
The atmosphere at the venue grew ever more heated.
Even Shirou couldn't help but watch intently.
He didn't even notice Rin's meaningful expression when she saw him in the mascot suit.
———
The finals opened with a showdown between Sakura and Liz.
Clearly the two should have no grudges and no reason for conflict.
Yet in reality, it was totally different.
Their eyes shot sparks and lightning, both holding the resolve that of all people, they must not lose to this one.
The result.
Naturally, the championship was taken by Liz.
Not because Liz could eat more.
But because in the finals, besides amount eaten, there was also taste evaluation.
Kotomine Kirei's mapo tofu and mapo water, no one dared touch them.
Sakura, her taste buds destroyed by the spice, couldn't judge flavor at all. In the end, she regrettably took second place.
"Yay~", In front of the Haier fridge, champion Liz lazily made a "yay" gesture.
It made Sakura bite her lip tightly.
["After nearly two hours, the solo champion is finally decided as Miss Liz. However, the contest isn't over yet!"]
Host Mengbao-chan kept her enthusiastic tone, ["The doubles match coming up is the true highlight of this contest."]
["Due to time, the doubles round will be held in one hour. During this time, hungry audience members can take the chance to fill their stomachs."]
["By the way, the foods the contestants just ate are now fully available at this restaurant. As long as you come today, everything is half-price. Welcome to visit, nya~"]
As soon as the words fell, Shirou let out a sigh of relief.
In an hour, they'd have already eaten their fill and gone.
Still, this was a bit of a waste of time. A food challenge lasting four whole hours.
'Come to think of it, eating at two buffets would take about the same time.'
"Rin, aren't you leaving?", Ayako Mitsuzuri asked.
Just as Shirou thought, the group gathered together, bought souvenirs, and prepared to go.
Rin withdrew her gaze, smiling, "I feel like the doubles match will be interesting, so I plan to stay and watch."
"...", This made Sakura narrow her eyes.
She knew her sister well.
If Rin wasn't interested, she wouldn't even glance at it.
'So, senpai is here!'
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