Chapter 34

It was the final cooking class.

Tempest and Misty were the only two to make it to the very end of it. Their teacher however, couldn't have been prouder of them. "You two… truly understand the art and passion that needs to go into preparing a dish so the food itself is elevated. Are you interested in becoming my apprentices?" he asked.

Misty's eyes widened, she couldn't believe her ears to the news. "I would be honoured!" she said, and then she turned to Tempest.

He wasn't smiling.

"Senpai, as gracious and grateful as I am to your teachings. I don't believe I will be cooking all that much. I have another interest in mind…" he explained.

His teacher was surprised to his admission, but nodded. "If you ever wish to change your mind, you come find me." Then his focus shifted to Misty. "Young lady! You will be my right hand from this moment on. You are going to learn everything from me!"

Misty couldn't have been happier with the news. She quickly rushed out to call her father about the offer. Tempest was happy for her, but now, he knows he has to take a drastic step forward to pursue his dream. But he has to first get his feet wet on the notion.

#

When the class finished, he made his way downstairs to the gym. There weren't as many sumos today let alone people coming to watch. However, he decided today to take it more seriously. He stripped himself down to a pair of shorts, took off his shoes and joined them as they were warming up. It took many by surprise as he saw him stand there with a look of determination on his face. "That's the look of a sumo wrestler! You up for this kid? Shiko squats! We're going to do 100 of them, just to go easy on you."

Tempest merely gave a nod as he got into position. "1!"

#

"96… 97… 98… 99… 100!"

He felt his legs burn, his brow began to drip with sweat, however, he endured. Tempest knew his training was paying off. He remembered when he could barely do 10 of them, but now, he's able to keep up.

Many of the sumos paused and stared at him. "He's been watching us for a little while, before he couldn't do ten, now… he's keeping up!"

His eyes then drifted to the ring.

"Ooo, you serious?!" One of the smaller wrestlers asked. "You want in?"

"Yes, I want to try it. I need to know how much harder I need to train."

"You got no bulk!" came one of the larger wrestlers. "The name is Ryo! I'm going to be the next Yokozuna!"

Tempest paused as he began to sensing something off about him, the tone alone that he spoke, indicated that it was his way or the high way in a sense. He's arrogant and full of himself. "I may not look as big as you, but I am certain I can hold my own." Tempest finally said aloud.

Some of the wrestlers began to back away fearfully. Ryo smirked, as he looked him over. "Fine, you and me… let's see what you got"

#

It was the first time he stood in a sumo ring, Tempest however could feel how hard it was under his feet, yet also the silky smoothness of the sand that covered it. He knew the rules quite well, and if anything, his goal was to ensure he remains on his feet the whole time. "I'll just railroad the kid, show him what to means to be strong in this profession." Ryo said aloud to the masses.

'Railroad huh? Try it!' Tempest thought.

Ryo was cocky enough to believe he could push Tempest out of the ring without him fighting back. However, he has yet to meet anyone like him before. With that, he stepped into the ring. Ryo did the same as they were put into position, crouching down, with both hands on the ground.

Ryo suddenly smirked oddly. Tempest felt a strike coming before hand.

"Ready!..."

CLASH!

Before the ref could announce for them to begin, Ryo opted to strike in hopes to scare Tempest off. Yet, as his body clashed into him, the most unbelievable thing happened.

Ryo hit the ground.

The room was aghast as the biggest wrestler out of all of them was flat on his back. "What the hell kid!?" he demanded.

"You chose to attack me before it was declared… this is your own doing not mine."

"AGAIN!" Ryo demanded.

They set up once more, this time. He waited for the call.

"SPIRIT!"

Ryo came at him with everything. Pushing his full strength forward as he collided with Tempest. Despite his strength, which was nothing to sneeze at. Tempest was unmoving. No matter what he tried, he could get him to flinch let alone budge from his position.

Whispers suddenly began.

"Is… is this real? Am I really seeing this?"

"Ryo is the strongest here, how can he not move that kid?!"

"You little asshole! You are making me look bad!" Ryo said through gritted teeth.

He decided to end this. Tempest shifted himself to the right, and then slapped Ryo's back forcing him into the ground. Another defeat. "I had no intention on making you appear bad, I came here to learn. Perhaps this shall do for today…"

He decided to leave while he could.

He had just put on his shirt when Tempest turned to leave, he nearly walked right into Oni, he saw everything.

The smile on his face couldn't be hidden, he peered around Tempest as he eyed Ryo. "Do you finally understand what I was trying to tell you?" he asked as the smile grew on his face.

Tempest was quick to rush out, he decided to go home for now and perhaps avoid the sumo at the school for a while. However, as he walked home, he smiled to it all.

"That… was fun…" he thought. Tempest paused in the middle of the side walk, nodding his head to it all. "I am going to become Yokozuna!"