The next morning, Mizuha opened her eyes as sunlight came through her curtains. She glanced at her clock and realized she had woken up earlier than usual.
She felt excited as she remembered her plan for the day. Quietly, she made her way to the kitchen, careful not to wake her parents. She gathered the ingredients and began preparing tamagoyaki, just as Eri had taught her the day before.
As she cooked, she made extra portions because she wanted to share the tamagoyaki with her friends at school. The eggs made a sizzling sound and gave off a smell from cooking in the kitchen.
Mizuha was so focused on her task that she didn't notice her mother entering the room.
"Oh, you're up early today," her mother said, startling Mizuha slightly.
"Making tamagoyaki, huh?"
Mizuha nodded and smiled. "Good morning, Mom. Yes, I thought I'd try making it myself"
Her mother moved closer. "That's thoughtful of you. Here, let me help," she said, grabbing another pan so they could cook faster.
Together, they worked without talking. The kitchen had the sound of cooking and the clinking of utensils.
As they finished the last batch, Mizuha's mother turned to her.
"You go get ready for school," she said, gesturing toward Mizuha's room. "I'll pack it up for you, okay, honey?"
Mizuha hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Thanks, Mom," she said, giving her mother a quick hug before going to her room.
As Mizuha showered and dressed for school, her mother packed the tamagoyaki into her bento box and made separate portions for her friends.
She wrapped everything neatly and thought her daughter was getting better at cooking.
As Mizuha finished getting ready, her mother handed her the bento. "Have a good day at school," she said.
With a quick thank you, Mizuha grabbed her things and headed out the door, feeling excited about what would happen that day.
At school, Mizuha didn't pay attention during morning classes. She couldn't wait to share her homemade tamagoyaki with her friends. Finally, the bell rang, and break time started.
Mizuha pulled out her bento and a separate box of tamagoyaki just as Shimizu approached her seat.
"What's that, Mizuha? It smells good," Shimizu asked.
Mizuha winked. "It's a secret. You'll all get to try it when we get to our spot."
Eri, who already knew about the tamagoyaki, smiled as she watched her close friend go on excitedly about it.
Zul spoke up. "Hey, guys, Hikaru just texted me. He'll be a bit late and told us to go ahead without him."
"Alright, got it. Let's head to our usual spot," Shimizu replied.
Meanwhile, Hikaru was rushing to finish his work in his classroom, eager to join Mizuha and the others for lunch on the school rooftop.
"Finally done. I need to hurry and catch up with them," Hikaru thought, grabbing his bento box.
Just then, Akemi approached him. "Hikaru-kun, wait!"
"Huh? Akemi? What's up?" Hikaru asked.
"Can I join you guys for lunch? I want to meet the friends you always hang out with," Akemi said.
Hikaru hesitated, feeling uneasy about Akemi joining them. "Uh, sure, but..."
"No, it's fine... Let's go."
"Great! Thanks, Hikaru-kun!" Akemi said, following behind him.
Meanwhile, Mizuha and the others started their lunch at their usual spot on the rooftop.
"Quick, Mizuha, show me what you got today!" Shimizu said excitedly
"Here you go," Mizuha replied with a smile, opening the box of tamagoyaki. The tamagoyaki was cut into slices and neatly arranged in the box.
"Wow, tamagoyaki!" Shimizu exclaimed, leaning in closer. "Can I taste it now? I can't wait any longer!"
"Sure, go ahead," Mizuha said.
Shimizu took a bite. She was clearly happy with how it tasted.
"Mmm, it's so delicious!" she said.
"Here, you guys too," Mizuha offered, holding out the box to Eri and Zul.
"Let's eat!" Eri and Zul said together, each taking a piece.
"Mmm, so good, Mizuha-chan," Eri said, clearly impressed. "You've definitely improved since yesterday."
"Yeah, this tastes just like what Eri made before," Zul noted.
"Well, I learned how to make it from Eri yesterday," Mizuha admitted. She felt proud.
"Don't say that, Mizuha-chan," Eri responded, blushing slightly from the compliment.
As they continued to eat, Mizuha glanced around. Hikaru still hadn't arrived. "Hikaru is a bit late," she thought. "What happened to him?"
Just then, Hikaru rushed onto the rooftop, slightly out of breath. "Sorry, you guys, I'm late."
"You're late! What were you doing?" Shimizu asked.
Before Hikaru could answer, a voice called out from behind him. "Hikaru-kun! Why are you walking so fast?" Akemi said, catching up to him.
Mizuha and the others were surprised when Akemi appeared behind Hikaru. Both Shimizu and Mizuha were confused. They were thinking the same thing.
"Huh, is she...?" they both murmured, trying to process the unexpected arrival.
"Umm, Hikaru, who is that?" Shimizu asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh, her?" Hikaru said, turning to face the group. "This is Akemi, my classmate," he introduced, gesturing toward her. Akemi gave a polite nod. She was nervous but determined as she stood by Hikaru's side, waiting for the group's response.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Akemi," Akemi said.
Mizuha recognized her immediately.
"Ah, you're from yesterday! Thanks again for helping me earlier," she said.
Shimizu looked at Mizuha. She was curious. "Huh, Mizuha, have you already met her before?"
"Yeah, she helped me yesterday," Mizuha replied casually.
