"This is truly a wonderful flavor!"
Eishi Tsukasa's eyes lit up as he praised her.
The other Elite Ten members also looked at Tadokoro Megumi in surprise, not expecting this unassuming, timid girl to be able to create such a delicate and wonderful dish.
They had really underestimated her before.
Then, Yukihira Soma, Alice Nakiri, and Ryo also brought out their own dishes, which similarly astonished the Elite Ten.
"Was this really made by first-years? This is astonishing!"
Eishi Tsukasa said with immense surprise. From Tadokoro Megumi at the start to these few people later, their cooking skills were all remarkably outstanding, completely unlike the level expected of first-years.
"It seems this batch of first-years is unexpectedly strong."
Nene Kinokuni also had a serious expression, glancing at Satou and Erina Nakiri beside her.
One must know that, currently, the two strongest first-years had not even made their move yet!
"Indeed, it's excellent. I'm increasingly optimistic about the future of our Far Moon."
Azami Nakiri put down his knife and fork, elegantly pursed his lips, and said with a smile.
Next to be served was a tomato stewed eel made by Shiratsu Jurio.
Tomatoes, eel, olive oil, and other ingredients were stewed together. The dish had a bright, vibrant red color, filled with the fishy aroma of eel and the sweet and sour flavor of tomatoes, making it look incredibly appetizing.
Azami Nakiri and the others immediately began to taste it.
The umami of the eel was thoroughly stimulated by several spices, and the rich olive oil and sweet and sour tomatoes further enhanced this flavor.
"The tender fish fat, sweet onions, garlic, and tomatoes blend together, light and beautiful like a waltz. It's truly an amazing flavor."
Azami Nakiri elegantly took a bite with his fork, a look of praise on his face. "What's particularly amazing is the use of tomatoes, which can be called the hidden main ingredient of this dish."
"The tomatoes used should be San Marzano tomatoes, right? These tomatoes have the least water, which is why they can bring such a rich, sweet, and sour taste to this dish."
Eishi Tsukasa said from the side.
"It is indeed a very good dish."
Isshiki Satoshi said with a smile.
"Of course! To catch up to your pace, Isshiki, I've been practicing day and night. What I've been waiting for is... this day!"
Shiratsu Jurio pointed at Isshiki Satoshi and said in a deep voice.
In his heart, he had always considered Isshiki Satoshi his goal to chase after.
Isshiki Satoshi paused, then asked with a smile, "Sorry, what was your name again?"
Shiratsu Jurio's expression instantly froze, as if he heard the sound of his heart breaking.
"Isshiki, you're being too rude."
Nene Kinokuni said calmly.
"Ah, my bad, but I really can't remember his name."
Isshiki Satoshi said with a smile.
"Both in skill and taste, you have already reached the level of the Elite Ten. Welcome, become the new Elite Ten."
Azami Nakiri opened his arms towards him, indicating his welcome.
"Um... although I also think he certainly has the level to be an Elite Ten, the tasting isn't over yet, is it?"
Eishi Tsukasa paused, then reminded him from the side. In fact, what he was most looking forward to was... Satou's dish next.
"That's right, there are still people who haven't tasted yet."
Akikubo Momo also said indifferently.
"Alright, although I think it's no longer necessary, for the sake of fairness, let's taste the dishes of the others."
Azami Nakiri smiled faintly and sat back down.
Satou then brought up his dish.
Crispy golden fried eel rolls were placed on a lush green lotus leaf. A light and elegant lotus fragrance, accompanied by the rich aroma of eel, wafted over.
"So fragrant!"
Eishi Tsukasa's eyes lit up. He thought to himself that he had indeed waited correctly, quickly picked up his chopsticks, and began to taste.
"Is it Satou's dish? Then let me taste it and see just how charming your dish is, to be able to abduct my daughter."
Azami Nakiri smiled slightly, then elegantly picked up his chopsticks and began to taste as well.
Erina Nakiri's face inexplicably flushed. Hearing her father publicly say that she was abducted by Satou made her a little shy.
The fried eel rolls were exceptionally crispy. Biting open the golden outer layer revealed the tender fish meat inside, making the fish aroma even richer. The pork filling wrapped inside was chewy and piping hot and juicy.
"Such an elegant, light fragrance, as gentle as moonlight. This is... lotus fragrance?"
Feeling that faint, almost imperceptible aroma on his tongue, Eishi Tsukasa was stunned.
"This lotus leaf fragrance entwined with the dish has elevated the entire dish!"
Isshiki Satoshi said with a face full of admiration.
In a trance, everyone felt as if they were lying naked on a light lotus leaf. The night was quiet, the moonlight gentle, and lotus flowers quietly bloomed in the darkness, mysterious and elegant.
In the pond beneath the lotus leaves, dark, slender figures wriggled. Suddenly, countless eels leaped out from under the water, binding them with their slippery bodies and dragging them down into the dark water.
"It feels like... I'm going to suffocate in this tranquil lotus pond!"
Nene Kinokuni's face was flushed, her eyes closed, steam rising from her head. She was clearly trying her best to endure something, and finally, a shameful sound escaped her nose.
Akikubo Momo couldn't hold back even more, directly blushing and letting out a soft cry.
"What a truly magnificent dish.
Satou, your cooking never fails to move me."
Eishi Tsukasa suddenly cried and threw himself into Satou's arms.
Satou was momentarily at a loss whether to laugh or cry, patting his back and comforting him.
"I was just too moved. To taste a dish so close to nature, it resonated with my heart."
Eishi Tsukasa wiped away his tears and said with a smile.
Satou nodded. He knew the characteristic of Eishi Tsukasa's cooking was… dedicating his entire being to the dish, and since the theme of this dish was nature, it deeply touched him.
"I say, how long are you two going to hug?"
Erina Nakiri suddenly said, a hint of sourness in her voice.
Satou also noticed this; the two indeed looked quite intimate at the moment.
"Ah, my apologies, I got too excited."
Eishi Tsukasa laughed and quickly separated from Satou.
"It is indeed a good dish.
No wonder you could charm my daughter away."
Azami Nakiri smiled faintly, but his hand on the table was trembling uncontrollably, trying to hide the intense fluctuations within him.
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