Woohoo! A new record! I'm uploading this chapter just SEVEN days after the last one! (02-25-20 to 03-03-20). Plus, Culinary Rivals has surpassed 300,000 words; with 328 reviews, and 47,840 views as of this upload. Plus, my birthday is coming up this month.
Thanks in part to my classmates in 484 who are interested in this story again, and the support from you readers!
DaX0315: remember that review you made back in Chapter 29? And suggesting Lusamine? The Lumiose cook-off and Astrid are the results of that.
darkwolf0909: I have to admit, I didn't expect Astrid's character to be this adorable either, but I also didn't count on having her become so... close to Steven. And yes, I was aware of Steven and Cynthia's original ship name in the early days of my fanfiction writing. That was about ten years ago! Also, your Chapter 58 review may soon become a reality.
Ou7X: just watch this!
For you three, and the two honoured Guests, enjoy some berry cream chocolates! Spelon and Kelpsy, as it happens.
Now here's the Astrid v. Cynthia epic(!)
Chapter seventy-eight: Astrid v. Cynthia
By the time Martine had finished with her shopping, she met up with Sophie and Laurent again, who were being stalked by Wallace, Lisia, and a reluctant Winona. With smiles, Martine happily pointed that out to the two and the two sighed together. After that, Martine carried her paper bag of groceries and walked alongside the two of them.
"You know… I think Wallace just wants to help any couple he sees," she remarked. "It helps that he'll do anything to bring them together, if he knows them personally."
"I disagree!" Sophie said. "He just wants to find a couple to be his victims and then he can feel good about 'helping' them, which he hasn't! Do you know how many times he made me cry?"
"But that's only because you have actual feelings," Laurent said. "You have to admit, he does make a good job and squeezing confessions out of people. Particularly you, Sophie. Anyway, that's not important. What about Steven?"
Raising that question brought silence amongst the three. As the three of them walked along the waterfront, they wondered what Steven would do now. It felt like things were going okay between him and Cynthia, so why did it feel… empty? They continued talking about the events in Lumiose and what had happened between Steven and Cynthia before everyone left for home. And then they chatted about the love triangle Steven had caught himself in.
That said, neither Laurent nor Sophie really knew who the third person was. All they knew from the conversation at breakfast was that she was Steven's student.
"I'm pretty sure you have seen her before…" Martine said. "That girl we're talking about is Astrid."
That name rang bells in Sophie's head.
How could she not forget that day? It was day after the Stone Restaurant and Bistro had to close for repairs, because of issues with the utilities, and they saw Steven and Astrid walking together. Now that she thought of it, she had this conversation with Laurent and Martine before too. But the business with the cook-off and all that time spent in Lumiose had completely wiped the idea of Astrid off of their minds. Only Martine could remember so clearly, probably because she cared more for Steven's love life the most. Maybe even more than Wallace.
"Oh right. That girl," Sophie said. "We talked about her during the cook-off!"
"Yes we did," Martine affirmed.
Laurent seemed to remember something too. "Right. We talked about manga, didn't we, Sophie? Now that I think of it, this does seem like a manga, eh? Love works in mysterious ways… But there's no way that his mentor-pupil relationship is that close, eh?"
That question left more questions in their heads than answers, so they kept quiet and continued walking together. As they did, Martine offered to share a bag of butterfly-shaped palmier biscuits with the two, who each took a piece. Faced with a world of uncertainty that didn't involve them in the slightest, they could only hope things turned out okay for their boss. They ate silently.
A rumbling could be heard in the air as they came closer to their workplace.
"What was that?" Sophie said.
"That came from Plaza Median," Laurent said. "Hey, did you know that place is becoming popular as a battleground? One would think it helps both the bakery and the coffee shop across the street thrive."
They went to investigate what was going on. Just a few paces behind them, Wallace, Winona, and Lisia quietly followed them towards the plaza.
"It's only a matter of time before Steven has to face his feelings! Again." Wallace said excitedly. "What do you think, Lisia?"
"It will be a good fight! Think of it. It's like two rivals fighting over the same prize," Lisia said.
It appeared that Lisia's remark may as well be vindicated, because as they walked closer to the plaza they could see two Pokémon fighting. There was a Togekiss and an Absol. But given how furious the battle was, and how it could even be felt in the air around them, everyone kept their distance. As it happened, though, Steven was much closer than that.
