Thinking about the earlier events a certain girl's eyes continued to more into a daze "Hey Titania-chan you still awake?" someone snapped their fingers in front of her.
"What? Yeah what are we doing?" looking back at her club members.
"We're talking about the tour to the nearby fisherman's market but with that freshman there's a pretty high chance our budget will start going down"
There's still that problem "Our third year senpai got beat by a freshmen do you know how badly that reflects on this Research Society?"
As the other members were carefully discussing their course of action Christina's eyes went back out the window down to the setting sun. I can't wait for the sun to come back up. Smiling the words of her club members muted.
Waking up the next morning Sai headed down to the school building "Yukihira-san didn't come back last night again" he wondered it they were having problems since even Megumi didn't come back.
No time to think about that today's the day. Looking up at the clouds he thought about the last few days "Let's get to work" he sighed entering the aquarium.
Seeing Christina already there preparing a cooking table he came up next to her "Morning"
Turning she nodded "Good morning Sai today's the match right?"
Nodding Sai looked over the ingredients he was using "Time to chose what I'm doing"
Smiling next to him Christina gave a good luck thumbs up as he started.
Watching him begin a soupy substance Christina saw how he added the result into clam shells "Is this what you gave me last night?"
"Similar this one I used more potato starch" taking it she tasted it.
"It's good but something isn't right" Giving him a quick talk about the food Sai began to wonder something.
"Why is your specialty Seafood? New England uses them sometimes but not to this extent"
Smiling as if she was waiting for him to ask she answered "Because the sea is free. Wide and vast filled with mysteries and adventure doesn't that sound nice?" seeing his expression change she wondered what happened.
"That's it" smiling he started up the oven and placed one more dish in front of her.
"This is delicious!" widening her eyes she couldn't believe her tongue. Smiling Sai found himself satisfied by her expression. This will work.
Leaving the room Sai went down the hall and got directions from a few teachers and found himself in front of a certain room "We need to talk" Knocking on the door he gave a simple sentence.
A small stadium field with spotlights blasting down on the contestant stand students crowding the bleachers in careful anticipation the Shokugeki was about to begin.
"I don't know how but I got what you needed" Placing down the ingredient Souma nodded.
"Thanks Konishi-senpai" nodding they went to the stadium.
"Yo" they saw Sai waiting with a few coolers behind him "You ready?"
"Yeah Shiokawa-san" Souma was still wondering what brought Sai to do what he did but couldn't focus on that right now "I'll see you at the finish" nodding Souma entered the stadium.
"Shiokawa-kun looked a bit strange just now right?" Megumi asked before hearing the voices of the crowd and forgot about him. "There are so many people! Souma-kun don't panic and calm down" squirming to herself she began writing on her palm In times like this you have to write the kanji of person on your hand…" throwing air into her mouth Souma nodded.
"Yeah for now you swallow it okay?"
"Aren't you nervous? You're going to cook in front of so many people just thinking if it were me" her imagination got the better of her and she began to panic,
"Not at all I mean compared to standing in front of customers while carrying on your shops name this isn't scary at all" With a calm expression showing not a hint of tension Megumi's eyes saw Souma with a certain brightness which was when the lights suddenly shut.
Standing in the bleachers after storing the ingredients in another room Sai climbed into the stands trying not to stand out. It helped when the lights went off and a spotlight shot down on a single student.
"Thank you for waiting!" she started speaking into a mike "The Shokugeki administration bureau has recognized this match as an official Shokugeki" Black hair with some tied behind her head she was wearing a uniform "Soon it will start" with as cute of an expression as she probably could make with her childish face the crowd began to cheer.
Looking there was a fan club of guys yelling out and a group of girls giving out killing aura "Hey you forgot your headband!" Someone suddenly said next to Sai and he found himself close to the fan club group "Here you can use my spare"
Cheering out to her voice Sai didn't have a clue what he was doing "We have three judges the theme is Don! The main ingredient is Meat and now the contestants may enter! The first to appear is the meat master"
Motioning to a fully cloaked figure with long sleeves the crowd cheered and she took off the cloak "Mito Ikimi!" wearing only a flame patterned bikini top with short shorts the crowds attention was turned slightly as another group cheered and Sai noticed the announcers expression tighten.
