Until stepping onto the stage, Tadokoro Megumi kept doubting herself. After all, not long ago, she was almost kicked out of school. But after meeting Hikigaya that day, her life changed so much.
Seeing that so many dishes made with great care only got scores below 40 made her legs shake with nervousness. Honestly, even after being encouraged again and again by Hikigaya, she was still the kind of person who couldn't move forward without hearing those words of support.
Relying on others like this will surely lead to failure in the end. She knew this very well, but still couldn't do anything about it.
Sensitive and kind, simple and clumsy—these could be called her flaws, but also her strengths. In the end, they would only become a double-edged sword, stopping her from moving forward. Even now, she didn't know when she could truly become independent, helping the guy who had always helped her without relying on anyone. But...
Maybe relying on others wasn't so bad.
Like now, it was exactly because of the motivation he gave her that Tadokoro could stand here without hesitation, even if she faced mostly doubt, confusion, and questions.
[Monkfish Hot Pot Curry]
This was her answer on a plate.
Anton: "If I'm not mistaken, this is a hot pot dish mainly using monkfish, a specialty passed down through generations by fishermen in Fukushima Prefecture."
"However, I've never heard of monkfish paired with curry. In fact, I'm quite looking forward to it."
Tadokoro Megumi: "Please enjoy, judges..."
There wasn't too much spice, and there wasn't a large piece of meat. At least in Hoshino Ai's eyes, it was a very simple dish. Among so many amazing dishes at Totsuki Academy, this dish looked like something you might find at a regular restaurant.
But even so, she still thought Tadokoro Megumi was very cute.
While the judges didn't have much hope for this dish, they finally realized something when the monkfish slid into their stomachs.
"I see, the reason for choosing monkfish is here."
"The biggest feature of monkfish hot pot is slowly frying the monkfish liver in the pot until it melts, then adding miso and sake as a base. Of course, she also added spices to better fit the theme, creating a so-called 'liver curry miso'."
Hoshino Ai: "The flavor is starting to soak in. It's an addictive taste! The thick liver sauce and spices are so balanced at this moment."
"And especially served after that last dish, this advantage is fully on display. Even if it's full of heart, it makes sense!"
Anton: "The soup base is mainly monkfish body, skin, and fins. No, wait... this is baby chrysanthemum squash, Tatekawa burdock, and red carrot."
Although the curry pairing was based on Hachiman's advice, it was also important to choose the ingredients she was most familiar with to make the dish she was best at. At least in Tadokoro Megumi's opinion, these were all ingredients from her hometown, ones she had grown up eating. Choosing these ingredients wouldn't be a problem.
It was usually hard to balance the sweetness and astringency of vegetables, especially since the theme was curry, and it was even harder to highlight the curry flavor. But...
Because of Hikigaya, when Tadokoro Megumi shared her idea, Hachiman quickly improved the curry base, using different spices to quickly give the best solution.
Not only Tadokoro Megumi, but everyone at Polar Star Dorm had received help from Hikigaya in one way or another.
So...
There was nothing to find fault with. At least in this monkfish hot pot curry, the fish soup made with monkfish liver, displayed the flavors of spices and vegetables, was completely an upgraded version of Tadokoro's hometown cooking.
If you only remember the past, failure will always be part of your life, penetrating your heart, and making it impossible to escape from that unforgettable memory. Because she had experienced the pain, felt the contradictions, and worried about it, Tadokoro Megumi understood that being selected for the Autumn Elections was a great thing, and being able to stand on this stage was a great thing.
Unlike other contestants, it could be said that Tadokoro Megumi had truly made her way here step by step. When everyone else put deliciousness first, Tadokoro Megumi always insisted on comfort, making the person eating feel a warm energy. This was also why she couldn't move forward, but... that was enough. At least she was slowly changing, and for herself, that was a kind of comfort.
Tadokoro Megumi: 89 points.
Hachiman wasn't surprised by this result, but everyone else was so shocked their eyes were unconsciously shaking.
"No way..."
