In case if you're wondering, 'maintenant' means 'now'.

So! Here we are, the seventieth chapter of "Culinary Rivals"! I'm guessing everyone is getting tired after how long this story has been going on. But the light at the end of the tunnel is near (I think). Same goes for me, because this is the beginning of the end of my university undergraduate studies.

Just for you, DaX0315, enjoy some biscuits with your Pecha berry tea.

Chapter seventy: Looking for Her (Maintenant)

Steven may have told himself constantly that he hated Cynthia, but Martine's words stuck to him for too long. It was tough to admit he was wrong, and in his context, he was horribly wrong about his hatred. His 'hate' wasn't even close.

Could it be love? No, Steven thought, but there couldn't argue that he wanted to know Cindy – Cynthia – better. In the exact same respect, that meant he wanted to know Cynthia. What with her being a fellow chef of all things and a former Champion like himself, wasn't there opportunity?

He did not get out of bed this morning, but even then, he didn't need to go outside to catch on current events in Cyllage City. Word on the street had it, for a few days, that Vue sur la Lune had gotten a new owner. At the same time, it appeared that Cynthia had put the Vue sur la Lune's property on the market, and would be sold to whoever the realtor liked best. Since then, Cynthia appeared to have left Cyllage City altogether.

None of that really mattered to Steven.

Sleeping on his own in his villa bedroom, Steven reflected on the past week. His nights weren't exactly great. On one hand, the feeling of victory lasted only a day at most when he got back to the city. The following nights were dreamless sleeps, and the recent nights had become nightmares. Only last night did he experience dreamless sleep again.

Metagross came to wake him up, but he didn't want to get out of bed.

"Please… Just one more hour, okay? I'll make breakfast for you and the others." Steven muttered.

And just as Metagross began to leave, the doorbell started ringing. Steven turned over in his bed hoping that whoever was at the door would walk away. But wasn't meant to be, because the ringing would not stop for the better of many minutes. Whoever it was, Steven could guess that it knew he was at home and unwilling to leave the door.

The doorbell ringing continued to torture his ears as he switched out of nightclothes to his casual clothes. He didn't know what constituted casual at this point, given he had picked out – quite randomly – his suit that he wore back in his Champion days. It even still had the metal cuffs, which were in good shape. Beside the suit, there was the suit he wore from the night of Diantha's dinner. Just by looking at that suit, Steven was reminded of beautiful Cynthia looked that night.

As he did up his red tie (although it was practically a scarf), Metagross went over to answer the door. Minutes later, Steven was at the door too.

"Bon matin, Steven," a familiar redhead said. Of course, it had to be none other than Martine.

"Bon matin, Martine…" Steven started, but then stopped short when he realised that it wasn't just his redhaired waitress at the door. "Whoa, Martine, what's going on?"

Outside and gathered at his door were some familiar faces to him. Martine stood in front, with Wallace, Winona, Lisia, and Diantha (sporting sunglasses) behind her. Sophie and Laurent stood close by, and even Grant, Korrina, and Viola as well! (Thankfully, no Alexa)

"We are going to help you!" Martine replied enthusiastically, although her face was serious. "You can't keep living like this, and neither can the restaurant and everyone in it."

"I don't understand…" Steven muttered. He wondered why they were even bothering.

"Here's the deal, boss. You are going to look for Cynthia, like it or not, because it has to be done," Martine said, with an authority that surprised Steven.

Just to keep the chatter low, Martine went forward and whispered in his ear so the others couldn't listen. "Besides, if you really fell for her, you would look for her. Maintenant. That's why we're all here to push you to do so."

Diantha waved to get his attention. "I've heard a rumour that Cynthia was seen in Lumiose City, thanks to media reports, but those sightings aren't confirmed. You could look for her there. Come now, Steven. We're supporting you with this."

Steven looked unconvinced that whatever his friends were cooking up would work. "But even if I did find her, there isn't much I can do," he added.

Wallace took his arm and then hauled him into the villa, not to mention slamming the door shut in front of everyone's faces. Inside, Metagross, Skarmory, and the other Pokémon were confused as to what the familiar face of Wallace had in mind.

"Do you want to make a woman happy? There are three things you need to know." Wallace held up three fingers. "One, you get her flowers. Two, you get her chocolate."

Steven rolled his eyes.

"And three, you get her a gift to show how much she's worth to you," Wallace finished. "I could think of a dozen ideas, my friend! So many, that she will fall for you in one night. Would you like to hear them? They're good ones."