"Still though does she keep that with her everywhere?" staring at the knife on her arm Sai thought of all the reasons she would keep that with her everywhere.
"What did you say?" sitting down next to him was Christina.
"Oh hey nothing really" taking off the headband he replied
She looked down at her "The Mito group owns a large meat company" she mentioned "Meat…" with a small voice she looked down to herself without Sai noticing.
"My parents sometimes buys meat from their America division but it was pretty expensive" he saw Christina looking at the stage with a strange amount of intensity "You're pretty interested in this"
She stared at him then looked down "So Sai do you like… meat?" with a nearly silent voice Sai mostly heard the insults being thrown at Souma as he came out.
"Everyone's booing him Yukihira enters with angry roars!"
"I can't wait to see you rookies expelled after what you did at the entrance ceremony!" Sai's head dropped.
"Whatever what were you saying C.T.?" he asked not seeing her face because of the darkness.
"Nothing" shutting him out he shrugged and stared at the stage.
Megumi was at the verge of crying when the announcer continued "Now let's go through this match's conditions again" pointing her hand towards Ikumi "If Mito-san wins the don research society will be abolished and Yukihira-kun will be expelled" turning to Souma "If Yukihira-kun wins the don research societies budget will increase their clubroom will be enlarged and they will get more cooking equipment along with Mito-san joining the Don Research Society!"
Staring at each other Ikumi spoke first "Transfer student! This will be the last time I'll speak with you if you have anything left to say now's the time"
Unwrapping the towel around his wrist Souma smiled "Really? But I'll be able to say them whenever I want later at the Don Research Society clubroom" suddenly seeing something in the private spectators room they saw to figures.
"Erina-sama?" "Why is she at such a small scale Shokugeki?" "Because Mito is part of her faction?" "Or is it because her assistant is having a match right afterwards?" "She would take her time just for that?" "To watch over the pair that declared war against her"
"Arato Hisako right?" seeing into Sai's stare Christina stop talking. He didn't even bother registering Erina's arrival only the arrival of her assistant.
"Sai-tan" turning she stared at the stage once again.
"Then Contestants to your kitchens" anticipation grew in the air "The loser loses everything a match of the tongue!" Raising her arm she threw it down "Let the Sholugeki start!"
Bringing out a large container instantly Ikumi called out "Transfer student! I'll show you an ingredient you'll never be able to handle in your life! Behold the ultimate meat!" A hanged beheaded cow came from the container.
Taking her knife she began to cut it up while it still hanged "Butcher knives because of their size are hard to aim but have amazing cutting ability to use it with this precision is pretty cool" Sai muttered watching.
"You must really like meat…" Christina mumbled.
"What? Of course meat is a great source of deliciousness" Sai replied smiling.
"America has a lot of beefy stuff like…" as she was about to start Sai listed them out.
"Triple size hamburgers, five-pound juicy steak, ten centimeter long super beef dog" she stopped him.
"I see lot of big dishes huh…" Sai nodded.
"Of course size is of one of the top importance in my view of american culture" you can find supersized pretty much anything in that country.
"I see…" Sai didn't notice her dropped gaze.
Back on stage Ikumi had just finished slicing up the meat removing all the lower-quality meat leaving only a lump of smooth flesh which glistened under the spotlight.
I'll take the best meat and cook it with the best of my skills at that time Ikumi couldn't possibly of had more confidence in herself. Placing it into a frying pan with butter she watched as the meat begin to cook and taking the butter and pouring it back over the meat.
"The venue is filling with the butter's rich smell! The hunger sensation produced just by that is amazing" the announcer along with the crowd started drooling as Ikumi placed the meat into the oven "On the other hand Yukihira's cooking it seems that he chopped up a great amount of onions and now he's bringing out the meat! What kind of ingredient will he use to counter Mito-san's grade A5!" without a bit of tension he took out the short loin steak from it's plastic bag.
