Alice first noticed Megumi at the supposed "Training Camp from Hell" as part of her reconnaissance on her true target. While she found the camp itself laughable as far as challenges went, she had decided it was an excellent opportunity to take stock of her potential court. Her cousin may possess the God Tongue, but Alice had the insight and impish nature to shape the Nakiri empire into something not yet imagined. She was happy to leave Erina with the crown provided she had her toys and games. But first she had to know what she was playing with and the biggest wild card on the board was the transfer student Soma Yukihira.
Alice took advantage of the training camp to start testing this latest variable. Getting an idea of his cooking style, seeing how easily he was rattled, and how he interacted with his classmates. She was intrigued by how he got under her cousin's skin, and he seemed to attract a diverse selection of chefs in his social circle.
Megumi was just one of several misfits orbiting Soma, though she did seem closer than the others. On paper Megumi appeared completely useless. Bottom of her classes, quiet, from an unknown family in the country. If not for her proximity to Soma, Alice probably wouldn't have noticed her. So, when Alice decided to check out Megumi's table during the egg buffet challenge, she was surprised by Megumi's adorable breakfast stew. It was unmistakably Japanese and even though it technically meant helping her competition she couldn't resist having a taste of the mini selection of vegetables and quail egg. Mulling over the first bite, she decided that she wouldn't call it haute cuisine, but it warmed her and eased the stress she didn't even realize she carried. And for the first time she regretted, just a little, spending so much of her childhood in her mother's native Denmark and missing out on more flavors like these. While she savored the experience of Megumi's dish, she observed the old timers arguing over whose grandson the flustered country girl would marry. Alice decided then and there that she would need to keep tabs on Megumi for reasons other than her proximity to Soma.
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As the term carried on, Alice heard more of Megumi being involved with different conflicts around campus. Each time it was always Soma at the heart of the trouble, but the girl with the midnight blue pigtails was starting to be recognized for being able to hold her own in the kitchen. At the very least she would make a useful sous chef.
When the Fall Selection came around Alice got to see Megumi in action firsthand. At first, she was convinced the girl would cut herself or otherwise knock something over the way her nerves were clearly wreaking havoc on the timid chef. To make things worse she brought out some oversized contraption that nearly got away from her when she fell on her face! Alice wondered why she would make things harder for herself when it was clear that she struggled just to stand in the arena. Then the sweet little chef unveiled the most grotesque creature that Alice had ever seen! Suspended from Megumi's tripod was a slimy sea creature; mouth agape and dripping. Megumi took a moment to offer thanks for the humongous monkfish before proceeding to expertly break it down. From that point on Alice saw Megumi enter her element. The girl was full of surprises. Though she blended into the background and was nearly overlooked, her cooking couldn't be denied, and she moved on to the next round of competition.
After their block finished the first round, Alice heard a commotion and saw an intimidating group of fishermen cheering for Megumi. They reminded her of the regulars in a certain port town pub and the gears in her head began turning.
After losing her own bout in the quarter finals of the Fall Selection, Alice was frustrated and in need of a distraction. Turning her attentions to testing Megumi's potential, it only took a couple well placed suggestions in the right ears to have Megumi face off against Ryo. She felt a twinge of guilt for placing Megumi in Ryo's path, but watching the shy girl put her guard dog in his place when he tried to mock her friends, Alice couldn't fight back her grin.
She'd forced her friendship on the angry boy years ago, but he needed someone in his life besides herself. If she was right, and she generally was, Megumi was the woman who would be Ryo's match. Megumi in turn could use someone in her life who would challenge her to be her best. They were all on track to be at the top of the culinary world, but Megumi would need to steel herself professionally if she was ever going to excel.
When it came time to taste Ryo and Megumi's quarter final dishes, Alice was startled by the intensity of their chemistry. It was clear how deeply Megumi was affected by Ryo's cooking. It was practically vulgar how she squirmed as she fought against succumbing to the flavor of his soup, but she did hold her own and stood against Ryo with pride. In turn, Alice had caught Ryo's reaction to Megumi's dish. It was easy to miss, but Ryo's defenses had been stripped at least momentarily. They were perfect for each other, and Alice was determined to play cupid.
Megumi fell to her knees in a heap of nerves as soon as she stepped off the stage and was quickly swarmed by her dormmates. Her friend Yuki rushed to her, referring to her as a "scared rabbit in front of a wild dog", which made Alice frown. Her Ryo could be merciless when it came to cooking and competition, but he was not wild. He was loyal to those who earned it and he did what needed to be done. Sighing, Alice knew she was going to have to play the long game here, but it would be worth it. Already her plan was forming in her mind. She had to determine the exact relationship between Megumi and Soma; and identify anyone else who may have an interest in the country girl. She couldn't decide if it made her task easier or harder that so many of her peers were oblivious when it came to personal matters and love.
Stretching her arms up and resting her hand behind her head, Alice decided that trying her hand at playing matchmaker would be a fun diversion. Besides, if anyone deserved happiness, it was her Ryo.
