Scenario:Uriel - Uriel's Dish

Uriel's Dish

Uriel is preparing for the Sazak Culinary Contest when he visits Ardente—a popular restaurant considered to be a top contender to win the competition—along with the other primarchs. Uriel is impressed by the presentation of the dishes, but the young chef who prepared the dishes makes an appearance and is hostile to Uriel. After a tense exchange, Uriel sets out to train himself for a battle he cannot afford to lose.

---

Uriel is taking care of children from the orphanage at Uriel's Kitchen.

After the primarchs finish their task...

Director: Would you consider entering the Sazak Culinary Contest?

At the sudden request of the orphanage director, Uriel decides to participate in a contest.

Late one night after closing, the four primarchs gather together in Uriel's Kitchen.

Raphael: From what whispers the wind has brought to me, it seems that artistry and aesthetics are key to winning the Sazak Culinary Contest.

Raphael: The recipes followed by previous winners have been both innovative and extravagant.

Uriel: So they're big on presentation, huh? I guess Sazak's a pretty artsy place.

Michael: I looked into the contest's guidelines. All you must do is prepare the ingredients provided before serving your dish to the judges.

Michael: The judges are different every year, but it seems the contest is headed by a gourmet named Savarin.

Uriel: Huh, okay... Thanks for checking all that for me!

Gabriel: Hehe! We'd do anything to help you, Uriel!

Gabriel: Now then, it should be about time...

Gabriel is a crew member

---

Leon: Good evening, Uriel.

Gabriel not in crew

---

???: Good evening, Uriel.

Uriel: M-master Leon?

Before them stands Leon Mondune, a world-famous painter known as one of the greatest artists of his time.

Also known as the Magus of Melancholy, Leon is Gabriel's art mentor and a regular customer of Uriel's Kitchen.

Uriel: I hate to say this when you're already here, but we're closed for today—

Leon: Yes, I am aware. I have come to help you awaken your talent...

Gabriel: So! Were you able to get a reservation at that popular restaurant?

Leon: Every flower must one day fade, no?

Uriel: F-flowers?

Gabriel: That's just his way of saying "of course"!

Uriel: Uh, okay... So what's this about a popular restaurant?

Leon: You will understand in due time. Let us meet again tomorrow.

The following day, the four primarchs are accompanied by Leon as they visit an extravagant restaurant.

Everyone nervously takes their seats while looking around the restaurant's opulent interior, which is richly decorated with paintings and antiques.

Uriel: It's like an art museum in here... Little unsettling, honestly.

Uriel: Even these plates are super fancy. They put food on these?

Leon: No, these are charger plates. They are set on the table before the food arrives.

Uriel: You're kidding! So they're just for show?

Leon: They have a long history of use, but essentially, yes.

Uriel: Huh! This is another one of those "culture" things, isn't it?

Gabriel: I'd expect nothing less from a restaurant like Ardente... I feel as though we're being initiated into high society.

Raphael: If the whispers carried by the wind are to be believed, no restaurant in Sazak is more popular or more difficult to obtain a reservation at than this one.

Raphael: Apparently, this establishment is particularly well-known for its presentation, and is even seen as a top contender for the Sazak Culinary Contest.

Michael: Raphael. I noticed that you've been carrying around an assortment of cooking magazines under your arm since yesterday...

Michael: Is the "wind" you keep mentioning a way of referring to those magazines?

Raphael: The wind blows, and I simply follow.

After a period of somewhat nervous waiting, the charger plates are collected and dishes begin to be served to the group.

Uriel: Wow, look at these plates! They're so spacious!

Michael: Mm, some of the sauce seems to have spilled onto the edge of this plate...

Gabriel: It's as though they've used the sauce to paint color onto it!

Raphael: The bread is delicious.

Uriel: Hey, hold on... How many things have they crammed onto the plate this time?

Michael: They arranged many smaller items into a circular pattern... It looks just like a rainbow.