"They had a discount sale I got pretty lucky" with a blank expression he said that.
"Don't screw with us!" the audience yelled throwing whatever they had.
"Hey Sai" Christina muttered "If you hadn't met senpai would you be doing the same thing?" Thinking Sai nodded.
"Most likely we aren't exactly well funded" Sai stilled dropped his head to Souma's actions.
Ikumi sighed "Enough of this you should use the remaining time packing" called turning back to the oven and took out a roasting hot piece of flesh. Poking it lightly letting out a few squirts of juice she brought the tip to her lips "Sixty four… Sixty five ok!" liking the results she wrapped it in aluminum foil and took another knife.
Sitting in the private viewing room Erina smiled "Do you know what supports her cooking?" she asked.
"The power that let's her freely handle the meat on the bone?" Hisako replied thinking.
"That's correct too but the truth lies in her sensibility" placing her finger on her lips she continued "The lips are an especially heat-sensitive part of the human body, even so her lips are so sensitive she can feel the exact temperature" and that delicate sensibility shines most when she's touching meat "Just watch her fingers as the gracefully spread themselves around the meat just like a pianist playing an elegant solo"
Hisako reacted to this statement and looked down into the crowd. It was only for a moment but she was sure her opponent was there.
Erina looked back noticing Hisako's reaction "Speaking of pianist I was surprised that Zack Thilian's brother is a cook" remembering the recording she got earlier that day "They're kind of similar don't you agree?"
Hisako looked at her confused "Shiokawa-kun's cooking and Zack Thilian's music as expected of siblings that grew up together" If Sai's cooking could be like the ocean. Tranquil yet fierce, limitless depth with adventure and full of mysteries, then Zack's music was like the sky. Endless and boundless with so many stars shining a light into a different world.
"I wonder which way it was" Erina poundered.
"What do you mean?" seeing her think Erina replied
"Was it his brothers music that influenced his cooking or Shiokawa-kun's cooking that inspired his music" the sound of his melody could match the taste of Sai's flavor. No it was almost as if they were made off of each other creating a new dimension.
"Now that I think about it you're match with Shiokawa-kun stemmed from that little accident didn't it?" nodding Hisako looked down "So what is your opinion?"
Knowing what she meant Hisako opened her mouth "It was-" she was interrupted when the judging started.
Finishing his dish Souma put it on plates and covered them "Be ready to start packing" Ikumi advised.
"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere" he replied with a confident smile.
"The judging will begin we're starting with Mito-san's dish" waving a plate with a small pile of rice was put right under a beautifully crafted glowing flower.
"This is an A5 Japanese beef Roti Don" letting the judges looked over it Ikumi gave it's name.
"Amazing the carved meat looks just like a flower I've never seen such a beautiful don" A Japanese woman in a Kimodo said as she took some of the dish along with the other judges and place it into her mouth. Her expression instantly exploded into a bright smile.
"This deep deliciousness is what makes A5 meat so amazing and even the fire's angel was calculated" the second judge nodded in approval "And below the flower petals is an outstanding garlic rice that was fried in beef tallow and butter I could eat three bowls of just this garlic rice" continuing to eat they slowly finished the meat "It's an unbelievable dish that was finished in a way that it's sexy! What magnificent craftsmanship"
With a confident smile Ikumi listened to the comments. This is the ecstasy of meat! turning over to Souma who was bringing out his own dishes.
"Will you introduce your dish?" the announcer asked.
"I call it Yukihira style Shalyapin Steak Don or something like that" placing down the don's the judges gave a disatisfied look.
"Shalyapin Steak… he made that cheap meat softer using onions creative but not enough especially after that dish just now" the judge sighed "I know right? I would like to go home with the after taste of the A5 beef" the others agreed.
With a smile saying he wasn't going to lose Souma lifted the lid and poured a small layer of sauce over the pile of onions making them stop talking and just watch deeply.
