Minami no hanashi : Yume - Prelude
-(Sanae) Hahaha... Is this a joke? Hehehe... I-Is this really a joke?
Sanae was completely taken aback by Eiji's words. Dai, despite his nonchalant demeanor, was also confused by what had been said. He spoke up: "But you were the one who suggested a seasonal menu."
-(Eiji) Spring?! Oh yes! It's my favorite season! He said with a smile
...
Eiji's foolishly cheerful demeanor, which had made such a good impression, was starting to grate on Sanae's nerves. Dai, concerned, glanced at Sanae; she just smiled back. She understood that Eiji was one of those they called "happy fools".
Despite her boss's smile masking the shock, Dai easily understood the gravity of the situation. How could one not?
However, Dai still couldn't believe his ears and wanted to confirm the truth to avoid any ambiguity. He turned to Eiji: "Um, what about the idea with the strawberries then? You suggested that because it's right in the..."
Before Dai could finish his sentence, Eiji interrupted eagerly: "Oh yes, strawberries! They're really awesome! My favorite fruit!"
-(Dai) How is she going to handle this... He thought, looking at her
The leader of the trio hadn't spoken for a good minute, only smiling. She thought: The principal is truly cunning. I'm done for, thinking Eiji was the better choice... Now I'm stuck with someone at Minami's level in the kitchen!! And even... She knows what 'mince' means. Wait... Does she really????
...
On Minami's side
Minami suddenly sneezed and blew her nose.
-(Minami) Ugh...
Sanae turned to Dai with hopeful eyes and clasped hands, as if praying he wasn't as incompetent as Eiji.
-(Sanae) This isn't your first time cooking, right?
-(Dai) I was in the cooking club, and my mom makes me cook at home. So no.
-(Sanae) You'll help me, won't you?
Sanae pleaded with Dai with her big, shining eyes. But Dai didn't respond and looked away. Seeing this, Sanae decided to change tactics and go on the offensive.
-(Sanae) Okay, I see. Anyway, I'm the chef here. You'll slice the onions. Eiji, you'll learn with me. Alright, switch places.
The happy fool, not understanding his chef's change in demeanor, smiled. Dai, on the other hand, seemed at the end of his rope.
-(Dai) Darn it...
Sanae pointed her finger at him.
"And I expect you to do your job very well, Dai! Otherwise, I'll have you julienne until it's perfect! We've got plenty of onions in stock!"
-(Dai) Yes.
Dai took his knife and went to deal with the onions.
Sanae took a deep breath. Then, with determination, she turned towards Eiji.
"Alright, it's just us now."
Eiji felt a kind of aura emanating from his chef and a slight shiver ran down his spine.
-(Eiji) Uh... Mizuno seems different haha... But it's okay, I'll do my best! Okay!
-(Sanae) Now that I know his situation... His enthusiasm is irritating haha. You'll watch everything I do, and learn as we go, okay? Do exactly as I do, got it?
-(Eiji) Got it!
-(Sanae) Hahaha... Haha... Ha.
Despite this grim news, our culinary trio managed to adapt to Eiji's abysmal skills and finish the starter properly. Now it was time to prepare Eiji's favorite dessert. The ingredients for making strawberry tart were quickly gathered and placed on the countertop. To make the dough, Sanae took flour, sugar, and salt.
-(Eiji) Are you really mixing sugar and salt together?? I thought that was sacrilege in cooking! He exclaimed with wide eyes.
-(Sanae) Contrary to what you think, it's quite common in baking.
-(Eiji) Oh I see! But I never smel-
-(Sanae) We use it in small quantities. Now join Dai to see how he butters the mold.
Eiji felt he was bothering Sanae with his excessive enthusiasm. So, he decided to become more discreet and joined Dai.
Ten minutes later
Sanae had finished preparing the dough. She made it into a ball, wrapped it in plastic wrap, placed it in the refrigerator, and joined her two teammates.
-(Sanae) Alright, the dough is in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. During this time, Eiji, preheat the oven to 180°C.
-(Eiji) Alright. He said determinedly.
-(Sanae) We'll start on the filling with Dai, join us when you're done.
-(Eiji) Okay!
Thirty minutes later
The dough was finally ready to be worked by our culinary trio. Sanae and her teammates could finally roll out the dough into the previously buttered and floured mold and then bake it.