Astrid was having the time of her life. Not only was she battling Cynthia again, since Steven had told her earlier that Cindy was Cynthia, but that both former Champions were watching her battle! What more could she ask for?
"Evade!" Astrid commanded. "Then use Psycho Cut!"
Absol nodded and with swift speed that could rival Togekiss jumped into the air and dealt the flying-type a direct hit. Steven watched Absol carefully, looking for any flaws in Astrid's battle technique at the same time. Even though he had only met with Astrid for a view times to help her train, he could tell that Astrid had been training lots. Her technique had improved.
"Keep that up, Astrid," he said. "At this rate, you'll be competitive enough to take on the League."
"You bet!" Astrid said cheerfully. "Dark Pulse!"
Cynthia, standing opposite Astrid, kept her mind cool. Now was not the time to be distracted by Steven or Astrid. She had to win this battle. First, to preserve her reputation as a former Champion, but also secondly to prove herself to Steven what she was worth. Steven had to notice her now! And if she lost, she wondered if that meant he would spend more time with Astrid.
Actually, the way Cynthia saw either, Steven was bound to spend more time with Astrid anyway! It was a lose-lose situation for her and Cynthia felt like her love life was going to slip away just like that. In one battle, she would lose it all –
"Water Pulse," she said coldly.
Togekiss immediately fired the water attack in an effort to repel the Dark Pulse that was incoming. Absol was fast, but Cynthia doubted that Absol could match Togekiss' speed. The Water Pulse did create a rupture in the Dark Pulse which allowed Togekiss some cover. That meant Togekiss could dive straight in to take advantage of the opportunity created and use an Air Slash.
Absol was sent flying back, who looked exhausted.
"We're not done yet!" Astrid said, excited. She beamed at Steven's direction (which Cynthia obviously noticed). "Now you'll finally get to see this being used!" That said, she touched the Mega Stone she wore as an earring, and then the stone started to flash brightly. Absol too was beginning to shine brightly and changed form.
By then, Absol had mega-evolved.
Cynthia wore a brief expression of shock.
Absol can Mega Evolve too? Cynthia thought. If only I had used Lucario instead! Or Garchomp!
Cynthia had no doubt that now, Togekiss had a speed disadvantage. In that case, it was time for a change in tactics. But for once, Cynthia started to feel the fear of losing. In her opinion, this was entirely unexpected and there was no contingency plan to make up for this.
While Togekiss was doing his best to avoid the onslaught and fury of attacks that Absol was now unleashing, Cynthia was frozen in place. She needed to think of a backup plan, quick.
Her love life, at least in Cynthia's eyes, depended on it. No way. No way was she going to lose to this teenager who was stealing Steven's heart! It should have been easy. She was the former Sinnoh Champion, and Astrid was merely someone who had never won the Pokémon League! Although… Cynthia nearly forgot that Astrid had advanced past the quarterfinal. Now that she had trained under Steven… perhaps Astrid was unstoppable.
"Uh… Aura Sphere! Again!" Cynthia ordered. There was no other way, unless she had Thunder Wave on Togekiss which might have made her life easier. But she had gotten rid of Thunder Wave some time ago, hoping that Togekiss was now fast enough to manage on his own. Clearly, Cynthia was wrong.
Togekiss fired the ball of aura and it made direct contact with Absol.
But Absol, thanks to its mega-evolved form, seemed to retain enough endurance to take the hit anyway. To Cynthia's horror, Absol was lunging directly at Togekiss with amazing speed!
"Shadow Claw!" Astrid said, cheerful as always. She looked optimistic, even.
Absol's attack had sent Togekiss crumbling to the ground below, knocking him out. When that happened, Absol changed back to non-mega form, and then it took a moment before a wave of realisation appeared on Astrid's face.
"I… won? I won!" she cheered. "Well played, Cynthia!" But Cynthia stayed silent, with shock still on her face. "Aw, come on, Cynthia! I know you're a retired Champion, but you don't have to take a battle so personally." Astrid also extended her arm to shake Cynthia's hand, which Cynthia accepted but without a firm grip.
Then Astrid looked at Steven immediately. She was clearly excited. "Did you see that?! That was so cool! I'm definitely getting stronger and have gotten stronger!"
