Chapter 8: End of Camp
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I'm glad to see so many of you liked my last chapter. Also I'm happy to say this story has over 200 Followers and Favorites! Sweet. Thanks for all your support. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves in the home stretch of another training day coming to an end.
As Andy was doing his fancy footwork he looked over at Erina who was doing small movements similar to his as she prepped her dishes.
Slowly looking up Erina glanced at him before they both looked away.
Ever since they kissed neither one has been able to get it out of their heads.
Both were confused, they thought they were mortal enemies but this past week as they were forced to work together they saw parts of each other they didn't know.
Andy saw Erina wasn't a heartless spoiled brat and she only acts this way because that's how she was raised and that she could actually have fun when she wanted to.
Erina saw Andy wasn't just a dumb clown but someone who is fun, caring and even through his own struggles he overcame them.
Not to mention…both really REALLY wanted another kiss.
On the other side of the kitchen, Megumi had greatly improved since her Shokugeki and Soma noticed.
It seemed that little battle really brought her confidence up.
Soon Erina and Hisako were walking down the hall only to see the girl with white hair and the boy with black hair standing in front of them.
Narrowing her eyes, Erina slowly walks past her.
"You act like you're some queen but don't think you can keep that act up forever." She smirks.
"Thanks for the advice. I'll try to keep that in mind as the sad ramblings of the lower class." Erina smirks.
"You say that, but you seem to enjoy the company of a commoner. The one that uses music in his cooking." She declares causing Erina to stop.
"Erina?" Hisako asks surprised.
"He's my partner for this camp. I'm only working with him because I have to. Nothing more." Erina said.
"So you say, but a guy with the guts to stand his ground against you is hard to come by maybe I'll have a nice long chat with him." She grins causing a cold feeling to fill Erina.
"I hate him." Erina said.
"There's a thin line between love and hate Erina. It's very to cross over." She smirks walking away.
"Ms. Erina is everything alright?" Hisako asks concerned.
"It's fine. Nothing to be concerned about." Erina adjusts herself.
But as they walked away Erina moved a hand to her chest. 'What is going on? When Alice said she actually considered talking to him my body tensed up? I can't honestly have real feelings for him? Can I?'
Meanwhile in another hallway, Andy was walking with his Polar Star Dormmates as they exited the baths and were heading back to their room.
"Another rough day. Ugh I wanna go back to my room and sleep." Yuki groans.
"We just have two more days left, but I think we can pull it off." Ryoko said.
"Uh some of us easier than others." Andy said looking at Marui who at this point was using a walking stick to keep him standing.
"Wait a minute, there's no curfew tonight." Ryoko said looking at the schedule.
"Oh yeah there isn't." Shun said looking at it.
"Must be a printing error." Yuki assumes when they heard a beeping noise over the PA.
"Attention all Totsuki Academy Students. At 10 pm, one hour from now please report to the main banquet hall in your school uniforms." Dojima said causing all of them to pause looking up.
"Uh I'm not the only one who heard that right?" Soma asks.
"I'm afraid not." Andy cringed as Marui falls to the ground in agony.
An hour later, all of them were dressed up and in the banquet hall along with all the other students and needless to say there were a lot less than when they arrived.
"Wow, looks like quite a few got expelled." Soma said.
"Yeah and just think you and Megumi dodged a bullet." Andy said.
"Soma!" Looking over they saw Takumi storming over. "What the hell were you thinking challenging a graduate?!"
"Hey Soma who's this guy?" Andy asks.
"Oh Andy meet Takumi Aldini. He's the guy I told you about. Wait how did you know about the Shokugeki?" Soma asks.
"Everyone knows about it." Ikumi said walking over. "It's all anyone is talking about."
"But wait if you're still here does that mean you won?" Takumi gasps.
"No I lost. Can we not talk about it?" Soma asks.
Before either could respond they heard muttering.
"Look it's Erina." One said as they looked to see Erina walk in.
Pausing Andy looks up and for some reason he wasn't repulsed at the sight of her.
As Erina walks by she locks eyes with him for a second, but before he could say anything Dojima steps up to the mic.
"Everyone look to the stage." Dojima said getting their attention. "I've called you all here to inform you of tomorrow's challenge."
"Wait what?" Soma asks confused.
"Why would he tell us the challenge tonight?" Ryoko asks.
