[71 International Plaza Atrium]
On the love stage built under the blazing hot air, that strong, saliva-inducing pungent smell, made the remaining challengers on stage unconsciously gulp.
"I-I have a question?", Passerby A couple raised an objection.
"What?", The burly Kotomine Kirei turned around, full of oppressive pressure.
Gulp! Gulp!
The couple wiped the sweat constantly dripping from their foreheads and said, "Why does this Mapo Tofu feel different from the single-player version?"
Different? More than different, its spiciness doubled straight up.
"Ah, that," Kotomine Kirei patiently explained, "Since it's a special version, of course it has to be special. Don't worry, you can't drink outside beverages, but our store's drinks can be consumed freely."
"Then I'm relieved," Passerby A couple visibly relaxed.
Being able to drink beverages makes it easy.
"Mmhm," Nero also felt that victory wasn't impossible.
"Drinks, huh?", Merlin's sly eyes sparkled.
Only Shirou looked at them all with pity.
Of course, just in his heart. On the surface he acted very tempted by the drinks.
"Shirou, what drink should you have to relieve the spiciness?", Seeing the boy's expression, Artoria began preparing her pre-battle measures.
"Uh…", Shirou's face stiffened, then he said, "Don't rush, Saber. I'll go first."
Actually, he also wanted to see for himself the strength of someone whom Illya judged as closer to Kiritsugu than even herself.
Artoria thought he was worried she couldn't handle spice, so with full fighting spirit she said, "Don't worry, Shirou. I have some experience eating spicy food."
"As a knight, how could I let the king take the lead? Leave this kind of thing to me."
Shirou's real intention was just to coax the clumsy lion.
But then…
["Waaah~"]
Mengbao-chan's eyes sparkled, ["As expected of contestant Shirou! With romantic words of a knight protecting his princess, he soothes contestant Artoria."]
"…"
'System, just let me assassinate her already!'
Shirou's face was expressionless.
"My knight, huh…"
Artoria smiled knowingly, "Since that's the case, then I leave it to you, Shirou."
Thud!
The steaming hot Mapo Tofu was placed before everyone.
Even though he had made full mental preparations, Shirou was still stunned by this bowl of Mapo Tofu where you could only see red, scallions and seasonings completely drowned.
With his cooking skills, he could tell in 0.1 seconds the level of this dish.
A++
Only in spiciness.
Which means, lethal dose.
"You're not going to eat?", Kotomine Kirei's gaze probed him.
'Let me see, you, taken in as Emiya Kiritsugu's adopted son, what kind of joy you can bring me.'
Shirou pressed both hands against the table, his words deep, "Special food must be treated with special methods."
'Master, log me in!'
["It's starting, it's starting!"]
Mengbao-chan's impatient tone, ["We can see, after the Mapo Tofu was served, Couple #18 and Couple #3 both adopted the 'share joy and hardship' method to tackle this super, super, super spicy Mapo Tofu."]
["Teacups filled the table too."]
["Whereas contestants Nero, Mash, Makoto, and 'Mary' all chose for just one person to bear it all… truly, how moving."]
Mengbao-chan wiped her tears, ["And contestant Emiya Shirou, amazing! With knightly determination to protect the princess, he's given me a fairy tale."]
'Please, someone shut her up! She can sit at the same table as Merlin.'
Shirou remained silent, expressionless.
["Ahhh!!"]
Mengbao-chan gasped, ["Couple #18 and Couple #13 are down! So fast! Didn't even have time to drink water?"]
["Eh? Contestant Makoto who went first is down too? You didn't even touch it, did you!"]
Mengbao-chan retorted, ["And what's with that look? 'Just as planned'? You totally dumped everything on contestant Mary!"]
["This situation… this situation—"]
Mengbao-chan's eyes filled with crystal tears, ["Unbelievable! Faced with contestant Makoto's irresponsible move, contestant Mary didn't scold or get angry, instead she smiled and stepped forward. What kind of tolerance and love is this?"]
["What an adorable girl beyond compare! To soothe the wound in her heart, please, everyone, give her cheers and applause, support her!"]
Mengbao-chan handed out the mic, ["Go, Mary-chan, don't lose!"]
["Go Mary baby, you're the strongest!"]
["Waaah~ Poor, cute Mary-chan, abandoned like this. So pitiful, cheer up!"]
"…"
"Haha…", Merlin forced a smile, waving, "Th-thank you all for the support. B-big sister Mary will do her best."
Now he was really roasted over the fire. He couldn't avoid eating at least one bowl.
So under the spotlight pressure, his hand trembling, he picked up the spoon, blew lightly on the Mapo Tofu, and then...
"Huff… *sizzle*!"
Just one bite, and Merlin dropped his chopsticks, hands braced on the table.
Sweat poured down like rain into the bowl.
In a near-death tone he said, "Water!"
Not a joke, couldn't even manage to drink in time.
"Please."
Wherever needed, there appeared Kotomine Kirei, with a joyful smile, offering water.
"Thank you!"
Like seeing an oasis in the desert, thinking he was saved, Merlin drank the transparent glass of ice water without hesitation.
Pffft!
["Fire! Fire!"]
Mengbao-chan exclaimed, ["Contestant Mary is breathing fire!"]
"!!!"
Seeing this, Mash was terrified.
She cried to Nero, who was about to take a bite, "Let's not do this anymore, it'll really kill people!"
"No need to panic."
Nero declared confidently, "That guy just drank the fake priest's water. As for me, I prepared myself. As long as I drink fast enough, it'll be fine."
"Mash, prepare for me!"
With a grand wave, Nero handed Mash a bottle, then scooped up a spoonful herself.
Bright red tofu, covered in countless peppers.
"Be careful, Nero-sama."
Realizing she couldn't stop her, Mash nervously unscrewed the bottle cap, ready to support anytime.
"Mmhm!"
The fiery-red Mapo Tofu in the spoon made Nero rest her chin in thought for a moment, "Though the Eastern balance of color is lacking, this radiant crimson, I like it."
"Nero-sama?", Mash hadn't expected her to even critique it.
But only for that instant. As soon as it entered her mouth—
"MMMHH!"
The burning spice nearly cured her headache.
"S-so that's it!"
Sweat streamed down her cheeks like rain.
Nero's body trembled, but outwardly she stayed calm, "For Mapo Tofu to have such effect, I've rarely seen it. Truly, art!"
Two seconds later.
Between the second bite and water, she chose, "Quick! Give me water!!"
"Coming!"
Mash hurriedly handed it over.
"Mmhm!"
BANG!
The force of the bottle slamming onto the table was huge.
"Nero-sama!"
Watching Nero collapse, Mash nearly turned into a ghost herself.
"M-Mash, I just need to rest a moment. I'll be fine soon. Remember, don't drink the water, there's… there's a problem!"
Finishing her line, Nero tilted her head and fell over.
"NERO-SAMA!"
Mash was as shocked as Fou exploding in panic, "Water, what's wrong with the water? Poisoned?"
Kotomine Kirei appeared in time to answer, "No, the drinks here are harmless and healthy."
"Healthy and harmless? Then why she collapsed?"
Mash's eyes went wide.
"That's not for you to worry about."
Kotomine pointed to the Mapo Tofu, "Since she's down, will you take her place? If not, it counts as forfeiting, you'll have to drink one cup of Mapo water standing on your head."
Mash was stunned, "Isn't that the punishment for cheating?"
"What a pity," Kotomine said joyfully, "Here, my word is law."
"No way!", Mash exclaimed, "So inhuman!"
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