"Hahaha, well then, we won't hold back!"
"The boss's cooking during a showdown is on a whole different level from the usual!"
"Alright, I'm digging in!"
The other judges, eyes gleaming with hunger, couldn't hold back any longer. They eagerly picked up their spoons and began eating without hesitation.
Sato, however, remained calm. He decided to examine the dishes first.
Cuisine, after all, is judged by appearance, aroma, and taste. The aroma was already in the air, but with both dishes' scents mingled together, it was hard to judge that category.
That left color and taste.
At a glance, the two plates of fried rice looked similar. Both were a light golden color, flecked with diced ham and scallions, colorful and appetizing.
Yet the boss's dish seemed to emit a mysterious sheen, an almost otherworldly luster.
After a moment's pause, Sato reached out with his spoon toward Yukihira Soma's dish. He scooped up a spoonful and held it up to eye level, inspecting it carefully.
Each grain of rice was distinct, coated evenly in golden egg. The rich aroma of egg melded with the savory scent of ham and scallions, interwoven in a harmony unique to egg fried rice: simple, yet tantalizing.
But... even though it looked similar to the fried rice he could make himself, something about it felt completely different.
Puzzled, Sato opened his mouth and took a bite.
The grains danced on his tongue. Soft and fluffy, yet with a hint of toughness perhaps elastic, even. It was like they had a spring to them.
He felt strangely like sunlight was brushing across his face.
"Hm? This feeling..."
His eyes flew open. This sensation was incredibly familiar.
He instinctively looked up at the boss, Yukihira Jouichirou, who happened to be watching him too. When their eyes met, Jouichirou chuckled and gestured toward his own dish.
"Try mine."
"Hey! Don't just go picking his side because he's the one who chose you!"
Soma, looking nervous, glared at Sato with fierce suspicion.
Smack!
Jouichirou casually smacked Soma on the back of the head, narrowing his eyes with mock menace. "You think I need to pull tricks to beat you?"
Soma rubbed his head and muttered, "Well, I don't know... Otherwise, how could I have lost over 400 times...?"
What a heartwarming father-son bonding...
Sato chuckled and turned back to the other dish.
This one was the boss's creation.
Though also egg fried rice, it seemed to glow with a golden aura, dazzling and almost magical.
He took a spoonful.
With a gentle chew, his eyes widened instantly.
His mind blanked and in the blink of an eye, he found himself standing on a beach.
Golden sunlight cascaded from the sky, bathing him in warmth. In the distance, waves lapped at the shore beneath a vast blue sky. Seagulls glided freely through the air, and a soft breeze carried the scent of the sea.
His spirit soared.
In that moment, it felt like his entire being was ascending. His brain tingled with pure euphoria.
When he came back to his senses, he couldn't stop himself from taking another bite.
…
"This feeling… it's amazing! The boss's dish really is on another level!"
"Yeah, looks like Soma still has some work to do. Has he ever won, though?"
"I'm voting for the boss too. Soma... hasn't won once, has he? Hahaha!"
"I'm with the boss!"
The other judges had already finished. Reluctantly, they placed their spoons in the now-empty plate belonging to Jouichirou.
One of them grumbled, "Jouichirou, your portions are way too small! Barely enough to fill a tooth gap!"
"Yeah! Why are the portions always so tiny during these contests?!"
Someone else chimed in, giving Jouichirou a sidelong glance. "Next time we judge, portion size will be part of the scoring."
"Huh? Yeah! That makes total sense! Feeding your customers properly is part of a chef's job!"
"Haha, Matsui, that's the smartest thing you've ever said!"
"Screw you!"
Jouichirou stood with arms crossed, a toothpick in his mouth, chuckling at the exchange.
These idiots are full of crap.
Sure, competition portions were smaller than usual but not that small. What did they have, crocodile jaws or something?
Gabriel also made her choice, mimicking the others by placing her spoon in Jouichirou's dish. A serene smile graced her lips, and she folded her hands in front of her chest as if in prayer.
Was she... thanking God?
Soma's face turned gloomy as he watched. Then he turned to Sato with hopeful eyes, the last judge left.
Sato felt a bit sorry for him, but still...
"Sorry. I have to say the boss's dish was better."
He gave Soma a genuinely apologetic look and placed his spoon in Jouichirou's dish.
Soma collapsed, clutching his hair and staring at the ceiling in anguish, letting out the dramatic wail of a defeated man.
"Aaaargh!!! Damn it all!!!"
Jouichirou laughed heartily and looked at Soma. "You've still got a hundred years to go before you can beat me!"
"Alright! We're open for business again. Who wants what?"
"Boss! A bowl of tonkotsu ramen!"
"Fried rice for me!"
Jouichirou whipped out sticky notes and started jotting down orders at lightning speed.
Finally, he looked at Sato and Gabriel, standing just a few steps away, and asked with a smile:
"And you two? What'll it be?"
Sato thought for a moment. "Seafood risotto, please."
Gabriel immediately chimed in, "I'll have the same!"
"Got it! Just a moment!"
Jouichirou turned on his heel and smacked the still-pouting Soma on the back of the head, grumbling,
"Get to work, you brat!"
"If I lost to you, all my years as a chef would be a total waste!"