Day 1:
Professor decided to assign journal task only for me. Currently questioning legitimacy of University and Professor Dubois. Apparently I lack sympathy and emotion for a 'doctor of the future'. Was offended.
Still no progress made on article for assignment and have no interviewee listed down.
Day 2:
Marie is interested in Japanese culture. Would have felt happy but her interests lie in anime. Does not associate with otaku or anything alike.
Professor Chapelle felt sorry for me and helped find someone to interview. Could feel vibes of anticipation. Asked who it was and was informed that her husband had organised it. Felt mild anxiety but dismissed it.
Mother called from Japan and informed me that older brother has revealed girlfriend to them. Surprised he could even get one.
Went to bed early.
Day 3:
Marie informed me that she will be interviewing a family relative who is an upcoming athlete. Jealous of how easily interviewee was obtained. Older brother and father is a traditional Japanese salaryman. Do they have those in France?
Decided to ask Marie later.
Day 4:
Went out to market today because of no classes. Found nice tomatoes and shopkeeper informed me tomatoes were special and good for cooking. Did not understand since I cannot even cook eggs. Purchased tomatoes anyway for Marie.
Saw a tall guy who bought out whole store.
(Spoke Japanese? Hearing possibly bad.)
Day 5:
Another day off. Did nothing but continue to study.
Questioned self on as to why I'm studying medicine in Paris. Felt homesick then fell asleep.
Day 6:
Marie found new boyfriend and used her eyes to judge me because I'm single. Felt a bit offended before watching her leave for a date.
Did not have a boyfriend since fifteen years of age (currently: twenty-two) and am pitied by peers. Asked by Louise if I liked French men. Did not know how to respond and left common room to study.
Day 7:
Dropped coffee right after purchasing it. Stared at it for a while before cashier offered kindly to give another one. Asked for Gods to bless him.
Professor Chapelle gave interviewee information to me. Thanked her and left class feeling better.
Read through information given, interviewee apparently famous chef.
Am not knowledgeable on anything cuisine related.
Day 8:
Went to market again today and bought bananas. Loud people were not here this time. Shopkeeper told tale of chef who saved the day with food and drove loan sharks away. Questioned reliability of shopkeeper and was met with laughter.
Shopkeeper gave extra bananas as present before waving me off.
Felt thankful.
Day 9:
Read interviewee information carefully this time and discovered individual is of Japanese descent. Rather surprised and called mother. Mother is for some reason aware of famous Japanese chefs and recognises the chef's name.
Conversation:
Mother - "Oh, Haru! Tell me how he's like in real life, alright? He's so handsome, I'd love to have a son like him!"
Me - "You do have a son."
Mother - "Well, yeah, but he isn't a famous chef!"
Realised mother's desire for famous child. Will not achieve her dreams and apologised internally before hanging up.
Day 10:
Called 'Shino's' restaurant about interview. Customer service person seemed friendly and organised interview time. Heard angry yelling in the background?
Will interview in another ten days. Somewhat tired after conversation and is brought back to questioning why article must be written. Remembered elective choices and chose not to complain.
Professor Chapelle was proud of me and will be telling husband about interview.
Fell asleep by accident on common room sofa and was poked awake by Louise.
Day 11:
Marie broke up with boyfriend. Did not think it was possible to end relationship that fast at our age. Asked about it and was met with shrug of indifference. Did not know what to say in return so returned to my side of room.
Read tomorrow's classes' notes in preparation.
Day 12:
Bumped into banana-shopkeeper on the street. Was informed that chef-hero returned to market to buy more goods. Am not at all curious about chef-hero but cannot deny friendly banana-shopkeeper.
Banana-shopkeeper offered discount next time.
Appreciated gesture and decided to go later.
Day 13:
Apparently, younger cousin has enrolled in Totsuki Academy. Was unaware of the culinary school's existence until given information about it by Aunt Yukiko. Am the last one to know and late by at least five months.
Megumi is good at cooking so as older cousin, I definitely approve of this outcome.
(Bit worried though.)
Day 14:
Father called to check up on me and had to reassure I was still alive. Did not believe I could live on my own despite being a mature adult woman.
Rude.
Day 15:
Went to market and banana-shopkeeper wasn't there. Tomato-shopkeeper told me he would be back tomorrow. Disappointed but thankful. Bought tomatoes from tomato-shopkeeper for Louise like I was told and returned to dorm.
