"Can I win?"
Hisako's voice was soft, almost drowned by the quiet hum of the preparation room. She stood rigid, holding her apron's hem tightly as she glanced sideways at the golden-haired girl beside her. Her usual resolve seemed to hang by a thread.
Erina Nakiri turned her sharp gaze to Hisako. Her face held no mock reassurance, only sincerity. "I don't know," she admitted, her tone calm but truthful. "I haven't tasted Ryo's dish yet. Even with the God Tongue, I can't compare what I haven't experienced."
Hisako blinked, stunned by the honesty. "Really…?"
Erina nodded. "Yes. You already lost to him this morning with the lamb soup. That's a fact."
Her words, though fair, carried the weight of reality like a cold wind. Hisako's fingers clenched tighter around her apron.
"But," Erina added, her voice softening, "winning or losing isn't everything. This is just the Autumn Selection. A competition. Not a battlefield. No matter what happens… I'll never blame you."
That made Hisako look up. Erina's expression had softened with an unusual tenderness.
"Erina-sama…" Hisako whispered, eyes welling slightly.
"Go out there," Erina said, gently, "and cook with pride. That's all I ask."
Hisako nodded, slowly but firmly. "I understand."
2:00 a.m. – Tavern "Shunkatei"
Dim, amber lights flickered as the last of the guests trickled out. The scent of char-grilled meat and plum wine still clung to the air, a ghost of tonight's laughter and tales.
Zane stood silently at the stove, arms crossed, gazing over the counter and the empty tables. Ryoko quietly polished glasses in the background, her movements routine but precise. She gave the space its final breath of care before calling it a night.
"It's quiet tonight," Ryoko noted, breaking the silence.
Zane nodded. "Yeah… figured more students would come after the prelims. But with the quarterfinals moved up to tomorrow morning…"
He didn't finish the thought. They both knew what that meant: no Alice, no Hisako, no Erina. The ones who usually brought the most energy to the place.
Ding-dong!
[Host, you have successfully checked in.]
[Congratulations! You've received the special recipe: Bouncy Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup. Two live turtles have been delivered to the tavern's pantry.]
Zane's brow rose slightly. "Soft-shelled turtle soup? The one steamed in cantaloupe with salted plum? From Cooking Master Boy?"
He recalled the dish vividly. Created by Tang Sanjie — it was delicate yet rich, mild in taste but captivating in texture. The jelly-like consistency, achieved by chilling the soup in the cantaloupe, offered an unusual bounciness on the tongue, like dozens of tiny turtles dancing.
"…That's perfect for the tavern."
He smiled faintly and jotted it into his recipe notebook, already envisioning how to adapt it.
8:00 a.m. – Totsuki Stadium
The morning sun bathed the flower-lined walkways in gold. Students and guests filled the stands in anticipation, the atmosphere electric.
In the center of the arena, host Rika Kawashima's voice rang through the microphone. "Welcome, everyone! We're kicking off the quarter-finals of the Autumn Selection! First up, it's Hisako Arato, third place from Group A, versus Ryo Kurokiba, second place from Group B!"
The audience stirred with excitement as both chefs stepped onto the stage.
Hisako glanced toward the judges' table, locking eyes with Erina. I won't let you down.
Meanwhile, Ryo walked slowly onto the stage, slouched and unshaven, his dark circles deeper than usual.
"Miss," Hisako said softly, "this time… I'll win."
"Begin cooking!"
Rika's voice dropped the curtain. One hour on the clock. Theme: Burger. No ingredient restrictions.
The moment the signal sounded, Hisako grabbed the squirming soft-shelled turtle from her prep station.
"W-Wait! A live turtle?!" murmurs rippled through the stands.
"She's going to butcher it? For a burger?!"
Calmly, Hisako placed the turtle on the board, flipped it with a practiced motion, and pinned its limbs. Its neck stretched slightly, sensing danger—
Shhk!
Her knife descended in one fluid motion.
Gasps echoed through the arena.
But Hisako didn't flinch. Her hands moved swiftly—removing the innards, blanching the meat, and then placing the cleaned pieces into a stockpot with medicinal herbs, dried dates, bitter melon, and ginseng. A slow-boil began.
