Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

As Kawashima Rei's voice faded, cheers erupted from the audience, and then a spotlight shone on Isshiki Satoshi, who was holding a microphone.

"Let me first introduce today's judges."

"Isshiki-senpai?"

"I almost couldn't recognize who it was because of the clothes on."

Looking at Isshiki Satoshi, who was hosting on stage, Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko looked surprised, as if they hadn't expected that he, who usually only wore a loincloth in the Polar Star Dormitory, would have such a serious side.

"Let's not talk about that. How's Xiaohui's cooking going? She came back the day before the competition and then stayed in the kitchen the whole time. I only just saw her now."

Mito Ikumi looked on with curiosity and a hint of eagerness.

It has been a week since Megumi Tadokoro left and she has not been seen. No one knows how her cooking is going or whether it meets the standards for the competition.

"Well...we don't know either."

Upon hearing Mito Ikumi's words, Yoshino Yuuki and Sakaki Ryoko exchanged a glance, both showing helpless expressions.

Since returning to Totsuki Culinary Arts University, Tadokoro Megumi has locked herself in the kitchen and hasn't come out since. They were afraid of disturbing her culinary research, so they didn't dare to bother her. They could only catch a glimpse of her when they passed by while she was preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

"That's it..."

Upon hearing their words, Mito Ikumi showed a deflated expression.

"Trust Xiaohui. She won't waste this week. No matter who wins or loses, it will be a great match."

"makes sense..."

Bai Yuan's voice rang out at the right moment. He sat in the center of the girls, surrounded by them. He hadn't spoken until now, silently observing the judges' panel and greeting one of them.

"First of all, the head judge, the academy's supreme commander, Lord Senzaemon Nakiri!"

Secondly, there is the head of the tourism department, the head chef of the Totsuki Resort—Gin Dojima.

And another one, the top researcher at Totsuki Academy's research department—Nakiri International, Lady Leonora Nakiri!

The judges this time are all familiar to everyone.

Senzaemon Nakiri sat in the middle of the three, in the center position, with Gin Dojima to his left and Leonora Nakiri to his right.

However, compared to Bai Yuan's familiarity, the audience was completely unfamiliar with the last judge who appeared, but that didn't stop them from swooning over her.

Her long, snow-white hair and purple strapless dress exuded mature charm, and she was smiling in Bai Yuan's direction.

"What a beautiful person."

"Her skin is extremely fair."

Are they Scandinavians?

Various speculations emerged, and everyone curiously scrutinized the newly appeared judge, who was indeed a stunning beauty!

"Hey, Mom."

"Eh?!"

Upon seeing the familiar face, Alice Nakiri in the audience froze for a moment and called out "Mom!" Next to her, Yuuki Yoshino immediately looked astonished.

However, upon closer inspection, it does seem somewhat similar...

"Her Excellency Leonora is the Chief Executive Officer of Nakiri International, an academic institution that manages and utilizes the latest scientific research in gastronomy and molecular gastronomy."

Then please say hello to everyone.

As they were talking, Isshiki Satoshi stepped forward and handed the microphone to Nakiri Leonora.

"Cough cough."

"H-Hello everyone, I'm Leonora Nakiri, and I live in Denmark. I know being a judge will be tough, but I'll do my best."

Looking at the many audience members below the stage, Leonora Nakiri spoke broken Japanese, her face flushed with embarrassment, which was quite charming.

"My Japanese is terrible!"

Yoshino Yuuki didn't hold back in her criticism.

"After all, living in Denmark, it's understandable that one's Japanese is not very good."

Ryoko Sakaki tried to salvage the situation from the sidelines.

"Honestly, if you're coming to Japan, you should at least tell me beforehand, Mom!"

Alice Nakiri complained, her figure disappearing from Bai Yuan's side at some point and appearing on the judges' panel next to Leonora Nakiri.

"Wait, Alice, no one except those involved in operations is allowed to enter here."

Seeing Alice Nakiri suddenly barge in, Erina Nakiri, who had been on the field the whole time, grabbed her shoulder, her face full of helplessness.

"Hey, Alice, nice to meet you. Hello, Erina too. Still shaking with anger, aren't you?"

Seeing this scene, Leonora Nakiri couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, as did Alice Nakiri, as if they had returned to their childhood.

"Thanks to your daughter!"

Hearing Leonora's sarcastic remark and seeing the two of them smirking, Erina Nakiri suddenly lost her composure and puffed out her chest, speaking loudly.

"My brother Bai Yuan didn't even come up to greet me, even though he's already wooed my daughter."

Looking at Bai Yuan sitting in the audience, Leonora Nakiri puffed out her cheeks slightly, then walked to her seat and sat down.

"Brother Bai Yuan can't come up right now, isn't it enough that your daughter is here with you?"

Alice Nakiri spoke up for Shirabuchi, while pretending to be angry. As she spoke, she clenched her fists and punched Leonora Nakiri's shoulders to help her relax.

