Just the past Wednesday, I used the premise of "Culinary Rivals" in a presentation in my university class (Jim's 484). And you know what? My classmates liked it. They even gave me some ideas for world-building in my discussion questions! And some wanted to read it too (I mean you, Stephanie, Tiffany, Eliase, and Vivian), plus the instructor! In short, I've been encouraged by my classmates, and that motivated me to keep writing!

Lo and behold, another chapter in three weeks.

Anyways, for DaX0315 (you're not letting go of this story yet, eh?), Ou7X, and darkwolf0909, have a cheesecake tart!

Ou7X: Aw... you created an account just for me?! I'm surprised you've been following the story for this long! But I'm glad to have written this to brighten up your day, and to keep my busyness from overwhelming. Take care of yourself!

darkwolf0909: Long time no see! And hard to believe that I, too, was 18 and in university when I started writing this. Now will be 24 soon and need to look for work... But I'm not giving up on this story just yet! Take a look and see what happens to Cynthia next... And you caught onto Steven's emotions in the C&S episode!

Chapter seventy-six: Looking for Him (plus tard)

It was painfully obvious that Cynthia had feelings for the steel-blue-haired chef. That was something the staff at her Lumiose café agreed on. It was so obvious, that they knew that if she was making a phone call during work, it was most likely with him. That being said, she was visibly upset when she had hung up her call in the past hour.

They were concerned for her, and since the café staff was really a small-sized team, any secret would be leaked and shared easily among them. In this case, the fact that Cynthia looked so upset and yet unhappy made them guess she had love trouble.

And in the end, the staff gathered around her to press for answers.

"Didn't you confess to him already?" one of her servers said, whose name was Sébastien. "Don't tell me you have more problems with your relationship!"

Cynthia pouted. "It's not like that! We're doing fine! It's just…'

Sébastien looked at Cynthia closely and then he sighed. He wondered what sort of issues Cynthia had ever since her face appeared on that popular Kalos magazine some time ago. And ever since she arrived in Lumiose and had gotten media coverage, he wondered how much more Cynthia could take. Of course, he thought Cynthia had finally sorted out her issues with Steven. For what it was worth, everyone in the café knew of Cynthia's feelings for Steven.

So there was only one or two things for it.

"So… is it like a love triangle?" Sébastien suggested.

Cynthia suddenly coughed. In her view, Sébastien had a small point to make, but there was no way she would yield that easily.

"A love triangle? Really?" Cynthia questioned. "Have you been reading too much fanfiction or watching too many dramas? This is the real world, you know! Love triangles… You really know how to get ideas, do you, Sébastien? How would I be part of one? You know that there's only me and him… Ah, what am I saying. You couldn't know!"

Sébastien grinned.

"When your face gets all pink like that, chef, you know I'm telling the truth," he said. "So who's the third person? Actually, who's the second girl? Your reaction is telling me more than your words, you know." When Cynthia's face flushed deeper, Sébastien almost laughed. "Something tells me, just by your face, that you know who she is!"

At that, Cynthia turned around so Sébastien couldn't see her face.

"Now my best guess is that this girl had recently contacted him," Sébastien added. He couldn't help smiling. "Let's be honest here. You're jealous that this girl is spending more time with him than you are, at the moment. Quelle jeune femme!"

Cynthia's breathing became short and her chest was tight. "N-now you're just making stuff up!"

But the rest of the staff caught onto Sébastien's teasing and became interested.

"Now, now, Cynthia. If you really want to stake your claim in this love triangle, you have to take the initiative," Sébastien said. He was enjoying this too much. "You should go look for him, you know! Just like how he spent time looking for you. At least you know where to find him!"

"It's true!" one of the waitresses piped. "You can't lose him already! You'll regret it if that second girl makes it to him before you! And you had your best chance before."

