Chapter One: Her Love Is Like a Health Supplement
“Yuna, there’s something I need to tell you.”
It was the winter of our third year in junior high, early February, with the chill still lingering in the air. On our way back from a date at the local shopping mall, I steeled myself and finally spoke up.
“What’s up?” Yuna asked, turning to me, her perfectly shaped red lips curling into a slight smile.
—She’s so beautiful, it almost feels like I don’t deserve her.
The only daughter of a prestigious hospital family, Yuna was the kind of girl who turned heads with her stunning looks and stellar grades, earning her the envy of everyone at school. We’d started dating last winter after she confessed to me. People around us kept saying we didn’t match, that I wasn’t good enough for her, but I didn’t care. I was head over heels for Yuna, and besides, I figured once I moved away, none of it would matter anyway.
Yeah, moving away would cut ties easily. It always had.
It only hit me now, far too late, that the same applied to Yuna.
“So, uh…” I started, but the words caught in my throat, my resolve faltering.
Thanks to my parents’ job, I’d been dragged through countless moves and school transfers since I was a kid. I’d make friends, only to drift apart. Or worse, I’d think someone was my best friend, only to watch them grow closer to someone else, my place in their life shrinking until I was nothing.
So I told myself I didn’t need anyone close. Not really.
“I’m moving again,” I blurted out. “To Tokyo.”
Yuna’s big eyes widened even more, and she whispered, “That’s the big city, huh?”
Yeah, compared to Mie, where we lived now, Tokyo was a whole different world. The capital of Japan, a place my parents said was a three-hour trip from this town full of nothing but rice fields.
“It’s right when I graduate junior high, so my parents were like, ‘Perfect timing.’ I mean, I can’t exactly stay here alone, right? They said I can still make it in time to apply for private high schools.”
“…”
“Tokyo’s kinda crazy, right? Super urban. What if I get lost at the station or something? Like, Shinjuku Station—they say it’s a total maze on TV.”
I wanted to say so much more, but all that came out was pointless chatter, my words spinning in circles. My hand, still holding Yuna’s, grew clammy with sweat.
What was I supposed to do?
From experience, I knew her heart would probably drift away. If it was going to hurt this much, maybe it’d be better to just break up now. Friends leaving had been painful enough, but losing a girlfriend? I didn’t think I could handle that. If she suggested breaking up, whether it was for some classmate I knew or a total stranger, it’d be the worst. Just thinking about it made me want to curl up and die. If I had to hear it from her lips, I’d rather end it here and now. Otherwise, I wouldn’t survive it.
What was Yuna thinking? I was too scared to ask.
—I just want you to stay my girlfriend.
That’s all I wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come.
“Yuna, I… about me—”
Stay in love with me.
The pathetic words almost spilled out, but they were stopped by the soft press of her lips.
I closed my eyes instinctively. Our first kiss.
“I’m not breaking up with you over some long-distance thing,” Yuna said, her hands cupping my face, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked straight at me. My heart pounded twice as fast, hammering in my ears.
“I know you’re overthinking everything, Shiki. I know you’ve been hurt before. But I’m different. I’d never betray you. Trust me, okay?”
Her voice trembled, nothing like her usual cool, confident tone. For the first time, I realized she was just as scared as I was, imagining the same awful possibilities.
“Don’t make excuses to push me away. Try, okay? I’ll fight like hell to stay with you, so you’d better do the same.”
I didn’t know what the future held. But for the first time, I wanted to believe. For Yuna, I wanted to try.
A single tear slid down her cheek, and with a shaky smile, she added, “You love me, don’t you?”
After that, we doubled back to the mall, keeping an eye out to avoid classmates as we bought a piercing kit and headed to my place.
It all started with a single comment from Yuna.
“Hey, Shiki, wanna get matching piercings?”
She threw it out so casually, then turned right back around without even waiting for my answer.
“That’s against school rules. We’d get caught in a heartbeat.”
“It’s fine. Just hide it with your hair.”
With high school entrance exams coming up, what was this prim-and-proper rich girl even saying?
I was genuinely worried, but if she wanted to do it, I wasn’t about to say no. I’d always thought about getting a piercing someday anyway. If I was gonna do it, now was the time.
