The Cook

Haruto’s POV

"Welcome to this year’s school trip, we’ve arranged your groups, so listen." Ms. Hana explains. “Please check the announcement board for the group list.” she continued.

The students quickly made their way outside the class towards the announcement board, as always I was the last person to leave the classroom.

The announcement board was filled with students after the notice. Because of the crowd, I can’t help but see the list from behind, thankfully I still have my eagle eyes.

Haruto…Haruto… I searched for my name on the list. After a few moments, I finally found my name. Okay, Haruto and then Ren… okay, that guy…at least I know him. Rei, Haruna, and then we have…Hi- what? Hinata? She’s in my team? I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the team division.

“Yes,” a girl shouted excitedly.

I searched for the voice only to find Hinata in the middle of the sea of people. She is just a few meters in front of me, having a better few to the list.

Hinata’s POV

Haruto is with me? Yesss! This is going to be exciting and fun..and…why am I so happy? He’s not something special Hinata! There are so many fun things to do on the trip. I dismissed my excitement, reminding myself to enjoy the trip.

***

The early morning sun cast a warm glow on the bustling school courtyard as a group of excited students gathered, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Backpacks slung over their shoulders, and anticipation painted across their faces, they formed a lively procession toward the awaiting school bus. The engine hummed to life, echoing the collective buzz of excitement.

The aroma of packed lunches and the rustle of permission slips being double-checked permeated the atmosphere. As the bus doors opened with a hiss, the students eagerly boarded, finding their seats with animated discussions about the adventures that awaited them. The bus rumbled to life, rolling out of the school gates, leaving behind the familiar routine and venturing into the promise of a memorable school trip.

I took a seat in the middle of the vehicle right next to the window. This way, I can see the roads and sceneries during the journey to the place. As I was about to sit down, Haruto entered the bus. His expression was very flat, without further ado he went straight to the back of the vehicle and immediately took a seat on the left end.

Haruto's POV

I sighed as I took my seat. I heard that the school trip activities are always the same every year. We’re gonna cook, and at the end of this trip is something that has been awaited by all students, but not for me. Yes, the bonfire. It was believed that those who dance together will end up together forever. Such a childish belief, only children will fall for that.

***

After a few hours, we finally reached our destination. Ms. Hana directed us to assemble with our respective groups. Everyone sat on the grass, chatting with their friends. In our group, it was all quiet. The silence was broken first by the wind, and then by Ren.

“Nice to meet you all, let’s do our best!” everyone nodded in agreement.

“Attention!” the principal began, silencing the students' chatter. Surprisingly, even the wind seemed to obey the principal as it quieted down.

The principal continued, “Good afternoon everyone, we have now arrived at Riverside, a place owned by the school specifically for trips. Welcome!”

Everyone applauded before he added, “After a long journey, students may rest in the rooms provided. Each room has a list of occupants, so please find your room accordingly. We will meet again here in 2 hours. Thank you.”

Everyone dispersed, heading to their rooms but I opted for a stroll by the riverside. Afternoon naps were not for me, I preferred nature more.

The birds sang melodiously, the sound of the river flowing, the wind blowing gently. This was the perfect resting spot! I hummed my favorite tune from a song I had listened to since childhood. I wonder if you still remember. As time flew by, the sky began to darken.

“It’s time for the evening assembly,” realizing the time, I headed back to the meeting point.

A teacher whose name I didn’t know came forward with a piece of paper and explained, “Okay, for this evening’s activity, we will be…”

“Cooking,” I thought to myself, anticipating the upcoming mundane activity.

“Cooking!” the teacher finished.

***

“How about Ramen!” Haruna suggested excitedly.

“That sounds good,” Hinata agreed.

“Let’s go with that,” Rei added.

Without saying a word, everyone turned to me, their faces filled with questions as if they were eagerly awaiting my opinion. Their persistent stares compelled me to say, "Okay."

With a smile, Ren encouraged, “Let’s give it our best!”