To Cynthia's surprise, Astrid then ran over to Steven, pulled him up from his seat, and then wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug. Astrid, unsurprisingly, was all smiles, whereas a scowl only appeared on Cynthia's face. Astrid was even burying her head into Steven's neck.
"Ack! Astrid! You're… You're choking me…" Steven coughed.
Cynthia's blood was boiling, and she could heart her own heartbeat from both her ears and her heart. Why, even her ears were starting to turn red. Her eyes were beginning to flare up with rage.
If I had Garchomp with me right now, I would have set you ablaze! That was the sort of thinking Cynthia had. If Togekiss hadn't been knocked out, she would have gladly commanded him to launch an Aura Sphere right at Steven's head. If there was anything she could do to keep them separated…
Meanwhile, Astrid was happily chatting away with Steven. She asked him for many things. From his opinion of the battle to things she could improve on. Then she switched to the topic of the Pokémon League which took some time.
"Cynthia? You look like you're out for blood."
His voice broke her thoughts. Cynthia's eyes snapped back to reality. Astrid had finally let go of Steven but still chose to hug his arm in the meantime. Steven, on the other hand, was embarrassed and didn't know what to do. At most, he made the ludicrous comment (in Cynthia's opinion) that Cynthia was out for blood.
"I am NOT out for blood!" Cynthia pointed at Steven accusingly. "Alright, Steven! Tell me! What is it between you and her?!"
"Who's 'her'?" Astrid asked, quite innocently as she looked from Cynthia's glaring eyes to Steven's confused ones. "Steven! Is there another girl besides Cynthia who has caught your eye? That can't be true, right? Apart from Cindy that is, but did you fall for Cindy? Because she's right here."
All eyes were on Steven.
Steven looked at Cynthia. "Between me and her…? Cynthia! I told you! There's nothing between us! It's just a close student-mentor relationship! Nothing closer!" His face started going pink. "I'm serious! Do you not understand?!"
Astrid then let go of Steven and then went to face Cynthia. "He's a great mentor too! Say, why don't you and Steven help train me together? That's a good excuse for you two to spend some time together, right?"
At least in Cynthia's opinion, Astrid looked unusually hopeful. There were stars in Astrid's eyes when she asked, which left Cynthia speechless. But despite Astrid's optimism, Cynthia, for once, was afraid. There were things she wanted to ask, but certainly not in front of Steven.
If this was the truth, Cynthia had her perceptions dead wrong.
"But… But how many times have you two spent together…?" Cynthia asked slowly. "I mean, is there anything going on between you two?"
She was expecting an answer, but what Steven said was also unexpected.
"Cynthia… You're not jealous of how much time Astrid spends with me, are you?" he said. Great. Why did he have to say it bluntly like that? But it seemed pretty close to the truth. "Come now, she insisted that I train her. But she is an excellent student." At that remark, Steven and Cynthia noticed Astrid's face had brightened.
"Aw…! Merci beaucoup, Steven!" Astrid said. "No wonder you're the best mentor anyone could ask for! Can you and Cynthia train me together sometime? S'il-vous plaît?"
Cynthia stared. Was Astrid serious…? Was there really nothing between them? Astrid appeared honest enough and Steven had repeatedly insisted there was nothing going on. The evidence was clearly against Cynthia, but the perception was still there.
"Um, sure…" Cynthia replied.
"And besides," Astrid added, "we may have a close bond, but you should take time to develop yours, Cynthia! You and Steven are perfect for each other; and perfect for me too. You can both train me! Right?"
With that said, Astrid quickly waved "À bientôt" to them and went on her way to the Pokémon Centre to have her Absol healed. Now that Cynthia and Steven were alone, Steven's face quickly turned into a frown. Meanwhile, Cynthia remained speechless.
"Cynthia! What were you thinking?!" he scolded. "I told you before! There's absolutely nothing between us! If anything, you're becoming delusional!"
Cynthia kept her eyes to the ground.
"Cynthia! Answer me!"
But Cynthia answered instead by opening the box of chocolates and randomly picked one out. She unwrapped the chocolate and popped it in her mouth, and then chewed furiously. It tasted of sea salt. After she had eaten that piece, she reached for another one, which was of blackcurrant flavour. Steven, seeing that he was getting nowhere with this conversation, looked away from Cynthia.
