Really thankful for all the support coming in from you readers. Honestly, I'm pleased at how things are turning out in this Culinary Rivals spinoff! As promised, the story will be much shorter than Culinary Rivals... and it seems easier to relate to since this is the near future, right?

(This is despite having an entertaining argument with Farla, but that's another story. If you are curious, I made the naming analogy comparing berry names to apple names, and so far Farla has failed to sufficiently defeat the analogy)

A crêpe goes each to the three honoured Guests, DaX0315, Key321, KiaKaryll7032, and IAmDomeAceTucker, by the way!

One more note, I seriously considered for the past while about introducing another character to get onto Steven's jealous side, but I've decided it will take more effort than I'm willing to put in. So I'm considering alternatives at the moment!

Chapter two: Aroma of Collaborating

And somehow, Steven and Cynthia should have expected it, the arrangements had already been made. As Wallace promised, Diantha was already on board with the idea and was waiting for them at the Stone Bakery across the street. There was no doubt that Wallace had arranged this! It was also a sight too, seeing two current Champions and two former Champions talking together at a bakery, plus a couple non-Champions.

With light snowfall outside and some sunshine causing some glare into the bakery, Steven lowered the blinds and served a set of baked pastries stuffed with blended chestnuts and mushrooms. The aroma made Wallace hungry and it wasn't even lunch yet!

"Merci, Steven," Diantha said, taking a roll and one bite. Wallace and Cynthia did the same. "So you know about the arrangements Wallace made, right? I called in a favour with my friends at the Kalos Pokémon League and we've agreed to sponsor Wallace's fundraiser. It's not a bad idea, making quality food for the sick and the generous!"

Cynthia looked at Steven who seemed to have the same thoughts as her. "But you know," she said, "we could always take part in the supplies too. This is charitable, but we can help pay, right? The debts can wait." She looked at Steven's eyes directly, and he understood well.

Steven ate a roll himself. "But again, what sort of competition are you thinking of?"

"Well… Here's the deal," Diantha's face became sheepish. "Obviously the point of this is not to make new dishes at every competition. Rather, your customers will be the patients still in Pokémon Centre care, including the Pokémon, plus for the hard-working staff and anyone who donates! So the idea is for you two to create some food that is suitable for the Christmas season they will enjoy. You two will be competing to make the same thing for many people, so it's a test of speed."

Diantha enjoyed the reactions. Steven and Cynthia wore puzzled eyes at first which morphed into empty slits. She could tell they were deep in thought.

And Wallace was overjoyed. Such was his nature. "Okay, then you're definitely on board! No need to say anything else, you two! I'll make the arrangements."

Wallace stood up and went on his way, unsurprising to Steven and Cynthia. Steven and Winona sighed at the same time, with the latter getting up from her seat.

"I'll catch up with him but expect yourselves to be on the move soon…" Winona clenched her fists. "I just really want to punch him in the face right now."

"Aw, Winona! You can't do that!" Lisia said. "Now that you're engaged to him, you'll have put up with that everyday. You may have to get used to it. Best if you support what he's doing, right?"

Even Steven couldn't help smiling with Cynthia as Winona was lost for words. Then he looked at Diantha. "So would you have a clue as to what the arrangements are?"

Diantha nodded. "My best guess is you two will have to start planning what meals to make soon. You and I know Wallace better than anyone. He'll have you two cooking by tomorrow afternoon." She reached for one of the stuffed pastries. Biting into it, the aroma of mushrooms and chestnuts wafted into her nose, causing Diantha to breathe it in expectantly. "Bon appétit," she said taking another bite, "et bon chance."

Cynthia and Steven exchanged glances. They had several ideas in their minds, but how was it going to play out? They had to experiment without delay.

Given business had been quiet for the past few days, any sort of news would travel quickly through the kitchens of the Stone Bistro and Vue sur la Lune. Even the Stone Bistro's bar, À la Mer, had been quick to receive the news and passed them to Sophie and Laurent at the front.

"The kitchen has been busy?" Laurent said, eyebrows raised at the barman who had come to the foyer.

"Supposedly so. Martine told me," the barman said, "that the kitchen has been buzzing with activity from the chefs. They've been cooking together something they is not on the menus."

Sophie stood up, taking Laurent's hand as she did. "Venez, we have to see this, don't we?!"

Only Sophie and Laurent went to the kitchens, and as they approached the doors they also met up with Martine.

"Salut."

"Salut," Martine replied. "It's very interesting in there…"

Sophie and Laurent could even smell what was going on there.