Probably high on the moment, we lost all sense of reason and barreled forward with the plan. We washed our hands, disinfected her earlobe, and marked the spot for the first piercing. The instructions said to just hold the piercing gun straight and push.
I pressed the gun to Yuna’s ear. She squirmed a little, giggling, “It’s kinda cold.” A flicker of clarity hit me.
“Hey, you sure about this? Your parents are super strict about this stuff, aren’t they?”
“Who cares about that? We’re gonna be apart soon. I want something to mark this moment.”
Her teary-eyed plea made me tighten my grip on the piercing gun.
“Here goes.”
Click.
The hole was made effortlessly, a tiny stud now sparkling in her ear.
It didn’t seem to hurt much. Yuna checked herself in the mirror and gave a small smile. “Looks perfect… Heh, you’ve gone and made me damaged goods.”
“Hey, don’t say stuff like that,” I said, lightly tapping her head.
She just grinned, clearly pleased, and started disinfecting my ear. The cool sensation was oddly comforting.
“Did you know? Piercing someone’s ear is technically a medical procedure, so it’s illegal if you don’t have a medical license.”
“You’re bringing that up now?”
“I’m gonna be a doctor someday, so I’m safe.”
As if that retroactively makes it legal. Still, her weird logic was oddly convincing.
But wait, that meant I was the one committing the illegal act here. I knew I wouldn’t get arrested for something like this, but a strange guilt gnawed at me.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. It’s our little secret, something we’ll take to the grave together.”
Click.
A hole opened in my left ear, opposite Yuna’s, in the same spot. A stud slid into place.
Yuna looked at it and said it suited me, then called my name—
“…ki! Shiki!!”
“…Huh?”
I thought I heard my name, and when I forced my blurry eyes open, there was Yuna, my girlfriend, her face on the verge of tears.
“Wha—what’s wrong?”
“Shiki, are you okay?! Are you sick? Does something hurt? Thank God I made it in time—hold on, I’m calling an ambulance!”
Why was she in my room? …Oh, right, I gave her a spare key.
But why was she in Tokyo?
My head was foggy, but I knew something big was happening. Panicking, I grabbed her wrist and pulled. Her light frame stumbled forward, collapsing toward me.
“Eek!”
“Yuna…”
“What?!”
“Food…”
I noticed a cute mole on her neck and thought something totally irrelevant before passing out again.
When I opened my eyes next, Yuna was standing there, tears streaming down her face, arms full of health supplement jellies.
Sipping on one of the jellies Yuna brought, I tried to piece together what happened. It probably went like this:
Taking advantage of Golden Week, I got so caught up in reading and gaming that I forgot to eat. The result? I passed out from hunger. My phone showed it was already the last day of Golden Week.
This spring, as a second-year high schooler, I finally chose not to follow my parents’ latest transfer. Their next destination was Aomori, and having gotten used to Tokyo’s convenience, I couldn’t imagine going back to a life where missing a train meant a one-hour wait. Rural life after the city was rough.
Plus, transferring schools was easy in elementary and junior high, but high school was different. Moving would mean dropping to a lower-tier school, and since my current one was affiliated with a university, my parents let me stay.
So I moved into a small apartment and started living alone. The problem? My complete lack of cooking skills.
Unlike cleaning or laundry, which I could manage with a vacuum or washing machine, cooking required actual skill. Spoiled by my stay-at-home mom, I’d never even stepped foot in a kitchen.
Mom told me to just grill some meat or veggies, but I didn’t even know how to control the heat. Everything I cooked turned into charred lumps, and I ended up crying over my failures.
I tried looking up recipes online and putting in some effort, but no matter how hard I worked, the food never tasted worth the time. So I gave up on cooking altogether.
Which led to not eating at all—and now, here we were.
“Passing out from hunger? Are you serious?” Yuna said.
“I have no excuse,” I mumbled.
After downing three of her nutritional jellies and explaining the situation, Yuna exploded like a wildfire.
“You idiot! Stupid Shiki! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!”
“I—sorry, sorry!”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it! What would’ve happened if I hadn’t shown up? You could’ve died!”
