Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners.
While WSSP and Co Are Venturing Through Ares Island
Eddie Leboneski, a Dry Bones with a medium sized crack mark on his lower jaw, was outside on the terrace of Bowser's Castle, the young Dry Bones sitting in front of a portable charcoal grill as he was… experimenting. Again.
"Disgusting…"
BGM: Always in my Heart, Peanut Butter Covered Squid Tentacles (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma)
"Squid tentacles and peanut butter… Man, I always never forget how these two shouldn't go well together at all…" He snickered crazily while chewing on a piece of his failed dish. "Heh… hehehe~ It's so disgusting I could laugh…!"
End BGM
KNOCK KNOCK!
"Hmm?"
"Edward!"
Eddie turned his attention to the door. "Yeah, boss?"
"It's time. Lord Bowser and everyone else are here." Flambe, a green Koopa with a chef outfit, said.
Eddie got up on his feet. "Oh, sure!" He grinned as he readjusted his bandana around his non-existent neck before straightening himself up in a more confident pose. "Alright, let's get started!"
BGM: Rice, Sides, It's a Feast! (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma)
In the kitchen, the Dry Bones was side by side with his rival, Cinder, with Flambe and the other kitchen staff supervising the duo.
Cinder was also wearing a new outfit, which consisted of a white button-up collared blouse underneath a crimson sweater blazer, a pair of black-fitting denim pants with a black leather belt with a gold buckle around the waist, a pair of black closed-toe wedge espadrilles with a jute-wrapped platform and black ankle straps, and a vermillion neckerchief with platinum white accents. Not to mention that she was also wearing a red apron with pockets and that her hair was also tied up into a loose ponytail with a red ribbon.
It was another busy day in the kitchen with all of them bustling around the kitchen, preparing for yet another one on one cooking duel.
The air was filled with the rich, enticing aroma of various ingredients being prepared, and the kitchen buzzed with the sounds of chopping, sizzling, and the clinking of pots and pans.
Cinder, known by the castle kitchen staff and residents for her meticulous attention to detail and innovative culinary techniques, was determined to impress with her dish. Beside her, Eddie was equally focused, working on his own dish as his yellow undead eyes reflected his determination to match Cinder's culinary prowess.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Koopa Troop alongside Bowser and his family (Though Bowser had a mask over his face as he still wasn't feeling well) were eagerly awaiting the results, with some of their mouths watering in anticipation. The dining hall was abuzz with chatter as everyone speculated about the flavors and presentation of the dishes.
Several minutes later, the Fall Maiden and young Dry Bones put the final touches of their dishes as they entered the dining room with their respective dishes.
Cinder came out with Venison Wellington with cherry merlot sauce while Eddie came out with Seared Wellington Backstrap with blackberry sauce.
They put out their respective dishes onto the table.
Eddie grinned. "Enjoy!"
Cinder lightly smiled. "Please, enjoy."
Larry's eyes sparkled at the food in front of him in awe along with some of the members of the Koopa Troop while also holding a fork and knife in his hands.
Iggy entered the dining hall with Roy, the former catching his breath. "Phew… just… just in time…!"
"Yeah, can't miss out on another cooking competition." Roy said as he walked over to the crowd as he and Iggy went up to Ludwig and Wendy's spot. "Hey, guys. Who's the judge today?"
"It's Larry." Ludwig responded while his arms were folded.
"And the theme?" Iggy asked.
"Venison." Wendy responded.
"Oh, cool! …Uuuuh… what's venison again?" Roy scratched his head.
"It's deer meat. Cinder managed to get some when she, Acnologia, and Eddie were hunting some Kelbi the other day." Iggy responded.
"Huh, neat." Roy sniffed the air. "Man… I can already smell the meat from here! Eddie and Cinder sure have cooked up another storm today!"
End BGM
Back with Larry, the young Koopaling drooled over the meat. "Oh, boy… Both of these dishes look so good! Presentation-wise, I can tell that the two of you really went all out again today!" He then eyeballed Cinder's dish. "I think I'll start with Cinder's first."
