SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 35 out, this is Chapter 36 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts? So, please be a dear and read and review. Seriously guys, we need more obscure Sailor Moon crossover fics!
Disclaimers: Shokugeki no Souma and Sailor Moon belong to Tsukuda Yūto-sensei and Takeuchi Naoko-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the pairings in this fic and plot, I hope.
Pairings: Unofficial!Takumi/Ami, Souma/Megumi later, established!Isami/Makoto
Chapter 36: Camera Flash
"The second bout is really heating up now." Urara was getting excited. "Preparations seem to be going well in each bout."
On the sidelines...
"Wow, Megishima-senpai and the others seems to be going at full power." Megumi gawked.
"Power, huh?" Eizan snorted. "There are more clever ways of handling this."
"And who lost to the first-years again?" Momo taunted.
"I'm different now." Eizan retorted. "I'm going to crush Yukihira, no matter what it takes."
"How's Mimasaka doing?" Daigo was worried.
"It seems like he's planning something, but I'm not sure." Shōji replied.
"I wonder if he's going to use his Perfect Trace, like usual." Yoshino mused. "You startled me." she exclaimed when Ibusaki suddenly gaped. "What's up, Ibusaki?"
"I was thinking the Kuga-senpai doesn't look like he's even going to use the green tea." the smoke expert realized.
"On the other hand, Tsukasa-senpai has four varieties of tea leaves." Sakaki noticed the four different tea leaves Tsukasa had with him.
"Is he going to use all of them in his dish?" Mito wondered.
"The definition of green tea is rather board and there are various ways to use it." Hisako started.
"Green tea refers to unfermented tea leaves that are dried immediately after being picked, which prevents enzyme activity from oxidizing them." Marui took over. "There are different varieties, like sencha, urology, hojicha, and kabusecha, each with their own flavors and aromas."
"Not only that," Ami supplied. "Different varieties of green tea have different brewing methods. Take the leaves Tsukasa-san has, for example. Sencha is steeped in boiling water for 30 seconds; this brings out the leaves' catechin. Genmaicha, on the other hand, lacks both unami and bitterness, and is steeped at 90 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds to bring out its fullest aroma. Fukamushi sencha steeps very easily so it's only steeped for less than a minute at 80 degrees Celsius. Gyokuro is steeped at 60 degrees Celsius for two minutes as the lower temperature ensures the unami is seeped slowly into the water."
"He's using a Nambu ironware teakettle to boil the water." Hisako noted. "It removes the sharp tang of the hot water, giving it a milder, softer flavor."
"There's definitely a reason why he's the first Seat." Souma noted. "He knows what's he's doing with the ingredients. "The heck is that?" he blinked when Tsukasa brought out his long grater.
"It's an utensil known are the grater, but I've never seen one that long." Takumi explained.
"It's almost like a knight's swore." Megumi remarked. "Der Weiße Ritter der Tafel."
"He took care of all the ingredients at once." Kurokiba gawked at the speed Tsukasa went through dicing his ingredients.
"That's a dynamic way to use it." Hayama agreed.
"His handling of the green tea goes beyond perfection." Megumi was in awe. "But that's not all. How are we going to compete with that?"
In the arena...
"It looks like you've been concentrating on that wok for this entire time." Tsukasa looked at his opponent. "You doing okay, Kuga? Being trapped in your own field mat be a bad habit of yours. Obsessing over one thing may keep you from reaching greater heights when it comes to flavors. It's not that I don't acknowledge your passion. But I have to say, I don't think you'll be able to defeat me if you don't change."
"I don't know about that." Mimasaka cut in and tossed a jar of black liquid to Kuga. "We're allowed to help our other teammates with their preparations. That's one of the rule in a Team Shokugeki, isn't it?"
"Good work, Mimasaka-chin." Kuga grinned, bringing out his green tea leaves.
On the sidelines...
"Kuga-senpai finally brought out the tea leaves." Mito beamed.
"He must've been waiting for Mimasaka to finish that." Megumi remarked.
"Mimasaka was using his Trace on Kuga-senpai, even though he's our ally." Takumi realized.
"That's why he was able to support him at the perfect time." Sakaki smiled.
In the arena...
