Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Full disclaimer in first chapter.

Training camp! This is where we will start to see some of what Harry can do as a chef. Feel free to message me food, spice, or other ideas if you wish. I do look at them and may use them.

Some questions asked by readers should be answered in this chapter but let me know if I have forgotten something or seemed to have dropped something. I can't remember all of what I have explained to written sometimes!

Italics are thoughts or language other than Japanese. I will specify what language.

Bold will be English – consider most of the dialog now to be exclusively in Japanese

/Parseltongue/

Chapter 10: Training Camp Here We Come!

After Yuki's Food War win, the residents of Polar Star headed back to the dorm for a well-deserved celebration. Everyone headed to the kitchen to put together some food for the celebration, being met by Isshiki and Daimido who had already started preparations. "Word travels fast through the school, so it wasn't long after you won young Yukihira that we heard the news. Why don't you all get changed out of your uniforms and then you can help finish with the food for the celebration!"

"Yeah!"

Everyone splits up and headed to their rooms to do just that. Yuki and Harry were slower to head up, not wanting to get trampled by the others. "So, Yuki. How does it feel to win your very first Food War?"

Yuki looks up towards the ceiling in thought before answering, "I feel good, in the sense I won against someone's specialty and proved my point. But…at the same time it doesn't feel like a won a big battle. I feel slightly underwhelmed I guess."

Hari tilts his head towards Yuki, "Do you think that is because you are comparing the opponent to your father? If I remember correctly, you would battle him all the time and you use him as your measuring stick. That is a pretty high standard to hold other young chefs too. Every battle is a win, no matter how insignificant it may seem compared to the End Boss that is your father."

Yuki laughs at that description, "End Boss, that is an apt way to describe him. No matter how many times I have battled him I have never won. Every technique, dish, everything…he is always better. That's why I need to get better in my cooking, because…I don't think he will take me seriously unless I am able to beat him."

"Yuki, I think he would take you seriously regardless of your ability to beat him. But I do understand where you are coming from. My…I am not sure what to call him anymore. He was my professor, and now he is dating my Dad…either way that doesn't matter. My ex-professor is the one that taught me how to fight (You know how to fight?!) both with physical strength and with weapons. I have done well according to him, and I have beat others in official matches, but I still have not been able to best him when we spar. He doesn't look down on me for my failings. He just gives me advice and tells me to try again. I too, want to beat him and make him proud. Even though I know he is proud of me right now."

Like a weight lifting from his shoulders, Yuki lets out a cleansing breath and slumps over in relief, "I am glad someone also sees it from my point-of-view. Sometimes it's daunting constantly losing to someone and not really knowing how to beat them. But…I am determined to do it. I will learn new techniques and dishes and eventually I will beat my dad…and make Nakiri say my food is delicious!"

Hari turns his head to look at Yuki in confusion, "Huh? I feel there is a story there." Yuki proceeds to tell Hari about the transfer exam and how Nakiri, while seeming to like his dish very much, refused to pass him and called his food disgusting. "Oh, that explains the hate-on she has for you. Well, you sure do pick some lofty battles Yuki. I wish you all the luck."

Yuki blushes at the laughing grin Hari sends his way, just as they reach their floor. "Do you want me to wait for you or meet you downstairs?"

"Either one, but I don't want to hold up the reason for the celebration. If you get done first, go on ahead."

Yuki rolls his eyes, "They still have to make food, so I don't think we will be that long. I'll wait in the hall if you are not done before me." As Yuki said this, Hari turned back to look at him as he reached his dorm room.

Hari then smiled a soft little smile, "As you wish. I will also wait for you if I finish before you do." Hari then entered his room and shut the door.

*Yukihira's POV*

Soma entered his room and sat down on his bed. Why do I feel this way? I never really thought about another person, much less a guy, like this. What makes Hari so special that I blush when he smiles or laughs? I was truly upset when he said he wasn't going to be able to help me with the food war prep. Is it because I really didn't cook with anyone other than my dad and now I have others my age who could compete with me?

