SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 41 out, this is Chapter 42 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 42: Watching from Beside You
"I'm sure you've had enough of the Elite Ten dishes by now." Azami told the three judges.
On the sidelines...
"What are you talking about?" Shōji glared.
"You're in charge of the whole thing." Mito retorted. "There's no way you should be the judge."
"Get lost, you dumb ass!" Yoshino fumed. "You really think that's gonna work?"
"I'm pretty sure Uncle Azami thinks just that." Alice confirmed.
"He does blurt out crazy things with a completely straight face." Hayama agreed.
At the judges' table...
"I've still haven't tasted my beloved daughter's cooking since I came back to Japan." Azami remarked. "Not even at the Moon Festival, because someone got in the way."
In the arena...
"What the hell, Director?" Rindō fumed. "Don't just come barging in here during our match. Stay out of this."
At the judges' table...
"Please don't get the wrong idea." Azami smirked. Senzaemon-dono and Hakuizumi-dono have also agreed to this. Isn't that right, Senzaemon-dono, Hakuizumi-dono?"
On the sidelines...
"Grandfather." Alice gaped when her grandfather into view.
"Uncle Susumu..." Ami breathed.
At the judges' table...
"Both the commissioners have come to this decision." Azami added, "There's no one who can overturn it. Now," he stood in front of Anne. "If you would kindly get out of my seat."
"This is an official Shokugeki." Anne reminded. "We have our responsibilities as the appointed judges and individual deliberations go against the rule of the WGO."
"You are correct." Azami agreed. "Now, allow me to invite my trustworthy guests."
"Decora, Courage." Anne recognized her two trainers. "They are both well-known WGO adjudicators."
On the sidelines...
"There were the people who brought into Nakiri Azami's ideals in the WGO too?" Marui was shocked.
At the judges' table...
"And we are the ones who trained Anne's palate to what it is today." Decora replied.
"We helped her so much, so she was finally able to become a full-fledged Bookman." Courage added.
She was so useless back then." Decora reminisced.
"Not to mention innocent and lame." Courage sighed. "Anyway, we'll be taking over, so we won't be breaking any WGO rules."
"Very well." Anne conceded. "But I also am a 1st rank WGO adjudicator, so I will also participate in the deliberations. We require that concession, at least."
"Very well." Azami relented. "Miss Anne, you may stay. Please continue with your preparations. The three of us will be deliberating from now on."
On the sidelines...
"They're so annoying." Yoshino fumed.
"They seriously took over the judges' table." Mito glared.
"Team Shokugekis sure do keep you on your feet." Souma noted. "Talk about lucky."
"How?" Yoshino and Mito snapped.
"Think about it." Souma related. "The guy just got off his high horse to join us in this match. Now we can sock him with flavor personally."
"But what's stopping Azami from completely rigging this in his favor by simply tossing out the dishes from our side without even tasting them?" Ami pointed out a flaw.
"He wouldn't be that underhanded, would he?" Ibusaki wondered.
"I won't put it past him." Alice admitted.
"This is totally unexpected." Urara declared. "But let us continue with the fourth bout. All that remains is the first match Tsukasa Eishi versus Isshiki Satoshi, and the second match, Kobayashi Rindō versus Takumi Aldini."
In the arena...
"Damn you, Director!" Rindō retorted. "How dare you try and meddle with our battle? You're really starting to piss me off."
On the sidelines...
"So much animosity..." Sakaki was stunned by the sheer hostility Rindō displayed.
"It's like she's putting all her rage into her cooking." Mito gaped.
"Don't you dare lose, Takumi-cchi!" Yoshino yelled.
In the arena...
Nakiri Azami's actions definitely surprised me. Takumi admitted. But why is she so agitated? He stole a glance at his opponent. What was that brief uneasiness I just felt? It's almost like a wild animal doing everything it can to intimidate an enemy.
"Come on, move your ass, Aldini." Rindō was ready to present her dish. "I'm going to present my dish first."
At the judges' table...
"I guess we're tasting Kobayashi's dish first." Azami noted. "Fetch me the wine list, will you, Courage?"
"Rindō-senpai's coming through." Rindō matched towards the judges' table.
On the sidelines...
"Nii-chan's dish is also done." Isami stated, seeing Takumi following the third-year.
"It appears both contestants in the second match will be serving at once." Urara remarked. "The new faces at the judges' table will begin their tasting."
"Their theme was spear squid, wasn't it?" Sakaki blinked.
"Nii-chan made calamari ripieni." Isami realized. "It's a dish you make by stuffing the squid and baking it in the oven until it's nice and juicy."
"It's a dish commonly served in Southern Italy, off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea." Marui supplied.
"What's Rindō-senpai's dish?" Sakaki wondered.
"It's super elegant." Shōji gawked.
"It almost looks like a cute cake." Daigo remarked.
"Causa..." Ami instantly recognized the dish.
At the judges' table...
"How splendid." Azami marveled. "Why don't we partake in Takumi Aldini's dish first before it gets cold?"