"She got the same score as Hisako-sama? That slacker."
"You've got to be kidding me, at this rate... even Mito will be pushed down."
"Wait, let me sort this out. All of the top 5 now have over 85 points, with even two ultra-elite contestants with 90 points. How many years has it been since Totsuki was like this last?"
"Amazing..."
At the same time, Erina also looked at the girl with braids in disbelief. She didn't seem to feel anything when she saw Tadokoro before, but now... a hint of unease she had never felt before emerged.
Why was this? Maybe even she didn't know. But this unease had vaguely appeared when she saw her so close to Hikigaya, and now it was just amplified.
That's right, Erina was the type of person who had been called a genius since she was a child, so she couldn't allow failure in any way. Cooking had never betrayed her. As long as she worked hard and put in effort, she would eventually step on each opponent with her cooking.
But when she looked back, she had nothing left by her side except cooking. She could no longer find friends, family, or anything that could be called a relationship.
Over time, she had gotten used to this feeling, but... seeing Hikigaya and Tadokoro's relationship without any barriers again, her heart actually wavered.
In this year full of geniuses, she couldn't allow herself to lose any competitions, because losing meant you couldn't be called a genius. And now, only cooking could stay with her.
Unlike Erina, the people at Polar Star Dorm, and Hachiman himself, were truly happy to witness this scene.
"The day you finally spread your wings and fly high from that small garden of yours has finally come..."
Hachiman had noticed the calluses on her hands as soon as he met her. She had worked hard and studied day after day, and was definitely someone who didn't lose to anyone in cooking. But on that day, the first day they met, she was so flustered.
If you observe day after day, the relationship between people will become closer. And for Tadokoro Megumi, Hachiman was very sure that this guy was indeed amazing.
Hachiman couldn't even take care of himself in the past. After all, he didn't have any passion for cooking. It was already difficult enough for him to stay at this school relying on other people's cooking. But maybe it was fate, and he had still reached this point.
So, one day, Tadokoro Megumi will also take that step boldly.
At that time, she won't need any encouragement anymore.
She is just her, and he is just him.
As time passed, the remaining contestants slowly decreased. And when Hayama Akira's name, the trump card that everyone believed in, was announced, the entire venue burst into a loud commotion.
"Here it comes?!"
"The legendary fragrance person. With such an advantage, I guess only he has a chance to surpass Yukinoshita."
"To surpass Yukinoshita, you need a judge to give a perfect score. That's not easy."
"That's Hayama Akira, nothing's difficult."
Almost everyone's eyes were on him. Under Kawashima Urara's call, Hayama Akira just turned his head and said to Hachiman:
"I saved some food for you."
"Thanks, that's great."
"After you eat it, remember to give me your review."
With just one sentence, Hayama Akira turned and walked towards the stage with his dish without looking back.
Erina: "He's finally here, Hayama Akira."
Hisako: "Is he the one that Lady Erina has to give way to..."
Yukinoshita: "Hikigaya-kun..."
Hachiman: "What's wrong?"
Yukinoshita: "N-nothing..."
Although he didn't understand what Yukinoshita was thinking at this moment, Hachiman didn't care too much and just focused his attention on Hayama Akira.
Hachiman didn't know much about Hayama Akira, even though they spent day and night together at Shiomi's research lab. But... no matter what, he had witnessed the other's strength with his own eyes, so...
He will definitely bring out a dish that will shock the entire audience as expected.
Run also crossed her arms in the audience, although she always complained about Hayama Akira, she was secretly cheering for him in every match.
This time, it was the same.
...
Time went back ten years. Hayama Akira, who was only seven years old, was still a child. Unlike most children, he was just a rat living in the slums, and wanting to see the sun was simply a fantasy.
But even so, God still opened a window for him. In that slum, he could almost find his way through with just his nose. He could also use his nose to tell how fresh the food being sold was.
It was because of this ability that he met Shiomi Run, who was traveling around at the time. It was this first meeting that finally made the two of them close partners.