Soma stood up and headed toward his closet, pulling out some fresh clothes to change into. I never really wanted to impress someone or value their opinion besides my dad, but with Hari…I really want him to like what I do and be impressed. And not just my food, but me too. What makes him so special? While I like the others who live here, I don't hold them in the same regard. Why?

Soma quickly finished getting dressed and headed back into the hallway just as Hari was also exiting his room, "Just in time! Ready to head on down?"

"Yup! Let's go and celebrate your first big win Yuki!" Hari threw his arm around Soma's shoulders as he said this, causing Soma to faintly blush. Hold it together Soma! But maybe…I can use this opportunity to see… As they continue to head down to the kitchen, Soma tentatively placed his arm around Hari's waist in a side hold all the while holding his breath. When Hari didn't say anything or move away, Soma slowly released that breath with a pleased smile, which grew when Hari tightened his grip around Soma's shoulders.

*Harry's POV*

Harry entered his room and headed to his closet to change out of his uniform. "Why are you so cute! But that explains why Nakiri was present at the food war. Damn it!" Harry aggressively threw his shirt towards the hamper, "That high level of adversary concerns me. I have seen those type of relationships spawn fiery attraction between the two individuals involved…even when they hated each other in the beginning. This makes two FEMALES I have to compete with. If he even likes guys!" Harry's pants follow the same aggressive path as the shirt.

Harry continued to grumble about the difficulty of finding out someone's sexual preference, if they even had one, as he changed into some loose and comfy clothes. "How should I do this. I don't want to scare him away…especially if this would be his first brush with male attraction. Not everyone handles that well." Harry grabs a brush to help tame the mess that is his hair. While the length and weight helped calm down the cowlicks, it still got a little crazy after a long day. "Maybe I can start small. Like with touching…hand on the shoulder or shoulder hugs. That would at least give me a feel for how he handles physical touch and if I can use that as a subtle indicator of his openness to a "closer" relationship."

Having decided his hair was as good as it was going to get at that point, he headed toward the door to see if Yuki was ready. He stepped into the hall just as Yuki was also making his way out of his room, and smiled at Harry, "Just in time! Ready to head on down?"

Harry closed his door and made his way over to Yuki. Here is my chance. Let's see how we do with an arm over the shoulder hub/grab. Harry proceeded to throw his arm around Yuki's shoulders, "Yup! Let's go and celebrate your first big win Yuki!" Oh my God! He is blushing! And he is unfairly cute with a blush. But this is a good thing, I think. Yes?

Harry continued to walk down the stairs with his arm around Yuki's shoulders when he felt movement from Yuki. Oh no! Is he going to shrug me off or move a… But before Harry could finish that thought, he felt Yuki's arm move around his back and settle around his waist. Yuki was returning his hug/hold! Okay, breath Harry. Breath. Calm and collected. Just. Act. Natural!

When Harry felt Yuki relax into the hold/hug, he had to work to suppress the crazy smile he could feel trying to crawl across his face. Yes! This is good. We are going in the right direction. Okay, let's acknowledge the hold and my approval of said action. And I so approve! Harry then tightened his grip around Yuki's shoulders and continued to hold that level of contact the rest of the way to the kitchen.

The next day they received notice of the training camp the first years were required to attend. Hari and Yuki, having never been to the other Totsuki grade levels never heard of the overnight camps hosted by the academy. As Yuki started looking through the itinerary, with Hari reading over his shoulder, he noticed an anxiety ridden Tadokoro, "What's wrong with you Tadokoro?"

Marui, with an ominous air, spoke for her, "Because she knows, this training camp is like a trip to hell. And we all have to face it to survive."

"All of the first-year students are sent to the mountains and are subjected to a whole bunch of brutal tests. And if you don't manage to survive everything, you are told to leave the academy!" Yoshino continues, devolving into a lament about the dark purpose of the camp.

Isshiki tries to pull back the doom and gloom the others were expressing, "It's not that bad. Just a little competitive education. In the words of the Director, this is where the best of the best among us." As he continued to expound on the forced dropouts, expulsions, and Ibusaki adding in the high rate of elimination from the year before, Tadokoro fell over in a faint wishing everyone well and goodbye.

