Food Wars: Taste Reversal

Chapter 88: 085. Undefeated Dishes.



Shiraki, who was the first to finish cooking, did not immediately bring his hot pot to the judging table. Instead, he placed the lid on the pot and stood calmly in front of his cooking station, waiting.

Urara Kawashima naturally noticed Shiraki's unusual behavior and, with some curiosity, remarked, "Huh, Shiraki-san isn't serving his dish immediately? What is he waiting for? Could it be that he's waiting for Mito-san to finish her dish?"

Depending on the theme and ingredients of a shokugeki (Food War), the rules could vary slightly. Sometimes both contestants are required to finish their dishes within a set time and serve them simultaneously. Other times, contestants may serve their dishes as soon as they are ready, where speed and mental composure become additional factors determining victory.

Hot pot dishes are typically served and eaten immediately after cooking, though some modern variations like "cold hot pots" exist. However, Shiraki's hot pot clearly didn't fall into that category.

Mito Ikumi, slicing her A5-grade beef with precision, overheard the comment and instinctively glanced over at Shiraki.

"Transfer student, why aren't you serving your food?"

Perhaps influenced by Urara Kawashima's remarks, Mito furrowed her brow slightly as she addressed him.

"Ladies first," Shiraki replied, gesturing politely toward her. He remained still, as if determined to wait for Mito Ikumi to finish her dish before presenting his own.

Shiraki's decision stemmed from sheer consideration. After all, his hot pot featured a chili pepper notorious for its intense spiciness, capable of numbing people for an entire year. If the judges tried his dish first and became incapacitated, Mito Ikumi would lose her chance to compete fairly. To avoid such an outcome, Shiraki opted to wait.

However, his well-meaning gesture was misinterpreted by Mito Ikumi. Seeing Shiraki's calm "ladies first" expression, veins bulged on her temple.

"Bastard!" Mito exclaimed, spinning around and pointing an accusatory finger at Shiraki. "I don't need my opponent's sympathy!"

"…Are you sure?" Shiraki asked, puzzled by her sudden anger. "I'm not trying to sympathize, but if you serve your dish after mine, you might suffer."

What Shiraki meant was that the judges, after tasting his Yawana Chili hot pot, might lose their sense of taste, which could prevent them from properly appreciating Mito's A5 beef. However, Mito heard it differently. His words sounded like an insult—that her dish wasn't on the same level as his.

Clenching her fists, Mito forced herself to remain composed. Taking a deep breath, she said coldly, "Thanks for your concern, but I don't need it. Even if my dish is served after yours, I won't lose."

Seeing Mito's resolve, Shiraki relented and brought his three small, bubbling hot pots to the judges' table.

"Shiraki-san's dish is entering the review stage!" announced Urara Kawashima excitedly, dashing over to stand beside the three judges. "What kind of evaluation will this dish receive?"

When Shiraki lifted the lid, the explosion of aroma was instantaneous. The fragrance, concentrated from being sealed, burst forth like a force of nature.

"This—this is..."

Judge Zinai Zangmu, overwhelmed by the intense aroma, felt her body go weak. Before even tasting the dish, she was utterly captivated. The scent invaded her senses like magma swallowing polar ice—a dizzying, irresistible sensation.

"What an incredible dish! Is this really a hot pot?"

Another judge, Yoshiki Oto, sat sweating in front of the steaming pot. As a professional food critic, he was used to delivering insightful commentary, but at this moment, he felt utterly unworthy. The dish radiated an oppressive pressure, making him feel small. The sheer aroma threatened to overwhelm his restraint, reducing him to a ravenous eater.

"I…I vote for this student!" blurted the third judge, who had been salivating uncontrollably since the competition began. Unable to resist any longer, he pressed the button for Shiraki without hesitation. He didn't care about Mito Ikumi's dish—his appetite had already chosen for him.

"Me too!"

"I vote for Shiraki as well!"

The other two judges followed suit, abandoning any pretense of impartiality. They quickly pressed their buttons, then grabbed chopsticks and spoons to dive into Shiraki's hot pot.

"Wait, wait! Judges, this is against the rules!" Urara Kawashima shouted in panic. "You must taste both contestants' dishes before scoring! That's a basic rule of the shokugeki!"

But her objections came too late. The damage was done. On the large screen above the stage, the score appeared: 3–0 in Shiraki's favor.

Mito Ikumi stood frozen in shock, her unfinished hot pot and A5 beef forgotten in the chaos.


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