Studied before going to sleep.
(Also read magazine about cooking but got bored.)
Day 16:
Met banana-shopkeeper and was greeted enthusiastically. Apparently banana-shopkeeper's daughter got a cold. Recommended effective medicine and was thanked. Bought discounted bananas and left stand, almost bumping into tall man.
Apologised with a nod and left.
(Man looked familiar? Asian descent.)
Day 17:
Sat with Marie and ate bananas on campus grounds. Louise joined in and also ate bananas. Discussed Marie's grades and have concluded without any effort she will fail. Louise is doing well in her law course and is thinking about going further with it (?).
Currently am doing well in medical course.
Satisfied.
Day 18:
Returned to market to buy more bananas from banana-shopkeeper and was given another discount. Very thankful for discount and admiration for banana-shopkeeper intensified.
Banana-shopkeeper told me I just missed chef-hero the other day. Cannot remember any hero-like individuals that day.
Returned home and found Marie and Louise on the floor asleep in the middle of the common room. Silently ignored them and slept in own room.
Day 19:
Asked Professor Chapelle to read over interview questions and was approved.
Mother called to inform me of Megumi's success at school. Very proud and happy for her!
Day 20:
Arrived at 'Shino's' and was thoroughly impressed by beauty of restaurant. Was let in by kind black haired woman and introduced self in French only to be talked to in Japanese. Employees seem to all be fluent in Japanese.
Chef Shinomiya was missing and was apparently in the kitchen doing 'prep-work'. Assumed that was preparation for the day.
Chef Shinomiya came out of back and his face despite the scowl looked rather appealing (not interested but I must acknowledge). Looked irritated and suddenly felt small underneath glare I did not deserve (?).
Asked interview questions and recorded answers quickly. Finished in under an half and hour and decided to ask about the kinds of food he actually makes. Surprisingly, was given a decent and calm answer (also, kindly explained in Japanese French cooking terms).
Conversation remembered (spoken in Japanese but written in French for your understanding):
Me - "A-Ah… Thank you for the time, Shinomiya-san."
Chef Shinomiya - "I can't decline a request from Chapelle-sensei so if there's anyone to thank it's him. I don't care whatsoever, but you better write something good, brat."
Have come to the understanding that was a threat. Concluded that Chef Shinomiya is probably as salty as the salt he puts into his food.
(I don't think I should be called a 'brat'. Does he even know how old I am?)
Day 21:
Out of respect (and not because he told me to) went to Professor Chapelle's office to ask if she could pass a message of thanks to her husband.
Finished writing up interview during lunch and the rest of article is left.
…?
Have come to the realisation that no food was tasted on interview day. Definitely stupid of me as article cannot be finished since no food was tasted (important as article is about supposedly famous chef). Need to fix.
Asked Marie and Louise and was rejected. Have to go alone.
Day 22:
Called kind customer service lady again and explained situation. Got laughed at (not in a bad way) and agreed to make a booking and inform Chef Salty.
Pleased as article assignment will finally be done.
Not happy about seeing Chef Salty again.
Booking on day after tomorrow.
Day 23:
Went to cafe with Marie who likes pastries as if they were her own children. Not a fan of milk chocolate but enjoyed white chocolate on the cakes. Drank tea and felt weird longing for great tea.
Called mother later and told her about the tea thing.
"Haru, you're homesick silly! Do you wanna come home? Your break should be coming up soon!" - Mother.
Thought about it.
Day 24:
Stared at self in mirror. Wearing large wool jumper with white blouse underneath and decent ankle boots with heels. Pants matched attire and garters stopped just before shoes. Short black hair was tided up with hair parting making effective-looking bangs.
Attire was approved by Marie and Louise as I left. Felt a bit happy.
Arrived at 'Shino's' and felt reoccurring urge to frown but did not. Emotionless as I entered the fancy place.
Kind lady introduced herself as Gao Wei who is from Chinese descent and almost questioned her about why she was working with Chef Salty but did not when said man appeared himself.
Was scolded by Chef Salty in complete Japanese for being an idiot and possibly undeserving of tasting his food. Did not experience this kind of scolding since departure from Tokyo. Homesick feeling came back but swallowed it for a professional image. Was ordered by Chef Salty to 'sit your ass down' and decided to listen (intimidation).