Hari looked up at Isshiki as Yoshino wailed about Tadokoro's "death", "If you were trying to lessen their fear or anxiety over this trip…you have greatly missed your mark mate." Yoshino continued to exclaim about Tadokoro's dying words in response to Yuki's lack of worry in the background, causing Hari to wince at her volume.

"Around half of the students will get through, right? So, we just need to make sure that includes all of us." Yuki's matter-of-fact tone cause the residents of Polar Star to stare at him in shock. As if it was that easy. His confidence in the unknown continued to astound them.

Hari straighten up and looked down at Yuki, "You say that as if it is as easy as 1,2,3. If anything, this school seems to thrive on pushing the boundaries and capabilities of its students. There will probably be new challenges and requirements that they have never had to do or ever experienced before. That can be very taxing on those that do not handle pressure or unexpected obstacles well."

When Yuki looked up at him in confusion Hari continued, "Many didn't grow up constantly competing and losing to a professional chef like you did. Many don't have the experience of losing and getting back up again to face a seemingly impossible opponent. Many don't have the experience of working in a restaurant where both quality and quantity are important. You do. For you this is nothing more than a normal day at the diner. For them, this is a whole new ball game."

"I have faith in all of you. I am sure that everyone here in Polar Star will return with grand smiles." Isshiki said, pumping everyone else up for success.

Three days later all of the first years were herded onto the charter busses and transported to the Totsuki Resort Hotel, which was a white behemoth of a luxury hotel.

"This is awesome!" Every exclaimed over the opulence of the location for their training camp, especially since many envisioned camping in the woods from all the rumors flying around campus.

While waiting for all of the students to gather together, Ibusaki helpfully explained that many of the hotels and resorts in the area were working under the Totsuki brand and employed many of the previous graduates in the kitchens. When he further elaborated on the potential cost of staying in the resort, Yoshino seemed to get stars in her eyes thinking about being able to stay (for free) in this level of luxury.

"If you can survive all of the levels and trials."

"Ibusaki, can't you just let a girl live in her dream world?"

"I'm just keeping it real. Come on, we have to assemble as soon as be put our luggage down."

As the students all move into the main assembly hall, the sheer level of tension and anxiety was palpable. The feelings turned negative as soon as Yuki started talking to Mito. Really Yuki, you seem to just have this way with people. Even I'm feeling nervous for you now, and it seems Mito has also picked up on the tension too.

Hari and the rest turned to the front of the hall as Chef Chapelle began to explain the breakdown of the camp schedule. Then the guest instructors appeared, which were some of the past and recent graduates of Totsuki. All of the students were whispering excitedly about this new development when one of the graduates raised his hand and pointed into the crowd.

"You there, in the ninth row. The one with the scar over his brow?" Yuki pointed at himself in confusion before the man responded, "No, next to you. You are expelled." The average looking kid exclaimed in astonishment, as well as many others, before the graduate made his way down the stage further expanding on his reason, "Your hair products have a citrus aroma, which would mask the scent of your cooking. No? I understand the need to look good, as an unattractive looking chef would take away from the presentation of his food. Maybe next time you should choose an unscented hair product."

As everyone surround this event exclaimed in shock for the reason behind the kid's expulsion Hari studied the two-toned haired chef. Shinomiya. I wonder what you are doing here. I know it's hard to pull you away from your restaurant…I wonder what they used to get you here. Especially since I would think you would be trying to move past that plateau, I feel you have hit.

Hari tuned back in when Marui began to list off some of the more prominent names of the graduates that would be acting as guest instructors, when a voice from behind him cause his to start. "Just as unassuming as a Dutch Clover." Gotoda Donato, one of the few blond guest chefs, had quietly made his way over to Tadokoro and was looking at her with hungry eyes. Wow! Pft…you get it girl?