He sliced a portion of her venison wellington and analyzed it. "The meat looks kinda pink in the middle. I'm guessing that this was intended to be cooked medium rare?"
"Yes." Cinder nodded.
Without even hesitating, Larry popped it into his mouth… and his eyes sparkled the moment he tasted it. "Ooooh! The crispiness~! The buttery pastry enveloping my mouth is so luxurious! And that cherry merlot sauce… the sweet-tart flavoring and it's rich notes… it's paired beautifully with the venison~! It even cuts through it's gamey richness while having a fresh and fruity contrast!"
I have no idea what half of that means, but it's making me hungry… Roy thought.
Cinder smiled at Larry's critique. "Indulgence and sophistication were exactly what I was aiming for for this dish."
Larry recomposed himself as he took a drink of water to wash down the taste. "Hoo… okay, let's see what Eddie has in store."
He picked up his fork and knife again and cut a piece of Eddie's seared venison backstrap. "Hmm… interesting. Also medium rare… neat!" He said, observing the presentation before taking a bite, and just like with Cinder's dish, his mouth exploded with flavor as his eyes sparkled again.
"Ooooh~! The tartness and sweetness of this blackberry sauce pairs exceptionally well with the tender, seared venison's rich and slightly gamey flavoring!"
Eddie smiled. "I was aiming to combine sweet and savory elements, kinda similar to Cinder's dish and her cherry based sauce."
"I can see that!"
Ludwig chuckled. "I must admit, his critiques are very accurate."
"Yup." Wendy nodded.
"Ugh, his descriptions are making me hungrier by the second." Roy said. "Hurry up already!" He earned a nudge from Iggy and Wendy. "What?"
The other members of the Koopa Troop had a similar reaction to Ludwig, while the Sledge Bros and a few Monty Moles were siding with Roy.
BGM: Deliberations Spoken On the Tip of the Tongue (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma)
"Hmmm…" Larry folded his arms, deep in thought.
"No way…" Iggy whispered.
"Dude, you think he'll finally-"
Wendy elbowed him. "Shush! Larry's about to make his decision!" She said while Cinder and Eddie stared at each other intensely.
End BGM
"This one right here!" Larry gestured to Cinder's dish.
BGM: Chatter, Chatter, Chatter (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma)
Cinder smirked while taking off her ribbon and letting her hair down. "Glad you enjoyed it."
"Lord Larry has decided!" A Goomba declared.
"Lady Cinder wins!" A Hammer Bro declared as well.
"Looks like another victory for her!" A Boo said.
"Aaaargh!" Eddie threw his head back as he fell on his knees in frustration. "So close…"
Larry looked at the young Dry Bones sympathetically, alongside Bowsette, Rei, and a few others. They all knew he was a skilled and talented member of the kitchen staff even before Cinder came around. Larry had to admit that the dish Eddie made was delicious, but he couldn't deny that the Fall Maiden's skill level and talent as a chef clearly outshined his.
Ludwig sighed while shaking his head. "Another one bites the dust…"
"Tell me about it. I've already lost count of how many times Eddie was so close to beating Cinder." Wendy said sympathetically. "Poor guy…"
Eddie looked up at Cinder with a comically annoyed look while Cinder put her hands on her hips. "Ed, it looks like your skills still need some improvement."
He sighed while getting up. "Ah, whatevs." He strutted away. "I suppose I'll retake this loss for today."
"Save those words for when you finally beat me." She said while wrapping her hair ribbon on her left wrist. "Besides, you did lose to me a hundred times so far, right?"
Eddie stopped in his tracks, a cross vein appearing on his forehead. "Huh?!" He looked at her irritated. "Don't be so cocky, Cindy! I've only wracked up eighty nine losses against you!"
"He keeps score?" A Spiny whispered to another.
Cinder chuckled. "But you're almost there anyway, right?"
"Ah, shut up!"
As for the rest of the Koopa Troop, they were given extra servings of Cinder's dish as some them began gushing over her food.