Ren was the leader of our group, which was obvious, right? Rei gathered all the ingredients we needed, while Haruna was looking at the recipe. Hinata, on the other hand, was cleaning the cookware before we used them.

As the other teams began to cook, so did we. Ramen is a common dish, but the right additions can make it delicious. Our choice was a bit tricky, whether it'll be average or exceptional, it's up to us to decide.

“We need something unique in our ramen to stand out from the other teams,” Ren started, concerned about our dish.

“Ramen is too common here, how can we stand out?” Haruna wondered.

Hinata's POV

What should we do now? We can't just make ordinary ramen. I glanced at Haruto who was considering the team's concern.

“I got it!” Rei exclaimed, raising her hand. “How about a vegetarian ramen? It's unique and not often served,” she suggested.

“Vegetarian ramen?” Ren asked.

“Yes, uhm why?” Rei replied.

“Does it taste good?” Haruna asked, moving closer to Ren.

“Of course, it tastes good!” Rei assured. “Hinata! Prepare the vegan dashi, we'll make it together.”

“O-okay,” I responded.

“We need ramen egg, sweet corn, wood-ear mushrooms, menma, bean sprouts, and some nori,” Rei instructed.

“Haruto!” she turned her gaze to Haruto. “Toast the sesame seeds.”

“Okay,” he agreed as he began to prepare the sesame seeds.

The team started to move, each working on their task. Our vegan dashi…hadn't started. Rei froze in her position, her face showing her blank mind.

Haruto’s steps came closer to me and Rei, and suddenly Rei blurted out. “How to make a vegan dashi?!”

Haruto paused, speechless, and so were the others. Rei, who had been guiding us through the activity, actually didn't know what she was doing.

“How about the others?” he asked, hoping that our team had made some progress.

“Umm… about that,” Ren smiled sheepishly.

Nothing?! Turns out that everyone on the team failed to prepare their ingredients.

He sighed, “Fine. Let me do it.” He rolled up his sleeves, taking over the cooking.

He began to prepare every ingredient from scratch, placing the fresh ramen on the side table, and so did the nori.

Can he cook? I couldn't help but question myself while watching him skeptically.

He started, “First, we start with the cold brew vegan dashi by soaking kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms in water.” He began making the vegan dashi.

“After that, bring the cold brew dashi in a pot to almost a boil. Then, discard the kombu and mushrooms and set the dashi aside,” he continued. “In a separate saucepan, cook the aromatics with sesame oil and add all the condiments, prepared vegan dashi, and soy milk.”

He put everything into a bowl, placed some nori and toppings on top as he said, “Done.”

“Unbelievable,” Ren started.

Rei moved forward, grabbed a pair of chopsticks from the side table, and quickly took a bite. She froze like a statue. “

What is this, Haruto?”

“A vegetarian ramen, why? ” Haruto replied.

“Why is it so delicious!” Rei exclaimed.

“Where did you learn to cook, Haruto?” Haruna asked after trying his ramen.

“It is so delicious, a masterpiece,” Ren added.

My curiosity peaked and I couldn't resist anymore. The ramen Haruto made looked so appetizing. “Is it really that good?” I asked curiously.

“Try some!” Haruna encouraged.

I picked up a soup spoon with my left hand and a pair of chopsticks in my right. I took a spoonful of soup and some ramen noodles. I tasted a spoonful of ramen and slowly chewed.

“What is this? So good! Where did you learn to cook, Haruto?” I was astounded.

“Home?” he replied.

I covered my mouth which was still chewing with my left hand. “It’s so good.”

“Uhh, Thanks,” he replied, wiping off the sweat on his forehead.

He took off his apron as he walked away from our table. I followed him behind his trail to the refreshment table. I pulled his right sleeve softly causing him to stop on his step. I don't know why I wanted to ask him this but, my heart was pounding as I asked, “Wanna dance tonight, Haruto?”

To be continued…