"No."

"Come now, I've got it covered. I've even gotten your train ticket to Lumiose already!" Wallace said, which almost made Steven facepalm. "If there's anything you need, just let me know! Your train will leave in an hour, so we can't delay! I used my own money to buy tickets for whoever's going, so don't let me down."

Steven soon pushed Wallace out the door.

But then again, Wallace had a point. A gift to show her worth to him? What would that be? In his business education, the meaning of value could be reduced to graphs and tables. In that context, how he valued Cynthia… What would that be? Something high?

He continued thinking for a moment, and then opted to pick up his phone.

"James? C'est Steven," he said. "Um… I need a favour to ask of you… Yes, yes, I know I call the shots around the restaurant, and that's why I call. But this is a matter of financing and I need to know how many profits we made over the past year…"

The phone call lasted at least ten minutes and Steven alone was unsure whether to go ahead with this decision. According to James, the cost of the decision would be enormous. So enormous, that it might harm the business in the short-run, and the only hope was that the local demand would keep the business afloat. That, and the hopes of a potential Richissime star.

"You must know, Steven, that the market has been competitive for that particular location," James said. "I've heard of counter-offers thrown around by at least three parties to the realtor."

Steven paused.

"Just let me know when you might make your final bid," he finally said. "I'll… I'll be in Lumiose, so give me a call."

When that was done, Steven wondered whether to go ahead with this decision. In any case, it might not pay off at all, but this was the sort of thing that Wallace was – indirectly – advising. Something to show something of worth.

Eventually he walked out of his villa to face his friends and colleagues.

"Let's go," he said, much to everyone's delight. Nevertheless, Steven alone still wore the same depressed face he had been wearing for the past while. However, Martine was quick to drag him out of his villa and to the train station, whilst trying her best to make him smile.

Some time later in the afternoon, the entire party had left the premises of Lumiose Station. Steven himself had no leading part in this, but for what it was worth, this whole 'operation' (as Wallace liked to call it) was for him. He also had to credit Martine, Wallace, Diantha, and the others for coming along. They too wanted to help.

As they left the station, Wallace thought it a good idea to meet up at the Prism Tower, in order to avoid media attention (Wallace was actually considerate for once, Steven thought. In such a case, Steven guessed that Wallace was getting desperate). Though there were some doubts at first, since this was Wallace, Diantha endorsed the idea. In Lumiose, where the heart of Kalos media attention was in, the best bet to avoid the cameras and the press was in a private-enough place like the Gym.

Hopefully, Clemont would cooperate too. But then again, he had already hosted the cook-off for Steven and Cynthia, so he had gladly allowed the party to take refuge in the popular city attraction. This was ironic, Steven thought, since a popular attraction was the last place the media would expect to find a party of former Champions and current Gym Leaders, and not to mention a superstar like Diantha.

Wallace called the meeting to order.

"Formidable! Now that we're all here," Wallace greeted, "we can help Steven."

"I have no idea what you're doing, Wallace, but this should be important." Clemont shook his head, wondering what exactly was gong on. In order to shield themselves from the public, Wallace had insisted that the hold the meeting on the battleground itself. The media likely couldn't trespass their way in, or risk running into the sophisticated security system that guarded the gym.

It looked like Wallace was giving a lecture to an assembly of students, since everyone was seated on the grandstands and only Wallace stood on the battleground.

"We be gathered here today, because our mutual friend (my best friend, that is) needs help. Have you seen his face?" Wallace announced. "Basically, what we are about to do is help him find his love. His love is here in this city, and we are going to find her."

"Wallace… That is presumptuous of you, don't you think?" Steven muttered. He noticed Wallace did not mention Cynthia by name, but then again, with all the exposure Steven had been getting, there was no need. "Meaning about my love life…"

At the same time, Steven was distracted. In the very back of his mind, he was thinking about his conversation with James. He had made an irrational decision to compete against the market, and it would incur a huge loss for his business (albeit in the short-run).

Wallace didn't seem to notice Steven's words.

"Now! We know that Lumiose is a veryveryvery big city. If it was just one man alone doing this task, it would be impossible. It will take him months!" Wallace said. "Now that this man has his friends to help him, this will take less than a month."

SMACK

Wallace was slapped (not punched) in the face. Surprisingly, it was not Winona who had done so, but Korrina.

