XIV : Food Festival (2)

My eyes were on the food competition that was being held right now, "1 2 3 4 5…20 people." I muttered by myself counting the heads of people who were eating. 

It means I have to beat 19 people more, I wasn't confident because all the people here were bigger. Much. They must be have bigger appetite too

"But not only do you have to be third place, you have to beat me too." He tilted his head teasing me so hard.

"Damn Axel." 

"You actually liked this right Cora?"

"I saw how you ate last week, I don't think you will lose." 

"There are prizes, look at those!" He pointed out to the center of the festival, there lined up home appliances. TV, Hair dryer, Vacuum cleaner, Cooking set, Fridge, Washing machine–

Washing Machine! My family washing machine was broken, God knows how I needed that so much. 

"Your eyes light up seeing the prizes." He stared my face, 

"I have to win this Axel!" I was full of ambition to win.

"That washing machine will be mine." I pointed to the white top loader washing machine at the stage. 

The goal is not only to win Axel stupid challenge anymore, but now my life is at stake. 

"I'll go to the toilet. Do you want too?" I saw a public toilet in the back of the stage. 

"Queen of strategy who wanted to empty her stomach first huh?" Axel read my thoughts so well, he said it so loudly other people stared at us, Lightly I hit his stomach with my fist, I promised it's super lightly. 

"Ouch!" He exclaimed, I ran to the toilet before he could reach me. 

When I got back from the toilet, Axel was leaning against a post, checking his watch. He looked up and grinned as soon as he saw me approaching.

"You hit me to knock me out of the competition, huh?"

"Did I? I'm sorry I didn't see you there." I acted like I was innocent and gave my friendliest smile. 

"No way you didn't see me, I was there before you emptied your stomach in the toilet!" He shouted making sure that all people around us heard him. 

"Seeing how you took a long time, there must be a war there." He teased me with his disgusted face, so I approached him to try to cover his mouth. 

"Get your filthy hands off me!" Axel ran from me, "Your mouth is dirtier!" I chased him, but I stopped when I saw other people looked at us and shaking their head, 

We must look so childish right now, two grown ups with our office outfits running chasing down each other. But Axel was still avoiding me hard as he couldn't stop laughing, he looked so happy right now. His eyes were squinting as he laughed, making his eyes shaped like a crescent moon. I felt my heart warmed up seeing him this excited. 

The announcer called out over the loudspeaker. "Next up, we have Cora Davis and Axel Kusuma!"

Axel nudged me. "Look at that, our names together. Feels kinda like destiny, doesn't it?"

"Shut up," I muttered, but I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

We walked toward the long table lined with plates piled high with a variety of food; burger, pasta, soup, and many more. My stomach churned, both from nerves and excitement. This wasn't just some silly challenge anymore; I will try my best to win that washing machine. 

As we sat down, Axel leaned in. "Remember, top three. No pressure though?"

"Oh, there's pressure," I said, my eyes locked on the plates in front of us. "For you, when I beat you."

He chuckled, shaking his head.

The whistle blew, and the competition began. I didn't hesitate. My hands went straight for the first plate. The burger. The food was surprisingly good, which made it easier to shove bite after bite into my mouth. My mind was singularly focused on the goal ahead—beating Axel, and getting that washing machine.

Axel, of course, kept pace beside me, looking like he wasn't even trying that hard. But I could tell—he was competitive too, maybe even more than I was.

A few minutes in, I glanced sideways and saw Axel slowing down a bit, clearly not taking this as seriously as I was. I swallowed and smirked. "Too full to continue kiddo?"

He raised an eyebrow, his grin never fading. "It's called pacing myself. You'll see"

"Cora, get that washing machine," I said to myself, turning my attention back to the food.

The crowd was getting louder, cheering for different contestants. I could feel my stomach protesting, but I pushed through. I had to.

As I reached for another plate, I heard Axel mutter beside me, "You really do hate losing, huh?"

"You have no idea," I mumbled through a mouthful.

Suddenly, the announcer's voice rang out. "Five minutes left!"

Axel leaned closer, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "Remember, third place isn't enough. You've gotta beat me, too."

I glared at him, but there was no time for banter. This was it. Five more minutes of shoveling food into my mouth, of ignoring the growing ache in my stomach, of pretending the crowd wasn't watching.

And then the whistle blew signaling the end of the competition. I dropped the half-eaten dumpling in my hand, gasping for air. My stomach feels like it could explode anytime now. Around me, the crowd cheered and clapped, but all I could think about was whether I'd made it into the top three.

Axel was sitting beside me, casually wiping his mouth with a napkin, still looking damn fine, as if he hadn't just inhaled plate after plate of food. He turned toward me, his grin infuriatingly calm.

"So…you think you'll win?" he teased, his voice too smug for my liking.

I shot him a glare, barely able to answer him. "I have never lost."

Before he could respond, the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, the results are in! We will now announce our top three contestants."

The crowd hushed, and I felt my heart start to race. All I could think about was that washing machine—how badly I needed it, how my laundry situation was one sock away from disaster. I clenched my fists, waiting.

"In third place… with an impressive total of 10 plates eaten… Cora Davis!"

My name echoed through the festival, and for a second, I couldn't believe it. I blinked, my mind trying to catch up. "I did it?" I muttered to myself.

Axel was already clapping next to me, leaning in with a sly smile. "Well, your tactic really works." I wanted to punch that grin off his face, but instead, I shot back, "I'm not done yet. Keep clapping for yourself when I beat you."

The announcer continued. "And in second place… Axel Kusuma!"

Axel raised his hands in mock triumph, flashing me an exaggerated wink. "Looks like I'm still ahead of you, Cora. Hohoho!" 

"You're so full of it," I groaned, rolling my eyes.

"Full as the winner," he shot back, laughing at his own joke.

Before I could retort, the announcer interrupted again. "And now, for our first place champion, Mr Ronald…!" The crowd erupted in cheers as a giant of a man lumbered forward, raising his arms in victory. He must have been the size of a small bear, and it was a wonder I'd even managed to place third against someone like that. Somehow, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Axel in this ridiculous food competition felt oddly satisfying. 

As the announcer wrapped up the event, Axel turned to me, his expression smug. "Well, Cora, you didn't beat me, so no classes next week, but…" He raised an eyebrow. "Since you still managed to get in the top three, I'll honor the agreement."

I narrowed my eyes, already suspicious. "What do you mean?"

Axel grinned mischievously. "I won the washing machine, but I don't really need it. So, it's yours."

I blinked in surprise. "Wait—what? That's not fair! You won it, not me."

He shrugged casually, leaning back in his seat. "You worked so hard for that, plus you looked like you would cry if you didn't take it home." 

I crossed my arms, still feeling a bit uneasy about it. "Axel, you won that. You should take the prize."

He chuckled. "What am I going to do with two washing machines? I don't even do my own laundry."

I hesitated but then smiled, a new idea forming. "Alright, I'll take it only If you would trade my prize, please take the cooking set instead, You can't go home empty-handed, It wouldn't be right."

Axel's grin faltered for a moment as he considered the offer, then he sighed, though a smile still tugged at his lips. "Fine, deal. You'll take the washing machine, and I'll settle for the cooking set. But remember, I'm doing this because I'm generous."

I rolled my eyes, feeling relieved that he wouldn't go home empty handed. "The most generous Vice President Indeed." I said sarcastically but deep down, my heart kinda agreed with what I said.