During the long simmering process, when the beef had reached the ideal tenderness and entered the critical stage of final seasoning and sauce reduction, Chinatsu began her "performance."
At the point where a small amount of red wine vinegar or lemon juice should have been added to enhance the flavor profile and balance the richness, she deliberately added about one-third of a spoon more red wine vinegar.
This tiny increase was not enough to make the dish smell overtly sour, but during the final tasting, it would cause the overall acidity to be slightly too high, disrupting the expected roundness and richness of Beef Stewed in Red Wine, leaving a sharp aftertaste.
When salting, she precisely sprinkled in sea salt, but during the final flavor adjustment, she "forgot" the common knowledge that sauce reduction leads to liquid concentration and increased salinity, failing to reduce the amount of salt accordingly.
This resulted in the finished product tasting just right upon the first bite, but as one chewed and the sauce spread in the mouth, the saltiness would gradually become prominent, slightly overwhelming, and mask some of the subtle flavors of the beef and red wine.
The amount of thyme she added was one small sprig more than the classic recipe.
After long simmering, the thyme's flavor would be fully released.
An excessive amount would make its unique herbaceous aroma too pronounced, even creating a subtle, barely noticeable bitter finish that interfered with the harmony of the main flavors.
These adjustments were all very subtle, almost imperceptible individually, but when combined, they were enough to plant the seeds of discord deep within the palate.
However, judging by the appearance, her stewed beef was a deep, enticing red, the sauce was perfectly thick and glossy, and paired with meticulously carved carrot flowers and blanched emerald pea shoots, the artistic plating even surpassed the unpretentious warmth of Shido's dish.
As for our live reactions and commentary... Yamabuki Ai: "Wow! Phoenix Court Contestant has completely recovered her form! Look at that perfect sear and the exquisite plating!"
Yozakura Mai: "Operational precision has returned to its peak. The appearance score is comparable to Itsuka Contestant's."
Fujibakama Mii: "Majikku! A duel of aesthetics!" (The camera switches between the two dishes with their perfect appearances.)
Spectators: "Amazing! Both dishes look so delicious!" "You can't tell which one is better!"
At the judges' table, Teacher Kotori looked admiringly at both creations; Tobiichi Origami observed meticulously; and Murasame Reine slightly narrowed her eyes, as if anticipating that the battle of flavors would be far more complex.
When the stewing time ended, both finished plating.
Shido's ["Heartfelt Sediment" Beef Stewed in Red Wine] looked warm and substantial, radiating a reassuring and inviting aroma.
Chinatsu's ["Gap in Balance" Beef Brisket Stewed in Red Wine] looked like a work of art—the color and plating were impeccable, emitting an equally inviting, perhaps even more complex, aroma.
Two dishes that appeared almost equally perfect were presented side by side.
The final outcome would depend on the judges' extremely sensitive palates, capable of capturing the subtle cracks in flavor hidden beneath the perfect surface.
The tension of the tasting round was thus heightened to the extreme.
In front of the five judges (plus the trio sharing one vote, making five votes in total), lay two seemingly flawless plates of Beef Stewed in Red Wine.
Shido's creation was substantial and warm; Chinatsu's was exquisite, like a painting.
The enticing aromas intertwined, filling everyone with anticipation.
"Now, let the tasting begin—for the second round's dishes!" Yamabuki Ai announced loudly.
The judges picked up their knives and forks, first cutting into Shido's stewed beef.
The beef was stewed to extreme tenderness, requiring almost no effort; the fork separated the meat with a light touch.
Upon entering the mouth, the rich and mellow sauce instantly coated the taste buds.
The fragrance of red wine, the richness of the beef fat, the sweetness of the vegetables, and the complex aroma of the spices perfectly merged, creating a warm, rounded, and soul-satisfying feeling.
The flavor was perfectly balanced, moderately salty and sweet, with a subtle acidity used only for brightness.
The aftertaste was a long, lingering meat aroma and sweetness.
Teacher Kotori's eyes lit up after one bite: "Waaah! It melts in your mouth! The flavor is so warm and comforting, I feel warm all over! It's just like Classmate Itsuka—gentle and dependable!"
Tobiichi Origami calmly analyzed the flavor in her mouth: "The heat control is perfect, and the meat fibers are fully softened. The extraction rate of flavor compounds is high, and the balance of all elements is excellent. Completion level is 95% or higher."
Murasame Reine whispered softly, as if talking to herself: "...Significant synergy between sodium glutamate and inosinic acid detected. Fat emulsification state is ideal, resulting in a smooth mouthfeel. Enjoyment score: A+."
The final trio shared one serving for tasting: Aoi: "It's so delicious! Shido-kun really is the best!" Mai: "The flavor composition is simple and direct, but the emotional transmission efficiency is extremely high." Mii: "Utterly satisfying! Yasuragi no Aji! (A taste of comfort)" They unanimously expressed their approval.
Next, the judges turned their attention to Chinatsu's stewed beef, which resembled a work of art.
