Chapter 67: Gensokyo Cooking King Championship (Part 1).
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Kaguya was left speechless after being roasted, but she hadn't come unprepared. Since it wasn't convenient to reveal her secret weapon, she could only puff up her cheeks in anger and tug on Kihara's earlobe, shaking it left and right. "Don't underestimate me! When I win the championship, you're going to suffer!"
"Hahahaha!" Hearing such a delusional statement, Kihara laughed heartily and looked at her with a benevolent gaze. "It's good to have dreams, but daydreaming is not okay."
"Tsk! Get lost, get lost, don't disturb my upcoming performance!"
"You look cute when you're overheating. After the competition ends, if you have the guts, don't run away."
"If I win, you better not run either!"
"Deal!"
...
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Gensokyo's First Cooking King Championship!"
At some point, Shameimaru Aya had revived and was standing beside the judges' platform with a microphone, her voice and eyes full of enthusiasm. She was currently serving as the event's host.
"I believe everyone is already familiar with the contestants, so I won't introduce them in detail. Instead, let's take a look at our luxurious (and slightly dangerous) panel of judges!"
She gestured with her right hand toward the judges' platform. "First is the youkai sage Yukari Yakumo, who is also the organizer of this event. Second is Remilia Scarlet… wait, Remilia, aren't you a vampire? Can you even eat the food prepared by the contestants?"
Remilia elegantly twirled her parasol. "Of course I can. I've found a way to overcome a vampire's weaknesses. Otherwise, I wouldn't have sponsored this competition."
"Ahem… I see. Then let's continue. The third and final judge is the mistress of Hakugyokurou — Saigyouji Yuyuko!"
These three were usually mysterious figures who rarely appeared before the youkai. Their simultaneous presence caused the excitement-loving youkai to cheer loudly, raising the already lively atmosphere to another level.
"Esteemed judges, before the competition begins, could you tell us which contestant you are most looking forward to?"
"I'm obviously rooting for Youmu."
Yuyuko answered in her soft, adorable voice. Shameimaru Aya turned her gaze to the other two. Yukari shook her head mysteriously, while Remilia proudly raised her voice and declared, "If my Sakuya were competing, she would definitely take the championship. Unfortunately she isn't, so… I'm rooting for Kihara."
"Thank you for your answers, esteemed judges. Although the other contestants weren't mentioned by name, don't be discouraged. This is the Cooking King Championship after all — the final result will still be decided by skill!"
Seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently heated, Shameimaru Aya raised her left hand and announced loudly, "Then… the competition begins! You have two hours. Contestants may use ingredients they brought themselves or the ingredients prepared by the organizers."
"Please note that you are not allowed to add any hallucinogenic or addictive seasonings to your dishes — especially the various mushrooms from the Magic Forest that have negative effects!"
Marisa, who had just taken out her mushrooms, froze mid-motion. She then protested in embarrassment and anger, "This is blatant targeting! Why can't I use mushrooms as ingredients?!"
"Contestant Marisa, I specifically said hallucinogenic and addictive mushrooms. I did not include normal mushrooms. Isn't your protest right now an admission that you intended to use prohibited seasonings?"
"H-How could that be? I would never do something so despicable!" She guiltily stuffed the hallucinogenic mushrooms back into her pocket, feeling the champion's throne slipping further away. Gritting her teeth, she placed her unfinished magic device onto the cooking station.
This action naturally drew the youkai's attention. Shameimaru Aya took the opportunity to approach her for an interview.
"Contestant Marisa, what exactly is this thing?"
"Hmph~" Marisa proudly straightened her back and patted the round, stove-like magic device twice. "This is my newly developed Magic Automatic Stir-Fry Machine V3.4!"
"Automatic stir-fry machine… What exactly can it do?"
"Just like the name says — it can automatically stir-fry. You just need to do this…" Marisa embedded her mini-Hakkero into the base of the machine, "and then pour in the chopped ingredients. It will complete the cooking automatically. Pretty amazing, right?"
"Just from what you've said, it does sound impressive. But can it really make any dish?"
She flashed her white, neat teeth and laughed. "Hahaha, it's still in the development stage, so of course it can't make every dish. But making a few home-cooked meals to win the competition should be no problem!"
"Then I won't disturb Contestant Marisa any further. Let's go interview the other contestants."
Shameimaru Aya suddenly felt her hair stand on end. The danger coefficient of staying near Marisa and her automatic stir-fry machine had skyrocketed. She quickly made up an excuse and distanced herself from both the magician and her device.
Marisa didn't mind. She quickly washed and chopped carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and tomatoes, dumped them all into the automatic stir-fry machine, then crossed her arms like a victor and observed her opponents.
Shameimaru Aya walked over to Ibuki Suika. Looking at the small plate of cucumbers on the cooking station, she asked in surprise, "Su… ahem, Contestant Suika, have you already finished your dish?"
"That's right!" Ibuki Suika excitedly picked up the plate of fresh, vibrant green cucumbers and held it out to her. "This is my Wine-Fragrant Smashed Cucumber, pickled with the divine sake that Kihara-kun gave me. It's fragrant, spicy, and refreshing — perfect as a drinking snack!"
"Sniff sniff—"
"It really does have a rich wine aroma. Slurp—… Um, esteemed judges, as the host, may I have a small taste?"
Seeing that none of the three judges objected, Shameimaru Aya took the chopsticks Suika offered and picked up a strip of cucumber, bringing it to her mouth.
The moment she bit down, a crisp snapping sound traveled through her teeth into her brain. The cucumber was so crunchy it didn't feel like it had been pickled at all. Then the juice burst out.
First came a touch of sweetness on the tip of her tongue, followed by a wave of spiciness that felt like a raging fire suddenly igniting in her mouth and shooting out through her nose. Beads of sweat formed on the tip of Shameimaru Aya's nose.
The three completely different sensations — crisp, cool, and spicy — battled on her tongue, making her mouth water as she quickly took a second bite.
"Mmm… mmm, delicious!"
A low murmur from the Netherworld came from behind her. "Hiss~ Haa— I want some too."
"Uwaaaaaah!!! Yuyuko, when did you get behind me!?" Shameimaru Aya nearly wet herself from fright and instinctively handed Suika's Wine-Fragrant Smashed Cucumber to her.
"Then I won't hold back. Ahh~"
Yuyuko swallowed the dish along with the plate, accompanied by an ear-piercing crunching sound that made teeth ache. She showed an expression of pure bliss. "Not bad at all."
Fortunately, Yukari was quick with her gaps and managed to snatch away a portion of the food, placing it on the plates in front of herself and Remilia. Otherwise, they might not have gotten even a single taste.
Shameimaru Aya wiped away a cold sweat.
"Please, esteemed judges, give your scores for Contestant Suika's dish!"
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Thank you for reading.