Simultaneously, she prepped her sauce—reduced turtle broth emulsified with sesame paste and aged Shaoxing wine. Her goal wasn't just taste—it was invigoration.
This is my path. Medicinal cuisine that empowers. That gives people strength…
Ryo, meanwhile, yawned. "No wonder Alice warned me about her…"
Then, without a word, he tied his signature flame-pattern headband.
A change came over him.
Gone was the slouch. Gone were the sleepy eyes.
He exploded into motion like a berserker set loose.
TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP!
His blade moved like a piston, carving South American white shrimp with brute force yet surgeon-like precision.
He pounded the flesh into a shrimp mousse with fish paste and finely ground turmeric. Then, he seasoned it with sea salt, pepper, and a few drops of fermented mustard oil.
200°C oil.
The shrimp patties sizzled violently as they entered the fryer. The aroma was instant and addicting.
Within minutes, golden shrimp discs landed on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, he assembled his base: thin pita-like buns split open and toasted, ready to be stuffed.
Judging Begins
Rika returned to the stage as the hour ended. "Time's up! Both contestants have finished!"
The crowd leaned forward as she introduced the judges:
Senzaemon Nakiri, Director of Totsuki
Leonora Nakiri, head of Nakiri International Research
Kiyoshi Shinomiya, head of Shino's Tokyo
Gasps of recognition rippled through the audience. "Even the Director?!" "Leonora—Alice's mom?!"
Erina's eyes widened slightly. Mother? Why now?
Tasting Hisako's Soft-Shelled Turtle Burger
The moment Senzaemon took a bite, his eyes widened.
The turtle meat was soft, almost melting. The jelly-like texture combined with the rich herbal sauce infused warmth through his chest. The bitterness of the gourd balanced the fatty depth of the turtle, while the wine's fragrance lingered.
"RRAAAGHHHHH!"
His shirt exploded from his chest, muscles bulging.
"Yes!" Hisako's fists clenched with excitement.
Leonora raised an eyebrow. "Impressive flavor structure. Complex, clean, and… medicinal. My limbs feel lighter already."
Shinomiya nodded. "It's a unique approach to the burger. More of a healing dish than comfort food, but refined and bold."
Tasting Ryo's Ultimate Seven Shrimp Burger
"Looks ordinary," Senzaemon muttered.
But as soon as he bit down—
CRUNCH. BURST. BOUNCE.
The pickled tang of the Indian vegetables struck first, followed by the sweetness of shrimp, then the creamy tang of the yogurt-based dressing. The toasted pita added a satisfying chew that offset the mousse's fluffiness.
BOOM!
Senzaemon's clothes blew off again.
Leonora smiled faintly. "Clever. The bread's air pocket traps the aroma, releasing it in waves. And that hint of fennel in the pickle—very North Indian."
Ryo explained coolly, "I used fermented mustard oil and homemade raita. The pickles are mango-based. It balances umami and acidity."
Shinomiya murmured, "A deceptive dish. Simple appearance, refined complexity. Almost… too refined."
Final Result: 2–1. Ryo Wins.
The scoreboard flashed.
Hisako froze.
She hadn't moved since the second burst of Senzaemon's shirt. Her hands trembled.
"No… No way…"
"Hisako… lost?!"
The crowd erupted in shock.
"She worked so hard…"
"Her dish was amazing too…"
"That shrimp burger was on another level though…"
Fallout
Alice ran to her mother, grinning. "Ryo's so cool, right, Mom?!"
Erina hissed, "Alice! This is the judges' platform!"
"Don't be mad your secretary lost~!"
Leonora chuckled. "Let her stay. It's been a while since we watched a match together."
Erina crossed her arms, fuming. "You're both impossible…"
On Stage…
Hisako stood still.
She looked at the half-eaten burger in Senzaemon's hand.
It wasn't enough…?
Her hands dropped limply to her sides. The world felt distant, like she was sinking underwater.
"My medicinal cuisine… my entire path… it wasn't enough?"
Even Erina-sama's smile couldn't protect me from this…
The stage blurred in her vision.
For the first time in her life, Hisako Arato felt hollow.
Like a blade that had shattered at the feet of its master.