The beef was equally tender, and the sauce was enticingly glossy.
However, once the food entered their mouths, subtle differences began to emerge.
The initial mouthfeel was also extremely tender and richly savory, but gradually... Teacher Kotori frowned slightly, struggling to articulate her thoughts: "Hmm... It's very, very delicious, and the flavor is rich... But, I wonder if it's just my imagination, after eating it, the back of my tongue feels a little... dry? Or perhaps the sourness is slightly too noticeable?"
Tobiichi Origami's pupils slightly contracted after one bite, keenly detecting the issue: "The initial flavor impact is strong, but starting in the middle, the high acidity compromises the richness. The finish has a faint bitterness from excessive herbs. The saltiness becomes more pronounced as the sauce cools. The balance is broken. Completion level is approximately 85%."
Murasame Reine precisely pinpointed the problem: "...Acetic acid content detected to be approximately 15% too high, interfering with the taste buds' perception of umami. The peak saltiness later exceeds the comfortable range. Excessive thyme essential oils create a mildly irritating aftertaste. Minor errors exist in technical execution."
The trio (after discussion): Aoi: "Ugh... At first, I thought it was super impressive, but after eating Shido-kun's, eating this one makes me feel like something isn't quite right..." Mai: "The flavor complexity is high, but the harmony is insufficient. Internal conflict exists." Mii: "Bimyō ni baransu ga... (Subtly, it's a bit unbalanced...)" They, too, sensed the ineffable disharmony.
[Voting Round] The tense moment arrived.
Tobiichi Origami pointed directly at Shido with almost no hesitation: "Itsuka Shido's dish is superior in flavor balance and overall completeness."
(Internal thought: Shido's flavor is perfect. Undeniable.)
Murasame Reine calmly voted for Shido: "...From the perspective of flavor harmony and stability of technical execution, Itsuka Shido's work better meets the standard."
The trio (sharing one vote), after a brief but intense discussion, ultimately cast their vote for Shido, despite finding Chinatsu's dish visually stunning, because of the flavor disharmony:
"We feel that... Classmate Itsuka's dish is more comfortable to eat!"
The score instantly became 3:0, with Shido leading.
All eyes focused on the remaining Teacher Kotori and Tonomachi Hiroto.
Teacher Kotori's face was filled with conflict.
She looked at Chinatsu's beautiful dish, then savored the memory of Shido's warm flavor.
Ultimately, her honest feeling about the deliciousness itself overcame her pity for the "perfect appearance."
She looked at Chinatsu with a slight apology but still raised her hand:
"Um... although Classmate Hōōin's dish is like a work of art, Classmate Itsuka's dish makes me feel happier and more satisfied when I eat it... So, I vote for Classmate Itsuka."
4:0! All the pressure was now on Tonomachi Hiroto.
Tonomachi Hiroto looked at the two dishes before him, his expression intensely conflicted.
He first gazed affectionately at Chinatsu, roaring internally: (Younger Sister Chinatsu! Even if your dish were poison, I would...!)
Then he picked up his fork and took a bite of Shido's dish first.
"Mmm! Shido, you rascal! You really are amazing!"
He had to admit his friend's skill.
Next, he took a bite of Chinatsu's dish with an almost devotional feeling.
Initially, his eyes lit up!
(As expected of Younger Sister Chinatsu! This flavor! These layers!)
But immediately afterward, the overly prominent sourness, the gradually obvious saltiness, and the hint of disharmonious herbal bitterness began to tangle in his mouth.
His brow slowly furrowed, his expression shifting from ecstasy to confusion, and then to a subtle... disappointment?
He closed his eyes, seemingly trying hard to distinguish the flavors and convince himself.
But the taste buds do not lie.
Finally, he snapped his eyes open, his face filled with immense guilt and agony.
He could barely look at Chinatsu, and using all his strength, he pointed at Shido, his voice choked with tears:
"I—I'm sorry, Younger Sister Chinatsu! You'll always be number one in my heart! But—"
"But Shido's dish... the flavor is just too perfect! There isn't a single flaw! M-my tongue has betrayed my soul! I vote for Itsuka Shido—!!!"
5:0! Round Two, the Battle of "Heat Control and Umami"—Winner: Itsuka Shido!
The score (Shido: Chinatsu) changes to 1:1!
The whole venue erupted! It was a sweeping unanimous victory!
Shido looked at the result, somewhat surprised, but mostly relieved and joyful.
He looked toward Chinatsu, his eyes filled with the excitement of "I did it."
Chinatsu appropriately displayed shock, reluctance, and even a hint of defeat.
She lightly bit her lip, looking at her dish—perfect in appearance but defeated by expert palates—with a complicated gaze.
(Internal thought: Hmm... It seems I made the flaws just a tiny bit too noticeable? But that's fine; it makes the loss seem reasonable. Hiroto's reaction, that idiot, was unexpectedly dramatic...)
A tie! The final victory will depend on Round Three—"Heart and Creativity"!
The true decisive battle is about to begin.