Twenty minutes later
The dough had cooled down well, now all that remained was to arrange the strawberries and glaze them. Sanae judged that she could handle this with Eiji, and asked Dai to prepare the groundwork for the main dish: Green vegetable risotto.
"Hm… I think we can handle it together. Meanwhile, Dai will prepare the groundwork for the next steps."
-(Eiji) Alright!
-(Dai) And what exactly does "prepare the groundwork" mean?
-(Sanae) Prepare the ingredients and heat the vegetable broth. Keep it warm over low heat. I think that should do it...
Dai complied with a sigh.
-(Sanae) Alright, now it's our turn.
Eiji and Sanae then began to glaze the strawberries with apricot jam while Dai started preparing the risotto.
After putting the tart in the refrigerator, Eiji and Sanae joined Dai to prepare the main dish. They witnessed a rather troubling scene… Dai was sitting quietly on his chair with his phone in hand. Sanae, disturbed by this scene, stared at him intensely.
-(Dai) What's wrong? He said intrigued.
-(Sanae) Don't tell me you've been on your phone this whole time!
-(Sanae) I'd like you to stop using your phone. She said firmly.
While still on his phone, Dai responded to Sanae by pointing at their workspace.
"The ingredients are prepared, and the vegetable broth is heating gently as requested…" He said somewhat arrogantly.
-(Eiji) Wow, that's true! Look, Sanae!
Sanae turned her head, and Dai was indeed right. Everything was perfectly executed as she had asked. However, she was still not satisfied. This scene confirmed Sanae's doubts about Dai's character. He isn't shy but rather solitary, he doesn't have communication issues but is solitary, he doesn't lack confidence preventing him from taking initiative… He's simply disinterested, doesn't care what others think of him, and can be insolent at times.
Sanae sighed and turned to the principal. Her only reaction was a radiant smile.
-(Sanae) I knew he was sadistic! I don't know if I'll survive this test… Minamiiii~!
It was an inward cry of despair. Of course, her face showed only a slight camouflage smile.
…
Back with Minami
Minami sneezed even louder and blew her nose vigorously.
-(Minami) Ugh… Seriously, what's happening to me today? She said with annoyance.
…
Then Sanae regained her motivation by remembering Minami's often hotheaded character.
-(Sanae) Alright, I'm glad to see you're good at following orders, but your attitude isn't professional, so I'd like you to wait until the end of the challenge to use your phone. She said with a smile.
-(Eiji) Um… I feel like the atmosphere is tense… Should I crack a joke to lighten it up?! No, I've decided to be more discreet.
Dai set down his phone.
He looked towards the judges and then moved to their workstation, addressing Sanae at attention: "I await your orders, madame chef." His expression was neutral, almost bored, reminding her vaguely of someone she couldn't quite place. It was a stark contrast to his military-like stance, which amused Sanae.
-(Sanae) They sure gave me some really weird teammates! she chuckled.
-(Eiji) Hey~ That's not nice! he pouted.
Sanae burst into laughter, clutching her stomach, a surprising sight for both Eiji and Dai, who displayed a different side than usual.
The scene lightened the atmosphere, and Sanae was more than motivated to get back to work.
"Alright! Let's get back to it!" she said with a smile.
Our culinary trio resumed cooking. Eiji was focused and eager to learn, Dai executed tasks with precision but continued to show disinterest in Sanae's commands, while she directed the group with the ease and charisma of an orchestra conductor. Witnessing this, the principal couldn't help but smile, albeit slightly differently.
Half an hour later,
The risotto preparation was nearing completion. Dai spoke up.
-(Dai) I don't like cooking. Last year, I was in the cooking club not because I enjoy cooking, but because my parents forced me into it. Even today, I'm here because my parents forced me. When I heard that the cooking club was going to close, I was relieved: 'Finally! I won't have to attend that darn club anymore!' So when I learned from my parents that a student was trying to save the club, it annoyed me. Plain and simple.
Eiji and Sanae remained silent, listening attentively.
-(Dai) So I had decided not to help you and let you work with Eiji. But I'm not heartless either. When I found out Eiji was incompetent, I decided to make an effort to prevent you from embarrassing yourself.
-(Eiji) Hey, I'm right here, you know, he pouted.