After a while of awkwardness, Gao Wei put plate of food in front of me. Remarked that the food looked rather small for such a large plate. Was laughed at by Gao Wei. Decided to finally taste food.
…
I…
Food was amazing and felt cleansed just eating the food. Texture, flavour, smell and even appearance (before I ate it) was perfect. Tried to hide emotion so Chef Shinomiya did not see amazed reaction (to prevent his ego rising even higher). Respect reluctantly rose for Chef Shinomiya. Have never experienced this level of deliciousness.
Told Gao Wei that I would put my thoughts in the article. Pondered on whether or not to wait for Chef Shinomiya to come out to give my thanks. Decided to leave thanks with Gao Wei and go on my way.
Day 25:
Article practically wrote itself and was submitted. Informed later that day of publication on University newspaper. Chef Shinomiya seems popular amongst student body.
Left with nothing to do but study and continue this journal.
Ran out of bananas after Marie made some banana bread. Ate banana bread.
Day 26:
Went to purchase more bananas and fruits at banana-shopkeeper's stall. Saw familiar silhouette of Chef Shinomiya at stall carrying bag of vegetables. Attempted to escape area but met eyes with Chef Shinomiya.
Dragged to converse with Chef Shinomiya by his glare. Never met anyone with such a ferocious glare besides my mother. Made sure to tell him this and almost got hit if it wasn't for the bag in his hand.
Conversation:
Chef Shinomiya - "Brat, you left without saying anything."
Me - "Ah… You seemed busy so I didn't want to disturb you."
Chef Shinomiya - "Tch. At least have some common decency."
Me - "…"
Chef Shinomiya - "So, that article, did you finish it?"
Me - "Oh, I just submitted it and from what they've told me it'll be on the University newspaper so I'll make sure to drop it off."
Chef Shinomiya - "You better not have written anything bad."
Again, was threatened by Chef Shinomiya that afternoon before buying bananas and returning home.
Day 27:
Tried cooking bacon today and burnt it.
Went to fast food restaurant to fix hunger.
Came home to find Marie cramming and stressing. Did not offer any help and was called a 'traitor'. Was not aware I betrayed anyone.
Day 28:
Exam dates posted at University. Took photo to send to Marie and received thanks.
Holiday dates also posted and were recorded to send to mother.
Studied for the rest of the day and ate cake at night. Got stomachache at 11PM, will not do that again.
Day 29:
Received copy of newspaper to deliver to Chef Shinomiya. Decided to split from group after dinner out to go to 'Shino's'. Accused by Marie of meeting non-existent boyfriend. Not at all surprised by accusation as woman was drunk on the levels of utterly wasted.
Arrived at 'Shino's' at 8PM and came in. Staff in the middle of closing up and Gao Wei questioned my presence. Informed her of newspaper and handed it to her quickly in hopes of avoiding Chef Shinomiya.
Before running off, collar was grabbed by powerful force and dragged back. Choked a little and saw Chef Shinomiya holding me back with only one hand. Struggled for freedom only to be oppressed by powerful force who did not seem concerned.
Forced to watch Chef Shinomiya read article. Was complimented on expression of positive words for one second before getting insulted on time of delivery of University newspaper and then scolded on being out on the streets at night.
Could not help but tell Chef that I was twenty-two and studying medicine.
Was told I looked like a nineteen year old idiot and then was asked if I had a job.
Replied truthfully about poor state of finances.
Called an idiot again.
Day 30:
Called back to 'Shino's' by Gao Wei and was not given any reason but only to show up. Followed commands that surely came from Chef Salty and arrived on time.
Without any explanation, forced into wearing waitress clothes. Stared at by Chef Salty and told him he was a pervert. Got hit on the head in response.
Asked if I could fill in for someone at the restaurant for serving customers. Stared at Chef Salty like he was an idiot and informed him of incompetence in anything food related.
Chef Salty responded with: "Hah, do you really think I'd let some brat into my kitchen? You're not going anywhere near it; just enough to serve customers their meals, got it?"
Without any say, got employed as waitress at 'Shino's'.
Was a strange development.
a/n: experimenting with new writing style. reviews are appreciated. :)