“Okay, maybe, but—”
“No ‘buts’! Do you even get how I felt? We’re in a long-distance relationship, and I couldn’t get a hold of you. You weren’t answering your phone, and I started thinking something awful happened!”
“…”
“I hopped on a bullet train by myself, got squished in a crazy crowd, stared at Google Maps the whole way to find your place. Then you didn’t answer the intercom, so I used the spare key and found you passed out! I was freaking out! Don’t you get how scared I was?!”
Yuna was panting like a small animal trying to intimidate a predator, glaring at me.
We’d known each other for four years, but I hadn’t seen her this shaken in a long time.
“We’re already doing long-distance, so don’t do things that make me worry! Especially over something this stupid…”
From her place in Yokkaichi, Mie, getting to Tokyo took at least three hours. Knowing her sheltered upbringing, she probably didn’t tell her parents—they’d have stopped her—so she came all this way alone.
“I don’t totally get how you feel, but I’m really glad you came,” I said. “That must’ve been tough. You’re kinda my lifesaver.”
Honestly, if she hadn’t shown up, I might’ve actually needed that ambulance.
“Stop joking! I’m mad at you!”
“I’m really sorry. Thank you. For worrying about me.”
Yuna’s usually cool and composed, but when it comes to me, she gets emotional fast. Sometimes it’s a bit of a hassle, but that hassle’s kinda cute, too. Every word she’s saying now comes from how much she cares about me.
“Yuna, you really love me, huh?”
“That’s not what we’re talking about!”
“When I woke up and saw you, I was like, ‘Man, I love her.’ …Sorry for making you cry.”
“I’m not crying! You’re hallucinating or something!” she snapped, squeezing her eyes shut before muttering, “…Shut up.” When she opened them, she threw herself into my arms.
Her pulse was racing, faster than usual, thumping against me.
Her delicate frame trembled slightly. Maybe she wasn’t just worried about my health—maybe she’d been thinking about cheating, or breaking up, or all sorts of awful possibilities.
“I was so scared,” she whispered.
“Yeah.”
“You can’t skip meals like that, Shiki…”
“Yeah.”
She looked up at me with teary eyes, then buried her face in my neck. “I love you, Shiki. So much.”
—God, she’s so freaking adorable.
I wrapped my arms around Yuna’s back, gently stroking until her trembling stopped.
After a while, she was back to her usual self. The vulnerability from earlier was gone, replaced by the familiar spark of confidence in her eyes.
“I get that starting to live on your own is tough, but at least eat properly, okay?”
“Easier said than done. Eating out’s expensive, Yuna. If I wanna eat something tasty and satisfying, I can barely afford one meal a day. I’ve gotta think about the money my parents give me, too.”
When I said that, Yuna’s face fell, and after a hesitant pause, she pursed her lips and spoke softly.
“…What if I paid for it?”
“Nah, I told you, I’m good.”
Yuna’s family isn’t exactly normal.
They come from a long line of doctors, running a major hospital that’s practically a household name in our hometown. As their only heir, Yuna’s treated like a princess and has access to a decent amount of cash. Every now and then, she says stuff like this. I know she doesn’t mean any harm, but that just makes it worse.
“…Sorry. I know I shouldn’t say stuff like that.”
“…”
“I’m gonna be swamped studying for Tokyo’s medical school entrance exams, so I won’t be able to check on you all the time. I just… I want to help however I can. The thought of something like today happening again—it scares me.”
“If you’re that worried, just buy me a cookbook or some kitchen appliances or something.”
“You and I both know you wouldn’t use them, Shiki.”
She’s got me there. Nailed it, as always.
Seeing me grin, Yuna let out an exasperated sigh and put a hand to her forehead, like she couldn’t believe me.
“…Fine. How about this? Send me a picture of what you eat for lunch and dinner every day. If you miss a day, I’m coming back to check if you’re still alive.”
“Every other day.”
“Vetoed.”
“…Alright, I’ll figure it out.”
After what happened, I couldn’t just brush it off with a “That’s a bit much.” My life’s on the line here. Plus, if I don’t agree, Yuna might actually show up every week, no joke.
