＊
A few hours passed. Finally, a plate of curry, succulent in its aroma, was placed on the table for Asahi to relish.
“Let me know what you think,” Fuyuka said, standing next to him with an expression of both anxiety and tension. Her hands were clasped together near her chest, as if she was a praying nun; the image was further propagated by her choice in dark, modest loungewear.
“Sure thing,” Asahi replied.
With that, he began to eat. His opinion could be easily gathered based on the quick, eager spoonfuls. He had no major criticism of anything he tasted—the vegetables were wonderfully savory, the curry sauce was thick and rich, and everything was nestled in the piquant, subtle smell of the spices.
“This is incredible,” he said.
“Y-You’re not just flattering me, are you?”
“Have I ever sugarcoated my real thoughts for you?”
“You haven’t, but...”
“I’m being honest here. The curry you made is killer,” Asahi complimented.
Fuyuka’s eyes widened upon hearing his praise, and her face brightened up into a smile. “Hooray,” she whispered, striking a moderate fist pump from under the table... or so Asahi assumed.
Anybody who would be happy to have their food complimented, and Fuyuka’s no different, he mulled.
“Looks like I managed to get it right this time,” she noted with an innocent laugh. Her grin was so lovely that Asahi’s mouth curled as well.
“But, yeah—you’ve gotten pretty good. You been doing any special practice behind my back?”
“Of course. I make sure to review what you’ve taught me and practice beforehand.”
“Huh. That explains it.”
“Although, naturally, it all comes down to your great tutoring.”
“Nice try. Too bad flattery won’t put you in my good books.”
“It doesn’t need to—I meant what I said.”
“In that case, I’ll take your word for it,” he replied, accepting her compliment. Truly, Fuyuka’s progress had been remarkable as of late. Her knife-handling skills, in particular, had been honed to the point where Asahi felt confident leaving her with one unsupervised. “I honestly feel fine leaving you to cook on your own now that you’re this capable.”
“N-No way! There’s still so much I’d like you to teach me. Daily, if at all possible...” she objected in an unfamiliarly loud voice.
“Someone’s eager. Welp, not that I mind or anything. I’m pretty free most of the time,” Asahi reassured her with a nod.
Fuyuka’s expression softened in relief, gradually melting into a soft smile. Asahi mirrored her.
It makes me happy that she’s so willing to learn. No idea if she’ll stick to her word and actually come by every day for a lesson, but heck... I’m here to help as long I don’t have anything else to worry about—
Asahi’s face soon fell into a slight frown as he recalled the upcoming plans he had already arranged. He hesitated for a moment, though his doubt was promptly erased. They needed to be on the same page.
“Say, got anything planned for New Year’s?” he asked.
“Nothing, I’m afraid. I’ll just be staying in my apartment,” she said, her smile vanishing.
It doesn’t sound like she can’t be with her family because the trip’s too far or something. It’s clear that she’s got some problems with them, he noted to himself gloomily. It was as if she couldn’t be with them, or rather, didn’t want to. Whatever the case, it was never his intention to make her sad.
“Wouldn’t you know it? That makes two of us,” he said.
“You won’t be going back home to your family this year?”
“I was supposed to... until my parents decided they’d come visit me instead,” he explained. It had been some time since their last visit, and they wanted to see how he was holding up, or so they’d told him. Asahi’s apartment was originally supposed to house the three of them, and he’d been keeping their rooms clean in the event that they decided to sleep over at any time. “I say that, but they’ve got the restaurant to worry about. They’ll just pop in around noon and then go back, apparently.”
“Still, that sounds wonderful. I’m sure they’re looking forward to spending quality time with you.”
Not gonna lie, it really weighs on me that my parents are gonna be the ones showing up here first thing next year... but it might just work for the best, he thought. “So anything specific you’d like to eat on New Year’s Eve and Day?”
Despite his question, Fuyuka didn’t appear to fully grasp what was asked of her—or perhaps she did, given her shocked expression.
“Come on, weren’t you the one who just said you wanted daily lessons?” he added bluntly.
Fuyuka nodded in response. “I’d... love to have some traditional toshikoshi soba noodles,” she said with a pleasant grin.
“That’ll be a first for me, too. I’ve never made soba before.”
“Kneading noodles sounds really fun. I can’t imagine I’ll have much trouble, either. What do you think?”
“Maybe... if you’re patient enough.”
“‘Maybe’?” she parroted.
“Yeah. There’s no telling what’ll happen once you go at it.”
“Teasing me again, are you? Hmph,” Fuyuka grumbled with an angry glare.
Although her sulking didn’t particularly faze Asahi, a certain issue sprang to mind which led him to voice his concerns.
“You sure you’re fine celebrating New Year’s with me?” he inquired.
“Now that you mention it...” her voice trailed off as the realization seemed to dawn on her. Her eyes darted across the room before eventually settling on Asahi. She peered up at him timidly. “Is it all right with you?”
“I don’t mind at all,” he answered.
They would not only have dinner together on New Year’s Eve, but they’d now agreed on spending time together until the New Year’s countdown. The prospect opened its own can of worms.
It’ll be pretty late at night, which we’ve never done up till this point.
Fuyuka, blissfully unaware of Asahi’s musings, beamed with happiness; she resembled a child ardently awaiting the New Year. Her gloomy disposition from a moment ago had vanished into thin air, and it pleased him to see her in such high spirits again.
“Thank you for the meal. It was delicious,” he said, bringing his hands together in prayer after he’d completely finished his plate.
“I hope I’ll have more opportunities to cook for you again in the future,” she replied while mimicking Asahi’s gesture.
“I can hardly wait.”
Asahi locked eyes with Fuyuka. They both enjoyed the laid-back serenity of the room, unburdened by the frantic nature of the last remaining days of the year.