Chapter XIX

* POV: Sugahara -

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited at the subway station, checking my phone every few seconds. Where the hell was everyone? We were supposed to meet up here at 9 am sharp to head over to the cooking contest venue.

Kinoshita was the first to show up.

"Morning, Sugahara! Sorry I'm a couple minutes late."

I waved it off. "No worries, the others aren't here yet either."

We made small talk for a bit until Haruno strolled up, looking as prim and proper as always. "I'm not late, you two were just early," she quipped.

"Says the girl who gets to class ten minutes before the bell," I shot back. Haruno rolled her eyes.

Next to arrive was Asari, already looking worn out despite it being so early. "Man, my sister was hogging the bathroom for ages," he explained.

Kaede sauntered up next, looking confident.

Kojima was the last to join us, hair still damp from his morning shower. "Sorry guys, I overslept a bit," he explained.

With the full squad assembled, we hopped on the next train headed towards the competition venue. The ride passed quickly as we chatted and joked around.

Before long, we were standing in front of the massive event hall where the cooking contest was taking place. The place was packed with contestants.

"Okay, let's go get signed up," Haruno directed, leading the way inside.

We located the registration desk and split into our pre-determined pairs - Haruno and Kojima, Asari and Kaede, and me with Kinoshita. I was a bit nervous honestly, I feel as though my cooking skills haven't really improved at all.

The registration process was smooth and soon we had our team names and numbers pinned to our shirts.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my apron as we were ushered outside to the cooking stations. The warm summer air carried a mixture of aromas - freshly cut vegetables, sizzling meats, and the unmistakable smell of nervous excitement.

Kinoshita and I found our designated station, number 27, and surveyed the ingredients and cookware laid out before us. An impressive spread of produce, proteins, spices, and gleaming pots and pans awaited our culinary efforts.

The booming voice of the announcer echoed through the outdoor venue. "Welcome, chefs, to the 15th annual Cooking Competition! Today you'll be tested on your skills across three stages. For the first round, you'll have one hour to prepare a main dish showcasing your talents. One pair from each block will be chosen by our esteemed tasting judges to advance."

It was a good thing that all of us were put into different blocks. We didn't have to face each other first. The problem was I doubt Kinoshita and I could advance. If we were both average then the people around us were experts!

I froze as the announcer's voice boomed across the venue. "For the first round, you'll be tasking your skills with...sweet glazed pork chops!"

Pork chops? Seriously? I could barely cook a decent omelette, let alone something that sounded so gourmet. My heart started pounding as I realized I was completely out of my depth here.

I glanced over at Kinoshita, who had gone pale. She was trying to maintain a brave face, but I could see the panic flickering behind her eyes. This kind of upscale dish was beyond my ability.

The ingredients for the pork chops were already laid out at our station - thick, juicy cuts of pork, an assortment of glazes and seasonings, fresh produce for sides. It all looked so daunting and intimidating.

The hour countdown started and a hush fell over the crowd as everyone picked up their utensils and got to work. Kinoshita and I just stood there frozen, completely unsure of where to even begin.

"Uh...you know how to cook pork chops, right Kinoshita?" I asked her.

I watched as Kinoshita hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. Then she puffed out her chest and declared with a confident smile, "Of course I do! No sweat at all."

I raised an eyebrow skeptically, but maybe she really did know how to cook pork chops.

"Alright then, take the lead chef!" I said, gesturing to the ingredients.

Kinoshita's smile faltered slightly but she quickly recovered and nodded firmly. "You got it!"

* * *

* POV: Kinoshita -

We gathered the ingredients - thick cut pork chops, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic. I stare at them blankly, my mind racing. How am I supposed to put all this together into something edible, let alone competition worthy?

Sugahara looks over expectantly. "What's the first step, chef?"

I laugh nervously. "Uh, well first we need to...trim the fat off the pork chops!" Yeah, that's probably right. I grab a knife and start cutting away at the meat.

As the other teams smoothly get to work around us, panic starts to set in. This was such a bad idea. I'm going to let Sugahara down and ruin our chances before we even really start!

But when I glance over at his focused expression, carefully following my lead, a warm determination fills me. I can't give up that easily. For Sugahara's sake, I'll figure out how to cook these stupid pork chops if it's the last thing I do!

