Fire and Ice

The Secret

"It looks like she's done boiling her noodles." Erina noted, as Nene had finished the finishing touches of her dish.

"I'm done." Nene said as she went to serve her dish. "Kinokuni 9:1 Soba with Sakura Shrimp."

She has mastered the generations' worth of soba." Historie noted.

"Let us begin the deliberations." Anne mused as she started to eat the soba. "Well let us have a taste. The light yet rich fragrance of the sauce is amazing."

"I have more, if you like." Nene said, as the judges realized that the soba was gone.

"Nene, Nene! I want some too!" Rindo called out to the girl.

"Rindo you can't." Tsukasa pulled on Rindo's arm.

"It appears the sakura shrimp serve a big purpose to link with the soba's delicate flavor. That's why you can't stop eating." Anne noted. "Is the oil used a factor?"

"Yes, I used a special cold pressed oil that would complement the dish." Nene explained.

"It forces you to recognize the potential of Japanese cooking." Marshal smiles.

"We have tasted a true first-class dish." Historie nodded.

"Well done, Kinokuni-senpai! She's invincible!" Urara cheered.

"Okay, my turn now. I have it too you know. Something I've sunk a lot of time into. Now, please look at my soba!" Soma said in his usual smile, as Tsuki looked up hearing her brother's voice. "Enjoy!"

Tsuki smelled to the familiar scent of yakisoba as Tsukasa saw the color slightly coming back to Tsuki's eyes.

"The noodles toasted by the wok are now crunchy, providing a contrast!"

"The duck's clear fat and the soba's flavors are coming through loud and clear!" Anne noted. "Miss Kinokuni used ichibanko flour which has a soft sweetness, good elasticity, chewiness and refined throat feel. Mister Yukihira used sanbanko flour, it lacks smoothness and it feels coarse on the tongue. But the flavors will be at their strongest. That's why cooking them in the wok did not ruin their flavor.".

"As a kid, instant noodles always fascinated me, but there's so many kinds. My sister was always studying during exams, she would forget to eat a lot. She always had cravings for instant foods at night but wasn't able to since the convenience store was far away from where we lived. That's why I thought of ways to make instant noodles into my cooking, so she would be still be able to eat good food, fast. I name the dish Yukihira-Style Seared Yakisoba!"

"So who is the victor?!" Urara asked.

"This concludes our judging. We will now cast votes! First bout, First round 3rd battle. Kinokuni Nene versus Yukihira Soma. Who will emerge victorious?"

"There was a consensus. Compared to your usual soba, there is less aroma compared to Mister Yukihira." Anne noted.  "By deliberately exposing it to heat and adding the aroma of oil and seared noodles were all converted to the dish's strengths."

"I really wanted to let the soba's flavors and aromas shine through." Soma smiled. "Anyway, I can eat your soba too, right, senpai? You can eat mine all you want!"

"Hey, tell me. How'd you manage to go this far. This is a Shokugeki- a serious contest. Even putting in the usual amount of effort poses a significant strain."

"What are you talking about. Every day is a serious contest if you're serving customers. Of course you have to be able to do this stuff." Soma said.

"The victor of the third match... is Yukihira Soma of the rebel team!"

"Glad you enjoyed it!" Soma took off his headband as he smiled to his peers. Soma looked to his sister, her eyes... they were how they were so many years ago.