"Lady Cinder's Wellington is so good~!" A Paratroopa cried with tears of ecstasy.
"I'm so happy that I could eat such delicious food from her around the castle~!" A Goomba said.
"I could literally die right now with no regrets~!" A Boomerang Bro smiled happily.
Captain Goomba approached the sulking Eddie in the corner with a sympathetic expression. "Hey, cheer up, Eddie! You can still try to beat Cinder next time! If there's any consolation, at least Lord Larry found your venison backstrap pretty delicious too."
Anime tears were running down the Dry Bones' cheeks. "Thanks, Captain Goomba…" He held up a tupperware. "By the way… I'm also ready with another new dish I just came up with. You want to try…?"
"Oh?" Captain Goomba beamed in surprise. "Sure thing! What is it?"
End BGM
Eddie opened up the tupperware as he picked up a single grilled squid tentacle dressed in a thick white substance with a pair of chopsticks. "...Grilled squid tentacles coated in Greek yogurt."
Captain Goomba blinked. "Eh…?"
Captain Koopa's eyes widened alongside his fellow Captains and a few members of the Koopa Troop. "Captain Goomba!"
"Shoot! He's at it again!" Captain Shy Guy exclaimed in horror.
"He made another crazy one!" Captain Boo cried out.
Eddie approached a horrified Captain Goomba with a devilish look on his face while holding a piece of his failed dish. "Enjoy… it tastes so bad that you'll die laughing from it…"
"Um… n-no thanks! I-" He immediately felt the pair of chopsticks enter his mouth. "Umph?!"
Outside…
Dark Pit, Marnie and Shez were chatting with each other, making their way to the dining hall and join the other Koopa Troop for lunch.
"I wonder what Cinder and Eddie cooked up today." Dark Pit wondered.
"Who knows? They change up the theme every time they have one of those one-on-one cooking duels." Shez said.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Marnie blinked in surprise coming from inside the room. "...I don't wanna know."
Dark Pit groaned. "And I know all too well what that kind of scream means… Seriously, what kind of "failed dish" did Eddie come up with this time…?"
Back inside the dining hall…
BGM: Towards the Horizon of Cuisine (Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma)
Eddie smiled with a shine in his yellow undead eyes "Cindy taught me that cooking is an endless horizon. It's an endless journey of discovering both delicious and tasteless food." He grinned confidently. "I wanna keep walking down that path."
*record scratch*
Captain Koopa shot him an annoyed glare with a cross vein popping on his head. "Shut up, man! Walk it down yourself!" He looked back down at a downed Captain Goomba with a concerned expression. "Hang in there, Captain Goomba! Stay strong!"
Captain Goomba's eyes were blank with color drained from his body. "Ugh…" Anime tears rolled down his cheeks. "Squid… squid…" His soul left his mouth.
"I got it!" Captain Boo caught it and shoved it back in, all the while Cinder approached the crazy Dry Bones.
"Grilled squid tentacles with Greek yogurt?" She asked in disgust, glaring at Eddie like she was gonna reprimand him for creating such a killer dish.
She scoffed suddenly. "Oh, please. My pan-fried sardines dressed in strawberry jam were way worse."
BGM: The Most Disgusting Bizarre Food (Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma)
"Oh, that." He chuckled as he remembered that failed dish she made a few days ago. "I'll admit that that was pretty disgusting."
Cinder smirked devilishly. "Right~?"
"Heh, heck yeah." He then made a squiggly motion with his arms. "But my good ol' flame-grilled squid tentacles dressed in peanut butter are still the worst~!"
"No way! Sardines in strawberry jam are way worse!"
Everyone in the dining hall could only deadpan at the exchange that was going on, including Dark Pit, Marnie and Shez that had just walked in a few seconds ago.
"Squid tentacles and peanut butter!"
"No, sardines in strawberry jam!"
"No way, sister!"
Marnie sweatdropped. "I think some of Eddie's bad habits are starting to rub off on her…"
"Well, like sister, like brother. Or… was it the other way around?" Dark Pit wondered.