"But he's already won over someone's lovely daughter. Shouldn't he, as her son-in-law, come over and say hello?"

Leonora Nakiri feigned anger, her gaze fixed on Bai Yuan's direction as if he had committed some heinous crime.

"We see each other every day at home, is it really necessary to agonize over this little bit? Besides, I'll take you back after the competition, and then you can decide how we meet and what we say!"

Alice Nakiri was speechless. She didn't understand why her mother was so concerned about these things. Wasn't it normal for the other party not to come up in order to avoid suspicion?

"They've only been together a short time and they're already speaking up for their men. They're really a loving couple."

Seeing Alice Nakiri arguing so vehemently, Leonora Nakiri suddenly smiled, clearly indicating that everything just now was a test.

Alice Nakiri noticed it too, and the hand that was pounding her shoulder became much stronger, her cheeks flushed. Why say this in front of so many people!

"I feel relieved."

Is this what finding true love looks like? It's truly enviable. She had some initial hesitation about Bai Yuan, but seeing Alice Nakiri's current state, she truly felt at ease.

Alice likes Bai Yuan, and Bai Yuan is also very good to Alice. If people like this don't get together, then there probably won't be any such thing as love in the world.

"Of course! Bai Yuan and I are very much in love!"

Although she felt shy, at this moment, Alice Nakiri felt it was necessary to express her feelings and that she had successfully won over Shiro Awakening!

"So, you've already seen his massive muscles?"

"Of course! Not only have I seen it, I've even experienced it firsthand. Oh dear, what have you made me say? You're such a lecherous fellow!"

Alice and Leonora's playful fighting was quite loud, which made Erina Nakiri blush and feel a little envious of Alice's good relationship with her mother.

Chapter 218 Megumi Tadokoro's Cooking: Mountain Delicacies Loach Tempura!

"Distinguished guests, the final of the summer selection competition is about to begin. Please pay attention to the ceiling."

Under the moonlight, where the lights were concentrated, Isshiki Satoshi held a microphone and spoke to the crowd, first looking up at the ceiling.

"Boom."

With a loud bang, the ceiling between the moon and sky slowly opened, revealing a sliver of bright moonlight.

"Amazing!"

"The ceiling opened..."

As the ceiling slowly opened, the audience below gasped in surprise, and everyone's eyes were drawn to the sky, including Bai Yuan's.

"We're almost there; we'll see the true face of the moon and sky."

The final cooking session will take approximately two hours, starting from the moment the moon appears, crossing the Milky Way, and ending when it disappears from sight.

In the sky, the moon appeared at the top between the moon and the sky, looking very bright and spectacular. This made many people see little stars and were moved by this romantic scene.

Isshiki Satoshi's voice rang out at this moment. This competition will not use the traditional timekeeping method, but rather the rising and setting of the moon, which is also a consistent tradition of the selection competition.

Many people at the scene were seeing the moon in the sky for the first time, and they all opened their mouths wide, forming an "O" shape.

"This is an annual tradition, but every time I see it, I'm amazed and can't help but reminisce about those memorable days..."

Gazing at the bright moon in the sky, Dojima Gin was lost in thought, recalling his duel with Saiba Joichiro in Totsuki during his youth.

Under the same moonlight, the two swung their kitchen knives at each other.

"On the night of the fall selection, every chef standing on this stage saw the same moon."

Dojima Gin felt a pang of emotion. Although they were different people back then, the beliefs they held in their hearts were probably the same.

"Teacher Bai Yuan, I will win this competition and take the championship in the summer selection. I will let the world know that you have a good eye and did not misjudge me."

On the field, Tadokoro Megumi looked at the moon in the sky, somewhat lost in thought, recalling the careful guidance that Bai Yuan had given her during this period.

Because of him, she was able to grow to where she is today. Otherwise, she might have been expelled from school six months ago and become a complete tragedy.

Therefore, she was very grateful to Bai Yuan.

Besides gratitude, there is also a deep and indescribable affection for him. It is this affection that has kept her going until now, wanting to win the championship for him!

She wanted to express her feelings after winning the championship.

She had kept this love bottled up inside for so long, and it was almost too late to hold back. Even knowing she might be severely reprimanded, or even disliked, she had to speak it out! It was her true feeling!

"Chief, you should be watching now. Although the opponent is a master you trained, I will not show any mercy. I will win this match and gain your approval!"

Both are looking at the moon, thinking of the same person, but their thoughts are completely different. One is driven by love, the other by a desire for his approval.

However, whatever the reason, their belief in winning the championship is the same, and it is destined to be a fierce battle!

"Ready, let's begin cooking!"

When the moon was fully visible to everyone, Senzaemon Nakiri stood up, opened his arms, and shouted at the contestants in front of him.

At the same time, the two contestants got to work, shining brightly at their respective cooking stations!

"Neither contestant prepared the loach first; instead, they prepared other ingredients. Is this the usual approach?"