-(Dai) Well, that's even better, then.
-(Eiji) Damn, I can't even argue with that! It's true though! Argh... Yeah, but you could say it differently, you know? he said nervously, smiling.
Sanae listened carefully to Dai's speech and was pensive. She understood his attitude better and felt a bit guilty for judging him too quickly.
-(Sanae) I see... It must have been tough for you all this time. I understand better now. Your parents really don't know how to handle things, she said, dismayed.
-(Eiji) Yeah, that's an understatement...
Dai watched Sanae attentively.
-(Sanae) Is there something on my face? she asked, touching her face.
-(Dai) ...
-(Eiji) Oh! Hey hey, I know! Get ready, Dai, this is payback for what you said a few minutes ago, even though it's true!
Eiji was a bad actor, adopting a falsely dramatic tone.
-(Eiji) OOHH~ I SEE~ Actually, I get it! Listen, Sanae!
Sanae perked up her ears.
-(Eiji) Dai is captivated by your beauty! That's why he's been acting this way from the start, he doesn't have the courage to talk to yo-
-(Sanae) Embarrassed Wha-What...
Sanae wasn't good with this kind of situation. Despite Eiji's poor acting, she was more surprised by his words than how he delivered them. She turned towards Dai, panicked.
-(Sanae) Umm Dai, th-that's not true, right?! she said, turning to him, flustered.
Dai sighed, seeing Sanae's obliviousness.
-(Eiji) And BAM! Right on target! I should really consider becoming an actor, hehe~
-(Dai) Well, since you're being nice, I'll help you one last time.
-(Sanae) Hmm?
Dai spoke as he prepared the plates.
-(Dai) Sora, the guy next to the principal.
-(Sanae) Yes?
-(Dai) He's a demon.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
-(Sanae) Uh... What do you mean by that?
-(Dai) I was at the cooking club with him. I've already told you I don't like cooking, well, he made me hate it even more. He's a demon, you'll see. Get ready.
-(Eiji) W-What do you mean-
Eiji is a bit scared.
-(Dai) Shall we get back to it?
-(Sanae) Uh, okay. She said, sounding perplexed.
Our culinary trio got back to work. The preparation of the risotto went smoothly, the plates of various dishes were laid out. It was time to face the principal and his demon.
Tension hung in the air. The trio stood nervously, eyes fixed on the judges as they carefully tasted the meticulously prepared dishes. The judges' facial expressions were scrutinized with utmost attention, each seeking to detect the slightest reaction, the smallest hint of their appreciation.
The jury started by sampling the starter. The fresh and crunchy ingredients harmonized perfectly, offering an explosion of flavors in the mouth. The principal, visibly pleased by this first course, gave a slight smile and nodded.
However, attention quickly turned to Sora, whose face showed intense concentration. His forehead creased slightly as he carefully observed each bite, seemingly searching for any flaw. Dai noticed this change in expression and involuntarily clenched his fist. He knew Sora's sneaky intentions and feared he was nitpicking, however small it might be. Sanae discreetly glanced at Dai, and he reassured her with a look. As for Eiji... He wore a silly smile, oblivious to the silent battle unfolding under his nose.
The main course, the green vegetable risotto, was served with an artistic presentation reflecting attention to detail. Each grain of rice was cooked to perfection, creating a creamy texture that enveloped the tender vegetables. Dai and Sanae had successfully struck a balance between the different flavors. The principal clearly enjoyed this dish, nodding again with satisfaction.
Seconds turned into minutes as Sora continued to meticulously examine his plate. His expression remained unreadable, but a spark of interest briefly flickered in his eyes. Dai saw this and with a glance informed the group's leader. Sanae, confident there were no vulgar errors in the dish, wondered what Sora might be thinking.
Finally, dessert arrived, an enticing strawberry tart. The pastry was light and crispy, but something seemed slightly off. Sora took a first bite, his brows furrowing imperceptibly. He took another bite, his wariness becoming more evident. Dai and Sanae exchanged shocked looks simultaneously. A single glance was enough for them to understand instantly. The pastry hadn't rested long enough! They both thought simultaneously, realizing the mistake that threatened to spoil their performance.
Sora delicately set down his fork, his gaze fixed on the trio before him. "The pastry of this tart, isn't it?" he said calmly but incisively. "It hasn't been rested long enough. Am I wrong?"