"I was put on this Earth just to lay my eyes upon you." As Gotoda continued to wax lyrically to Tadokoro, who was doing a very good impression of a lightning strike victim, Hari rolled his eyes. Oh my god, what cheese. Oh…and here comes the female heroin to save the day. All though…it sounds like Tadokoro would be just trading one crazy for another.

Marui burst out again in excited praise for the chefs including the newest arrival, Dojima Gin, to which Hari had to make fun of. "You're drooling Marui."

"Welcome students, to the illustrious Totsuki resort. All of you see before you are all chef owners, and Masters of their domains. While here you will all be treated as if you were chefs in our restaurants. Do you know what that means? Anyone that doesn't live up to our standards is done. That means you are expelled. As you have seen, your teachers have the power to send you home at any moment. I wish you good fighting. Now, you know your groups. Get going."

Everyone broke off and headed towards their assigned buses to be taken to their first cooking area. Yuki turned toward Hari, "Hey Hari, wasn't that crazy how that kid got expelled?"

Hari stuffed his hands in his pockets as he fell in step next to Yuki, "Yeah, but it isn't as unheard of as you may think. I have worked in a few places where the Head Chef kicked out staff for trivial things such as perfume, hair products, even lotion. Most times, it was just them being douches but there were some occasions where the scent was so overwhelming it clashed with the food and made it difficult to tell what stage the dish was in."

"Damn! Really? I guess that makes sense?" The look on Yuki's face stated differently. Hari chuckled, "You will find out eventually. It's important for seasoned dishes, especially dishes that have complex spice combinations and different layers of flavor that are designed to be tasted at different times or designed to build with every taste."

Yuki hummed in thought as they boarded the bus to their first cooking challenge.

All of the students filed into the cooking space, seemingly in the middle of the forest, and automatically paired up with their established cooking partners. Once everyone seemed to be in the room the guest instructor, Inui Hinako, addressed the class, "Well, it looks like everyone is here. For this exercise I would like you to pair up and work in teams. You will be in the same pairs from your first lecture, so head to your labeled stations."

While Tadokoro was frantically thanking the cosmos for the luck to be paired with Yukihira, being a quick and calm thinker in stressful situations he should be able to get her though just about any challenge, Hari had an issue.

Hari raised his hand, signaling his approach and need of assistance, "Chef Inui, I have a bit of an issue. I no longer have a partner as Chef Shinomiya has dismissed my previously assigned partner." Chef Inui blinked in blank surprise, slowly recalling that particular incident not too long ago. "Would you mind if I proceed with this exercise by myself rather than making a team of three?"

Chef Inui tilted her head in thought before smiling with a nod, "Yes, I do believe that will be fine. But I will not give you any leeway in judging due to your lack of partner."

Hari acknowledged this stipulation with a head nod, "Understood Chef." Hari turned and, as he was making his way to his assigned station, was stopped by Yuki and Tadokoro, "Hey, Hari. What was that about?"

Hari stopped and made his way over to them, moving out of the way of the other students, "I'm not sure if you remember, but the guy that was just expelled for his hair products was my assigned partner. I was discussing the possibility of working solo rather than trying to integrate myself into another group. That is all."

"Wow really!? That's crazy. You could have joined our group, but I understand wanting to work alone. Good luck." Said Yuki as Tadokoro seemed to fall into a mental spiral of anxiety at the mere thought of working alone.

As Hari made to move toward his station, a blonde-haired male, with beautiful ocean blue eyes, and a bigger brunet male made their way over. Hari stopped and watched as the blonde made it a point to step on Yuki's foot in some attempt to be confrontational before going into depth on his desire to challenge Yuki.

"Now I can finally destroy you. I'm glad it gets to be me that is going to do it."

Yuki, cool as a cucumber, simply returns the threat with a simple statement to remove his foot or lose it. Before any further words or threats could be exchanged, Chef Inui spoke again.

"Okay, I will be sitting here the whole time. If there is anything you don't understand just ask." After being reminded that she had yet to actually state what the challenge was, Chef Inui laughed behind her hand as she gave further instructions. "The challenge today is to use the ingredients here to make a dish that emphasizes traditional Japanese cooking."

