Italics indicate thinking

Clint's POV

I was being called, today was the day they'd tell us our theme and matchup for the first round. You had one day to plan and design your dish, then it was time for the cook offs.

I opened the door.

"Morning everyone." I smiled.

There were three people in the room, Erina-Sama, Isshiki-senpai, and Eizan-senpai.

"You know you could have just had Miss Erina drop it off at the mansion instead of dragging me out here." I laughed "All these formalities."

"Stop complaining." She sighed "You'll be in the second match. Here's your theme."

I looked at the letter.

"Ramen…"

I heard the door open and looked back.

"So…I'm going at it with you…Kurokiba-kun~"

"About time." He mumbled taking the letter with the theme "I've always wanted to crush you."

"Picking a fight already?" Isshiki asked "How bold, one more thing, We'll be preparing the noodles for you since they take some time to ferment. You can choose from this list…"

"I want these." Kurokiba said.

"Oh…Are you sure?"

"I already know what I'm going to make."

He sulked off and left me there.

He picked his noodles so fast…he picked bouncy and elastic ones…

"I'm gonna take…these." I said pointing at the list "I think this will work."

"Very well, we'll see you tomorrow."

I headed back to the mansion, I had to get started right away.

Later.

"You're theme is Ramen?" Hisako asked.

"I'd give the world to trade with you." I smiled "Burgers…come on that's as American as apple pie."

"Yes, it's like we were given themes made for the other." She smiled.

I'm a guy from Texas…and the theme is Ramen…this will be tough.

Hisako left me to go work on her own dish but I stared at the pot.

"Kurokiba's noodles lead me to believe that he's gonna use rich soup…I need a stronger one, Kurokiba is Scandinavian, which means fish always play a role in his dishes…"

"Do I focus on countering Kurokiba or do I focus on my own strength…"

I didn't expect the first round to be this tough.

I sat in the kitchen for hours, tasting sauces and broths.

"It's not like I can just dump instant ramen into a cup and feed that too them…"

The dishes taste fine but it's not like I can have Erina-Sama taste it

"What to do what to do…"

The Next Day!

I was sitting in the entrance tunnel, waiting for my call, the first match was about to start so I had a bit of a break.

I hope this works…

There were five judges again, but this time the head judge was Erina's grandfather, Senzaemon-sama.

"It's time to start the first match!" the announcement rang out.

"It seems it's my time to shine." Alice said walking passed me "Pity poor Yukihira won't leave the first round."

"One thing I learned early, don't underestimate that kid." I said.

"Have some faith in me Darling!"

"And Yukihira Soma's opponent!"

"That's my cue!"

"Nakiri Alice!"

I want to see Yukihira lose…but I want to be the one to do it…but can he really beat someone like Alice…

The first thing the white haired girl did when she walked out was wave to her relative, he just smiled back. All of Alice's toy and doodads were in a big trailer.

She's not holding back at all…Now I really want her to win so I can fight her!

"The theme of the first match in Bento, you have two hours, Begin!"

Alice began cooking right away.

Is that…a chemistry set?

Even though Alice's cooking was based in science, she still had strong skills in base ideas like cutting and slicing.

I can't wait to see how this one plays out…

"It seems Alice is ready to present!"

The fair skinned girl walked up to the judges and laid her trays down.

Again…it's barely recognizable as food.

Her trays had little domes on them and inside the domes…was a strange mist. Under the mist was the real dish, a set of twelve sushi rolls.

Temari style…the mist was just liquid nitrogen or maybe dry ice…not dry ice would taint the taste…she wanted to keep the dish cold…How impractical.

There was an order to eating Alice's dish, you started in the upper left and worked toward then end, the sushi built on itself with each bite. The flavor growing stronger as you progressed. The dish must have been good because Erina's grandfather took off his shirt.

A truly spectacular dish…she truly is a savage force.

"My dish is ready." Yukihira called out.

"Yukihira Soma, what is your dish?"

"Ah it's a Nori Bento."

A…Nori bento?

Despite it being a Nori Bento Yukihira was using a layered container to keep the heat in better.

Alice had a disturbingly happy smile on her face. She was confident in her ability to take the win.

Soma's dish was exquisite, powerful yet elegant. The judges enjoyed each and every bite. With the use of candy toys he was able to solidify the Nori into small caviar like orbs. When eating Yukihira's dish, the judges looked to be happy.

There is a stark difference between Yukihira's dish and Alice's…she does not understand the true nature of a Bento box, it's about love for the person you make it for. It may sound lame but flavor doesn't come just from the food you make, it comes from the love you put into a dish.

The paper flew up.

"The winner of the first match is Yukihira Soma!"

"Well then." I said standing up "I suppose it's my turn."

"Best of luck." Erina nodded

"I won't let you down Miss." I smiled.

"Grrrr…mumble….RA!" Alice stormed passed grumbling and complaining.

"Not a good look for ya Miss Alice." I smirked.

She only shot me a soul shaking glare.

"Seems your abilities were nothing special." Erina smiled.

"What's your problem!" Alice yelled "You're not only a cooking genius you're an insult one too?! I will take come to steal Darling away one day!"

Alice stormed off.

"It must be nice…" Erina mumbled.

"Miss?"

"It's nothing." She said placing her hands on my shoulder "Good Luck."

"It's time for the start of the second match, the first competitor…"

I walked out of the tunnel into the bright light of the arena.

"Clint DeMister!"

I walked out to cheers and went over to my station.

"And his opponent, Ryo Kurokiba!"

"It's finally time." I smirked "Our long awaited showdown…"

"Hmph…" he untied the rag on his wrist.

"The theme is Ramen! Begin!"

The bell rang and Kurokiba tied his bandana around his head and his eyes got serious.

Here we go!

AN

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Till Next Time!

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