Ch. 26 - First expression.

Later in the day it was surely getting more and more livelier as more students set up their own booths of games, merchandise and other fun activities. I still dont know what they're celebrating though, but I dont really care. Proudly wearing my work attire while tending some students who are drawn over to me by the savory smell of barbecue chicken and salmon steak, I feel bad just letting them watch so I gave them some so they can taste it and satisfy them. I also feel antsy as I feel like my barbecues and steaks aren't properly stirred and seasoned cause I dont have much time as more people are approaching my desk and I barely serve anything onto the trays. I have to cook as many as I can as fast as possible. I cannot ask any of my friends to help me cause they're all having trouble in their table, they're not as oriented and fast paced as I am, so I told them to work together and not worry about me. The combines noise of students talking, the flickering sound of coal and other background sounds just adds up to the intense pressure I am already feeling for multitasking.

After cooking and serving most of the food onto the trays, I feel like slowing down for moment and take my time to make more daring and exquisite dishes. I open the stuffle bag I brought and take out some ingredients and chicken I personally bought. Last night I thought and prepared everything I would need to cook Chicken ranch quesadillas, Nashville hot chicken sliders and garlic shrimp scampi as these are all dishes that can be easily prepared and cooked in large quantities but with very delicious taste. Even though this wasn't a part of the order placed to my father, this was personally on me, I paid for everything and I made sure to have time for these. I dont know how this would turn out but im excited. I already cook and serve most of the things we brought that was trusted in me so I can do it now.

I made sure they're all properly seasoned and sliced perfectly into enough portions so alot of people could try it. The art of cooking, transferring them from the grill to my cutting board and slicing it feels awesome. Its been a long time since I cook something for someone only according to my own will sparks my passion for cooking. I feel fired up inside to cook these kind of meals for free. Even though its not much I hope they'll like it. As I put them on the trays cover it up with aluminium foil to prevent them from getting cold and fit them back in my stuffle bag. I would personally serve them later when im done cooking everything.

After that, I cook more just in case people would come back for more. Suddenly a loud applause was heard across the whole field we're in, a loud noise of students cheering has caught everyone's attention. It sounds like the main event has finally commenced. Alot of students come out of their departments and freely roam the whole campus, the pressure was on.

The other day we talk about working together and appointed specifical roles to everyone to be more efficient. My father, Stepmom, Ryota and Chinatsu would work on the other table while Kazuo, Haruna and I would work here. I was feeling more relieved now that I got some help, so I took my time.

However, im running out of foods to cooks and it concerns me, I look at the food served in the table and it was still alot, I just hope its enough for the number of students present today. I served the last batch and finally pack up the grill and portable stove.

I then pull out the Chicken quesadillas, Nashville hot chicken and Garlic shrimp Scampi and put all of them next to each other at the corner of the table and I begun serving them to students who got allured by the sight and savory smell of it.

"You cooked extras?"

Haruna asked.

I just nod and smiled at her.

"Bringing your own cooking into the spotlight again, are you?"

Kazuo said in a serious voice yet he sounds joking.

I laughed a bit and simply told them "Yep!"

More students came in and at that point I was feeling kinda tired. I didn't even bother smiling, I just look at them dead in the eye whenever they stood in front of me and ask them which one they'll get. Im making sure everyone gets some, so im being careful recklessly giving them all away into a few people.

However im happy to give them more when they come back to me and gently ask. That's if they're not deterred by my stoic look and scary sharp eyes.

I was just casually enjoying myself serving my cooked food to students and seeing their expression once they took a bite of it, is priceless. I could see it in their faces that they like it. Then suddenly I get a strange feeling and I feel irritated, it feels like as if someone is starring at me for a while now. I glance around and I saw a girl starring at me, I immediately averted once I spotted who it was in order to avoid unnecessary eye contact and not to look suspicious. But I can still see within the corner of my eye, that she's still starring at me. I try to confirm is she's indeed looking at me by looking behind me and move around to different places but I am sure she was looking at me. I try not to look back and just act normal.

She got near our table so I approached her to see if she needs anything and also to intimidate her.

"What would you like to have?"

I told her. Upon closing up to her I notice she's the same girl I almost bump into earlier after I drunk some water. I think that's just sums up the entire issue here. She thought im a new student when I was back there but then realized I was part of the catering group.

"Oh! Umm...uhh..."

She still lookes nervous though, I tried to comfort her by saying take your time and I just patiently stood there waiting for her to decide which one to get. She looks throughly into our table, she seems confuse which one to take. I was able to take a good look at her like this, I can't help but notice her pretty purple eyes and her long brown hair. She looks beautiful! She's also wearing makeup and a nice black halter top. Is she a model or something?

However, after just a few minutes of admiring her beauty. I immediately snap back to my usually stoic self and lose interest in her looks. Im not falling in love, I dont want to yet. I generally have no interest on having a relationship with girls, I value my freedom far more than my love life.

"If you can't decide you can try everything and just come back for more."

I told her in a stiff tone and impatient expression, im not even trying to hide the fact that im forcing a smile.

"Can I have some of those?"

She points at the chicken dish I made. I gently hand her both dishes.

"Does this has pork in it?"

She ask.

I pause for a moment and think whats the reason why she wouldn't want pork. Remembering I did not and its all chicken, I confidently just said...

"No, its all chicken."

"Ah okay~"

She replied.

Her plate still looks kinda empty, so I look around and try to give her something else.

"Would you like some beef steaks?"

Her expression lightens up when she heard me mention steaks.

"Yes please!"

She exciting said. She must've love steaks.

I just serve a clean cut into her plate along with some garlic bread and baked potato. Now her plate looks full.

"Thank you~"

She smiled at me beautifully. I simply smiled back and said "You're welcome." She doesn't go anywhere and she just took bites out of her plate in front of me, I dont wanna be rude especially when someone is eating. So I just walk somewhere and starts serving other students, while I was busy tending to others, I can still feel her stare. I occasionally look at her back and she just looks at me dead in the eye while enjoying the food I gave her.

Once she's done she complimented my cooking, in exchange I just smiled and giggled a little. She didn't leave though, she just stood there asking me questions like in a way of sneaking in a conversation. But before she could ask me anything sensitive or personal. One of her friends arrive and invite her elsewhere. I was a bit annoyed, im tired and I didn't have time for that.

After several hours I didn't saw her again, the sun is finally setting and people are starting to go home.

Now that the most exciting part of this day is over, we started packing up to leave. The day was ending and so is the event I look forward to this whole month. It feels sad but I enjoyed while it last. It was a fun experience.