Chapter 74: To The Dark Side!

"..."

Ishiki observed Tsuna closely with a calculating gaze. He couldn't help but wonder, "This guy is definitely not the type to act rashly and arrogantly like this. Is he planning something?"

As the judges lifted the lids, a wave of stronger aroma engulfed them, eliciting involuntary sounds of pleasure.

One of them muttered, "This... feels like aroma porn..."

It was that good!

Their mouths watered uncontrollably as they struggled to compose themselves.

"..."

Even Orie couldn't resist taking a peek. She bit her lip bitterly, trying to regain her composure from the intoxicating scent.

"...It's fine to take a look. It's not like I'm going to eat it," she spat out, giving Tsuna a spiteful glare before turning her attention to what lay before the other judges.

Her eyes flashed with disdain, "Japanese chicken curry? You serve us with such a simple dish?"

Orie didn't let this slide as she kept on badmouthing the dish.

However...

"Mark my words, I won't give you any if you don't beg..."

Tsuna casually reminded her of how to get the dish in his hand, which made her angrily growl at him.

Meanwhile, the other judges were completely absorbed in their own world as they stared intoxicatingly at the dish in front of them, as if they'd been hypnotized.

"...I feel like I'm drowning in this thick curry," the oldest among them, Osaji Kita, commented, swallowing saliva at the sight.

The curry was a deep, luscious golden brown. Just based on the color alone, they could tell the flavor was rich.

The man who looked like a gentleman with rectangular glasses, Shingo Ando, nodded.

He didn't even bother to wipe the saliva that had escaped his mouth, completely crushing his gentlemanly image as he mumbled, "If you asked me what perfection is... This is perfection!"

Peeking through the thick and glossy sauce were tender pieces of chicken, perfectly seared to a golden crisp.

They could see the curry speckled with vibrant orange carrot chunks and creamy potato cubes, all cooked to perfection, adding a beautiful contrast in color and texture.

Beside the curry was a mound of perfectly cooked rice, each grain distinct and slightly drier, ready to soak up the flavorful sauce.

The scattering of fresh, finely chopped parsley and a few pieces of bright pink pickled ginger added a colorful glow, perfecting the whole presentation of the Japanese Chicken Curry in front of them.

Gulp!

All four judges exchanged glances, silently agreeing to give Tsuna's dish a try.

Ando cautiously picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks and took a bite.

"...!"

The moment the tender meat touched his tongue, his eyes widened in astonishment. He was swept away in a whirlwind of flavors!

"This...!"

Suddenly...

Ando found himself transported to a bustling market scene, surrounded by smiling chickens, each one inviting him to take a bite.

He felt a lump form in his throat at the thought of their sacrifice.

Despite the bittersweet emotions, joy filled the air as the succulent chicken melted in his mouth, a testament to its tenderness.

"Chicken-san, your sacrifice... I won't forget it..."

Ando's voice was soft as he continued to savor each bite of the chicken.

Kita shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes.

"...Let's try a different combo," He softly mumbled before turning to the curry, unable to resist trying it.

"Mhmmm!"

The moment the flavorful spices touched his tongue, he emitted an involuntary sound of delight.

With each bite of curry-soaked rice, they were enveloped in a symphony of flavors.

It was as if they were attending a grand banquet hosted by the noble Chicken-san himself. Suddenly, a rush of sensation hit them like a crashing waterfall, submerging them in layers of taste and texture.

The smooth butter roux, the richness of turmeric and garam masala adding depth, the grated apple lending natural sweetness, the perfectly cooked rice providing a satisfying texture, and the MSG enhancing the savory umami flavor—each component worked together in perfect harmony.

They were completely consumed by the combination of flavors, sinking deeper and deeper into culinary bliss.

Nothing else mattered as they continued to indulge in Tsuna's chicken curry.

"...!"

The crowd watched in awe as the high-level judges devoured Tsuna's curry with beastly enthusiasm, their own mouths watering as they gulped saliva.

"Hah... Hah..."

Similarly, Orie struggled to maintain her composure.

Her breath came ragged and heavy, her face flushed red with embarrassment as she observed her fellow judges behaving inelegantly while eating.

"...!"

She sensed a cold gaze on her and turned to find Tsuna looking at her.

Strangely...

Orie's heart raced even faster as a splashing sound reached her ears. Slowly, she turned toward the table, her eyes widening as she saw a splatter of curry from the other judges land right in front of her.

Gulp...

"N-No... I can't... do that..."

Intrusive thoughts roared in her mind as she battled her own demons. However...

"Eh?"

Unconsciously, her face leaned forward, just a lick away from the splatter. With widened eyes, she opened her mouth and licked... it...

"...!"

A burst of flavor exploded on her palate, engulfing her in a fiery inferno of taste, burning her alive!

"Mhmmmm!!!"

Orie couldn't stifle her voice as she tightly hugged herself, desperately trying to maintain her composure.

But when Tsuna suddenly approached, his presence looming over her, she felt a shiver run down her spine as he whispered, "Remember what I said earlier?"

"...!"

No...

She couldn't...

Orie knew that if she gave in, she'd be at the mercy of this student, enslaved by his every whim.

She looked at Tsuna, her face flushed crimson, her heart racing in her chest.

The judges around her seemed crazed, lost in the frenzy of the moment. She glanced at the table before her, now clean from the splatter that had landed there moments ago.

She gulped, her throat dry with anticipation, "I'm sorry... sister..."

Orie Sendawara...

...had fallen to the dark side!

Tsuna smirked, reveling in the control he held over her.

Orie looked like a person under a spell, her movements automatic as she found herself crawling towards him, clutching at his feet.

"Please... I'll do anything, just please..."

"Keke, good girl..."

He patted her head as one would a pet, then placed the plate in front of her.

Orie's eyes lit up with excitement, her hunger overwhelming any sense of propriety. She began devouring the curry, completely forgetting her surroundings and abandoning all semblance of decorum.

"Kekeke..."

Tsuna couldn't suppress his chuckles as he observed the judges, then turned his attention to Orie. His mind buzzed with satisfaction.

"She's mine now... A paying customer..."

The thought of Orie, and the added bonus of her twin sister on the other block, filled him with amusement.

"Hahahaha!"

He burst into laughter, unable to contain his glee. 

"Two in one, huh? That's perfect!"

Knowing that Orie had fallen for his cooking, he anticipated her return, bringing her sister, Natsume Sendawara, along.

It was an expected, and delightful turn of events as he was exactly aiming for this!

Rindo was terrible at promotion he had to do it himself!

"Hahahaha!"

Tsuna's maniacal laughter reverberated through the once silent arena, his eyes sparkling with anticipation and greed.

"Gulp... Ahem... to all the judges... umm, please reveal his score!"

Kawashima's face flushed red as she stumbled over her words. After devouring every last bite, the judges looked equally embarrassed and avoided making eye contact.

"Ahem..."

"...Then..."

Both Ando and Kita spoke, their voices breaking the tension.

The judges nodded in agreement and revealed their scores!

20, 19, 19, 20, and 20! A total of 98 points!

The astonishing score left everyone present speechless, mouths agape.

It was only the beginning of the show, yet they had already received an unprecedented 98 points!

---

I'm about to send him off to One Punch Man soon for the next arc after the election.

What kinds of ability should I put as a reward this time?

Let me know what you think! (If possible, something that can be given gradually just like how I did with the Earthbender!)

If you want to read 15 chapters in advance, ahead of the WebNovel Updates schedules, here's where you can find them:

p@treon.com/mythoast