Gabriel: It's just like a color wheel. It's so pretty I almost feel bad eating it.

Raphael: The bread is delicious.

Uriel: They arranged the meat to look like flower petals... That's a great idea!

Raphael: M-my stomach... I've had too much bread...

Gabriel: You okay? As long as you keep eating it, they won't stop bringing us more.

Michael: Even with all his mastery of storms and currents, it seems the primarch of wind is powerless to reverse the flow of bread...

Though overwhelmed by the wide variety of unfamiliar dishes, Uriel and the others finish the full-course meal.

Young Chef: I'm the head chef of Ardente. I hope you all enjoyed your meal.

Uriel: We sure did! Every dish was like a work of art. You opened my eyes to a whole new world!

Young Chef: I'm delighted to hear that.

Young Chef: I trust that now you are convinced your sorry cooking has no chance of winning the contest.

All Four: ...!

Young Chef: I know who you are, Uriel. You came here to get a sense of what you're up against, didn't you?

Young Chef: Honestly... I haven't had the slightest idea why Father would choose to endorse someone like yourself.

Uriel: W-wait! You're not talking about the orphanage director, are you?

Young Chef: I am. I grew up at the orphanage, and Father taught me how to cook.

The young chef looks down on Uriel with a mocking expression.

Young Chef: I took a peek at your cooking, but it was evident at first glance just how little attention you give to aesthetics.

Young Chef: I'd appreciate if you withdrew from the contest before you bring the rest of us down.

Uriel: H-hey! You listen here...

Standing up instinctively, Uriel glares at the young chef.

Uriel: I'll figure out how to cook the prettiest dishes ever by the time the contest rolls around!

Young Chef: Best of luck to you, then. I'm sure your kind companions will comfort you even if things don't work out.

Uriel: What'd you say!

Young Chef: Something wrong?

Gabriel: Calm down, both of you.

Michael: The contest is only a week away—you two may clash with each other then.

After being stopped by Gabriel and Michael, Uriel sits down.

Uriel: The check, please.

Young Chef: Here you are.

Uriel: Huhhh? Ain't no way it costs that much!

Leon: The price is fair, I assure you. Regardless, I will handle the bill.

Young Chef: Thank you for your continued patronage, Master Leon.

Leon: I have high expectations of your talent, as well.

Leon: Putting your talent to the test against one another will have a positive effect on you both.

Young Chef: ...?
Y-yes, sir...

With that, Uriel leaves the popular restaurant Ardente, somehow managing to keep his burning spirit in check.

With one week remaining before the day of the contest, Uriel strives to improve his cooking with the help of the other primarchs.

Uriel's Dish: Scene 2

The culinary contest begins. The young chef of Ardente quickly completes three artistically appealing appetizers, and Uriel frantically attempts to outshine the presentation skills of his opponent with his own cooking. However, an exchange with the children from the orphanage reminds Uriel that the smiles of his customers are what he cherishes most, and he feels inspired.

---

The day of the Sazak Culinary Contest has arrived.

Set up in a plaza in Sazak, the contest venue is packed with people.

As excitement for the event continues to ramp up, the four primarchs have gathered together in Uriel's cooking space.

Michael: I must admit, I'm surprised. I didn't expect you to be able to learn how to cook a full-course meal so quickly.

Uriel: It's all thanks to you three for helping me train!

Uriel: Gabriel taught me about the art of presentation, Michael taught me to think about the overall composition like the dishes were actors on a stage...

Uriel: And of course, Raphael's advice about veggies was a huge help, too!

Raphael: Yes... I have no doubt in your ability to prepare beautiful dishes. Even something like cutting carrots into decorative shapes is well within your capacity to do.

Raphael: However. Perhaps the wind carries you elsewhere...

Gabriel: Raphael?

Young Chef: I see you decided to show up. I thought you'd stay home, crying into a pillow.

Uriel: You're the one who's going to cry all the way home when this contest is over!

Young Chef: I like your spirit, if nothing else. I'll teach baby his lesson soon enough.

