"Hey, get some msg."
"No, I don't like it."
"Who ask your opinion? It was an order."
"Tch, who cares?!"
The morning started with a quarrel between Kazuya and Hikari. A supposely peaceful cooking class turned into a heated parliament argument between 2 sides, the msg lover Kazuya, and anti-msg Hikari.
The teacher ordered to form a group consist of five people, and you could freely choose whoever you want in your team. With that said, Kazuya teamed up with Hikari, Miyu, Keisuke and Shinji. Initially Keisuke form a group of these 3 men before later got invited by Miyu to join them.
They assured it was a perfect team and could pull this together until...
"If you're so eager to put your favorite unhealthy flavor then just make your own fried rice!"
"Bet, let's compete on whose fried rice is better. Mine or your half-assed cooking."
The other three could do nothing but to observe. Keisuke scratched his head, confused about the outcome.
"How did it turn out like this...." He grumbled.
"Haha it's fine. This is interesting." Said Shinji.
Miyu had decided to be the judge. She was really enjoying it.
Both participants had taken their place, cooking utensils were tightly gripped in their hands, waiting for the judge to begin the match.
Onion, Garlic, eggs, and all necessary ingredients for fried rice were neatly served on the cabinet, waiting patiently to be cooked.
"3.... 2.... 1.... Begin!!" Miyu was full of spirit.
Kazuya made the first move by slicing the garlic and onion into tiny pieces. He lit the stove and poured a respectable amount of oil into the pan. While waiting the oil to heat up, he sliced a little amount of chillis, separated its seeds and put them in a bowl.
Hikari was not less greater than Kazuya, after all her time living alone in an apartment had taught her how to live life as a single person.
She maintained her tempo to match up with her competitor's speed. Garlic and onion instantly chopped and crushed in pastel and mortar. The pan was showing its hay indicating the heat was suitable to throw in the ingredients. She got the rice and fried it inside, her tossing skill was exceptional.
They had begun frying. Sizzling sound was heard all over the room. Everyone was in awe over what they had just witnessed, as if seeing two professional chefs in a tv show. Noone knew who's going to win as those two flexed their skills in cooking.
Now was the time for the climax, all type of sauces had been poured into their pan, waiting for it to merge with the rice. Kazuya didn't forget to add a pinch of msg in his fried rice. After less than a minute of tossing, the rice was ready to be served.
Kazuya made his finishing touch by sprinkling parsley as a garnish.
"Phew.. I'm beat." He let out a sigh.
"Done!" Hikari served a typical japanese dish, omurice.
Kazuya admitted she did a very good job in making the omelette looks attractive.
"That's pretty good." He praised.
"Right~"
Hikari became all smug and mighty.
Miyu moved her body forward, standing in between both participants. "Now let's taste!"
Miyu took a mouthful of Kazuya's meal, munching every bit of it and let the savory taste spread.
"Mmh~ This is good~ The sweetness goes along well with the spice. It taste sweet at first but later the spiciness kicked in~"
Everyone could see the feeling of pleasiness from her expression. Praise over praise had been given to Kazuya's cooking. Hikari concerned her fried rice might lose to him.
Done with Kazuya's, Miyu went to Hikari's side of kitchen. She devoured the same amount of rice as earlier and savor the taste slowly. Her expression turned sweet once again.
"Mmh~ this is also good~ the omelette is fluffy and sweet~ I can't decide who's the winner.."
Hikari and Kazuya was not satisfied with Miyu's judging skill so they proceeded to taste each other's cooking.
Both took a mouthful of rice and suddenly had a change in expression.
"Nakano-san..."
"Kazuya..."
Both had the same disgusted reaction. What went out of their mouth was:
"Bad..."
Well now a quarrel begun.
"What do you mean bad?! My cooking is perfect! Yours is the bad one!!"
"Your taste buds must be dead. How can you call a salty omurice perfect? Improve your cooking and come to me again next time."
"Huh! You hate to admit that mine is better than your tasteless meal!"
"Nah, I speak the truth."
Both parties were full of ego. Each wanted to prove themself better. One must stand to stop these two. Hikari grabbed her bestfriend's hands and brought her face close to Miyu's.
"Miyu-chan, no way his fried rice taste good! be honest and tell him that it taste like nothing!"
"E-eh but..." Miyu was in confusion. She had no idea what to say.
"Takahashi-san, I thought you're better than this. How can a salty fried rice topped of mine."
"Eh b-but it's really--" Out of pressure, Miyu's thought was messed, she started questioning herself.
'Eh... Did I lose my taste sense?? I thought they're both good. Am I wrong?' She thought.
While they were busy arguing, Keisuke tried tasting their fried rice.
"Hm, there's nothing bad about these."
Shinji tapped his shoulder while smiling.
"Don't you get it? Tsundere~"
*****
*After School*
Kazuya and Hikari crossed path while on their way through the hallway. He attempted to greet her but decided to drop the decision as she seem to avoid eye contact.
He kept walking while keeping his distance behind Hikari. The air was tense and quiet. Then suddenly:
"Ah, Minamoto-kun, Nakano-san, could you do me a favor? I left some cooking utensils when we're in class this morning. Can you bring them to me?" Asked Chiyo-sensei, who coincidentally stumbled upon them.
"Okay." they agreed.
They headed to the kitchen together, side by side, without saying a single thing.
"Hey, how long do you intend to stare at me?" Hikari finally broke the silence.
"Are you angry?" Asked Kazuya.
"Not really.. Sorry for ignoring you earlier, that was very childish of me.."
"No, I'm sorry too."
"Yknow, I've been living alone since last year, and gaming was the only hobby I had. It was reaally boring everyday, then I decided to learn how to cook. By the time I realised, it had became a hobby. I always try new recipes from the internet, improvise my cooking and so on. So... hearing someone heavily criticise on something I put my heart on... kinda piss me off.."
Kazuya remained silent, hearing what she chattered.
"Yea yea I know I should grow up and learn how to take a criticism."
"It's delicious."
"Huh?"
"Your fried rice, was probably the best I've ever had."
Hikari was flabbergasted upon hearing that.
"But you said.."
"I lied."
"So there's nothing wrong with my..."
"Yes, sorry for being immature."
"That's a relief~"
Kazuya witnessed the most beautiful expression ever. The scene of her genuinely smiling with a little drop of tears brought out her inner femininity.
He was stunned.
"Oh and your fried rice was tasty too. Hehe looks like we're one of a kind." Said Hikari while giving a peace sign.
"You..."
"Ah! We're here."
They reached their destination, kitchen classroom or whatever that was called.
Hikari slided the door open, and there was someone in there, someone who Kazuya clearly recognised, was using the kitchen.
"Yamakawa-san?"