Chapter 38: Kitagawa Mist Blossom vs. Kitagawa Snow Blossom

"The third match is a showdown between the members of the Five Elements Division, something our audience has likely never witnessed before," Chishima Narune's voice rang out as a line of text appeared on the giant screen.

"Akatsuki Mitaka versus Ginjiro Sakanoue!"

"Mitaka from the Metal Division, Sakanoue from the Water Division—this is the first direct clash between the Five Elements members. What kind of cuisine will they present?" Chishima Narune glanced to either side.

To the left stood Mitaka Akatsuki, her long purple hair draping coldly over a frosty expression, clad in a pristine white chef’s coat—the granddaughter of Kamikawa Mitaka.

On the right waited Sakanoue Ginjiro, his short silver hair gleaming, a beloved and adorable figure in the Culinary Academy.

"Begin cooking!" At Narune's cue, the two chefs sprang into action.

"Fruit-seasoned rice?" Yun Xuan, observing their chosen ingredients, was genuinely surprised.

Mitaka had selected pineapple, while Sakanoue chose apple.

Both fruit-infused rice dishes had their own distinct characteristics, but ultimately, taste would be the judge.

They worked with remarkable speed, as the rice had been pre-cooked and only needed to be stir-fried.

Mitaka finished first, presenting a plate of pineapple fried rice infused with a sweet, fruity aroma.

The judges tasted her dish in silence, leaving Mitaka momentarily stunned.

"This is my dish—apple-seasoned rice," Sakanoue Ginjiro announced quietly, placing three bowls before the judges.

"What a fragrance! This isn’t just apple!" Mitaka exclaimed in astonishment.

"No, it is apple," Kamikawa Mitaka shook his head gently. "Akatsuki, your pineapple fried rice is indeed delicious, but it's missing something. Sakanoue’s apple rice highlights exactly what’s lacking. Taste it for yourself."

"Please, Mitaka-senpai, try my apple rice," Sakanoue Ginjiro bowed with sincerity.

In the VIP section, Yun Xuan smiled faintly. So, the newcomers in the Five Elements Division were truly overshadowing their seniors.

At the judges' table, Mitaka Akatsuki took a bite of the apple rice, her eyes widening at the pure, refreshing flavor—no trace of anything extraneous.

As for her own pineapple fried rice...

"Your dish focused too much on aroma, neglecting the harmony between pineapple and rice. Akatsuki, I understand your eagerness to create something original, but an overemphasis on fragrance undermines all your efforts," Kamikawa Mitaka said with meaning.

"Grandfather, I understand now," Akatsuki lowered her head.

"As long as you recognize your mistake, you still have opportunities to improve." Kamikawa said no more, and the three judges announced their decision.

"An unexpected outcome—the winner is Sakanoue Ginjiro!" Chishima Narune exclaimed, her mouth agape in surprise.

"Thank you, Sakanoue," Mitaka bowed and returned the bowl before leaving the stage.

…

"The fourth match—one everyone has eagerly awaited. Second only to the grand finale, this is the highlight: a battle between sisters!" Chishima Narune composed herself, smiling at the audience.

"Fuka Kitagawa versus Yuka Kitagawa!" flashed across the screen.

Fuka Kitagawa, with long black hair veiling half her face, stood with a fragile yet menacing aura.

Yuka Kitagawa, her short black hair framing a tranquil, beautiful countenance, faced her sister with calm.

"Little sister, you’re destined never to defeat me. My presence will always overshadow yours. As long as I exist, you’ll remain a second-rate chef!" Fuka taunted with a wide-eyed, unsettling grin.

"This time, you will lose," Yuka replied evenly.

"Begin cooking!" Narune’s voice cut through their exchange at just the right moment.

Both sisters set to work.

Fuka produced a live fish, deftly beheading it and slicing the flesh in one swift motion.

Yuka, too, held a fish, mirroring her sister’s technique.

"Little sister, I taught you all of this. Using the same methods, you can’t possibly beat me," Fuka smirked, beginning to steam her rice.

"I told you—you will be defeated," Yuka answered, lighting three pots simultaneously.

"What’s in that last pot? Is she making a soup?"

"Didn’t quite catch it—looked like she was airing something out."

"The sisterly showdown! If Yuka wins, it’ll be amazing," the gallery of onlookers whispered among themselves.

…

Fuka finished first, presenting a bowl of steamed rice topped with pan-fried fish and a small bowl of soup.

"This sweet-and-sour flavor—pickled plum?" Furukawa Kamijo tasted a bite, his eyes lighting up.

"The tartness of the plum complements the fish perfectly, and the broth elevates the entire dish," Kamikawa Mitaka smiled.

"The sauce from the pan-fried fish, poured over the rice, then finished with the broth—" Dongfang Aoxue nodded in approval. "The taste is truly remarkable."

"Little sister, will you even present your dish?" Fuka asked, a trace of mockery in her eyes as Yuka passed by.

"I told you, it’s you who will lose," Yuka replied, setting down her plate and unveiling her creation.

"Rice steamed with Pacific saury?" Kamikawa Mitaka’s eyes brightened at the sight.

"Rice, pan-fried fish, and broth all combined?" Kamijo inhaled deeply, savoring the intense aroma.

"The broth is the key," Dongfang Aoxue added.

In the stands, Yun Xuan rose to his feet. "Another victory for the new generation," he remarked softly, heading for the exit.

As the judges tasted the saury rice, their eyes widened in delight.

"This umami—is the saury aged and processed? Only by preserving most of the natural savor could it be so delicious," Dongfang Aoxue praised, setting down his bowl.

"Exactly—aged saury, then a proprietary preparation, gives that depth of flavor, enhanced further by the pan-fried fish," Yuka nodded.

"The combination of umami, broth, fish, and rice—how much thought did she put into this?" Kamijo marveled, setting his bowl aside.

"Let’s reveal the results," Kamikawa Mitaka concluded.

"Unanimous decision: Yuka Kitagawa is the winner!" Chishima Narune, though surprised, was growing accustomed to such upsets.

"Little sister, I’m so proud," Fuka whispered with a smile before turning to leave.

Yuka watched her sister’s retreating figure and smiled faintly; the hearts of sisters are always transparent to one another.

A round of applause crackled through the hall for Yuka Kitagawa, who exited amidst the acclaim.

"And now, the fifth match—the most anticipated of all. Yun Xuan, who has unveiled two original dishes back-to-back, will he bring forth another innovation tonight? Audience, tell me, are you excited?" Chishima Narune called out with a smile.

"Yes!" the entire hall replied in unison, their voices brimming with excitement.

To witness the birth of a new original dish was akin to witnessing history itself.

Each original recipe could be passed down for generations.

"Would both contestants please take the stage!" Narune announced.

Yun Xuan and Long Ao entered from the same direction, stepping onto the platform.

"Um, I almost got lost just now," Yun Xuan admitted awkwardly.

A wave of laughter swept through the audience.

Lost? Are you kidding us?

(PS: What will the next original dish be? Stay tuned! Please vote for recommendations—this week we’re testing the waters with daily triple updates.)