The Rules
Ren stood between them like a referee.
"Contestants!"
He pointed dramatically.
"Chef Akira!"
"Chef Aiko!"
Nanami whispered to Yuuto.
"I can't believe we're encouraging this."
Yuuto nodded.
"But we benefit from the food."
Ren continued proudly.
"The rules are simple."
"Each chef cooks one dish."
"The judges—"
He pointed at himself and the group.
"—decide the winner."
Akira looked unimpressed.
"This feels biased."
Mizuko shrugged.
"You should've expected that."
Aiko crossed her arms and smirked.
"Scared you might lose?"
Akira glanced at her calmly.
"…We'll see."
She smiled.
"Oh, confidence."
The Battle Begins
Soon the kitchen filled with activity.
Akira started chopping vegetables with quick, precise movements.
Knife tapping rhythmically against the cutting board.
Aiko glanced over.
"…Show off."
Akira didn't look up.
"Jealous?"
She scoffed and turned to her side of the counter.
"Please."
Oil started sizzling in her pan.
Nanami leaned forward.
"Oh."
Yuuto blinked.
"What?"
"She actually knows what she's doing."
Mizuko nodded.
"I told you."
Akira looked over briefly.
"…Not bad."
Aiko caught the glance.
"…Don't judge yet."
Akira's lips curved slightly.
"I wasn't."
Judge Interference
Ren suddenly walked straight into the kitchen.
"I will now inspect the progress."
Akira immediately stepped sideways and blocked him.
"Stay out."
"Why?"
"Hygiene."
Nanami burst out laughing.
"He has a point."
Ren dramatically stepped back.
"Fine."
"But I am observing."
Rina zoomed her camera.
"This is great content."
A Quiet Moment
As the cooking continued, both Akira and Aiko reached for the same spice jar.
Their hands touched.
They froze.
For a second, the noisy apartment felt strangely quiet.
Aiko slowly pulled her hand back.
"…Sorry."
Akira shook his head.
"…It's fine."
Their eyes met briefly.
Something soft passed between them.
Then—
"I SAW THAT!"
Ren pointed dramatically.
Nanami smacked his arm.
"Stop ruining moments!"
Aiko turned red.
"Focus on judging!"
Akira coughed lightly and went back to cooking.
But a small smile remained on his face.
The Teasing
The smell of food slowly filled the apartment.
Yuuto sat up straight.
"…Okay now I'm excited."
Nanami watched the two cooks standing side by side.
Then she suddenly said,
"You know what this looks like?"
Everyone turned to her.
She pointed toward the kitchen.
"It looks like a married couple cooking dinner."
Silence.
Then Ren exploded.
"OH MY GOD YOU'RE RIGHT!"
Rina swung the camera toward them.
"Mom and Dad cooking for the kids!"
Aiko's face turned bright red.
"WHAT?!"
Akira nearly dropped the pan.
"That's not—"
Mizuko calmly added,
"Well…"
She pointed at the couch where everyone was sitting.
"…we are waiting for food like children."
Yuuto raised his hand.
"I accept this family structure."
Ren nodded seriously.
"Yes."
He pointed at Akira.
"Dad."
Then at Aiko.
"Mom."
Then the couch.
"The hungry children."
Aiko grabbed a spoon and pointed it at him.
"Ren!"
Akira rubbed his forehead.
"…Why is my life like this?"
But when he glanced at Aiko—
She was trying very hard not to laugh.
Another Moment
While plating the food, Aiko quietly said,
"…You're actually pretty serious when cooking."
Akira looked at her.
"…You too."
She smiled softly.
"I practiced a lot."
"For who?"
"For myself."
Then she added quietly,
"…but today I wanted to win."
Akira tilted his head.
"…Why?"
She looked straight at him.
"So you'd admit I'm good."
Akira stared at her for a moment.
Then said calmly,
"…I already know that."
For a second she looked surprised.
Then she smiled.
"…Don't make it easy for me."
Final Judgement
Both dishes were placed on the table.
Ren stood up dramatically again.
"The moment has arrived."
Nanami sighed.
"Just eat."
Yuuto already grabbed a fork.
"I'm starving."
Rina leaned forward with the camera.
"Judgement time."
Ren took the first bite.
