Ch. 41 - Misaki : Misunderstandings.

The sensation of the knife smoothly sliding vertically through the vegetables as I cut them in half is oddly satisfying, but it also makes my skin crawl, seeing how sharp it is. Inside my stepmother's room in the apartment, me and my father we're cooking in the kitchen, teaching me another one of his recipes.

"Okay son, once it boils, call me and I will instruct you with the seasonings."

He then turn on the stove and set it to medium heat.

"I will just be with your mother at the living room."

I nod at him and proceeds with the work he gave me.

He then left and sat on the couch with miss Kanae, he wraps in arms around her and she leaned onto him. Kissed him and cuddled with him while watching TV. Seeing them so happy with one another is such a wonderful sight, its been two weeks since the day I reconnected with my father. And ever since then, my father has been teaching me how to cook exquisite dishes like my father does when he was working on ships. Miss Kanae suggested that we do something together as a hobby, like a father and son bonding. It was then decided to be cooking, since I've been cooking when I was little living in my aunt's house, and he had been cooking for strangers as his job. Now he felt like cooking for his new family, I've taken a passion to cooking and it amazes how the food's taste fully reflects your efforts and care to the procedure. I wrote everything he taught me in my notebook, his techniques and approaches, different kind of methods. I plan on making Misaki, a delicious, exquisite meal. Now is my day off, so im thinking of learning as much as I can.

While Akagi, enjoys himself as he gets better at cooking, his parents we're talking about starting a new future somewhere else, Masao told his wife that his contract has ended and he wanted to start their own business so neither of them could live separately again. But he is expressing deep concern whether his son would agree to join them.

"We'll have to talk to him about it."

His wife said, he look at his son, following his instructions with precision, watching him practice what he taught him from memory with dedication.

He couldn't help but feel happy how he could see his younger self in his son, how proud he is, finally seeing his son taking a couple of small steps in the career path he chose. Even though its not much, for him its conclusive proof that they undeniably have the same interests, he could imagine him cooking at his side.

"However dont rush him, dont get so straightforward out of the blue. Carefully tell it to him in detailed explanation before you asked for his decision so he wont be shocked."

His wife told him.

"Dad, its boiling!"

His son shouted.

"Now here's your chance. Go on dear~"

He gets up and went to his son in the kitchen, his wife giving him some encouragement. Building up his confidence as he knew this request could sound vigorous. He approached his son who is hastily mixing up the pots, when he sees him, he lay down the ladle at the side and grab his pen, eager to write down the following procedures.

Akagi watched carefully as he assist his father, making sure he remembers the amount of spices his father is putting.

"Son, how long have you been working on part time jobs?"

He gently ask.

"About two years and a half now."

He replied.

"I see, when did you started working?"

He asked his son.

"Everyday day after school, I work part time at a nearby cafeteria. And after graduating I took another part time job at the local grocery store."

Akagi replied.

"Wow thats kinda amazing, I didn't know you're that industrious. But do you ever feel tired about it?"

He curiously asked.

"Its tiring, some days I want to quit, but I have no one to rely on for years. So I am just thankful that I remain strong enough to work again after enduring much."

Masahiko told him.

"Son, just a question. What if I started giving you monthly allowance, would you still work?"

Akagi aimlessly looks around, with traces of confusion and frustration in his face as he holds his notebook. He then look at his father, chuckling and proudly said.

"No, I dont think I will."

He looked back at his notebook and added.

"I would prefer to earn my own money, as I would feel more independent and worthy of possessing something I work hard on. I would also be able to spend it wisely, knowing it is not infinite and I work on it to achieve something. Besides, it would seem peculiar after working for years."

He felt proud for his son, as he grew up disciplined and accustomed to hard work, he knows how to work hard and value things other kids took for granted.

But also regretful his own son had to go through those hardships at a young age, but it did help to mold his son in a way that differentiated him from his mother and other people at his age, and closer to his own hardworking traits. Confident, believing his son would take interest, he decided to ask him about his plan.

