Everyone was in cooking class as Yui entered the room, which was filled with students standing in a corner, busy chatting. Emiko waved at Yui, "Yui, here!" and smiled, and Yui walked to Emiko. "Hey," Yui said.
Suddenly, the teacher entered. "Good morning," everyone said in unison, and the teacher went to the cooking platform. "So, you are the students of the new batch. I am going to be your cooking teacher for the next three years. My name is Takeru Kawai," he said, looking around them. "Now, take one slip and go to the same counter number."
Everyone began to come one by one, taking slips. "There will be two slips of the same number, which means you are in a pair," the teacher explained.
Yui took a slip, and when she unfolded it, it was number 3. She looked around, and her eyes fell on counter number 3. "Now, everyone move to your counters," Takeru said. "don't waste any time."
Yui went to her counter, but to her shock, Ryu was walking towards her. "No, out of everyone, why is he coming here? Is he my partner?" she thought.
He walked to her, looked at her, and said, "Number 3." Yui forced a smile and replied, "Y-yes."
"Well, that's just what just left .I'm stuck with a mute boy," she thought to herself.
"Alright, students. Now, open the first drawer of your counter," Takeru instructed. Everyone complied, revealing two aprons inside. "Now, put them on."
"We'll start with a simple dish," Takeru announced. "Today, I'll teach you how to make scrambled eggs."
The students exchanged confused glances, but Takeru continued, "Watch closely, and I'll demonstrate."
Takeru expertly cracked eggs, whisked them, heated the pan, and cooked the scrambled eggs to perfection.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the plate as Takeru presented the finished dish. "Now it's your turn," he said, nodding to the students.
The students began to follow Takeru's instructions. Yui looked at Ryu, who was standing still, and asked, "Will you just stand there?"
"Can you please pass the pan? I'll crack the eggs," Yui requested, trying to encourage Ryu to participate.
Ryu nodded and bent down to open the drawer, while Yui took out a bowl and cracked the eggs. Meanwhile, Emiko, who didn't have a partner, expertly cracked eggs into her bowl, whisked them, added pepper and salt, and whisked again with ease.
The other students struggled with cooking, with some having eggs stick to the pan, others getting burned, and one student whisking too fast, covering the counter in a mess.
Takeru observed the chaos, thinking, "Rich, spoiled kids can't even cook simple eggs. This class is going to be filled with troublemakers."
Yui tried to transfer the scrambled eggs to a plate, but they stuck to the pan. Ryu stepped in, "Let me help."
Thanks, but I've got it," Yui replied, trying to loosen the eggs. However, they fell to the floor. "Oh no!" she exclaimed, panicking.
Ryu remained calm, suggesting, "Let's cook another batch."
"It's not possible," Yui said, but Ryu pointed to the fallen eggs and said, "Just clean that up, and I'll prepare another batch."
Yui nodded, and Ryu cracked eggs into the bowl. Just then, Emiko perfectly decorated her plate and admired her handiwork, thinking, "Perfect."
Takeru's voice interrupted the commotion, "Time's up! Move back from your platforms, everyone!"
Takeru began to test everyone's scrambled eggs. Some were perfectly cooked, while others were half-raw, overcooked, or burnt. Some had too much salt or black pepper, while others had too little.
He reached Emiko's counter, where her plate was not only perfectly cooked but also beautifully decorated and garnished. Takeru took a spoon and tasted it, and his expression changed.
"Miss Masamuto, it's perfect – not just in one way, but in all factors. Perfectly good, perfectly served, and perfectly tasted."
Emiko smiled, "Thanks, sir."
Takeru encouraged her, "Keep it up like this."
He moved to the next counter, where Ryu and Yui were standing. Takeru tasted their scrambled eggs, and Yui's mind was filled with different thoughts: "I hope it's edible..."
But then she heard Takeru's verdict: "It's perfect. Simple, but tasty."
Yui was in shock. "So, he can cook?"
Takeru smiled, trying to encourage them. "I know cooking isn't something you can learn in a single day, but I'm happy to see that you're all trying your best."
However, in his mind, he was thinking something else: "I bet half of them have never even stepped into a kitchen before."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the cooking class. "Okay, you can now either eat your scrambled eggs or pack them and take them with you," Takeru announced.
Ryu was the first to leave, and Yui watched him go before turning her attention to their scrambled eggs. She took a spoon and tasted them, and her expression changed.
"It's really tasty," she said, surprised. "So, he can cook... hmm."
Just then, Emiko appeared beside her, holding her plate of perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. "Want to try some?" Emiko asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Yui replied, taking a spoon.
As she tasted Emiko's scrambled eggs, her eyes widened in amazement. "Wow, it's really amazing! You cook really well, just like Ryu."
Emiko smiled. "I have to say, both of you are good at cooking."
Yui continued, "I thought Ryu was only good at staying silent, like a ghost."
Emiko chuckled. "Stop buttering me up."
Yui protested, "I'm saying the truth!"
Emiko teased, "Well, I thought you were just trying to flatter me."
***********
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of Kiyoko's class, she concluded, "Okay, class, that's all for today. Don't forget to do your homework."
The students began packing their belongings, and Kiyoko added, "Also, remember to pick up the school rule book and the extra activity form on your way out. Each student must choose three extra activities to complement their main subjects. Take your time to decide, but please submit the form as soon as possible. Your new timetable will be created based on your selections, but until then, you're required to attend all classes."
The students exchanged glances, and as Kiyoko left the classroom, Yui turned to Emiko. "Hey, let's get the form and rule book together."
Emiko agreed, "Why not?" and stood up, grabbing her bag. She turned to Ryu and asked, "Hey, Ryu, want to join us?"
Ryu's low, clear voice replied, "No, I'll get it myself."
Emiko looked slightly disappointed but said, "Okay." Turning to Yui, she suggested, "Let's go."
As they left the classroom, Yui glanced back at Ryu and wondered, "Why is he so cold, even with his own cousin?"
*********
Yui and Emiko walk out of school office with from and rule book
"Emiko remember what I asked during lunch"
"Yui, it's just... his responsibility," Emiko said, trying to sound convincing.
Yui's eyes narrowed. "Responsibility?" she repeated.
Emiko took a deep breath before explaining, "You must have heard of the Watabane Group. Ryu's father is the chairman of the company. His childhood was... complicated. He lost his mother in front of him when he was just a kid. His father was always distant and disciplined him harshly, preparing him to be his successor."
Yui's eyes widened in shock. "That's so sad."
Emiko continued, "When Ryu was 10, his father remarried, but it was just a business alliance. That's how his younger sister was born, but his stepmother died during childbirth."
Yui's face reflected her disbelief. "So many terrible things happened to one person."
Emiko nodded, her eyes filled with compassion. "His father was always distant, and the second marriage was loveless. Ryu was forced to grow up too fast, taking care of his baby sister. The responsibility of raising baby , fell on him, and it's been a heavy burden for a child ."
As Emiko finished speaking, Yui's expression changed from curiosity to sadness and concern.
"Even if he's cold and rude to others," Emiko said, looking up at Yui, "Ryu loves his sister more than anything. Seeing them together, no one would ever guess they have different mothers."
As Emiko finished speaking, she thought to herself, "I'm sorry, Yui, but I couldn't tell you everything."
Hey cupcakes 🧁 I hope you all are doing well it was all for today thanks for your support
Bye Bye cupcakes 🧁🥰
Take care 😘