The whistle signaling the end of the first round was like flipping a switch, instantly replacing the tense atmosphere of the confrontation with a different kind of energy.
The center of the stage was immediately taken over by the energetic trio.
"Ladies and gentlemen—!" Yamabuki Ai dashed to the microphone, her voice rising due to excitement.
"The thrilling first round has concluded! Thank you to both contestants for a spectacular match! Now, it is time for a relaxing intermission!"
Yozakura Mai wheeled out a small serving cart from somewhere, displaying the leftover dishes from the competition that had not been tasted by the judges. Although the portions were small, the presentation was still exquisite.
"According to the tournament rules, these precious remaining dishes will be randomly distributed to lucky audience members! This is a rare opportunity!"
"Majikku! Gourmet Broadcast!" Fujibakama Mii's camera lens immediately focused on the stirring crowd.
The audience instantly erupted in cheers and commotion, as students excitedly gathered, hoping to taste a bite of the cuisine that rivaled professional standards.
The trio, acting like idols at a concert, maintained order while joking around, even spontaneously singing a few humorous songs, turning the venue into a lively gourmet fan meet-up.
At the same time, Shido and Chinatsu each walked toward the temporary resting rooms on either side of the stage.
The resting rooms were semi-open, featuring a large glass wall that allowed outsiders a glimpse of the interior.
Shido pushed open the door to his resting room. Just as he sighed in relief and prepared to take a drink of water, he realized someone was already waiting for him inside.
"Older Brother!" Kotori, wearing casual clothes and a white ribbon, jumped up from her chair, a bright smile on her face, and a lollipop dangling from her mouth.
Murasame Reine also stood nearby, still looking sleep-deprived, and nodded lightly at him.
"Kotori? Miss Reine? Why are you here?" Shido was a little surprised.
"Of course we came to cheer Older Brother on!" Kotori leaned forward and patted Shido's arm.
"Even though you lost the first round, Older Brother's dish looked super delicious! Everyone said it was warm and full of heart!"
Reine added in her usual flat tone: "...The completion level was very high. The flavor integration was done exceptionally well."
Receiving affirmation from his sister and Reine warmed Shido's heart, and the slight frustration he felt from the loss dissipated considerably.
He smiled sheepishly: "Thank you... but Classmate Hōōin really is amazing."
He recalled that Reine had cast her vote for Chinatsu. Although he understood the fairness of the competition, he couldn't help but ask: "Miss Reine, you... you cast your vote for Classmate Hōōin."
Reine pushed up her glasses and explained: "...Yes. From the perspective of pure technique and the precision of flavor control, her dish represented a higher state of completion. That is an objective fact."
She paused, lowering her voice, her tone becoming more serious, "Furthermore, Phoenix-in Chinatsu is very likely aware of Ratatoskr's existence, and perhaps even... my identity."
"In this situation, if I obviously favored you and directly cast my vote for you, and the opponent used this as grounds to question the fairness of the match, refusing to acknowledge the subsequent wager or interaction, that would be counterproductive. My vote needed to maintain at least superficial objectivity to avoid giving her leverage."
Shido was stunned for a moment, immediately grasping Reine's deep intentions and careful consideration. This was not merely a cooking match; it involved more complex layers behind the scenes.
The slight sense of alienation in his heart completely vanished, replaced by gratitude: "I see... I understand, Miss Reine, thank you for being so thoughtful."
"Exactly!" Kotori nodded vigorously, hands on her hips, "Older Brother, you don't need to worry about that one vote! Blame that idiot Tonomachi for prioritizing romance over friendship! How could he betray your years of friendship!"
She angrily shook her fist, then immediately adopted an encouraging expression, "But it doesn't matter! The upcoming second round, 'Heat Control and Umami,' is the key! Stewing and grilling, which require time and patience, are exactly the areas you excel in, Older Brother! Pour double your 'heart' into it! You absolutely must win this back!"
"Mhm!" Hearing his sister's energetic words, Shido felt his confidence surge again. He nodded firmly, his gaze becoming resolute.
(Yes, I must try even harder in the next round!)
