Akihito stared in awe at the sight before him. He hadn't taken the time to really take in the interior of Dracaena before, as he had been far too busy trying to keep up with Kirishima. Never before had he'd seen such a sight. The walls were a light shade of gray and the carpeting was a deep shade of deep sapphire blue. The tables all gleamed shinny and clean beneath chandeliers. Plants could be found here and there. The over all effect was classy and upscale while still being comfortable and cozy.

The other contestants had all seemed to shrug off the sight of Dracaena's decode as if they had expected nothing less. To him, it was all new and amazing. Akihito had never been to an upscale, five star restaurant before. The closest he'd ever come was when he and his two friends went out to family dinners. A hand settled down on Akihito's shoulder. He turned to see the giant Suoh behind him, Kirishima by his side. They both gave him a smile before heading down the stairs into the dining area of Dracaena.

Kirishima clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Alright everyone, as of the moment the doors to Dracaena opened, the competition has begun. There will be twenty four surveillance of you and everything happening. Everything that happens here will be aired live directly on to Kitchen Heat's website. Regular episodes will also air every night until the competition ends. This episode, the very first will be the only one to air during the morning hours. Today is completely live so please, behave in a proper manner.

"Now, you all will be separated into two groups. Both groups will compete against each other. At the end of every week, that is seven days, one group will be face an elimination round. This means one person will be voted out by your team leader. The vote will be based on one's ability to handle working in the kitchen as well as their ability to follow the rules that have been set up for your time here.

"Know this, your team leaders will be watching your every move. While in the kitchen and outside the kitchen. They will not stay in the living quarters with you but they do have access to the camera feeds.

"Now it is time for the teams to be picked."

Kuroda and Suoh, the team leaders, stepped forward and placed a hand into a glass jar. Each drawing names.

Kuroda Shinji's team:

1. Yoh An

2. Sakazaki Min

3. Aokiu Mayu

4. Momhara Ai

5. Mitarai Vilhjálmur

6. Onoda Mitsugo

Suoh Kazumi's team:

1. Liu Yantsui

2. Liu Tao

3. Liu Feilong

4. Sudou Shuu

5. Azumi Ryouko

6. Arbatov Yuri

7. Takaba Akihito

"Now it is time for the first competition. This is an individual challenge so the reward will be handed to only those who complete the challenge in the time allowed. All others will face a punishment.

"All of you are to head upstairs and get ready for the day. You have two hours. Please make sure to grab your uniforms from your team leaders."

Asami shook his head as he watched the competitors. Quite a few of them had not bothered to wait for Kirishima to finish speaking. Rushing up to the living quarters to get ready. Forgetting their uniforms as they were gone before he even mentioned them. Those who remained were a surprising few.

Shouting could be heard as the competitors fought over who would use the bathrooms first. Akihito jumped as he saw one girl slap another. The slap was so hard that Akihito could hear it over the arguing. Backing away, Akihito silently made his way back inside his room. He began to remove his clothing when he noticed something odd just beyond the bed next his. Curious, he investigated it.

Upon inspection, the odd object turned out go be hidden door. Opening it, he found a secret bathroom. Happy, Akihito grabbed up his things and headed inside.

Akihito was quick though he had wished to linger in the shower. The warm water that had cascaded down on him had felt soo good. Ready, Akihito carefully made his way down to the restaurant. He couldn't believe that the fighting was still going on. When he arrived at his destination, he couldn't help but once again stare in wonder. Taken in by the beauty of it all, he began to explore.

A throat clearing behind him jumping in shock. Spinning around, he was greeted by the sight of Asami Ryuichi. Akihito's eyes widened.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

"Sorry for what? Have you done something wrong?"

Akihito shook his head no.

"Then you have nothing to be sorry for. You were told to be back down here within two hours." Asami looked down at his watch. "There is still another hour and twenty minutes left. You are today's winner." Asami held out an arm, gesturing to the restaurant. "Would you'll like a tour?"

Smiling, Akihito nodded. "Yes!"

Asami Ryuichi turned out to be a wonderful tour guide. He was surprisingly witty and funny. He was full of information and was free with anything regarding him and his business. Akihito learned all about Dracaena, Fixer and Sion as well as hotels, hospitals, schools and so much more. He answered all of Akihito's questions, no matter how dumb they were.

Page break

Tour over, Asami escorted Akihito over to a large table set with a black table cloth. "Asam—"

"Please, call me Ryuichi."

"R-R-R…" Akihito blushed redder than a tomato.

Asami chuckled at the cute expression on his boys face. "So cute." He murmured before leaning forward and pressing a chaste kiss to Akihito's lips.

Akihito's blush deepened and one hand lifted to press against his lips. That was his first kiss! And from such a gorgeous man too!

"Tell me about yourself Akihito. What's your family like?"

