Chapter 506 - A Splendid Lunch
It's my personal theory, but I believe a person's 'personality' comes out in many aspects of their cooking.
From the taste and presentation of the finished dish to the cooking process itself, not to mention menu planning, preparation, and cleanup—an individual's habits are involved every step of the way.
For example, I'm a classic efficiency type. Whether it's cooking or baking, I don't have many particular preferences; for me, saving time is justice.
Of course, I want to eat delicious food, so I don't cut corners where it matters, but that's also probably why my cooking never moves beyond what's in the manual.
Now, as for Sora-san—
"...Have you, by any chance, worked in a high-class restaurant before?"
"Um... I don't think you see sandwiches on the menu at a high-class restaurant very often...?"
If I had to describe her in one word, it would be precise.
Her movements in the kitchen were completely free of hesitation, and the swift, efficient way she handled everything had something in common with my own by-the-book cooking. But her speed came from a foundation of thoroughly honed, meticulous technique.
In short, she was fast because she didn't make mistakes, and therefore never hesitated. And in addition to a cooking speed that rivaled mine—someone who ruthlessly cuts corners wherever possible—her food would undoubtedly taste better.
I mean, if I were to make a sandwich, the thought of carefully coating the bread with butter and mustard wouldn't even cross my mind.
Her knife skills were a blur, of course, but so were the vegetable prep, boiling the eggs... Since it was a simple menu, everything she was doing was straightforward, which made her skill all the more apparent. This fifteen-year-old has got it.
I've lost count of how many times I've thought this, but are you really fifteen?
"Should I take that as a compliment?"
"Of course I'm complimenting you. Ashe said we could leave the meals to the chef who's coming later, but now I'm getting curious about what other elaborate dishes you can make..."
When we were discussing what to make, she had confidently stated, "I can basically make anything." And... you know, I get the feeling Sora would be great at home cooking.
When I meet her in the real world, she has this overwhelming aura of a refined young lady, but she also has this calming, reassuring quality that fits the image of—
Whoops, now what's this action all about? You're too close, too close.
"...I think Ashe will be back or Nia will be coming down any minute now."
"They're not here yet. I've been patient all morning, so just a little bit longer."
We arranged the colorful sandwiches on a large platter, and done. We'd been cleaning up as we went, so all the work was finished at the exact same moment the food was ready. I decided to praise her then, but her response was more action than words.
Heat transferred from the body pressed snugly against mine, but with the building's air conditioning, I couldn't use the excuse that it was 'too hot' because of the summer weather.
"Well, I guess... thirty sec—"
"We're not holding hands, and I'm not hugging you, so the countdown is void. This is just me, feeling tired and leaning on my partner next to me."
"Seriously...? Sora-san, you've gotten pretty good at saying sly things, haven't you?"
"Only with you, Haru... Do you not like it?"
"That's unfair, too."
Her upward glance, a combined result of our proximity and height difference, landed a critical hit.
My brain was momentarily hijacked by the word 'cute,' but lately, I've started to build up a bit of a resistance.
"Okay, that's enough. I'm going to go check on Nia. She's probably feeling better by now."
I didn't want to be rough, so instead of ruffling her hair, I gently patted the beautiful black locks that naturally formed a halo, and slipped away.
Instantly, Sora's cheeks puffed out in a clear expression of dissatisfaction, but there was no need to worry.
"Jeez... I won't let you get away with skipping a day, you know."
"Haha, ha... Please be gentle with me."
No matter how many times I deflect her advances, my partner here isn't one to get discouraged anymore.
◇◆◇◆◇
'I apologize for causing trouble so early on...'
"It wasn't that much trouble. I was worried, though."
"I'm relieved you're feeling better now."
'Well then, I'm sorry for making you worry. Thanks.'
When I peeked into her room, Nia was already sitting up. We met up with Ashe, who had returned from her tour of the premises, just as the clock struck noon.
When we asked where we should eat, our host replied, "Anywhere is fine," so we brought our light meal to a cozy-looking lounge near the kitchen and started our lunch.
First, Nia held up her phone with her written apology and bowed her head, but after Ashe and then Sora dismissed it in under ten seconds, she amended her message.