"Son, can I take to you about something?"

He asked, hoping he'd say yes.

Masahiko : "Yeah, what is it?"

Masao : "Would you like to work a full time job someday, son?"

Masahiko : "Yes!"

Masahiko enthusiastically replied.

"...But I didn't go to college..."

He sadly added, Masao chuckles.

"How about you work for me?"

He asked.

Masahiko looked at him suspiciously.

"Huh? What job it is and where? Like on a ship? I don't think im qualified for that..."

He abruptly said.

"You see...your stepmother, Kanae and I, have planned to start out own restaurant somewhere, we dont know where exactly. But im asking if you'd want to be my apprentice chef, you are already good at cooking and you're learning so fast."

His son thought of it and seem bewildered.

"...You dont need any degree for it, as long as you master my cooking style and willing to work by my side. Think of it like a family business."

Masahiko thinks very deeply, he isn't exactly as enthusiastic and passionate about cooking just like he is at being an artist. But he looked at his current situation and come to realize that taking this career path would be more logical and beneficial, allowing him to have a better life and achieve his dreams with Misaki. He smiled at the thoughts of finally being able to fulfill his promises to his beloved, being able to cook her favorite meals and to provide other things for her. And once things begun to settle down for him, he'd then go to fulfill his own dreams of becoming an artist.

"Sure dad, I will work for you."

He energetically replied with a very enthusiastic nod.

"Oh~ Dear, he said he'd join us!"

His father shouted to his stepmother, telling her of the good news.

"That's wonderful!"

Miss Kanae shouted back.

The atmosphere got livelier and even lovelier, as a sense of forgiveness, understanding and unity is felt across the room. A bond of mutual love and respect have formed, and our interactions with each other possesses similar traits of a happy family. We ate what we cooked and we were all happy, my father in fact was so overjoyed, he lift miss Kanae and carried her like a princess before kissing her. He feels like I have finally accepted him, no doubt I did. I also feel happy and relieved that such an opportunity was given to me, I am more than eager to grind and even more motivated to continue creating a better future. not just for me, but for my beloved Misaki.

Remember the words of my grandparents.

"Never trade what you want the most with what you want at the moment, however, be wise in making decisions. Prioritize in acquiring your 'needs' before your 'wants'. Never forget your dreams, but put it at your back pockets first as you try to make a living.

Work to live but not live to work."

And what my stepmother told me, to be more logical than emotional.

I was in the kitchen, helping my stepmother clean the kitchen. She was washing the dishes and I was wiping the counter tops, my father approached me and asked if I could take a few hours off work.

He expresses how worried he was on how I was working compulsively and devaluing my own personal health, I could understand where this is coming from, I literally went to the hospital because of it. So I agree to his terms and told him I will tell my boss about it. He nods at me and pulls out a brown packet, I look at he it and already knew what was inside. He handed it to me and when I held it, I was astounded by how much fortune were inside. It was thick, full of high banknotes, I was shaking and my heart was beating so loudly. I dont knew whether I should accept it and look like a liability, or reject his offer and make him feel bad. I looked at him astounded and asked him why.

"Your allowance. Next week, your stepmother and I will be scouting for commercial buildings to buy and renovate into our own restaurant. We will be gone for a few days if not weeks."

He then pull out a notebook.

"Son, this is my own handwritten cookbook, we will used this to teach you on how to become a good chef."

He opened it up and show me the pages, he also attached pictures of the dish and sidenotes to take notice. He then asked if I could take a few hours off work and spend more time with them, he promise to teach me everything he knows and make me a good

chef in no time.

"I know this is a vigorous request but, the reason why I asked you to take a few hours at work, is so we'll have more time together and I can teach you alot more with the few days I have before leaving again.

But, if you dont want to become a chef, its alright. Whatever you want to become, your stepmother and I will always support you."

He said.

