Ch. 25 - First encounter.

The day of the catering, it was early in the morning and the sun hasn't been risen yet. Yet all of my are already in the restaurant, cooking alot of different meals in huge portions for the catering at the university later at mid-day. My stepmom already went ahead with a team of organizers to set up the tents and tables we will be using at the said university, we're all busy doing something I wasn't sure of anybody got enough rest but we are needed to be there at 9 AM. We didn't have to cook all of them in here for it would be cold by the time we got there, so we pack a portable stove and grill to reheat some food, and I already marinated some chicken and beef to roast there and serve it hot.

After some time, after wrapping all of the food in huge trays, we wait for transportation. As we're waiting I walk around with my father making sure everything is ready to go, we pass by Kazuo and Chinatsu who we caught dozing off in the tables, we didn't bother them they're still students afterall. I haven't got my coffee yet so im feeling a bit sleepy, I was looking outside excited for the sun to rise up and get some morning sunshine to wake me up.

For a few moments I just stood there, occasionally looking back just to see more of my friends fall asleep in the tables. It was dark as well, it would be better to be able to see something, I walk in circles on front of the door with my arms crossed as I wait. Then, I glimpse of light appears at the corner of my eye, it was a bit too bright to directly look at. I couldn't look again due to the bright lights, the next thing I saw was two family vans parked in front of our establishment. I instinctively lock the door.

I somehow felt being threatened, so I did. I approach my father and asked.

"Is that our ride?"

I points towards the vechile and he stood up and told me...

"Yes, lets load the food and the materials in there."

He got up and starts to lift the trays, I grab it from his hand and as I walk towards the door I gently tap Chinatsu in the shoulder to wake her up, I did the same with Kazuo. As I excited the door everyone was already carrying something to load into the vechiles, they got up immediately and starts working efficiently. I approach the van and someone inside opened the door for me, I loaded it at the back. My friends started to hand me more things, so I try to stack it all up in way they wont spill over.

We loaded the first one with the cooked food and the other with portable tables, stoves and the grill alongside the other materials. I sat down in the van beside the window with my father and Kazuo. The rest got on the other one. This is my first time going to an university, I get a mixed feeling of excitement and enthusiasm. I know its probably gonna be a long exhausting day, but I like the idea of cooking and serving hot meals to random people. We drove off and the sun begins to rise, all I can think off is how far it is. We pass by several buildings and stores I haven't heard of, I haven't exactly got this street map out in my head, this is all new to me.

I look and Kazuo was on his phone, my father was in front talking to the driver, I just keep looking outside the window.

* 15 minutes later. *

We stop at our destination, I quickly excited the vechile and what stumble upon me is a huge campus, different department buildings, a court and a wide grassy field. All filled with students, they seem to be hanging up some posters, lanterns and other decorations. They've must be celebrating something, and we're providing the food. My father told us to start unpacking so we did, a man wearing a grey suit then approach my father. He must be a professor who was sent to meet us.

They shooked hands and told us to follow him, there was alot of stuff to carry, we'll definitely need to come back a few times and pick them up.

"Chinatsu and Haruna, place all of them at the side. We'll carry them ahead, just guard them."

I told the girls.

"We're just gonna stay here?"

Chinatsu replied.

"Yes, we can't carry them all at once, we'll be back."

I told her.

"Boys, lets go."

I said to Kazuo and Ryota as I began to carry the heaviest stuff I could lift. I haven't exercised yet, this might do the trick.

"Wait, are you gonna carry all of that?"

Ryota asked.

"Yes, now start lifting!"

I jokingly said in a loud voice.

"Akagi, seems to be back on lifting."

Kazuo said as he saw me pick up the grill with the stove on top, while carrying a backpack full of other materials. I laughed it off and continue on, I followed my father while Kazuo and Ryota are not far behind.

I got to the tent my stepmom set up and gently place down the grill, even though it was kinda heavy, it felt like nothing. Feels like this is proof that all those workouts are paying off, so I hastily get back to carry more stuff. I was kinda feeling fired up so I stack up alot and carry it with both hands. It was a hot and sunny day, it seems that I didn't pay attention to it at all. I started to sweat but I pay no mind to it. After coming back a few times, I just grab the remaining backpacks and told the girls to follow.

