*Morning May 20*
You arrive at school with a heavy yawn. Still sore and exhausted from yesterday's gymnastics meet you feel your body ache with each movement you make. Continuing throughout the day, you nearly pass out on your desk a few times while trying to listen to the lectures that were being taught that day. Some time passes through the classes and you are having lunch with your friends.
Ryuji: Hey! You look dead tired Y/N. What happened?
You: Oh just had to help someone with some physical activities.. And I ended up doing more than them so I am still feeling it.
Ann: That must be really something huh? It's rare to see you so exhausted from physical strain.
You: Well it was my first time doing something like that.. So yeah it was gonna be tough on my body.
Ren: Well it was an experience for you then.
You: You can say that again..
Morgana: You humans really do complain a lot about physical activities.
Ryuji: What was that?!
Morgana: I mean it's only natural that I, Morgana, don't complain at all!
Ren: What about that one time in Mementos?
Morgana: T..That was a fluke! Alright?! I didn't expect to run around that entire time because someone had to use the bathroom!
Ryuji: Hey! That wasn't my fault! I had a bad case of a stomachache!
You laugh with your friends as the day progresses. You returned to class and throughout the rest of the school day, you felt your chest start to annoy you. You could feel the mark burn bit by bit, as if it was trying to make you uncomfortable in the first place. You tried to ignore it as best as you could, but you were obvious in your situation. You were rubbing and scratching your neck as well as the mark itself. The cold feeling was still present with a cold burn that was just on top of it. Sweat was slowly dripping off your face as you felt a little bothered by it all.
*After School*
The bell rang and you took a deep breath. You quickly walked into the bathroom and made sure no one was in there. You unbuttoned your shirt and saw that the black veins were showing up more than usual. It sent chills down your spine as you began to touch it. Sighing, you button it back up, take one of your pills and head outside.
As you reached the school gates, you saw Makoto standing right next to the gate with her arms folded by her waist. She turns and looks at you, the mixed feelings still present in her movements, but she straightens up for you.
Makoto: Ready to go..?
You: You bet. Is your Sister gonna be there when we arrive?
Makoto: She told me she was working today but she should be home after I get dinner ready.
You: You cook?
Makoto: Y..yeah! I've had to take care of myself since Dad passed away. So I was hoping to get better myself so I can be more responsible.
You Then let me help you cook.
Makoto: *Blushes* W..what?
You: Truth be told I am the same. I had to take care of myself and I seem to be pretty good from people who have tasted my food. So let me help you out. It should be a good time.
Makoto thinks to herself for a moment. Her face still flush red, she turns away and hides her smile*
Makoto: S..Sure we can cook together...
You: Perfect. Maybe we could learn from each other.
Makoto: Y..yeah maybe!
You then set off with Makoto towards her place. Taking a few trains to get there, you eventually arrive. You stare in amazement, almost awestruck from it all. Makoto giggles softly before inviting you in. You can tell however that she is still being cautious with how she presents herself to you, almost like she is not trying to open herself to you. It makes you wonder as you enter and take off your shoes.
Makoto: So here it is. Me and my Sister's place. We've had this since Dad was alive. And now my Sister works as a prosecutor and she has done quite a good job herself I have to say.
You: Wow. Impressive. Really, it seems like a neat place.
Makoto: It would be better if she wasn't working all the time but I can't really ask for much since she does her best..
You: I understand. She must have it rough.
Makoto: Make sure you don't say that when she's here, she would totally snap on you for the comment *Giggles softly*.
You: I'll make sure to keep that in mind. So, shall we get started?
Makoto: O..Oh! Yes! We are cooking a simple dinner tonight, potatoes, pork, and rice.
You: Hmm..
Makoto: Is something wrong?
You: Not at all, however I think we could spice it up a little.
Makoto: What do you have in mind then?
You: Keep what you said, but I think we could add a soft soup with all 3 being used in conjunction.
Makoto: How do we do that?
You: Simple really, I can work on the pork and rice bit, I just need you to cut some spare potatoes into small cubes and put them into a simmer pan.
Makoto: What about the rest-
You: Easy, we can use another stove and cook the rice and regular potatoes side by side, then put the other pork in the oven while I make the pork bits with rice into a soup base. Then we will add the cubed potatoes into the soup and serve it alongside the main course.
Makoto: W..Wow that is amazing.
You: I won't need much from either to make a bowl for the 3 of us.
Makoto: Let's get started then!
You spent the next hour or so helping prepare dinner with Makoto, for a while, you felt a positive energy coming off her that wasn't being blocked by a mixed emotion. Smiling, you begin to finish your preparations and let the soup simmer and cook over time. Makoto finishes with the rest of the course and you both sit back proud of your achievement.
Makoto: You weren't lying when you said you could cook.
You: Right? I kinda use a mixture of American and Japanese culture to come up with a lot of ideas lately. This was honestly improvised to match what was on the plate already.
Makoto: I..Improvised??
You: Yep. If I had it my way, I would have gotten some lean pork strips and have it wrapped around a breaded potato that was deep fried with rice that is used for stuffing, almost a weird take on a rice cake that is cooked within a potato. The pork is then wrapped around the fried potato and cooked into the oven which should make the potato crisp and the pork strips melt into the potato, giving us a sandwich of tastiness.
Makoto: You really go deep in your dishes don't you?
You: Of course, I find it very entertaining to do so.
Makoto: If it's so fun for you, I wouldn't mind having you cook for me all the time.
You: Really?
Makoto: *Flustered after realizing what she just said* U..umm!! What I meant was.. I think I would love to eat your cooking cause it seems very good!
You: *Soft Chuckle* It would be my pleasure to do so.
Makoto: *Blushing heavily* S..Sis should be home soon. Dinner is almost done as well..!
You: Right. Let's get it all done and settled.
You proceeded to help Makoto finish the dinner. You started to set out plates and helped her move the food to the table and place it accordingly. After setting things, you grabbed the pot filled with the soup and grabbed 3 appropriate sized bowls and filled them with the soup, only having one serving per. Rubbing your forehead with a heavy smile, you hear the front door begin to open.......
Thank you guys for reading this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! Setting up some good character moments here! I hope it turns out well, cause this is when things will really shift in the end! Looking forward to it so I will See you all in the Next one!