Akemi said it wasn't a big deal. "Don't worry, it was just a small thing."
"So, you're the famous Yuki-san, right? I've always heard about you from Hikaru-kun and my friends too.
And you," she continued, turning to Shimizu, "you're the famous Shimizu-san, the one who beat up some upperclassmen recently. You don't seem as bad as they say."
This girl looks nice, but she's got quite the mouth. She thought this, feeling irritated.
"Oh, is that what they say? How nice of them," Shimizu replied.
Then, Akemi pretended to notice Zul. She acted surprised. "Huh, is that you, Zul? It's been a while! I see you're still as quiet as usual," she said, trying to start a conversation with him.
Zul remained silent, not reacting to her words, instead focusing on his bento lunch. The lack of response was typical of Zul, who preferred to keep to himself in most social situations.
Sensing the awkwardness, Eri tried to step in. "Umm, Zul's not—" she began. She was speaking gently to defend him.
But before she could finish, Zul leaned in close to Eri and whispered into her ear, "Eri, just ignore what she said. Her attitude's always been like that since middle school."
Eri understood and let it go. She wanted to reassure Zul, so she didn't press the issue.
Why do I feel like I didn't like her before? She did nothing to me or Zul. Eri wondered, unable to understand why she couldn't get along with Akemi.
Meanwhile, Mizuha spoke up cheerfully. "Oh, since you're both here, I made some Tamagoyaki today. Please, have a taste!" she said, holding out the box of Tamagoyaki to Hikaru and Akemi.
Hikaru gratefully accepted a piece. "Thanks, Mizuha! I've been looking forward to this," he said before taking a bite.
"This is good!"
Akemi hesitated for a moment. She was unsure, but then reached out and took a piece.
"Thank you," she said. "Mizuha, this is delicious. Did you make this?"
"Yes, I made it, thanks to Eri-chan for teaching me how to make it," Mizuha said.
"You learned it from Sakamoto-san? Wow, that's nice! I never knew you had such great cooking skills," Akemi said, complimenting Eri.
The compliment embarrassed Eri.
"Here, there are still more, you guys," Mizuha said, offering the remaining Tamagoyaki to her friends. She then picked up a piece with her chopsticks and suddenly turned towards Hikaru.
"Umm, Hikaru, here... open your mouth," Mizuha said. She was nervous as she held the tamagoyaki in front of him.
What am I doing? Why am I suddenly feeding him? Mizuha wondered. She was embarrassed.
Hikaru stared at the tamagoyaki, then at Mizuha. He was blushing.
Wait, Mizuha, what are you trying to do? Also, those are your chopsticks! Is this... an indirect kiss? He thought, feeling even more embarrassed.
Despite his surprise, Hikaru went along with it. Well, I'll just play along... he thought, opening his mouth slightly. Just as he was about to take a bite, Akemi suddenly leaned in and snatched the Tamagoyaki right off Mizuha's chopsticks.
"Aaaa... ummm... so delicious!" Akemi exclaimed, chewing happily.
Both Mizuha and Hikaru froze in shock, staring at Akemi in disbelief.
"Ah, sorry, am I interrupting something? Tee-hee," Akemi said.
"Ah, it's nothing..." Mizuha stammered. She was deeply embarrassed.
"Akemi, what are you doing?" Hikaru asked.
You ruined everything, he thought, feeling frustrated.
"Oops... sorry... sorry," Akemi said, her tone more playful than apologetic.
Suddenly, Shimizu burst out laughing. "Hahaha, what are you guys trying to do?" she teased.
"Ah, I feel full, and I feel lucky because I got to taste this delicious tamagoyaki today," Akemi said.
"Thanks, you guys, for letting me join you today. Can I join you again next time?"
"Sure, why not? You're welcome to join us anytime," Mizuha said.
"Also, can we exchange numbers? We're all friends now, right?" Mizuha asked.
"Sure, I'm glad you asked me that. Here, this is my phone number," Akemi said.
The bell rang, signaling that break time was over.
"Ah, it's time already. See you guys later. Let's go, Akemi," Hikaru said, ready to return to his class with Akemi.
"Then, see you guys later," Akemi said. She waved and followed Hikaru back to their class
"I think we should return to our class as well," Shimizu said.
"Yeah, let's go," Eri said to Mizuha and others.
After that, Mizuha and the others returned to their class for the next period. Mizuha felt happy that day because not only had she made Tamagoyaki for her friends, but she had also become friends with Akemi.
That girl, Akemi, is nice, but she has a sharp tongue sometimes. I think I'll get used to it next time. Shimizu thought as she walked back to class.
"So, Mizuha, what kind of food will you make for us tomorrow? I can't wait to taste it," Shimizu said.
"Give me a rest, Shimizu, I can't cook like this every day. Not tomorrow, maybe another time, okay?" Mizuha said. "I still need to study. Why not ask Eri-chan sensei over here? She's a better cook than me," she added, turning her gaze to Eri.
"Oh, not again, Mizuha-chan. This is the third time you've said that," Eri said, blushing while poking Mizuha lightly.
The three of them laughed together while Zul followed them back to class.
Mizuha remembered what had happened earlier that day as she got ready for the rest of school.
She felt more hopeful about what lay ahead. Each day could bring something new — new people, new moments, maybe even more food to share.
With that thought, she walked into the classroom, prepared for whatever came next.