"Senpai, let me help you with that."

Chinatsu asked while Haruna reach out her hand.

"No, go ahead I got this."

I told them.

"Eh? Are you sure senpai? You're sweating alot right now."

She asked worrying.

"No its fine, its just hot."

I said as I continue to walk, they followed me and began to look around.

While walking back for the last time, I begin to feel the weight of my load to get heavier as my a

shoulders are becoming stiff and starts to ache. I can feel my back and armpits sweating so much.

Phew! I should've put a towel on my back.

All I can think of, is get to the tent and cool off in the shade.

I place down the last of the trays on the table and wipe my face with a towel with haste while I was panting. Everyone is setting up the tables and preparing other things. I dont wanna be seen as lazy so I begin to set up the grill, but my throat is feeling kinda dry, I look around to see of there's any water nearby. But there's none, and just when I thought of using one of the water fountains the school has, I heard a familiar voice coming from behind me.

"Akagi!"

I turned around and it was my stepmom, Akagi Kanae. She hug me and kiss me on my left cheek.

"How are you my boy?"

She energetically ask me.

I force a fairly convincing smile and said.

"Im fine mom."

It was a bit awkward.

"My, my! Why do you look like a mess?"

She worryingly said as she's holding my face with her two hands while rotating my head left to right.

"Im not, I look good enough."

"Nonsense!"

She loudly said as she pulls out a comb and brush my hair, then she wipes my face and use one of her cosmetics to make my face look clean.

"See? Now you look handsome! Now the girls will be all over you~"

She likes to do this embarrassing things to me, even in public. She always wanted a son but due to some issue's, she wasn't able to get married untill now. However, when she married my father she took me in as her own child and I accepted her as my new mom.

So she does to me all sort of things, like making me look attractive, teaching me to be patient and humble, be charming and captivating. Technically preparing me to a good man and a proper husband like all moms do.

"Now, where's your father?"

She asked me as she puts everything back into her bag.

"He's just around here, he'll be back."

I turn around and saw my dad talking to one of the organizers, I called him by shouting and when he turned around I point towards Kanae.

He then approached her and they greet each other.

"Hey, how are you?"

My dad said when she hugged Kanae, she then hugs him back.

Kanae : "Im fine, dear. And you?"

Masao : "Been hanging out with Akagi recently."

Kanae : "Aww, thats good. And how is your business doing?

I just continue to set up the grill and the stove in my cooking platform while they talk. After I set it all up, everyone also finish setting up the whole place, the organizers already left and they said they'll be back later to pick it all up. The professor who guided us here told us a place where we can change our clothes.

We walk around in pairs, seeing a bunch of students inside they're classroom and roaming around the hallway I was a bit scared I'd get separated from the group. I was walking very closely to Chinatsu, I hope she doesn't mind.

"Senpai, its nice to be in a university right?"

I was a bit startled when she turned her head and ask me.

"Yeah, its feel great."

I replied.

As we walk around I try to memorize the place and the things we pass through so I can navigate on my own whenever I need to get something.

We enter an empty storeroom that was reserved for us. I change my clothes rather pretty quick, they're still halfway through it. I just stood there and watch, I could've returned to our post but I refuse to leave them alone or go ahead. But I wish they'd stop chitchating so much and pay more attention to what they're doing, while I waiting I decided to look for something to quench my thirst, so I peek out of the room and walk towards the corner to see if there's a water fountain. And finally I found one.

Even though im a bit reluctant to drink the water from it as I dont usually drink at random spots. I dont really have a choice and im really thirsty.

*Gulp*

*Gulp*

*Gulp*

Wow, that was cold and very refreshing.

I wipe my mouth and I speed walk back towards my friends thinking they already left makes me scared.

"Kya!"

As I turn over the corner I accidentally almost bump into someone, I was startled and she almost lose balance.

"Oh sorry, are you okay?"

I said.

The girl just looked at me, her face looks like she has seen a ghost.

"Um...are you okay?"

I repeat the question, quietly this time. Her silence makes this situation awkward.

"Uh...eh..Ah- Yes! I am...I am okay!"

She said while stuttering. She sounds so nervous and I dont know why.

She just stood there playing with her hair. So I just walk right pass her without saying anything else.