Clearly the staff were enjoying this too much. Cynthia sat at a table and buried her face in her arms. Her hair was touching the floor already, come to that. She did not want to admit it, but Sébastien had a point. Everyone knew she was in love with Steven, so what was stopping her? It appeared that Cynthia didn't want to succumb to peer pressure. That was all. Also, she didn't want to admit she was in a love triangle either. That sort of thinking was pouring salt on her wound, even though she hadn't really been wounded in the first place.

As well, it seemed like the staff wouldn't leave her alone. Great. It was impossible to hide her feelings as well as her face, so it seemed to Cynthia. Sitting at this table with a crowd of prying eyes around her, she didn't know how to get out of this predicament. For the record, this was her own personal problem to begin with!

The same waitress tried to glimpse at Cynthia's eyes. "Now, now. You can't possibly lose out on this love triangle! You're too good for that! Ooh… Is this getting too touchy for you?"

"Go away," Cynthia said in a muffled voice, her head still buried in her arms.

"Look, Cynthia," Sébastien said. "If you really love him, you would go to him and confess your feelings – again – and tell him that there's only room for two people in your relationship."

If Cynthia wasn't embarrassed enough or her face wasn't red enough already, it did. Steam could have poured out of her ears, and her breathing was very, very, short at least. She felt like she could faint at any given moment.

"If there's anything we could do to help, let us know," Sébastien added. "Wasn't there anything between you two that he could help with, anyway?"

That reminded Cynthia of her debts, and his promise that he would help her with them. Together.

Finally, Cynthia lifted her head up from the table. To everyone's amusement, her face was of the deepest shade of red they had ever seen on the former Sinnoh champ. Popular culture suggested that Cynthia was cool, calm, and collected, so how was it that something as simple as this could get her on edge? Then again, it was common knowledge at this café that Cynthia had feelings for Steven. She just needed time to let her feelings play out.

"I'm going to the train station," Cynthia said. "Tomorrow."

To the staff's delight, they all knew what Cynthia was up to. She was going to look for Steven!

The following day, Cynthia's mind was only fixed on Astrid for the entire train trip from Lumiose to Cyllage City. The train took her some time, but at least it was a high-speed train. Her other thoughts on the remainder of the trip, as the train neared the station, were fixated on business. For the many times she had reminded herself, Steven had promised to help settle her debts.

But that was only one part of her visit. How was she going to speak to him when she arrived? She knew Steven had openly invited Astrid to drop by Cyllage City any time. So that meant that Astrid could be even arriving today. If that was the case, and Astrid beat Cynthia to him, what was she going to say? No, no, Cynthia had to be optimistic and hope that Astrid wasn't here.

She picked up her bag from her seat and proceeded to the gate after getting off the train. Within five minutes, Cynthia was back in the familiar surroundings of Cyllage City. How was she supposed to find Steven now? She didn't know where he lived here, although she knew from media reports that he stayed at a villa of some sort. Today was Friday, so he had to be working, and busy as usual.

But Cynthia also considered that she would be easily spotted in public too. She thought of that before leaving on the train. So for that reason, and very reluctantly, Cynthia once again donned a sunhat, cardigan, and a pair of sunglasses. Her long platinum blonde hair was tied back into a very long ponytail to complete her disguise.

She was Cindy again.

Cynthia had no other choice. It was the only way to not get noticed in public while she could travel discreetly at the same time. This disguise as Cindy had somehow miraculously worked against almost anyone and had fooled Steven of all people for the longest time. Cynthia never thought she would be dressing up like this once more, as if she hadn't done so many times already!

Feeling the need for company, she also had Roserade walk alongside her. Roserade was naturally shorter than her, but made a good companion nonetheless.

"Que dois-je faire?" Cynthia bemoaned to Roserade.

Roserade shrugged, but she understood Cynthia's feelings well. Why, Cynthia's entire team knew about it. Lucario, Garchomp, Togekiss, and Milotic knew. Not to mention Spiritomb. Cynthia was troubled indeed. Roserade ended up holding Cynthia's hand just to keep her company.

