The strongest anime shop owner

Finally, there's the cocktail. Hmm, this red one is a fruit wine concoction, right? It has a sour taste with a hint of sweetness. The flavor is truly layered and sophisticated, so juicy and flavorful. Now, let's try some other flavors." Kakuzaki Taki doesn't usually have a particular eye for things that look romantic, but when he tasted the so-called special side dish of this course, he was immediately amazed. The concentrated bone broth and red wine were like dried goods that had absorbed the essence of the sun, with an even richer and more mellow flavor. Paired with the flavorful cocktail, the taste was ever-changing and incredibly delicious.

"Each color has its own unique flavor, making it a truly romantic dish." As you scoop it up with a spoon, the colorful flames are still burning. The moment you put it in your mouth, it's almost like a burst of heat, followed by a burst of various flavors. Because the cocktail is prepared, the alcohol content isn't particularly high, so the temperature isn't very high either. Eating this fiery dish is like enjoying fireworks with your loved one at night – so romantic.

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Chapter 217 The Curtain Falls

"What the hell... this kid..." Hearing all the praise from the examiner, Mimasaka was immediately devastated.

After Soma's experience, I didn't think I would feel much, and I was prepared. But when I actually faced it, I was still very willing to accept it. After all, no matter how you look at it, whether it's my age or my experience as a chef, I shouldn't be able to do that.

If we're talking about geniuses, Mimasaka might not be much inferior to others. At the same time, he broke out in a cold sweat, suddenly understanding why that person hadn't placed their bet on him, since he truly felt inferior to him.

"That's awesome! I knew my little brother was the best!" Upon seeing this, even though she didn't know the outcome, it seemed to be going very well. Sakaki Ryoko immediately clenched her fist and shouted loudly.

“Yeah, I think Su Luo and Soma might not necessarily lose to Mimasaka… No, it feels like they’ve already surpassed Mimasaka by a wide margin. So next it might be a competition between Su Luo and Soma. After all, although it happened once before that they both advanced at the same time, this time…” said Ibuzaki Jun, whose expression was hidden by his hair.

"I really hope they can advance together. I don't know how the competition is arranged, putting two members of Polar Star together." After hearing what Ibuzaki Jun said, Yoshino Yuuki immediately complained. If it weren't arranged like this, maybe both of them could have made it to the finals.

"...There's nothing we can do about it, that's how the competition is arranged," said Shun Ibuzaki.

“That makes sense,” Yoshino Yuuki nodded and said.

"Phew... This dish is even more unique than Soma's previous dishes, and the various colored cocktails represent different flavors and textures. No matter what kind of person the diners are, they can choose their favorite flavor. It would be popular no matter where it is served. The oxtail is grilled to be tender and juicy, and paired with this rich bone broth, red wine, and layers of cocktails, it is simply indescribably delicious. Moreover, a dish as romantic as this is sure to be loved by everyone. It would be perfect for commemorating wedding anniversaries or proposing marriage..." Kikuchi Orchard said while eating.

Kikuchi Orchard was about to say something, but after seeing the fierce look in Kakuzaki Taki's eyes, she quickly chuckled and asked, "Ahaha... By the way, I wonder how you came up with this dish, especially this unique combination and using soup as a side dish..."

"Ah... I guess it's somewhat inspired. This kind of combination is actually a type of buffet style, where customers can customize their meals according to their own needs. Moreover, this combination style can give people the feeling that one dish is equivalent to many dishes. Of course, that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is to give people a colorful experience. As for why soup is used as a side dish... I want to say, why not? Besides, soup is the concentrated essence of the whole dish, so the taste will definitely be the best. Even so, in the end, beef bone broth was used, and the original broth was used to enhance the flavor of the oxtail. Well, that's it." Su Luo held up one finger and explained slowly.

"A buffet style -!?"

"This is too big a leap. The two things seem to have nothing to do with each other at all."

