Chapter Text
Today had been a slow day; something the Ovenist wasn’t used to. It left them feeling unaccomplished as if they still retained that energy to do more.
They soon fell into the routine of cleaning the kitchen counters, mopping the floors, and readjusting small details that made the place their own.
They stood and stretched for a bit. It was dead silent, except for the few police sirens that would occasionally pass by. No surprises as it was apparently 10 pm now. Time had passed faster than they anticipated. To unwind, they decided on talking a walk outside their beloved pizzeria.
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They walked at a steady rhythm on the quiet city sidewalks. Their hometown as beautiful as ever. They passed by other shop owners closing up their own stores as they had been previously. Soon, the worries that had come with the day had gone as quickly as they came. Surely their business wasn’t failing right? Their daily number of customers and sells had only gone down by a bit. Still it left a sour taste in their mouth.
Their pizzeria had just been booming recently, after beating that egotistical blue-haired bother. Now it just felt empty without a rival they had to constantly watch their back for. Maybe all they truly needed was a bit of a challenge.
The lack of customers itself is an issue, they thought. They hadn’t even realized that they had been walking aimlessly this whole time until they ran into someone.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going! Can’t you see there’s clearly a line here!? I’m not letting anyone take my spot!”
They stepped back, muttering quick apologies. They recognized the man that had just told them off. He used to be one of their most frequent visitors!
Then they looked up. There was that familiar neon sign that instantly got them in a mood. The sign clearly spelt one word, Ambrosia. Of course, with their luck they had managed to stumble directly into the territory of a former rival.
Inspecting further, they noticed that the guy they had just bumped into was in a line that practically wrapped around the whole street. Hadn’t Ambrosia basically gone broke after they beat the doctor in the PizzaPalooza?
Shock and confusion racked their body. They would be lying if they said that they didn’t even feel slightly frustrated. They did not care. They stormed past the crowd, ignoring the angry yells of the waiting customers, and burst into the establishment. “You!” They yelled pointing at the person attending someone at the cashier. Nobody could miss him.
The blue hair, his perfect lab coat, and that arrogant aura that followed him around everywhere he went.
The place matched exactly his personality. Clean and slightly intimidating. The blue haired man looked up in surprise before the smugness they were so used to, coated his face once more. Dr. Keh, the man that had once threatened their pizzeria was now doing it for a second time.
He could sense how irritated they felt. Clearing his throat, he left the customer he was attending to behind and moved closer to the Ovenist. He moved with such a grace yet with confidence, too much confidence. “Thought I wouldn’t be seeing you ever again,” he drawled. Then, he pretended to be interested in the line of people outside.
“Oh. Has this caught your attention, pest?
Clearly despite everything my pies are still better. I, Dr. Keh, goes undefeated!”
He raised his hand to his chest as if basking in the moment. Then he turned his gaze back to them.
“And your disappointment of a shop? Surprised it’s still running. Y’know there’s a rumor that you have rats making your pies, is it true?”
As they grew redder in anger, they finally snapped,
“That’s enough, Keh! What’s this all about, huh?! Have you created a new scientific formula to steal my customers!?”
At that Keh just laughed, as if amused at the very thought of that even being true.
“Do you really think that lowly of me, Ovenist? You’ve got to admit it, I’m better.”
He gave you a weird look, almost like how an actual doctor would before operating a surgery on you. Observatory. In a way, he creeped them out.
Then, he stepped closer, pretty much leading them out his store.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have customers to attend to.”
Before they could think of an answer, they were out the pizzeria, door shut in their face. They let out an angry scoff. “This isn’t over, Keh!” They yelled at no one in particular. Then the felt a tap on their shoulder. “Uh, are you in line or what?”
Right… The line.. The Ovenist just angrily stomped away from the crowd of people. It was definitely past midnight now. It made no sense! “Stupid Keh.. Stealing my customers.. He’s up to something, I just know it!” They murmured with rage underneath their breath.
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They finally exhaled, looking up. They had returned back to their establishment. They stared at the brick walls, the neon sign now turned off, and the patio area where their most loyal employee would dance their heart out in a ridiculous costume. They normally felt joy or pride at the sight of it.
Their very own pizzeria, something they had always dreamed about. They never expected so many obstacles in the way of their dreams. You’ll get over this, you’ve beaten Alicante, that weird cult, and even Pizzapalooza, this is nothing! They thought. But back then those challenges felt like a breeze. Now it felt like they were faced with a brick wall.
Keh had been a pain in the ass since they first met him. But they never expected such resilience. They were doomed, completely and utterly doomed.
Their pizzeria stood no chance against whatever Keh was experimenting with in his kitchen. But no. They couldn’t give up. Not now when they were so close! They would expose Keh to the world, just like they did before! But… how?
Realizing that they had been standing like a zombie outside of their pizzeria, they walked inside, relaxing at the familiar surroundings. They sat down in one of their booths, pulling out their trusty notepad. They needed a plan!
Step number 1: Get closer to Keh enough so he can spill his secrets!
They groaned at the very thought of even just interacting with him.
Fuck.