Savarin: Dear promising chefs! Welcome to Sazak's culinary extravaganza!

Savarin: Allow me to introduce you to today's exemplary gourmets who will be judging alongside me!

Savarin: First of all, our vice chairpersons: (Captain) and company!

1. Thank you!

Choose: Thank you!

Lyria: I-I'm a little nervous, but I'll do my best!

Uriel: H-huh? They're gonna be judges?

Savarin: I begged them to attend. While they may be skyfarers by profession, they are also excellent chefs!

Vyrn: You learn a few things when you're a skyfarer for as long as we've been... Happy to be here today!

Despite Uriel's surprise, the opening ceremony otherwise proceeds smoothly.

Savarin: Now then, the time limit will be thirty minutes! Okay... let the cooking begin!

At Savarin's command, the contest begins.

Standing amongst the crowd of spectators, the other primarchs watch closely as the battle unfolds.

Michael: They have to check the ingredients first... Already, they've reached a critical moment in the contest.

Gabriel: It's going to be pretty tough if there are too many rare ingredients.

Uriel: No weird vegetables I've never heard of, please!

Uriel opens up a provided pantry, praying to find something usable inside.

Uriel: Oh!

Young Chef: Carrots, potatoes, onions, broccoli, mushrooms...

Young Chef: Well, good for you. The pantry's filled with common ingredients you could buy anywhere.

Uriel: You sure you've got enough spare time to be a pain in the ass?

Young Chef: I've already finished the amuse-bouche, so I'd say I've got time to spare.

Uriel: Wh-what!

Young Chef: By all means, see my vegetable objet for yourself.

Michael: His popularity as a chef is well-earned... The stringlike vegetables are delicately intertwined... much like fine glasswork.

Raphael: ...

Orphan Boy: Wow, he's a pretty awesome chef! How'd he make it that fast?

Orphan Girl: I wonder if Uriel's doing okay?

Gabriel: Oh, I didn't realize you three were here!

Director: We came to see how the two of them would fare against each other.

Uriel: I can't do anything about the difference in experience between us... But with these ingredients, maybe...

Young Chef: Good heavens... Do you still think you can win?

Uriel: Tch...

Young Chef: The more common an ingredient, the more understanding it requires to be used effectively.

Young Chef: "Water Lily Potatoes"!

"Broccoli Grove Adventure!"

"The Chef's Maze of Mushrooms"!

Uriel: Huh? You already made three appetizers?

Young Chef: A word to the wise: to a sloth, half an hour lasts but a moment!

Orphan Boy: Wooww! I've never seen food like that before!

Gabriel: He's making full use of his artistic senses... It's a masterpiece of cuisine!

Uriel: Tch! I've gotta move fast, too!

Uriel: But how the hell am I going to make a full-course meal that's better than his?

Desperately thinking of a solution, Uriel grabs his frying pan and just starts moving.

Uriel: There we go! I'll use the concept of leaves falling in winter, decorating the plate with stir-fried vegetables...

Young Chef: Hahaha! A plain old stir-fry? You're kidding!

Young Chef: When would you serve that in a full-course meal? What's even the concept here?

Uriel: Ugh...

Uriel: I'm not done yet! I'll use all my training to build a little winter mountain, and then...

Uriel continues to frantically prepare before finally finishing a single dish.

Uriel: Finished! This "Winter Mountain" will be the appetizer, and now I'll start on the soup...

Orphan Boy: Hi, Uriel!

Orphan Girl: Hey, how do you eat this?

Uriel: Y-you two? This area's for the chefs only!

Orphan Boy: I was just curious because I saw you making something weird!

Uriel: W-weird? Come on, it's super pretty...

Orphan Girl: Yeah, it is! That one carrot standing there, it's just like a big mountain...

Uriel: Pretty impressive, right? Next we'll cover it in cream sauce like snow, and then cut up the veggies in the shape of leaves and branches...