Inside the kitchens, Steven and Cynthia were collaborating on the creation of new dishes that could make a hearty meal for the wintertime. Earlier, to get inspiration, they briefly walked together outside to embrace the cold atmosphere of Cyllage City in snow. The sky had become a hazy gray and snowfall like sprinkles and powdered sugar fell on their heads as they took time to think, despite the sunshine trying to break through the clouds.

And when they returned to the kitchens, they had some ideas in mind. Something that could provide warm relief from the cold and snowy world outside.

"So I'm thinking we could do with themes of savoury, hearty…" Steven said.

"Or things like spicy and chocolatey…"

They looked at each other again, processing their thoughts and ideas in their heads. There had to be an entrée or two they could make together. And this was the beauty of being friendly culinary rivals in that they tried often to bring the best out of each other. And when they collaborated on new things… The sky was really the limit.

Cynthia went to take out bunch of Razz berries from the pantry and Steven took some Chansey eggs from the fridge. This was a start. And then they started writing out potential recipes on a sheet of paper, wondering what they could do.

"If Wallace is intent on touring each city… We'll need to have enough supplies to last us while travelling," Cynthia said.

"I agree," Steven said. "We'll need some help, and the Pokémon won't be enough."

When Steven stepped out of the kitchens and nearly bumped into Martine headfirst, he stopped. "Ah! Martine! Sophie! Perfect timing." It appeared she, Sophie, and Laurent had been waiting outside the whole time.

Martine raised her eyebrows as did Sophie.

"Boss? What's going on?" Martine asked.

"We're going to help Wallace with a fundraiser for the Pokémon Centres, so…" Steven looked at Martine and then to Laurent, "we'll need some help. We'll have to travel around Coastal Kalos for a bit. You'll be paid, of course, though we'll be cooking probably outdoors so that it can be publicly shown. So what do you say?"

Cynthia and Steven hadn't expected it, but the three of them agreed enthusiastically.

It wasn't long that Steven and Cynthia, with assistance from their Pokémon Aggron and Lucario, were moving supplies from their restaurants to the Pokémon Centre further inland from the waterfront. Amusingly, there was a full kitchen set prepared beside the doors underneath a big red tent for cover. It was as if Wallace intended to spread its presence by demonstration, as if red wasn't sharp enough! It was decorated with sparse lighting, considering the fire hazard, though the Cyllage City streets were decorated brilliantly with Christmas lights of its own.

That said, it came as no surprise that this outdoor kitchen had attracted attention from the public and, effectively, the media. Given there were two kitchen sets, a Kalos local could guess there would be another showdown between Cynthia and Steven, though maybe not as dramatic as the one in Lumiose last time. Wallace had made sure everyone would know about it anyway.

What no one would have suspected was that the chefs had visited the Pokémon Centre first, and the nurse who greeted them was delighted.

"Oh my gosh! Steven and Cynthia!" she said while clapping her hands. Obviously, she recognised them. Then again, who didn't? "Really, thanks. We really appreciate it."

Cynthia grinned. "De rien. Just wait. Lunch shall come soon."

As the snow fell, the two of them walked out to the cooking stations outside. They were dressed in jackets and stood underneath the thankful cover of the big red tent. As there was only one tent, they had to cook pretty close to each other.

Besides attempting to get people passing by to chip in on the fundraiser, it was apparent Wallace wanted Pokémon Trainers entering the Pokémon Centre to stop by for a meal and donate. Either Wallace was strategic, Steven thought, or he was devious. Either way, Wallace always had plans.

And as Steven was standing in the cooking stations, he suspected Wallace had deliberately made the area small enough such that Steven and Cynthia would bump into each other often. The cooking area was divided in two stations, with identical grills on each side while Steven and Cynthia had their backs to each other the whole time. But if they needed to move from spot to spot, they were was odd chance they might bump into each other by accident. The space between the two sides of the grills clearly were not designed for two competing cooks in mind. Who else to blame but Wallace?

Beside the tent, there were portable tables and chairs set up with heat lamps towering above. It really looked like a makeshift restaurant had sprung beside the Pokémon Centre, like a pop-up shop! And thanks to their Pokémon's help, the ingredients were delivered and ready for preparation. In fact the two chefs sorted the food together, knowing they would be squaring off against each other in time. Then again, they would be cooking the exact same food anyway.

Aggron and Lucario watched, with Metagross and Garchomp beside them. They were all amused that they had to help move the equipment around for their Trainers, and they were fine with that. They were partly retired from battling and watching their Trainers interact with each other was amusing.

I designed this story so that it would be considerably shorter to write and therefore easier to read, as opposed to long chapters that might take up your time! Review, and have a chestnut and mushroom roll!