Shido felt warm hearing Kotori's encouragement, but suddenly thought of a question: "Wait, Kotori, since you came, why didn't you just watch the match from the audience?"
Hearing this, Kotori pouted and pointed her lollipop towards the ceiling (a general direction).
"Idiot Older Brother, I'm the 'Commander'! Although I really wanted to cheer you on in person, I need to be stationed on the Fraxinus! With such huge Spirit energy fluctuations—especially when Classmate Chinatsu was using those strange abilities—how could I not keep an eye on things? I was sweating bullets for you on the bridge!"
---
(Location - Fraxinus Bridge Time - During the First Round Match)
The main bridge of the Fraxinus was brightly lit, filled with the low hum of high-tech equipment.
The gigantic main screen was split into several views, with the largest central one displaying a real-time high-definition feed of the cooking match, clear enough to distinguish the texture of the ingredients.
Sub-screens on either side rapidly scrolled through complex energy readings, physiological data (mainly Shido's), and structural analysis charts.
Itsuka Kotori sat in the elevated Commander's chair at the center, having changed into her red and black Commander uniform, with her black ribbon tied at the back of her head.
Her brows slightly furrowed, she vigorously chewed a precious jewel, her sharp gaze sweeping across the screens.
"Both contestants entering the stage!" reported one of the operators. On the screen, Chinatsu and Shido walked onto the stage.
Kyohei Kannazuki immediately stood up from the sub-Commander seat, placing his right hand over his chest, a suspicious blush creeping onto his face, and shouted in an aria-like tone:
"Oh! Behold! Our Holy Son, even when situated in the mundane battlefield of the kitchen, his radiance guides us like a lighthouse! That figure, tying on an apron, how sacred and full of dedication it is! This must be a holy ritual performed to save the lost Spirits!"
"Bang!"
Kotori expressionlessly grabbed an electronic tablet from beside her and accurately slapped Kannazuki's face with it, knocking him to the floor.
"Analyze the data in normal mode, you pervert! If you say another word, I'll toss you out the airlock!"
She ordered irritably, then turned her attention back to the screen, "Zoom in on Phoenix-in Chinatsu's energy reading area!"
"Shido-kun and the target are predicted to have unexpected contact!" an observer immediately reported.
On the screen, Shido and Chinatsu's hands accidentally touched the same bunch of water celery.
"Brief physical contact detected!" another crew member immediately reported, his tone professional.
"Lord Shido's heart rate instantly spiked, and skin conductance showed a peak value!" the crew member responsible for physiological monitoring added.
Kotori clicked her tongue: "Tch, this Idiot Older Brother, getting distracted at a time like this..."
Seeing Shido's instantly flushed face and flustered appearance on the screen, she couldn't help but palm her forehead.
Kannazuki, who had somehow gotten back up, though his nose was still a little red, had resumed his serious (?) expression:
"Commander! No need to worry! This brief contact might stimulate a stronger desire for protection and performance in the Holy Son! It is a positive stimulus!"
Kotori ignored him and commanded: "Focus monitoring on Chinatsu's reaction and energy fluctuations! Report any anomalies immediately!"
When Chinatsu, on the screen, calmly stated, "My cuisine will be the perfect product of calculation and Understanding," a low murmur of astonishment echoed on the bridge.
"Target's statement is confident and logically clear."
"Energy readings are stable; no signs of deceit or emotional fluctuation detected."
But when Shido loudly responded, "My cuisine might not have as many 'optimal solutions,' but it will definitely be filled with the 'heart' needed to make everyone smile!" Kannazuki couldn't restrain himself again.
He clasped his hands over his chest, moved almost to tears: "How pure! What fervent conviction! This is the love of our Holy Son! Enough to purify everything!"
Kotori's mouth twitched. Suppressing the urge to hit him again, she commented: "One is like a cold computer, the other is like an overly passionate single-celled organism... However, morale is usable. Continue monitoring."
When Chinatsu began using liquid nitrogen and a siphon bottle, the atmosphere on the bridge distinctly shifted. "Report! Target detected manipulating localized low-temperature environments! Energy form conversion, non-aggressive, clear directionality!"
"The target is performing precise structural modification on non-living matter! Similar to... Construction ability?"