"They certainly act like siblings…" Shez mumbled. "I think I heard someone say they act like surrogate siblings."
"Some people are just like that." Marnie shrugged.
"Mine's the worst!" Both yelled.
End BGM
Bowsette chuckled, listening to the two playfully banter without a care in the world. She then looked back down at her plate, which was an extra serving of both their dishes as she had liked the both of them.
"Those two have certainly come a long way…"
Flashback!
BGM: Letters About You (Cars 3)
"Cindy! I challenge you to a cook off!" Eddie said determinedly.
"...Ugh, again?"
The first couple of weeks since Cinder had started working in the kitchen, Eddie had usually challenged Cinder to one on one cooking duels, mostly to see who was the better chef between the two.
Cinder was often annoyed by this, given how she thought it was trivial but does it anyway to humor the young Dry Bones.
However…
"Cindy! I challenge you to another duel!"
"Bring it, you bag of bones." Cinder smirked playfully.
Overtime, she grew fond of the duels, actually finding them fun and helpful, allowing her to strengthen her relationship with the Dry Bones as her partner and even improve her skills as a cook.
During their friendly competitions, the judges were usually high ranking members of the Koopa Troop. As such, Kamek, General Guy, Marnie, Shez and Dark Pit were the judges of their dishes every once in a while, though no one has truly seen what General Guy looked like from behind his mask.
"Cindy, I need to tell you something. To me, you're not just a fellow chef in the kitchen or a soldier in the Koopa Troop… but you're also a kind and caring older sister than I never thought I had!"
Cinder blinked, looking at him in surprise.
"...Too much?" Eddie sweatdropped.
"No, it's not that… I was taken by surprise, since well, I was beginning to think of you as a little bro."
"...Oh! Well, uh… that's good!" The Dry Bones blushed happily as Cinder smiled, patting him on the head.
During Cinder's fiftieth consecutive win against him, she gave him a "consolation prize" for him… which was chopped eel in cocoa sauce, a failed dish she had made when she was experimenting.
"Blegh…" Eddie groaned as he had fainted on the ground from tasting such a disaster.
"Consider that as payback for that grilled squid tentacle with peanut butter prank you pulled on me the other day~" She said smugly.
"Heh… worth it…!"
One night, Cinder found Eddie in the kitchen who was struggling to come up with a new dish. "Need some help?" Cinder asked.
"Oh… sure, why not." He chuckled.
"Here… instead of cutting huge chunks of carrots, just slice 'em evenly like this. It makes the stew a lot better as a result."
"Ooooh, that makes sense. How did you get so good in the kitchen anyway?"
"Oh, I was self taught when I was in Atlas and adopted by this horrid creature and her two daughters. They wouldn't give me anything, so I had to teach myself how to cook."
"Oh wow!"
"Yeah… wasn't easy, but it was doable for a while."
"Ah, I see why you're telling me this. You grew to trust me enough to confide to me, is that right?"
Cinder blushed. "Perhaps~"
"Well, hey, you told your mothers, your siblings and Flambe, so why not throw me into the mix?"
Cinder chuckled. "I suppose…"
The two of them continued to chat while laughing and experimenting with different flavors until they created something delicious together.
"I've done it!" Eddie exclaimed as he put his dish out for Bowser and his family, and to his utmost joy, they found his dish to be absolutely delicious, much to Cinder's pride and joy.
"Well done. Eddie!"
"This is delicious!"
"Ooooh, this is so gooood!"
Flambe chuckled while folding his arms with a smile. "Looks like he outdid himself yet again."
Cinder nodded in agreement. "Yeah." She smiled fondly. "For a young Dry Bones with a crack on his jaw, he's sure got a lot of stuff."
End flashback…
Bowsette smiled fondly, observing Cinder and Eddie sitting next to each other, the former having taken her apron off as Flambe allowed her to take a short break.
"Ya know, babe… she's definitely grown so much after we took her in from Salem and helped her find a place in the kitchen staff." She sighed happily. "I hope those two will continue supporting each other."