Everyone waited.
He chewed slowly.
His expression changed.
"…Oh."
Nanami frowned.
"What?"
Ren looked at Akira.
Then at Aiko.
Then back at the food.
He swallowed slowly.
"…We have a problem."
Yuuto blinked.
"What problem?"
Ren sighed dramatically.
"…Both of these are amazing."
The room exploded into laughter.
Aiko looked at Akira.
Akira looked at Aiko.
For a moment they both smiled.
And somehow—
Neither of them seemed disappointed.
The room was silent.
Ren had just taken another bite.
Then another.
Nanami crossed her arms.
"Well?"
Yuuto leaned forward.
"Stop building suspense."
Ren slowly placed the fork down.
"This… is serious."
Akira sighed.
"…Just say it."
Ren pointed dramatically between the two dishes.
"They're both really good."
Rina zoomed in with her phone camera.
"Professional analysis."
Nanami grabbed a fork and tasted Akira's dish.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh wow."
Yuuto tried Aiko's next.
"…Okay, that's amazing."
The judges started whispering among themselves.
Ren raised his hand.
"After careful consideration…"
Aiko folded her arms.
"Just say it already."
Ren pointed at her.
"The winner is…"
A dramatic pause.
"Aiko."
The room exploded.
Nanami clapped loudly.
"YES!"
Yuuto nodded.
"Fair decision."
Rina cheered.
"Chef Aiko wins!"
Aiko blinked in surprise.
"…Wait really?"
Ren nodded seriously.
"Your dish had better flavor balance."
Akira sighed and leaned back slightly.
"…Fair."
Aiko looked at him.
"You're not upset?"
Akira shook his head.
"You cooked well."
For a second, she smiled softly.
"…Thanks."
The Punishment
Ren suddenly clapped again.
"Now!"
"Punishment for the loser!"
Akira frowned.
"…Why do we need punishment?"
Nanami grinned.
"Because Ren made the rules."
Ren raised a finger.
"Akira must cook dinner for the entire group next weekend."
Yuuto nodded approvingly.
"That's actually a reward for us."
Rina laughed.
"Yes please."
Akira sighed.
"…I knew this would happen."
Aiko leaned closer and whispered teasingly,
"Looks like you'll be busy, chef."
Akira looked at her calmly.
"…You're helping."
Her eyes widened.
"Hey!"
Ren slammed the table.
"Excellent teamwork already!"
Nanami laughed.
"They really are like a married couple."
Aiko immediately turned red.
"Stop saying that!"
Afternoon Plan
After finishing the food, everyone leaned back, completely full.
Yuuto stretched.
"I can't move."
Nanami sighed happily.
"That was worth it."
Rina suddenly stood up.
"I have an idea."
Ren looked suspicious.
"…What now?"
"Let's go to the café."
Akira blinked.
"…We just ate."
Rina pointed dramatically.
"Dessert."
Ren immediately stood up.
"Let's go."
Café Afternoon
The café was lively in the afternoon sunlight.
The group took their usual table.
Ren ordered three desserts for himself.
Nanami stared at him.
"You're going to regret that."
"I regret nothing."
Rina was reviewing the cooking competition videos.
"This footage is gold."
Yuuto sipped his drink quietly.
Meanwhile Aiko sat across from Akira.
She leaned slightly forward.
"You know…"
Akira looked up.
"…What?"
"You were actually pretty cool while cooking."
Akira blinked.
"…Cool?"
"Yeah."
She smiled.
"Very serious."
Akira looked slightly embarrassed.
"…It's just cooking."
She shook her head.
"No."
She looked at him for a moment longer.
"It suits you."
For a brief second, Akira didn't know what to say.
Then Ren suddenly interrupted.
"ARE YOU TWO FLIRTING?"
Aiko threw a napkin at him.
"Shut up!"
The Beach Discovery
Later in the afternoon, the group left the café.
While walking down the street, Yuuto pointed ahead.
"Hey."
Everyone looked.
Beyond the buildings, a long stretch of water was visible.
Nanami's eyes widened.
"Wait… is that a beach?"
Ren gasped dramatically.
"A BEACH?!"
Rina immediately grabbed her phone again.
"We're going."
Mizuko smiled.
"Why not?"