"Must be big." Andy said.
"Your assignment for tomorrow is to create a new breakfast item befitting our guests here at Totsuki resort. Breakfast is the face of our hotel and it is an important meal that represents the start of our guests' day. I want you to make a single dish that gives our guests a sense of wonder for the day. Your main ingredient will be eggs. You may use it in any style but it must be served as a buffet. Judgement begins at 6 am tomorrow. Be ready to present your dish for tasting then." Dojima declares shocking everyone.
"I think I misheard that. He said 6 pm right?" Yuki asks.
"No, he totally said AM." Shun corrects.
"But that means we don't even have time to sleep!" Yuki said as she and Marui burst into tears.
"You may use your time however you see fit. You may use the kitchens to prepare your new dish or you may use this time to sleep. See you tomorrow morning. Dismissed!" Dojima said as everyone groaned in agony.
"Would you look at that? Eggs again. Just like the day I got you to admit me into this school." Andy said looking at Erina.
"Don't think you can get away with making something like you did last time. Unless you want the judges to laugh you out of here." Erina glares.
"It was good enough to shut you up." Andy said.
"Don't count on me bailing you out. This event means our partnership is over." Erina said.
"News flash Erina, it was team assignment. I bailed you out just as much." Andy said.
"Keep telling yourself that." Both tried to glare each other down but images of their kiss kept popping up causing them to look away.
"Come on we need to talk." Andy glares.
"Are you gonna take no as an answer?" Erina glares.
"When have I ever?" Andy asks.
"Fine." Erina said as they walked out.
"Wow those two really hate each other." Megumi said.
"Yeah I never really understood it." Soma said.
"All I know is when I faced Andy in our Shokugeki, Erina was very eager to see me beat him." Ikumi said.
In a kitchen, Andy and Erina were all alone.
"Alright what the heck is going on? Why did you kiss me back there?" Erina asks.
"I kissed you? Last time I checked you wanted to kiss me too." Andy said.
"I don't get it, you drive me crazy." Erina said.
"Look I don't get it either but and don't make fun of me. When we kissed it happened b-because during the time we cooked together I actually had a good time with you." Andy admits surprising her.
"Wait you enjoyed our time together?" Erina asks.
"Look I get it, you had it rough and maybe if you had someone in your life to make you smile you wouldn't be like this." Andy admits.
"Well I guess as long as we're being honest when I had to do that ridiculous dancing I did enjoy parts of it." Erina admits.
"That god tongue really made you a good kisser." Andy blushes.
"I can't get the taste of you out of my mouth." Erina blushes.
"So what does this make us? Enemies? Rivals? People who want to kill and kiss each other?" Andy asks.
"I don't know okay. Look I don't know why I wanted to kissed you or why you kissed me back." Erina said.
"Well I would like an answer." Andy said.
"How about you give me one? Ever since we met you've been a thorn and now you are being nice to me?" Erina asks.
"Look we're both clearly going through something, but I think for the sake of this we try and figure this out. We both have dishes to prepare so let's focus on that." Andy suggests.
"Fine, but this is not over." Erina points before walking out. "You better pass."
Pausing Andy looks to her and nods. "I will if you will."
Soon all the students were getting to work.
As Andy had his headphones around his neck, he was looking at the ingredients thinking about what he was going to make.
"Hmm breakfast is the meal that gets people up and moving, but this is also a 5 star hotel so I need something the people will want." Andy said as he started to scroll through his iPod for songs.
"Wow you have a lot." A female voice said startling him.
"Whoa." Turning around Andy saw the girl with white hair. "Uh hi there."
"Hi." She smiles. "I've heard a lot about you. The Chef who cooks while listening to music."
"Oh uh yeah I'm Andrew Grayson, but my friends call me Andy."
"Alice." She smiles.
"Well Alice, can I help you with something?" Andy asks.
"No, I'm just curious about you. I heard for the whole trip you worked alongside Erina Nakiri." Alice said.
"Yeah, she did not make this week easy." Andy said.
"I bet, being her partner for the whole trip. That must be difficult." Alice said.
"You have no idea." Andy said as he started grabbing his ingredients.
"Hmm seems like you'll be making something interesting." Alice said leaning against the counter.
"Thanks." Andy said confused.
"So Andy, are you and Erina by chance more than just cooking partners?" Alice asks.
"No not really." Andy said.