"How can you say this is unrelated? It's like the dish made by that man who lost 600 games. The two dishes look different, but in essence they are the same. It's the same theory but uses different ingredients. It's like when a person is sick, they need to take medicine. Every doctor prescribes different medicines, but in essence they can all cure the disease. It's the same principle. So, as a chef, don't be rigid about some things. You have to learn to be flexible. Only in this way can you create unique dishes." Seeing their exaggerated reactions, Su Shilu couldn't stand it anymore and explained again.

"Could I have seen wrong!?" Looking at Su Luo, who seemed to be about to speak, Dojima Gin, sitting in the middle, stroked his chin and gave Su Luo a deep look, thinking to himself.

"Next, we will proceed with the decision-making process!! This is the second round of the Autumn Selection Tournament! Judges, please vote!" Just then, a voice came from the loudspeaker.

Soon, all five examiners picked up brushes and wrote their answers on white paper.

"Soma-kun... I'm so sorry, although I really wanted to vote for you, but... Su Luo's dishes are definitely better." Hinako Inui was the first to give her result. After saying this to Soma, she held up her answer, which clearly read the two large characters: [Su Luo].

Kikuchi Orchard also voted for Su Luo, while Dojima Gin and Mizuhara Fuyumi voted for Soma.

As for... the final result for Kakuzaki Taki, since she was there at an uncertain time, the others had already given their results, and Su Luo and Soma even voted together.

Kakuzaki Taki hesitated, holding the brush, then suddenly looked around as if she had noticed something. Upon seeing the result, she was completely stunned, which showed how much pressure she was under. In other words, her vote would determine the fate of the contestants in this competition.

Seeing this, and facing these god-like opponents, Kakuzaki Taki could no longer contain himself and roared, "You bunch of bastards! Why did you reveal your names so quickly?!"

"Hehe, who knows!" Mujiu Zhiguoyuan covered her mouth and chuckled smugly, pretending to know nothing.

"Hehe, I'll laugh at your face, you big-breasted monster." Seeing this situation and the expression on Kikuchi Koen's face, Kakuzaki Taki simply stopped writing. After calmly saying "hehe" twice, he crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it hard at Kikuchi Koen, roaring at her.

"Ah~" Kikuchi Orchard was hit and let out a scream.

"Hey, Taki is really violent. Who told you to hesitate? See..." Although Inui Hinako said this, she sounded like she was gloating.

"Shut up, you bastard Inui!!" After hearing Inui Hinako's words, a large 'well' character appeared on Kakuzaki Taki's forehead, and he almost roared.

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Chapter 218 A Draw!? Advancement

"What's going on here..."

"The examiners seem to be in a dilemma, wondering who they will vote for in the end."

"Don't hesitate any longer, vote now..."

Seeing Kakuzaki Taki's hesitant expression, many viewers became impatient and started calling out to him from the judges' table.

"Can I...can I choose to give up?" Faced with this situation, Kakuzaki Taki raised one hand and said weakly, a rare occurrence for him.

"Are you kidding me? Give up? This is a serious competition! Can you guys be serious for once?"

"Tell me quickly, who are you going to vote for?"

When Kakuzaki Taki said those words, a commotion erupted in the audience. This was so unexpected that many people shouted at Kakuzaki Taki in the judges' box. After all, it was a competition, and there had to be a winner.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. If everyone were in that position, things probably wouldn't be much better.

Just as the audience was pressing him relentlessly, Dojima Gin stepped forward and said, "Alright, it's not that she doesn't want to vote or anything, it's just that Su Luo and Soma's cooking skills are too similar... Fellow operations staff... I have a suggestion, I wonder if you would like to hear it."

"Please speak, Chef Dojima." At the top, Eizan Etsuya, Nakiri Erina, and Isshiki Satoshi stood. Isshiki spoke as Dojima Gin uttered these words.