The group started walking toward it.
Sunset Walk
The beach was calm.
The sky had started turning orange.
Waves rolled softly onto the shore.
Rina immediately started taking photos.
Nanami walked along the waterline.
Ren and Yuuto started arguing about who would win the next cooking challenge.
Mizuko walked quietly behind the group.
Her eyes briefly moved toward Akira.
And Aiko.
They were walking slightly ahead of everyone.
Talking quietly.
Akira and Aiko
The sunset reflected across the ocean.
Aiko looked out toward the horizon.
"This place is beautiful."
Akira nodded.
"…Yeah."
She glanced at him.
"You seem different lately."
"How?"
"You smile more."
Akira looked surprised.
"…Do I?"
She nodded.
"Especially when you're with everyone."
She paused.
"…And when you're cooking."
Akira looked at the waves.
"Maybe."
Then he said quietly,
"I wasn't used to having people around."
Aiko looked at him.
"And now?"
Akira glanced toward the group laughing behind them.
"…Now I think I like it."
She smiled softly.
"…Me too."
For a moment they just stood there watching the sunset.
Neither of them said anything.
But the silence felt comfortable.
Mizuko's Thoughts
Behind them, Mizuko watched the two walking side by side.
Nanami suddenly whispered beside her,
"They look good together."
Mizuko forced a small smile.
"…Yeah."
But inside, something felt strange.
A small feeling she couldn't quite explain.
Aiko laughed at something Akira said.
Akira smiled slightly.
Mizuko looked away toward the ocean.
"…Since when," she thought quietly,
"…did that start bothering me?"
The sound of the waves continued softly as the sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon.
The sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.
Orange light spread across the ocean.
The group stood along the beach, watching the waves roll in.
For a while, no one said anything.
Even Ren was quiet.
Which was rare.
Rina was the first to break the silence.
"This place looks amazing in photos."
She turned her phone toward the sunset.
"Perfect lighting."
Nanami stretched her arms.
"This is actually really relaxing."
Yuuto nodded.
"Yeah… we should come here more often."
Ren suddenly shook his head.
"No."
Everyone looked at him.
"…No?" Nanami asked.
Ren crossed his arms dramatically.
"This beach is too small."
Akira blinked.
"…Too small?"
Ren pointed down the coastline.
"We need a bigger adventure."
Aiko tilted her head.
"What are you talking about?"
Ren grinned.
"A beach trip."
Nanami looked interested.
"…Go on."
Ren pulled out his phone and started scrolling.
"There's a famous beach town about two hours away."
Yuuto leaned closer.
"Oh yeah, I've heard about that one."
"Exactly!" Ren said excitedly.
"Clear water."
"Big waves."
"Street food."
"Night markets."
Rina's eyes lit up.
"Photo opportunities."
Nanami smiled.
"That actually sounds fun."
Mizuko looked toward Akira.
"What do you think?"
Akira glanced at the ocean.
"…It could be nice."
Then everyone turned toward Aiko.
She blinked.
"Why are you all looking at me?"
Ren pointed dramatically.
"You're the deciding vote."
She laughed.
"…Fine."
"Let's go."
The group immediately cheered.
Ren jumped up.
"YES!"
Yuuto sighed.
"There goes our peaceful weekend."
Planning the Trip
They all sat down in the sand, forming a small circle.
Ren started planning immediately.
"Alright."
"Next weekend."
Nanami nodded.
"Works for me."
Rina raised her hand.
"I'm bringing my camera."
Yuuto looked at Akira.
"You're coming too, right?"
Akira shrugged.
"…Looks like I don't have a choice."
Aiko leaned slightly toward him.
"You don't sound excited."
Akira looked at her.
"…I am."
"Then show it."
He thought for a moment.
"…I'll cook for the trip."
Ren immediately pointed at him.
"Best decision today."
Nanami laughed.
"Free food again."
Aiko smiled.
"Now I'm definitely coming."
Walking Back
The sky had grown darker.
Street lights slowly turned on along the road back toward campus.
The group started walking together.
Ren and Yuuto were arguing again about the cooking competition.
Nanami was teasing them both.
Rina walked ahead looking for good night photos.
Eventually, Akira and Aiko ended up walking side by side again.