Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 438 - 437: The Duel of Clones (Part 2)

Chapter 438: Chapter 437: The Duel of Clones (Part 2)

"No, that’s not right!"

A passionate and intense melody suddenly echoed in his ears.

In an instant, it was as if he had returned to the birthplace of opera, to that world capital of art, to the central Italian city of Florence!

His eyes were like windows, reflecting the art galleries, the grand cathedral, and the Giotto Bell Tower.

With each chew, Takeomi’s spirit became even more hazy.

He walked through the ancient halls of the Uffizi Palace, its walls lined with the brilliant and beautiful artworks of the Renaissance.

This was the Florence he knew so well, his hometown!

"Takeomi, Takeomi..."

A faint calling voice brought him back.

Takeomi propped his hands on the dining table, while the instructor opposite him laughed, "How about it, Takeomi, what did you taste? Even if the dishes are identical, there’s still a distinction in quality, isn’t there?"

"Culinary skills can be imitated, recipes may come from the same source."

"But only here—"

The instructor pointed to the heart.

"Tell me, Takeomi, why did you leave your hometown and come to Neon to study?"

A question that struck at the heart.

Why indeed?!

Takeomi was stunned for a moment, yes, why, why did he come to Neon, to Far Moon!

"I, I want to become stronger, to cook more outstanding, more perfect dishes!"

"And then? Is that all?"

"Then, to serve them to my guests, to receive the highest praise from my guests!" Takeomi said in one breath.

Snap!

A snap of the fingers.

"That’s right, Takeomi, your driving force is to serve your guests, to bring them happiness," the young instructor said. "Cuisine that can bring happiness to people, that is real cuisine. Remember that, Takeomi, cuisine that can convey happiness will never be defeated!"

"Keep it up!"

Leaving the kitchen to his student, the instructor drifted away.

...

Cuisine that brings happiness to people?

What exactly is happiness?

Is it the fulfillment of appetite... or something else?

Once again coming to his senses from his reverie, the sounds of the venue rushed into his ears, Takeomi shook his head.

"Clang—"

"The competition begins!"

Coincidentally, the host Kawashima Reika’s call resounded through the venue.

Takeomi glanced over at Mizuo Ang.

As expected!

A chill went through his heart; the ingredients prepared at the opponent’s station were exactly the same as his!

Even the lemon peach provided by the instructor was there at the opponent’s side!

A completely fair contest in terms of ingredients!

He couldn’t help but glance at the judging stand, where the young Chief Judge, hands crossed and propped on the podium, watched this way with keen eyes.

"Instructor, I will prove it!"

Takeomi touched the region over his heart, then calmly unfolded his cooking procedure.

Dessert making was nothing more than a few steps.

First, the almonds and hazelnuts were put in the oven to be heated, this was to bring out the aroma.

Next, it was time to prepare the batter!

A gasp arose.

Takeomi glanced at Mizuo Ang.

Despite Mizuo Ang’s tall and burly figure, with broad and thick hands, his dessert-making skills were so delicate, and many people felt as if they were watching a girl embroidering. A chilling sensation.

"This guy..."

Takeomi remained calm.

Even if Mizuo Ang had improved the process before him, he was undisturbed, completely immersed in his own cooking world.

"What’s with Takeomi?"

"It’s bad, Mizuo Ang has also used limoncello, to think that he replaced lime and almond liqueur with it, a liquor that originates from Italy, made from lemons!"

On the Polar Star Dormitory side, everyone secretly perspired.

"What’s the matter, Takeomi, have you given up?" On the stage, Mizuo Ang looked back suspiciously at the Italian boy’s figure, puzzled by his composure as if something was wrong.

But it didn’t matter, the victory was in his grasp!

Mizuo Ang laughed haughtily, "Takeomi, it’s really simple to deal with someone as exceptionally honest as you are. On the surface, you seem wise and calm, but in reality, your heart is filled with passion for your homeland. A chef’s thoughts are also reflected in his dishes."

