Alice Nakiri stood up.
She tossed the manga book "Redo of Healer" she was holding aside and looked at Erina with a somewhat bewildered expression.
"How did you just barge into my villa, and even look… even look at this kind of manga book?"
At this moment, Erina's pretty face was so red it looked like it was burning, and she spoke with a mix of shame and anger.
"Manga book?"
"Isn't this yours?"
"Could it be that you were afraid of me finding out you like these things, which is why you're always so secretive about it?"
Alice was first stunned, then immediately understood something, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Nonsense!"
"How could I like this kind of thing?"
"That… that's Hisako's, yes, she accidentally left it here."
Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Erina could only retort defensively.
"Hisako's?"
Alice smiled lightly and nodded: "I understand, I understand completely."
Seeing her like this, Erina gritted her teeth in frustration. Finally, she couldn't stand her anymore and quickly put the manga book away.
Then, she sat down on the sofa, pouting, maintaining a distance from Alice as if an "entire galaxy" separated them, making it quite awkward.
…
The atmosphere was slightly oppressive.
The two looked at each other, and Alice was the first to look away, feeling a bit unnatural.
"Speak, what do you want from me this time?" Finally, Erina took the initiative to break the awkward silence.
"Here."
"I made some Dragon Whispering Strawberries."
"I thought I'd let you taste them and see if there's anything that needs improvement?"
After speaking, Alice opened the exquisite box on the table, revealing a row of delicate strawberries before Erina's eyes.
"You actually made Dragon Whispering Strawberries?"
Looking at those strawberries, Erina felt a wave of speechlessness.
She secretly thought that Alice was indeed just like before, always liking to be particular about small things.
Initially, she wanted to refuse, because she truly had no interest in the Molecular Cuisine Alice made now!
But on one hand, she was genuinely afraid of Alice's persistent nature, and on the other hand, she was curious about how much she had improved over the years.
So, after much thought, she still picked up a small spoon, crushed a strawberry, drizzled a spoonful of strawberry jam over it, and then tasted it carefully.
…
Dragon Whispering Strawberry.
It first originated from a WGO three-star restaurant in Japan.
The most remarkable aspect of this dish's preparation process is its cooking temperature, ranging from -196℃ to 99℃, from low temperature to high, and then from high temperature to low.
At the same time, the realistic appearance of the strawberry, the on-site crushing, the dual sensation of ice and fire…
These unique aspects all demonstrate that this Dragon Whispering Strawberry dish, though it goes from a real strawberry to a fake one, and after dozens of steps, seems to have come full circle.
But it must be said, this is indeed a highly creative Molecular Cuisine dish.
Upon tasting it, Erina, possessing the God Tongue, felt a sweet sensation.
The nearly 300-degree temperature difference gave the entire Dragon Whispering Strawberry a particularly wonderful texture.
Cold and hot, crispy and soft, sweet and sour, and other different sensations, all resonated continuously in her mouth at the same time. Various wonderful freshness and sweetness, even after swallowing, left an endless aftertaste!
"How is it?"
"What's your evaluation of this dish?"
Seeing Erina finally take a bite, Alice asked, both anxious and expectant.
"Hmm!"
"It's alright."
"The flavor changes are very rich, but it's not particularly stunning!"
Opening her eyes and savoring it for a moment, Erina replied truthfully.
…
"Alice."
"Cuisine, at its core, is based on ingredients."
"Choosing the right processing and cooking methods, pairing them with the right seasonings, arranging them appropriately, and enjoying them in the right environment."
"Therefore, while I can't say I particularly like your Molecular Cuisine, I don't actually hold much contempt for it in my heart."
"At least this method of cooking using theoretical knowledge and high-precision instruments is much better than commoner cuisine!"
"However, your cooking often has many fatal flaws!"
"Although Molecular Cuisine might not be too particular about ingredients and such."
"But you clearly overdid it. Take this Dragon Whispering Strawberry dish, for example; you pureed it and then froze it at ultra-low temperatures."
"This method completely destroys the unique components, textures, and flavors of the ingredient itself."
"Although it's ultimately made back into the original appearance of a strawberry, that's just the appearance. The strawberry's original texture and freshness no longer exist!"
"In other words, many of your methods are like 'taking off your pants to fart'—they have no practical use at all."
"Hey!"
"Erina."
"I didn't come here to be lectured by you."
"Every time I kindly make food for you to taste, and every time you comment on its shortcomings. Do you ever consider my feelings?"
Listening to Erina's final evaluation of her dish, Alice gritted her teeth in anger.
If it were possible to have a Shokugeki duel at this moment, she would have wished to challenge Erina to a showdown right then and there.
"Feelings?"
"How ridiculous."
"If this is your level, then I advise you to just drop out of Totsuki!"
"Your cooking will only become a stepping stone for others to trample on!"
"I… I…"
Alice was so rebutted that she couldn't utter a single word.
"If you don't understand, then follow me to the kitchen."
With that, Erina stood up and left the villa, heading towards her exclusive kitchen.
And behind her, Alice Nakiri, after calming down slightly, knew that her own strength was indeed inferior to Erina's. At the same time, she also wanted to see what dish Erina intended to use to convince her.
Therefore, she quickly followed closely behind her with anxious steps.
…
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Finally, in the kitchen.
The moment Erina lifted the lid of the steamer, a majestic and imposing red dragon slowly ascended amidst the steam!
Such a breathtaking sight was completely on par with Alice's past Molecular Cuisine, so much so that her mouth was wide open, almost big enough to fit an egg!
"Huh?"
"Dumplings… dumplings flew into the sky?"
"Oh? Why does only the tail curl up at the end, making it look like it's standing?"
Even though this "red dragon" ultimately failed to truly fly, it still greatly broadened Alice's horizons!
"Taste it. I believe only after you taste this Rising Dragon Dumplings will you understand where your own problems lie."
Seeing Erina's serious expression, Alice couldn't help but be stunned. Then, driven by curiosity, she picked up a small shrimp dumpling with her chopsticks and took a light bite.
"Whoa!"
"This… this dumpling…"
Immediately, Alice Nakiri was utterly astonished!
At this moment, she knew she had truly lost, and lost very thoroughly!
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