"Oh really? So you if another girl was interested in you she wouldn't come to mind?" Alice teases causing him to blush.
"Wha? I mean no. Look Erina is just my teammate for the trip." Andy said.
"If you say so." Alice backs up only for a boy with long black hair to stop her. This was Ryo Kuorkiba.
'Who is that guy?' Andy thought.
"What are you doing? You were supposed to move!" Alice whines.
"But milady, you told me to stand here." Kurokiba said.
"I said to do that when we're intimidating someone. You're supposed to always be behind me scaring people. Wait a second, where at the balls you're always twirling in your hand?" Alice asks.
"Sorry I forgot them." Kurokiba said gesturing to his pockets.
"Are you kidding me?! I gave you those to make you look scarier. You really are a blockhead!" Alice snaps before turning to Andy. "Uh I'm sorry what were we talking about?"
"I'm not sure, we're you trying to ask me out on date or something?" Andy asks confused causing Alice to giggle.
"No, not yet, don't get me wrong you're cute." Alice winks surprising him. "Make it through camp maybe."
As she and Kurokiba walked out Andy was still trying to figure out what was going on.
"Well she's an interesting one." Andy said.
Down the hall, Alice and Kurokiba were walking away.
"Well he was an interesting one. No wonder Erina likes him. He's as stubborn as she is and his dish. Hmm he might be fun." Alice said when she spotted Soma and his ingredients. "Oh wow, I can't believe he plans to make that. He must really want to flunk."
In the big room, Andy and Soma walked in together with their supplies.
"Well Andy, looks like we better get ready." Soma said.
"Yeah good luck Soma." Andy said looking around and they noticed Megumi nervously doing that thing with her hands and Takumi was glaring at Soma.
As Andy made his way to his station he looked to see Erina was in the station next to him.
"You've got to be kidding me." Andy said.
"You again?" Erina said equally annoyed. "Can't you ever leave me alone?"
"Oh put a cork in it. We've shared a station all week. Stop whining." Andy said.
"Well I guess that's true. Just keep your dancing to your side of the station." Erina said.
"Whatever." Andy said as both looked to each other for a few seconds before looking away blushing.
'What the hell? You're trying to get on good terms and you snap at him? No wonder he hates me.' Erina thought.
'Way to go stupid, being all snippy. She probably wants to kill me now.' Andy thought when the screens turned on.
"I assume you finished prepping for your dishes. I will now explain the conditions for you to pass, but first allow me to introduce your judges." Dojima said as the door opens to reveal tons of people, hotel staff, families, and even kids. "These are the suppliers and their families for the resort. They serve as judges every year and also provided the theme, an egg dish with a sense of wonder. Totsuki's hotel and food staff will also be part of the judging. Two criteria must be met. The suppliers and staff must approve your dish and must serve at least 200 servings of your plates in the next two hours."
"So it's just like an actual hotel breakfast." Takumi realized.
"Whoever meets these criteria shall pass. Now judges in all assembly halls enjoy to your hearts content." Dojima declares.
Hearing this Andy grins. "So I gotta attract customers. Oh they're playing my tune."
"What are you talking about?" Erina asks.
"I'm from New York City, and one thing that always attracts customers to everything is razzle dazzle and fun energy. Little kids in the audience, who do you think they're gonna go for? The fun chef who's dancing around his kitchen or the stuck-up girl next to him? I might end up stealing all your customers." Andy smirks doing some stretches.
Eyes widening Erina sees this. "You wouldn't dare." She glares.
"You know food, but I know people. However since we did spend all week working together, here's a peace offering." Holding out his hand, Erina sees an earbud in it.
"What is this supposed to be?" Erina asks.
"A wireless earbud, if you actually want to try things my way put it in and you'll face me on my terms." Andy offers.
"I don't need your pity." Erina said putting it in her pocket.
"I never said it was pity. Look if you listen to it you might understand what I'm trying to figure out with you." Andy said.
"What do you mean?" Erina asks.
"Put it on and you'll find out." Andy smirks putting on his headphones and clicking a song on his iPod.
As the judges swarmed the halls all the students were hard at work.
"What a rich scent." Two waitresses said walking up to Takumi's station.
"What is it?"
"A Frittata." Takumi said proudly.
"You mean you mixed Cheese with eggs and cooked them?" One realized.
