The aurora shined in the kitchen. The elegant colors brightened up all of the cookware in the kitchen. Éclair grabbed a spoon from the counter and scooped out a bit of the soup. Putting the spoon to her lips, she swallowed the marvelous broth and smiled, "This is actually it. This is the Century Soup!" She looked at her reflection in the spoon and laughed, "Oh my! I hope my face didn't look like this back in Ice Hell hahaha!" She put the spoon down and hugged the little penguin in front of her, "Cotton Candy Poof Ball, thank you so much. Without you, there would be no Century Soup." She pulled out her phone, "And now, I've got people to call. Let's tell them that the soup is on!"
The blond girl was backed into a corner as she was bombarded with questions from the media. She bundled up her white dress as she tried to squeeze through. "No questions right now please. I can't understand anyone. I can't hear anything! You're all talking at the same time!" One man made a clear path through the crowd, "Excuse me, I have come here for an exclusive tasting." Éclair looked at the man and before she could say anything, her superior quickly ran over. "Can I get you anything Mr. Patch Sir? Éclair, get this man a bowl right away." She shook her head, "I apologize if this comes off rude, but I can't. There are other people that I promised the soup to first." The man frowned, "Oh yeah, and who is more important than me?" "Éclair!" The girl turned looked past the man as she heard Toriko yell her name. She ran to the man at full force and jumped into his arms. "I'm so glad you have your arm back! I missed you so much Toriko, it's been far too long!" She felt an arm tug on hers a bit. The blond girl looked down to see Rin's upset face, "I'll let you pass this time, but only because you made the Century Soup." Éclair pointed over, "Hey, the lady killer is here!" Coco pouted a bit, "I suppose that nickname is going to stick, isn't it?"
The girl jumped down and Toriko pet her head, "You're wearing a dress? You must be taking this special occasion very seriously." "Yes she is. I haven't seen nee-chan wear a dress in a lion's age." Everyone turned around to see the green haired beauty Vanilla. The woman shrugged, "I can't believe you weren't going to invite me to this. Can you believe it? Her own baby sister." Éclair scoffed, "Please stop being embarrassing." The girl looked back to Match, "I want you to know that I made enough soup for the kids in Nerg City. It's ready and waiting to be eaten." Granny Setsu laughed, "Such a passionate young woman you're becoming." Éclair stood proudly, "Becoming? Passionate is my middle name." Toriko was going to ruffle the girl's hair as usual but stopped short as he saw her hair was actually done for once. It was combed back and neat. "Actually, your middle name is Bleu Fire. ~Hey, I don't wanna be rude but, can we eat the soup already." She nodded, "Yes, I think that would be best."
Éclair rolled out the Century Soup and placed the dishes in front of everyone. "Enjoy the soup everyone, I know you'll like it." She stood facing away from the table. Before anyone lifted their tops, Toriko questioned the girl, "Why are you facing away from everyone Éclair? Don't you want to see our reactions?" She shook her head, "No. There's so much pressure. I know that it's the real deal, but I can't bear to look at everyone's face as they taste my recreation." He shrugged, "Alright." Off with the tops and a bright aurora illuminated. She could see the reflection of the light on her hands. The sound of the spoon entering the soup could be heard like a sweet melody. The blond girl couldn't help but cry. Real tears rolled down her cheeks that she didn't want anyone to see. They began to eat the soup and fawn over it. The feeling was greater than anything in life. She knew the soup was amazing, but hearing people talk about it made her feel reassured.
She wiped away her tears and took a glance back. There wasn't a frown or even smirk in sight. There was nothing but happily overjoyed faces. They were hideous and beautiful at the same time. Éclair laughed, "You guys, your faces are so funny." Toriko laughed at the girl, "This is what you looked like back in Ice Hell." She covered her eyes, "You mean my face was that ugly in front of everyone?" Éclair moved her hands from her eyes to over her mouth as she pointed at Vanilla, "Look at the beauty queen, her face looks so silly!" Vanilla slurped the soup, "Haha, this face doesn't leave the table." The blond girl looked back at Toriko and his smile was enough to brighten up the entire room. He looked at the girl, "Éclair, I have a question. May I have this soup on my full course menu?"
The girl backed up and turned around again. She tried so hard to hold back her tears. The last thing she wanted to do was cry. She nodded her head as she felt two hands on her shoulders. She looked up and saw Toriko standing before her. She hid her face, "I don't want you to see it." "See what?" She shook her head, "I don't want you to see me cry." He moved her hands away from her face and the tears uncontrollably fell. Small streams lined her cheeks and Toriko smiled, "Isn't that a sight to behold. It makes me want the soup even more just knowing how it makes you feel." She was going to wipe away her tear, but Toriko stopped her from masking her emotions. He grabbed her hand, "Don't hide your tears, it just shows your passion. You are Éclair Passionate Reinbou, right? So what do you say? May I have it as my Soup dish?" She hugged the man tightly, "Yes, I would love that."
