Three minutes later.
Amidst the uncertain gazes of the onlookers, Kaguya Yamai, who had finished the last bite of the giant "Big Explosion Burger," raised her hand.
But as she had eaten too quickly, she choked on the food and had to drink several large gulps of water to calm herself down.
At this moment, only slightly behind her, Yuzuru Yamai, who swallowed the last piece of bread during Kaguya's water break, was the first to speak.
"Judgment, the winner of this Big Eater Challenge is Yuzuru."
Watching these two girls, who had consumed an amount that would have been impossible for an average man to finish in one sitting, the surrounding spectators voiced their amazement.
Though both girls' stomachs were visibly swollen, looking as if they had reached their limit, they had indeed succeeded in the challenge.
As promised in the event's advertisement, the owner of Big Explosion Burger waived their bill for the meal.
"As a reward for winning the challenge, this lady will receive a VIP membership card for Big Explosion Burger, with an 80% discount on future purchases."
"Wait!"
Just as the owner was about to hand over the golden membership card to Yuzuru Yamai, Kaguya Yamai quickly snatched it away. Protectively, she glared at Yuzuru Yamai like a hen guarding her eggs and complained, "What judgment? Anyone with eyes can see that I finished first!"
Afterward, she turned toward the crowd surrounding them, seeking their validation as she asked, "Right, everyone?"
"That's right, the young girl finished first."
"About five seconds earlier, I'd say."
"The membership card should definitely go to her."
With the support of those around her, Kaguya Yamai beamed, while Yuzuru Yamai maintained her usual, stoic expression.
Once the onlookers had finished speaking, Yuzuru Yamai finally spoke up, her tone unbothered.
"However, Kaguya's water break counts as part of the competition. You can't consider the challenge successful until you've swallowed everything completely."
Upon hearing this, another group of onlookers nodded in agreement.
"Yes, yes, that's true."
"It's because Kaguya ate too fast and lost track of the pace."
"Whoever finishes properly is the one who should win the membership card."
In an instant, the Big Explosion Burger shop was divided into two factions.
Kaguya Yamai and Yuzuru Yamai locked eyes, neither willing to back down.
At that moment, the owner reached into his pocket, smiling as he pulled out another shiny golden membership card.
"It seems you two misunderstood the rules of the challenge. It's not about who finishes first, but who finishes last."
The owner handed the second membership card to Yuzuru Yamai with a smile and continued, "Since both of you have finished the giant burger, you both win the mysterious prize. Congratulations."
After hearing the owner's explanation, the Yamai sisters froze.
So they had misunderstood the rules.
"But if both of us win, then what was the point of this duel?" Kaguya Yamai pouted, clearly dissatisfied. "I hate ties! It feels like something is stuck in my chest!"
"If you two would like, there's a second round of the Big Eater Challenge," the owner cheerfully offered. "The second round features a burger even larger than the first. If you're interested, you can give it a try."
"Pause..."
"Ah, well... next time, for sure."
Both of them politely declined.
After all, they weren't Tohka Yatogami, who had a stomach like a monster.
Although they had received a "Rapid Digestion" ability as a reward in the Apocalypse Three Question scenario, that ability could only be used once they returned to their original world.
For now, they could only use the abilities of the spirit girls they were playing and the abilities granted by the side quests.
As spirits, the Yamai sisters did indeed have larger appetites than normal humans, but it was only slightly larger.
Finishing the first round of burgers was already their limit, let alone the second round.
Seeing that the two beautiful girls, who had generated so much interest in the shop and attracted many onlookers, had decided to abandon the second round, the owner sighed regretfully.
But he didn't insist, simply wishing them well and bidding them to come back another time.
After leaving the Big Explosion Burger shop, the Yamai sisters returned to the bustling streets of Tokyo.
"It's a bit of a shame that we couldn't get Makima hooked," Yuzuru Yamai suddenly spoke in a voice only Kaguya could hear.
"Huh? Makima? She came?"
Hearing the unexpected words, Kaguya Yamai froze, instinctively turning around to look for her.
But just as she was about to turn, her head was quickly pushed down by Yuzuru Yamai.
"Are you stupid? Don't just look around like that!"
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
"Wait, you didn't notice Makima's presence when we were at the burger shop?"
"No... I was too focused on eating the burger, heh heh."
Yuzuru Yamai gave her a slightly exasperated look.
When Makima and Hayakawa Aki appeared at the burger shop, Yuzuru Yamai had already noticed them.
So, during the Big Eater Challenge, she had subtly been observing their movements.
It was because of this that she had taken five seconds longer than Kaguya to finish the burger.
She thought Kaguya would definitely notice too, after all, even though they had slightly different personalities, they were still two halves of the same soul.
To her surprise, Kaguya hadn't noticed at all.
"So, what do we do next?" Yuzuru Yamai asked. "Do we continue wandering around Tokyo and wait for her to approach us?"
"No, we act decisively. We leave right after the duel ends," Kaguya Yamai said. "Makima is a sharp one, if we stay here without reason, she'll probably catch on."
"Then... should we provoke her a bit?"
"I was thinking the same thing."
After reaching a consensus, the two Wind Spirits immediately began to release a subtle spiritual power.
Their clothes fluttered without wind, and their feet lifted off the ground, signaling they were about to leave.
"Excuse me, Wind Spirits."
Hearing the sweet, bell-like voice, the Yamai sisters' eyes flickered, and they dispersed their spiritual power.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of their lips.
It seemed that, just as planned, Makima had taken the bait.
But as they turned around, their smiles quickly faded.
Yuzuru Yamai's face remained impassive, while Kaguya Yamai crossed her arms and looked at the two tails trailing behind them.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Makima, head of the Public Security Anti-Devil Action Section Four."
Makima's tone was gentle, and with her elegant smile, she exuded an indescribable aura.
"I wonder, would you two be willing to have a little chat with me?"