For the next period, Hoshino Sora lived very comfortably. After finishing his weekend dates with Kitagawa and Yuigahama, he returned to Far Moon.
During the day, he commuted between various competition areas to watch his wives' matches, and in the evening, he returned to the dormitory to reward them. Because his opponents were not very strong, he didn't encounter a truly formidable foe until the semifinals.
Akikubo Momo, the third-year student who always carried a stuffed doll and was incredibly cute. She was the Fourth Seat of the Totsuki Ten Elite, specializing in various dessert dishes.
A very difficult opponent.
In Area A, on the competition stage, Hoshino Sora and Akikubo Momo stood opposite each other.
"Akikubo-senpai, I never thought we'd meet here one day. Speaking of which, you haven't been back to the dormitory in a long time. What have you been busy with lately?
But even if you're busy, you should come back and visit. Everyone misses you, and so does Kobayashi-senpai."
Looking at the petite, cute Akikubo Momo in front of him, Hoshino Sora approached with a smile, greeting her. Although they weren't particularly close, they were, after all, roommates in the same dormitory.
Akikubo usually took good care of him, and he couldn't cold-shoulder her or speak ill of her just because she had defected. Hoshino Sora knew very well that no one had to accommodate him.
If he were to break down and curse simply because of differing stances, that would be a sign of immaturity.
"Momo has been busy with company matters lately, Sora? You seem to have caused quite a stir recently."
Looking at the handsome man in front of her, Akikubo Momo asked knowingly. For someone who broke rules and touched upon her interests, she should, by rights, detest him.
However, when the troublemaker became Hoshino Sora, she just couldn't bring herself to dislike him. On the contrary, she found him daring and charming.
Perhaps this was the passive buff brought by boundless charm.
"Circumstances forced my hand, Senpai, please don't blame me. However, if possible, I still hope you can stand on our side, because I will definitely overthrow Azami Nakiri."
Hoshino Sora said with firm eyes. There were no conflicts of interest between them, only purely different stances, which was why they could communicate so calmly now.
"If you can win against me in this competition, it's not impossible for me to stand on your side."
She tightened her grip on Buchi. Because the theme for this competition was "Cookies," which was a perfect theme for desserts, drawing this theme in the semifinals could be said to be very lucky.
If she lost even with this theme, she would have nothing to complain about.
"You said it, Akikubo-senpai! I will do my best to defeat you!"
Clenching his fists, Hoshino Sora said excitedly.
"Then I shall look forward to it."
For today's competition, Hoshino Sora had made many preparations. During this time, he used Erina Nakiri as a taste tester, perfectly utilizing all the advantages of her God Tongue.
The cookies in his hand were also optimized more than ten times with the help of the God Tongue. With each improvement, Hoshino Sora was able to satisfy Erina Nakiri more, until last night...
Due to precise control, Hoshino Sora had an exceptionally accurate grasp of the proportions of various ingredients and seasonings, allowing him to precisely correct the issues Erina Nakiri raised.
Especially with this cookie theme, after countless combinations and pairings, Hoshino Sora finally found the optimal solution, which was what he was about to make...
Sifting low-gluten flour into a bowl, then pouring in milk, egg yolks, butter, and other ingredients and mixing them well. This step ensures its milky and eggy flavor, making it more crispy and delicious.
The spatula stirred in the bowl in one direction, being careful not to knead by hand. This step takes about 20 minutes to allow the cookies to layer, giving them a richer texture.
Don't underestimate these twenty minutes; if not handled properly, the baked cookies will only be hard and difficult to eat.
Because of his strong physical constitution and exceptional talent, Hoshino Sora mastered everything about making cookies in just a few attempts and began to try innovations.
Simple cookies would absolutely not be able to defeat Akikubo Momo, Hoshino Sora knew this very well, so he decided to use a set meal format for the cookies, which was very difficult.
The difficulty lies in how to make the flavor of one cookie continue into the next, creating a resonance among the flavors of the entire set of cookies, ultimately reaching a deeper level of flavor.
For this, Hoshino Sora put in a lot of effort.
Next...
Finely chop the dried plums into a powder and add them in batches while mixing the dough, which gives the cookies a sweet and sour taste, forming the overall base tone of the set meal.