"Umm… I don't know. My mother, father and elder sister all died in a car crash when I was six months old. I was the sole survivor."

"I'm so sorry for tour loss."

"Thank you."

"Were you raised by an aunt or uncle? Grandmother?"

Akihito shook his head no. "I'm the only one left in my family. Both my parents were only children, as were their parents and grandparents. The authorities could even find a distant cousin. So I was sent to an orphanage. Were I loved until I turned sixteen. After that I got a job and was living on my own."

"Sounds rough."

Akihito shrugged one shoulder. "It wasn't so bad. I met my friends Kou and Takato when we were twelve. They grew up in the orphanage too. They are lucky though and got adopted by an elderly couple. Those two are always there for me."

"I'm glad."

"So, Ryu…" Akihito blushed bright red again. "Ichi, what about you? Got family?"

"Yes, fortunately I do. Both my parents are alive. Retired and living it up in Las Vegas Nevada in the USA. I have five older siblings. I'm the youngest of six. Three boys, three girls. I was married some years back but we divorced when I caught her cheating."

"Cheating?! On you?! What are you bad in bed?! I mean look at you! Your sexy! Have a butt load of money! Your funny and smart!"

Asami laughed. "No it wasn't that. Seems she preferred younger men. I was too old."

"What?! You are what…. Um how old are you?"

"Thirty five."

"See you ain't old!" Akihito sat back in his chair with a 'hmf'. "So did you have any kids?"

"Yes a daughter. She just turned eighteen."

"Eighteen? You would have only been seventeen!"

"I had her before I married. She has her mother's last name but I raised her for the most part."

"Hello you two!" Momohara Ai sat down next to Asami pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I'm so happy to meet you Takaba-san!"

"Please, Akihito is fine."

"Oh! Yay!" Ai clapped her hands. "Then you must call me Ai! I have to say, I'm so glad that you are here! My father has done nothing but talk about you for like, the last two years! We are both huge fans of your show!"

"T-t-thank you. Your father?"

"Yes! Oh you silly old man! Have you not told him? You see Akihito, this old man here is my father! I am Momohara Ai, daughter of Asami Ryuichi."

"Cool! But may I ask why you are here then?"

"Simple, I wish to be the head chef of Dracaena but I refuse to simply accept the position just because daddy here offered it. I want it only if I earn it! So make sure to give me all you got Akihito. No going easy on me!"

"You are a very strong woman Ai."

"Thank you! I guess my daddy did something right when he raised me."

Asami shook his head as the two blonds laughed. Shortly after that, the three were joined by the going Liu Tao. He was cute and sweet, making instant friends with Ai and Akihito.

As time passed, more of the contestants filtered in. It took the whole two hours before almost everyone had returned. Sudou Shuu was the last to arrive, after making everyone wait an additional hour for his arrival.

"Well I have to say what a disappointment the results for this challenge was. First, the majority of you did not wait around for all of the instructions to be spoken. This has resulted in you not returning in proper dress code. Those if you who are not wearing your chef's uniform will receive an additional punishment for this. Now, only three of you returned within the proper time. As such, you will now receive your reward."

Kuroda and Suoh stepped forward and handed Akihito, Tao and Ai each a leather case. Inside were the most beautiful knives Akihito had ever seen. Hand carved wooden handles. Designed for a no slip, comfortable grip. There blades were strong and deadly sharp. Akihito would bet, that they would be extremely difficult to break.

"Oh my! They're Sion Core Knives!"

Hot breath heated his neck. Akihito turned to see Sudou standing next to him. The look in his eyes made Akihito shiver with fear. He looked as if he wanted to rip the knives out of Akihito's hands and stab him with them.

"Your so lucky Akihito." Sudou's voice was like ripped silk.

"As further reward, you three will be attending Paradise Isle."

Shocked gasps filled the restaurant. Paradise Isle was the most exclusive club in all of Tokyo. It took some people years to get inside. Being able to go there didn't really surprise Akihito. During his tour with Asami, he learned that the man was the owner of the exclusive club. He kept it quiet as to keep people from bugging him with request to get into the club.

Grumbles were heard as those on punishment were made to clean the horse stalls down at the local track. Laughter rang out as viewers watched the pompous Sudou Shuu slipped and fell face first into horse poo.

Ai, Tao and Akihito dressed in their finest clothing, that meant a suit, dress shoes, shirt and tie bought by Kirishima for him.

Paradise Isle was all it was said to be and oh so much more. They dined on delicious food. Drank expensive alcohol, which meant that Ai, Tao and Asami, whom was accompanying them, learned that Akihito was a light weight. Somehow, Tao, Ai, and Akihito managed to talk Asami into taking them to see the most violent, gruesome, bloody horror movie ever.

Their return to Dracaena was met with silence and barely hidden jealousy. Azumi Ryoku, Sudou Shuu and Aokiu Mayu were the only ones to be right out hostile to the winners.