Mountainside Area – Results and Reverberations
As the golden sun dipped behind the distant mountains, casting a warm halo across the campus of Totsuki Academy, the sales rankings for the School Festival's first day were posted like judgment from Olympus.
And the results?
Erina Nakiri's fine-dining booth only placed third.
A respectable position—yet far from satisfying for someone hailed as the "Goddess of Totsuki."
But the true surprise came in the Mountainside Area's first place winner: Momo Akanegakubo's dessert atelier.
The Queen of Sweets had effortlessly dominated the elite district, her meticulously crafted desserts outshining Erina's ambitious full-course menu.
Worse still, the reports confirmed that two booths had posted deficits—a rare dishonor.
The names?
Yukihira Soma, humbled by Kuga's dominance in the Central Area…
And…
Alice Nakiri.
Main Avenue Area – A Mad Laboratory with No Patrons
Alice stood frozen before the announcement board, her eyes scanning the bottom of the rankings again and again.
"Ranked last?"
The words tasted bitter on her tongue.
Her booth was sleek, stylish, and filled with dazzling innovations: transparent domes covering dishes that resembled screws, caviar, soap bubbles, and chocolate eggs. Her silver bob gleamed under the soft lighting, and her tailored white lab coat gave her the image of a culinary scientist at the cutting edge.
Beneath her delicate fingers were a barrage of tools—pipettes, test tubes, magnetic stirrers, alcohol burners, vacuum sealers. Her hands moved with the precision of a surgeon and the flair of an artist.
Today's bestseller?
Egg jelly: a delicate orb formed with juice and gelling agents, mimicking the appearance of a soft-boiled egg but hiding layers of citrus and fruit within.
Also on offer:
— Foam coffee that melted like clouds.
— Liquid nitrogen ice cream, cold yet velvety.
— Transparent ravioli, dissolving on the tongue like whispers.
But despite the brilliance of her molecular gastronomy…
Her sales were abysmal.
"Young Miss," said Ryo Kurokiba from his seafood ramen stall nearby, "I told you. You spent too much on equipment. Of course you're in the red."
Alice pouted, arms folded. "Knives are tools for traditional chefs. Why shouldn't I have my equipment?"
Ryo sighed. "It's not just the equipment. Your menu's too diverse. People try one thing, say 'cool,' and move on. No anchor. No memory. No dish that makes them want to stay."
Alice's eyes twitched.
"You mean… I impressed them… but I didn't connect with them?"
Ryo nodded grimly. "You dazzled them. But you didn't touch their hearts."
Alice lowered her gaze. His words pierced deeper than expected.
Dorm Gathering – Voices in the Twilight
Back at Polar Star Dorm, students gathered under paper lanterns as twilight painted the sky in dusky violets and warm golds.
Laughter, sighs, and the scent of grilled corn filled the air.
"Wow, Megumi!" said Yuuki, rubbing her tired eyes. "You ranked third in the Main Avenue?"
"Yeah, I got lucky," Megumi replied modestly. "My booth was the first in the row. People just wandered in."
"That's huge!" Ryoko added, adjusting her glasses. "Placement affects everything. Menu, pricing, prep efficiency, even weather."
"Tch," Yuuki muttered, "we didn't even make the top ten…"
Megumi gave her a comforting smile.
"At least we broke even."
Ryoko turned toward Soma.
"Only two booths reported losses… one was Alice's… and the other…"
They all turned.
Soma grinned sheepishly.
"Heh… guess I bit off more than I could chew."
Soup Dumplings – The Art of Gentle Eating
Meanwhile, tucked away behind a quiet grove near the eastern garden, Zane's humble stall offered a very different experience.
A bamboo steamer hissed as ten white dumplings sat like polished pearls within.
"So cute!"
Sonoka squealed as she stared at them. Their translucent skins shimmered, revealing juicy filling beneath.
"Zane, Zane!" she called. "Can I poke one with my chopsticks?"
Zane stepped behind her, voice low and gentle.
"Careful. Soup dumplings are delicate. If you poke too hard, you'll spill the broth."
He walked her through the method.
"Hold it by the top—where the skin is thicker. Wiggle it free, place it in your spoon. Bite a corner, sip the broth. Then enjoy."
Sonoka blinked. "You mean there's a right way to eat these?"
"There's no wrong way," Zane chuckled, "but there is a better way."
Sonoka followed his guidance.
The result?
A perfect bite—broth bursting across her tongue, the sweet pork balanced by golden crab roe and a splash of tangy vinegar.
"This… is incredible…"
The dumpling's thin skin gave way to juicy filling with just enough chew. The broth was rich but not greasy. Subtle Japanese notes—likely white miso—melded the crab and pork into a creamy, umami-forward bite.
She closed her eyes.
"This is the best moment of my day."
Unexpected Arrival – A Silver-Headed Storm
But the moment shattered as a familiar voice rang out:
"Zaaaane!!"
Alice Nakiri burst into the stall, her lab coat flapping like a cape. Her eyes glistened—not from ego this time, but from genuine sorrow.
She ran forward, arms out, and hugged him tightly.
"I-I lost!" she whimpered. "I lost so bad I'm dead last…!"
Zane, caught off guard, stiffened. "Wait, what's going on?!"
Alice sniffled. "I spent so much preparing for the festival… I thought I'd win… but I failed…"
He gently pried her off and sat her down.
"Tell me everything."
She explained: the overspending, the gadgets, the flashy menu, the beautiful but misunderstood egg jelly.
Zane listened carefully, then nodded.
"You're a genius, Alice. But sometimes… genius needs a little translation."
"Huh?"
"That egg jelly? To you, it's chocolate and fruit jam. But to a tired festival-goer, it just looks like a boiled egg. That's disappointing."
Alice's eyes widened.
"So it's a presentation issue?"
"Exactly. Make it cute. Use color. Appeal to kids, to curiosity. Food has to speak to people before it even hits the tongue."
"Hmm…"
"Also," Zane added, "try one or two dishes instead of five. Anchor the experience. Make them remember you for that one dish they can't stop thinking about."
Alice's brain was already whirring.
"Curry egg jelly… in the shape of a cat?"
Zane smiled.
"Now you're thinking."
As the stars began to flicker above the treetops, and laughter echoed in the distance, Alice looked up at Zane—
Her pride still intact, but softened. Her heart, a little lighter.
"Thank you."
"You'll win tomorrow," Zane replied, standing. "Now… want a soup dumpling?"
"Only if you show me the right way to eat it."
They smiled.
And the steam from the bamboo basket rose once more—gentle, fragrant, full of second chances.