Chapter Five - Sucking
George almost burned his lips when the first drop of the broth reached his mouth.
The dish had a heavenly scent, all the spices mixing in a divine combination that filled his lungs. And his stomach complained for being ignored for so long. With so many new places to see, eating was the last thing to cross his mind.
From the corner os his eyes, he watched as Kagome ate. She ate with so much joy that he almost ignored the way she sucked the noodles, bringing pasta, soup and vegetables altogether. It was hot like a dragon's spit and yet she never once cooled it down.
His mother would skin him alive if he ever slurped his food.
"What?" She stared at him.
"Why are you eating like that? You must have blisters in your tongue already."
"That's how you are supposed to eat ramen, boiling hot. Here, let me show you. First, sample the broth, feel every flavour exploding inside your mouth. Isn't it mouthwatering? Good, now, grab some noodles, put it in your mouth and suck the rest. Use the hashis to help you to not make a mess. Oh, and you have to make suru suru, slurp, or else the cook will think you don't like his food. The louder, the better."
He eyed the sticks in his hand and back to his bowl. And back to the sticks. He did as she said. He tried holding the beef with the chopsticks, but the piece of meat fell back in the soup, splashing on his sweater. He heard a chuckled and turned to see Kagome biting her lower lip, fighting a laugh.
"Pff Here, use this pff one."
Kagome handed him a new set of hashis, connected around the end by a piece of rolled paper and a rubber band.
"Trainer chopsticks", she said, then winked at him.
He grabbed some noodles. It was much easier to use.
"Right, now put in your mouth and suck."
Fred was probably laughing at him from wherever he was.
At least it came from a girl.