Knowing I wont get far on being an artist, and finally having him to lean into instead of having to work multiple jobs a week. Its more reasonable for me to agree to his terms, and live together like a family.

"Okay, dad. I agree."

I replied.

"But why such much money?"

I bewilderingly asked him.

"Firstly, its to compensate for taking a few hours at your job.

Secondly, I will be gone for a few days, who's gonna be buying you stuff then?

Thirdly, its my responsibility to provide for you. And I tend on fulfilling that."

He proudly said. I was overwhelmed with different kind of emotions that I didn't know how to make an appropriate response, but among all of it. Gratitude and appreciation were surfacing and seen in my behavior and I was giving him kind gestures for the whole day. After that, they sat down at the living while I cook another meal for Misaki, I am so excited and just the thought of her eating the food of my refined cooking skills, make me feel a sharp thrill of exaltation. I borrowed a bento box from my stepmother, and wrapped it very nicely. I properly said goodbye to my parents before I left the room and went to Misaki's place, I was very happy and enthusiastic about this.

* Later that day. *

"Wow~ This is so good!"

She said as she taste the food I made with my newly refined cooking skills. She puts another spoonful on her mouth, I can tell how much she is enjoying the food by watching her continuously eat, shoving the spoon into her mouth every time she shallows. And everytime she chews the food, inhaling the pleasant scent allows me to once again the face she makes whenever she eats her mothers cooking. She look so beautiful and precious in this moment.

"Aren't you going to eat? Here, I'll share some with you!"

She said as she leans towards me with the meal I gave her.

"No, I already ate. I made it for you~"

I replied.

"This taste better than in some restaurants."

She says as she stuffs another spoonful onto her mouth, seeing her finish the whole thing makes me happy, it warms my heart and gives me motivation and strength to further endure the hardships of life.

"Thank you for the food~"

She said, she wrap her arms around me and gave me a kiss on my cheek.

"Sorry if we haven't been able to be together, you know I had to study for the exams, right?"

She told me with a smile, but I could sense sadness in her voice. Like she has been reminded of the loneliness she had to go through these past days.

"Did you miss me?"

I asked her.

"Of course! I've been so lonely without you. I get exhausted faster without you by my side, you know?"

I giggled at her flirting.

I wrap my arm around her and she tightens her hug on me. She closed her eyes and clungs onto me, like she desires me even more after being separated for a few days.

"Will you continue to be my personal chef?"

She asked as she enchants me with her alluring, innocent smile and ravishing eyes. I can't help but blush, she looked so beautiful I couldn't take my eyes off her.

"Of course!"

I loudly said. She giggled and shove her face onto my chest, and snuggled on me. Then she felt something onto my coat and back away.

"Hey, what's that?"

She curiously asked me as she points her finger in my coat. I pulled it out and it was the cookbook my father gave me.

"Oh, this is a cookbook."

I showed it to her and told her about it. She got curious and asked what I've been up too for the last few days. Reluctantly, I've told her about my recent encounter with my father and told her everything. I told her how I was learning to be a chef and how I got a job offering from him. I wasn't prepared to tell her about this yet, and im sure she'd be fiddled with this revelation too.

"...So, you've finally got to be with your father, huh...

She says in disbelief.

"...But, why didn't you tell me?"

She added.

"Well, because you had to study for your exams and I dont want to disturb you."

I replied to her, even though I knew its a weak excuse, considering we've been through a whole lot more, we never hide anything from each other. But I just feel like I need to say something, anything.

"Oh?"

She look at me disappointed.

The look on her face worries me, I could see the traces of discomfort, the feeling of being left behind, as if she thought I've devalued her role in my life.

"Look, im sorry-"

She raised her hand.

"No, no, its okay~ Its fine."

She said, with a force smile on her face.

I should've told her sooner, I knew she's a sensitive person, she never hesitates to tell me everything or to go out of her way to be with me. Because she knew and she trust me, I'd do the same for her.

Now, I've broken that trust.