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From the moment our feet touched the ground floor, we got to work readying the shop's opening. Yukihira was in his element: opening the shutters, arranging the tables and housekeeping as he went around the shop in a seasoned motion.
I left him to work on that while I got the kitchen going.
Being by the sea does not just offer excellent views and an atmosphere of calm: it also gives us access to the freshest seafood in the sea can offer.
And being a chef, we get try them all.
But this means alot of prep work that may stretch into service times. With Yukihira busy unloading the supplies from the delivery truck and Mitamura-san speaking with the vendor, that was how I ended up working the stove top, wearing an apron over my bikini.
I have yet to figure out what happened last night, Yukihira was not any different from usual ever since his initial apprehension and this morning's events were pushed aside to focus on getting ready for the second day of operation.
"That smells amazing!" Yukihira remarked as he walked through the door, both hands encumbered with a box of fruit meant for the juice bar at the front of house.
"I'm seasoning the clam chowder." for dishes that involve live clams, where we can't discern the quality until they are cooked, it is good practice to make a sample portion to ensure that the dishes we serve would meet standards.
"It smells really appetizing," still carrying the box, he paused beside me, peeking into the bubbling pan. "did you add something?"
Oh? The self proclaimed greatest chef on our generation is stumped? I allowed myself a light smirk. "Make a guess." keeping my eye on the simmering pot, I scooped a tasting bowl and offered it up to him; at the same time, I heard an audible "ahh."
I looked up towards him, finally noticing our close proximity, and found him looking at me with similar confusion, "huh?" we expressed simultaneously.
He hefted the box in front of him, "Both my hands are a little occupied at the moment."
"Just place it down." I turned my full attention on him, one hand still holding up the bowl to him with the other, ladle in hand, resting on my hip.
"Naw, it's a hustle to place these bulky boxes down and pick up again." He shifted a little, "feed me, ahh."
That twinkle in his eyes, that damn twinkle when he knows he's doing something on purpose was shining through. I was getting drawn to accomplice his shenanigans as I tut lightly while fighting a tight smile, rolling my eyes before proceeding to humor him.
I picked up the nearest spoon, scooped a portion from the bowl and presented it in front of his mouth.
He hesitated, "woo, hot."
Without missing a beat, I immediately brought the spoon to my lips and blew gently at the steaming chowder before offering it up to him again. It was only after I witnessed him taking the whole spoon in his mouth with an audible "Umph" that I was aware of what I did.
"Mmmm," Yukihira hummed while I bit my lower lip lightly to keep myself from adding more meaning to the moment. "I got it: coconut milk."
Exactly right, but it was expected for a Tōtsuki student to breakdown a dish just by taste.
"I've substituted a portion of the required cream with coconut milk. It would add additional depth to the dish.'
Yukihira nodded, "Yeah! I can taste it but it is just right as not to make it unfamiliar from the usual recipe." he opened his mouth again, expecting another bite. Well, since it's gotten to this, might as well get him another spoon, this time I made sure to include a piece of clam meat. Not wanting to make my earlier actions to seem significant, I blew at it again and offered up to him.
Opened mouthed, he looked at the steaming spoon of chowder in front of him, then up to me. His eyes twinkled and the sides of his lips lifted up just before he took another bite. it then clicked: he was fully aware if what I did!
Words got stuck in my throat; I simply had no idea what to respond except to watch him savour the food that I made.
That made a weird feeling.
Though, I won't call that unpleasant.
For his part, Yukihira gave a grateful gesture, with his hands occupied, it was more of a closed eye smile and a tip of his head, and continued on his way.
But not before he quipped, "You're looking fine in that apron and bikini combination." and disappeared through the door.
And that was how i was left in the kitchen wearing an apron and bikini, speechless and aware of my warm cheeks.
We got to our usual working grove quickly once service started. The customers were more numerous than yesterday, may be due to the restaurant's name getting out, or perhaps more likely it as due to the sun beating down. As a testament, I had weaved around the restaurant taking orders for more beers, shaved ice and juices compared to yesterday.
The sun was glaring and I'd have to squint my eyes every time I went to the outdoor seating area.
Despite the sunlight, putting on a smile for service was to be expected; Besides, the customers were friendly as they would be for a fun-filled day at the beach
It also wasn't a chore that I was called back to certain table with four early middle school kids for the fifth time.
And yes, I noticed that every time I returned, one of them, a neatly combed raven haired bespectacled kid, was getting redder while getting face deeper into the menu book. His friends clearly ribbing him.
"Go on, now say something."
Hushed whispers died down when I got to the table and was greeted with three gleeful faces and one still buried in the menu.
"What can I get for you?" I feint obviousness and asked cheerfully while clearing their empty glasses onto my serving tray.
"Our friend here would like to make an order."
"Yeh! he's been thinking about it and has came to a decision."
