AN: I have a new fic out, it's only being updated every other day, but if you're interested, check out JJK Seven Sinful Curses.
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"Which is why we're happy to declare you as the winner of the third round and overall victor of this cooking competition."
[You have failed the quest: One Chef to Rule Them All]
A pang of disappointment struck my chest as I heard Mayor West's announcement, followed by the system notification that flashed across the corner of my vision. Even with everything I had said to Colette about my mindset and expectations going into the competition, it still didn't feel great to lose.
"And there you have it, folks, Colette Tatou emerges victorious and continues her undefeated streak. I'm sure we're all looking forward to who she'll challenge next, and whether or not they'll be the one to finally end her reign of utter domination."
"She's really laying it on," I muttered as I glanced at Colette for the first time since she had been announced the winner, "Though it's not like you don't deserve it, just how many chefs have you beaten?"
"You would make the eleventh," Colette replied, though her tone didn't come anywhere close to matching the level of arrogance and pride I expected.
"You don't sound particularly happy about that, don't tell me I was too easy an opponent?" I asked jokingly, with a small smile, but Colette didn't return it.
"You were a fine opposition, perhaps better than I gave you credit for. However, I still have one issue with you," Colette muttered before she turned to face me straight on with a glare, "You have absolutely robbed me of my satisfaction!"
I blinked once, "I'm sorry, what?"
Colette's hand struck out and grabbed me by my shirt as a fire ignited in her eyes, "I should be celebrating with the rush of defeating you in the culinary arts, yet I feel nothing! Why is that!?"
"I don't know how to answer that question," I replied hesitantly, but that didn't seem to help as Colette snarled, "It's you! Your words have dulled my competitive drive! You should be bawling your eyes out or going on a rampage, having lost to me, a woman who dared challenge you in your own kitchen and embarrassed you for everyone to see!"
"I don't think that you embarrassed me, and besides, I already said you were a better-"
"Agh!" Colette interrupted me with a loud scoff and pushed me back as she let go of my shirt, though I didn't really move, having at least a foot and a hundred pounds on the French woman, "There you go again, with the incessant babble. Somehow you've managed to not only lose, but be so pathetic that I can't even find any sense of worth in defeating you!"
"Is that really your sole motivation for cooking?" I questioned my tone dropping down into a more serious octave, "Beating others and showing you're superior?"
"Yes, and it always has been. I want to be the best, one of the greats. I want people to weep at the chance just to taste the fond left behind on my skillet!"
My gaze hardened, "I don't believe you."
Colette flinched as if I had physically struck her, "What?"
"I don't believe that's the only reason you cook," I repeated even more firmly, "I know that there's more to you than just your need to win. That kind of obsession isn't something that's born naturally. That's not why you started cooking, is it?"
"Oh, you think you know me?" Colette muttered with a voice dripping with disdain, "You think that just because we talked a bit and shared a few kind words and desserts, you can lecture me about my life and ambition?"
I was ready to reply when I paused for a second and thought better of it, "You're…right. I have no reason to lecture you on your own goals and feelings. However, I will just add one last thing."
Colette crossed her arms, clearly not pleased, but the fact that she wasn't screaming at me was a good start. "Well, say your piece and then be gone."
"What happens when you reach the top? What happens after you accomplish your goal? Or god forbid you fall short? What will you do? I doubt most chefs would agree to let you work at the restaurant you tried to show them up in," I started off in an almost soft voice, "I know what it's like to have that all-consuming drive. I spent what feels like a lifetime climbing my way up to the top until everyone knew my name. But beyond that fame and recognition, there was nothing, and how can you be happy when all you have is the recognition of those you view as beneath you?"
Colette paused, faltering for a second, so I pressed, "In my case, I had nothing, that feeling of emptiness, looking for the rush. That's all I felt…I just hope you end up with some bit of catharsis."
"Hmph, your sob story isn't going to dissuade me," Colette spat, only for me to shrug and take a step back, "It wasn't meant to, that was just me saying good luck. I'll keep an eye out for your name. It'll be exciting to see what you go on to accomplish."
With those final words, I turned away from Colette and walked off the stage, heading back to my station to gather the rest of my things, my wind already putting the entire competition behind me and focusing on what really mattered.
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"Hey I'm ba-"
Before I could even complete my sentence, I was forced to intercept Megan as she wrapped her arms around my neck, greeting me in a way that was quickly becoming customary.
"They're lucky I wasn't there, or I would have gone on a rampage."
I chuckled as Megan's muffled voice reverberated against my chest, "Come on, you can't be more upset than I am about losing."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Patty called out, her voice coming from the kitchen, and wanting to lay my eyes on her, I scooped Megan up and walked further into the penthouse, "She threw quite a few pillows at the TV when the Mayor announced the winner."
Stepping into the kitchen, I found Patty at the stove stirring a pot. She then glanced over her shoulder and stared at me with a nervous smile, "It's just spaghetti and meatballs. Don't expect it to be award-winning, b-but I figured after cooking all day, the last thing you wanted was to come home and not have-"
As Patty started to ramble, I set Megan down and walked over to Patty, silencing her with a kiss. As my tongue slipped past her lips, my hands traced her hourglass figure and the swell of her hips that was usually hidden by the baggy clothes Patty tended to wear.
"Mhhnm," Patty moaned, letting out a sigh of relief as her hands pressed against my chest and she tilted her head, allowing me to explore even more of her mouth with my tongue.
It wasn't until Patty started to run out of breath that I pulled back, leaving her panting, "It's perfect, and I'm sure it tastes amazing. Thank you."
Patty smiled and blushed, "You're welcome."
"My turn!" Megan exclaimed as she hastily walked over and quickly claimed my lips for her own while pressing her body against mine, making sure I could feel that she wasn't wearing a bra or any underwear.
Almost inevitably, my mind started to wander, but I managed to retain my senses and pull back after a long passion-filled minute, "Behave, I want to eat the food Patty made for us before it gets cold. "
"Alright, just make sure you leave enough room for dessert," Megan conceded with a sly wink, making sure I knew exactly what she was referring to.
I rolled my eyes at her antics but said nothing more as we moved over and sat down at the table, letting Patty set the table as she came over with several plates and a big bowl of the aforementioned spaghetti and meatballs.
Serving myself one big heaping pile of noodles, I didn't hesitate to dig in with my fork, making sure to spear a hefty meatball with my first bite.
As I chewed, I could feel Patty's expectant gaze land on me, and I looked over to make eye contact with her, "So how is it?"
"It's perfect," I replied honestly. It was plain and regular spaghetti and meatballs with red sauce. There was nothing special about its taste, but the fact that Patty made it was all the difference, "Absolutely no notes in my book."
"You're telling me that there's nothing you would do to make it better." Patty asked doubtfully.
"No, because if I changed it then it wouldn't be your spaghetti and that's all that matters," I replied confidently before taking another bite, "Now eat up before it gets cold."