Black and royal blue

IX. The great Sengoku cook off

Today was the big day... When Masamune announced our battle to the warlords, they were surprisingly enthusiastic. This made me a little nervous but I wanted to win this. I wanted to impress Masamune and everyone else. Also, I wanted to show them a whole new culinary world.

I was thinking about my menu all night. At home, my favourite chef was Gordon Ramsay. Whenever I cooked his recipes or used them as inspiration, they always turned out perfect. I wanted to cook something spot on, absolutely delicious, European style but Japanese inspired dishes. Also, I had to think about the cutlery. My first thing to do in the morning was to go to the kitchen and go thought the pantry to see what I could use. Then I went to the market to get the rest of the stuff I needed. When I collected everything, I felt pretty confident again.

The competition was held in Masamune's manor. I arrived early in the afternoon. He ordered everyone but me out of the kitchen. It started as a cooking course after all. I was his sous chef, he gave orders and we prepared the ingredients together.

'My, you really can use a knife!' I chopped the vegetables like real chefs. I impressed him.

'I practised a lot.' I had to try to remain humble.

He explained and showed me everything from the measurements to the methods he used. I tried to soak up all the knowledge like a sponge. Fortunately, he took it seriously and didn't distract me with flirting. I was honestly interested and wanted to learn as much as I could.

'You are a great teacher, Masamune!' I complimented him.

'Thank you!' Did my eyes play a trick on me or The One Eyed Dragon really blushed? I smiled at him. Somehow, I always wanted to smile when I was with him.

'Here, have a taste!' He held out a spoonful of the fragrant soup for me. I blew on it because I didn't intend to lose my sense of taste and thus give him advantage.

'Hmmmm...This is amazing!' I could tell, my taste buds were really happy right now. 'Although, I'd like it spicier.' Geez, did I really just say that? I knew he's been waiting for this.

His grin spread from ear to ear. 'I know, but you have be patient for a little longer.' I rolled my eyes but giggled. Did I make a Freudian slip?

Next, we put together a very hearty and flavourful stew with lots of vegetables and some exquisite beef.

'Now, try this!' He blew on it for me and fed me. I was looking straight into his shimmering blue eye. This was very romantic. It felt like the world stopped around us for a little while.

'Mmmm...' I might have moaned a little. 'This is incredibly delicious too.' It might have sounded flattering but this was the truth. It was so good, I almost came. 'The flavours are well balanced, nothing is overpowering the other. And man, the beef is heavenly. It melts in my mouth.'

I expected him to say something like I'd like to melt in your mouth too. But he didn't.

'You are just adorable!' He stroked my jawline with the back of hand and smiled. I loved his smile... Cool, mischievous, a little smug and extremely sexy... All the spices I wanted.

For dessert we made different flavoured mochis. During my first week in Japan I basically lived on mochi, I loved it so much. Finally, I learnt how to make it.

'These look like true works of art.' I was admining our mochis.

'Thank you for teaching all these recipes to me! I feel like I've learnt a lot.' I bowed.

'It was my pleasure.' He sounded unusually humble.

My menu was supposed to be prepared fresh, right before serving. The only thing we made in advance was the stock and the chopping. We were ready with Masamune's menu when the guests arrived. Everyone sat down and Masamune's menu was served. I was excited to see their reactions even though it was Masamune's menu and I just helped out. I was relieved when I saw all those delighted faces as they ate. We asked them to keep their opinion until the end. When everyone finished, I stood up to talk.