Kino Makoto leaned against the wall of the gym and watched the class go through the rote moves. There were some good looking young men in the class, and more than one had been reprimanded for looking her way. Their sensei was very traditional and very strict.

He was also very handsome. Ryuzaki Kintaro was one of the best fighters she knew. He was also her old sempai, who she had a huge crush for way back when. A crush which he hadn't returned. She hoped to change that.

She straightened and stepped away from the wall as the class bowed and dispersed. Kintaro came toward her, removing his helmet. She could see the sparkles as he shook out his shoulder length hair and smiled at her.

"Sempai."

"Just Kintaro, Makoto-san. Unless you'd rather I call you Kino-san," he said.

She smiled. "Okay, Kintaro-kun. I brought everything I need."

Kintaro sighed. "I still think this is a bad idea. The kitchen space at my dorm is rather crowded, and Sunday afternoon is a bad time to do anything in the dorm."

Makoto's grin grew a little strained. "I just want to apologize for attacking you the other day. Making lunch for you is the best way I can think of."

Kintaro laughed. "If you say so. But I did try to warn you. I'll be right back."

"I did try to warn you, Makoto-san."

Makoto stared at the cooking area. Calling it a mess would be understating the case. Dirty dishes were piled in the sink, old pans were sitting on the stove, empty cans and bottles covered every other surface.

"I see Hikari-chan has been cooking again," Kintaro remarked.

"She made this mess this morning?"

"No. She was cooking last Thursday. Sundays we get together with our parents so that we can avoid this mess."

"Ryuzaki Kintaro!" a new voice exclaimed.

Kintaro turned and moved to the side slightly, avoiding the attempted embrace of the woman. "Yes, Shirinori-san?"

The woman was in her mid twenties. She was cute, Makoto supposed, in an OL sort of way. The only thing she had going for her was her bust, which she emphasized by wearing a tight tee shirt.

"You have got to quit letting Hikari-san cook."

"You are the one who agreed to clean up if someone else cooks on your nights, Shirinori-san," Kintaro said with an air of long suffering.

"But…"

"Ryuzaki-kun!" another voice interrupted.

Kintaro slipped around Makoto, narrowly avoiding another glomp. "Hashiko-san."

The girl placed her hands on her hips and glared. "You said you were busy today."

Kintaro indicated Makoto. "My friend, Kino-san, wanted to come here."

Makoto suddenly found herself the center of attention. Several other people had appeared and were staring at her too.

"I thought your fiancée was blonde, Ryuzaki-kun," one of the boys remarked.

This comment set off a rush of questions and accusations. The verbal melee soon developed into an outright physical brawl. Kintaro carefully guided Makoto out of the common area and out the door.

"I'm sorry Makoto-san, but that's why I avoid doing anything but sleep here. With twelve rooms and two people per room, it gets a bit hectic. Especially on weekends when people are still trying to trade or exchange cleaning tasks."

Makoto sighed. "We could go to my place," she suggested hopefully.

"You're not worried that I'll try and take advantage of you if we're alone?" He leered at her.

"I can handle myself," Makoto said sharply.

"I'm sure you can. Which is why I have a better idea." Kintaro grinned like a little boy with a secret. Makoto rolled her eyes and followed him.

"Okay, this is getting ridiculous, Kintaro-kun. Why the blindfold? And where are we?" Makoto's voice echoed slightly. She heard the sudden click and hum of lights coming on and Kintaro removed her blindfold. She stared in shock.

"There's a challenge this evening for us to watch. And if you really want, I can set up a mock competition for you with one of the champions."

"Really? I'll get to meet them? And try my cooking against one of them?"

"Really. You can challenge any Iron Chef you want, and I'll taste the results," Kintaro was grinning at Makoto's enthusiastic response.

"Before you get too excited, you'll only have time for one dish. Make your best," Kintaro explained. "Then we'll get to watch the competition, and maybe taste the results. Enjoy it, because this is costing my allowance for the month." He grinned at her.

Makoto pushed up her sleeve and flexed her arm. "Yosh!"

Ami, Usagi, and Minako stared at Makoto as she drifted along in a daze. She was humming a familiar tune.

"Are you okay, Mako-chan?" Usagi asked.

"I'm great," Makoto responded. "In fact, I'm the greatest." She brandished a video tape. "The proof is right here."

The girls gathered around and peered at the case.

"Iron Chef? Mako-chan, this is just an Iron Chef episode."

Makoto looked smug. "This isn't just any Iron Chef episode. This is my Iron Chef episode. I'll show you when we get to Rei's."

"Oh," Minako said suddenly. "Kintaro took you to see the Iron Chef last night, didn't he? Did the camera see you in the audience?"

Makoto laughed a bit maniacally. "Not in the audience."

They arrived at the shrine. Rei was giving Makoto odd looks as they settled around the TV.

"And now," Makoto announced, "Iron Chef Mako-chan!"