Chapter 116: Complete Defeat!

"How... How is he so fast?!"

Subaru's face darkened with frustration. Sui had already finished slicing his pork, while he had barely made it halfway through.

Despite having simulated Sui's cooking countless times, Subaru was now realizing that he couldn't keep up with Sui's pace. How was this possible? Could it be that Sui had never shown his true skill in school?

Meanwhile, Sui had already heated a pan of oil. Once the oil was hot, he added the pork belly slices and ginger. 

Before long, the pork belly turned golden and translucent, with glistening fat oozing out, filling the air with a mouth-watering aroma.

On the other side, Subaru hurriedly finished slicing his pork belly and began frying it, closely mimicking Sui's actions.

Sui glanced at him calmly. "You're too slow."

Without warning, Sui turned the heat up to its maximum. The flames leapt dramatically.

"That fire is insane! Isn't he afraid of getting burned?"

"Yeah, that's way too reckless!"

"Has he lost it?"

The students in the audience were quick to voice their shock.

However, Kuga and Miyoko looked more serious than alarmed.

"No, as long as you toss the pan rapidly, the pork won't stay in contact with the heat for too long. That extreme temperature will actually enhance the flavor," Kuga explained, his tone grave.

"But..." he trailed off.

"But it also tests the chef's physical stamina," Miyoko finished his sentence.

"Exactly. It's a huge physical strain for the chef," Kuga nodded in agreement.

At this point, Sui added a spoonful of red oil and bean paste to his pan. In no time, the pork belly was coated in a glistening layer of vibrant red oil, and the intense aroma filled the room, making everyone nearby salivate.

The pork belly in the pan danced as Sui expertly tossed it, flipping the pieces in mid-air. Under the heat and oil, the pork turned an even richer golden color, becoming more translucent and appetizing.

"Damn it, how can he be so fast?" Subaru's face turned pale. Among his peers, his physical strength was considered impressive, but trying to keep up with Sui's speed had sweat trickling down his forehead.

In contrast, Sui remained calm and composed, showing no signs of exertion.

By now, Sui had added the chopped green and red peppers. The spicy scent mingled with the meat's aroma, intensifying the desire of everyone in the audience to taste the dish.

Gritting his teeth, Subaru raised the heat to match Sui's level. To prevent his food from burning, he had to constantly toss the heavy iron pan, and the strain on his arms was now unbearable. His muscles screamed in pain, but he pressed on, determined to keep pace.

Suddenly, his hand slipped, and the contents of his pan nearly spilled out.

Although he quickly regained control, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"What's happening? Aren't Perfect Tracers supposed to be unbeatable? Why does he look so clumsy?"

"Yeah, I heard Perfect Tracers were terrifying, but he looks so stiff today!"

"He almost dropped his dish!"

The students buzzed with confusion. Subaru's performance was a far cry from the skill he had shown in the past.

"It's not that Subaru is clumsy," Senzaemon said calmly. "It's that Sui's movements are too fast. Subaru is forcing himself to match Sui's speed and, in doing so, has thrown off his own rhythm."

"Exactly," Dojima agreed. "In trying to keep up, Subaru has already exhausted much of his strength. He's nearing his limit."

His eyes shifted to Sui, who remained effortlessly composed. "What's truly surprising is that someone as lean as Sui has such extraordinary power."

Senzaemon and Chapelle both nodded in agreement.

"Subaru was always hailed as the perfect Perfect Tracer, able to replicate and even improve upon another chef's cooking. But today, a small flaw has appeared," Miyoko remarked, smiling with satisfaction.

"The difference in speed and strength between the two is just too great," Kuga added.

"But why?" Megumi asked, confused. "Subaru is built like a gorilla, while Sui is so thin. How is Subaru losing in both speed and strength?"

No one answered her question since all of them were also perplexed.

——

"All right!" Sui announced suddenly, placing a steaming bowl of spicy Stir-Fried Pork onto the table. "My dish is ready!"

"So fast!" 

The students gasped in shock. Sui had finished in record time.

"I... I'm done too," Subaru panted, his face pale, forehead slick with sweat. He was out of breath, clearly on the verge of collapse after struggling to keep up with Sui.

"Now, contestant Sui's dish will be tasted first," Kawashima Rei declared.

Senzaemon, Dojima, and Chapelle moved to sample Sui's dish.

The pork belly was crispy but not burnt, fatty but not greasy, and shimmered in a rich golden hue. Each bite released an intoxicating spicy flavor, sweeping over the judges' taste buds like a whirlwind.

Senzaemon's clothes suddenly tore open, revealing his chiseled upper body.

"His collar burst open?!" 

The students were horrified.

"I feel like a volcano is erupting inside me!" Senzaemon rumbled, his voice deep and reverberating. A warm current surged through his body, filling him with an indescribable sense of comfort and energy.

"Indeed!" 

Without warning, Dojima also tore off his shirt, exposing his muscular frame. "I feel like I'm overflowing with energy!"

Even Chapelle, usually so reserved, joined in. He ripped off his clothes with a single motion and declared, "In that case, I too will make a fool of myself!"

The sight of three muscular men standing on stage in various states of undress left the audience stunned into silence.

"The judges sure are full of energy..." Megumi remarked, smiling awkwardly.

Up in the private room, Erina felt her face flush slightly as she cringed at her grandfather's dramatic display.