And what a better sight to see than a group of familiar faces walking toward him? Thankfully not the media, but Martine, Sophie, Laurent, and Wallace.
"Some battle you did there, Cynthia!" Wallace said. "Looks like your skills have rusted away! Well played!"
Winona, standing beside Wallace, punched his face. "That's no way to speak to her!" Winona said.
"Well, what I meant was that Cynthia still has some skill left over in her, right?" Wallace said. "But there are more pressing concerns than that!"
Sophie then pulled Steven closer to the group. "Monsieur Stone! So that was Astrid, eh? I admit, she is adorable, but if you want to make life easier for yourself, you and Cynthia should go on more dates! Spend some more time together!"
Wallace and Lisia nodded approvingly and made 'mm-hmm' sounds of approval. They completely agreed with what Sophie was saying.
Lisia added, "Come now. You know your sixth chapter of your love story is on the line here. What did I call it? "Sparks Fly! My One True Love!" Yes, that was the one."
"Oh, was that what was that nonsense was about?" Cynthia looked at Steven.
Steven swallowed. He was afraid Cynthia would remember that brief episode where Lisia had snuck a note into their hotel room of similar nature. That was like two chapters ago ('Gosh', Steven thought. Now he was really thinking he was a character in some kind of fanfiction). Now that practically everyone was around him, he gave in.
"Something like that," he replied.
"You have to learn from Sophie's example, Steven!" Wallace said suddenly, clamping his hand on Steven's back. "You probably know how many dates she and Laurent have been on. Now, you should probably ask Laurent for love advice at this point!"
Laurent started to blush. After that, Wallace turned his attention to Cynthia's chocolates.
"Chocolate? Chocolate! CHOCOLATE!" Wallace screamed.
He reached for the chocolates but then was knocked out cold by Winona, who Steven suspected must have had fists of steel at this point.
"I'll take this loser home," Winona said nonchalantly. "He has a point though, Steven. If you want your relationship to stay strong, you two should go out more often."
Steven scratched his head. "I… I see."
Winona then picked up Wallace's limp body and motioned for Lisia to follow her. However, Martine and the receptionists still stuck around. Still smiling, Martine said, "You know boss, I think Astrid is cute. She has no fear in going right to you and hugging you like that. If only Cynthia was that daring!"
Cynthia shook her head, shuddering at the thought. Martine had a point, though. Unlike Astrid, Cynthia wasn't keen on taking the initiative to do such actions. Save for that one and only one time when she kissed Steven. But that was a different story.
"But you two kissed, at least! That's more than enough," Martine added.
"Martine!" Steven glared at the redhead, his cheeks becoming as red as the redhead's hair. "Don't say things you don't know!"
He was extremely fortunate that Lisia had just walked away. But the fact that Laurent and Sophie were still in their midst only made it worse, in Steven's opinion. Now there was no escaping the receptionists. Their curiosity had been whetted.
"About time, Monsieur Stone," Laurent remarked. "Don't deny it."
"Aw… What was it like?" Sophie said. "I think Viola did mention about that once. So it was true!"
If only Wallace was still conscious, because he would have died laughing had he seen what Cynthia and Steven looked like right now. That is, they were side-by-side with bright red faces and staring away from each other as long as they could. But they wouldn't even stay from each other! So there was no point denying it, right? Nevertheless, Martine, Sophie, and Laurent looked more pleased than anything.
"Where did you kiss?" Sophie added.
"Now, now, Sophie. You can ask him that another time," Martine grinned. "I should be asking you: where did you and Laurent kiss?"
Sophie's face blanked and then started to become as red as Martine's hair.
Cynthia, finally having had enough of this nonsense, said, "Um… I'm going to head home. I'll see you all later."
"I'll walk with you, if you don't mind," Steven said. Cynthia merely nodded, so Steven followed her towards the villa. When they watched the two chefs walk together, Martine and Laurent smiled. It looked official that Steven and Cynthia were in a genuine relationship, it seemed. Sophie, however, was too busy wiping away tears to care.
The way Astrid hugged Steven after the battle gets me smiling. Now, how about a review and some palmier biscuits to go with this chapter?