Chapter 55: The Strength of Conviction (Part 1)
Our Rebel Alliance successfully ended the 1st Bout of the Regimental Shokugeki with a complete victory.
I also got to see Azami's frustrated face, so I was quite satisfied.
After a one-hour break, the 2nd Bout began immediately. It seemed the Regimental Shokugeki was going to push hard from the very first day.
We had gathered in the waiting room and were currently discussing who would participate in the 2nd Bout. I could have gone out alone again and wiped them all out, but that would have been far too inhuman and likely to make the others wary, so I rejected the idea. Physically I still had plenty of energy left, so I could have done it, but…
In any case, after some discussion, I brought the matter to Erina, our team leader.
"Eh? You want to participate again? …But Shogo-kun, that would mean fighting consecutively. Besides, you fought three-on-one in the 1st Bout, so for the 2nd Bout you should rest…"
I wasn't planning to do another three-on-one, but I wasn't planning to sit out either. Of course I intended to participate in the 2nd Bout as well. It's a Santoku family tradition to accept a fight that's been thrown at you and then completely crush the one who started it. Since I had recognized Nakiri Azami as an enemy, I had no intention of showing mercy.
"It's fine. I don't get worn out from something like that. Though I don't want to go out alone again."
"But… No, you're right. I don't want to lose the momentum you created in the 1st Bout. If we can achieve another complete victory in the 2nd Bout, we'll suddenly be in a very advantageous position."
"Exactly. …But it probably won't go that smoothly. They'll definitely come at us seriously next time, and there's a high chance they'll send out the 1st and 2nd Seats."
In the original story, I was pretty sure Tsukasa and Rindou had appeared. I was a bit fuzzy on the third person, but it was probably either Saito Sōmei or Akanegakubo Momo. Well, it didn't really matter who came out. I hadn't made sushi or sweets very often, but I could still handle it.
"Then I'll go. After seeing Shogo's cooking earlier, I can't calm down. It's fine, right, Nakiri?"
Soma properly checked with Erina first.
He often gave the impression of being self-centered, but he was actually a guy who could play as part of a team. It was a shame his resolve to inherit his family's diner was too strong, but if it were possible, I'd want to scout him for my own restaurant. That's how highly I rated him.
"…You're right. …What do you think, Shogo-kun?"
"Unfortunately, we're keeping Soma in reserve for now."
"Eeeh!? Why!?"
"Just a feeling."
"…J-Just a feeling, huh?"
Soma slumped his shoulders at my vague answer, but it couldn't be helped.
Even if he went out in the 2nd Bout, there was no way Soma could beat Tsukasa or Rindou right now. I couldn't afford to let the protagonist drop out here. I needed to keep the guy with protagonist plot armor until the very end—as insurance in case something unexpected happened.
"Then it's my turn, right? I'll take care of crushing Tsukasa-san."
"No matter who the opponent is, I can handle it. With the 'Perfect Trace' that Shogo-san trained me in, I will definitely secure victory."
And so, the members for the 2nd Bout were decided.
Former 8th Seat of the Council of Ten, Kuga Terunori-senpai, Mimasaka, and me. The lineup was set with these three. We didn't know who the other side would send out, but it probably wouldn't deviate much from the original story. After all, I had already crushed three of them. The number of chefs they could still field was limited.
If there was any cause for concern, it would be interference or sabotage… but we'd deal with that when the time came. It would also show just how cornered Azami was, so it wasn't really a problem.
He seemed to have a lot of pride, but even Azami couldn't afford to lose this match. It would actually be interesting if he came out to cook himself. I could crush him head-on without any roundabout tactics.
"Shogo-chin~ It's almost time for your turn."
"Let's go, Shogo-san."
Called by the two of them, I stopped thinking and followed behind.
The last match of the day. The 2nd Bout was about to begin.
▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽▲▽
As expected, the opposing team's lineup was exactly what I had predicted.
1st Seat, Tsukasa Eishi.
2nd Seat, Kobayashi Rindou.
4th Seat, Saito Somei.
These three.
While feeling grateful that the selection matched the original story, I looked up at the matchup cards displayed on the electronic board.
1st Card — Tsukasa Eishi vs Kuga Terunori, Theme Ingredient: Green Tea (Tea Leaves)
2nd Card — Kobayashi Rindou vs Mimasaka Subaru, Theme Ingredient: Chili Pepper
3rd Card — Saito Somei vs Santoku Shogo, Theme Ingredient: Tuna
The matchups had been decided through discussion, and I had no particular complaints. I could have taken on Tsukasa or Rindou, but that would have deviated too far from the original story. It was safer to follow the existing flow rather than risk unpredictable developments, so I chose Saito Somei as my opponent.
Kuga-senpai had originally wanted to face Tsukasa Eishi anyway, and Mimasaka could handle anyone. The discussion ended more smoothly than expected.
As with the 1st Bout, the theme ingredients would be decided by lottery, so it was left to luck. Drawing tuna against a sushi specialist was simply bad luck. In fact, many spectators were already voicing their predictions that I would lose.
Even the rebel members watching from inside their cages had grim expressions, so they seemed to be thinking the same thing. Well, since I had just fought three-on-one an hour ago, they probably assumed I was heavily fatigued. It was nice that they were worried, but being thought to tire from something like that was itself an underestimation.
"Santoku Shogo. Your performance in the 1st Bout was magnificent. I was impressed by how you cut down your opponents using only your own skill, undaunted by the difference in numbers."
Before cooking began, my opponent Saito approached and spoke to me. Since his words sounded more like praise than provocation, I responded politely.
"Thank you, Saito-senpai. Please go easy on me."
"Fufu, there will be no need for that. …Even if you try to hide it, I can tell. I sense a concentration from you that borders on killing intent. If I were to hold back, I would likely be cut down easily."
Saito, who admired the way of the samurai, spoke in his usual samurai-like manner. While his skill made it acceptable, if an ordinary person acted like that, it would just come across as cringy. Even with skill, it was still a little painful.
"No, no, the theme is 'tuna,' after all. I'll be borrowing your chest to learn from."
"Excessive humility is just sarcasm, you know? …I will not let my guard down. Let us have a serious clash, Santoku Shogo."
Carrying a large knife meant for tuna dissection on his shoulder, Saito walked to his own station. That sword-like knife was probably one of the things fueling his samurai roleplay.
"…All-out, huh."
As I watched his retreating back, the words slipped out unintentionally. I hope you can do it—all-out.
Not me. You.
"—Then, the 2nd Bout! Cooking begins!!"
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