Chapter 10: My cooking.
"It's time! For Akeshi-kun's Cooking Special-first session! Let's go, let's go!"
We got back home around 9 p.m., grocery bags in hand. It was definitely late for dinner, but that couldn't be helped. What caught me more off-guard was how Amanika-san somehow looked more excited now than when we were shopping. I was just glad she seemed to have recovered from earlier.
"Chef Akeshi-kun," she grinned as we set the bags down. "What's on the menu tonight?"
"Peperoncino," I replied. "I usually prefer tomato or meat sauce, but those take time to simmer. This is faster."
To be more precise, Spaghetti Aglio Olio Peperoncino-a deceptively simple dish made with garlic, olive oil, chili peppers, and parsley. But when done right, it hits all the right notes.
As I filled a pot with water and set it to boil, I started prepping: minced two garlic cloves, deseeded the chili pepper, and chopped fresh parsley. Timing was everything.
Once the water boiled, I added a generous pinch of salt and tossed in the spaghetti. Cooking it a minute less than usual ensured it would finish perfectly once mixed into the sauce.
While the pasta cooked, I heated olive oil in a pan and gently sautéed the garlic and chili over low heat-shaking the pan constantly to avoid burning. The fragrance rose quickly. When the garlic turned golden, I tossed in the parsley and killed the heat.
The trickiest part came next.
One ladle of pasta water went into the pan, the high heat reviving the mixture into a silky emulsion. Once it started bubbling, in went the drained pasta. I tossed it around until each strand shimmered with oil and aroma.
"Yeah... just about right."
I plated the dish, finishing with a sprinkle of black pepper and a few extra chili flakes. Done.
"Woooow~" Amanika-sans's eyes sparkled. "You're amazing, Akeshi-kun! You've got such a steady hand-and you're fast! I seriously envy you. Honestly, you might be a better cook than me..."
I looked away, scratching my cheek. "I grew up with a mom who cooked well. And I worked the kitchen shift at the café sometimes, so I picked up a few things. But hey, I'm looking forward to your turn too, Amanika-san."
We sat down for a late dinner, facing each other over warm plates of steaming pasta. The scent of garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs filled the air. A simple, balanced dish -but it did the job.
"Mmm! It's delicious!" she beamed after her first bite.
"The garlic hits just right, and the parsley adds a nice freshness. The pepper gives it a kick too! Are you secretly a genius, Akeshi?"
"...If this counts as genius, then all the chefs with Michelin stars must be gods or something."
"Well, I don't care what the rest of the world says," she declared, puffing her chest a little. "To me, the best chef is Akeshi-kun. Your food is perfect."
I nearly choked on my pasta.
It was the first time I'd cooked for someone outside my family or the random customers at the not-so-professional café I work at. Hearing her say it was delicious-while smiling like that-embarrassed me more than I expected.
"But!" she said, raising a finger. "I won't lose! Tomorrow's my turn, so look forward to it! I'll make you something you really like!"
"Oh?" I arched a brow. "Do you even know what I like?"
"Of course! You love tuna!" she declared proudly. "You usually eat pastries, but whenever the cafeteria serves a tuna based dish, you never miss it. Not once! Right?"
"...That's... actually true. But how would you know that? You're barely ever around during lunch."
This was starting to sound like the beginning of a horror story.
"Huhuhu~ That's sweet, Akeshi-kun. I have sources. Not just students." She leaned closer, eyes twinkling. "The cafeteria ladies told me."
...Cafeteria lady... why? You betrayed me.
"Oh, and," she said, almost smugly, "I was the one who told them to give you the leftovers on busy days. Don't ask how I did it, okay? It's my secret."
She pressed a finger to my lips. My heart did a backflip.
Calm down. Calm down. This wasn't a boss fight. This wasn't a confession scene. This was just... close proximity and food. That's all.
That's-!
"Fufu. You get flustered so easily, Akeshi-kun," Amanika-san whispered, her voice carrying a mischievous lilt. "But that part of you is really cute."
"...I'm not cute."
"Oh? Then what are you?"
"A normal person trying to eat dinner in peace."
"Liar," she grinned. "You're the protagonist of this cooking slice-of-life romance. You even did the chef monologue while boiling pasta."
I narrowed my eyes. "You heard that?"
"All of it. I was right there pretending not to be impressed while mentally writing fan letters to Chef Akeshi."
"...Stop making me sound like a culinary anime character."
Amanika-san giggled again and finally leaned back in her seat, twirling her fork. "But really, thanks for cooking tonight. It made me feel... better."
Her voice softened a little at the end. She didn't elaborate, and I didn't ask. That alone told me enough.
"Yeah," I said simply. "You're welcome."
A brief silence followed, not awkward, just quiet. The kind that settles in after shared warmth.
Then she spoke again.
"...Hey, Akeshi-kun. Can I ask you something weird?"
"Coming from you? Sure."
"Do you think," she started, eyes looking down at her plate, "people can taste memories?"
"...That's oddly poetic."
"I mean it." She glanced up. "Like-when I eat something that's made with care, even if it's simple, it feels like I'm remembering something I didn't even know I lost."
I blinked. "You definitely read too many light novels."
"Maybe," she smiled. "But your peperoncino tasted like warmth. Like something that says, 'You're home now.""
I froze.
She was looking straight at me.
It was disarming.
"...I didn't realize I was feeding you nostalgia," I muttered, looking away. "I was just making pasta."
"No," Amanika-san said, shaking her head. "You were making yours."
"...My what?"
"Your version of care."
That one hit harder than expected.
She stood up with a stretch. "Anyway! That's enough deep stuff for tonight. I'll handle the dishes, so sit down and rest."
"You sure?"
"Yup!" she said, gathering plates. "Besides, I'm taking full responsibility for tomorrow's meal. Just wait-I'll show you what Amanika-san's kitchen looks like when it goes all out."
"...I'm mildly terrified."
"You should be," she winked. "Especially since I already have the hamburger meat ready~"
She paused before turning away. "And... thanks again, Akeshi-kun."
Then, just like that, she walked to the kitchen sink, humming under her breath.
And I sat there, wondering how one bowl of pasta turned into something like this.