I held out my pinky, and Yuna’s face lit up as she delicately hooked her slender pinky around mine. That mix of tsundere attitude and expressive charm—it’s one of the reasons I fell for her.
“By the way, don’t you need to head back soon? I’m feeling better, so I can walk you to Tokyo Station.”
Outside, the sun had set, and it was pitch dark. I must’ve been out for a while, because the clock read 8:00 p.m. If Yuna was going to make it back to Mie tonight—hell, if I didn’t want her family to murder me—we needed to get to Tokyo Station soon. I started to stand, but Yuna flashed a bright smile and pushed me back onto the bed.
Her straight hair fell across my neck, tickling me.
I tucked a strand of her well-kept hair behind her ear, revealing a small silver piercing that seemed almost out of place with her refined appearance. It reminded me of that nostalgic dream I’d had earlier.
“What’re you talking about? No way I’m leaving you like this.”
“But, I mean, it’s not like I’m sick or anything. And you’ve got school…”
“My school’s a prefectural one, so tomorrow’s a holiday.”
“What about your family?”
“I called them earlier. It’s fine.”
…Yeah, she’s definitely lying.
Her overprotective parents would probably hop on the next bullet train to drag her back if they knew. I’m not exactly on their good side, given my average background and lackluster pedigree, so I gave a wry smile. Yuna pouted, her lips pursed in mock irritation.
“What, is there a problem? Got some naughty magazines stashed away or something?”
“No way, no way, no way. As if I’d have anything like that.”
“Then it’s fine, right? It’s been forever since we saw each other. I don’t wanna leave yet. …Is that okay?”
When she looked up at me like that, no guy in the world could say no.
We ordered some Japanese food and a small cake through a delivery app, and Yuna threw a modest little housewarming party for me. For a second, I worried she’d offer to cook, but she went straight for delivery, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Once, a long time ago, she’d made me some stew that, to be honest, wasn’t great. I couldn’t bring myself to say it was delicious or disgusting, so I secretly added soy sauce. She didn’t talk to me for a week after that. Since then, she’s never cooked for me again, and I’m torn between feeling guilty and relieved.
By the way, Yuna insisted on paying for dinner. I tried to cover my share, but she shut me down with, “It’s a housewarming, so I wanna treat you!” and I caved.
I scare myself sometimes. I’m half-convinced I’ll end up a freeloader one day.
The last time I saw Yuna in person was before the chaos of moving, so it’d been about three months. We talk on the phone almost every day, but you miss a lot through a screen. You can’t touch, can’t feel the closeness. Having Yuna right here, within arm’s reach, had me downright giddy.
“The food and cake were both hits, huh? I wish you’d eat stuff like this every day, Shiki,” Yuna said, puffing out her cheeks.
Her posture was perfect, spine straight, a dead giveaway of her refined upbringing. In my cramped apartment, she almost looked out of place, like she’d been photoshopped into the scene.
“Yuna.”
“W-What?”
I couldn’t help it—I reached out and brushed her cheek. I could touch her.
Her smooth skin felt so good I kept stroking, and Yuna’s brows furrowed in surprise before she sighed, “What’s with you…” and leaned into my hand like a cat nuzzling for affection, closing her eyes.
The beep of the water heater interrupted us, and her gaze flicked toward it. Feeling a little annoyed, I cupped her cheek and kissed her. When I pulled back, her wide eyes, glistening with emotion, locked onto mine.
“You’re cute,” I said.
“Shut up.”
“Man, you don’t have a single uncute moment.”
“Tch, thanks a lot!”
As if to say “That’s enough,” Yuna covered her flushed face with both hands and turned away. So cute. Too cute. My girlfriend’s the cutest.
“Anyway, go take a bath already! You’ve got school tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, yes.”
Reluctantly, I knew this was her way of hiding her embarrassment, so I obediently grabbed my stuff and headed out of the room.
“Seriously… she’s too cute for her own good…”
I’d decided to keep my hands off Yuna as much as possible. She’s so pure it’s hard to make a move, but more than that, her family doesn’t approve of me at all. Sometimes I wonder if she’d be happier without me. I know it’s selfish to think that way, but I can’t help it because I love her.
I don’t know what the future holds, but if things keep going like this, I’ll probably move back to Mie, marry Yuna, and help support her family’s hospital.
