Food Stalls

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Warning, will make you hungry!

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Kissing Luna's soft lips, Orion bid her goodbye and moved towards the bustling Food Stalls and Restaurants section of the carnival. The savory aroma of various cuisines filled the air, making his stomach growl in response. He had spent the day on whirlwind dates, and now hunger pangs reminded him of his body's more mundane needs.

"Feeling peckish, are we?" came a teasing voice.

He turned to find Alice Nakiri, her vibrant eyes twinkling with mischief, an apron tied around her waist indicating she had been indulging in some culinary activity. "You have no idea," Orion replied with a playful smirk. "I've been distracted by all these lovely ladies all day, leaving no time to eat."

She chuckled, "Well, it's a good thing you're with me now. Let me introduce you to the world of flavors."

They sauntered over to a nearby food stall that boasted gourmet tacos. Alice's enthusiasm was infectious, her knowledge about ingredients and preparation techniques evident as she spoke animatedly about the dishes.

"Try this," she suggested, handing him a taco filled with an intriguing mix of ingredients. "It's a fusion of Japanese and Mexican flavors."

Orion took a bite, the explosion of flavors making his eyes widen in delight. "This is incredible!" he exclaimed.

Alice smirked, "Told you. Food is a journey, and I'm your guide for the evening."

They moved from stall to stall, each one promising a delightful sensory experience. Alice, with her culinary prowess, guided him with a mix of passion and precision.

"How about a whirlwind culinary tour? East to West?" Alice proposed, her eyes sparkling.

Orion smirked, "Lead the way, Chef Nakiri."

Their first stop was a Japanese sushi stall. Alice carefully picked a piece of nigiri, presenting it to Orion with a flourish. "Freshly made, just for you."

He chuckled, taking a bite, the fresh taste of the sea bursting on his palate. "It's like I'm swimming in the ocean with every bite!"

Alice laughed, "Only you could make eating sushi sound so poetic."

They continued to a Chinese dumpling stall, where Alice demonstrated the proper dipping technique. "It's all about the balance," she explained, watching him savor the explosion of flavors.

Orion sighed contentedly. "Who knew learning could be this delicious?"

Alice playfully bumped him with her shoulder. "Oh, come on! Food is all about experience and memories. Don't you remember our cooking class disaster?"

Orion chuckled, recalling the memory. "Ah, the infamous 'volcano cake'. We sure made an impression."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Let's just say, culinary masterpieces are better left to the professionals."

Their journey took them to a Thai stall, where Orion was introduced to the fiery dance of spices. The heat was intense, making him grab a drink in haste.

Alice smirked, "Too hot to handle?"

Wiping his brow, Orion retorted, "I thought you were guiding me, not trying to set me on fire!"

She laughed heartily, patting his back. "Consider it a culinary rite of passage."

Their next stop was an Armenian stall, where Alice excitedly pointed to a dish. "Lavash with khorovats," she declared. "A simple, yet delightful grilled meat wrapped in thin bread."

Orion took a bite, the flavors subtly contrasting with the sharpness of the previous dishes. "Mmm, the simplicity of this is its magic."

Alice grinned, "Every culture has its own charm."

They walked to a Turkish station, where a chef was masterfully preparing baklava. Alice handed a piece to Orion. "Layers of sweet pastry, honey, and nuts. You won't forget this."

Orion's eyes closed in sheer delight. "It's like a symphony in my mouth."

She laughed, "Oh, get over yourself!"

Next was a Greek kiosk, where the aroma of grilled meat was overwhelming. They sampled some gyros with tzatziki sauce. Alice explained, "The yogurt and cucumber offer a cooling effect to balance the spices."

As they ventured to the Italian section, Orion raised an eyebrow at Alice. "Ready to dive into the world of pastas and pizzas?"

She winked, "When in Rome…"

They shared a Margherita pizza, its freshness evident in every bite. "It's amazing how three simple ingredients—tomato, mozzarella, and basil—can create magic," Alice mused.

A trip to France had them indulging in some delicate macarons and buttery croissants. Alice, sipping on some red wine, said, "French cuisine is about romance. Every dish tells a love story."

Orion, enjoying his croissant, remarked, "Seems every bite I take with you turns into a love story."

Blushing slightly, Alice moved them along, "Come on, Romeo."

