The large stadium kitchen arena buzzed with excitement. Cameras zoomed in on rows of bright-eyed children, each standing nervously by their assigned cooking stations, wearing crisp white aprons. Spectators filled the stands, eager to witness the start of the competition.
Akira stood at his assigned cooking station and looked around, trying to spot any main characters among the contestants. To his relief, he didn't recognize anyone as a central figure. It wasn't that he was afraid of competing against them, just not now. He had only just learned the basics of cooking and a few helpful tips after all.
Looking into the crowd, Akira noticed most of the audience were Totsuki students, easily identifiable by their uniforms. He wondered if this competition was also connected to the Totsuki Culinary Institute.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight flickered on, illuminating the grand podium at the center of the arena. A cute teenage girl, dressed in a Totsuki high school uniform, stepped up to the microphone with a confident smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice full of excitement, "Welcome to the Totsuki Junior Master Chef! I'm Kawashima Kirara, your host today!" She winked at the audience.
"Kirara is the cutest!"
"KIRARA, KIRARA, KIRARA!" the crowd roared, clapping and cheering her name.
"Hi!" she waved and struck a cute pose. She seemed to be some kind of idol here.
Everyone was cheering for her, but Akira's thoughts were elsewhere.
"Junior Master Chef? Seriously? Who came up with that name? What about copyrights?" Akira thought. He wondered if the Junior Master Chef show didn't exist in this world. "I mean, the name makes sense for a cooking competition, but still…"
"Today," Kirara continued, "we are here to witness the future of gourmet cuisine, the young prodigies who stand before you, ready to take on the ultimate culinary challenge! From all corners of the globe, these talented chefs have come here to prove their skills in the prestigious kitchens of Totsuki. And one of them will emerge victorious, holding the title of Junior Master Chef!"
She turned, gesturing toward the rows of children. "Let's give a warm welcome to our incredible participants, the junior chefs! Make some noise!"
The stadium erupted into applause. The children waved at the audience, some beaming with excitement, others steeling their nerves for the challenge ahead.
"And now," Kirara's voice softened with reverence, "to officially begin the competition, let's welcome the director of Totsuki Culinary Institute, Nakiri Senzaemon, to give an opening speech!"
The air thickened with respect as an imposing figure stepped onto the stage. Senzaemon Nakiri, draped in a traditional, regal yukata, exuded an aura of authority. His presence alone commanded the attention of everyone in the arena. His steely gaze swept across the crowd, then to the young chefs standing before him.
Stepping up to the microphone, he took a deep breath and then choked, coughing.
"Cough… cough…"
"Director, are you okay?" the announcer asked, worried, while the audience gasped in shock.
"Don't… don't worry. I just choked," he said, taking a moment to steady himself before continuing. "As soon as I breathed the air of this place, I could feel the energy flowing through me. Many extraordinary chefs have cooked in this very venue."
His expression turned serious as he continued, "Many famous duels and legendary dishes have been born here. And today, the Junior Master Chef competition will add to that legacy."
He looked directly at the young chefs. "All of you will write a new chapter of history here. You stand in the sacred halls of Totsuki, where only the finest chefs are forged. Today, you will face challenges that will test your creativity, your skill, and your resolve. Cooking isn't just about technique; it's about expressing your passion, your very soul, on the plate. Now, it's time for you to start your own story here."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. Then, with a powerful voice, he declared, "Let the Totsuki Junior Master Chef begin!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as Senzaemon raised his hand, signaling the official start of the competition. The young chefs stood straighter, determination flickering in their eyes.
As the applause subsided, the announcer returned to center stage, her voice bubbling with excitement.
"Thank you, Director Senzaemon!" she said, turning to the audience. "Now, it's time to introduce the esteemed judges who will be guiding our junior chefs through this incredible journey. First, we are honored to welcome a legendary figure in the culinary world, the General Head Chef of the world-renowned Totsuki Resort, Dojima Gin!"
A ripple of awe spread through the audience as the spotlight fell on a towering man. Dojima Gin, muscular and imposing, with buzzed brown hair, strode onto the stage with a stoic expression. His powerful presence could be felt even from the farthest corners of the arena.
Dojima stood at the podium, his gaze sharp as he addressed the young chefs, his voice deep and authoritative. "Listen carefully," he began, with a strict tone, demanding full attention. "In my kitchen, there is no room for hesitation, no space for mediocrity. Perfection is the only standard you should aim for. Cooking is not a game. It is a battle. A battle where only the best will survive."
The children shifted nervously under his intense gaze.
"I expect each of you to demonstrate discipline, precision, and above all, passion. This is Totsuki, and you must rise to meet its expectations." His words left a heavy silence, thick with tension. With a final, piercing look at the contestants, Dojima stepped back, folding his arms.
The announcer smiled, attempting to lighten the mood after Dojima's hardline speech. "Thank you, Chef Dojima! And now, let's meet our second judge, a brilliant culinary mind and the Head of the Research Division at Nakiri International. Please welcome Nakiri Leonora!"
Leonora Nakiri stepped forward gracefully, her pale skin glowing under the lights. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, nearly matching the shimmer of her silver dress. Her red eyes sparkled with kindness. Anyone could tell she wasn't Japanese but European.
"She's beautiful!"
"She's so fair!"
"I wonder if she's Scandinavian," the audience clamored as she appeared.
"Miss Leonora leads Nakiri International, an academic institute that conducts research on gourmet food and molecular gastronomy using cutting-edge technology. Would you be so kind as to say a few words?" the announcer asked, handing her the mic.
"Uh, g-good day, everyone! I am Nakiri Leonora desu, and I live in Denmark! Judging feels hard, but I'll try my best!" she began confidently, but...
"Wow, her Japanese is horrible," was the thought running through everyone's mind. Clearly, Japanese wasn't her strong suit, but she did her best.
"So, everyone, do your best!" she finished, and the crowd gave her a gentle round of applause, appreciating her good-natured attempt at speaking Japanese.
The announcer chuckled, stepping forward again. "Thank you, Leonora-sama! And now, last but certainly not least, we have a very special guest on our judging panel. She may be small, but her taste buds are unmatched. You all know her as the possessor of the legendary God's Tongue, the granddaughter of Director Senzaemon, Nakiri Erina!"
The audience gasped as a small, elegant figure emerged from behind the curtain.
"She's here," Akira thought, as Erina walked onto the stage. The main heroine of Shokugeki no Soma, and the most troublesome judge.
Akira glanced at her, knowing that she would be his first real opponent in this world. Even though this was just a cooking competition and she was still a child, he wouldn't take it easy. With all his strength, he vowed to make her say the word "delicious."
After all, even Soma, the main character, had never made her utter those words. Akira was determined to take on the challenge.
He looked at her with a confident smile, ready for the competition. "Prepare yourself, Nakiri Erina. I will make you say my food is delicious," he thought with a grin.