"Rooooose," Roserade muttered. "Roserade!" Sometimes Cynthia wondered how Roserade was able to make speech like that, but the emotions were there. Like the rest of the Pokémon team, Roserade insisted that Cynthia simply go to find Steven. It wasn't that hard.

What Cynthia hadn't told her Pokémon was the alleged and unproven love triangle she was entangled in. She had confessed to Steven, right? And Steven did the same, right? He blatantly confessed his feelings for her and even bought back Vue sur la Lune at a high price along with it. So what was more to be said or done?

In Cynthia's view, there was Astrid to deal with. No way was she going to lose to a purple-wearing teenager who had platinum blonde hair like hers.

The two of them eventually walked on the street that led to the waterfront, where the two restaurants were also part of. There was a cool breeze in the air that made walking on the waterfront quite comforting, and it made looking at the Cyllage City waterfront enjoyable all the same. Cynthia could also see Plaza Median and the Stone Restaurant and Bistro.

Now it was time to think strategy and how to approach Steven. She wouldn't dare go through the front and risk being noticed by the public. If Wallace was in the area, then all would be lost.

Instead, Cynthia went to the Stone Bistro's museum and hoped it would be quiet. With enough luck, she might run into him there or at least have one of the staff call for him. That seemed more subtle and innocent enough. So that was what she did, but as she walked toward the museum, she couldn't help but glance at her former workplace: Vue sur la Lune. Even though she had practically stopped working there for almost three weeks, she couldn't shake off the nostalgia she felt of this place. In all honesty, Cynthia had spent countless hours and planning to build and operate that restaurant, and only for Steven to take it apart from the day she arrived here.

And in an unexpected twist, Steven took the heavy burden to give it back to her. Cynthia shuddered to think how much he had to pay for it. Now it felt like Cynthia was back to where she started. The restaurant seemed to operate as normal, but now that it was under Steven's ownership, she didn't know what to make of it now. Le Café Sinnoh was also operating too, and Cynthia could imagine Henri Matin working to prepare fresh brews and snacks for guests. What about the ice cream? Was the ice cream surviving too? Or the chocolatier? Cynthia wondered how those were holding up.

In all of that thinking, Cynthia felt a small longing to visit Vue sur la Lune. Those thoughts in her head was her legacy, and she didn't want to let it go yet. Sighing, Cynthia pushed those thoughts aside and went across the street to the Stone Bistro instead. She had to focus on one thing at a time first, and that was to deal with the issue of Steven and Astrid…

Just the thought of Astrid, with that purple attire of hers and that bright sunshine-like face of hers, made Cynthia's blood boil.

Walking in her disguise and beneath her sunhat and sunglasses, Cynthia walked into the Stone Bistro's museum and hoped that Steven would be there.

I must find the truth! Cynthia thought to herself. If there was anything she had to find, it was Steven's feelings. If his feelings for her were false, then that may as well be the greatest betrayal of her life for all-time. And for a teenager, of all people! Steven certainly would have issues if that was the case. Non, Cynthia also had to make an impression too. Not like she was going insane, or something, or that she was jealous.

No way. Jealousy? Was that it?

"Excusez-moi? Vous avez besoin d'aide?" someone asked.

Cynthia looked to her side immediately, as if startled. She quickly regained her composure and replied to the employee, "Non, I am just looking for someone. Is Steven here?"

"No idea," the employee replied. "You could always try asking the desk."

And that was what happened, with Cynthia going to the restaurant's lobby and found the usual receptionists there: Laurent and Sophie. They apparently did not recognise Cynthia when she approached them, so the disguise still had its effects.

"Salut," Laurent greeted.

"Hello," Sophie added. "Can I help you?"

Responding in the timid manner that was Cindy's (frankly, Cynthia had never dreamed that she would be doing this again), Cynthia said, "I'm looking for… I'm looking for Steven. Is he here?"