I take a deep breath, trying to channel my inner chef. "Okay, next we need to...marinate the pork chops now!"

Sugahara nods dutifully and starts whisking together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl. I watch in horror as he dumps the entire mixture over the raw meat.

"No, no!" I cry out. "We're just supposed to let them sit in a little bit of that, not drown them."

He looks at me sheepishly. "My bad. What do we do now?"

Think, Aiya, think! "Uh, quick - stick them in the oven at like...450 degrees! That'll cook off the excess liquid."

Sugahara doesn't question it, sliding the dripping pork chops onto a baking tray and shoving it into the preheated oven. We stand there awkwardly as the aroma of burnt sugar immediately starts wafting out.

"Hmm, maybe we should've patted them dry first?" I wonder aloud.

When the timer dings, Sugahara pulls out a tray of blackened, crispy meat. I poke one with a fork and it crumbles into a pile of carbon.

I stare in dismay at the charred remains of our pork chops. This is a disaster! The timer is still ticking, so we have to start over from scratch.

"Quick, Sugahara! Grab more pork chops from the supply station," I instruct, trying to keep my cool.

He dashes off while I furiously scrub the baking tray clean of burnt sugar and meat shards.

Sugahara returns with fresh ingredients and I take the lead again. "Okay, let's try this one more time. I'm going to trim the fat first."

I carefully slice away the excess fat and gristle, watching the clock out of the corner of my eye. We're already burning through our time limit.

"Now go easy on the marinade this time," I caution as Sugahara whisks together the sauce.

He gives me a determined nod and lightly coats the pork chops before placing them on the clean tray. Into the oven they go at a more reasonable 375 degrees.

The minutes tick by agonizingly slow. I can't stop envisioning those crispy black hockey pucks we made earlier.

Sugahara seems to sense my stress. "Hey, don't worry so much," he says with an easygoing grin. "Even if this doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world, right? We're just here to have fun and support Haruno and Kojima, right?" he explained.

I look over at Sugahara, his easy smile instantly putting me at ease. He's right - we're just here to have a good time with our friends. No need to get so worked up over some pork chops.

"You know what? You're absolutely right," I say with a laugh, suddenly feeling lighter. "Who even cares about this stupid contest anyway?"

Sugahara let out a genuine laugh. "Not me, that's for sure!"

I glance around at the mess of cooking supplies and burnt pork chop remnants scattered across our workstation. What a disaster! But as I catch Sugahara's eye, I can't help but burst into a fit of giggles.

"We really botched that one up, huh?" I manage between laughs.

Sugahara smiles back at me, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Hey, at least we went down swinging! Those poor pork chops never stood a chance against us."

I mime swinging a baseball bat. "Batter up! Next victim - the potatoes!"

Sugahara clutches his chest dramatically. "Oh no, not the potatoes! Have mercy!"

We dissolve into laughter again, the tension from earlier completely evaporated. Who cares if we're the worst cooks here? We're just having fun with it now.

I can't stop laughing as Sugahara mimes being a chef, twirling an imaginary mustache as he "taste tests" our latest culinary disaster. "Mmm, zis pork chop iz simply magnifique! Ze perfect blend of burnt crispy goodness"

"Chef's kiss!" I giggle, pretending to kiss my fingers in the classic chef's gesture of approval.

Sugahara keeps up the over-the-top French accent. "But of course, mademoiselle! Eet iz a delicacy reserved only for ze most refined palates."

I clutch my stomach, doubling over with laughter at his ridiculous antics. This is so much more fun than stressing over actually trying to cook something edible.

The rich aroma of smoke suddenly hits my nose and I glance over at the oven in alarm. "Oh no, Sugahara, the oven!"

Black smoke is billowing out from the oven door. We had completely forgotten about the second batch of pork chops!

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Sugahara rushes over and yanks open the oven, a fresh cloud of smoke immediately engulfing us. We both dissolve into a fresh bout of coughing and laughter.

Through watery eyes, I can just make out the charred hockey pucks that were once innocent pork chops sitting on the tray. They're practically disintegrating into piles of ash before our eyes.

"Well, so much for redemption!" I gasp out between coughs.