"Piping hot calamari." Decora chuckled, digging in. "There's so much unami gushing out, I feel like I might get burnt."
On the sidelines...
"It looks super tasty, like Japanese ikameshi." Souma remarked.
"They may look similar, but what you put inside is way different." Isami explained. "Usually, you would mix panko, cheese, eggs, and tomatoes."
"But because it's such a simple dish, the fillings relies on the chef's experience and creativity." Hisako added.
At the judges' table...
The rich, juicy savoriness of the seafood explodes all over my tongue. Decora squealed. "The keystones to this dish are the squid liver and anchovies."
"Correct." Takumi replied. "I chopped them finely and sauteed them in olive oil, red peppers, and garlic until they were nice and fragrant. I then added some white wine and simmered it."
"But the component that's giving this dish most of its depth in flavor is actually on the outside." Anne noted.
"Right." Takumi nodded. "After I sauteed the filling, I added heavy cream to the liquid left in the pan and heated it, creating squid liver and anchovy cream sauce. I've drizzled that sauce over the squid."
"The creaminess contrasts with the tanginess and saltiness inside, giving the tongue endless shifting flavors to enjoy." Courage remarked.
"Having the squid and its filling harmonize perfectly brings out the ultimate flavor of the spear squid." Takumi declared. "That's my calamari ripieni."
"We shall express how delicious this dish is with our bodies." Decora stood up. "A shell of calamari packed so full of seafood unami that's it's about to burst. It's almost like..."
"The new winter collection that's going to glamorously wrap around our bodies." Courage gushed.
"We've recreated the soft and smooth skin of the squid with silk." Decora posed. "Because of the lighting, the lamé, which sparkles like the anchovies' scales, add to the luxury."
"In this sexy see-through cami that's been inspired by the red peppers, we up the volume with the girly garlic patterns sewn in." Courage held her pose. "A must-buy for the season."
"Just as I expected, it tasted quite lovely" Azami praised. "Now then, I believe that's enough of the opening act. Let's move on to the main attraction."
Miss Kobayashi's dish... Anne mused and took a bite. This is...
"It's just as Hakuizumi-hime guessed." Azami confirmed. "Causa. One of the most classic dishes of Peruvian cuisine. Various seafood are sandwiched in between layers of mashed potatoes and pressed together. You could even call it an unique potato salad."
"She mixed minced spear squid with egg whites and onions, then swallow fried it with lemon, mayonnaise and soy sauce." Courage noted. "That makes the fluffy squid burger the star of the show."
"The famous Peruvian seasoning made from mashed yellow peppers, Aji Amarillo, gives the mashed potatoes a nice yellow color." Anne added. "The sweetness of Hokkaido's beloved Danshaku potatoes emphasizes the body of the squid's flavor."
"The most surprising part is the layer beneath the hamburger." Decora noticed. "It's usually a layer made with tuna, but she seems to have used a somewhat unusual ingredient."
"Yup, pirarucu." Rindō grinned. "The world's biggest freshwater fish, which inhabits the Amazon River."
"Whitefish flesh is decadent, giving it a refine nature." Azami remarked. "And depending on how it's cooked, you can enjoy a nice, springy texture, similar to chicken."
"I'm friends with a guy who breeds them in Japan." Rindō bragged. "And I even caught one in the Amazon before."
"This is truly an unique dish I'd expect from you, Kobayashi." Azami chuckled. "She manages to tame all the savage, vast flavors Mother Nature has to offer and transforms them into a top-class gourmet dish."
Mister Aldini's dish also had complete harmony with its outer shell and filling, making it superb. Anne mused. But...
To think she was able to bring out the aroma of the spear squid this much with the tender flesh of the pirarucu. Decora was impressed.
It feels as though it will transform the person eating it. Courage gushed.
"That completes our deliberations." Azami declared. "If you have any objections, speak now."
"I have no objections." Anne conceded.
"The results of the second match are unanimous!" Urara announced. "Kobayashi Rindō wins!"
On the sidelines...
"I mean, she's the second Seat of the Elite Ten." Yoshino gaped. "She's just too strong."
"But they complimented Takumi's dish so much." Sakaki remarked.
"Yo, Aldini." Rindō addressed her opponent. "Your dish was pretty great, too, but it looks like I was even better this time."
"Yes, I gave everything I currently have to that dish." Takumi admitted. "At this point, you're better than me, senpai. I hate to admit it, but it's true."
"Aren't you honest?" Rindō grinned.
"Well," Takumi cast a look at Ami. "Someone taught me that it isn't a big deal in putting down your pride."
"We're finally done to our last match today." Urara went back to business. "Tsukasa Eishi versus Isshiki Satoshi."
"I'm sure Isshiki-senpai will be able to pull through." Sakaki was confident.
"But he's up against the first Seat of the Elite Ten, Tsukasa Eishi." Mito reminded.
"And their theme is wild rabbit." Yoshino was worried.
"Rabbit meat, huh?" Souma mused, Hisako refilling his tea cup. "I think I handled some during our French cooking class."
