Cooking Session

I was back at my apartment preparing the ingredients for tonight's dinner to which I decided to cook sweet and sour fish. As I finished preparing, I went to the couch turning on the television waiting for my guest to arrive.

I waited for a while until I heard a knock on my front door which gave me the signal to stand up. I opened my door to reveal Himari the "Angel" in our school. She wore her casual clothes that wasn't revealing too much skin, but it still showed a graceful stature. It emphasized her innocence and beauty in a way that it could make men kneel to her with just her charm.

"" Good evening, Satoshi-kun, thank you for accepting this request of mine.""

Himari bowed her head slightly thanking me again for helping her.

If she does this too much, I might feel pity for her every time she thanks me.

"" Don't mind it Himari-san, I also have some advantages in this request as well you don't need to really thank me. Well then, come in I'll start cooking in a while.""

I moved to the side giving room for her to go inside my apartment. Himari looked around my room for a while before finally settling down on the couch, she was like a child exploring a new area.

"" Your room is unexpectedly clean and organized Satoshi-kun it is the complete opposite of my own understanding of a boy's room.""

"" What do you mean by that Himari-san?""

I tilted my head in response to her statement.

"" Well during middle school I had a group work with some classmates, and we went to a boy's house it was messy so I guess biases were formed after that. Before I did not have a good look at you room since I was sick but now that I have seen it up close it is very clean.""

"" I do clean my room regularly to avoid dust from piling too much besides isn't it normal for you to take care something you own?""

"" That's true but boys are usually the immature ones in this age it is surprising that you are mature enough to think like that Satoshi-kun.""

"" Okay, so I'm the weird one? Well, I don't mind, but that is how my mind works I guess I haven't had many experiences interacting with boy's my age since I'm always alone.""

"" It's a good thing that you are mature Satoshi-kun people just don't understand you unless they talk to you directly it is a shame that they won't be able to see you for who you are.""

Himari had a sad smile it was like she was worried about me.

"" Anyway, Himari-san I'm going to start cooking now feel free to watch.""

I said that as I begin to move towards the kitchen grabbing the petty knife that I used daily.

I begin by sharpening the knife in my hands skillfully using the knife sharpener in my other hand. I took the fish gutting it, then precisely created cuts good for the dish I am making. I proceeded to cut some onions and garlic frying them creating an aroma that spreads throughout the room. I then placed the fish cuts in the pan frying them along to mix the flavors.

On the second pan, I made the sauce, which was done by mixing tomato sauce, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, water, and cornstarch. I kept mixing it for 10 minutes before finally pouring it over the fried fish and garlic on the other pan. I gave it more time to heat up, so I cleaned the kitchen while I was waiting for the dish to cook. I turned to see that Himari was watching intently at what I just done her face had a look of surprise.

"" Himari-san are you alright? You were silent the whole time I was wondering what happened to you.""

"" Ah, sorry Satoshi-kun I was surprised to see you cook at that level, I knew that you were good at cooking, but this is just on par with the professionals in the cooking shows I watch.""

"" Is that so? I do believe I am decent at cooking, but I don't think there's no way I can be on par with professionals though?""

I tilted my head to the side which earned a sigh from Himari.

"" Even though you managed to gut and gut a whole fish with that time you still think that it is decent? Also, the way you prepared the sauce, you didn't used any pre-mix ingredients, instead you directly made it with raw ingredients.""

Himari had her eyes on me the whole time praising the way I cooked it was pleasant, but I wasn't used to being praised like this, so I had a strained smile on my face.

"" Ah, sorry did I make you uncomfortable?""

Himari noticed the change in my face she might have been worried about stepping on a bad topic.

"" It's nothing Himari-san I wasn't used to being praised so I was caught off guard. Anyway, the food is just about ready so take a seat I'll prepare the table.""

"" Can I help you at least? I don't want you to do all the work so at least let me prepare the table for you.""

"" If you insist then I'll leave the table to you I shall prepare the food then. By the way the plates and utensils are over there be careful it is a little bit high for you to get.""

"" Alright, I'll keep that in mind Satoshi-kun.""