"I have to say, her meeting Eddie has definitely made her happier." Rei agreed. "It's arguably one of the best things that's ever happened to her."
"Right? I mean, Cinder loved cooking as much as she didn't mind serving under my brother not long after I took her in with us... but partnering up with Eddie?" She chuckled. "Never in my life have I ever seen our girl so happy."
Rei nodded in agreement. "Yup… Looking back, I guess you really did make the right choice to adopt her into our family and allow her to find work in our kitchen staff after the Phazon War."
"Told ya." Bowsette grinned proudly.
"I must say, your seared venison backstrap goes really well with this blackberry sauce." Cinder complimented.
"So does your venison Wellington with this cherry merlot sauce." He chuckled. "Now I get why you won earlier."
"Yeah." Cinder looked at him with a smile. "Hey… I love you, Ed."
Eddie smiled. "I know, Cindy. You tell me that like every day."
"Well, it's true every day!" She laughed softly. "And I'm proud of how much you've improved yet again."
"Thanks, sis. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you." He paused for a moment. "You know, I almost keep forgetting how much we make a pretty great team together since the day Lady Bowsette took you in and Flambe allowed you joined the castle kitchen staff after that Phazon War months ago."
"That we do." She raised a glass of iced water. "Here's to many more duels and even better dishes."
Eddie raised his own glass of iced water. "And to always support each other, no matter what."
They clinked their glasses together in a playful toast.
End BGM
The next morning…
Eddie entered the kitchen to prepare for yet another day of work… and spotted Cinder as she had arrived earlier than him. To say that he was surprised was an understatement.
"You're early."
"Eh, I woke up early, showered… then decided to come here instead of wasting time in my room."
The two of them decided to chat for a while to kill some time before Flambe and the others arrived, where they proceeded to get to work.
However, before they started, the duo noticed Bowsette and Rei walking in. The former started brewing some coffee.
"Lady Bowsette. Lady Rei. Good morning." Eddie said while sharpening his knives on a whetstone.
Bowsette smiled. "Good morning to you too, Edward."
Bowser then entered the room while scratching his back, having a mask over his snout.
"Still sick, I take it?" Cinder asked.
"Ya think…?" Bowser grumbled.
"Oooof, rough night again, bro?" Bowsette wondered.
"Ugh, spent all night with my nose clogged and coughing up a storm… I should've waited until Peach was feeling better." He mumbled. "Dang nurse didn't bother giving me any masks too…"
"I don't think she had any… Bowser sized ones." Rei pointed out.
"She should have!" Bowser grumbled. "Ultimate nurse, my tail…"
"Hmmm…" Bowsette rubbed her chin as a thought crossed her mind, then a lightbulb appeared above her head. "Aha!"
"Got something on your mind?" Rei asked.
"Just one~!" She grinned before pointing to Cinder and Eddie. "I want those two to make something special for us."
"Huh?!" The duo exclaimed in surprise alongside the rest of the staff.
"WHAT?!" Bowser roared. "Are ya trying to put me out of my misery?! Especially considering Eddie and Cinder's banter yesterday over their failed dishes!"
"Oh come off it, ya big baby." Bowsette said.
"I am NOT a baby!"
"Alright, fair enough…" Cinder nodded. "This isn't exactly the first time I've done things like this anyway." She looked toward Bowsette. "Any special requests for breakfast?"
She folded her arms. "For today's topic, we request a dish that can rejuvenate us in the morning. And same as always, feel free to use anything that's currently stocked in the kitchen."
Cinder nodded. "Understood." She looked at Eddie while tying her hair into a loose ponytail and donning her apron. "Ready, Ed?"
Eddie readjusted his bandana around his non-existent neck. "Ready when you are, Cindy!"
BGM: Shokugeki Start! (Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma)
Cinder started out by checking the ingredients available in the pantry. "Let's see… something that can completely reenergize a person in the morning…"
"…And something easy to digest and not too rich-tasting…" Eddie added while skimming through the available ingredients.