As the dough was continuously kneaded, its heat steadily rose under Hoshino Sora's rhythmic pressing, and the dried plum powder perfectly blended with it.
When it felt ready, he wrapped it into a rectangular bar with kitchen paper and put it into the refrigerator to freeze and set, which would also make it easier to cut later.
After completing this step, Hoshino Sora began to process the pre-prepared flowers and herbs, using a special method taught to him by Hana-hime to boil them, which could perfectly stimulate their aroma.
There is also a knack to the flowers and herbs used to make flower and herb cookies; not all flowers and herbs can be eaten or taste good. Common flowers include roses, osmanthus, jasmine, etc.
Herbs are rarer; currently, only plantain and dandelion can be used.
After processing the flowers and herbs, the dough in the refrigerator was almost set. He took it out and neatly cut it into thin, even slices. He brushed a layer of oil on the baking pan and placed the prepared cookie dough onto it.
Then he added the pre-processed flowers and herbs and baked them in three batches. Each pan of cookies had 6 pieces, which was the best set meal Hoshino Sora could prepare in such a short time.
Making a good, delicious cookie is both difficult and simple. It's simple because you only need to ensure crispness, aroma, and flavor. It's difficult because you need to achieve all three simultaneously.
This is also the biggest selling point of cookies, and Hoshino Sora prepared to maximize it!
Thinking of this, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but look at Akikubo Momo on the side. Her movements were unhurried, clearly indicating that she was nearing the end of her cooking.
The doll Buchi was disassembled, and two heat-resistant gloves appeared on her hands. As the oven opened, a rich aroma filled the air, causing nearby spectators to frequently turn their heads.
"It seems that Akikubo-senpai has finished her dish first. What kind of cookies did she make?" Kawashima Rei's voice echoed in Area A, and everyone turned their gaze towards her, filled with curiosity. At the same time, Akikubo Momo brought out the freshly baked cookies.
The drone overhead instantly flew over, and the large screen in the air projected the dish on the plate, or more accurately, the dish in the box.
Akikubo Momo, after taking out the cookies, quickly placed them into a carefully selected gift box. The gift box was compartmentalized, with ten compartments in total, looking very high-end.
Clearly, Akikubo Momo also made a set meal.
Their ideas coincided.
Placing the boxed cookies on the dining cart, Akikubo Momo set off first. Hoshino Sora, seeing this, was not in a hurry, but instead looked at the soup left over from cooking the flowers and herbs earlier.
"This is Little Momo's Cookie Harvest Gift Box. Please start eating from the first cookie in the upper left corner."
Walking up to the judges' table, she presented three boxes of cookies to the judges. Looking at the three judges whose eyes held scrutiny, Akikubo Momo began to introduce her dish.
Seeing this, the three judges each picked up the cookie in the upper left corner from the gift box in front of them and took a bite...
"Delicious! Delicate and soft, sweet but not greasy. The taste of each cookie seems independent yet closely intertwined. As expected of the former Fourth Seat of the Elite Ten!"
The intense flavor caused Lin, one of the three, to make an indescribable sound, her face flushed. The dishes that had shocked her recently were simply too many!
First, there was Hoshino Sora's signature Shrimp Golden Fried Rice a while ago. Then came Kuga Terunori's Super-Excellent Flavored White Mapo Tofu, Eishi Tsukasa's Silver Cod Autumn Song...
And now, Akikubo Momo's Cookie Harvest Gift Box.
"The slightly hard texture of the almonds, combined with the soft cookies, harmonized each other's shortcomings. The flavor of the next rose cookie is also very unique. Since the same dough is used, the core base flavor is the same. Next is..."
Tasting them in order from left to right, from top to bottom, although each cookie was a common type found on the market, Akikubo Momo's superb Production skills made the overall taste of the cookies elegant and harmonious, bringing out an unusual flavor!
"No, why can't I stop? The rich flavors intertwined and converged in my mouth, eventually forming a rolling torrent. This feeling is simply too wonderful!"
Closing her eyes and savoring it, Kurotome's first impression was that the cookie style was old, but it was exquisitely made. Every detail was polished, and the craftsmanship was superb, reflecting the accumulation of time.