He completed every dish with Shiomi, and the dishes that were served were definitely not the work of one person alone, so...
This time, they will continue to win.
Hayama Akira, the candidate for the championship of this selection, finally stepped onto the stage, and Hoshino Ai quickly said:
"I'm looking forward to it!"
Judge: "The menu is fish head curry, it's a dish made using the entire fish head, right?"
The reason this judge was so confident was because he knew the dish very well. But when Hayama Akira lifted the lid of the pot, his face instantly froze.
"I-Impossible..."
"This is simply a fragrance bomb."
"This is Hayama Akira's curry..."
Before they even started tasting, the entire venue was in an uproar. After all, the smell of spices had spread throughout the entire venue. This was unprecedented.
"That's too much, it even spread over here."
"The fiery stimulation is like needles piercing through, so rich in fragrance..."
Judge Anton also finally reacted at this moment. As a professional judge, it was a disgrace to not be able to give a review of a dish for so long.
Just now, everyone had briefly entered this state.
"It's perfect. An excellent curry that incorporates the deliciousness of fish soup. Not to mention the creativity and spices, the entire naan is covered in sauce..."
Judge Anton was the first to pick up a spoon. After spooning up the thick sauce and naan, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva before putting it directly into his throat.
"Although I know that saying these words as a professional judge will deduct points, but... this dish is beyond words."
Hachiman, after looking at the dish Hayama Akira left for him, quickly said:
"Creamy soup, is a dish created by French cuisine, and is said to be inspired by chawanmushi from Japanese kaiseki cuisine."
Tadokoro: "Eh? Hikigaya, how do you know so much?"
Hachiman: "After all, it's written in books, it's good to read more regularly..."
Tadokoro: "But won't you forget after reading?"
Hachiman: "Would I?"
The two of them asked the most basic questions. Only Takumi couldn't stand it anymore and said:
"Tadokoro, don't compare ordinary people to this kind of person. Marui has read enough books, how easy is it to remember everything?"
Marui: "I feel like I've been offended, but to be honest, I'd want Hikigaya's ability to memorize everything after seeing it once even in my dreams."
Hachiman listened to them talking so dramatically, and shook his head with some confusion.
Yukinoshita also added at this moment:
"The fragrance of the dish is concentrated in the flaky crust, and explodes the moment you cut open the top lid. This is Hayama Akira's weapon, directly stimulating the judges with that most essential power."
Marui: "Um, uh, Tadokoro, we want to compare with ordinary people."
Mito: "I agree."
Yukinoshita's gaze was calm, she simply turned her gaze towards Hikigaya and asked directly:
"What spices are in there, why can it explode such amazing power?"
Hachiman didn't think much, simply smelled it, and directly replied:
"Fennel, lemon tea, cinnamon, holy basil."
"The most important is holy basil, using it fresh, and then using the turmeric contained in the spices to support the flavor in it, even has the effect of detoxifying the liver."
After looking at the dish Hayama Akira left for himself again, Hachiman seemed to have figured out everything in it, and swallowed it in one bite without preparation, scaring everyone else.
No matter what, this dish can be considered art, how can it be eaten like that.
However, perhaps having anticipated the taste in it, in the end Hachiman simply said expressionlessly:
"Mmm, delicious!"
Takumi: "I knew you were a monster..."
Yukinoshita seemed to have a headache, and simply pressed her temples and said, "Hikigaya-kun, can you change your eating habits like this, it looks particularly disgusting."
Tadokoro: "As expected of Hikigaya..."
Mito: "Marui, see that, this is the difference between reading well and cramming."
Marui: "Go away, don't compare me to him."
Isami: "The score is out."
Hayama Akira: 95 points!
As soon as this score came out, the entire venue erupted in another roar.
"Hey, he tied with Yukinoshita!"
"Incredible... but I feel like Yukinoshita is even more impressive..."
"Idiot, Yukinoshita can't be compared with the category of humans."
"Seems to be true, so Hayama Akira has already reached the level of Gods in a human body..."
"95 points, not many people can get this score."