"He just left a few minutes ago," Sophie replied. "He took the day off today. May I ask who you are? We can tell him you dropped by."

"Oh no, it's okay," Cynthia replied, although there was some disappointment in her voice. "I'll come by another day."

And then she left the restaurant, leaving behind confused looks on Sophie and Laurent. By the time she had exited, Cynthia stood outside where she was for a few minutes. What could she do now? Call him? No, she wouldn't do that. She had to find him in person. Otherwise, she could always head back to her private villa in the outskirts of Cyllage City. It was a funny turn of events, that even though her restaurant had sold for a high price, her villa hadn't fared better. She could have sold the villa to cover her debts, but she hadn't invested the time to put this villa on the market.

She hadn't been there for a while, so she could maybe clean it up. But then again, she wasn't motivated to do so either. All Cynthia wanted to do was find him.

When she walked out, she saw him. He was just walking across the street with two bags of groceries in his hands. Despite the distance, Cynthia could see he had brightened eyes and wore a mild smile. Was he that happy? And that was when he turned his head in her direction and stopped short.

A bewildered expression took over his face.

"Impossible…" he whispered.

Cynthia then quickly walked across the street to face him. "Need a hand?" she asked.

Speechless, Steven merely nodded, so he let Cindy – or rather, Cynthia – take one of the paper bags and then they walked together. From the looks of things, Cynthia guessed that Steven was heading home. Despite the silence, Cynthia was amused. She supposed her being here, as Cindy no less, must have been a shock for Steven. He looked dazed, dumbfounded, and his mind was probably a mess.

They walked together in silence. By the time they arrived at Steven's villa in the north of Cyllage City, Steven placed his bag on the ground and unlocked the door.

He turned his face to her. "Would you like to stay a while? Some tea, maybe?" he offered, as he was about to head in.

"Sure."

Steven's villa was quite spacious. In Cynthia's view, this villa strongly resembled one she had visited once in Sinnoh. It was generally a single-floor villa, but the inside still displayed an incredible amount of luxury. A chandelier welcomed Cynthia in, where Cynthia also saw a big table with a glass top and two large leather sofas surrounding the table. There were also houseplants, a desk and PC, a TV, as well as a statue. Arranged on a glass case at another end of the walls was a display of stones. Steven's personal collection, maybe? Or perhaps his prized recent finds? Either way, all the furniture here looked expensive. Cynthia wondered what sort of kitchen he had.

But instead Cynthia went ahead to remove her disguise. She removed her sunhat and sunglasses, and undid her ponytail. Now she was back to being normal Cynthia again. She wondered what she could do now that she was here. What was there to be said? Astrid. Who else? At least, that was how she viewed it. If that was the truth, then that may as well be the end. Minutes later, Steven brought a pot of tea, some cups, and that box of sweets that Cynthia gave him as a parting gift. She raised her eyebrows, wondering what that was about.

"I was thinking we could talk over these too." Steven also handed Cynthia a teaspoon, which she took. "Your tarts were delicious. I had a few of them, so… thank you for the box." He went ahead to pour some tea, which were made from Rawst berry leaves. They were quite bitter, but Cynthia reckoned that the sweetness of her sweets would make up for that.

When Steven opened the box, Cynthia saw that half the box had already been finished. And to think she had made him plenty of sweets! She reckoned Steven must have enjoyed it very much, otherwise she guessed that he had been sharing them.

"These cheesecake tarts are delicious, but I had to show restraint," Steven said. He offered one to Cynthia, who took it gratefully and began to eat. Meanwhile, Steven sipped his tea. "Also," he added, "what brings you to Cyllage City? I thought you were busy! Did you miss me that much?"

Cynthia sipped her tea quietly and continued eating her tart.

"I… I did want to see you."

"But you could have just called." Steven blinked.

"How is Diantha?"

Steven raised his eyes. Was that what she wanted to talk about? "She's doing okay, but there was enough coconut in your biscuits that it was enough to knock her out. I've been to see her, and she's doing okay now."