At the Norwegian stall, they tried rakfisk. Alice made a face, "It's an acquired taste."

Orion chuckled, "That's one way to put it."

The Spanish pavilion had them swaying to flamenco beats as they relished some paella and churros. Alice remarked, "Food and dance, the perfect combination."

Orion smirked, "Only if you're my dance partner."

She shot him a teasing look, "Always the flatterer."

Their culinary journey concluded in Latin America with some spicy tacos and refreshing margaritas. Orion, licking the spice from his lips, commented, "This journey has been enlightening."

Alice, sipping her margarita, nodded, "Food bridges cultures. It's a language everyone understands."

Orion looked at her, his tone sincere, "Thanks for this. You've opened my eyes and my taste buds."

She smiled warmly, "Always a pleasure to share good food with good company."

As they were finishing their last taco, a crowd began gathering around a large platform. A sign read: "Ultimate Eating Competition!" Alice raised an eyebrow, looking skeptically at the contest. "You're not thinking of participating, are you?"

Orion smirked, glancing at the competition's prize: a luxurious gourmet hamper. His eyes darted to Alice's face, noticing a subtle twinkle in her eyes as she eyed the prize. "Well, now that you mention it, I am feeling a bit peckish."

Alice looked incredulous. "After all that food? Are you insane?"

Orion winked, "There's always room for more, especially with a prize like that." He could clearly see that, despite her feigned disinterest, the hamper had caught Alice's attention.

She mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant, "It does have some pretty unique ingredients."

Orion chuckled, "Caught you. You want that hamper, don't you?"

Alice huffed, "No, but I wouldn't mind if you got it." She paused, a teasing lilt to her voice, "Assuming you can."

Challenge accepted, he thought. "Prepare to be amazed."

Orion approached the stage, sizing up his competitors. A large, boisterous man wearing a "World's Greatest Eater" T-shirt stood at one end, chatting animatedly with the audience. On the other end, a petite woman was gently stretching her jaws, her confidence evident in her movements.

The competition was straightforward. A variety of dishes, each representing a different country, would be served. Participants had to eat as much as possible within a set time frame, with the final winner judged based on both speed and quantity.

A whistle blew, and the first dish, a large plate of spaghetti, was placed before the contestants. Without hesitation, Orion dived in, twirling the strands around his fork and devouring them with gusto. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Alice watching intently, a sly grin on her face.

As he reached for his water, she leaned in, whispering in his ear, "Keep up the pace, champ. That hamper's as good as ours." Her breath tickled his neck, causing a shiver down his spine.

The second dish arrived—a hefty serving of sushi rolls. Orion tackled them with precision, his earlier practice with Alice paying off. He heard muffled cheers and realized a group of their classmates, including Vivi and Mikasa, had gathered to support him.

Amidst the sea of voices, Alice's stood out. "Don't you dare slow down, Orion," she teased, placing a soft peck on his cheek, fueling him with renewed energy.

By the third dish—a spicy plate of Indian curry with naan—Orion's competitors were starting to falter. The boisterous man seemed to struggle with the spices, while the petite woman, although still in the game, was visibly slowing down.

However, Orion pressed on, wiping sweat from his brow. His determination, mixed with the unique blend of flavors, kept him going. Alice leaned in again, her lips brushing his earlobe. "Almost there. Think of the flavors we can experiment with if you win that hamper."

The final round consisted of a massive German pretzel, covered in a thick layer of salt. Orion's jaw ached as he bit down, the starchy texture proving to be a formidable adversary.

Alice, noticing his struggle, cheered him on, "Come on, Orion! One last push!"

With a final surge of energy, fueled by the tantalizing promise of victory and the radiant smile of Alice, he swallowed the last piece just as the buzzer went off.

The crowd erupted in cheers. The announcer declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have our winner! Give it up for Orion!"

Alice rushed up, wrapping him in a tight embrace. "You did it!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride.

Orion chuckled, slightly out of breath, "All in a day's work."

She playfully swatted him. "Don't get too cocky. That hamper is half mine, remember?"

Orion grinned, "Only if you promise to whip up something delicious for our next date."

Alice smirked, "Deal."

As they walked off the stage, Orion's arm draped over Alice's shoulders, he felt a sense of contentment.