I began to take the food out of the pan, transferring it to the containers and Himari took the time to prepare the table while I was doing that. We then sat down and began to eat the dinner I made in silence. Well, it was too silent that both of us didn't let out a single word.

"" You've been silent for a while Himari-san is there anything wrong?""

I decided to break the silence since I saw Himari making faces after finishing eating.

"" As expected, it is really delicious Satoshi-kun even my cooking won't be able to beat yours.""

Himari looked at me with a defeated smile which surprised me a little.

"" Is that really the case, to be honest, I don't think it was that delicious.""

"" Maybe it's cause you eat your delicious food too often you are immune to it already?""

"" Hey…""

"" Sorry, but still it is really delicious Satoshi-kun, I'm glad to have the privilege to taste. I will also try my best to make my food better so be prepared to taste mine Satoshi-kun.""

"" Well, I did promise to help you so I will be your food critique.""

"" Yes, thank you again for accepting my request.""

"" You know Himari-san you don't need to be so formal about the way you speak to me it just feels unnatural of you.""

"" Sorry, I have a habit of formality when someone is helping me out with things like this. I don't really know how to talk to people my age since I don't really have people to call my friends.""

"" Well, you can use me as practice, try to converse with me without formality.""

"" Umm, ah, wait this is hard.""

"" You don't need to really let go of your formality you just need to talk a little honestly, say what is on your mind.""

Himari and I were talking about many things that happened in school, her surprised face was a sight to see when we both talked about the rumors surrounding me. I don't know if she believed my explanations, but I believe she opened up to me a little.

"" Really Satoshi-kun how can you be so unlucky to be in situations like that more so, being able to handle them like that.""

Himari smiled to which I saw was more natural than her "Angel" smile.

"" Don't pity my luck I am able to handle myself properly but sometimes luck isn't on my side. Also, it's getting late you should return to your room Himari-san.""

I pointed at the clock which showed that the time was 10 pm.

"" You're right both of us enjoyed ourselves today, I guess we both lost our sense of time. I'll take my leave now then Satoshi-kun let's continue this tomorrow lunch.""

"" Wait we were still going to have lunch together?""

I was confused since I thought that was the only time we were going to eat together.

"" If you think about it Satoshi-kun after all the things you did to help me you don't think I would see you as a good person?""

"" I thought that you're the type of person that doesn't want to get affiliated with anyone, but why the change of heart now?""

"" Well, I understand that you are a good person and I also understood you more after the talk we had right now. If you gather all those reasons I find you trustworthy so I want to be your friend.""

I was speechless knowing that Himari wanted to be friends with me. I continued to stare at her since I believe she wasn't the type to be friends with people after observing someone for a short time. Even so, I kept thinking what would be the reason for wanting herself to be friends with me.

Doubt was rising inside me but after thinking for a while I believe Himari isn't someone who would try to scheme behind someone's back.

"" Umm, do you not want to? If so, then you can forget about what I said.''

Himari looked dejected after noticing my silence she must have been thinking that she was asking too much.

"" I don't mind being friends with you but are you sure you want to? The students around us again try to probe us for answers and some rumors would rise up.""

"" This is the reason why I want to be friends with you people like them are hard to deal with, they easily believe things and react to them without thinking. They are being inconsiderate to others while wanting to make themselves better, isn't that being immature? You should understand that Satoshi-kun you were also a victim, right?""

"" You don't need to get so worked up for my situation Himari-san but weren't you the same as well before?""

"" It's because I wasn't aware of the whole situation, I did confirm some things but the information I received was incomplete. I'm not someone who believes in baseless rumors but since I wasn't aware of the whole story, I mistakenly believed it.""

"" I know, I know, any way you should return to your room I still have dishes to wash. Well then Himari-san seems like we will seeing each other tomorrow then, please do take care of me.""

"" I'll be in your care as well Satoshi-kun, see you tomorrow then.""

With that Himari went back to her room which was beside mine, I myself proceeded to lock my door and wash the dishes before finally settling down in my bed.

Why would you want to be my friend?

I muttered to myself as I let my body indulge itself to sleep.