Yuna’s working her butt off for medical school because of me. Since I’m not becoming a doctor, her becoming one and taking over the hospital is the bare minimum for our future together. She’s a genius, but medical school exams are brutal. She’s always been at cram school, and recently she started taking specialized medical prep courses, too.
“…Guess I’d better not worry her and get in the way.”
Yuna’s trying so hard. I can’t keep dwelling on negative thoughts. I’ve got my own battle to fight: the daunting enemy called cooking.
I twisted the shower knob, turned off the water, and stepped out of the bathroom.
After cleaning the bathroom and sink as best I could, I returned to the living room. Yuna was lying on the bed, fast asleep, her breathing soft and steady.
“…Goodnight.”
She must’ve been exhausted.
Careful not to wake her, I gently draped a blanket over her, laid out a guest futon, and went to sleep. I was still worn out from collapsing, so I was out in seconds.
By the time I woke up, it was already the next morning.
“…ki! Shiki! Wake up!!”
“What time is it…?”
“Seven-thirty! Didn’t you say you had to leave by seven to make it to school?!”
My sleepy eyes caught sight of my adorable girlfriend, and I reached to hug her, but her next words hit me like a lightning bolt.
“Seven-thirty?!”
I’m screwed. Late for sure. My place is an hour from school by train, and with the morning bell at 8:30, factoring in the time to get to the station, there’s no way I’d make it even if I bolted out of bed. At this point, I might as well take Yuna to Tokyo Station and own the tardiness. Not a bad idea, actually. I’m still recovering, so she’d probably forgive me.
“Yuna, uh…”
“I called a taxi! Can you be ready in ten minutes?!”
No way I could say it now. A taxi?
“I’ll ride with you to school and then head to Tokyo Station. That should get you there just in time!”
She was frantically stuffing her things into her carry-on.
Seriously? The thought crossed my mind, but before I knew it, I was brushing my teeth, changing, and being dressed in my uniform by Yuna. Next thing I knew, we were in the taxi.
“Cutting it close, but you should make it. Thank goodness,” Yuna said with a tired smile, not even mentioning the whole taxi thing.
I’ve never lived like this! Rich girls really operate on a different level, huh? All I could do was laugh, but it was all for me, wasn’t it?
“…Thanks. Be safe getting back to Mie.”
“Yeah. You be careful, too, Shiki. Eat good food and don’t forget our promise!”
“Of course.”
“And call me a lot, okay? Not that I’m worried or anything. I mean, you love me, so you wouldn’t cheat or anything, right?”
Yuna squeezed my hand tightly.
—You love me, don’t you!
Her words from back then echoed in my mind. I love that slightly haughty side of her.
“We’ve arrived,” the taxi driver said.
I looked up, and sure enough, we were at my high school. Three minutes until the bell. If I ran, I might just make it.
“Alright, I’m off! See ya!”
“Yeah. Stay well.”
I slammed the door and bolted. Glancing back before the school gate, I saw Yuna elegantly waving from the taxi window.
Damn it. She’s so cute. Why can’t I even see her off properly?
Fueled by frustration, I charged up the stairs and slid into class just in time to avoid being late. No way I could let all her effort go to waste. Still, I was so exhausted that I spent the entire first period slumped over my desk.
During lunch break, I snapped a photo of the oily mazesoba I’d bought at the school’s convenience store, then let out a sigh.
“Now what…”
Honestly, I was already regretting the promise I made to Yuna.
She might not care, being the rich girl she is, but eating out is way more expensive than I expected. And cooking for myself? No way I’d make anything satisfying.
I want to try, but I’d probably starve before my cooking skills got anywhere. Asking my parents for more allowance would get me nowhere, and letting my girlfriend pay for me is out of the question. My scraps of pride won’t allow it.
“You know how to cook, right?”
As a last resort, I messaged my only childhood friend and best bud, Suzu. No reply, even though it’s lunch break. Typical Suzu, but I’m desperate here, so I sent a follow-up LINE. Nothing. Radio silence.
Suzu goes to my school, but she’s in the art department, so she’s in and out. Plus, her building’s different from the general studies one I’m in, so even if I stormed over, I might not find her. Guess I’ll just wait for a reply.
