The savory aroma of fresh grilled meat filled my nostrils with the searing heat from the barbeque grill that dampened my face while I stood in front of the Kebab box, a popular stall that I've always heard about in Facebook posts and idle chitchat at the stations.
"Here you go, thank you for patronage." The cheerful man that took care of the stall handed me two wooden sticks filled to the brim with cuts of perfectly prepared meat and vegetables that made them worth more than how much they actually had cost.
"Thank you." I nodded and reached out to grab my food, earnestly taking a bite on a piece of meat.
Each bite of the perfectly grilled skewered chicken is an explosion of tender, juicy meat that melts in my mouth, infused with a smoky, char-grilled flavor that is both satisfying and tantalizing to the palate.
The marinade used to flavor the chicken is a masterful blend of what I think was soy sauce, mirin, and sake, which imparts a subtle sweetness and complexity to the meat. The flavors are then enhanced with the nutty richness of sesame oil and a touch of ginger, garlic, and green onions, which lend a savory depth of flavor that is distinctively felt like home.
"This is happiness."
"Look at that gleeful mug of his, and to think he didn't want to go here." I overheard Katsuo whispering to his girl, which I ignored, not letting him ruin the blissful moment I was having with my food.
"Well, I can't really blame him... Mine isn't that different either." I heard the girl reply, and I gazed towards Akibara-san, just in time to see her chomp on one of the fish-shaped deserts I've heard about.
"Delicious!" She exclaimed quietly while slowly chewing with a look that looked more and more like she was in a euphoric trance.
"Hey Najisai-san, want to trade?" She asked while pointing to her other Taiyaki and my uneaten kebab.
"Hmm, not really. I don't really like sweets that much."
"Trust me, you'll like it, plus I don't want to buy two Kebabs when I can only finish one."
"Fine," I sighed. "You're lucky I'm supposed to act like a gentleman during dates like this."
"Yeah, yeah, quit stalling and give me your meat." Akibara-san quickly snatched the skewered pieces of meat from my hand and gingerly dropped a small brown fish in its place.
"This doesn't look that good if I'm being honest."
"Then don't be honest and just eat it if you've got nothing good to say." She brushed off my complaint and happily bit on the kebab, making out satisfied groans and moans as she chewed the meat which present an entirely different side to her.
Seeing as there was no point in prolonging things, I decided to get things done with and ate the desert.
As I bite into Taiyaki, the outer shell provides a satisfying crunch that gives way to the warm, gooey filling inside. The sweet red bean paste has a smooth and creamy texture, with a sweet and slightly nutty flavor that is not overly sweet.
"The crispy and crunchy texture of the outer shell is a perfect contrast to the creamy and smooth filling inside, creating a well-balanced and satisfying dessert." I mumbled in an earnest tone as I finished eating.
"Mhmm, I know, right?" Akibara-san nodded in agreement to my words." The kebab is just a mouthwatering fusion of sweet and salty, smoky and tangy, with a subtle umami undertone that keeps you coming back for more. The texture of the tender chicken, combined with the crispy charred edges, is great, too. "
I grinned at her words and immediately nodded, "That's right! It creates this satisfying and addictive set of flavors doesn't?"
"Yes! Yes!" Akibara-san enthusiastically bounced on her place and pointed towards one of the Takoyaki stands.
"We should taste that too! I heard they're really great!"
"Wouldn't you get fat if you eat that much, though?" I asked with a raised eyebrow and pointed at her stomach, which wasn't that big, but it would get to that point if she kept eating.
"Wow, you're just that rude still, aren't you?" She deadpanned at my words and hugged her sweater closer to her body.
"Did I say something wrong?" I turned to Katsuo, who only shook his head in a melancholic manner.
"You're a lost cause, Raku. I don't know how to save you anymore." He choked while doing his best to hold back his fake tears and wrapped his arm around his girl's waist.
"Take me away, I don't want to see him get torn to shreds by Akibara-sama."
"O-Okay."
I didn't need a mirror to know that all the enthusiasm that I originally had from eating drained from my face as I stared at my best friend who casually left me alone just so he could bang.
Akibara-san wasn't too far off, and I could see her frown at the way her friend just accepted Katsuo's sorry excuse for, well, an excuse.
"So... Akibara-san, still want to get some of that Takoyaki?" I offered to diffuse the tension between us, to which she simply glanced at me before shrugging.
"Sure, you're paying, though." She simply declared with a cool air around before turning on her heel to head towards the Takoyaki stall.
"Eh? Who says I'm treating you?"
"This is a date isn't?"
"No, It's a double date that both of us got dragged into."
"Well, obviously, it's just a date now isn't?"
Crap.
Sensing her victory, Akibara-san sent a knowing smirk in my direction and held up four fingers at the stall owner.
"Four pieces of Takoyaki, please!"
"Coming right up, Miss, do you want the deluxe version or the normal one?"
"Deluxe, please, thank you!"
"Hey! I didn't agree on treating you still, okay?"
I wasn't just gonna let her trick me into buying her four pieces of expensive balls of dough with meat inside of them just because we were on a so-called date.
"Why are you so stubborn? Didn't you say you should be a gentleman here?"
"Ngh... Using my own words against me, that's a low blow."
"That's a good boy, just pay for the Takoyaki, and I'll pay for our drinks." She offered to a compromise and strutted away without hearing my answer.
Damn that woman is too good at getting away with these kinds of things. She even dragged me without warning.
"Here..." I grumbled while handing off my money to the store owner who couldn't help but snicker.
"Ahh, to be young and in love. I envy you two."
"I'm paying you to cook, not make unnecessary comments about my predicament, sir." I deadpanned at him and averted my gaze.
"Alright, no need to be in a sour mood. I'll get your orders done nice and quick."
"Unnecessary comments."
"You're a rude and stubborn guy, you know that, right?"
Of course I do.
"Sorry if it took so long, the owner of the other place made a bunch of small talk that I he just trapped me there."
After a span of 30 minutes, Akibara-san soon arrived with some plastic cups that I assumed held the infamous drink called "milktea"
"There too huh.." I muttered and shot a glare towards the stall owner who continued to make unnecessary comments about myself and Akibara-san.
"Hmm? Too?"
"Don't dwell on it, the food is gonna turn cold." I shook my head and handed her the Takoyaki that she ordered.
"Thanks, let's find a nice quiet place to talk and eat."
"Can't we just talk while walking? Like you said earlier?"
"Hmm, we can but we can't enjoy these delicious Takoyakis while walking can we."
She was right there, everyone knew that Takoyakis should never be eaten while walking as the cool breeze might cool it down faster and cause it to turn chewy.
"Huh, I never thought you'd know a lot about food akibara-san."
"Pft, you can't even remember my name how are you gonna know anything about me?" She giggled behind her hand and scanned the area around us.
"Well, I can't really argue with that can I?"
"Exactly, so let's just find a nice quiet place to sit down and catch up." She flashed a smile at me before poking my chest with her index finger.
"After all, how can I call you my rival when I don't even what's been happening with your life"
This girl..
"You definitely have a few screws loose don't you."
"Wow, rude."