"Aha, glad to see my girlfriend's fangirl can get my attention…" he muttered, while rubbing his cheek. It felt hot.

"You better not have called us in to stay in Lumiose for a month! We have business to do!" Korrina said.

But to Korrina's annoyance, much like Winona, Wallace smiled brightly. "You are right, my dear. We have more important business than talking like this. My best friend's love life is on the line. What more important business could there be, but that? Although, I'm flattered that you're behaving like my girlfriend. She hits harder though–"

SMACK

And in that moment, Wallace was punched in the face by Winona.

"Do you know how ridiculous you sound, Wallace?! Stay on topic!" Winona shouted. It was hard to tell whether she was angry or embarrassed, in light of Wallace's words. Meanwhile, indistinct chatter spread in the grandstands, with the Gym Leaders and Diantha muttering how Wallace's jaw hadn't broken at this point, and Martine, Lisia, Sophie, and Laurent commenting on Korrina being a so-called fangirl of Winona. To be frank, Korrina looked like a younger version of Winona.

Wallace cleared his throat. "Right, so without further, we must find Steven's love in this city. If it will take a month, so be it. If you can't handle one month, then do it in one week. We must look for her, maintenant!"

Unfortunately for Wallace, not even a week was enough to convince everyone to stay in Lumiose. Rather, they insisted that they would stay for three days. At Diantha's suggestion, everyone went about touring the city as if they were on vacation. Just take it easy while they were in the city, and notify Steven once they saw his love (at this point, everyone knew that it could be none other than Cynthia).

Over two days so far, it had not been easy to get a glimpse of Cynthia. Lumiose was a huge city, and Cynthia was not the only blonde in the city either. Although her hair was extraordinarily long, intentionally looking for her would take a miracle, it seemed.

That was why it was easy to burn out, so Diantha, Viola, Grant, and Korrina decided to stop for lunch at a café. This café was called Café Bataille, located directly across Lumiose Station on the eastern side of the city.

"Not that we'll find her in two days," Viola said. "Plus, we're only following a rumour, but as it happens, the media would have to start somewhere too. Like me."

A Lumiose salad for Viola (which looked just as appetising as the salads from Steven's restaurant), soup for Diantha (Iapapa and Tamato berries), and a Nomel dessert bar for Grant. All of these dishes looked simple, but they could have whetted anyone's appetite. Korrina herself had a Lumiose Galette with cream and chocolate; styled in such a way that it was practically a chocolate tart.

"Oho! You can't get enough of sweets, can you?" Korrina said, as if to poke some fun at Grant.

"You're one to talk, buddy," Grant muttered.

Diantha was reminded of something now that Korrina mentioned it. "Oh yes, Grant. Didn't we say you would treat all of us to sweets sometime? Now would be the time." She couldn't help smiling.

"Ooh! Ooh! I'll have what you're having then," Viola said, pointing at Korrina's tart.

"I want one too." Diantha grinned. Now that he had to satisfy not one, but three girls, Grant left his seat to order the demands, which were two more tarts, apparently. From the looks of things, Café Bataille seemed to specialise in these tarts. The appearance was so tempting that even Grant got a tart for himself.

The chocolate tarts were as delicious as Lumiose's culinary reputation promised.

The two receptionists Sophie and Laurent went about touring the east side of the city not too far from Café Bataille, as it happened. They were not looking for food, however. Instead, they were distracted by the Battle Institute, beside Lumiose Station.

"Because you never know. She might be in there." Laurent said. "It's only a set of five battles."

Sophie rolled her eyes, but she was more than happy to spend some time with Laurent. "Five battles, Laurent? You might as well stay here the whole day. We won't be free until sunset, so we are not going to battle here."

"But she might show up. We might as well watch." Laurent grinned. "It makes you wonder how elite Trainers here can endure five battles straight."

"Come now, we've done plenty of that at the Battle Château already." Sophie lightly punched Laurent's arm. "True, we are nowhere close to elite, but it doesn't hurt to learn." A thought crossed her mind. "Say, was Cynthia not an elite fighter herself? Maybe we will find her here."

Then Sophie realised that she had practically contradicted her proposition earlier, which Laurent noticed easily.

"I told you so." He chuckled, which made Sophie smile back.

