The sound of fabric tearing filled the room.

  "This is it!"

  Both Erina and Alice exged surprised looks when they heard it. They both seemed to realize something at the same time.

  A satisfied smile spread across Erina's face.

  Meanwhile, Kaguya, who stood nearby, looked puzzled and didn't quite uand what had just happened.

  Ryuji leaned in slightly and expined with a chuckle, "Nakiri Senzaemon is sometimes called the 'Demon King of Food.' Wheastes something truly exceptional, his clothes have a habit of tearing apart from sheer ary pleasure."

  "What? Is that even possible?" Kaguya gasped. Was this really something a normal person could do?

  "..."

  Ryuji just shrugged. He hadn't believed it himself until he saw it happen right before his eyes. Some things in this world defied belief.

  He had to admit, some aspects of this world were dht bizarre.

  Soon, Senzaemourned, dressed in a fresh set of clothes.

  "Apologies for that dispy!"

  He looked at Ryuji with an apologetic expression.

  "o apologize."

  Ryuji waved it off with a casual smile. "If anything, it just proves how incredible Erina's cooking is."

  "Hahahaha!"

  Senzaemon ughed heartily at the pliment.

  "Erina's skills have indeed progressed rapidly!"

  The term "Diviongue" might sound exaggerated to some, but it was a real talent that allowed Erina to create perfectly banced dishes. It was almost like a cheat code for cooking.

  "Now, it's my turn!"

  Alice's smile was a bit strained, but she wasn't oo back down. She couldn't just give up, it wasn't in her nature. She wao hear Ryuji's judgment, no matter what.

  "Alright!"

  Senzaemon sighed inwardly but didn't say anything out loud. He agreed to taste Alice's dish as well.

  Ryuji and Kaguya had no reason to refuse either.

  Though molecur gastronomy often seemed showy, there was a reason it had gained reition. If it were just a gimmio one would take it seriously.

  Alice's dish was also delicious. However, uh Erina's dish, Senzaemon's clothes remained intact this time.

  Alioticed, her smile faltering for a moment. But without hesitation, she turo Ryuji, eyes full of determination.

  "Ryuji, which dish do you think is better?"

  After all, this was a petition for Ryuji's approval, and in the end, only his opinion mattered.

  Erina, who stood nearby, watched him ily, her expression serious.

  "Holy? They're equally matched."

  Ryuji paused for a moment, thinking carefully befiving his answer. It wasn't that he preferred Alice's dish more, but he found her genuine and straightforward nature more appealing than Erina's usual tsuitude.

  Still, saying Alice's dish was better just to spare her feelings wouldn't be right either. She wouldn't find satisfa in that.

  "What?"

  Alice's eyes widened, while Erina looked equally shocked.

  "How could they be equally matched? I mean—"

  "Erina."

  Senzaemon's voice cut in before she could tinue.

  Erina's biggest fw was her inability to let go of petition. It wasn't that she couldn't accept losing; it was more that she always o prove herself.

  "I…"

  Despite feeling frustrated, Erina bit back her words when she saw the stern look in her grandfather's eyes. She quieted down, although her expression remained dissatisfied.

  Alice, oher hand, blinked a few times before a grin broke across her face.

  "Ryuji didn't wao feel bad because he likes me, right?"

  Alice said it with a hint of pyfulness, but her eyes were searg for the truth.

  "Hey!"

  Kaguya, who had been silent, suddenly looked at Ryuji, eyes narrowed in suspi.

  So, this was petition. She had just been starting to appreciate Alice's cooking, but now—no way!

  Alioticed Kaguya's sudden defensive posture but merely smirked. Was she intimidated by a little girl? Hardly.

  "You're missing the point," Ryuji said, meeting Alice's eyes with a small smirk of his own. He raised a finger as if making a point. "I'm not a professional food critic. I don't have the expertise to break down the subtle intricacies of each dish."

  There was a moment of silence as everyone digested his words.

  Of course! Ryuji wasn't a food expert.

  "To me, both dishes were exceptional," Ryuji tihe differeween dishes at this level would e down to miails, ohat he simply didn't have the ination to pick apart.

  He came here to enjoy himself, not to overanalyze every bite. Fog on tiny differences would just ruin the joy of the experience.

  "...Fair enough,"

  Erina said, seeming to accept his expnation. This time, it was indeed a draw between her and Alice.

  To be ho, that was a first.

  But it didn't matter. There would be more opportuo pete iure, and Erina was fident she'd wiime.

  With that thought, she shot Alice a look full of determination.

  Unfortunately for her, Alice wasn't paying attention. Instead, she leaned forward oable, hands brag herself, eyes locked on Ryuji.

  "So, Ryuji, you didn't deny that you were fav me just now!"

  Out of everything, this was what mattered most to Alice.

  "..."

  Kaguya didn't say a word, but the chopsticks in her hand were starting to crader the pressure of her grip.