"Rabbit meat is used quite often in French cuisine and there are many ways to prepare it." Marui stated.
"Tsukasa Eishi is an expert in French cuisine, so he must have lots of experience with it." Mito pointed out.
"What about Isshiki-senpai?" Sakaki asked. "He's an expert in Japanese cuisine."
"With traditional Japanese cooking, there aren't many ways to prepare animal meats." Yoshino noted. "Depending on the region, it's common to eat venison or boar meat, but animal meats were pretty much shunned until the Meiji Era."
In the arena...
"Very nice." Isshiki chuckled, removing the nori sheets from his stock pot.
On the sidelines...
"That must be the dashi stock." Hisako noted.
"Despite the fact he's going up against the first Seat of the Elite Ten, he still looks like he's having fun as usual." Daigo remarked.
"It looks like he's just making food for us back at the dorm." Shōji agreed.
"I know." Yoshino piped in. "Maybe Isshiki-senpai is trying a different cuisine than Japanese."
"Oh yeah." Shōji recalled. "Senpai's a pro at basically any type of cuisine."
"I'm sure he's got plenty of idea for how to use that rabbit meat." Daigo agreed.
"I highly doubt that." Ami supplied, already used to her surrogate brother's thought process.
In the arena...
"I'll make traditional Japanese soup." Isshiki out down his serving bowl. "A special Isshiki soup packed full of the natural goodness in the ingredients."
On the sidelines...
"Japanese soup?" everyone in the cage chorused.
"Reconsider this!" Daigo protested.
"Also, never say 'Isshiki soup' again. Shōji snapped. "It's creepy!"
"Why are you all so worked up?" Souma was confused. "Japanese soup with wild rabbit sounds super tasty."
"Don't make it sound so simple!" Hisako fumed. "Wild rabbit is game meat that is renowned for its pungent smell."
"And out of all the options, he picked wanmono, one of the mildest and most delicate Japanese dishes." Sakaki added.
"Even if the ingredient could be considered extra depth or unami on other dishes, in wanmono, it could be considered an unnecessary distraction."s Erina explained.
"You're using gamy meat in wanmono?" Yoshino retorted. "How thoughtless can you be?"
"You've used beat meat, Yukihira." Hayama reminded. "You know how hard it is to handle game."
"That was super hard." Souma recalled. "It sucked."
In the arena...
"Now, this is where the real challenge starts." Isshiki started boiling down his stock. "I'll add these rabbit giblets I sauteed just long enough to cook off excess moisture to the kombu dashi. I want to get all the unami I cam from it for my broth. I'm be pushing it until the last second. It's complete." he presented his dish. "Please enjoy."
At the judges' table...
"It's not an exaggeration to say that you know how complete a wanmono is as soon as you open the lid." Decora praised.
"The first explosive rush of aroma..." Anne added. "How much can that draw someone in? It's so warm, pyon!" she gushed, overwhelmed by the aroma once she opened the lid. "This is the real deal. The aroma is so pure and clear. I feel like I'm in my mother's warm embrace."
"The rich, mellow aroma of the kombu is combining with the powerful and pungent wild rabbit..." Courage sighed.
"The rough edges have been worked away, leaving a pure, delicious soup that could be easily served at a traditional Japanese restaurant." Decora added.
"The beautiful colors of each ingredient and how they're arranged..." Anne beamed. "It's truly a piece of art."
"Just looking at it draws me in." Courage was mesmerized.
"It's traditional yet unconventional at the same time." Decora remarked. "Truly genius."
"Now, let us judge the flavor." Anne took a sip of the soup.
"This flavor..." Decora was stunned.
"It was already a feat to masterful use wild rabbit and kombu together in a delicate wanmono." Anne gushed. "But he even used dashi from clams. He basically reinvented a traditional Japanese soup stock unlike anything I've seen before."
"From the aroma to the flavor, we are taken by surprise." Azami admitted. "It's as if he's performing a traditional Japanese dance to invite us to the world of Japanese tradition. And the wandane and the wanzuma..."
"I wonder if there's something inside this wandane." Courage remarked.
"Indeed." Decora broke the mochi. The clear broth is turning cloudy." she gaped as the miso wrapped within the mochi flowed out.
"This mellow aroma... is miso!" Anne realized. "The clear broth has instantly become miso soup."
"Let me answer your questions." Isshiki explained. "What's inside the mochi is minced wild rabbit and green onions. Both were steamed thoroughly in white miso paste. For your first sip, I wanted you to enjoy the clear soup, then enjoy the aroma of the wild rabbit and miso as it slowly spread. Now, after taking a bite of the mochi, please take another sip of the soup."
"In Japanese, there's a specific phase for describing the structure of artistic things like performances." Anne referred to her books. "It is... johakyu! This dish has carefully composed different levels of beauty in a single bowl. This is truly the ultimate in aggressive Japanese cooking. Even the Der Weiße Ritter der Tafel will have trouble fending off this barrage of attacks."
SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.