12th August, Thursday

Misaki nervously walked into the headquarters of Fujitake Bento House. Suzuna walked by her side, her fingers still bandaged. They went to the reception and checked in. They were lead to the hall where the cook-off would take place.

There were five entire kitchens, complete with fridges, ovens and every other possible utensil built on one side of the hall. And the kitchens were spacious too. Apart from that section, there was enough space for ten more such kitchens in the hall. Most of that space was covered in seats. There was going to be an audience.

Misaki gulped down her nervousness. If she concentrated, the chances of her messing up were really low. But, there was still going to be a huge crowd watching.

In another half hour, the rest of the participants arrived, and then, finally, the competition kicked off.

Misaki started off with the same procedure she went through in Usui's kitchen. In half-an-hour, the pastries were baking. She then started the procedure for the onigiris. But te entire time the rice cooked she was worried that she'd ruin it, just like the first time.

She looked around the hall in exasperation as the rice cooker announced that it was ready. To her surprise she spotted golden locks and emerald eyes in the crowd. She arched her eyebrows in confusion. His eyes trailed a little to her left. At once the exasperation came back. She released an inaudible sigh and looked back at him.

"You can do it," he mouthed at her. He traced a triangle in the air with his fingers, reminding her of the shape the riceballs were supposed to be.

And, amazingly, just at the sight of his smiling face, she found the courage to show that world that she could do it.

An hour and half later

"We will now be announcing the winners of this Bento competition!" the announcer yelled into the microphone enthusiastically. "This envelope holds the names of the winners," he said waving a cream colored envelope in front of the crowd. "Who do you think won, folks?"

Some people from the front row cheered the names of the Table 2 participants. Someone else yelled the names of those at Table 5. Their performance was very good during the two hour time-slot. They had the best chances of winning, Misaki thought.

She and Suzuna were at Table 4. She looked at Suzuna with an expression that would say, "Sorry, I let you down."

Suzu blinked sympathetically. Misaki turned back toward the audience. Once again her eyes met emerald green pools. He smiled back at her.

"So it's Table 2 or 5, eh?" the announcer asked jokingly. Usui raised his hand. "Looks lie that gentleman with green eyes has something to add."

Someone passed Usui a mic. "I'd bet on Table 4."

"Table 4? The Ayuzawa Sisters?" the announcer asked. "What do you say folks?"

Misaki smiled at Usui sarcastically.

"Well, then. Let's not hold this suspense for so long. I'm pretty sure everyone's dying to know the results." He opened the envelope and pulled out the car from inside. "And the winner is…"

Usui winked at her. "I'm always right," he mouthed.

"Table 4, Ayuzawa Sisters!"

Misaki stared in disbelief. They couldn't actually have won. Could they? The judges stood up and clapped for them and that answered her questions. All the other participants came to congratulate them while the announcer rattled on about all the prizes they'd be getting. The audience whopped and clapped, which included a smug looking Usui.

Once all the formalities were over, the two Ayuzawa Sisters walked out of the auditorium hand in hand.

"I knew you could do it, sis," Suzuna said.

"Oh, please. They were your recipes."

"Sometimes, sis, it's the cook that makes the difference and not the recipes. And I tried those. Trust me, if I'd made them they wouldn't even be worth entering this competition. Tey were really good," she said solemnly.

Misaki's cheeks were a light pink color. "Stop flattering me, Suzu."

"It's not flattery. It's the truth," Usui said appearing from nowhere.

"Yeah, Misa-chan. They're really good." Shintani also appeared from nowhere. He had a half-eaten pastry in his right hand. "And let me guess. It's Suzuna-chan's recipe, right?

"Yes," Suzuna squeaked. It was her turn to be a little scarlet around her cheeks. In no time Suzuna had moved on ahead chatting away with Shintani while Misaki was left to walk alongside hher perverted-outer-space-alien boyfriend.

"I told you so, Misa-chan," he said once they were out of earshot of the others. "I'm proud of you, Ayuzawa." He had a soft look in his eyes.

"Uh… yeah." She felt her cheeks starting to warm up. "Usui, thanks for helping me," she said not looking at him.

He chuckled. "Anytime, Ayuzawa. Anytime."

They walked home hand in hand.

The End