"Hmm seems pretty ordinary." The second said.
"Not at all, my frittata is broken into chunks and served over a bed of salad. Next it's drizzled with balsamic vinegar and topped with parmesan cheese." Takumi explains handing them both a dish. "An Insalata De Frittata."
Taking a bite both ladies moan in delight. "Amazing, the vegetables mix with it so well."
"This is the best salad I've ever tasted."
Nearby Megumi looked to see some scary old men approach her.
"Um please have some if you'd like." Megumi offers. "It's called Bite-Sized Morning Oden."
"Oden? For breakfast?" One asks as they look to see it was a small bowl with multiple skewers in it.
"And at the end of our skewers." They pull it out to reveal Quail eggs.
"Quail eggs huh? Not bad, stepping away from chicken eggs." One said taking a bite before letting out a moan. "Delicious, the taste is so soothing and refreshing with each bite."
"And the vegetables were chosen perfectly to match the quail and the soup." The second smiles.
Taking a bite, the third approached Megumi making her nervous.
"Would you…please marry my grandson?" He asks.
"Huh?!" Megumi said totally surprised.
In another assembly hall, Dojima's sous chef was in front of Ikumi's station.
"Well this is interesting. A loco moco on a buffet line." He said taking a bite. "Amazing usually you use gravy but you used a vinaigrette. The acidity from that pairs perfectly with all the other features."
Hearing this Ikumi smiles. 'Yes, that new Don Dish recipe I made was perfect. I should be at 200 dishes in no time.'
"Don't I know you?" Ikumi turns around and sees Alice nearby startling her.
"What the?" Ikumi said jumping back.
"Oh yeah you were one of Erina's underlings. But wait what happened to you?" Alice asks.
"Uh.."
"Oh I get it, she abandoned you." Alice realized.
"Shut up! Do you want to get your ass kicked?!" Ikumi snaps.
"Oops sorry my bad." Alice said walking back to her station.
'What the? What's with her dish? It's so basic.' Ikumi thought looking to see she only had what looked like a fried egg, an egg still in the shell and a hardboiled egg cut in half.
In the other hall, we find ourselves at Erina's station.
"I present Eggs Benedict." Erina smirks gesturing to a beautiful egg on an English muffin smothered in sauce with some bacon sticking out of it.
"Amazing. It's like a jewel." A crowd said gathering around Erina.
"Hmm a classic American dish." The Maître de said picking one up. "Hardly call that new. And where's the wonder?"
Taking a bite his eyes widen. "The poached egg is cooked perfectly and melts on the tongue, the sauce is perfectly tangy, the bacon is nice and crispy which adds to the muffin's crunch." He gasps. "It's like this is the golden egg. This deliciousness will make you bow before it."
In his food fantasy he was bowing before Erina who was sitting a queen's throne smirking.
However, Erina's victory was short-lived as they heard chatter from nearby.
"Wow, look at that one mom. He's dancing." A little girl said.
"Huh?" Looking over Erina saw Andy sliding his plates across the counter stopping just in front of the customers before sliding back to his station to grab the final touched and put it on the plate.
"Well look at that." The Maître de said walking over.
"I give you the Western Denver." Andy said gesturing to a grilled egg sandwich was sauce drizzled on top.
"I see you did a play on the Denver Omelet, another classic American dish." Taking a bite his eyes widen.
"The egg is cooked perfectly and the chorizo mixed into it causes the egg to deliver a powerful taste, normally it would overwhelm you but…wait is that?" He gasps.
"Avocado." Andy points out.
"Of course, by using that you not only neutralize the spiciness but add a mild delicious flavor. And the sauce, is a sweet mango allowing this dish to take you to a show like no other." He moans.
In his food fantasy, he finds himself on stage as Andy was leading the orchestra creating a melody of flavor.
As people left Erina's in favor of Andy's she gasped.
"He's stealing all my customers." Erina growls about to call him out when she feels something in her pocket.
Reaching in she pulls out the wireless earbud he gave her remembering he offered her a challenge.
"Alright Grayson, game on." Reaching up Erina puts it in her ear and she suddenly heard the same music he was listening to.
(Play The Other Side from the Greatest Showman)
Looking over Erina saw Andy moving and cooking to the music but he was looking right at her.