Everyone was extremely confused, as she had gestured to a prep station that was bare of anything, let alone any ingredients. When asked she explained that they would have to gather their ingredients, baring the seasonings and oil, even stating they could use the fishing gear. When she went silent a mass panic swept through the student body as they complained about the craziness of the task and whether the time, which was two hours, had started.

Hari broke down laughing, joined by the brunet, when the blonde tried to get Chef Inui to judge the two groups dishes in some form of a cooking challenge. As the blonde continued to rant about how his dish would be superior to Yuki and Tadokoro's, his brother gathered him up and began walking outside to gather their ingredients.

Hari finally calmed down and headed outside to get a lay of the land. As Hari walked around, he saw the other students running around and frantically screaming at each other. "Wow, man. It's amazing the amount of chaos you can cause by taking traditionally trained chefs out of the kitchen and through them into wilderness-based cooking." Hari muffled a chuckle as he continued his journey.

As Hari wandered around the compound, he would pick up anything that looking good or thought he might need. He didn't really have a solid idea of what he was going to make just yet, but most of what he had gathered would work as garnish or sides for most any dish. It wasn't too long before Hari heard the unmistakable sounds of chickens, so he headed that way. As he cleared the tree line he came across a fenced in area with chickens and nests, many of which had eggs in them.

"Well, I think I have found my protein. From what I saw, 96% of the class will be serving fish. So, chicken will help me stand out no doubt."

But, before Hari could make his way into the caged area he heard a doorknob rattle. Hari turned and saw what looked to be a caretakers or employees building. The door wasn't completely closed, and when he looked in was unoccupied. Hari tilted his head a bit and a sly smirk crawled its way across his face, "She did say anything within the compound. And this is in the compound…so any ingredients I find in here should still be fair game." Hari gave a little chuckle as he made hi way to the cabinets and fridge, "Let's see what I can find here."

Hari stepped into the main cooking area just as the blonde began to harshly criticize, though not completely wrong, the expected and over used choice of fish for a Japanese themed dish. When Yuki asked what they were doing, if not fish, the blonde proudly produced a plucked fowl body.

"We are doing duck. We also saw rabbits and chickens too. But I am not surprised none of you thought to look beyond the fish." As the rest of the students began to lament the fact that everyone was basically stuck doing the same dish, the brothers began to prepare their dish.

Hari whistled under his breath as he watched the brothers work together to prepare the duck for their dish as he began to lay out his gathered ingredients. Damn do they work fast. They obviously have some restaurant experience, and one that required some level of speed too. The knife work is clean and precise. Very nice.

Hari continued to listen to the back and forth between Yukihira, Tadokoro, and the newly introduced Aldini brothers as he began to prep his own ingredients. Hari first had to render his chicken into the cuts he needed, and then run the chicken through a meat grinder. Once that was complete, he added the seasonings, eggs, minced onion, and the sake and panko that he had liberated from the employee's kitchen. This was all mixed well together before being divided and shaped into meatballs. Once all the mixture was shaped, Hari popped them into the fridge for solidify before moving onto the sides.

As Hari was preparing his vegetables and rice (also liberated), he saw the twins (which he did not see coming) walk up to the Chef to present their finished dish.

"This is an herb grilled duck with a fresh green sauce on the side. Bon appetite."

T he Chef began tasting the dish, seeming to relish the experience, as the rest of the students began to question the twin's choice in dish. From the looks of their dish, Hari could see where the students were coming from. It looked like a typical Italian staple dish, one that could not be confused for Japanese. Hari knew better, "The theme is Japanese style, yes. But that doesn't mean you can't put a different spin on it." Everyone turned to look at Hari as he began to prepare the sauces for his dish, "In this case, if I am reading their ingredients and presentation right, they have actually done the reverse. They have put a Japanese spin on an Italian dish. Yeah, they may have made a Salsa Verde, but they used Japanese ingredients instead helping to enhance the Japanese flavor and feel of the dish."

