"Sure. Got nothing else to do."

"Good luck."

With that, the announcer walked off. He wasn't announcing for her next match. It was on the same platform as hers the first time, so she didn't have to worry about trying to find the next place.

"Huh. The next guy can't be so tough."

She saw the stalky male who stood next to her earlier, and he outstretched his hand. "Hi," he said in a robust, older voice. "I'm Tony. Good luck. This is the only thing I am good at besides gardening."

"Well good luck Tony."

The announcer, a female this time, shouted out, "The second round will begin now. Tony vs Wakaba Syung Kyung. This time, the contestants will have an hour and a half to cook."

Wakaba, once more, dove for the table.

"First, maybe, uhh. Stuffed mushrooms, yeah. Stuffed mushrooms it is. Next with that, perhaps a chicken. Well, that probably won't be enough. Hmm. Maybe some... rice! Yes chicken and rice. And finally, uhh... how about a tiramisu(groan), maybe with fudge. A light fudge topping." She was tired of thinking of this off the top of her head.

"Well, lets get cookin'!!"

"Time up!!"

Wakaba looked up. "Hoo boy." She nervously picked up her appetizer and placed a plate in front of each judge.

She announced, "A plate of stuffed mushrooms, gingerly seasoned."

Each judge took a fork and dug in. They seemed to like it.

Gobble... Snarf... Snap...

"3."

"4."

"5."

"0."

"Ladies and gentleman. Very good scores for Wakaba. Except for that zero she is off to a terrific start."

"A zero?" Wakaba looked over her shoulder. It was the same judge from before. He was wearing a mask over his face, but something about him seemed strangely familiar. Not just from the last time, but from a while before.

Tony nodded and said, "My first dish will be a fresh garden salad, with fresh grown iceberg lettuce, diced tomato, cucumber, onion, and a Catalina dressing."

"5."

"4."

"3."

"5."

"Wow. Terrific scores for the gardener. His delicious salad swept both the judges and Wakaba off her feet."

"Ahem. My next dish will be a boneless, skinless chicken breast, with a seasoned rice to make the taste even."

Once more the judges seemed pleased with Wakaba's dish.

"5."

"5."

"5."

"0."

"A zero once more. However, those three fives have considerably increased her chances of beating her opposition."

Tony reached for his next dish. "A Petit Filét Mingion, with a baked potato and a small sweet bean bun."

"4."

"3."

"2."

"2."

"Decent scores for Tony. Now, for the people who were not keeping track of the scores themselves, we give you the scores. The current situation is Wakaba Syung Kyung 27 and for Tony a 28. They are nearing neck and neck, but as we know from both of their last cooking battles, the extra point always makes the difference."

Wakaba reached for her tiramisu (need I groan any more?) and placed it in front of the judges.

"A tiramisu, sprinkled with brandy, and lightly topped with fudge."

"4."

"5."

"5."

"2."

"Good scores. And Tony's..."

"A triple layer chocolate cake, with strawberries and whipped cream."

"2."

"5."

"5."

."2."

"And the results of the contest are..." Once more in the fashion of before, two large mats unfolded displaying the scores. "Wakaba Syung Kyung 43, Tony 42. The last point made the difference once more and the winner is Wakaba!!!"

"Sugoi!! Sugoi!!! SUGOI!!!"

Tony walked over to Wakaba and held out his hand in congratulations. "Good job Wakaba-chan. Have fun with the rest of the tournament."

"Thanks Tony-san."

"Good luck!!!"