Right here, right now
I put the offer out
I don't want to chase you down
I know you see it
You run with me
And I can cut you free
Out of the drudgery and walls you keep in
So trade that typical for something colorful
And if it's crazy, live a little crazy
You can play it sensible, a king of conventional
Or you can risk it all and see
Don't you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play
'Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
It'll take you to the other side
'Cause you can do like you do
Or you can do like me
Stay in the cage, or you'll finally take the key
Oh, damn! Suddenly you're free to fly
It'll take you to the other side
While Andy was moving around dancing and serving he moved in an inviting manner as if gesturing for Erina to join in.
Slowly tapping her foot, Erina started to move her body in a small dance matter getting some people's attention.
Okay, my friend, you want to cut me in
Well I hate to tell you, but it just won't happen
So thanks, but no
I think I'm good to go
'Cause I quite enjoy the life you say I'm trapped in
Now I admire you, and that whole show you do
You're onto something, really it's something
But I live among the swells, and we don't pick up peanut shells
I'll have to leave that up to you
Smirking Erina started moving around in a dance manner similar to Andy's causing the customers to gather to her side.
"Wow, look at that. It's like a duet." A woman said as both Andy and Erina locked eyes.
Don't you know that I'm okay with this uptown part I get to play
'Cause I got what I need and I don't want to take the ride
I don't need to see the other side
So go and do like you do
I'm good to do like me
Ain't in a cage, so I don't need to take the key
Oh, damn! Can't you see I'm doing fine
I don't need to see the other side
As Erina twirled around she saw Andy smiling at her as he matched her movements move for move.
Smiling back, Erina had to admit this was kinda fun.
Don't you wanna get away to a whole new part you're gonna play
'Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
To the other side
So if you do like I do
So if you do like me
Forget the cage, 'cause we know how to make the key
Oh, damn! Suddenly we're free to fly
We're going to the other side
So if you do like I do
(To the other side)
So if you do like me
(We're going to the other side)
'Cause if we do we're going to the other side
We're going to the other side
(Song End)
An hour into the event, Erina handed her dish out.
"Erina Nakiri has served 200 plates." Dojima announced.
"Yes." Erina smirks in victory.
"I need to catch up." Takumi said getting to work. "I wonder how Soma's doing?"
Nearby Megumi was struggling just as much.
"It's okay I'm more than halfway there. I hope Soma's okay." Megumi said.
A few minutes later, Andy served his dish.
"Andrew Grayson has served 200 Dishes." Dojima announced.
"Yes." Andy grins seeing his dance routine was working. 'I wonder how Soma's doing?'
As the three of them look over their eyes widen in shock and horror to see Soma had only served 10 plates.
Soma's dish was an omlette souffle and while it looked amazing they deflated.
'Oh no, Soma picked a good dish overall but the problem is a souffle isn't suited for buffet style.'
Back in the other hall, Ikumi's customers were gone.
'Dammit, ever since I hit 150 plates I haven't gotten a single customer.' Ikumi growls.
"There's more over here." Alice calls out.
Looking over Ikumi saw Alice was gathering quite a crowd.
'How is she doing that? Ever since her first customer a crowd just keeps coming. Those can't be normal eggs.' Ikumi thought.
"This looks like a fried egg at first glance but it isn't. The whites are a gelee of diluted seawater and the yolk is salmon roe that's been firmed with gelatin." A waitress said.
"And the hard boiled eggs are actually a white asparagus mousse and the yolks are a base of hollandaise sauce." A waiter said.
"And the egg is actually a milkshake. I emptied the shells and mixed eggs, milk and caramel." Alice explains.
"Each egg is something completely different." They moaned.
Soon a huge crowd gathered around Alice to the point she actually ran out of ingredients at 380 plates.
"Well since you have nothing left. You're excused." An instructor said.
"Thank you." Alice said walking out.
'Are you kidding me?!' Ikumi thought enraged.
"Maybe I should see how Erina's doing." Alice said walking down the hall.
In the other hall, Takumi just cleared all 200 dishes, Megumi and the others were close meanwhile Andy and Erina were still the most popular.
Soma however was struggling since he was nearby and no one was looking his way.
"I just need to tackle one problem at a time. First I need to attract customers. Andy and Erina have the most so start there, then I need to prep and make everything." Soma mutters before looking up. "I got a half-hour left! Better make it count!" Taking out his headband Soma wraps it around his head.
As a little girl was watching Andy she heard Soma call out to her.