"Let Su Luo and Soma both enter the finals at the same time." When Dojima Gin said this, Isshiki and the other two didn't speak, but said again, "After all, even in a food war, when the two sides are evenly matched, they will hold a reserve match. But in the current situation, there is no time to fight again, so I want them to enter the finals at the same time. I think the final will be even more exciting."

After saying that, Dojima Gin addressed the audience, saying, "I think everyone here hopes to see more amazing dishes in the finals, right?"

"Yes···"

"Let them be popularized simultaneously..."

"I and they popularize..."

Upon seeing this, the members of Polaris Dormitory, who had initially thought this wouldn't happen, immediately shouted out in support.

"Everyone in charge of operations... look..." At this moment, Dojima Gin said to Isshiki and the others.

"Since this has happened, there's nothing we can do about it. Besides, everyone supports it, and it's happened once before, so it won't matter if it happens again. Let them advance at the same time." Seeing the boiling atmosphere on the field, it was almost everyone's wish. Although the organizers were the ultimate decision-makers for this competition, they didn't dare to go against such a large number of people's requests. Moreover, there was nothing wrong with this kind of thing, so they agreed.

"What... such a thing actually happened? Today has really been full of surprises, no, I should say full of excitement."

"That's great! In that case, Su Luo and Chuang Zhen can both compete in the finals."

"I imagine Mrs. Fumio is speechless with excitement when she sees this!"

After seeing this result, even without an announcement, everyone knew what the outcome was. Undoubtedly, the members of Polaris Dormitory were the happiest when they saw this.

"How...how could this be..." When he saw the result, Misaka was completely stunned. To be honest, in the past, he would use all sorts of methods to defeat each of his opponents. But now, Su Luo and Soma were far beyond his expectations. Among them was Su Luo, the person he paid the least attention to. For a moment, he really couldn't accept it.

This result was almost overwhelming for Misaka Takashi.

Just as Mimasaka was still in a daze, the doctor's voice came from the loudspeaker again: "So, contestants Su Luo and Souma... have advanced to the finals!!"

"I apologize for the poor hospitality!" Soma said with a smile as he removed his headscarf.

"We won!"

Seeing this result, it was undoubtedly the best outcome for the people in Polaris Dormitory.

"This is... Soma Yukihira's oath to give up being a chef and... his withdrawal notice from Totsuki Culinary Academy. It has the Supreme Commander's signature on it. Once these two documents are signed, his career as a chef will be over..." A staff member wearing glasses and a white suit with a playing card pattern came up with two pieces of paper. After explaining, he tore up the two pieces of paper, which meant that the two contracts would no longer be valid.

"Ugh...it can't be true...!!" Upon seeing this result, Mimasaka Subaru gritted his teeth, cold sweat beading on his face, looking utterly distraught. He simply couldn't believe it. In his entire career, he had never lost a single match, which was understandable, but this time it was a crushing defeat. After uttering those words through clenched teeth, he roared, "How could my tracking technique have a flaw! My Mimasaka Subaru's dishes could never lose..."

"If you still can't accept or understand... then come and try our dishes!" At this moment, how could Su Luo let Chuangzhen have the chance to show off like this? So she took the lead and went up with her dishes.

After finishing this, Su Luo felt that was enough. As for the messy things that followed, that was all up to Chuang Zhen. So after taking her dishes out, she headed straight for the lounge.

What happened next was that when Mimasaka ate Soma's dishes, it reminded him of his childhood. As a child, he had already shown a talent for imitation, but he did not get his father's approval. His father said that if that was all, then his restaurant did not need such soulless dishes. Later, during a tasting of new products for an important client, Mimasaka modified one of his father's signature dishes and surpassed his father's dish.

Then his father kicked him out like trash, and for Mimasaka, it was because of this that he embarked on a rebellious path of no return. He used his talent to make the elites of Japan's best culinary schools bow down to him one by one, and finally he was taken under the wing of Eizan Etsuya.

