SWNOVELXO Chapter 31 - Before Golden Week
The next morning, I woke up a little early and was making the bento box that I prepare every other day.
“Let’s see…maybe I’ll make it Western style today.”
After having beef stew yesterday, I’ve been feeling in such a mood ever since I got home.
First off, I’m going to cook the hamburger meat that I’ve had prepared since yesterday.
“In the meantime…maybe I’ll make omurice for the rice part. I’ve already prepped the onions…”
I have onions that I’ve previously caramelized and stored in the freezer.
I moved them to the refrigerator last night.
Having them on hand makes cooking so much easier.
“Mix in the fried bacon and rice with the onions…”
I also have some demi-glace sauce stored in the freezer…
That sauce should go well with the hamburger.
“As for the soup…maybe I’ll use the thermos.”
I bought it, but I’ve never used it…
I’ll pour in some consommé soup.
“Add in some ketchup…and there, done.”
I start packing the prepared meal into the bento box.
“Next, whisk the eggs…”
Apply heat and pour the eggs into a frying pan with melted butter.
This is the crucial part… I have to get the timing right between 10 and 15 seconds… now!
Lightly knock the handle of the frying pan to shape it round…
“Great, it’s perfect. If I put this on top…”
The omurice is complete.
…I wonder if Reina-san will be pleased…
Making food while imagining someone’s happy face… it’s fun, isn’t it?
“Add tomatoes and lettuce on the side… put in some pre-made tomato penne… also add some potato salad…”
I have to thank Reina-san…
I was starting to dislike cooking, but now I’m starting to enjoy it again.
I’ll also start working as an advisor next week.
“I’d like to thank her somehow…”
As I pack the bento box, I ponder…
She’s been treating me to meals and drinks…
Despite being broke, I want to give something back.
I wonder what would be good…?
Of course, besides helping her with her work and not dragging her down…
“By the way, what are Reina-san’s hobbies…? I don’t think I’ve ever asked…”
I enjoy video games, novels, manga, and anime…
I don’t dislike comedies and dramas either…
“I realized… I don’t know much about her, and she probably doesn’t know much about me…”
But…we’re colleagues at work, so that’s how it should be.
Just yesterday, I thought that’s how it should stay…
“I’m going in circles… No, there’s nothing strange about showing gratitude. It’s just a matter of thanking a superior who’s taken care of me… that’s not strange, right…?”
As I was thinking about all this, the bento box was finished.
Habits can be scary…
Even when I’m thinking about something else, my hands keep moving…
Whether that’s good or bad is another matter…
The morning will be filled with instruction time.
“Um, how is it…?”
“Yes, I think it’s great. Even without looking at your hands, you’re making fewer mistakes.”
“Thank you! As you told me, once I decided that each finger would press a specific key, I was able to do it!”
“It’s surprisingly easy once you get used to it, isn’t it? It’s a bit like playing the piano.”
Ono-kun apparently learned to play the piano when he was younger.
So, I suggested this might work well for him.
“Yes! With this, I feel like I can manage!”
“Good, I’m glad to hear that. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and there are things that suit them and things that don’t. If you ever find yourself in a position to teach, remember that. Don’t ever impose something on someone just because you could do it… got it?”
“Yes, of course!”
“Good… then, let’s finish up in this style.”
I heave a sigh of relief while looking back.
Of course, there is still a lot to be said…
If I say it all at once, the other person might be overwhelmed and lose motivation.
Just like I was…
But, for now, it’s starting to take shape before the Golden Week.
This should be okay for the time being.
“Mito-kun, what do you think?”
“This is good, Section Chief Matsuura. It’s starting to take shape.”
“Oh…? Ono-kun, give it a try.”
“Y-yes…!”
“Don’t be nervous. Section Chief Matsuura doesn’t get irrationally angry. Try it the same way as before.”
“Mito-san… Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
The office becomes quiet…
Everyone stops their work to watch.
In the midst of this, only the sound of clattering can be heard…
“…That’s enough.”
As always, they’re so clumsy…
If they talk in such a cold way…
“Eh? Is…is that so…?”
As I thought… they misunderstood…
Umm… to follow up…
“Ono-kun, what Section Chief Matsuura meant was… ‘it’s good enough now, you did well.’ Right, Section Chief Matsuura?”
“Eh?”
“…Yes. That should be okay for now. Keep up the good work… you’ve done well.”
“Y-yes! Thank you!”
Applause arises from the surroundings.
“Well done!”
“Man, that was nerve-wracking!”
“My heart was pounding!”
“Do you guys have time to be worrying about others?”
The applause stops all at once, and everyone goes back to their work.
…Oh dear… They’re so clumsy.
Afterwards, it becomes lunchtime… and it’s time for lunch with Ms. Reina.
“Wow! It looks delicious!”
Yes, she’s as cute as always.
She’s like a completely different person from before.
“Please, help yourself.”
“Thank you! …Mmm! It’s delicious! This demi-glace sauce… it’s different from the Master’s, but it’s delicious… sweet?”
“I’m glad you like it. Yes, I made it using a sweet wine. I think the Master uses a more bitter one…”
“Hee… I didn’t know there was such a thing… It’s quite profound, isn’t it…”
“Well… I’m not a professional, so I don’t know the details… but it’s often said that cooking is a lifelong study.”
“That sounds tough… Ah-—the omelette rice is also delicious…!”
“I’m glad. I really wanted you to try it fresh… the fluffiness of the egg and such are definitely more delicious when it’s fresh.”
“Eh?…I…I want to try that…”
“Yes?”
“That…freshly cooked…”
Why is she hesitating to say she wants to eat freshly cooked food?
No…wait.
It’s a thank you… All I can do is cook for her.
“It’s okay. Do you want to eat it freshly cooked?”
“Eh…? Is that okay…?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I appreciate you, Reina-san. I’ve been wanting to thank you.”
“Did…did I do something…?”
“You’ve enjoyed my cooking. Thanks to you, I remembered that I love cooking and I didn’t come to hate it…”
“Is…is that so… Ehehe… Then, when should I come over…?”
“Yes?”
“Um…you’re going to let me eat, right? Like the day…is it better on a day off?”
…Wait?
Hold on…
Um…what does this mean?
To thank her with freshly cooked food… for that…I need to invite her over?
…I messed up!!
“N-no, um…”
“Golden Week starts the day after tomorrow, right… If it’s Saturday or Sunday for me…”
Wait, wait… the conversation is progressing…
It doesn’t seem like I can decline now…
“Um…would Sunday be better…?”
“T-then, that’s… the time, we can decide later, right…?”
“Y-yes…”
“Hehe… I’m looking forward to it~”
…I was supposed to maintain a proper distance…
No, I understand that I dug my own grave…
But still… how did it come to this?