Sugahara pulls the tray out, waving it around dramatically to try and disperse the smoke. "Guess we can add 'arson' to our list of culinary crimes today."

That sets me off again, laughing so hard I have to brace myself on the counter. I'm definitely going to be feeling this in my abs tomorrow.

As the smoke slowly clears, I take in the complete and utter destruction we've wrought upon our little cooking station. Piles of burnt pork scraps, scorched baking trays, sticky sauce splatters...it looks like a food fight exploded in here.

I stare down at the tray of blackened, crumbling remains that were once pork chops, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. The smoky haze still lingers in the air around our little cooking station.

"Well, I think it's safe to say we've officially been disqualified," I say with a rueful laugh, giving Sugahara an apologetic look.

The judge approaches our station, taking in the scene with a look of abject horror on her face. I shrink back, embarrassed, but Sugahara is undeterred.

"Ah, madame, you have exquisite timing!" he declares in an overly posh accent. "Allow me to present to you...the Pièce de Résistance!"

With a flourish, he holds up the tray of burnt pork for her inspection. I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud.

The judge's eyes go wide as she takes in the sorry state of our "dish." She opens her mouth, then closes it again, seemingly at a loss for words.

I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment as the judge bluntly refuses to even taste our pathetic attempt at pork chops. "I'm sorry, but I cannot accept this...dish," she says, struggling to find polite words. "You're disqualified from this round."

Sugahara lets out a dramatic sigh, still playing up his over-the-top French chef persona. "Ah, what a tragedy! Clearly our culinary masterpiece was too avant-garde for your pedestrian palate." He shakes his head in mock disappointment.

I can't help but giggle at his antics, despite my humiliation. Leave it to Sugahara to keep the mood light, even when we've royally screwed up.

The judge just frowns and shakes her head before moving on to the next team's station. I watch her go with a mix of relief and dejection. At least the embarrassment is over, but it stings to be so quickly dismissed from the competition.

Sugahara seems to sense my disappointment and gives me an easygoing smile. "Hey, don't sweat it. We gave it our best shot, right?" He gestures around at the decimated cooking area with a laugh. "Even if our best was a total disaster."

* * *

* POV: Kojima -

I retrieved the pork chops from the refrigerator, laying them out on the cutting board. With a sharp knife, I trimmed off any excess fat and silver skin, getting the meat prepped for cooking.

"First thing's first, we need to brine these for maximum juiciness and flavor," I explained, mixing together a saltwater solution in a large bowl.

Haruno watched intently as I submerged the pork chops in the brine, allowing them to soak up all that salty goodness. After about 30 minutes, I removed them and patted them dry with paper towels.

"Okay, time to sear them," I said, heating up a cast iron skillet with some oil until it was screaming hot. I placed the chops in the pan, listening to them sizzle enticingly.

I let the pork chops get a nice golden brown crust on the first side before flipping them over. Once both sides are perfectly seared, I pop the whole skillet into a 400°F oven to finish cooking through.

While those bake, I start prepping the glaze - combining honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and a splash of rice vinegar in a saucepan. I let it reduce down to a thick, syrupy consistency over medium heat.

When the pork chops are cooked through with just a hint of pink in the center, I pull them from the oven and transfer to a clean plate. I spoon the warm glaze over the top, letting it soak in and create a beautiful shiny lacquer.

"Man, you are good," Haruno says approvingly as I plate up the finished dish, adding a sprinkle of sliced green onions for freshness.

The sweet and savory aromas are mouth-watering. I have to admit, these turned out pretty damn good - moist, tender pork coated in that sticky, flavorful glaze. Hopefully it's enough to impress the judges.

I glanced over at Kinoshita and Sugahara's cooking station, noticing a small cloud of smoke billowing up from their area. Haruno must have seen it too, because she let out an exasperated sigh.

"Looks like Kinoshita got eliminated already," she said, shaking her head.

"How can you tell?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Haruno shot me a look like I had just asked the most obvious question in the world. "Are you kidding me, Kojima? Have you ever actually tasted Kinoshita's cooking before?"

I shrugged, realizing I hadn't. Kinoshita was always so cheerful and enthusiastic, I just assumed she was decent in the kitchen.

"Kinoshita is quite literally the worst cook I've ever met," Haruno continued bluntly. Remember that time in junior high she tried making cookies for the bake sale?"