"That's… good to hear…" Cynthia replied quietly.

Steven sighed. He wondered what he could talk about with Cynthia now that she was here.

"If there was something to talk about, you could have done that over the phone. Is it that serious enough that you had to look for me?" he asked.

"Yes."

"That serious, eh?"

"Oui."

"How bad?"

"Really bad."

"What's the problem?"

"You! You are a problem!"

Steven looked at Cynthia's eyes more directly. He was a problem? What sort of nonsense was she speaking of? To think he had just cleared up the mess between himself and her, and now there was another problem?

"I mean," Cynthia quickly added. "W-we don't spend enough time together. That's all!"

"Have some more tea, Cynthia."

The sound of fresh tea filling her cup only made her embarrassed. It was almost like he had just ignored what she said, or otherwise he was mocking her by pouring her more tea. Was he playing around with her? But even after Steven had done that, he picked up his cheesecake tart and began to eat more of it. He took small bites, as if savouring every part of it like a treasure. Well, at least he liked the tart, Cynthia thought.

"What sort of problem am I?" Steven asked. Unless she imagined it, Cynthia could have sworn she saw the slightest flash of a smile on Steven's lips. He even kept eating the tart casually! "If I am a problem, then why did you bother coming here? You even came to my doorstep."

"No! I mean, you have issues, you know?!" Cynthia said. "I may have debts, but that is nothing compared to you! I mean, you are a problem because we don't spend enough time together!"

"I'm not following you, Cynthia. If it's that bad, we could always take a walk outside. Would you like that?" Steven offered.

"That's not the problem here!" Cynthia threw her hands up, her voice getting desperate. "The problem is that you're not spending enough time with me, that you don't want to! And instead, you're spending it with others! And your restaurant!"

Steven couldn't help being amused. Cynthia was flustered, that was for certain, but he was just as confused. What was Cynthia going on about?

"We're talking now, but now that you mentioned your debts…" he said. "Here's what I'm thinking. I'm still offering you to control your old restaurant again, under the same name. The difference is that we'll be partners in this, and we'll work together."

That brought back fond memories of their breakfast at Café Pokémon-Amie for Cynthia.

Cynthia calmed down and seemed touched by his proposal. "You did give me the rights to use that restaurant again," she agreed. "That's more than enough for me, but I'll need some time to get used to things again."

"Just let me know, Cynthia. Whenever you say the word. The place will always be open for y-"

But before he could say any more, he was interrupted by his phone's vibrating buzz, so he answered the call immediately.

"Bonjour. Ah, salut, Astrid…"

That name.

That name caused Cynthia's blood to boil and her heartbeat quicken.

"You really want that battle, don't you?" Steven added. "Don't tell me you're in Cyllage City already! But I've got my hands full… Oh, I see. You're serious?"

Cynthia had enough of that. She pointed at Steven accusingly first, which got his attention, and seconds later screamed, "Steven Stone! I'm warning you!" She pointed at Steven's face and her own eyes full of such ferocity that Steven felt a whiff of fear. "If you say one more word in front of me into that phone of yours, I'll beat you to a pulp! I'll have you thrown out! I'll make you Cyllage City's public enemy! You will be safe from no one when I'm through with you! A Flamethrower from Garchomp will burn you to a crisp and will be just the start!"

And then she pushed Steven outside and locked the door. Steven immediately banged the door with his fist.

"Let me back in! This is my home! Quelle femme!" he shouted. "You are a problem! Not me!"

"Are you okay, Steven?" Astrid said.

His thoughts went to his groceries. Great. He had just bought them intending to make dinner, and now Cynthia was in control of his home, and most likely the kitchen. When he just said his home was always open for her, he didn't mean it this way.

"I'm fine, Astrid. Just fine… I just locked myself outside…" Steven replied.

Review, and have another cheesecake tart!