Chapter 44: Shokugeki (2)

"Speaking of which, my research group is severely understaffed. Are you really not interested, Eizan-senpai?" Sui asked with a casual smile, throwing the question back at him.

Eizan's face paled slightly, his expression hardening. "You really don't know how to appreciate a gesture of goodwill," he retorted coldly.

Isshiki, standing nearby, smoothly took over the conversation with a smile. "Alright then, let's begin. The theme is stew. There are no restrictions on cooking methods, and you have two hours."

With the food war officially underway, both contestants immediately got to work. Nao Sadatsuka's lips curled into a sinister smile as she pulled something out from her carefully prepared ingredients.

The moment it appeared, a rancid smell spread across the venue.

"What is that stench?!"

"Of course, that's the 'witch by the cauldron' for you! Is that… salted fish?"

"I can't bear it anymore!"

Sadatsuka had unveiled dried salted fish—a variety quite different from the kind typically found in any country. Common salted fish is simply preserved in salt and dried, emitting only a mild odor. However, Sadatsuka salted fish is first soaked in a fermented brine, often decades old, which produces a far more foul and intense smell.

While the audience reacted with disgust, the judges—Nakiri Erina, Isshiki Satoshi, and Eizan Etsuya—adopted more serious expressions.

"What a perfectly pungent aroma. This salted fish has been prepared exceptionally well," Isshiki observed, somewhat impressed.

Eizan sneered. "Heh, though most people avoid her, Nao Sadatsuka is incredibly knowledgeable about dried goods and stews. Foolish move, Sui—agreeing to a battle in her strongest domain."

Isshiki's smile faltered slightly. "Sui-kun may be in for a tough battle this time."

Erina, keeping her cool, shot Eizan a pointed look. "Treating a first-year student like this seems a bit excessive, doesn't it, Eizan-senpai?"

Eizan let out a low chuckle. "Come now, Erina-sama, you're in no position to criticize me. Haven't you used similar tactics more than once yourself?" He leaned back, casting her a knowing glance. "You sure do seem invested in this kid's success. Care to explain why?"

Erina's face flushed, and she quickly retorted, "W-What are you talking about? I don't even know him! Why would I care about him?"

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the stage, Sui remained focused, diligently preparing his dish—a creamy pork rib stew. He placed the cleaned ribs in a pot of boiling water, adding a splash of vinegar to enhance the flavor. Then, he carefully layered slices of ham into the broth. The ham's natural umami would boost the overall taste, eliminating the need for additional salt.

Next, he added milk from a large container, along with matsutake mushrooms, cream, and ginger. Soon, a rich, mouth-watering aroma began to waft from his pot.

Sadatsuka's method, in stark contrast, involved throwing various kinds of dried salted fish into her cauldron. A thick, unpleasant stench spread through the air, so strong that many nearby students pinched their noses in protest. The scene resembled something out of medieval witchcraft, as if she were concocting a potion with toads, spiders, and other vile ingredients.

From the audience, Yoshino yelled, "It reeks! There's no way this is even a competition anymore!"

"Don't underestimate her," Ryoko warned. "Even though it smells terrible, that stench could work to her advantage. It's like natto—smelly, but some people love it."

Time flew by, and soon, an hour and a half had passed. Sadatsuka was the first to finish.

"Hehehe... Please try my dark laksa curry," she said, cackling like an evil witch as she rolled her food cart toward the judges. A nauseating smell radiated from the pot, as if she were unleashing a chemical attack.

Kawashima Rei, who was in charge of hosting the event, turned pale, barely managing to stay upright under the oppressive stench.

Even Eizan, watching this unfold, regretted his decision to enlist Sadatsuka's help. Maybe this was a mistake…

"My special dark laksa curry," Sadatsuka announced with a twisted grin. As she lifted the lid, the stench intensified, flooding the entire venue.

Erina, for a brief moment, deeply regretted volunteering as a judge. Why did I even bother worrying about this guy? she thought, her eyes watering from the smell.

Nao, noticing Erina's reaction, smiled with malicious glee. "How thrilling it is that Erina-sama gets to taste my dish firsthand!" she said, stroking her cheek with an unsettling look of pleasure.

Erina: "..."

Resigned to her role as a judge, Erina took a small bite of the dish. Despite her initial reluctance, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Huh? It stinks, but… it's delicious!" she exclaimed.

Laksa, a popular Southeast Asian dish, is typically made with shrimp, coconut milk, and rice noodles, creating a balance of freshness and richness. In Nao's version, the salted fish juice amplified the umami in the curry, blending harmoniously with the shrimp and coconut milk. The addition of lemongrass and the black color, likely from squid ink, added complexity to the flavor.

"This... salted fish juice intensifies the umami in both the curry and fish broth, and the squid ink adds depth. I never expected it to taste like this!" Erina said, clearly impressed.

Isshiki, smiling as he ate, agreed. "The salted fish blends seamlessly into the laksa, enhancing the flavor in a way I didn't anticipate."

"Wow... it's incredible! It smells awful, but the judges are eating it faster and faster!" Megumi said, astonished.

"As expected of the witch. She's terrifying!" Yoshino muttered, awestruck.

"The strong, foul odor leaves a lasting impression on the judges, making it extremely difficult for Sui-kun to surpass her dish," Ryoko observed thoughtfully. "It's as if the judges' taste buds are trapped in her 'witch's chains.'"

Sadatsuka chuckled darkly, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Hehehe... Their taste buds are completely under my control now. No matter what he does, there's no escaping."