"Oh, oh, oh, oh—!!!"
Yamabuki Ai, Yozakura Mai, and Fujibakama Mii, who had been unable to contain themselves and constantly glancing at the pair, instantly jumped out!
They didn't care how subtle the atmosphere was; they only saw excellent material!
"The duel of the century! The new Iceberg Cooking Queen versus the veteran Househusband Prince!" Aoi rushed excitedly in front of them and shouted, as if she were a live commentator.
"Data explosion! Emotional variables clash head-on with skill variables for the first time! The outcome of this match will be recorded in the annals of Raizen High School!" Mai excitedly pushed her non-existent glasses from the back, rapidly tapping on a virtual keyboard in the air.
"Majikku! The ultimate storyline unfolds! Camera ready, OK!" Mii found a good angle nearby, raising her camera high, the shutter sound continuous like a bugle call.
The commotion caused by the trio instantly ignited the atmosphere of the entire classroom.
Other Classmates snapped out of their shock, and sounds of excitement, curiosity, and cheering rose one after another.
"Duel! Duel! Duel!" said the thrill-seekers who loved a good spectacle.
"This is too exciting! A live cooking battle!" The cooking enthusiasts who usually brought their own lunch peeked out quietly.
"If someone wins, do they get a mysterious grand prize?" That was the mindset of the prize hunters.
Just as the atmosphere was hyped to its peak, almost spiraling out of control, and all the Classmates stretched their necks in anticipation—
"—Ahem."
A calm, flat voice rang out, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
Murasame Reine had appeared at the classroom door unnoticed.
"This has just been approved by Teacher Okamine." She announced in a monotone voice, skipping all potential questions.
"Given the extremely high... practical teaching enthusiasm demonstrated in the 2nd Year Class 4 home economics lesson. The teaching location and format will now be temporarily changed."
"Next, all students will move to the Third Practical Cooking Room." Reine's gaze seemed to subtly sweep over Chinatsu and Shido.
"The course content will be changed to: Practical Confrontation Match. The winner will be determined by anonymous voting among all Classmates."
"Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh—?!!"
Although surprised by the sudden change of venue, the students, immersed in the previous climax, were mostly excited and curious.
Everyone busily started packing up and followed Reine out.
Chinatsu looked at the obvious "behind-the-scenes manipulation," and the hint of a provocative smile returned to her lips.
As she passed Shido, who was slightly stunned by the sudden change, she paused briefly and spoke in a cold, teasing tone, at a volume only they could hear:
"However, it seems you've misunderstood something, Classmate Itsuka." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with condescending amusement.
"Don't get it wrong—"
"You are the challenger."
After speaking, she didn't look back at Shido's instantly frozen expression and walked straight away with the crowd.
———————
The group began to move.
Just as they passed a corner of a quiet corridor, a small hand suddenly reached out from behind a fire door, accurately grabbed the back of his collar, and yanked Itsuka Shido inside!
"Ngh?!" Shido only managed to let out a short gasp before he vanished.
"Hmm? Shido?"
Chinatsu, walking ahead, seemed to notice something.
She looked back and only saw the empty corridor and the slightly swaying fire door.
After pondering for a moment, Chinatsu continued on her way.
Perhaps it had just been her imagination.
(Inside the Fire Escape - Present Time)
"Kotori?! Miss Reine? How did you..." Shido looked at his younger sister and the suddenly appearing Reine, still startled.
"Quiet, Idiot Older Brother!" Kotori interrupted him impatiently, the stick of the precious jewel dangling in her mouth swaying.
"Time is short, so listen up! Well done, Shido!"
"Although the process was a bit off-script, your declaration of war just now was excellent! It brought the duel into the open and gave us the perfect reason to intervene and set up the venue!"
"Listen!" Kotori's expression became serious.
"The upcoming duel is no longer child's play! That is a capture stage officially recognized by Ratatoskr! Use all your abilities... Now, Operation Code Name [Stomach Capture] officially begins!"
