I still hadn't decided whose dish to pick, but the silence was becoming unbearable. Just as the pressure reached its peak and I began to fear I was making a scene, my surroundings suddenly transformed.
I was standing in the familiar flower garden of the God Realm, sitting across from Shiro instead of at the judge's table.
"......Huh?"
"You seemed distressed," she noted simply.
"Ah, no, but... the judging..."
"I have shifted the flow of time within this sanctuary. No matter how long you spend here, not a single second will pass in the real world. You can take your time to think."
Hearing Shiro explain this while calmly sipping her black tea, I let out a long, heavy sigh of relief. This was a literal godsend. Having the time to actually process my thoughts was more than I could have asked for.
"Thank you... This really helps. I honestly hadn't reached an answer yet."
"Hmm... And what answer are you looking for?"
"Well, the answer to which dish is better—Ein’s or Alice’s."
When I thanked her, Shiro tilted her head with a blank expression, then tilted it the other way after hearing my explanation.
"Is it absolutely necessary to decide which one is superior?"
"Eh? Well, I mean, it’s a competition, and I’m the judge..."
"Wouldn't a draw suffice?"
"..................What?"
Her matter-of-fact suggestion struck me with the force of a physical blow. My mind went blank for a moment. Somehow, that possibility hadn't even crossed my mind.
"In your heart, Kaito, were their dishes not equal? If so, a draw is the only logical conclusion."
"......You’re right."
It was a total blind spot. I had been so preoccupied with the idea that Ein winning would be the 'safest' outcome for the festival's narrative, but if I thought about it, a draw was actually the most elegant way to settle things.
In truth, my honest impression was that both dishes were supremely delicious and perfectly matched. If I were to speak my mind without overthinking the politics of the event, it was a tie.
"Neither of them would want a victory born from a forced choice, would they?"
"I have absolutely no argument against that. Now I just need the courage to say it in front of that massive crowd..."
"It will be fine. You simply need to remember one thing: you are the rule."
"Ah, hahaha... That's very like you, Shiro."
I had been completely saved by her intervention. She was right—I didn't need to agonize over the results; I just had to state my honest feelings with confidence. As Shiro said, neither Ein nor Alice would want a hollow victory forced by a pressured judge. As for Alice, she probably didn't care about the win-loss record in the first place...
"Thank you very much, Shiro."
"I am glad you have found your answer. Now, I shall return you."
"Yes!"
The moment I replied, the scenery shifted again, and I was standing back in the middle of the Maid Olympia arena. Under the watchful eyes of Ein, Alice, the other judges, and the vast audience, I pushed both plates forward.
"Oh? What is this? Judge Kaito has pushed both plates forward!" the announcer shouted.
"After tasting both," I began, my voice steady, "I have concluded that both dishes are perfectly equal. There is no difference in quality between them. Therefore, my verdict as the Special Judge is... a draw."
The venue buzzed with a wave of bewilderment. It was only natural; a draw when the final outcome rested entirely on a tie-breaker was bound to create a strange atmosphere.
However, in my heart, they were tied for first place... so this was the right call. Just as I started to worry if I'd ruined the mood, Ein spoke up with a faint, graceful smile.
"......As expected of Kaito-sama. Honestly, when I saw the dish she completed... I felt the same. We were perfectly matched. I suspect she felt it too."
Alice nodded silently in agreement. Perhaps she was just backing me up, but either way, it seemed neither of them harbored any resentment toward my decision.
"Then?" the announcer prompted.
"Yes, this match is a draw," Ein declared. "Fufu, I suppose I should have seen this coming. Of all the variations I prepared for the five judges, the one I served to Kaito-sama was the one I poured my entire soul into... and yet, I am satisfied. I am grateful that even at the pinnacle of this craft, there still exists an opponent I can fight as an equal."
The announcer took the cue. "I see! Then, this exhibition match... results in a draw! Everyone, a round of applause for these two legendary maids who have shown us a battle of equals!"
The arena exploded into thunderous applause. Thanks to Ein wrapping things up so gracefully, I didn't face any backlash for my verdict. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
Though, seriously... I hope there is no 'next time.' I never want to be a judge for Maid Olympia ever again.
Serious-senpai: "...The Natural God is actually giving surprisingly sound advice for once."
Natural God: Smug face
Serious-senpai: "...And it's not just Ein. Alice definitely put her absolute maximum effort specifically into the plate she served Kaito, too."