At the same time, Hisako and Erina were completely dumbfounded. She, who had just ranked second, had now been reduced to the same score as Tadokoro.
The temporary ranking is:
Yukinoshita: 95 points
Hayama Akira: 95 points
Takumi: 90 points
Hisako: 89 points
Tadokoro Megumi: 89 points
The Director General, who had been sitting in the audience stand, also stood up at this time. Obviously, he didn't expect that one day, such a situation would appear in the preliminary round of the Autumn Elections.
A tie, and almost everyone is above 90 points. This is simply magnificence.
As Hayama Akira walked off the stage, the words of the Director General echoed throughout the venue:
"If the final result is a tie and people are eliminated, the more excellent person will be selected by the judges."
As soon as these words came out, how could the venue remain calm.
"Is this not crazy enough already, who else can break this list?"
"I don't think anyone else can. There are now few people who haven't taken the stage, and there are not many powerful people."
"Hey? I heard there's a guy named Hikigaya, didn't he beat Shinomiya-senpai?"
"Really..."
"Who knows, that's what the rumors say anyway."
"Rumors are just that, rumors. They sound fake after you hear them, I feel like it's hard to change this list."
In the VIP room, Erina's gaze once again gathered on Hikigaya. Even if she denies the other party's ability, Erina is not stupid after so many failures. Of course she knows that this is the result of her self-willedness.
But now... can he put a perfect end to this game?
At this moment, her heart was tangled.
If Hikigaya surpasses Hisako, then Hisako may be sadly eliminated, and if Hikigaya can't reach 89 points, she will be suspected by rivals for her judgement as a member of the Ten Elites.
In the end, she just chose to accept the results with joy.
On the other side, Hayama Akira said with a faint smile:
"How was my dish?"
"Very delicious, more delicious than I imagined."
"That's good, next, it's your turn, don't disappoint me."
"I'll do my best."
At the same time, the contestants of venue B also rushed over, it seems that the competition over there has ended.
The resulting list is:
Alice: 95 points
Kurokiba: 93 points
Hayama Hayato: 88 points
Ibusaki Shun: 87 points
Ryoko: 85 points
Compared to venue A, venue B doesn't seem to have too much competition. Except for Alice and her follower reaching 90 points, all the others are just around the 80 point range.
Miura: "Hayato, you're here."
Hayama quickly returned a smile: "Yeah, I just finished competing and came back. What's the situation here?"
Yuigahama: "Hikki hasn't played yet, but... the situation is very bad."
Hayama Hayato had already noticed the huge score difference, and that it wasn't the same situation as venue B at all. Realizing this terrible pressure, Hayama Hayato could only smile and say:
"Don't worry, he's very powerful."
At the same time, Ryoko and Yoshino as well as Ibusaki Shun came to Grandma Fumio's side, panting slightly and said:
"I say, isn't this score too exaggerated, that's equivalent to everything being over 90!"
Ibusaki Shun: "Is there only one from Polar Star Dorm..."
Grandma Fumio nodded: "Marui and Mito have been eliminated, it's also coming to an end here, it's up to Hachiman now."
Yoshino: "I'm so pitiful, Grandma Fumio, I was eliminated!"
Grandma Fumio: "Idiot, you have to reflect when you go back."
On Alice's side, she, who has always been self-willed, just walked to a corner and sat down.
"That's really interesting, two 95 point guys, and even one over 90..."
Kurokiba: "I heard the people next to me just now say, the person you care about hasn't played yet."
Alice: "Oh? That's good, I thought he was eliminated, next, let's see what kind of dish you can come up with."
Kurokiba: "I really want to have a round with everyone on the list."
As time passed, Hachiman also seemed to have noticed that he seemed to be the last one to take the stage. From a certain point of view, he was taking full advantage of his luck, it was just useless.
Isshiki: "Next, it's all up to you, Hikigaya_Hachiman."
Kawashima Urara: "The last contestant, contestant Hikigaya_Hachiman from Polar Star Dorm, please come on stage!"
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