"Heyo, heyo, heyo!" Mimasaka was in his Kuga cosplay. "Today's the day I'm gonna show that Tsukasa who's boss."
"Please don't." Kuga was completely weirded out. "But good work, Mimasaka-chin. Kuga Terunori's just starting to cook." he fired up his wok and placed his chopped pork on a grilling net.
On the sidelines...
"What the heck is that?" Daigo wondered.
"Aluminum foil and a grilling net in a wok?" Shōji frowned.
"That's an impromptu smoker." Ibusaki recognized. "Kuga-senpai's goal was to smoke the meat using the tea leaves."
"Now I see." Ami realized. "By smoking the pork, he's able to directly apply the green tea leaves' aroma to it. He's using a totally different approach than Tsukasa-san."
"I never knew you could do that with a wok." Souma was impressed. "Maybe I'll try it next time. So what'd he do with that black liquid?"
In the arena...
"I was just about to use it actually, Yukihira-chin." Kuga grinned. "While the meat's smoking, I'm going right into my expert sauce-making. I reduced some balsamic vinegar until its flavor and aroma were condensed. Then, I added black vinegar, sugar and powdered green tea. And to top things off, I'm going to add this smoked soy sauce."
On the sidelines...
"Smoked soy sauce?" Yoshino echoed.
"That's what that liquid is." Ibusaki confirmed. "Mimasaka was smoking that this whole time. Smoking soy sauce makes the aroma stand out more and gives it a more complex taste."
"That smell is truly amazing." Hayama admitted. "Adding the smokiness not only to the meat, but also to the sauce, increases the dish's harmony."
"Oi Kuga." Eizan started. "Didn't you want to face Tsukasa one-on-one?"
In the arena...
"Shut up." Kuga growled. "Despite how I look, I'm an adult. I won't let my silly pride get in the way. My job right now is to make sure I completely defeat you, Tsukassan."
"I see." Tsukasa noted. "So you have the resolve to win, even if you have to abandon your pride. You definitely do seem a little different, Kuga."
"I'm going to end your undefeated streak here." Kuga promised.
At the judges' table...
"But is Mimasaka Subaru keeping up with his own preparations?" Charme wondered. "He doesn't have enough time or concentration to keep supporting others."
"You definitely have a point." Anne agreed. "He's facing a considerable opponent himself. The current fourth Seat of the Elite Ten, and the greatest sushi chef of this generation, Saitō Sōmei."
On the sidelines...
"Sushi chef?" Daigo and Shōji exclaimed.
"What?" Ami was surprised. "You guys didn't know?"
"Mimasaka managed to pull a tuna card against a sushi chef?" Megumi panicked.
"He's the king of bad luck!" Yoshino fumed. "Mimasaka somehow has worst luck than Yukihira."
"I'm not unlucky." Souma protested. "Besides, look. Mimasaka looks like he has something up his sleeve."
In the arena...
"You are truly an unlucky man." Saitō drew his knife. "But mercy will be unrefined. When I stand before a cutting board, I will do my utmost best." he declared and started filleting his tuna.
On the sidelines...
"He filleted that large tuna in an instant." Kurokiba was impressed.
"Power and technique." Alice added. "So, this is the strength of the Elite Ten's top Seats."
"Mimasaka's almost done with the filleting, too." Takumi noticed his former opponent was following behind Saitō.
"What the heck's going on?" Daigo gawked as Mimasaka was copying Saitō step by step.
"He's perfectly copying the other dish with no time lag." Shōji gaped.
"The 'Perfect Trace Flash', I believe he calls that technique." Ami started. "With the speed of a camera's flash, he can instantaneously perceive and analyze his opponent's actions and intent, and enabling his body to mimic the exact same steps."
"Talk about a flash." Mito gushed.
"This is nothing like Mimasaka's usual Trace." Sakaki gawked.
"When did he manage to raise the bar this high on his copying technique?" even Yoshino was impressed.
"Good grief." Takumi sighed. "Talk about promising."
"Even though he has already defeated you with his base 'Trace' technique." Ami ribbed the blond.
"None of your business!" Takumi pouted.
In the arena...