The memory came flooding back to me. Kinoshita had proudly presented her "cookies" to the class, only for everyone to realize they were basically lumps of coal that were hard as rocks.

"Oh yeah..." I said, wincing at the recollection. "I had to go to the nurse's office after taking one bite."

As a judge approached our cooking station, examining our plated pork chops with a critical eye. The head judge, a renowned local chef, used a fork to cut into the meat, inspecting the juicy interior.

"Excellent sear on the exterior," he commented, taking a bite. He closed his eyes and savored the flavors. "And the glaze...that sweet and savory balance is superb."

I glanced over at Haruno. She had a satisfied smirk on her face, arms crossed over her chest.

Other judges tasted our dish as well, offering similar praise about the moist texture and robust flavors. I felt a swell of pride knowing our hard work had paid off.

"Very nicely done," the head judge said with an approving nod. "You two will be advancing to the next round."

As the judges moved on to evaluate the other contestants' dishes, I surveyed who was still left. Even though Sugahara and Kinoshita got disqualified, they for some reason had a positive expression.

Kaede and Asari seemed to have fared better, receiving decent scores that allowed them to advance as well. I was looking forward to seeing what dish were in store for the next round's challenge.

The annuncer announced the next dish - miso soup. A relatively simple Japanese staple, but deceptively challenging to get just right.

I glanced over at Haruno, who already had that determined look in her eye. She was definitely taking this competition seriously.

"You up for making some killer miso?" she asked me with a competitive smirk.

"Sure do," I replied with a nod. Soup was right in my wheelhouse - a perfect blend of flavors and ingredients that could make or break the dish.

The judges gave us one hour on the clock before ringing the start bell. Haruno and I immediately jumped into action, divvying up the tasks.

I got a big pot of dashi broth simmering on the stove, combining kombu seaweed and bonito flakes to create that savory umami base. Meanwhile, Haruno prepped the miso paste, carefully blending in the right amounts of red and white varieties.

Once the dashi was properly infused with those oceanic flavors, I removed the kombu and bonito. Haruno slowly whisked in the miso paste until it was fully incorporated and the broth took on that signature rich, slightly cloudy appearance.

From there, it was all about layering in complementary flavors and textures. I sliced up silky soft tofu cubes and delicately sautéed some fresh mushrooms with garlic and ginger. Haruno took care of julienning carrots and green onions for brightness and crunch.

With about ten minutes left on the clock, I tasted the miso broth again, making some final seasoning adjustments with a splash of mirin and a drizzle of sesame oil.

When the bell rang, we had two beautiful bowls of steaming hot miso soup plated and ready for judging. The deeply savory aroma was intoxicating.

I stole a glance over at Kaede and Asari's station as the judges made their rounds. Asari looked to not be doing anything, but Kaede was running around the station and running everything.

The head judge arrived at our station first, inhaling the fragrant steam rising from our miso soup. He took a sip, closing his eyes to fully concentrate on the flavors.

"Mmm...fantastic," he said approvingly after a few moments. "The dashi is clean yet robust, perfectly complemented by the balanced miso blend. And I love all the varied textures you incorporated."

The other judges seemed to agree, nodding enthusiastically as they tasted our creation. I felt relief wash over me, knowing we had advanced to the final round.

As I looked over at Kaede and Asari getting positive feedback as well, I realized that we were going to face each other next.

* * *

* POV: Kaede -

I cracked my knuckles as the announcer revealed the final dish - steak and eggs. A smirk spread across my face. This was my time to shine.

"Kaede, what's the plan?" Asari asked, his eyes wide with anticipation.

I waved a dismissive hand. "Same as the last two rounds. Just let me handle everything."

Asari nodded obediently, knowing better than to question my methods. Across the kitchen, I spotted that Kojima guy and that Haruno girl setting up their station. A low chuckle escaped my lips. They didn't stand a chance.

With a fluid motion, I tied my apron and let my fingers dance across the cutting board, deftly slicing the thick cuts of beef into perfect portions. Sautéing the steaks was child's play - I adjusted the heat with practiced precision, coaxing out the rich, umami flavors.

