The Lost Samurai

Chapter 21 - Results

The judges started tasting the dishes, picking every part and slowly savoring them, from the lasagna to the soup and the rice and beans, everything went inside their mouths so they could give it the right score.

"I think the lasagna was perfectly made, and i liked the idea of chicken lasagna, a different taste but still superb, as for the side dishes they were perfect, you could eat them alone, together, with the lasagna, you went in so many directions and every single one was so perfect, they form a perfect combo and perfect individual parts, it's a 10." Kyoko just couldn't restrain herself from praising every single aspect of her father's food this time, he wasn't just fooling around, he came to win.

The face of the trio competing with Kenshin darkened while his face lightened, the first score indicated a tendency, if everyone thought the same it would be Kenshin's win.

"Ok, the taste of this lasagna, i couldn't describe it as anything short from perfect, it just has zero imperfections, the side dishes are a new main dish, even without the main dish just the side ones would be perfect, and together you can combine them in many different ways and all those ways are amazing, i didn't want to say it but i have to be fair, the score is 10." Hori was a bit down seeing the difference between her disciples' food and Kenshin's, but she was also happy to see Kenshin cooking something for her to eat, her heart couldn't be more divided.

Everyone looked at chef Hiromi, after his decision the main dish scores would be all set, if he gave a ten to Kenshin the trio would really start to lose their faith in winning, cause of course the dessert wouldn't be worse.

"Kenshin, i would really appreciate if you taught me a bit of your cooking skills and exchanged recipes with me, i can't say anything about the food in my plate cause it's way better than what i cook, the lasagna, the soup, rice and beans, everything was prepared with such care for details and even watching you cooking was beautiful, i can only give it 10." Chef Hiromi was sad he couldn't give 100 or 1000, no score was enough to describe his pleasure right now.

“Haha mister Hiromi, i will gladly teach you my secrets if you teach me yours, and also of course i’d like to exchange recipes, always good to trade and get a bigger variety, i’m always in the way to improve and from your words i bet you’re also in the same road.” Kenshin was happy to hear the chef’s words, he couldn’t even dream of refusing such an offer and the praises made him even happier, praised by a specialist. 

The disciples changed everything at the table in an organized pace, they probably did that many times, living together every day for years it was just natural for them to do this sort of thing together.

Seeing the petit gateau done almost with magic the three judges couldn't help but take a clear look at it, ice cream iced with chi and the small gateau cooked the same way, truly the apex of control, used in an unexpected way.

"I love it! The chocolate has a rich taste, it's like the last one but different, different in a way I never saw, it's just like perfect chocolate! And the ice cream too, it's a unique ice cream, it's like you could make it a thousand times and each time would be unique, the technique used to make those is truly special. I will give it 10 out of 10!" 

The cooking trio resigned to their faiths, their faces fell on the ground, apparently there was no winning chance, meanwhile Kenshin's smile only got wider, finally he could show his cooking skills to the world and be recognized by his food.

"Ok let me taste it, hmmmm, no way that's true! I just can't put it in words, it wouldn't be appropriate to describe it with just such shallow things as words, I will just say the score is ten, and I'm crying." Hori truly felt her heart throbbing right now, she hadn’t eaten a dish like this one she just ate in her entire life, it was simply special.

Now it was chef Hiromi’s time to judge and reveal what he thought about the food, the result was already decided,everyone knew who was the winner, but still the opinion of a specialist in the food area was rather important for everyone.

“I just can’t get over this dessert, Kenshin you really impress me in a level no one has ever, the cooking with your chi to make it in a impossible time, the multiple dishes cooked at the same time with the same skill of a big group, and when tasting it it’s even better, even more impressing. The taste each gram of this petit gateau has is just, indescribable, truly unique as your daughter said, it was a marvelous experience, thank you. And of course I give it 10 points.” Chef Hiromi was truly moved today. He was happy to have accepted the invitation to come here today, both Master Hori’s disciples and Master Kenshin’s cooking left him in pure awe.

After Kenshin’s win everyone sat in a big table to eat together, both groups prepared lots of food to ensure lunch time for every person there and they even called all the neighbors to eat with them, it was truly a feast for everyone, so many persons happily eating and chatting and a few neighbors brought their instruments to play happy songs while everyone danced and sang, Kyoko showed her singing skills delighting everyone’s ears.

After the tension that they just went through this small party was truly what they deserved. Eating delicious food to their hearts’ content, hearing Kyoko’s angelic voice and the big band assembled during the party, chatting in a carefree manner while kids played around, truly a good day.

Hori was happy with this occasion, to think that her and Kenshin’s childish behavior started this challenge and this challenge started such a good party, it was truly a delighting sight, her disciples healing properly and enjoying everything, even some girls who still were injured had joyful expressions eating and singing in their beds.

The citizens they fought so hard to protect also were overjoyed, she had her truest smile seeing the kids running around after eating and the adults forgetting all the distress and chatting about the reconstruction, construction workers stopped their works for a bit and everyone thanked them for their efforts, working so hard just to help without charging money and just getting food because they knew everyone’s situation was already too hard having to import building materials from other cities because the demand was too high.

Everyone stood from their seats and looked at Hori and Kenshin at the same time, like a rehearsed performance, the childhood friends looked at the huge group with confused faces, not knowing they were planning.

“We would like to thank you guys, you always fight so hard with your lives on the line to protect us, without our guardians we wouldn’t be here today to thank anyone, truly you’re the foundation of our Blue Phoenix empire!” The large group of civilians said this acknowledgement speech in chorus.

“Thank you, you’re the heroes and true foundation, the workers that try their hardest every day no matter what condition we’re in, you are the ones fighting the daily problems to push the world forward.” Kenshin got emotional with the thanking and really had to thank those persons, they were the reason why every fighter trained so hard.