"It looks better the expected" he admitted raising his utensils. Ikumi watched having her eyes widen as the judges wouldn't stop eating "My hands won't stop! The meats tenderness goes without saying but even more so the sliced onions stimulates the appetite" he said.
"This body I see by using red wine to fry to the steak and used the concentrated oils to fry the onions" analyzing he came to that "Adding to the potato starch he used to give thickness to the sauce gives an entangling texture with meath and the rice" the second judge continued to smile "Arranged by the parched soy sauce he used burnt rice as a seasoning to deepen the flavor"
"Modifying the onions he created a special sauce moreover the meat and the sauce each have their own taste the more I eat the hungrier I is there another secret to this dish?"
Grinning Souma lifted a jar "The secret is that I used pickled plums and mixed it with the rice!"
Thanks to his explanation they understood "Can I have seconds!" one of the judges yelled "This don just makes want to keep eating!"
Not understanding their reactions Ikumi stared at her own bowl. They didn't finish the rice?
"You're wondering about the rice aren't you?" seeing her gaze Souma guessed her thoughts "The moment I heard from Konishi-senpai that you were using cured Japanese beef I knew that if gave the rice a strong flavor to match the beefs flavor they naturally counteract repelling each other"
Lifting up his hand "It might look like a don but it isn't the chief said it too" Drawing a circle he grinned "In the end Don's are completed in one bowl!"
"Even if you say that you can't win against my high-grade meat!"
"If you can't accept it you should try some too" a steaming bowl appeared before her "Hear them. The words of my don" simple yet efficient "It's done"
Taking it she scooped up some of the meat and rice and placed the dish into her mouth. Not stopping her expression softened until her eyes closed and a few tears came out the judges casted their votes
Whipping her face she stared at the screen announcing Souma's victory "It wasn't much" Megumi was yelling out congratulations as Ikumi saw Erina's disappointed face "Hey Nikumi let me eat some of your don too!"
"Don't get all cocky since you defeated me. And don't call me Nikumi!" Yelling out she struck back at Souma.
"Why? It's pretty cute if you write it in Hiragana" unprepared for such a comment Ikumi's face suddenly flustered "Best of regards from now on Nikumi-chan"
Out of words Ikumi turned and ran "Don't say that you idiot!" running out Souma called reminding her she was part of the don research society now.
"You're amazing Yukihira" the don chief came up "You are the only I can trust the Don Research Society too" deciding this he stared straight into Souma's eyes "The next Don is you! Yukihira"
"But-" Souma was about to decline his offer when the lights shut off.
"Now for the next Shokugeki Arato Hisako vs. Shiokawa Sai!" the announcer yelled out.
Getting off the stage Souma passed Sai "My turn" nodding they clapped hands "Don't lose Shiokawa" nodding he went out.
"Mito lost against Yukihira but now the match is against Arato can Shiokawa make a miracle shine down once more?" standing across from each other the pink haired secretary and the american chef stared at each other "The theme is seafood! The main ingredient is Clams! If Arato wins Shiokawa is expelled if Shiokawa wins neither Erina-sama nor Arato can have any knowing involvement in any negative effects regarding the Ocean Life Research Society!"
Christina jumped from her seat "What?" Sai told her it was because Hisako insulted his brother so why was the conditions suddenly changed?
Knocking on the door Sai heard a surprise yelp "Don't open the door I'm here about the Shokugeki" he called in.
"Giving up?" Hisako replied on the other side.
"No I would like to change the betting chips. Even if you apologies it's just a lie going through your teeth" Sai noticed it in the club room from some papers and some of Christina's attitude "Discuss it with Nakiri-ojousama but if I win neither of you are allowed to negatively impact the Ocean Life Research Society" stating the new conditions he wasn't sure if she would go with them.
On the field Sai cracked his neck "Thanks I won't lose now"
With a glare Hisako turned "It doesn't matter this will be your end" there was a small pitch change in her voice but Sai didn't bother noticing.
"Shokugeki Start!"