"Happiness?"
Azami Nakiri suddenly scoffed, his voice filled with disdain and arrogance: "That cheap, fleeting sensory stimulation... you dare call that happiness?
The purpose of cuisine isn't to surprise the diner. It is to provide a stable, predictable, perfect experience. That is the gastronomy customers require, not this unstable failure of a dish!"
"It seems, my dear daughter, that your palate has been completely numbed by this fodder for the lower class. Even your basic powers of gastronomic appreciation have begun to degenerate."
He took a step forward, ignoring Okabe who stood in his way, his gaze piercing Erina Nakiri like a blade.
This gaze made Erina Nakiri uncontrollably clutch the back of Okabe's collar, her small body trembling slightly in fear of him.
"Heh, what an arrogant bastard. Going on and on about 'failure.' Have you never eaten shredded potatoes in your entire life? Never eaten this so-called 'fodder' you speak of? Have you never felt satisfied by it?!"
Feeling Erina Nakiri's trembling body behind him, Okabe could only think that Azami Nakiri was a failure of a person for making his own daughter this afraid.
How did Nakiri Mana even fall for him back then? Was he just that good at hiding his true nature? Or was it his culinary talent, a simple consideration for their offspring...
But regardless, this guy's presence is a hidden landmine. Before, I didn't have the power to deal with it, but now, it seems I have to consider eliminating it completely.
Okabe looked at Azami Nakiri and said coolly, "Why don't we make a bet?"
"A bet?"
Hearing Okabe's words, a hint of surprise appeared on Azami Nakiri's face. His eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous light glinting within them.
However, he said nothing, waiting for the other to continue.
"That's right. Since you're so convinced that your education of Erina is correct, and that people like us are nothing more than stumbling blocks on her path."
Okabe paused as if in thought, then continued, "How about this? You develop a dish, and then have Erina, who has been raised under your educational methods, replicate your dish and face me in a shokugeki.
If I lose, I'll never touch cuisine again for the rest of my life, and I will no longer interfere with your education.
Conversely, if you lose, I hope you will leave Erina alone. Don't make her learn that failed theory of yours anymore, or she'll never be able to become a great chef."
Although he wanted to kick Azami Nakiri out of the Nakiri household directly, it wasn't something he could do.
He would just have to inform Senzaemon Nakiri in time, have him come and observe the match, and explain what Azami Nakiri had done, letting him handle the expulsion.
In the end, this was Nakiri family business.
"Okabe, this..."
Hearing Okabe's words, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but cry out, disbelief flashing in her eyes. She clearly hadn't expected him to go this far for her.
Hisako Arato was also so shocked her mouth hung slightly open. After hearing Okabe's plans for his future earlier, she thought he was a rational person.
Yet this very rational person was now actively challenging Lady Erina's father to a shokugeki, even vowing to defeat him in it.
Could it be that Okabe is actually an impulsive person?
But to do this much for Lady Erina, their friendship must be truly deep.
No wonder Lady Erina was willing to sneak out of the hotel just to come and persuade him. He really is a man worthy of Lady Erina's efforts!
"An excellent idea. Since you're so eager to humiliate yourself, I shall grant you your wish!"
Hearing Okabe's words, Azami Nakiri gave a cold smile.
Considering their respective statuses and abilities, Azami Nakiri could have easily refused Okabe's shokugeki, or even just belittled and humiliated him with words.
But the atmosphere had already reached this point. Even if he refused the shokugeki, it would be meaningless and might even be misinterpreted as him being afraid.
Now that Erina Nakiri's heart had been swayed by these commoner dishes, if he wanted her to re-accept his theories and thus fall under his control, he first needed to crush her hope—the boy standing before him.
As for whether he could win the match?
Azami Nakiri wasn't worried in the least.
Never mind that the gift of the God's Tongue was far superior to this commoner boy's.
With him involved, it was impossible to lose this match. After all, he was once a member of the Totsuki Elite Ten, a figure who had reigned supreme over an entire era at Totsuki.
After so many years of refinement, he now possessed the strength of a top-tier First-Class Chef!
The dishes he created didn't have so many useless surprises; they possessed an absolute mastery over flavor, letting people know in an instant that they were delicious just by looking at them!
And Okabe? Just someone stubbornly lost on the wrong culinary path, an existence abandoned by his parents, seeking refuge under the Nakiri family's roof.
His talent was mediocre, his temperament stubborn. If not for the Nakiri family's kindness, he probably would never even have had the chance to touch the edge of their world in his entire life.
Such a lowly existence, and yet he was causing him so much trouble now. An unforgivable brat. He should just rot in the mud for the rest of his life!
"Since you were the one who proposed the shokugeki, let's set the time for three days from now. I recall your previous teacher mainly taught you how to distinguish flavors, correct?
In that case, the theme for this Shokugeki will be 'A Dish Rich in Flavors.' In other words, a single dish must possess at least four distinct flavors."
Looking at Okabe's calm expression, an inexplicable sense of irritation welled up in Azami Nakiri's heart.
Everything was clearly within his control, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, as if he had missed something. This strange sensation was very unsettling.
"Fine. Let's go with that theme."
Hearing Azami Nakiri's words, a sharp glint flashed in Okabe's eyes. He knew that his opponent wanted to leverage the God's Tongue's advantage in seasoning as much as possible.
But so what?
As a chef, he had never lacked the courage to press forward.
His knife skills had already reached a state of perfection, and his stir-frying was at a level of complete mastery. Seasoning, wok tossing, ingredient selection—he had incredibly rich experience in all these areas, no less than a chef who had worked in a regular restaurant for over a decade.
"Okabe, do you need me to..."
Erina Nakiri's small voice came from behind, laced with a bit of guilt. She felt that the combination of her and her father was too strong, and that he might have trouble facing them.
This whole affair started because of her. She didn't want Okabe to bear the risk of never being able to cook again for her sake. That would be too unfair to him.
"Erina, you don't need to feel any pressure about this, and you definitely don't need to go easy on me, because I will absolutely win this match.
You just need to enjoy this battle, understand the flaws in the theories you've learned, combine them with your own insights, and then walk a path that is uniquely yours."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Okabe turned to look at her face. Seeing her complex expression, he immediately understood what she was thinking.
But it really wasn't necessary.
Because after that passionate declaration just now, a system notification had sounded in his mind.
[Detected that the Host has accumulated a deep foundation in both skill and philosophy, and possesses a firm belief in the Way of Cooking. Now unlocking the talent: Heart of a Chef (Beginner)]
[Talent]: Heart of a Chef (Beginner)
[Talent Description]: The emotions and intentions invested by the Host can be more effectively integrated into the cuisine, subtly influencing the diner's senses and emotions, making it easier for them to perceive the various feelings the Host wishes to convey, such as joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.
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