Several Rounds Later

Erina and Souma continued their competition for several more bouts; each time asking for the same prize, an article of clothing. Each round ended with something being tossed into the box with the others. They did this over and over again until our young chefs were wearing nothing but their underwear. Now could they have simply reclaimed their clothes back as the reward rather than take from their opponent? Of Course! But their equally massive senses of pride would never allow it. They both felt asking for clothes back was tantamount to backing down and lowing the stakes of their contest. Neither could accept that. So Erina and Souma found themselves half-naked in front of one another red faced and embarrassed out of their minds but unwilling to to grad the lifelines in front of them.

"I-if you want," Erina started trying desperately to sound confident, "we can call it quits now before you are totally n-n-na-nak- defeated."

If it wasn't obvious Erina was the one who wanted to stop. Down to her lace purple panties and bra, the sheltered Erina could barely process the situation. All she could do was try and causally cross her arms to try and hide the massive amount of cleavage visibile on her shirtless form.

"No way," Souma retorted despite feeling equally embarrassed having only his blue boxers left. He was looking to the side unable to look at his underwear clad rival, "I'm going to win this thing!"

"Win," Erina laughed, "unlikely you've down to only one article of clothing."

"Two articles."

"What? No! you've only got your boxers left."

"Boxers," Souma said pointing at his last shred of dignity before pointing at his head, "Headband."

"That doesn't count!" Erina yelled.

"I'm wearing it aren't I, so it counts."

"Well, what if I don't want the headband?"

"Then take my boxers. I can still cook in just a headband."

"Shut up! Don't put images in my head."

As the two began to bicker as they often did, something interesting happened. Erina stopped trying to cover her cleavage and Souma resumed eye contact. Almost like challenging one another pushed everything else (like shame) out of their minds. Such a state would explain what happened next.

"Alright!" Erina burst out in the middle of the fight, "The headband counts as an article of clothing fine."

"Glad you agree," Souma smirked.

"But if that's true," Erina said with a blush. "Then for this round we're going double or nothing."

"Hmm?"

"Whoever loses this next round." Erina said almost shaking as she spoke the words, "gives up everything they've got left."

Souma's body went stiff. "You, you mean the loser's going to be, be. They are going to be." He stumbled over his words to say it.

"Na-nak." Erina said equally troubled.

"Naked" they finally said in unison.

There was a silence after the word finally came out. Souma was shocked Erina would take it that far. Although since she was Souma's rival, he really should have. Looking into Erina's eyes he could she her conviction, but also her fear. She didn't want to do this and honestly neither did he, but Souma couldn't back down this time. Yes because of his pride as a chef but because of something else too. Something greater.

"You're on Nakiri," Souma said tightening his headband. "Let's finish this."

"Fine, say goodbye to your clothes," Erina said. "If you beg I might let you keep the cardboard box to wear out of here."

With pride overpowering both their reason and shame, Erina and Souma entered their final round. Their lifelines were gone now all that remained was the threat of total humiliation.