"Well, shit."

I feel my arms go weak at Levi's words and I begin to slowly put down the man in my hands.

I knew it...

I mean, even though we lost this first competition we still have one more chance. Only problem was, this loss just put us dead last.

But Annie was so close! I refuse to believe--

"She did it." If my head snapped up any faster than It had, my neck would have broken.

"Wait, what?"

Right on que, Pixis takes hold of the microphone to explain the results. "Well, what a turn of events! Since Annie pressed the buzzer one berry before Mikasa...Maria's has officially won the first match!"

The words are still registering when the crowd of chefs and waiters go wild. Even though I knew Titan's would easily work their way back up from last, the defeated look on their faces was worth this small victory.

"Yes!" I'm overwhelmed with happiness and relief. I finally put Levi fully down, in favor of wrapping my arms around him in joy.

"I can't believe it!" I feel the shorter man chuckle against my chest.

I gasp, realizing what I'm doing. I quickly release Levi. "Oh jeez...ah, s-sorry." Rubbing the back of my neck nervously, I avert my eyes. Luckily, I spot Annie pushing her way through the crowd toward us, saving me from an oncoming awkward convo.

I rush over to her, grabbing her by the shoulders.

She gasps at the sudden contact but offers a small smile upon realizing it's only me. "I didn't know you could mince!" I don't know how she managed to hear me over the shouting crowd but she shrugs with a bashful look.

The rest of our team comes over to congratulate her before Pixis is tapping the mic on stage to gather everyone's attention.

"Now, now, I know we're all hyped from the first match, but we still have more to get through!"

Everyone recomposes themselves, and the man continues.

"Alright, since Maria's wall is in first, the next competition will be them versus one of you lucky restaurants. Beating them will shoot you all the way up to first!"

A few whoops resonate from the crowd at the chance.

I scoff, rolling my eyes. We're not going down that easily.

Pixis chuckles. "Seems like you're ready, huh? Let me explain the next match while these wonderful assistants ready the area."

I'm overtaken with slight confusion when I notice that they're not setting anything up on the stage...but on the grounds where all of us contestant's stood.

"As you may notice," Pixis announces, "we are having tables set up around the auditorium...."

Right on que, the assistants position pop-up round tables, with a white table cloth draped over it.

"Each team will be assigned a table to sit at, so please. Proceed to find it."

Pixis takes a step back from his mic, giving everyone their cue to find a table.

Our team quickly spouts the table assigned to us with a golden plaque reading 'Maria's', and we waste no time in taking a seat.

"Wait a minute, why is there an extra chair here...?" Armin whispers, pointing out the empty seat beside him.

I squint suspiciously."Hm. That's wei--"

"I can see many of you realized there is an extra seat at your table."

Everyone's attention is back on Pixis.

"That, is no coincidence...judges!" Suddenly, right on cue, a line of men and women stream into the auditorium, filling in the empty seats at each team's table.

"These lovely men and women will be judging for our next competition."

My attention momentarily breaks away from the man on stage when a woman holding a clipboard sits down at our table's empty seat. "Hello, Maria's! The name's Ilse!"

We all give quick introductions before she scribbles something down onto her clipboard.

"Speaking of the competition, I will be picking the next challengers from your teams before explaining the details."

I internally groan. I really wish this guy would get on with it. I know patience is a virtue or whatever, but impatience gets shit done.

"Since they won the previous round, I'll be picking from Maria's first! Let's see...." Pixis then pulls a paper from his pocket, opening it up. He smirks before clearing his throat.

"Levi Ackerman! Congratulations, you're up!"

Our team's eyes slowly shift to the man who sat stoic in his seat. We offer a round of applause, but don't know weather to be nervous or happy that he had gotten picked.

Levi has been apart of our restaurant for less than a week, and so none of us truly know what this guy was capable of...or what to expect.

"Maria's Wall will now compete against...Crimson Bow's Oluo Bozado!"

Again, a wave of applause fills the room before Pixis continues. "Alright, now the competition the two of you will be competing in is....a waiter simulation!"

"The fuck is that?" Levi mutters beside me. I nudge him with a foot under the table, gesturing to the judge across from us.

I swear, he's gonna mess this up before even getting on the stage with that mouth...

"This isn't your normal waitering job though...the food is pre-made so no need to take orders. What you guys will be aiming for in this challenge is to impress judges with how consistent, polite, and loved by the customers you are!"

As Pixis explains the rules I begin to understand why we were sitting at tables. We're the customers that have to be pleased aren't we...?

I smile, this should be simple enough. We can just act super pleased when Levi serves us, and we're bound to get a decent score right?

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Pixis smiles, "the two competing are allowed to serve their own tables, but won't be judged; keep that in mind contestants. We don't want any unfair advantages or disadvantages since your are going to be timed....

I sigh, it's just one inconvenient thing after the next.

"Im going to get ready." Levi chair squeaks as he stands up in his spot, swiftly moving over to our makeshift restaurant station.

"Contestants you have an hour to prepare yourself. Rest up, hydrate, and again: good luck."