"Hey little girl. Take a look, I'm about to cast a magic spell on these eggs." Soma tosses one out of the pan and it bounces onto his plate before he drizzled the sauce on it.
"Wow it's like a jello." She smiles taking a bite. "So good."
Looking over, Andy and Erina's customers started walking over to Soma.
"Well look at that." Andy said lifting one of his headphones ears up to look over.
"Huh?" Pulling out the earbud, Erina looks over to see Soma cooking everything in front of their customers and as he passed more souffle omelets out more and more people came to him, but that just made him move faster and faster.
All over more and more people were passing including all the Polar Star Dorm members and Ikumi.
As the final five minutes showed up, Andy and Erina had all their customers stolen by Soma.
"He's cutting it pretty close." Erina said.
"Come on Soma, almost there." Andy gulps.
In the final few seconds, Soma put his last plate down.
"Soma Yukihira, 200 plates cleared." Dojima declared just before the timer went off.
"He did it." Andy smiles putting his headphones around his neck.
"Here." Erina said holding out the earbud.
"Oh uh thanks." Andy said taking it back.
"I'll admit, the music made this go by much quicker." Erina said.
In the surveillance room, Dojima watched this.
"Hmm that Soma really pulled through at the end." Dojima said. "But even so that Grayson boy managed to hold his own against Erina Nakiri and while she made over 407 plates, he managed to make 375 plates. Then there was that other girl with 380 plates but she ran out of ingredients."
"Well Erina quite a show you put on." Alice said walking over. "Who knew you were so light on your feet."
"Oh no you saw that?" Erina blushes.
"Erina you know her?" Andy asks.
"Unfortunately." Erina growls.
"I didn't you give you my full name. I'm Alice Nakiri." Alice declares surprising him.
"Wait, you two are related?" Andy points.
"As if, she's my cousin." Erina said.
"Oh there you are mistress." Kurokiba said walking in.
"Oh perfect timing. Why don't you tell them all about my background." Alice smirks.
"Okay uh well she's Erina's cousin." Kurokiba said.
"I already said that!" Alice snaps. "Uh never mind I'll say it. You see my father set up his company in my mother's hometown in Denmark, there he made the most cutting edge cooking technology and most amazing culinary research. I trained there until I was 14 before joining Totsuki where I plan to take on my cousin and take her top spot." Alice points.
"Like I would ever lose to a chef who relies on equipment." Erina smirks.
"Of course you would say that! You've always been that way! When we were 3 you stole all my favorite toys! When I was 4 I made you a cake and you said it was disgusting! Who does that?! And I'll never forget what you did when I was 5 and you—"
"Oh shut up! None of that has anything to do with anything!" Erina interrupts.
"Wow, so you were brat long before I met you." Andy said.
"As for you, Andrew Grayson. Your flashy dance moves may be interesting and even helped you pass the challenge but don't think fancy footwork will get you far." Alice said.
"I don't know about that." Andy said getting their attention. "You know Erina said the same thing to me, but you know I knocked her right off her stupid throne. So unless you want me to do the same to you, don't underestimate me."
"Hmm you're annoying, but I won't lose to any of you." Alice said walking out with puffy cheeks. "I look forward to beating you all and taking the top spot myself."
"We'll see. This race to the top is far from over." Andy said.
Once Alice and Kurokiba left, Andy turned to Erina.
"I saw you used some of the moves from our dance lessons." Andy said.
"I just used it because you were hogging all the attention. I just did it so I could pass my test." Erina denies.
"I just wanted to say you did really good." Andy said surprising her.
"Wait what?" Erina asks.
"Yeah and if I'm being honest, you looked really pretty while you were dancing." Andy admits causing her to blush.
"Oh thank you. I suppose you didn't look so bad with your dance moves. Definitely more regal than your normal ones." Erina admits.
"Thank you." Andy said as both smiled at each other.
"Attention, all students who cleared over 200 plates. Please get some rest your next challenge begins in 4 hours." Dojima said much to many disappointed students.
"Are you kidding me?!" Yuki whines.
"We barely get over 3 hours to sleep." Marui groans.
"I like training camp." Soma smiles.
"Can we move this talk to after the challenges today?" Andy suggests.
"Good idea." Erina said as they all ran off.
Finishing up the last challenges, everyone was back in the main lobby completely exhausted.