Orphan Girl: It looks tough to eat though!

Uriel: Huh?

Orphan Boy: You said it yourself, Uriel.

Orphan Boy: Just think about what would bring a smile to a friend, and it's a total cinch!

Uriel: ...!

Orphan Boy: It's pretty, but it doesn't make me feel like smiling. It kinda feels like a waste, or something?

Orphan Girl: Yeah! You're supposed to eat it, right? Is a carrot mountain supposed to be tasty?

Orphan Boy: Anyway, see you later! We'll be cheering for both you guys!

Uriel: ...

Uriel smacks himself on the cheek as he watches the children run off.

Uriel: Seriously... Just what the hell am I doing here!

Uriel: It's a contest, sure, but at the end of the day I'm still just serving food to somebody!

Uriel: I know what I've gotta do...

As the hesitation fades from Uriel's eyes, he begins to work with a single-minded focus.

Uriel's Dish: Scene 3

The contest's judging period begins. The young chef of Ardente serves a beautiful full-course meal and Uriel serves only stew. Uriel had adjusted his usual recipe in order to accommodate the judges' exhausted palates at this point in the contest, and he ultimately wins the contest alongside the young chef. The young chef becomes aware of something he had lost sight of with cooking, and the two chefs acknowledge each other as worthy rivals.

---

The time limit for the cooking expires, and the contestants' food is brought to the judges' table on the stage.

Savarin: What a shame. The balance of the colors and overall presentation of the dish leave a lot to be desired...

Lyria: It was delicious! Such a combination of flavors in a single bite...

Vyrn: Hmm... Tough call. How do you grade something like this? Soup shouldn't be too rich...

Michael: (Captain) and the others are doing fine as judges, aren't they?

Gabriel: It doesn't look like they've found a winner just yet.

Orphan Boy: Ah, it's our chef friend up next!

Young Chef: Here you are.

Savarin: Hmm... You're that chef of Ardente, no? People have been speaking highly of you lately. Now, then...

Savarin: Th-this! It's...

Lyria: Wow! So many beautiful dishes!

Young Chef: I've prepared a full-course meal. Normally, the dishes would be served in order, but today I've lined them up together simultaneously.

Vyrn: Whoa! You're telling me you made all this in half an hour?

Savarin: A pure visual delight, like a culinary jewelry case!

Young Chef: (Heh... I've got this in the bag now!)

Savarin: Let's give it a taste now...

Savarin: Hmm... The texture of the vegetables is a little off, but great execution overall!

Vyrn: It's like an edible work of art, or something like that!

Gabriel: That's the highest rating they've given so far... It's no wonder that he's favored to win this.

Raphael: The vegetables. They were crying.

Gabriel: What?

Raphael: Preparing the vegetables artfully is a wonderful thing, but cutting them like that detracts from their flavor.

Raphael: No matter how much praise they give the presentation, the judges will not miss this fact in their evaluations.

Director: ...

As the young chef walks away, Uriel's turn finally arrives.

Uriel: Here's my dish.

Savarin: Hm? "Dish," singular? Are you sure this is all you wish to submit?

Uriel: Yeah, this is enough.

Orphan Boy: Looks super tasty! But... it's just a regular old stew!

Orphan Girl: Is that okay? Everybody else made so many things...

Michael: Has Uriel exhausted himself? Serving only his usual stew is perhaps a little—

Young Chef: You gave up?
How disappointing.

Uriel: ...

Lyria: I'll give it a taste now!

The judges slowly bring Uriel's stew to their mouths.

Savarin: Ah! Ahhhh!

1. Th-this stew! It's...

Choose: Th-this stew! It's...

Chewing down the stew, Savarin and (Captain) place their palms on their foreheads without a second thought.

Savarin: Ooh...

Young Chef: Heh! Look... It's so bad, Master Savarin is crying...

Savarin: Outstanding...

Young Chef: ...!

Savarin: Tender... It's just so tender!