But if it were just like this, she would definitely not show such an expression, and Akame's hair would not be flying. So what exactly was the secret of this cookie?!
"Flaxseed oil."
Smacking her lips, Akame searched her mind, and soon, the image of flaxseed appeared in her mind, and the words immediately blurted out.
"The main components of flaxseed are fat, protein, and dietary fiber. Other components also include minerals, α-linolenic acid, lignans, flaxseed gum, vitamins, etc."
"Moreover, the slight bitterness of flaxseed oil reacted perfectly with the sweetness of the cookies, creating a unique flavor. This is why we can't stop, and it even helps with weight loss."
On the other side, Lin, upon hearing Akame's words, naturally began to explain, and a relieved expression appeared on her face. No wonder these small cookies could make them unable to stop; the secret was here!
"This is absolutely the best cookie I've ever eaten in my life!"
With an expression of enjoyment on her face, Kurotome exclaimed, then turned her gaze to Hoshino Sora who was following behind, a hint of pity in her eyes.
After eating such delicious cookies, eating his would likely show a very obvious contrast, especially after eating so many cookies, she felt a slight sense of 'satiety'.
"So beautiful!"
"How can so many flowers and herbs be placed on top of cookies? Will the taste really be good?"
"No matter what, the visual effect is definitely outstanding."
Seeing the dish Hoshino Sora presented, the audience below immediately started discussing. Hearing the sounds, Shiina Mahiru's fists were half-clenched, seemingly a little nervous.
One person below was her respected senior, and the other was her beloved husband. Shiina Mahiru didn't know who to cheer for at the moment, so she could only pray silently in her heart.
"I finally made it to Little Momo and Sora's competition. How much has this guy grown now?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora on the stage, Kobayashi Rindo's figure appeared at the entrance of Area A at some point. She looked at the two on stage with eager eyes, her face full of curiosity.
"Before tasting my dish, have a cup of flower tea to cleanse your palate."
As he spoke, Hoshino Sora opened the lid of the first cup of tea and offered it to Akame. Kurotome and Lin also opened their lids, and a rich floral fragrance mixed with tea aroma wafted out.
As the rich, refreshing aroma entered their stomachs, the 'greasy' feeling in their mouths immediately dissipated. Looking at the six exquisitely made cookies in the box, all three swallowed their saliva.
Milk aroma, butter aroma, floral aroma—various scents wafted in the air, tempting their appetites!
Picking up a rose cookie and taking a bite, Kurotome felt as if she was in a rose garden. The rich floral scent and bird calls clearly appeared before her eyes!
"The taste of jasmine is absolutely amazing, and it overlaps with the previous rose. There's also osmanthus, and all kinds of flowers overlapping, as if entering a vast sea of flowers!"
In the illusion, the three of them held hands and spun in the sea of flowers, surrounded by dazzling blossoms. A feeling of relaxation arose from the depths of their hearts.
This feeling seemed to take them back to their childhood, those carefree and worry-free days.
But if it was just like this...
She looked at another empty box next to them. Both sets of cookies were, to be honest, excellent, and both had brought cookies to their utmost potential, so it was difficult for them to determine a winner for a while.
"Please try this flower tea."
Seeing the conflicted expression on Kurotome's face, Hoshino Sora opened another cup of flower tea. This cup was brewed with water that had cooked flowers, filling the air with fragrance, yet no flowers were visible.
Of course, none of this was the most crucial part. The most crucial part was that this tea came from the same flowers used in the cookies, and with one cup down...
Hearing three delicate cries, Hoshino Sora revealed a satisfied expression. This was a combination strongly recommended by Erina Nakiri, and also the combination he finally settled on after trying nearly a hundred different pairings!
The amount contained within it would definitely not be any less than what Akikubo Momo had.
"Next, please, all judges, write down the chef you believe is better to advance to the finals!"
Those who enter the finals will no longer compete, but will directly obtain elite ten seats and participate in the Elite Ten ranking battle half a month later!"
Kawashima Rei's voice rarely carried a hint of tremor. This was a competition to determine elite ten seats! The winner, starting today, would become a member of the new Elite Ten!
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