"Min name is Saitō Sōmei." Mimasaka faced his opponent. "I walk down the culinary path."
"The way one learns the sword is through mimicry." Saitō drawled. "You have excellent skill. But though, I practice Bushido, even I would never use 'min'."
"Yeah, you do." Rindō refuted.
"You sure do." Tsukasa agreed.
"You do." Megishima concurred.
"Not you, too!" Saitō complained. "Very well, but a moment, please." he got the atmosphere back on track.
On the sidelines...
"He filleted the rest of it." Kurokiba blinked.
In the arena...
"Use it." Saitō offered his knife to Mimasaka. "Your knife is not up to par. You are going to chip your blade. If you do not use my beloved blade, Isanagiri, you go against my Bushido."
"There he goes again." Rindō laughed.
"Saitō's annoying habit has kicked in." Megishima sighed. "He has Bushido on the brain to the point where he'll force it on anything."
"I thank you." Mimasaka borrowed the knife to finish his filleting. "Now min Trace is even closer to perfection."
"Now that we're both done the filleting, the real battle begins." Saitō grinned. "Follow me!"
"Of course!" Mimasaka mimicked Saitō. "I'll soak the akami in a marinade or mirin, soy sauce and red wine. I sear just one side of the tuna cheeks in butter to enhance their aroma."
On the sidelines...
"Wait, he's preparing each part of the fish in different ways?" Sakaki was stunned.
"What kind of sushi is he trying to make?" Mito wondered.
"Straw?" Yoshino gawked at the bundle of straw Saitō and Mimasaka had in their hands. "Why straw, though?"
"A shichirin." Hisako gasped when both chefs started grilling their tuna.
"Just like Kuga-senpai, Mimasaka is doing whatever he needs to win." Takumi noted.
In the arena...
"And now for the arrangement." Mimasaka started plating his dish.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting." Saitō finished his dish first.
On the sidelines...
"They prepared everything the exact same way, but Saitō-senpai finished first?" Megumi gasped.
"It's so unbelievably beautiful." Takumi was stunned. "There are so many intensely different shades of red sparkling radiantly on the plate."
"Those are even smaller than the temari sushi I made at the Autumn Elections." Alice gushed.
At the judges' table...
"Ten Bite-Size Maguro-sushi Rubies." Saitō presented his dish. "Now, please enjoy."
"They say that in Kyoto, they have tiny sushi that the maiko can eat without smearing their makeup." Anne gushed.
"A dish that truly seems to encapsulate the beauty of Japan." Histoire was impressed.
"I also apologize for keeping you waiting." Mimasaka presented his dish.
On the sidelines...
"A perfect trace." Yoshino gawked.
"They're the same." Shōji gaped. "Their sushi looks exactly the same."
"Wait, there's just one that's completely different." Marui pointed out.
"You're right." Daigo agreed. "There's a gunkan maki that Saitō-senpai doesn't have."
"So, that's the arrangement Mimasaka decided into battle with." Takumi noted. "That's where their tastes differ."
"Shut your mouths!" Urara fumed. "Like he stands a chance against Saitō-senpai. The true skills of a sushi chef are empyreal. A day isn't even enough to set foot on the treacherous path they have to walk to become one. There's no way a copycat bastard could actually make good sushi."
"Mimasaka, let her have it." Ami instructed.
At the judges' table...
"Understood, onee-sama." Mimasaka responded. "Just try one. Eat up." he served up three pieces of his sushi to Urara.
"Bring it on!" Urara accepted the challenge and dipped one of the sushi into soy sauce and popped it into her mouth. "Ecstasy!" she squealed. "The bastard has perfectly brought out the full flavor of each part of the tuna. And this rice... it's not just normal sushi rice."
"Correct, I used red vinegar." Mimasaka confirmed. "Red vinegar is made from sake lees that have been aged for a long period of time. It's a high-end vinegar that takes five to six years to make. Isn't that right, senpai?"
"Indeed." Saitō replied.
On the sidelines...
"Because it has a low sugar content and a mellow flavor, the rice becomes fluffier and softer." Hisako explained.
"But that also makes it harder to strengthen the harmony of flavors between the rice and topping, so it requires extra care." Hayama pointed out.
