62.iii A Fry Cook Knows Hunger Too Well

Bodhi

“That’s my fry cook hero!”

As soon as Bodhi heard those words, they closed their eyes and nodded sagely. The monk felt like they could finally breathe.

“What’s with you?” Ham Song asked, sounding more concerned than annoyed.

“It’s that time you’ve been waiting for. Watch him stand tall, pig.” The monk opened their gray eyes. “Because our champion is starting to believe.”

“So then what’s happening now, Chow?”

“It would appear that judge Shan Boshan went to escort Sun Ritsu off the platform before he hurt himself. However, Sun Ritsu refused to forfeit.”

“And I’m getting word that he actually does have a stage name?”

“Yes, we learned from a rather enthusiastic fan that he’s the Fry Cook Hero. Anyhow, it appears that Shan Boshan took one bite out of Sun Ritsu’s creation and decided that his performance needed further deliberation among the other judges before moving on.”

“Is that why they’re all taking bites out of the same burger? Isn’t that sort of thing against Code?”

“I think they’re making an exception this time, Dan. Based on how exhausted the Fry Cook Hero is, I don’t think he can conjure any more food into existence.”

Even though nothing was happening, the crowd waited with bated breath. They had seen enough to realize that there was something special going on with Ritsu’s food.

With each moment that passed, the trash piles around Ritsu every so slowly shifted. The litter rustled around Ritsu like waves against the shore, as if he were the moon pulling in the tides through its gravity.

Finally, Old Master Laozhi rose to his feet and walked to the outside of the judges’ panel in order to address the crowd.

“That which is wondrous and true could be felt more vividly than it can be seen. I’ve said this before. And nothing today encompasses this sentiment more than the mysteries packed inside that hamburger. It is for this reason…”

His aged, hooded gaze scanned the stadium until it landed on Ritsu.

“That your Fry Cook Hero is advancing to the next round.”

With a grand turn and sweep of his sleeves, he returned to his seat.

“Chow! Chow! Chow! Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

There, alone at the center of the platform, Sun Ritsu – the Fry Cook Hero – let his shoulders drop as he tilted his head back and released an agonizing breath. With that single push of inner strength, the crop circle of trash was blown out of bounds.

Sweat pearled away from Ritsu’s brow as he basked in the late day sun and stadium lights. With what strength he had left, he hoisted his spatula above his head and punched the air as hard as he could.

“yeeeeeeeEEAAAAAAAHHGHGHGHGH!”

Every spirit in the stadium got on their feet and roared right along with him. Despite not ever having the chance to really know the reason behind his win, Ritsu’s open catharsis was too infectious to ignore.

“SO THIS MEANS??? THE FRY COOK HERO DOES IT AGAIN?? HOW DOES THIS GUY MANAGE TO FIND THE MOST UNORTHODOX WAY TO SECURE A SPOT IN THE NEXT ROUND? CAN YOU BELIEVE IT AND WILL IT EVER STOP? I HOPE NOT, CHOW. I VERY MUCH THAT HE NEVER GIVES IT UP.”

Chills chased their way up and down Bodhi’s spine. The monk realized that had it not been for Ritsu’s emotional reaction, he might have lost the audience’s faith.

“If it wasn’t clear to all of us before, it is now, Dan. The Fry Cook Hero is definitely hungry for that Sevenfold title. He’s letting us know right here. Right now.”

There was nothing calculated in what Ritsu was doing, but having the audience rooting for him made all the difference.

“He’s a true underdog.” Seven said with a Buddah-like smile.

Bodhi felt the truth of those words. They looked over at Ham Song and knew instantly that the pig felt them too.

Then, more like himself, Seven started tapping the air and making calculations.

“And as soon as we get back, I need to have some shirts made that say, That’s my fry cook hero. Oh yeah. Those are gonna sell like hot cakes!”