For Day 12 of the Kingdom Hearts 3 Countdown Challenge - Fluff. Minigame spoilers ahead.
"You're really doin' great, Sora," Goofy said as he watched Sora toss a pan full of meat and vegetables and catch every single one of them with ease.
Sora grinned as he returned the pan to the fire, glancing upwards at the little chef perched on his head. "It's all thanks to Remy's help. I was completely hopeless before this. I couldn't even cook rice without burning it. Kairi used to tease me about it all the time. Riku would have, too, but he's just as bad as I am. Well, was."
Remy smiled, his deft paws tugging this way and that at Sora's hair. "It's like my hero Auguste Gusteau used to say. Anyone can cook."
Goofy sorta wondered whether Auguste Gusteau had a rat and a teenage boy working together in mind when he'd said that, but he liked the idea all the same.
Donald hopped off his chair and waddled over to Sora. "Here, Sora, gimme your phone. I can take a picture if you want."
Sora paused to scratch his cheek. "Oh, actually… I kinda want it to be a surprise."
Donald looked to Goofy, then turned back to Sora and gave him a sly smile. "You wanna impress Kairi, don't you?"
Sora's face flushed, and it probably wasn't just because of the spurt of fire from the wine he'd just poured onto the meat and vegetables.
"Who's Kairi?" Remy asked, though the look on his face told Goofy he'd probably figured it out.
"We… um… she… uh… she's my— she's my—"
"Your what, Sora?" Donald asked with a teasing grin.
"Sora, eyes on the food!" Remy yanked Sora's hair to get him to focus again.
When the pan was back under control, Sora finally spoke again. "Okay, fine. You're right. I want to show her that I'm not a hopeless cook anymore, okay? She always used to cook for me and Riku and we never made anything for her. I just want to return the favor for once."
If Sora thought that was gonna get Donald off his case, he was wrong. Donald teased him about it until he threatened to burn Donald's portion. That got Donald to shut up and return to his spot at the table until the food was ready.
"Well, Sora, I think Kairi will really like your surprise," Goofy said, tucking his napkin into his shirt as Sora served the food. "It's awful thoughtful of you."
"Thanks, Goofy." Sora smiled and took a seat at the table, and Remy sat down at his own tiny table Sora had gotten ready for him. It was on top of the big table, and Sora had set aside a little portion for him, too.
As they all dug in, Goofy didn't add that it wasn't about the food, though Kairi was sure to like whatever special meal Remy helped Sora cook up. It wasn't about the atmosphere, though this restaurant was awful nice and she was sure to like it when Sora brought her here.
No, it was all about the heart and thought behind the act, and Goofy had lived long enough to know that that was what really mattered.
He couldn't wait till Sora could share his surprise with her.