"Don't forget full of nutrition too."
Both of them looked at each other.
"French toast?" Both said in unison before shaking their heads, changing their minds.
"Too quick and light." Eddie said.
"And kinda unoriginal."
Cinder then tapped her chin, the gears in her head turning until a lightbulb appeared on the top of her head. "I know what we should make."
"You just read my mind, sis!" He smirked.
They returned to their cooking stations together with the ingredients they've gathered.
The Fall Maiden then proceeded to mince a couple of whole white onions while the Dry Bones was busy cooking some slices of thick-cut bacon on a large frying pan. After she finished mincing the onions, Cinder heated a saute pan on a stove, melted a slice of butter, and sauteed the onions.
At that moment, Junior walked in groggily. "Mornin'..."
"Ah, son! You're just in time." Bowser said before he coughed a bit.
"Huh…?" Junior gently rubbed his eyes as he saw what was going on. "Whoa, are Eddie and Cinder cooking breakfast for us again?"
Once the onions were sauteed, Cinder put some arborio rice into her pan and cooked it until it was transparent.
"Thick cut bacon… arborio rice and…" Flambe raised an eyebrow when he saw what Eddie was up to, as he had brought over a couple of apples. "...Apples?" He looked intrigued. "Hmm, what are they up to this time?"
Eddie then proceeded to chop the apples into small cubes on a cutting board before he turned his attention back to the frying pan next to him, noticing that the bacon was nearly finished cooking.
"Cindy, I just finished chopping up the apples."
Cinder nodded. "Okay, good. Now just add in the consomme and slowly pour the juice into the pan. Make sure not to add too much or else the rice will not be able to absorb it properly while it simmers. Toss in the diced apple chunks once all the liquid has been absorbed. In the meantime, I'll watch over the bacon."
"Got it!"
They immediately switched places flawlessly, which was enough for everyone to look at them in awe.
"They're so in sync… it's incredible." Rei said.
End BGM
Ten minutes later…
Cinder approached the table Bowser and his family are sitting at while holding a tray. "Apologies for the long wait."
"Your Nastiness, we give you…" Cinder put down the tray and uncovered it. "Apple Risotto!"
The dish appeared to be yellow-colored arborio rice that had a creamy texture with visible apple chunks, topped with two glossy slices of caramelized bacon, and garnished with small green herbs and bits of ground black peppers served on a white plate, which highlights its vibrant colors.
Bowser and his son both blinked in unison.
"Apple?" Bowser began.
"Risotto?" Junior finished.
They were even sharing a plate together, though it was separated since no one wanted the young prince to get sick from his father's illness.
Bowsette chuckled. "My… now this is something." She eyed her own serving of the dish. "I can see the finely-cut apple chunks sticking out of the rice."
Rei sniffed the air. "Wow, the aroma's rather refreshing and sweet! I can also sense hints of sourness in it."
Junior sniffed the aroma as well. "Yeah, me too! Was lemon also included here?" He drooled a bit. "Either way, the scent alone was enough to make me feel a bit more awake and increase my appetite!"
Bowser folded his arms. "Hmph. I'll admit the aroma's splendid and all, but it all boils down to the taste." He narrowed his eyes carefully at Cinder. "I hate to be blunt, but you know that you can't always expect any dish to taste good simply by slapping some nice crispy bacon into them."
That's rich, coming from you… Bowsette thought.
"Is that so? Then allow me to give you the honor of having the first taste. You might change your mind after one bite..." She smirked. "Lord Bowser."
Bowser snorted. "Bah, you tempt me too much." He grabbed a spoon. "Time to dig in!"
BGM: Deliberations Spoken on the Tip of the Tongue (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma)
Bowser took a spoonful of the risotto as he scrutinized the food. Using apples in a risotto… I never expected something like this from those two. He shrugged. Eh, not the first time they made an interesting dish like this. I mean who am I to judge their creativity as cooks?