A heavy silence filled the room. The trio, now seemingly a duo, exchanged guilty looks. Eiji broke the silence, confidently saying, "It was our head chef who personally handled it, and I humbly think you could take another bite."
A heavy, awkward silence hung in the air. Chaos reigned in the head chef's thoughts, being directly pointed out as the one who made the mistake. Despite these dark thoughts, she displayed an unwavering facial expression. Asserting herself as the chef. This was not the case for Dai, who showed his exasperation at Eiji's stupid remark. Of course, it was the first thing he said, and he had to say sh- he thought.
Even if it started with good intentions, it questioned Sora's judgment, which did not please him at all. He flashed a sly smile and continued to eat in silence. Eiji understood his mistake and looked sorry.
The principal didn't seem to pay as much attention to the technical subtleties of cooking. However, Sora deliberately pointed out this small mistake, clearly seeking to expose any misstep.
The tension in the room was at its peak. The fate of the trio rested in the hands of these two judges with such different reactions. As the final bites were taken, the judges each took a pen, their faces serious as they took the time to write their evaluations.
The wait was almost palpable as the trio watched the judges jot down their impressions, wondering what was going through their minds. Once the pens were set aside, the principal and Sora exchanged a glance, adding an extra layer of mystery to the trio's fate.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the principal looked up from his notebook, breaking the silence. "Now that we've savored your creations, we'd like to learn more about your culinary choices and inspirations. So, we'll ask you a few questions."
The trio nodded, facing this final battle together.
The last bout rang out. The principal started the discussion. The principal's questions were expected, corresponding to what the trio had prepared for. However, it was Sora who then took the floor, his piercing gaze fixed on the chefs. The change was palpable; Sora's questions were much more complex, seeking to uncover every detail and potential weaknesses in the menu. The trio exchanged glances, aware of the subtlety of his questions, and answered with a mix of confidence and caution. Their responses were carefully formulated, every word weighed, every detail explained to meet Sora's sharp questions. The atmosphere remained tense, the judges continuing to probe the trio with their inquiries, while Sora sought to trip them up.
The series of questions was drawing to a close, and despite Sora's meticulousness, our culinary trio had done rather well. To the point where Eiji questioned Dai's words about Sora. The two judges had stepped away to discuss.
-(Eiji) In the end, it wasn't such a big deal! I don't see how he's a demon. He said, shrugging his shoulders.
-(Dai) You can talk all you want, but you're the one who embarrassed Sanae in front of the judges.
-(Eiji) Looks at Sanae
Looking at Sanae, Eiji could clearly see she was uncomfortable and looked worried; he naturally felt even more guilty. Indeed, even though Eiji can be simple-minded, clumsy, and agitated, he is honest, empathetic, and always tries to do the right thing.
-(Eiji) I'm sorry, Sanae. He said, bowing his head.
Sanae had, for the first time, let her guard down, clearly showing her emotions. She realized this upon seeing Eiji's behavior towards her. She was certain he wasn't a bad person, and this scene confirmed it. She felt empathy and spoke to him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
-(Sanae) Lift your head, Eiji. Even though it's true you made mistakes, you didn't give up and you listened throughout the entire challenge, and I thank you for that. And I think you did pretty well for a first time. She said, chuckling.
-(Eiji) AAHHHH!! I SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN HERE!! YOU TWO COULD HAVE SUCCEEDED ALONE!! He lamented on the ground.
-(Sanae) Embarrassed Huh?! E-Eiji, don't say that and lift your head. She said, lowering herself.
Eiji lifted his head and saw, tears in his eyes, Sanae's angelic face shining even brighter than usual under the bright ceiling lights that acted as a halo above her head. Seeing this almost divine scene, Eiji froze for a second and lamented even louder. Sanae panicked and asked Dai for help to console him.
-(Dai) Uh... I'd like to help, but he's not entirely wrong.
There was general panic on Sanae's side, unsure of what else to do to motivate Eiji, who seemed to be in an existential crisis. As for Dai, he wondered if he could just go home. Suddenly, Sora, with a smug smile, returned alone to the culinary trio, clapping his hands. He spoke loudly.
-(Sora) Wow! Bravo, what a debacle! That was pathetic.
END OF CHAPTER