Savarin: The simple flavor envelops your tongue, filling you with a feeling of happiness that takes hold of your soul and refuses to let go...

Savarin: Ahhh... M-mother? Am I in your arms once more?

Vyrn: The veggies give it a certain sweetness, and it's got that mellow flavor you always get with Uriel's cooking...

Vyrn: But... huh? The flavor seems less intense than usual...

Savarin: I see, I see! You decided to cut down on the complexity of flavors in your dish, didn't you?

Uriel: Yup, you got it.

Uriel: We're near the end of the judging process, right? Your tongues must be reaching their limit after trying out everyone's dishes.

Uriel: I cooked a little differently than I normally would so that you could all enjoy the dish as much as possible.

Lyria: Uriel... You were thinking about how we're feeling while you cooked?

Uriel: Come to think of it, that was pretty much the only plan I had in mind.

Uriel: It's not exactly an innovative dish, but if the customers are happy, that's the only thing that matters!

Seeing the judges' smiling faces, Uriel beams brightly.

Savarin: That's it for the judging process!

Savarin: After trying a multitude of different dishes, we've finally arrived at a conclusion!

Savarin: The winner of the Sazak Culinary Contest is...

Savarin: The chef of Ardente!

Young Chef: ...!

Uriel: Haha... Guess I lost.

Savarin: And our next winner: the namesake chef of Uriel's Kitchen, Uriel!

Uriel: Huh?

Lyria: You both won!

Vyrn: You two were awesome! Congrats!

Gabriel: Congratulations, Uriel!

Uriel: Thanks! I didn't make great use of my training this past week, but...

Raphael: You managed to achieve victory with your everyday cooking. One couldn't ask for a better win.

Uriel: Haha, you've got a point!

Young Chef: ...

Uriel: Oh, hey... Looks like it was a draw, huh.

Young Chef: No... I was utterly defeated.

After speaking these words, the young chef's shoulders slump.

Young Chef: I... lost sight of what should matter most.

Young Chef: I became obsessed with appearances and totally lost sight of how my customers might be feeling...

Director: If you've learned that much, I'd guess everything is going to be all right now.

Young Chef: Father!

Director: The other day when I visited Ardente, you seemed to be so preoccupied with the execution of your work that you didn't even look at the faces of your customers.

Director: I wanted you to learn from Uriel's attitude toward cooking, which is why I asked him to compete.

Young Chef: Wait, so... You're saying you did all of this for me?

With a gentle smile, the director faces Uriel and bows deeply.

Director: Uriel. Thank you so much for all your help.

Young Chef: If there's anything I can do for you to express my gratitude, please just say the word.

Uriel: Anything, huh? Hmm... In that case...

Uriel: Teach me how to cook.

Young Chef: Huh?

Uriel: You spoke the truth. There's nothing fun about the presentation of my cooking.

Uriel: Er, well... I've seen firsthand just how great you are with that sorta thing. And, uh... I wanna learn from you, you know?

Young Chef: I...

Young Chef: I won't do that.

Uriel: Hey! You said "anything," didn't you?

Young Chef: Don't make impossible demands. A chef's skill is their entire life. I can't give something like that away so easily.

Young Chef: But I'd be happy to teach you my methods if you teach me yours.

Uriel: You...

Uriel: Yeah, all right!

Somewhat embarrassed, the two chefs look each other in the eye and firmly shake hands.

The others look on, each with warm expressions on their faces.

One day during a crowded lunch hour at Uriel's Kitchen...

Uriel: Uri-ello! Please take a seat right over there!

Uriel: Oh, you placed an order to go? Hang on just a minute, I'll bring it right out—

Uriel is hard at work, a smile on his face and a ladle in his hand.

The item taking up the most space on the handmade menu is the restaurant's signature dish, Uriel's Stew.

However, an additional item has been added to the corner of the menu.

It reads: "Uriel's Full-Course Meal (In Training)."

Many trials yet await Uriel as he continues down the path of a chef.