"No one will know what you want of you don't say it, buddy."
The kid was on the spotlight as all attention fell to him as he took a deep breath and lowered down the menu.
Perhaps it was the peer pressure on him or perhaps he had drumed up the courage to finally speak, "I like the food here," he started then paused, letting those words break the ice while finding his next words, "the service is great too."
"Thanks, we are happy that you like it." my smile greeted his compliment.
"Will this place be open the whole day?" the ice was broken, his words were more assured.
"We'll be taking a break in a bit as the lunch crowd thins out." I explained. It was indeed thining out and guess the group must have waited for the opportunity to speak with me.
I had an idea where this was going.
The kid brightened and piqued up, "T-then would you-"
At that moment, a familiar presence approached me from behind, It was more like I had sensed him before I felt the tray in my hand smoothly whisked away without startling me.
Of course the size of the tray meant our fingers touched for a moment
"Thanks," I turned and called out to him out of politeness.
He threw a smile back and went about his work while I unconsciously brought my bandana wrapped arn up and rubbed my fingers where we got in contact.
I had thought I felt static.
The moment passed and I must have been facing away for a while for when I turned back, I was met with a table of silent boys. I tried to play it off, "Sorry, you were saying?"
They looked amongst each other wordlessly for a moment, then one of his friends grinned and placed an arm over the bespectacled kid shoulders in camaraderie.
"It's alright, we have to get going." the raven haired one replied, to the cheers of his friends.
So, they settled their bill and left.
Weird.
"Yo, Hisako, let's go to the beach." Yukira said once the kitchen was closed and the place tidied up.
"To swim or to meet your new friend?" I deadpanned. What meant to be a jest came out harder than intended.
"I'm thinking of buying something," he pointed to the seaside store a short distance away. It was not as big as our restaurant but a squat building that keeps with the beach theme of wood construction and thatched roofing.
Even from where we stood, it was clear how much variety of wares were on sale: from colourful inflatable floating beds to beach theme shirts.
Curious of what was on offer and since we're on break, I gave in and went along.
The shop was to expectations in variety and obviously jacked up prices but nonetheless, it was nice to browse around.
There were not many people at this time of the day as most of them either lazed at the beach to sleep off the post lunch stupor or frolicked in the water, under the generous sun.
The usual items were on display, none of which appealed to me, so my attention was drawn to a flashy flyer that seemed familiar: that beach volleyball competition thing that I almost walked into yesterday.
So apparently, it is to compete in pairs and the competition will be held tournament style and the prize up for the taking is a pair of tickets to the nearby seaside onsen.
Really? Onsen in the middle of summer.
Well, perhaps it'll be nice to relax in the cool evening.
"Hisako, come here for a moment, will you?" Yukihira called me from the other side off the store.
Being that nothing in the shop was of interest to me at this time, I complied to see what he wanted.
Something big was placed on my head. It wasn't heavy and the smell of fresh straw filled my nose.
It was a hat.
To be precise, it was wide brim beach hat.
It was simply made and, looking into the shop's hanging mirror, had a black band with a bow tied at the end.
"Try this one." he swapped out the first and replaced it with another: this one had an even wider brim that felt unwieldy.
"And finally the short brimed one." this one was definitely more for style than function as it clearly won't keep the sun out of one's eyes.
"So what do you think?" Yukihira asked.
What?! The bugger brought me here to do some hat shopping? Did that blonde lost her hat and this smitten puppy is getting her a new one? And here I am was to be a model for him?
And how thick skinned of him to ask me what I think.
"The first one's the best, I think." clearly oblivious to my inner monologue, he beamed, probably at the prospect of being praised by her.
I huffed as he brought the hat over to the counter and made the purchase.
Turning my attention away and outwards from the shop, the four kids from earlier happened to walk past the shop front. They seemed more relaxed and they even waved a friendly hi to me, of which I returned the favor.
Again with impeccable timing, Yukihira came from behind and plopped the hat onto my head.
"Yeh, she does have a boyfriend."
"It's alright man, we didn't know."
"Shush, she can hear us."
"it's ok, guys, thanks."
I was confused as to why the hat was on my head that I barely acknowledged the polite nods they offered me to look back at Yukihira.
"What's this for?"
"The sun's hot and it gets into your eyes every time you stepped out,, isn't it?" Yukihira explained as he pocketed his wallet. "besides, it complements your attire!"
...He actually noticed?
I recall him being occupied during service, juggling the front and back of house, but yet he noticed this detail about me. That was very considerate of him.
This is the first time he bought me something.
And some part of me thought: so, it's not a gift for Miss What's-her-name.
I can't place the glad feeling was due to which point.
Either way, I only managed a heartfelt "Thanks."
Yukihira simply grinned and invited me to view the other shops in the vicinity.
Of course, I went along with him, my new hat sitting comfortably atop my head.
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