"How so?"
Sui was momentarily stunned and asked, "How did Sonoka-senpai know the bento was made by a girl?"
"Because it's so delicately and beautifully prepared."
Sonoka smiled warmly as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "A boy wouldn't make such an elegant lunchbox. It must've been prepared by a thoughtful girl."
"I see."
Sui nodded, recognizing the truth in her words. As a cook, he understood the care and intuition that goes into food preparation.
"But, Sonoka-senpai, why did you say... that the girl must like me?"
He asked, curious.
"Well, just look at the food. It's not only exquisite, but there's a variety of dishes."
Sonoka's eyes sparkled as she continued with a sweet smile. "There are only five sushi pieces, but each one is different: tuna, salmon, and various tempuras—shrimp, tofu. The girl clearly put a lot of thought into it."
In a typical bento, the sushi would usually all be the same. But in this one, each piece was distinct, which meant the person making it went to the trouble of preparing several different kinds of sushi and tempura. It was a level of effort that went beyond casual care.
Could it be that Hinako-senpai really likes me?
Sui thought about it but still found it hard to believe. Although their relationship had grown somewhat ambiguous, going beyond the normal dynamic between senpai and kohai, they hadn't known each other for very long.
Even during their time at the training camp, he was just one of many students in her eyes.
"What's she like, this girl?"
Sonoka asked with a teasing smile, clearly interested in the topic. "She must be very gentle and considerate, right?"
"Yes, she's indeed a very kind and warm person. Though she's older than me, she has a youthful and playful spirit."
Sui thought for a moment before replying.
He had a strong fondness for Hinako, who not only had a beautiful appearance and gentle demeanor but also an innocence that made her endearing. Of course, there were times when her mischievous side came out, like during their card games.
"Ah, she's older than you?"
Sonoka asked, surprised.
"Yes."
Sui nodded.
"So, Sui-kun, would you be open to dating someone older than you?"
Sonoka inquired, almost nonchalantly, but with a hint of interest.
"I don't mind."
Sui shrugged.
"Really?"
Sonoka's smile softened, and she seemed pleased by his answer.
"By the way, Sonoka-senpai, have you ever been in love?"
Sui asked suddenly.
"No."
Sonoka's face flushed immediately, clearly flustered by the question. "I just graduated this year. While I was at Totsuki, I focused solely on cooking."
As Sui enjoyed the bento Hinako had made, he realized just how much care she had put into it. Each bite was delicious, and the variety made it clear that she had gone out of her way to prepare something special.
"Senpai, would you like to try some?"
Sui asked, offering to share the meal.
"Really? Are you sure?"
Sonoka hesitated.
"Of course."
Sui smiled as he picked up a piece of sushi and handed it to her.
Though Sonoka was three years older than him, they got along as if they were friends of the same age.
She leaned over and took a small bite.
"It's delicious!"
Sonoka's eyes widened in surprise and admiration. This kind of quality couldn't come from just anyone. Perhaps it was prepared by one of Sui's senpais from Totsuki?
She thought to herself.
Just then, a chef walked in and, noticing Sui feeding Sonoka, paused awkwardly before quickly excusing himself.
Sonoka's face flushed once more. Realizing how intimate the scene looked, she stood up abruptly and said, "I should go have my meal now."
With that, she quickly left the kitchen, clearly flustered.
Sui, for his part, was thoroughly satisfied with the bento Hinako had prepared. It was so good that even after finishing it, he still felt a bit unsatisfied.
After lunch, with the afternoon free, Sui decided it was time to try creating a Western dish. He hadn't forgotten the mission given by the system—to create a signature dish that would earn a spot on the menu at the restaurant where he was interning.
Sui had always been talented in the kitchen, and over the past few days, Sonoka had taught him everything she knew about Western cuisine without holding anything back.
His proficiency in Western cooking had now reached an impressive level.
With yesterday's ideas fresh in his mind, Sui set to work.
"Sui-kun, are you cooking something?"
Sonoka's curious voice called out from beside him.
"Yes."
Sui nodded. "I want to make a Western dish and, if it turns out well, serve it to the customers in the restaurant."
"That sounds great!"
Sonoka smiled warmly. "I'd be happy to offer any advice you need."
"Thank you very much, Senpai."
Sui replied with a grateful smile as he began to cook.
He carefully sliced the duck meat into diamond patterns, making precise cuts to allow the seasoning to penetrate deeply.
Sonoka, standing beside him, watched in quiet amazement. The uniformity of the cuts was astonishing—each slice was the same size, as if measured with a ruler. Though it seemed like a small detail, it spoke volumes about Sui's knife skills.
Even though they had never competed directly, Sonoka had always believed she was more skilled than her kohai. But watching Sui's precision, she began to feel a twinge of doubt.
How could a first-year have skills that surpass even those of the top graduates?
For a moment, Sonoka found herself mesmerized by Sui's focused expression.
Before long, the duck meat was fried to a perfect golden brown, the aroma rich and mouthwatering.
Sui then coated the duck with taro paste mixed with duck oil and placed it in the oven to bake.
Just then, a chef entered the kitchen and said, "Head Chef, a customer has arrived."