"That is correct," Chef Inui nodded her head before elaborating on the ingredient changes the twins had done. "A flawless combination of Japanese technique and imagination. Aldini Takumi. Aldini Isami. You both pass!"

The twins fist-bump each other as they thank the Chef for her decision. "Grazie!"

The students all began to complain once again about all having similar dishes when Chef Inui informed everyone, they could remake their dish as many times as they want until their time was up. Hari had turned back to pull out his meatballs so he could fry them. Just as the oil was ready to fry the meatballs, Hari saw Yuki and Tadokoro run out of the Kitchen to the fields to gather more ingredients. At least that is what Hari assumed they were doing.

Hari continued to cook his dish as the other teams presented their dishes to the Chef…all with subpar results. The blonde Aldini walked over go Hari, "What is Yukihira thinking? Doesn't he know he is running out of time?"

Hari turns to the blonde twin and raises an eyebrow, "Why are you asking me? What makes you think I know what they are doing?"

"You are always with them, right? You should know something!"

Am I always with them? I mean I guess it would seem that way since we do live in the same dorms, but I'm not always with them. Right?! Hari thought back to the last few weeks and made a startling discovering. While he was often in Tadokoro's presence in classes, he did seem to spend a considerable amount of his time with Yuki. Well, that is interesting. But it never seems as if I have outstayed my welcome with Yuki…so maybe he doesn't mind spending so much time with me. Which is a positive for my out-of-control crush I have. Ugh.

Hari turned back to place the meatballs in the oil to fry, "Just because I hang out with the two, doesn't mean I know what they are cooking. As you can see, I have been over here the whole time making my dish and have really had no contact with those two since the start of the challenge. So, no. I have no idea what they are doing."

As the blonde began to rant again, with his brother laughing at his brother's childish behavior, Hari decided to give the whiny blonde a little bit of insight, "While I don't know what Yuki is planning, I can tell you this. He has the ability to think outside of the box and combine some of the most interesting ingredients, even using them in ways you wouldn't think of, to achieve his end goal. So, don't worry Blondie. He will make it in time and pass this challenge."

"My name is not Blondie! It is Aldini Takumi!" Any further rant was halted at the sudden arrival of Yuki and Tadokoro, who rushed over to their cooking station.

Hari had just finished plating his dish when Yuki stopped suddenly, "Chef, you said we could use anything within the fenced in area?"

"Well, yes if you can find it in the compound you can use it in your dish."

Yuki runs up to the Chef and grabs the snack bag she had been holding, "Then I will need these!"

As Chef Inui was whining about the loss of her snack, and Takumi further ranting at the other two, Hari chuckled as he approached to present his dish. "Chef Inui. Here is my dish."

"Ah, this looks delightful. What have you presented to us today?"

"I have made a Chicken Meatball with Sweet and Sour sauce with rice and Chikuzenni style vegetables. Enjoy."

Chef Inui sampled the dish and began to praise the choices Hari made when Takumi and Yuki asked Hari about how he got some of the ingredients, which were sitting on his cooking counter, since there were ones not provided in the kitchen. "I had the same thought as Yuki when it came to what ingredients were game. As I was getting the chicken and eggs, I came across a staff building that just happen to house a well-stocked kitchen. I helped myself."

Yuki laughed at the imagery of Hari raiding the building while Tadokoro suffered an anxiety attack. Takumi's face was the picture of shock and Isami was laughing hysterically at his face. "You stole those ingredients?

Chef Inui came out of her little world and turned to Hari and the others, "Your ingenuity in gathering ingredients needed to make this dish was well done, as well as your use of the ingredients provided by nature. Your meatballs were fried nicely and were crunchy on the outside while still being juicy and flavorful on the inside. The sauces you prepared were well made and paired together delightfully. The flavors and dish choices were well suited to the challenge. Prince Hari, you have passed."

Hari gave a delighted smile at the news as he turned to look at the others. "Thank you! You're up Yuki, Tadokoro."

Yuki stepped forward, "Chef Inui, please have some before it gets cold."