"Operation? Capture? Now? Wait... are you talking about Younger Sister Chinatsu?" Shido reacted immediately.
"Not a slow reaction, are you? Data shows that 'Younger Sister Chinatsu' has a pretty good baseline affection level for you!" Kotori poked Shido's chest with her baton (Note: that was actually brotherly affection).
"This is an excellent breakthrough! No girl can resist the temptation of delicious food, especially food that is even more delicious than what she makes and has defeated her!"
Reine calmly added from the side: "...Psychologically, this is called the 'Subjugation Effect.' Defeating the opponent in their field of confidence, and then showing a gentle side, can greatly increase affection and desire for conquest."
"Therefore, Shido!" Kotori's eyes sharpened.
"You need to bring out 120% of your ability in the upcoming official duel! Crush her head-on! Make her fall for your perfect cooking skills! Make her understand who the king of the kitchen is!"
Shido listened, utterly bewildered: "This... will this work? And why is this being treated so formally..."
"Of course it has to be formal! Atmosphere is crucial!" Kotori waved her hand dismissively.
"The ultimate ingredients and top-tier cooking utensils have already been prepared by Ratatoskr.
The venue is the Third Practical Cooking Room, and it has already been set up! Your entire class will be the audience and judges! This is a live broadcast!"
"Wait! The whole class is watching? Isn't that too much pressure?!" Shido felt his scalp prickle.
"This is an order!" Kotori was unequivocal.
"Let that Spirit miss drown in your delicious cooking! Remember, this isn't just a regular cooking duel; it's a capture operation!"
Having said that, Kotori gave Reine a look.
Reine nodded and quietly pushed open the fire door.
"Alright, hurry back to the group, don't arouse suspicion." Kotori instructed finally.
"Remember, if you win the match, you'll be one huge step closer to a successful capture!"
Shido was half-pushed, half-shoved out of the fire escape.
His mind was still reeling, but the sense of responsibility to "capture the Spirit" and "help her," combined with the fighting spirit ignited by Kotori, made him take a deep breath, and his eyes became resolute once more.
(Corridor - A Moment Later)
Chinatsu saw Shido quickly catching up from behind.
His expression seemed slightly different from before, carrying a bit more solemnity and... a sense of mission?
(...Where did he disappear to just now?)
Soon, everyone arrived at the so-called "Third Practical Cooking Room."
When the door opened, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
This was hardly a school cooking classroom.
It was clearly the set of a professional cooking show!
The space was wide and bright, featuring several sets of gleaming, expensive-looking professional stoves and ovens, and a dazzling array of meticulously categorized, extremely fresh, top-tier ingredients.
There were even specialized lighting and... several concealed cameras?!
"Th-This is..."
"Does our school even have a place like this?!"
"Wow! These ingredients are way too high-class!"
Yamabuki Ai was already jumping up and down excitedly: "This is amazing! The ultimate stage!"
Yozakura Mai pushed her non-existent glasses: "Environmental variables have been controlled to the optimal state."
Fujibakama Mii: "Majikku!" The sound of the shutter rang out.
Chinatsu looked at this extremely exaggerated setup, then glanced at Shido beside her, whose eyes were burning and who had clearly been "buffed," and at the surrounding excited Classmates.
Chinatsu: "..." (...Heh, just as expected. Ratatoskr's efficiency is really high. They truly spared no expense to set the stage for their 'protagonist.')
She glanced at Shido beside her, whose eyes were burning and who had clearly been "buffed."
(Itsuka Shido, did Kotori just pump you full of 'Victory Chicken Soup' to make you look so hyped up?)
But since things had come to this, seeing the professionally exaggerated stage and the top-tier ingredients, the "thrill-seeker" and "competitive spirit" deep within her were completely roused.
(Alright... Since you want to play big...)
Chinatsu's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a subtle, challenging smile.
(Then let me show you the absolute control of the 'Herrscher of Reason' in the kitchen!)
The atmosphere of the decisive battle was pushed by this behind-the-scenes manipulation into an even more ridiculous yet exciting climax.