Once the steaks were rested, I whisked together a decadent béarnaise sauce, the butter and egg yolks emulsifying into a luscious, velvety concoction. A deft hand cracked fresh eggs into the skillet, the whites crisping up around the oozing, golden yolks.

"Kaede..." Asari's voice drifted over, but I hushed him with a stern look. Couldn't he see I was in the zone?

Plating the dishes was an art form - the juicy steaks rested atop a vibrant bed of greens, drizzled with the luxurious béarnaise. The eggs nestled alongside, their sunny centers begging to be pierced.

"Hey Kaede look!" Asari said again.

"Ugh, what is it!?" I yelled.

Asari pointed towards Kojima and Haruno's station. The judges were trying their dish and all that could be heard were praises.

"Tch," I let out.

The judges arrive at our station, their faces impassive as I present our steak and egg masterpiece.

The first judge, a severe-looking woman with steel-gray hair, eyes my dish skeptically. But as she cuts into the steak, her expression softens. A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she samples the tender meat.

"Exquisite," she murmurs, savoring each bite. "The sear is absolute perfection, locking in all those luscious flavors."

I preen under her praise, feeling rather smug. Of course it's perfect - did she expect anything less from me?

The next judge, a jovial older man, digs into the dish with gusto. A pleased hum rumbles from his throat as the béarnaise sauce coats his tongue.

"Now this is what I call a béarnaise!" he exclaims. "So velvety and rich, but not too heavy. Beautifully balanced."

Feeling rather magnanimous, I offer him a gracious nod. Truly, it's an effort to remain humble in the face of such effusive compliments.

But the highest praise comes from the third judge, a stern-faced woman known for her discerning palate. She eyes the sunny yolks of the eggs, giving a curt nod of approval before slicing into them with the side of her fork.

The yolks bleed out in a thick, golden stream, pooling around the crisp egg whites. She leans down, inhaling the aroma with an almost sensual delight.

"Perfection," she declares, her voice tinged with awe. "Those yolks...so decadently runny. And just look at that ooze!"

Scooping up a forkful, she slips it between her lips, closing her eyes to better savor the rich, velvety texture. A soft moan escapes her.

By now, I'm practically glowing, my chest puffed out with pride. Of course they loved it - I'm an absolute master in the kitchen.

After the judges tried everyone's dishes, they headed up onto the stage to announce the winners.

I stood there, anticipating a triumphant victory.

The head judge, an imposing woman with steel-gray hair, stepped forward and cleared her throat. The room fell silent in anticipation.

"In third place..." she began, pausing for dramatic effect. I rolled my eyes - just cut to the chase already. "The team of Asuna Yunima and Hiro Fujiwara."

A random pair I didn't even recognize. Psh, whatever. My eyes narrowed as she continued.

"In second place... the team of Sato Kaede and Asari Sae."

Wait, what?

My heart skipped a beat as she uttered those words. Second? Surely there had been some mistake!

My jaw dropped as the reality set in. Second place? But how? My dish had been utter perfection! Those clueless judges must have gotten their scorecards mixed up.

"And in first place..." The head judge's voice droned on, but I barely heard her over the rushing in my ears. "The team of Kojima Kouki and Haruno Kaori!"

No. Absolutely not. There was no way that gloomy-faced Kojima loser and his ice princess friend could have bested me!

I watched in disbelief as they stepped forward, twin smiles of joy and pride lighting up their faces as they accepted the gaudy first place trophy. Unacceptable. Utterly unacceptable!

My hands clenched into white-knuckled fists as the bitter taste of defeat coated my tongue. How dare they? How dare those nobodies rob me of my rightful victory!?

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image [https://i.imgur.com/TQhrist.jpg]

image [https://i.imgur.com/D8iO7Xf.jpg]

Asari approached, that dopey grin still plastered across his face. "Hey Kaede, can you believe we got second? That's so awesome!"

I rounded on him, eyes blazing with barely contained fury. "Shut up, you idiot! We should have won! This is all your fault!"

Asari recoiled, his smile faltering as I unleashed the full force of my rage. Kojima and Haruno watched from the corner of their eyes, wearing matching smug expressions that only stoked the fire burning in my gut.

"Damn it! Should've been me!" I though to myself.

"Tch, whatever,"

"I shouldn't have entered this stupid competition anyway," I said sighing.