The tiny Wall Penguin ran to the girl. "Cotton Candy Poof Ball!" Toriko laughed, "Really? That's the name you settled on?" She nodded, "Yeah, it's cute isn't it?" Setsuno laughed, "Ahh, th little Wall Penguin, so he was the key." Éclair agreed, "Yup, I won't get into specifics, but he was mommy's little helper." She kissed the little one, "Thanks again Poof Ball." She sighed, "Too bad the Century Soup made me flat broke." Teppei turned to the girl, "You don't have to be. If you sell the patent recipe, you can have more cash in your wallet." The blond girl shook her head, "No, I don't think that's an option. I don't want Wall Penguin's to be hunted for the sake of the recipe. Not only that, it's on Toriko's full course menu. I want it to be private." She looked around, "I just realized that Sunny isn't here. What he didn't want to support me." Toriko rolled his eyes, "Trust me, that's not it. You never got a chance to visit Life Éclair. What do you say we go pay him a visit tomorrow." She smiled, "Yeah! But for now, let's eat!"
Toriko sat across from the girl in the speeding train. Éclair looked at the man, "Toriko, I want to thank you. I just feel like I learned so much from you in the time that I've known you. I don't wanna get all sentimental or anything so I'll stop at that." She folded her arms and looked out the window with lightly blushed cheeks. Toriko laughed, "Aww, you are a softy aren't you. Did I bring down the walls of your hard exterior?" She threw her backpack at the man, "Ew Toriko, you're making this weird! When are we gonna be in Life?" The man looked out of the window. "Looks like we're coming up on it right now actually."
Éclair jumped out of the train "The healing country is so gorgeous. It's a girl's dream. The skin care products here are to die for!" Toriko looked at the girl, "Humph, your sister was probably right about you. You probably used to be a little prissy princess." She stuck her tongue out, "Let's not relive my adolescent days." He opened the container of the Century Soup and force fed a spoonful in to the girl's mouth, "You need to smile more." The corners of her mouth began to uncontrollably curl upward. "Hahaha, Toriko you eat some too." She put some of the soup into his mouth and the man smiled as well. Éclair clapped her hands together, "I want more!" "Me too! Save some for me."
The two reached the top of Yosaku's place and busted through the door with nothing but smiles. Éclair waved, "Hello Sunny." The man pointed in disgust, "What is wrong with your faces! You two look awful." Toriko and Éclair looked at one another and the blonde girl chuckled. "All things considered, I think we look pretty damn good. Now have some soup." The powerful Yosaku pointed, "Is this the little tyke that slapped Teppei? You don't look like you could hurt a fly little missy." She put up a pretentious fist, "I slapped him on accident. But I don't even know you, you can't talk about me like that. Now I'm not giving you any Century Soup." He ran over to the soup and took some no matter what she said. Éclair pointed at the man, "Oh my, you look so silly sir. We all look silly hahaha!" Sunny rolled his eyes, "The only thing that is beautiful in this room is the aurora." The blond girl's face suddenly went serious, "So you mean to tell me I am not beautiful, how rude." Toriko headed toward the door, "Hey, I just came here to drop off the soup. I have to get going. It's been a while since I've seen Ob and Terry." Éclair smiled, "Tell them I said hi. I'm going to take a mini vacation here in Life." Once Toriko left, Éclair stretched, "Looks like I have a date with some doctor fish. Those adventures have been hard on this gal's feet."
The girl made her way into the pool of doctor fish and they immediately swam to her feet and her stomach where her stitches used to be. She closed her eyes, "This is so relaxing." "If you want wonders worked on your skin, let me show you the way." Éclair shook her head, "No thanks Sunny. You've called me ugly one too many times tonight." She frowned as she shivered from the cold air, "And I am being carried. The least you could have done was lift me with your sensors. You just picking me up puts my strength into perspective and I don't like feeling weak." She folded her arms, "I don't know if I appreciate you touching my half naked body." He looked at the girl in his arms, "I don't see you leaving." She looked away from him, "Well my feet hurt. Where are you taking me anyway?" "A sauna." He set her down at the entrance of the large wooden box of a sauna. She opened the door and a large gust of hot mist hit her face. "Good call Sunny. I'm going to burn." She sat down and cleansed her skin of impurities. "I'm sleepy Sunny. I'm gonna take a nap under that tree outside." The man rolled his eyes, "First time I ever heard someone get sleepy from a sauna, but fine. I suppose you can finish cleansing your skin later." She took a seat with her back against the tree and closed her eyes.
