Tae regretted not packing her own lunch. She forced down the spoonful of lukewarm broth, purchased from the hospital cafeteria. In the past, the food had been alright, but today, it was barely edible.

Even Kaoru was making a face, from across the table. "What happened?"

"Apparently, the usual chef found a better job and was replaced by some man who's obviously taste-blind." Dr. Takani pushed aside her meal set. "I'm going out. Does anyone want to join me?"

"I will!" Misao jumped up. "As long as we get coffee. How about you, Uki?"

"Hmph, I suppose I'll go." The nurse made a show of being nonchalant.

In the end, the group was halved. Kaoru, who had to stay due to her work, frowned. "Geez, today was supposed to be a girls' only lunch. Well, you're here too, Tsubame."

She nodded. "The lobby needs me in half an hour. But…Tae-san, is the soup any better?"

Tae gave a strained smile. "It's a little bland."

"I can handle that." Kaoru argued. "Let me try a taste." A moment later, she vigorously wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Ugh, my lips are oily now. That doesn't compare to your sukiyaki."

"Tsubame, I'll bring some in for you." Tae offered. "I used to make it for Kaoru and her father, in the early days of Kamiya Kasshin."

"O-okay."

"Your standards will be raised." Kaoru added. "And Tae, you might as well take over, or at least sell better food."

"I still have a regular job."

"Then, how about on the weekends? You could open a stall in the courtyard, now that the weather's so nice. You'd be popular in no time; even the staff want to eat healthy."

"I could help too." Tsubame volunteered. "I'd like to learn how to cook."

"Well, I would have to consider the idea. I would need to buy ingredients, obtain a permit for doing business here, and advertise." But Tae thought it over. She was confident in her skills, and she could use the extra money. So indeed, why not?

When she was younger, she had been interested in becoming a nutritionist. Then, the Shirobeko had taken a hit, and she had to return home and settle for a business degree. Working as a receptionist was as close as she could get, to her original dream. Although she tolerated the paperwork, she only truly enjoyed herself when food was involved.

Quicker than she had expected, her weekend stall was approved for a month. It was terribly short, but she resolved to make the most of it and her mind turned to recipes.

Definitely sukiyaki, with spring vegetables. For a cold dish, shira-ae. Then, brown rice, edamame roasted in salt, and green tea and water. That should be enough, for a well-balanced menu.

She hadn't been this excited in years.

The first morning was expectedly slow. Tsubame assisted in preparation, and her friend Yahiko offered to spread the word among the EMTs. Kaoru had promised to be the first customer, but she brought along a companion.

"Tae, this is Dr. Himura. We share the same workspace. Dr. Himura, I've known Tae for years."

"It's nice to meet you, Dr. Himura." Tae warmly greeted him.

"Likewise, this one is always glad to meet a friend of Dr. Kamiya." He was a surgeon in the pediatric unit Kaoru was aiming for, and he was very well-mannered, finding a clean bench for the two of them.

"Ah, I've missed this." Kaoru sighed over her first mouthful of sukiyaki. "What do you think, Dr. Himura?"

"It's very good. Thank you, Sekihara-san."

"Well, thank you for doing business. Perhaps next time, you could come here with your family."

He immediately dismissed the idea. "This one lives alone."

"So does Kaoru. I hope I'll see you both more often." She discreetly gave her friend a thumbs-up, to congratulate her on her good catch. Kaoru was embarrassed, but that didn't stop them from returning the next day.

Rapidly, her stall's presence spread by word of mouth. Dr. Sagara became a frequent customer, although he was always telling her to put everything on his tab. And she had another regular, who she remembered because of how tall he was. He usually showed up early, his lab coat sailing behind him. He never spoke, and Tae attempted to make polite conversation.

"Did you see many patients today?"

He gave her a strange look, and answered. "No. I don't have any at all."

"Oh, then pardon my mistake." He must be in research. "How did you hear about this stall?"

"Someone I know well is a customer. And the director thought highly of it."

"Really? I didn't know this reached the upper levels." She remarked, as she handed him a bowl of sukiyaki.

"If something's good, it'll get the attention it deserves."

"Well, it was necessary. The food here needed to be changed. Even before it was this bad, it could have used some reform."

"Like what?"

"They were only little things, that built up. Sometimes, the fish wasn't fresh or the vegetables were wilted. The rice was dry, as if it had been recooked. Peanut oil was used, which made it dangerous for those with allergies."

"I see. And you think you could introduce improvements."

"If I had the power to, I would."

He was listening carefully and he cleared his throat. "So, if you could speak with the director, would you?"

"That would depend on the director, noticing that a receptionist was trying to work beyond her scope."

"Change is welcome. If it isn't a stupid idea and it's intended to help." He bluntly said. "Who cares who thinks of it first?"

"The upper levels might."

"You might be surprised." He countered.

Then, a group of people arrived, and as she was taking care of their orders, she realized the regular had slipped away without saying goodbye.

At the end of the month, she closed the stall. She was flattered by how disappointed the hospital staff were, but she didn't have a choice. She hadn't heard anything, after she requested to extend the trial period. She had enjoyed herself, but in the end, it seemed that change wasn't welcome after all.

It made the meeting invitation more surprising, when she read the e-mail the next morning. The board was willing to talk to her, about the stall's sales.

She was nervous, arriving twenty minutes early. She reorganized the papers in her folder, took a deep breath, and entered the meeting room anyway. Someone was already sitting at the table. Her eyes widened. "Oh, no."

"Oh, yes." He had the nerve to look smug. "I was disappointed you didn't recognize me."

"I'm sorry…Director Hiko." She wanted to pinch herself. When that regular customer had been referring to the director, he had meant himself all along.

He gave a cursory nod. "Well, you can prepare your presentation. Don't forget that you'll have to convince everyone else about why you should continue. I already made up my mind."

"I'm sure you did." She replied, and he only laughed. But maybe, change was a little more attainable than she had thought.