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Chapter 219 Final Round Question

It can be said that sometimes a good talent can lead to success, but sometimes it can also lead to hell.

Then comes the part where the kitchen knives used as stakes are returned to their original owners, followed by Soma's pretentious attempt to enlighten Mimasaka.

"It's [unclear]!! And [unclear]!! The players for the second semi-final match are entering!!" After Su Luo's match ended, a voice came from the loudspeaker.

In this chaotic situation, the ostriches leaped across the fields, their wings trembling, their steps faltering, their movements unpredictable, their fate uncertain. The only recourse was to use force against them.

The first [Four Heavenly Kings Showdown].

"The Four Heavenly Kings...!? Is it going to be a four-person competition!?" This competition was full of surprises, and only one person was eliminated in the end. After seeing this, many people were stunned and did not react for a moment. Although there are still four people, there will be no four-to-two competition. They will follow the schedule, so the four-person final will be held directly.

"But...! This is unprecedented! And it's not something the judges can decide..." Even Erina Nakiri was momentarily stunned by the situation; everything had happened far too quickly.

"This proposal is very interesting," said Senzaemon, stepping forward. "He never refuses anything related to cooking."

"They're really having a four-person final...!"

"This is unheard of! There are truly so many talented people emerging this year!"

"Yes, even in previous years, there wasn't even a three-person showdown in the finals. Now, however, we're having a private match. It's really unbelievable. But a four-person final... that's something to look forward to."

When the final results were announced, everyone in the arena went wild. Even the VIP clients were discussing it excitedly, because the result was so unexpected that almost everyone had made it to the finals.

After the competition ended, the reporters headed towards the contestant who would make the final decision, presumably to conduct an interview.

"Huh? Where's Su Luojun?"

As for Su Luo, who knew things would turn out this way, she would have already run far away, otherwise she would have been annoyed to death. As for why she hadn't left yet, it was because the theme of the final duel would be announced after this duel ended. Although she already knew what it would be, she didn't know if it would change, so it was better to wait and see.

However, compared to this, Soma, who was sitting quietly there, seemed to lack this awareness. He remained calm and composed next to Erina Nakiri and the others, and talked a lot during the interview.

"...Speaking of which, the system hasn't shown up for a while now. What's going on?" Su Luo, who was hiding in the distance, stopped paying attention to the events on the field and instead stroked her chin, thinking to herself.

"The semi-finals have now come to a perfect end... Next, please welcome the Operations Committee—" Shortly after this result was announced, a voice immediately pulled people back to reality. As the voice fell, the sound of wheels sliding came from a rest room. The sound grew closer and closer, and from a distance, a man could be seen pushing a cart with a square object on it, walking towards the arena.

"Oh! It's finally here!"

"Begin announcing the themes of the final match!" Amidst everyone's anticipation and intense attention, the figure slowly emerged. That figure was none other than Isshiki Satoshi, one of the organizers of this competition. After Isshiki pushed the cart up, another announcement came from the loudspeaker.

Wow! That's amazing!

"It's a giant block of ice!!"

After Yise came out, the item on the cart was clearly displayed in front of everyone's eyes: a huge square block of ice. This sight obviously made many people even more excited, staring at it almost without blinking, as if afraid of missing something.

"It's about to begin! Time to announce the ingredients!"

"Get the camera ready!"

Upon witnessing this scene, many reporters immediately prepared to record the revelation of the ingredients.

Every year, the theme of the autumn finals is "Seasonal Autumn Ingredients"... The selected contestants compete against each other using the freshest ingredients grown during the autumn harvest season. This is the theme of the autumn selection competition.

After Yise pushed the ice block up, several beams of light shone on it, encircling the ice block and Yise entirely in the light. Yise stopped pushing the cart, took out a large hammer, and started swinging it.

"It's here! It's about to be announced...!"

"What kind of high-end ingredients will be featured this year? Matsutake mushrooms... or bonito flakes... or perhaps new buckwheat?"