"Mimasaka was actually able to copy him that far?" Kurokiba was amazed.
At the judges' table...
"I think that's enough of a detour, Miss Cute Little MC." Charme pulled the completely derailed Urara back on track.
"Sushi is the best when it's freshly prepared." Anne gushed. "I'll just..."
"Hold up a sec!" Rindō declared. "Rindō-senpai's coming through. I'd prefer if you eat my dish before it gets cold, too."
On the sidelines...
"The meat is buried in cayenne peppers." Shōji gawked.
At the judges' table...
"I call it Laziji Caiman." Rindō named her dish."
"I'm finished too." Megishima also presented his dish. "Here's my African Ramen."
On the sidelines...
"Megishima-senpai's ramen isn't that red." Sakaki pointed out.
"Where'd all the peppers go?" even Marui was confused.
At the judges' table...
"Then, let's just have both sets of dishes at once." Anne declared. "Let the deliberations begin."
"I will begin with this beautiful sushi." Charme picked up a sushi piece.
"This paste must be the cayenne pepper." Histoire started off with Megishima's ramen.
"Both chef's sushi are unparalleled." Charme was instantly captivated. "The most dangerous piece is the straw-grilled noten sushi."
On the sidelines...
"Noten?" Alice blinked.
"The cut of meat from the top of the tuna's head and also one of the priciest cuts." Kurokiba explained. "The tsunotoro."
"Because it was grilled with straw, all the fishiness is burnt away, leaving only pure savory flavor behind." Hayama added.
"So, the battle's going to come down to that gunkan." Ibusaki noted.
At the judges' table...
"There's meringue on top of this negitoro." Charme picked up the gunkan maki. "The fragrant aroma of the fermented soy sauce; he supported his teammate and used it for his own arrangement. So he calculated both."
"The mellow aroma of the smoked soy sauce..." Anne squealed. "It brings out the contrast in texture between the meringue and the negitoro even more. This is definitely the Ultimate Negitoro Eggs-Over Rice Gunkan Sushi."
"That's harissa." Megishima informed the judges. "A seasoning blend that's said to have originated in northern Africa. The ingredients include paprika, caraway seeds, lemon juice, garlic and a lot of cayenne pepper. Then, they're all mashed together into a paste. The ramen's broth is based on chicken muamba, an African stew of chicken, nuts, and tomatoes. It's the perfect detonator to amplify the spiciness of the super-spicy harissa."
"Extra thick cuts of char siu pork rubbed with homemade peanut butter before simmering." Histoire shivered. "The noodles soak up the broth and the spiciness from the harissa. I can't stop eating it."
"It's deliciousness is making my body cry out from the heat." Anne gushed. "These are the results for the second and third bouts." she announced, giving the win to Central.
"Why?" Mimasaka demanded. "The arrangement on that gunkan should've been perfect."
"The gunkan maki wasn't the deciding factor." Charme corrected. "It was the invisible cuts."
"I traced the invisible cuts and included them myself." Mimasaka argued. "By adding cuts to the meat, the tuna immediately melts in your mouth, spreading the flavor throughout."
On the sidelines...
"But you forgot what you were making were miniature ruby beads of bite-sized sushi, Mimasaka." Ami reminded. "In other words, you've added too many invisible cuts."
At the judges' table...
"Hakuizumi-hime is indeed correct." Saitō affirmed the heiress' assessment. "If you add the same amount of cuts as you would for normal sushi, the tuna will melt too quickly. In order for the flavor to linger long enough, it's necessary to use fewer invisible cuts. It appears as though you weren't able to trace that minor detail. There is no need to blame yourself. This is just the difference in our experience."
"The African Ramen is indeed magnificent." Histoire admitted. "But Kobayashi Rindō's dish far surpasses that."
"By using the Laziji method, she was able to push the mild alligator meat into a fragrant and rich realm of flavor." Anne agreed.
On the sidelines...
"Looks like I win this round." Rindō bragged.
"This is a competition." Megishima reasoned. "I have no regrets."
"Don't worry." Souma assured. "We still have...
At the judges' table...
"That's right." Kuga presented his dish. "Could you not end things before they've even begun? I, Kuga Terunori, still have my dish."
SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.