“Ugh, the no-part-time-job school rule is killing me…!”
Slumped over my desk, I looked up as a friend came back, probably fresh from a battle at the school store.
“Midoriya! I’m back!”
“Welcome back, Gokaido.”
“Don’t make me climb two floors. It’s Nikaido.”
We went through our usual routine, and Nikaido Atsuya—aka Gokaido—took his seat. Judging by the katsu sandwich in his hand, he’d won the war at the store.
Nikaido’s one of my few friends. I hate to admit it, but it’s true. My below-average social skills make it tough to maintain friendships through all the moves and resets. Honestly, it’s a miracle I found someone I click with at this middle-high school, where only ten percent of students are new high school entrants.
With his trendy haircut and light brown hair, Nikaido looks like the ultimate extrovert. I didn’t think we’d get along when he first talked to me, but he’s surprisingly chill and easy to talk to.
Plus, he’s like a hundred times more plugged into school gossip than I am. He’s been a lifesaver since freshman year, keeping me on top of deadlines and events.
“Hey, I’ve got something I wanna run by you.”
“What’s up?”
“I told you I started living alone, right? I’m kinda struggling with food.”
“Food?”
“Yeah. I passed out from hunger yesterday.”
I laid out my food situation and what happened yesterday, and Nikaido gave me a look like I was the most annoying thing he’d ever seen.
“Making a cute girlfriend like that worry? You’re beyond hopeless, dude. You’re a teenage guy—fill your stomach and call it a day. Just grill some meat or something!”
“That’s what I tried, and it didn’t work, so I’m asking you! If it tastes bad, I lose the will to eat. I’m kind of a foodie, you know.”
“Ugh, you’re the worst…”
“I can hear you.”
“I’m saying it so you can hear, you fake foodie.”
I played it off with a “Wow, harsh,” and he glared at me even harder.
“Long-distance sounds rough, too. If she lived closer, she could cook for you.”
“Nah, that wouldn’t happen. She’s not exactly a master chef.”
“It’s not about the taste—it’s about the love, man.”
“No, it’s definitely the taste. I could handle it once, but every day? That’d be rough. I’d rather just get good convenience store food.”
“You tactless jerk! Don’t ever say that in front of your girlfriend!!”
“I wouldn’t! I’ve never said it to her!”
I’m aware I can be a bit tactless, but I’ve got enough sense not to say that to her face. I try not to say anything unless asked. You know, loose lips sink ships and all that.
But let me make one thing clear: I don’t eat to live—I live to eat. I’d rather have one amazing meal every two days than three mediocre ones a day. If I’m eating just for nutrition, I might as well give up.
I went off on Nikaido, and he sighed like I was a lost cause before shoving his phone in my face. It was an Instagrum account, loaded with mouthwatering dishes.
“Whoa! These look amazing!”
“You’re not in any clubs right now, right? Why don’t you join the cooking club?”
“…Wait, this account’s run by our cooking club?!”
“Yup. Pretty legit, right?”
I checked the account name, and sure enough, it read “Sakasaki Academy Cooking Club.” The follower count? A jaw-dropping 45,000.
It was just food pics, but every dish looked incredible. You could tell why it was so popular, student-made or not.
How did I not know about this until now? Oh, right—I’ve never been interested in making food. I probably heard about it and tuned it out.
“Wait, so I could learn to cook and eat stuff like this at school? That’s a dream come true! Is there really a club this perfect?”
“There is. And the food’s not the only thing that’s good.”
“…Good?”
Nikaido gave me a look like I was clueless, then muttered, “Guess you wouldn’t care with a girlfriend that cute,” before explaining with a smirk.
“The girls there are on another level. Like, Sakuraba Haru from the next class—she’s called the ‘goddess.’ Or Natsukawa Aoi, a first-year who’s insanely cute. Apparently, they’ve been famous since middle school.”
“Huh, yeah, makes sense.”
They must be. Even I, who gets chewed out by Nikaido for not paying attention to school gossip, have vaguely heard their names. Can’t picture their faces, though.
“But the guys who join don’t last. Rumor has it everyone who joined in April’s already quit.”