In the first day, they had spent the entire daytime searching the north boulevard. However, given the size of Lumiose it was impossible to search even one tenth of the city. For Sophie and Laurent, they had managed to cover only one plaza of the north boulevard before it was dusk. That night, Wallace called another meeting to order, where everyone reported they could not find Steven's love. It seemed hopeless, Steven thought, but Wallace insisted everyone keep trying, and solicit information from the locals on the second day.

So on the second day, that was how it came to be for the receptionists, who were asking around the Battle Institute for any leads on finding a particular blonde. Looking for information about this woman was a challenge. In a way, it was like looking for a grain of salt in a sandbox. The odds of finding that one grain were very slim.

But eventually, the second day came to an end. At the Prism Tower, Wallace called a meeting again for debrief. From the results he was getting, only a tenth of the north boulevard had been searched and at most an eighth of the south boulevard was searched. If they had a month, perhaps they had better odds.

But there was also no guarantee that she was in the city either.

Steven looked as if he had given up, because from what Martine could tell, he was spending more time on his phone than the search itself. For that reason, on the second day, Martine decided to pair with him to figure what was going on. She also insisted that she stick around for the third and final day with him, just to keep an eye on what he was doing.

On the morning of the third day, Martine dragged Steven to have breakfast at a café at one of the outskirts of the city. Steven clearly had lost morale, since he followed his red-haired waitress without objection or complaint. He seemed willing to let Martine do whatever she wanted.

Sitting at a table outside the café, they were served croissants, coffee and tea, and mixed berry salads. As they ate, Martine noticed Steven still had one hand on his phone.

"Boss…" she said. "What is exactly going on? You've been making calls non-stop, as if it was more important that coming here to Lumiose."

Steven smiled bitterly.

"It's something I have to do, but I'm not sure if it will pay off – literally," he said. "I'll clue you in: Vue sur la Lune's property has become one of the most expensive commercial properties in Cyllage City. You could say that the market is competing for it."

Martine put the clues together. "You're bidding for it, aren't you?"

"But… I'm sure that won't be enough. You can call me a fool for doing so – it's a decision that no rational businessman or company should do." Steven admitted. "But I doubt that could mend her heart though, since… since she said I broke it."

He sighed, and Martine awkwardly ate her salad.

After swallowing a mouthful of berries, Martine said, "All of us have been looking for her for two days now. Even a glimpse of her would be a miracle. Say! What if we called in the media to help? They'll hunt down Cynthia for us in no time!"

"That sounds exactly like what Wallace would say," Steven said, his head still down. "That sounds like a waste of time, and if anything, it will probably push her out of Kalos. We don't have any confirmation that she is actually here, anyway."

Sighing again, Steven stood up.

"Come, Martine. Let's keep looking."

Night eventually fell.

Martine guessed that Steven was falling into his state of depression again. He was unmotivated, tired, and looked like he wanted to leave Lumiose as quickly as he could. However, Martine also concluded that Steven would never be the same after all that had happened. Would he ever return to cooking again? The consequences of his victory in the cook-off might cost him his career.

They had walked for some time searching the south boulevard of Lumiose, but to no avail. By the time nightfall fell, Martine had given up too.

In the meantime, Steven was notified by James that the purchase was complete, but what was the point? Steven felt so defeated, that whatever he was doing didn't matter anymore.

They stood together near the illustrious Prism Tower, with its lights acting like a beacon for the entirety of Lumiose. In there, a debrief was expected for today's events. But however anyone looked at it, there would be no good news or good reports today. Everyone would be tired and wanting to leave, and Steven's dreams would be crushed.

"Désole, boss." Martine said.

"It's not your fault. You're not to blame…" Steven muttered. "I should be apologising. I…" He looked at the tower. "Can you give me some time alone? I'll join you later."

Martine did not reply but instead rested her hand against Steven's arm as if to comfort him, and then she left for the tower. Steven meanwhile sighed deeply and took a stroll around a neighbouring plaza. Cafés were still open, and so were some bars. Feeling for some refreshment, or even alcohol for that matter, Steven entered one of the cafés. He didn't know what café he went into; but he just wanted something to take his mind off his sorrows.

"Bonsoir," the server greeted him. "Que puis-je faire pour vous, monsieur?"

Steven replied, "Je voudrais boire un verre."

The server nodded and motioned Steven to take a seat near the window. For a café in dinner hours, it was surprisingly quiet. It was as if no one knew of this place, or that the atmosphere was supposed to be quiet. That was fine for Steven, because no one needed to know he was here.

Leave a review, and have a serving of that chocolate tart Galette that Korrina is having!