He lowered his mask as he took a bite of the risotto…
End BGM
His eyes widened in surprise, causing him to slowly chew his food before swallowing it and fell into silence.
Everyone was taken aback by his reaction, as normally, the Koopa King would wolf down anything that came his way, especially when hot wings were involved.
"Papa…? Are you oka-"
Bowser immediately started dining like no tomorrow, savoring every bite as he did so, much to everyone's surprise.
BGM: The Secret Ingredient Called Victory (Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma)
What… what is this?! A minute earlier, my whole body felt tired… but now I'm suddenly energized! Now that I think about it, I don't even feel achy anymore! My sense of smell returned! I feel like a new king!
The others curiously bit into their own risotto, and had similar positive reactions as well.
"Oh, man…! I feel I could take on the whole morning after every bite I take!" Junior said between bites.
The crispy yet soft and sweet apple bits, the simmered minced onions, and the crispy bacon as garnish… They really help spread out the overall flavors of the soft apples in this dish! Bowsette thought with a proud smile.
"Heh…" Cinder smirked victoriously, giving Eddie a fist bump.
"Delicious~!" Rei smiled with her eyes sparkling.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot…" Eddie put down a wooden pepper grinder on the table. "Feel free to add some ground black pepper to the risotto. It'll help change up the flavor."
"Let me try." Bowsette sprinkled some ground black pepper into her risotto before taking another spoonful from her dish. "Oh, my! The sweetness of the apples and onions along with the black pepper creates a more stimulating taste! It helps add more energy into my tired body even more!"
Rei giggled. "Well, we're basically eating a dish with vitamins, lipids, and carbohydrates." She then frowned a bit. "But… there's something that's been bothering me."
"What is it, auntie Rei?" Junior asked.
Rei scrutinized a spoonful of her risotto. "It's the sliced apple chunks. Normally, the fruit would have been left soggy if simmered in liquid for a long while, leaving the rice and onions to fully absorb the apple's flavor. So how did you two manage to keep them crispy?"
Cinder held up a one liter carton of apple juice. "We used this."
Junior tilted his head in confusion. "Apple juice?"
"When we cooked the rice and onions, we slowly poured in apple juice while stirring to enhance the risotto's apple flavor before we added in the chunks. That way, they will help keep its crispy texture when eaten." Eddie explained.
"Whoa…" Junior said in awe.
Flambe smiled at the both of them in pride. What impressive creativity… When these two work together, there's no doubt that these two possess such amazing adaptability and teamwork. He then noticed Cinder approaching him. "Hmm?"
Cinder held out an extra plate for him. "Here, eat."
"For me?"
Eddie nodded. "Yep. I suppose that you should also get a taste too, boss."
"Heh, alright…"
He took a bite, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa… this is actually delicious!"
End BGM
Several minutes later…
Bowser gently patted his belly as he and the rest of his family finished their food. He even looked perkier as if the dish was enough to cure the big guy's illness. "Ahhh… that was good…" He smiled, his voice no longer croaky.
Cinder took off her ribbon and let her hair down. "Glad you enjoyed it." She smiled lightly.
"Welp!" Bowser got up with a smirk. "I feel good as new! I'm gonna go kidnap the princess!" He took off running.
"Whoa there, big guy!" Bowsette got between him and the door, wrestling him away. "You're not getting out of here THAT easily!"
"Come on, where's the harm in kidnapping Peach!"
"Dude, just because you're feeling a lot better doesn't mean that Peach isn't! She's more than likely still sick! You don't want to relapse, do you?"
Bowser groaned. "Ugh, when you put it like that… fine…"
"Just take it easy. It might have knocked the illness out but you're probably not a hundred percent. Just relax!"
"Okay, okay… miss bossy shell." Bowser grumbled as he walked outside.
"Kamek's not the only one who worries about you when you're not feeling well, ya know!"
"It's papa, what are you gonna do?" Junior chuckled.
"Yeah…" Bowsette chuckled.
"Well, I don't know about you, but that was gooooood~!" Lemmy said.
