Italics indicate thinking
Bold is for attacks
No One's POV
The B-Block arena was a buzz as the combatants began to cook, throwing all sorts of things into pots to make curry.
"They are moving at a rapid pace." One of the judges said.
"That one girl looks out of place."
They were referring to Megumi Tadokoro who was making a mess of her spice rack.
"Those two are twins?" the main judge, Orie Sendawara observed the two boys "The one is using beef shank and chicken bones, and the other has lined the pot with tomatoes."
A strange aroma hit the judges "This is…Duck fat!"
"Game curry." Orie observed "But the true contest…is with those three."
She was gesturing to a trio of skilled chefs, Alice Nakiri, Hisako Arato, and Clint DeMister, the three were the lead of this group, and weren't holding back.
"Is Nakiri making pie dough?" the one judge said.
"What's all that heavy machinery behind her?!"
Alice was already prepping a blast chiller and a centrifuge.
"Look at Erina-Sama's aides!"
"The girl…" one judge said "She threw spices into plain water…"
"What is the boy doing?" Orie asked as Clint pulled out a bottle.
He pulled the cork on a bottle and poured a reddish brown liquid into the pot.
"That's…"
"Barbeque sauce?!"
"I'm gonna rock it!" Clint roared out.
Clint's POV
"You two are pulling out all the stops." Alice taunted "I'm glad you're taking me seriously."
"No point in holding back." I smirked "Ain't that right darlin?"
"I wouldn't want to embarrass Erina-Sama." Hisako said checking her pot.
"We won't let her down." I said chopping "I won't lose!"
Alice isn't the only competition, there's the Aldini brothers, Miyoko Houjou, Sadatsuka Nao, and I can't forget about Hisako…oh…her too…
I saw Megumi was rolling something in
What is she planning?
I looked over at Hisako, she was so focused, winning was clear in her eyes.
I've never seen her so focused…the fire in her eyes, it's wonderful!
"Are you ready Hisako-Chan?" I yelled "Time's almost up!"
"Why are you calling me that?" Hisako mumbled "You…never use honorifics, especially "Chan"
"Relax darlin." I smiled "The real good stuff is coming!"
I looked over.
So you're starting…Megumi.
The little blue haired girl rolled out a hook with a goosefish on it.
You usually cut a goosefish while it's suspended, a little thing like her is gonna slice up that monster?
Her motions were quick and fluid, simple and sharp and in no time, the fished was gutted, down to the bones.
Incredible skill! She cut that fish like it was nothing. Hard to believe someone like her is a shy little butterfly.
"The time is coming, prepare to present!" Urara cheered "Let's get started! There are five judges and each can give 20 points, so a total of 100."
The first guy went up, decent dish, judges like it…33 points.
What a rookie.
Low score after low score, no one even cracked 45.
"Next up is…UGH!" Urara started choking "What is that?!"
"This is it…" the girl said walking up the steps "My special, Sadatsuka Nao's Jet Black Curry Laksa!"
Nao's plates were filled to the brim with a pitch black bubbling goop. They reeked of death, like a truckload of manure.
"There's squid ink and Laksa noodles." The judge Shingo said.
"This smell!" judge Osaji gasped "It's-!"
"Kusaya." Nao smirked.
"0 points!" Osaji yelled "I don't even have to taste it, the smell is proof of it being awful."
Orie gulped and then started to pick up the noodles.
"Orie-Sama!"
"I am doing my job and judging." She said.
"They're actually gonna eat it!" the girl standing with Megumi yelled.
I think he name is…Yoshino…it's defiantly Yoshi-something….I'll just call her Yoshi.
"They keep eating it, despite the smell." Megumi gasped.
"That's Sadatsuka Nao's specialty." I said walking up behind her.
"DeMister-San!"
"Call me Clint kid." I said.
"What do you mean it's her specialty?" Yoshi asked me.
"Nao-san, is an expert in boiled dishes, she knows everything about peculiar ingredients." I explained "The places she cooks are so sinister that children run in fear. The smells she creates linger for weeks. People fear her for Sadatsuka Nao is…"
"The Boiling Witch!"
The judges scores rang up.
"84 POINTS!"
"The two of you should get ready to grovel." Nao cackled glaring at Hisako and I.
"Move." I said pulling her to the side "You're in the lady's way."
Hisako's POV
"My dream of being at Erina-Sama's side, she'll abuse me with her words. The thrashing I'll get from her God Tongue…OHHH~"
"We settled that two years ago." I said "When we had the Shokugeki."
"Oh I remember." Nao laughed "I haven't been able to get close to Erina-Sama…and your second condition."
"That…" I sighed.
Two years ago
"The administration acknowledges this match as an Official Shokugeki. The terms are agreed upon."
"When I win you'll quit being Erina's secretary." Nao drooled "Correct Arato-san."
"Yes Nao-san, but if I win, you will never again come within 50 meters of Erina-Sama!"
"In addition you also both agreed to a second condition."
"Yes." We both nodded.
"The loser will give up all romantic feeling for the transfer student Clint DeMister!"
The Present
Clint's POV
"The judges look good as new!" Megumi said in shock "What happened?"
"That's Hisako's specialty." I said "Medicinal cooking, she knows all sorts of natural remedies."
She made a medicinal curry, knowing Nao's dish would nearly poison the judge's palates….
"I mixed four different spices; this is my dish Mutton Meat Shimotsu-To Curry!" Hisako smiled.
"Dishes that cleanse the body and mind…nothing less from my better…her dishes are as pure and clean as she is…that is the power of Arato Hisako." I explained "In ancient times rulers had taste tasters and nutritionist, in our case…Erina-Sama is the queen, and we are the servants. There is a reason she is…The Left Hand of God!"
I'll be going towards the end…good, like a fine wine my meal only gets better with age.
Hisako's POV
"Sadatsuka Nao you're cooking is selfish and self-centered, you can never serve Erina-Sama, and you will never be worthy of him…" I said "You're an eyesore, get out of my sight!"
"And the scores…"
"92 points! Arato Hisako takes the lead!"
I'll win Erina-Sama just watch me…and when I do, I can finally tell him how I feel…
A few more contestants went and the top four began to shake out, right now it was form 1 to 4, Hisako, Houjou Miyoko, Yoshino Yuuki, and Sadatsuka Nao.
"Our next contestants…The Aldini Brothers!"
AN
Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me any questions or concerns.
Till Next Time!