"Oh, I see. My rice crackers were used to make an excellent fried dish." She took a bite of the fish. After swallowing the bite, she began to expound on the dish and all of the things she loved about the dish. To kept eating the fish and began to make several sounds that usually were not for public places.

Tadokoro asked Yuki how he came up with the dish, to which he simply pointed out there are similar dishes used in Japanese cooking, just using a different breading based. Takumi began to rant with Yuki about the dish and the choices made when Chef Inui informed Yuki and Tadokoro they had passed.

"You're welcome ma'am." Yuki whipped off his headwrap and then turned to stare down Takumi as they waited to here the Chef's decision on whose dish was better.

It wasn't until the two asked Chef Inui to make her decision that they discovered she wasn't a reliable choice when it came to choosing between two well done dishes. Hari was snickering in the back with Isami as she went back and forth between the two, never really making a clear decision. The two boys were stunned and dismayed when she abruptly led everyone back to the busses after receiving a very loud phone call.

"How can she do this to us?" "She just ran off without giving judgement!"

Hari burst out laughing, "She'll take it under consideration. Priceless."

Everyone from Polar Star luckily survived the first day…even though there were a few that looked a little worse for wear. Yoshino soon began to daydream about all of the luxury perks offered at the resort (fancy rooms, dinner, hot baths, etc.), which was rudely interrupted with the next challenge.

"The dish you will be making for the athletic clubs is a steak dinner. You will have to make fifty servings each before you make go to bed."

Yoshino almost passed out when she learned that if she wanted dinner tonight, she would have to make her own food after she finished the challenge. She was even further disappointed when they were informed that all their meals would be their own responsibility.

"Oh…one more thing. Those that cannot finish their fifty servings in under an hour will be summarily expelled from the academy. Good luck."

There was a mad dash to the kitchen, which fell into pandemonium. Students were fighting and yelling at each other trying to plate everything, some even trying to sneak in past others waiting. Hari heard several of the guys complaining about their arms hurting and others were stressing to the point of hyperventilation. Hari and Yuki were the first in their group to finish, which allowed them to head out first.

"Do you think the others will be alright? Marui already looked like he was going to pass out before having to do the speed challenge."

Hari scanned back over the crowd and was able to pick out several of their cohort, "I think they will be fine. While Marui may take the whole hour, I belief he will get through it. If Tadokoro stops freaking out, she will survive this too."

Yuki laughed at that visual, one they have experienced many times, as they both head toward their rooms. "So, what did you think about the first challenge today? I'm bummed I didn't get to try your dish. It looked really good."

Hari gave Yuki a pleased smile, "Thank you! Yours did too. It was an interesting challenge for sure. It was really funny to see all of the others freak out about having to gather their own ingredients in a way that wasn't from a market or store. I have been to several areas where that was the norm. If you couldn't find it in the jungle or forest, you didn't use it. Most of the sauces or dry ingredients were all grown, gathered, and prepared locally. Very little was ever a true export you would see in typical stores."

Whoa! You've been to the jungle? That sounds so cool! Well that explains why you didn't really panic much."

Hari gave small chuckle, "Well, stumbling across the staff building helped too."

The resulting smile Hari gave Yuki caused a sudden and unfamiliar reaction. What is this feeling in my chest, like my heart is racing? His smile is so radiant and contagious. I can feel myself wanting to smile with him.

Yuki slowed down to a stop and stared at Hari as he continued on. It took a few steps, but Hari noticed that Yuki wasn't with him and turned around. "What's wrong? Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?" Hari raised his hand to his face trying to see if maybe he had gotten some sauce on his face by accident.

Yuki snapped out of his trance and walked up to Hari, "Sorry, no. It's just…your smile was so beautiful. It caught me by surprise."

This cause Hari to flush a brilliant red and tried to hide his face by spinning around and covering his face with his hands, "Wh-what? You can't just say things like that. What does that even mean?!" Hari never experience this before. He never had someone, other than his Dad, give him compliments about his smile or features. No matter how confident Hari may be in his head, in real life he had little to no experience with flirting. I'm so happy that he thinks that. This is a good thing, right? This means he could be into me too. Right?!