Nia's ability to move on quickly is one of her strengths. I think it's a great, refreshing quality.
With that out of the way, we put our hands together and said, "Itadakimasu." Wow, this is incredible. It's my first time sharing a meal with both Nia and Ashe, and seeing these foreign girls side-by-side, following Japanese customs, is a rare experience indeed.
In terms of appearance, Sora-san also has a slightly non-Japanese look to her, so seeing the three of them together is even more striking. If you took a photo and donated it to a museum, they'd probably accept it without question and have it on display the same day.
"Haru."
"Yes—um, I might have asked this before, but am I that easy to read?"
As I was lost in my foolish thoughts, Sora immediately shot me a smile. Sensing that she had read my incomprehensible mind, I posed the question to the others.
Ashe and Nia both tilted their heads.
"I think it shows on your face."
'When you're thinking something weird or rude, I can just kind of tell from your vibe.'
"No way...!"
They affirmed it so matter-of-factly that I was completely mortified.
How could this be? The very same me, the solitary part-timer who was told things like, "Kasuga-kun, I can never tell what you're thinking," all through high school...!
"Um, putting Haru aside for a moment."
"The sorrow of being put aside by my precious partner..."
"Oh, be quiet! Just eat your sandwich!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Not that I mind, though...
After all, this was my precious partner's first culinary creation for me. Maintaining a poker face while inwardly bubbling with excitement, I picked one up and took a bite—
...Ah... this is, well. This is simply 'violence,' a combination of high-quality ingredients and a high-quality chef. It's not revenge for how I treated her, but I'll make sure to praise her to death later and make her blush.
This time, intentionally suppressing my expression and aura, I listened as the conversation among the dazzling ladies continued smoothly, ignoring the fool lost in his foolish thoughts.
—Correction, the one-on-one conversation between Sora and Ashe was proceeding smoothly.
Perhaps because we were eating with our hands, Nia had politely put her phone away and was concentrating on her sandwich. Judging by her happy expression, she didn't seem to mind at all... but this is something to be mindful of in the future.
It would be better to avoid menus that require eating with your hands so Nia can also participate in the conversation.
"When do you think the others will arrive?"
"Uni will probably be here by evening. The other three... I'm not sure. Goldow and the others said it might be nighttime."
"Uni-san, the [Heavy Tank]... he's the only one I haven't met. I'm a little nervous."
"He's a good person. He's exceptionally good at reading the room and is considerate without making it obvious. He's a slightly different type from Haru, but in terms of being able to get along with anyone in an instant, they might be similar."
"Is... that so?"
"Hm? Ah... well, he seemed like a fun guy, I guess."
Unlike Sora, I have met him before, but we haven't exchanged many words. Since he wasn't a member of the 'White Throne' subjugation team, my only point of contact with the Southern Faction's second-in-command was that one Four Pillar War.
And in that sole encounter, what did I do to him? I pulled a dirty trick. I'm honestly a little scared of what kind of impression he might have of me.
"Isn't the [Heavy Tank] an old-school player? Sora, you've probably seen him in videos and stuff, so you might know more about his personality than I do, right?"
"That may be true, but... I was just thinking that people's behavior in the real world and the virtual world can sometimes be quite different, or not at all."
I see. She said that while looking me straight in the eye.
"Haru is one of the ones who changes less. It's not uncommon for people to change so much you'd think they were a different person, so Sora is right—but Uni is relatively the same. You don't have to worry."
Ashe's confident assertion seemed to ease some of her tension. Perhaps as a thank you for the reassurance, Sora's expression softened slightly, and she was about to open her mouth—when she was interrupted by a sudden, "Ah," as if Ashe had just remembered something.
"He's a good person, but... just one word of caution."
And with the words that followed, which Ashe delivered with a rare, deliberate pause,
"He's an unparalleled cooking enthusiast and gets angry if you interfere too much. He'll probably be spending all his time playing in the kitchen after he arrives, but... be careful when you enter his territory."
It was in that moment that it was confirmed that the [Heavy Tank], whom I had barely met, was just as eccentric as the other title holders.
Sandwiches seem easy, but they're incredibly difficult.