It felt like her nap only lasted all of 5 minutes as she was woken up by the sound of loud talking. Her eyes opened and she saw Rin and Mansom. She looked down and saw herself still in her blue one piece. She was being carried by Sunny to who knows where. "Where are you taking me and why am I still half naked?" "Toriko gave everyone a ring. He told us to meet him at his newly remodeled house." She looked around, "Where's my stuff? Did you leave it in Life?" He shook his head, "Don't worry Muffin, I'm way ahead of you." She hopped out of his arms and pointed "Hey Mansom, it's been a while." "Aww, you just called me handsome." She exhaled forcefully, "And I see why." She took her canister of Century Soup and looked for her backpack. "Really Sunny? You brought the soup but failed to bring my clothes? Thanks a lot." Up walked Tom, "Hey Éclair, I haven't seen you in a while. You headed to Toriko's." She nodded, "Apparently so."
They walked over the last hill and before them stood the large house made of sweets. Éclair ran toward the house, "Wow, this house is remarkable." Her eyes were moved from the house to the man standing next to Toriko. "Excuse me for being somewhat star struck, but you're the greatest gourmet architect, Smile. Your works are miraculous." He nodded, "Thank you. I hear you're the genius who recreated the Century Soup." She rubbed the back of her head, "Well, I'm not a genius but~" "Hey, don't start the tour without me." Éclair put her hands over her face, "You invited the lady killer? Great, now everyone can see me half naked." Toriko pointed at the girl, "Yeah, I was gonna ask about the high school swimsuit." She folded her arms, "Let's just go on this tour already."
As they walked inside, the mansion was almost too much to take in. The grand fountain, the edible pictures on the wall, the candy cane stair rails, it was all incredible. Smile looked toward Toriko, "Alright, how about a taste of that Century Soup?" "Hey Éclair, mind giving the man a bowl?" She shook her head, "Don't mind at all. Let's head to the kitchen." As she walked to the kitchen, she looked at all of the detailed work. Everything was grand and glorious. The kitchen doors opened and Éclair smiled, "Mr. Smile, you did a marvelous job." She reached up at the cabinet but it was far too high. She grabbed one of the bar stools and grabbed a bowl. Smile lifted an eyebrow, "You don't let any obstacle stand in your way do you?" She shrugged, "I'm used to being shorter than most cabinets if that's what you mean." He shook his head, "No, I mean, just by watching you, you seem like you find a way to get past most things without help. Am I correct?" She poured the soup into the bowl and nodded, "I don't like to let things hold me back. Asking for help really isn't my thing. Enjoy the soup." She ran the water from the sink and poured out chilled fruit juice. She put her hands on her cheeks, "Oh Mr. Smile, this is just extraordinary!" She turned to look at his face and he had an unruly smile. It was both genuine and creepy. "I think I'll leave you alone with that. I'm gonna go check out the rest of the house."
She walked back into the main entrance and sat by the indoor fountain. "It's so beautiful here. I don't think Toriko will mind if i just take a bite." She broke off a piece of the cookie seat, "This is so tasty!" She stood up and made her way to the railing, "I have to eat some!" "Hey!" She looked behind her with a mouthful of candy canes, "Toriko?" He folded his arms, "What do you think you're doing?" Her eyes shifted around, "I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not eating the inside of your house." He nodded, "Yer damn right. Everyone knows you work your way from the outside in. Within seconds flat everyone was eating down the house. She couldn't help herself but to overindulge in the house. She looked at some pillows on the couch, "Is that~ Cotton candy!" Cotton candy was without a doubt her favorite sweet treat. She was always put into a good mood when she ate it. She hugged the pillows as she nommed them to oblivion. When she looked up, everyone was outside. There was no more house and it was all consumed. Éclair laughed, "Wow, we really tore that house a new one." Smile's eye uncontrollably twitched as his masterpiece was eaten completely up.
The group laughed about how fast they ate they ate the house. They were all having a great time even thought he sole reason they were there was gone. The architect answered his phone, "Hello~ Right, I'll be there soon." Toriko looked at the man, "What was that about?" "I have to get back to building the stage for the Gourmet King Championship tomorrow. Are you guys coming?" Éclair smiled, "That sounds like fun! We should go!" The bluenette nodded, "Yeah, count me in." The blond girl smiled, "Mr. Smile, even though we destroyed your hard work in the blink of an eye, the house was great. I'm looking forward to the stage of the Gourmet King Championship being just as good!"