Yuki, seeing that he had a similar affect on Hari, smiled and walked around so that he was facing him. He slowly raised his hands and tugged on Hari's hands silently asking him not to hide. When Hari peaked up though his bangs, he gave a small gasp. Yuki was looking at him with his captivating golden eyes, which were shining with tender emotion, and a small gentle smile on his lips.

"Please don't hide from me. You have a beautiful smile and I would hate to be deprived of it." Yuki raises Hari hands, gently gripped in his own, to his lips and gently grazes them over Hari's knuckles. "You don't have to be embarrassed. You are a beautiful person and you light up the room when you smile."

Hari can hardly believe what he is hearing. While not outright saying it, Yuki is telling Hari that he likes him through beautifully smooth words and goosebump inducing actions. Hari tightens his grip on Yuki's hands in attempts to ensure he isn't daydreaming. "Do you really mean that? Are you saying what I think you are saying?"

"What do you think I am saying?" Yuki smirked. He couldn't resist teasing Hari just a little bit.

Hari narrows his eyes in slight irritation at that, before he throws caution to the wind and places his lips on Yuki's. Yuki starts in surprise before returning the kiss. In his surprise, Yuki released Hari's hands, which swiftly made their way into Yuki's hair. Yuki's hands move until one grips Hari's hip and the other moved to the back of his head, further prolonging the contact between them.

Hari slowly pulls away from Yuki and opens his eyes, which he didn't remember closing, to see Yuki's reaction. He wanted to make sure that Yuki returning his kiss wasn't just some "automatic reaction" type of bullshit. The smile he receives from Yuki sets that fear to rest.

"Well, apparently you can read me very well. Though you did mess up my plans to be the one to kiss you first. I guess I can let it slide this one time." Yuki said with a teasing smile, which was kissed away by Hari.

"Shut up idiot. I was so nervous…I had no idea if you would even respond or if I was going to scare you away with being so forward." Hari closes his eyes and rests his forehead on Yuki's before taking a deep breath and pulling back to meet his eyes. "I want you to know, this isn't just a one-time thing. I don't go around just kissing anybody. I would like to date you…and kiss you…if you would like too." Smooth Harry…smooth. Where did all that confidence go! Please ignore my awkwardness Yuki!

Yuki responds with a small peck on Hari's lips before lacing their fingers together and began to pull him down the hallway, "I would also like to date you and kiss you. And to celebrate this momentous occasion (Momentous occasion? What are you talking about?) we should head to the public bath and soak the day away!"

Hari hurries to match Yuki's stride so he wasn't being pulled willy-nilly down the hallway and followed him their room (somehow, they were roommates) to get their bath supplies. Hari was stupidly pleased when Yuki entwined their fingers together and held his hand the whole way to the baths.

Yuki couldn't stop looking at the cute blush that was spreading across his new boyfriend's face. It had started when he grabbed Hari's hand and threaded their fingers together and spread further down his face and neck the longer they remained so. The pleased look that Hari was trying to suppress was equally as cute and was causing a smile to spread across Yuki's lips.

They finally made it to the men's bathing area and found it empty, signally that they were still the first (males) to be done with their challenge. Hari laughed as Yuki did a little celebration dance because of that fact. They quickly changed in their bathing towels and gathered up their bathing supplies, both ending up blushing like mad. While they have used public baths before, it just felt different this time due to their new relationship status.

While both had some past experiences with dating neither really had anything serious but understood there were some levels of expectations in a romantic relationship. Of which neither really had any experience with, not that they knew that about the other. As they made their way to the main bath area, both sneaking peaks at the others semi-nude body (But neither seeing much because they were trying not to get caught) they were greeted with a surprising sight.

"Woah daddy." Hari whispered eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

Authors Note: Thank you everyone who has favorited, followed, liked, and/or commented. I know this took a bit, but holidays, work, and life happened. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well. I will pick up from the end of this chapter in the next.