Today Rei and I have come out shopping together.
"Okay, I think we have everything we needed to get," I said while weighing the shopping bag in my arms.
"Yes, thank you for coming shopping with me." She said with a sweet smile.
"Don't mention it."
There was a moment's silence before her whispers.
"Um, Mina. The truth is..."
"Hm?"
"I have to sit an exam to get into Totsuki Culinary School."
"And it's taking place in 2 weeks..." she said as her voice faded.
I froze completely taken by surprise. But then try to regain my composure as if to not show that I'm worried.
"I-is that so...? Is the exam going to be held in France?"
"Y-yes..." she hesitated for a moment.
"So if I pass the exam I will stay in France for good after..." she continued.
"R-right..."
Sadness wells up in my chest but I manage to form a smile.
"I know you can aced it."
"You're exaggerating, but thank you..."
It seems that recently this is all Rei and I talk about.
(2 weeks huh...) I feel really sad when we start talking about it.
But I suddenly have an idea.
(Ah, I know.)
(I hope we have the chance to make one last memory before she departs.)
(But, just a normal date is too mundane for our last memory...)
(I know! We can do that...!)
I draw up a courage and turn to face her.
"H-hey, Rei."
"Yes?"
"Can we have sex?"
"Sure." She replied instantly.
"Great!"
(W-wait what?!)
"Thought I don't have experience I hope you can take care of me..."
"W-wait, Rei...are you sure you're okay with this?"
(I just say it out of a whim, more like It slip my mouth I don't really mean it but she agreed to it instantly!? I have to make sure.)
"W-why, don't you want to. Um, am I not good enough?!"
"N-no...That's, of course your good enough!!"
An earie silence envelope us as I snap back to reality.
"Uhm...thank you? I guess..." said Rei while looking at me confusedly.
(Oh! W-wha...did I just imagine all that?)
"N-no it was nothing I was just thinking out loud." I explained nervously.
"What are you thinking about, Mina?" she asked innocently.
"Oh, right can I help you cook when we get back to Famille'."
"S-sure..."
"I'll cook the steak and you can make that meat and potato dish you're so good at?"
"Oh you mean, my special beef stew."
"Y-yes that's it."
"I don't mind... But why all of a sudden?"
(whoosh, dodge a bullet there...)
"Oh, well..."
It'll sound too say to say I want to make one last memory with her out loud, so...
"I want to practice making that dish...so I have something to remember you by before you go over to France."
Her eyes widen for a moment then she smiles happily.
"That's a good idea."
"Okay" Let's make it together."
"Thanks Rei!"
And so...
We quickly buy the ingredients we need and hurry home.
We return earlier than expected, it seems that everyone is out.
We prepare the ingredients and cooking utensils down on the kitchen counter.
"Shall we get started then?" I asked.
"Okay, let's do this." She relied smiling sweetly.
"So...what should I do first?"
"Um...Can you please cut up the potatoes while I'll prepare the other vegetables."
"Okay! Leave it to me!"
I set out a chopping board and knife before peeling the potatoes. After a while I notice Rei is watching me.
"Wow! You're really good with a knife, Mina."
"I..I am?"
"Yes, the way you feel the skin fast and precise it's like you're using a peeler."
(right, where are those peelers anyway..)" I am only doing what I've seen you do. Maybe I've gotten a bit better?"
"Hehehe...I won't be outdone, though." She said in a competitive tone.
"Ahahaha...Maybe one day I could be better than you at cooking?" I say with a laugh before looking at her.
(I take it back, the way she's cooking like a storm I don't think I'll ever be nearly as good as she is...)
"You we're saying?" she teasingly said.
"Ahahaha, n-nothing."
"I thought so...eheheheh just kidding." She said giggling.
"Well, once you're done chopping the potatoes can you please put then in this colander?"
"Sure."
Then...
After I made my own preparation roasting the steak it isn't long before Rei's special beef stew is ready to serve.
"Wow, it looks perfect, Mina."
"Thanks! Coming from you that means a lot and I could say the same at that stew of yours that looks heavenly."
"It does? Won't you try some?" she asked.
She spoons out some of the broth into a small dish.
"Mina. Say ahh..."
"huh? Oh!"
I take a sip.
"Well? How is it?"
"I-It's heavenly!"
"You're exaggerating." She smiled.
(and she smiles like an angel the dish is perfect.)
"Let's dish it up and tuck in."
"That's a weird way to put it?" she said.
I ladle the beef stew into our bowls.
"That's it then..."
Then I realize...
(That's the end of our cooking session...)
(It might be the last time I ever cook with her...)
Sorrow fills my heart.
"What's wrong, Mina?"
"O-oh, no...it's nothing."
"Shall we eat then?"
"Okay."
And then...
I sit at the dining table with Rei to share our dinner.
This bowl of beef stew taste better than any I had ever eaten before.
"I'm really happy that it turned out so well..."
"Hehehe, it's because you helped me to make it."
"I really do think that your cooking has gotten better lately." She complimented.
"It's all thanks to your teaching, Chef Rei."
"Chef?!"
"You're the chef and I'm your sous chef."
"Ehehehe."
We talk and get excited about everything and nothing,
Then she suddenly whispers.
"I really am happy though, that your cooking skills have come along so nicely."
"I hope you can take my place making yummy food for everyone here."
"No one can ever replace you, Rei." I uttered without thinking.
(Take her place...huh...)
Our conversations takes a break until she lets out a startled sound.
"Ah!"
"I'm- I'm sorry...That was an odd thing to say..."
"Don't worry about it Rei..."
I don't think she meant to say that as well...
But it feels kind of awkward now...
"Hey, Rei..."
"Y-yes?"
"You are going to France in two weeks, aren't you?" (it feels like I don't need to confirm this but...)
I slowly bring the conversation around the fact that she is leaving.
"Th-That's right..."
"I heard that Totsuki Culunary school is really something else."
"Y-yes..."
"Did you know that, the director of that school own a five star restaurant and is a well know chef as well, they call him Chef Shinomiya a magician of the culinary world."
(I'm rambling...)
"I'll be rooting for you, even from across the sea!"
It feels like my chest tighten as if it's suffocating me slowly while I think of the fact we will be separated for god knows how long.
"Thank you..." she sullenly said.
I eat some more of my dinner to fill the null in our conversation.
It taste even better than the first bite, because I can taste the heart put into making it.
"This beef stew is really good."
"I know you'll be top of your class with this cooking of yours."
"Ehehehe, thank you."
"M-Mina..."
There is so much I want to say...
The things unsaid pile up between us until they threaten to burst out from all the pressure.
(but I can't...I already made up my mind not to say anything that would make her feel bad about her decision.)
(So why then...?)
I look over at Rei's sorrowful expression.
And I am overwhelmed as my memories of the times we shared together fill my senses.
Her sweet words, her selfless care, her sweet mellow voice...
These memories bring the words I want to say...
My feelings overflow as I feel tears gushing from my eyes...
Just then...
"Eh..?!"
She wraps around her arms around me hugging me tightly.
As her tears flow down to her eyes.
"W-what's wrong Rei?"
"Wai...me..."
"Huh?"
Her pained voice breaks through.
"Please say you'll wait for me!!!!"
"Mina!"