"Right, I'll be there."
Sonoka snapped out of her daze and quickly left the kitchen.
Since the duck still needed time to roast, Sui decided to follow her out to see the guests.
To his surprise, they were all familiar faces.
The two visitors were none other than Hinako Inui and Taki Tsunozaki.
"Hinako-senpai, Taki—what brings you here?"
Sonoka smiled warmly as she greeted them.
"Come on, take a seat," motioning for them to sit down.
The three of them had restaurants close to each other, and being graduates of Totsuki, they often visited one another.
"I've heard your restaurant's been getting some great reviews lately," Taki commented. "Some customers even mentioned that you've switched assistants. Didn't I tell you ages ago to let that guy go?"
Previously, Taki had suggested that Sonoka fire her sous chef, but Sonoka, being kind-hearted, hesitated. She knew how hard it was to find good chefs and hadn't wanted to make the decision lightly.
"Yes, you're right. It's all thanks to Sui-kun," Sonoka admitted with a soft smile.
"Sui?"
Taki blinked in surprise as she saw Sui step out of the kitchen.
"Wait, aren't you that intern at Hinako's restaurant? What are you doing here—another internship?" Taki was visibly taken aback, her impression of Sui already quite strong.
"Sui-kun, how was your day?" Hinako greeted him with a warm smile, though her tone was casual, as though speaking to a regular kohai.
Sui couldn't help but recall how the two of them had shared a meal from the same pot the previous night—a scene much more intimate than the typical relationship between senpai and kohai. Their bond had long surpassed ordinary boundaries, but both had tacitly agreed to keep it hidden.
"Sonoka-senpai taught me a lot today," Sui replied with a polite nod and smile.
"No, really, it's thanks to Sui-kun that my restaurant is back on track," Sonoka quickly corrected.
"What? He's the one responsible for your restaurant's turnaround?" Taki was astonished. She had assumed Sonoka had brought in an experienced chef for help, but to learn it was Sui left her even more impressed.
As an intern, he had revitalized Sonoka's restaurant, elevating her opinion of him even further.
"I just did what anyone would do," Sui responded humbly.
The real reason Sonoka's restaurant had been struggling wasn't due to a lack of skill on her part, but rather her indecisiveness and overly kind nature. Her chefs had been taking advantage of her, but with the right help, the restaurant quickly regained its reputation.
As the group sat down for tea and conversation, Sui suddenly felt a light kick under the table. Glancing toward Hinako, he saw her chatting and smiling at Sonoka as if nothing had happened.
But Sui knew. The kick was from her—a subtle greeting.
He chuckled to himself at the thought of Hinako having such a mischievous, playful side. In response, he gave her a light kick back.
Hinako's face flushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.
Just then, Sui's phone vibrated in his pocket. Checking the message, he saw it was from Hinako.
"Sui-kun, did you enjoy the bento?"
Sui looked up at her with a mix of confusion and amusement. Hinako continued chatting with Sonoka as if she hadn't sent the message at all, her expression as serene as ever.
Unable to contain his amusement, Sui texted back, "Yes, it was delicious. Thank you, Hinako-senpai."
"Really? I'm glad! I'll make you another one tomorrow, okay?"
"Thank you, Hinako-senpai."
As they all sat there, sipping tea and talking, Sui and Hinako engaged in a private conversation over text. It felt strange to Sui—almost like they were hiding something, though the secrecy added an element of novelty to the interaction.
After some time, Sui remembered the food still in the oven. "Excuse me, I need to check on the dish I'm preparing."
"Wait, you're cooking?" Taki asked, intrigued.
"Yes, Sui-kun has been experimenting with a new dish. He plans to add it to Shunkatei's menu," Sonoka explained.
"Is that so? Adding a new dish is no small matter. Let me help you with the tasting," Taki said with a glint of interest.
Sui nodded and went to the kitchen, returning with a freshly baked dish.
"This is a special crispy fried duck wrapped with taro. Please give it a try," he said as he placed the dish on the table.
*
"Wrapped in taro?" Taki raised an eyebrow, surprised by the combination, but the enticing aroma quickly piqued her curiosity.
"I'll help you identify any flaws," she said, tasting it first.
The duck was perfectly roasted, its texture tender and rich. The taro paste added a crisp, sweet layer that complemented the savory duck, blending seamlessly without being too heavy. It was a fresh, natural pairing.
"This… Aren't you known for your Japanese cuisine?" Taki's eyes widened, astonished at the dish's perfection.
The last dish Sui had prepared at Kirinoya had left a deep impression on her, and she had assumed his strengths lay in Japanese cooking. So, when she heard he was working on a Western-style dish, she hadn't expected much. But this… this was beyond her expectations.
"No, actually, my specialty is eastern cuisine," Sui replied modestly.
"What?"
Taki was floored. If neither Japanese nor Western cuisine were his strengths, just how skilled was he?
Sonoka and Hinako also tasted the dish, both equally amazed.
"Sui-kun, you're incredible!" Sonoka couldn't help but exclaim. Just days ago, his proficiency in Western cuisine wasn't as sharp, and now, he had mastered it to a level that even surprised her. His talent in cooking was nothing short of remarkable.
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