"I’ve completely figured you out!"

"Give up already!"

With his back to Mizuo Ang, Takeomi didn’t move an inch.

Soon.

An hour passed.

The cakes were baked, and both of them plated them as if by agreement and took a sharp knife to cut a peach-shaped fruit into thin slices and laid them out on the freshly baked cake’s surface.

"It’s finished!"

Mizuo Ang confidently presented his dish, and Xia Yu, Dojima Yin, Indira, Yuchuan Ayaka, and Shinohara Shigetaro each received a slice of frozen cake.

"The evolved version, frozen cake!" Mizuo Ang looked down on the judges from his lofty vantage point.

It seemed like he considered even the judges as prey.

A bold, crazy fool.

That was how Yuchuan Ayaka judged him in her mind, her gaze icy.

"I don’t like it!" she said coldly, "I don’t like your dish, and even less the person you are, zero points!"

The venue erupted into a commotion.

"Um, Miss Yuchuan," interjected the emcee, Kawashima Reika, cautiously reminding her, "since this is a Shokugeki, everything has to conform to the rules of the competition, and the scoring system is replaced by a voting system."

"Huh?!"

Mizuo Ang, for his part, was dumfounded, not expecting a judge to be so capricious as to hit him with such an unexpected blow.

His large frame trembled slightly, suppressing anger.

"Actually try tasting it, and you’ll discover the secret of my dish!" he said in a low voice.

"Hmph!"

Yuchuan Ayaka did not plan to show any deference.

"Cough, cough!"

Xia Yu couldn’t stand it anymore and gave a stern look.

Such unprofessionalism from the judge, and since he was the one who brought her to sit on the panels of judges, how could he not see the many eyes watching? If word got out, wouldn’t it show neglect on his part as the instructor and chief judge?

This small gesture was noticed by Dojima Yin and Shinohara Shigetaro, who could only exchange a helpless smile.

Only Xia Yu dared to glare at the Yuchuan family princess like that.

"Let’s all try it!"

Xia Yu got the rhythm back and picked up the silver spoon.

Hm?

Attention returned to the dessert, with Indira the first to frown, pointing at the thin rind of fruit on top of the cake, questioning, "Is this lemon peach?"

"Yes, it is an ingredient personally provided by Instructor Xia, which I could only utilize to this extent," replied Mizuo Ang.

A single slice of fruit placed on top of the dessert, just for decoration?

The audience at the far end was puzzled.

However, Kawashima Reika, quietly swallowing her saliva near the judges’ table, had already indicated the excellence of the dish.

The judges spooned in unison.

On the screen, all five judges wore uniform expressions of indifference.

Then, after a spoonful, the judges also in unison set down their utensils.

Thump! Thump!

Mizuo Ang took two steps back, "Why?!"

"An overly formulaic dessert, boring," said Yuchuan Ayaka as she wiped her mouth with a pristine napkin. Being a master pastry chef herself, known for her "killer" Seven-Colored Sea dessert, her critique could certainly sway the outcome of the Shokugeki.

Veins popped on his forehead.

Enraged by Yuchuan Ayaka’s dismissive look and scornful smile.

Mizuo Ang growled lowly, "What a joke, isn’t a Shokugeki supposed to determine whose dish tastes better? I don’t need other opinions, just ’delicious’ or ’not delicious’!"

"Also, don’t get your hopes up, the Aldini guy has already lost the courage to present his dish, so just announce my victory already!"

Tap tap tap...

His words were still hanging in the air when the sound of rapid footsteps made Mizuo Ang turn around in surprise.

"You..."

"No matter what happens, I’ll always bring my dish to the awaiting customers!"

Takeomi Aldini said this straight-faced, stepping past Mizuo Ang to place a plate of desserts on the judges’ table.

This time, without being prompted by the students, Xia Yu led the judges to spoon again.

"Umph!"