"Please no more." Yuki begs exhausted.
"What are we doing back here?" Megumi asks nervously.
"Nothing's written in the schedule." Ryoko said looking at it.
"Man, I hope this isn't another challenge I'm running out of battery." Andy said looking to show his iPod was in the yellow near the red.
"Well it seems you're all here." Dojima said walking out.
"Please not again!" Marui begs.
"A few words before we get right to it. So far 352 students have failed leaving only 628 remaining. Though it may seem cruel this is a taste of what it's like to be a chef. You must keep your cool in unfamiliar situations, working to compromise with even your worst enemies and always retaining a dialogue with your ingredients. If you become a chef, you'll face even greater pressures. There will be nights when you will have to endure anxiety and indecision while dealing with various situations. Being a chef is like living in a wasteland, braving a storm all alone. The longer you endure it, the harder it becomes, but even if you reached the summit, you may have forgotten the way back. However, I want you to remember this. There are comrades here at Totsuki who left tracks in that wasteland. That fact will comfort you when you begin the same trek you take yourself one day. From the bottom of my heart I wish you all the best as you fight on. Now lets begin the final segment." Dojima said as all of them gulp in fear expecting the worst.
Suddenly the door opens revealing tons of tables.
"A full course meal prepared by our graduates. Enjoy!" Dojima said as all the grads had various plates in their hands.
Smiling all the students cheered eager to celebrate.
As all of them rushed to dig in, Andy pauses.
Erina was about to walk in when she feels a tap on her shoulder.
Turning around she saw Andy gesturing for her to follow.
Narrowing her eyes, Erina was suspicious about all this.
Out on the balcony by the outdoor tables, Andy looked to see Erina walk out to him.
"Alright what is it? We're missing cuisine no one else will ever experience." Erina asks.
"Erina, before anything else I just wanted to say when this all started I thought was going to be a nightmare. Not because of the crazy challenge or even the insane instructors, the reason this week was such a pain was that I spent all of it with you." Andy said.
"Right back at you." Erina glares.
"However, that only lasted about half into this. Each day you and I were forced to work together I learned more and more about you and I realized you're not the selfish spoiled brat I always thought you were that deep down you're actually very nice and fun to be around and I can't believe I'm saying but I'm kinda sad this has to end." Andy confesses surprising her.
"Really? You enjoyed it?" Erina asks.
"I did, you and I make quite a team." Andy smiles.
"Well I'll admit when we first started I thought you were just a dumb clown always trying to get attention, but you're actually a decent cook and I enjoyed our time together." Erina admits.
"Erina, listen during the big challenge when you and I danced together and competed I realized I don't want to be your enemy anymore." Andy said.
"Then what do you want to be?" Erina asks.
"I-I want to be your boyfriend." Andy confesses surprising her.
"You do?" Erina asks not expecting that.
"I mean look I get that you might hate me still but, this past week I realized you're an amazing girl, but maybe you wouldn't be so mean and tough on people if you had someone to be nice to you. You've always been lectured and told what was right and wrong. I think you need someone who can just make you smile, make you feel happy, like no matter what happens you'll have someone looking out for you. I want to be that person for you." Andy confesses. "What do you say?"
"You know my family is quite the big deal. I could easily ruin your name if things go bad." Erina said walking up to him.
"I know." Andy nods.
"And while most boys who would want to date me would be total doormats, but I don't feel that will work for you." Erina said.
"Not a chance." Andy shook his head.
"So if you pursued a relationship with me and things went bad it could be disastrous for you, but on the slim chance things go well things could be very interesting for us both. Are you willing to risk it?" Erina asks looking him in the eyes.
"I am." Andy nods not looking away.
"Well then, let's see if you can handle it." Erina smiles grabbing him by the shirt and yanking him into a kiss.
Eyes widening Andy leans in and kisses her back.
As Erina tastes his lips against hers, that addictive taste was filling her mouth while her God Tongue was driving Andy completely crazy.
Moaning Erina wraps her arms around his neck while Andy wraps his arms around her waist.
The two kept going for a few minutes before separating for air.
"So does that mean we're no longer enemies?" Andy asks.
"Depends on how long we make this work." Erina teases.
"Challenge accepted." Andy said kissing her back.
This camp was a nightmare but needless to say Andy walked out of it with by far the best reward anyone could get.