"I couldn't agree more." Roy agreed.
"MORTON LOVES IT."
Later…
BGM: At This Small Food Castle (Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma)
Eddie was busy washing the dishes at the dishwashing station after breakfast was finished. As he was busy washing, he couldn't help but chuckle when he remembered when he and Cinder made extra servings of the Apple Risotto when the rest of the Koopa Troop arrived at the dining hall for breakfast. Needless to say, everyone loved the dish as much as Bowser and his family did.
It was enough to actually make Dark Pit crack a smile despite his sourpuss demeanor.
After cleaning the last plate…
"Hey Eddie?" Cinder spoke up. "Can you come over for a sec? I need to tell you something important."
Eddie walked over to her. "So, what's the catch, Cindy? Got another recipe idea you wanna share with me?"
"Actually… no." She shook her head while chuckling. "It's something else."
"Oh? What is it then?"
"Well, before I start…" She took off her apron and carefully folded it. "I just want to tell you that today… will be my final day of work here." She put her folded apron on the table next to her.
Eddie nodded. "Huh, I see… Your last da–"
*record scratch*
His eyes widened in shock and frightful realization as his mind registered what she said. "Wait, WHAT?! Your last day of work?! Here?! W-with us?!"
Cinder nodded in confirmation. "Yes." She closed her eyes while folding her arms. "However, I need to let you know that I'm not going to– Uwah!"
Eddie clung tightly to her. "Please! Don't leave me here! Don't leave me!" He begged.
Cinder gave him an annoyed look, gently pushing him away. "I'm not moving away!"
Eddie looked at her confused while wiping away some of his tears. "H-Huh…? You're not…?"
Cinder recomposed herself as she cleared her throat. "Ahem. Today's my last day working here because of this." She brought out a folder to show it to him.
Eddie curiously took the folder and examined the contents. "What are these documents for, exactly?"
"I visited Goomba Bros. Realty the other day to find a place for my new business. After some careful searching, I was able to purchase a vacant two-story building somewhere in the main shopping district of Neo Bowser City. It's not very big but it's still spacious enough to accommodate many future customers. The building also has ample space for the kitchen and storage areas."
She smiled. "Flambe, my mothers and the Koopalings were actually fully aware of my plans and they wholeheartedly prepared my upcoming business project. They even offered to assist in various aspects. My flaming hot mother helped with investment, my ghost mom helped secure property ownership and business permits, Iggy with the architecture and interior design of the establishment after inspecting the building himself… you get the idea."
Eddie gasped, his eyes widening as he had put two and two together. "No way! So… you're really doing it? You're finally planning to open your own place?"
Cinder nodded while smiling. "That's right. I've been thinking about this for a long time, and now it's finally happening."
"That's amazing~!" He frowned. "Still, where does that leave me?"
Flambe approached the duo. "You're going with her."
"Huh…?" He blinked.
"You heard him." She smiled. "What? You'd think I'd just leave my favorite sous chef and little bro hanging?"
"I thought it would also be a good chance for you to expand your culinary skills beyond the castle kitchen, especially with Lady Cinder." Flambe explained.
"R-Really?"
Flambe nodded. "Absolutely! You two have grown very close over these past few months. It would be unkind of me to separate you and deny you this opportunity." His expression turned serious. "Look, you may be the strangest chef I've known around here, Edward Leboneski, but Lady Cinder is still going to need her best sous chef and surrogate brother in her new business venture."
Cinder smiled warmly. "And I can't think of anyone better suited for the job than you."
Eddie was stunned for a couple of seconds before smiling. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it." He looked at Flambe. "Hey, boss. I promise I won't let you down."
Flambe smiled. "I know you won't."
Eddie chuckled softly before looking back at Cinder. "By the way, do you already have a name yet for our new restaurant?"
"Shokudo Fallen Leaves."
This Gaiden idea was made by DarkRebellion!
Ibuki: Maaaaaan... now Ibuki's hungry.
Deadpool: Chimichanga?
Ibuki: Oooh, thanks~!