“Why? Is it, like, girls only?”
“Nah, guys can join. But let’s be real—most dudes join for the girls, right? And even if you get in, the girls are so cold it breaks you, and you quit.”
I panicked for a second, thinking my glimmer of hope was gone. The cooking club’s my only shot!
“I don’t care how cold they are. I’m confident I can tough it out.”
“Wait, you’re actually thinking about joining?”
“Dead serious. This is a life-or-death issue.”
“I’m the one who brought it up, but man, you’re fearless.”
“I’ve got nothing to lose.”
My only real friends at school are Nikaido and Suzu, my childhood buddy. I’ve got a few casual acquaintances, but no one I’d call close. All the moving’s made me kinda detached, I guess. Still, joining what’s basically a no-boys-allowed club feels daunting, but my survival’s on the line.
The risk of being seen as some creep chasing girls is nothing compared to the chance to eat amazing food for cheap club fees and learn to cook. That’s too good to pass up.
Armed with Nikaido’s golden tip, I bolted to the cooking club’s room—the school’s kitchen—right after homeroom.
“I’m here to join!” I declared, swinging the door open.
Instantly, about eight girls’ piercing stares locked onto me.
Well, damn. They’re all stunning.
No wonder people talk about the level here. As I nodded to myself, a strikingly mature beauty among them stopped chopping vegetables and approached me. A mole near her lips gave her an alluring edge.
Her indoor shoes were third-year colors.
“…So, you’re here to join?” she asked.
“Yup.”
“I’m the club president, Akina Miyase. Your name?”
“Midoriya Shiki.”
“Do you, uh, like cooking, Midoriya-kun?”
“Nope, can’t cook at all. That’s why I’m here—I’m in deep trouble.”
“Oh, I see…”
It didn’t seem like they flat-out rejected beginners, but the vibe from the president and the other members screamed, You’re not welcome. They probably thought I was here for the girls. I could practically feel the “What do we do with him?” glances shooting past me.
But I wasn’t about to let this lifeline slip through my fingers.
“I’m serious about this. I started living alone this year because of my parents’ job, and I can’t cook anything decent. I’m legit struggling. My girlfriend’s super worried about me, too.”
“…”
“I saw your Instagrum—everything looked insanely good. I figured if I joined, maybe I could learn to make something half-decent.”
And if I’m lucky, maybe you’ll share some of that food with me.
I laid out my case as pitifully as possible, but a sharp, icy voice cut through from behind.
“…Another annoying guy trying to join.”
I turned to see a stunning girl with milk-tea-colored hair tied in a high side ponytail, her face radiating displeasure. Her red indoor shoes marked her as a first-year.
She must’ve come in after me and overheard everything.
Her petite frame and the glimpse of her slightly crooked teeth gave her a small-animal vibe. But her breathtakingly gorgeous face made her grumpy expression intimidating enough to make me flinch.
“Aoi-chan, come on!” someone scolded.
“It’s the truth, isn’t it? We’re sick of dealing with guys like this.”
She dropped her bag on a desk, pulled an apron from a locker, and slipped it on with practiced ease.
“I’m Natsukawa Aoi.”
Natsukawa Aoi. Yeah, Nikaido mentioned her.
No kidding, she’s the kind of girl rumors are made of. Her face is just that perfect.
“…Uh, I’m Midoriya Shiki.”
“I know. I heard you.”
She said it curtly, then marched right up to me, pointing a finger in my face.
“This is the cooking club. If I see even a hint you’re not serious about cooking, you’re out.”
“So… I’m in?”
“Not like we have a choice. This is an official school club, so we can’t just reject you based on gender.”
Saved…!
Makes sense. As an official club, not some casual group, they can’t just block me on assumptions when I haven’t done anything wrong.
I love Sakasaki High. Love it to death. Sorry for all the times I cursed you out.
So, I might actually get to eat something delicious today!
Hell yeah, I’m pumped. My excitement was through the roof.
“Looking forward to working with you!”
“…I’m not. I won’t share my contact info, chop veggies with you, or make small talk. Just quit already.”
Natsukawa-san said it stone-faced, setting her stuff down as far from me as possible. Why’s she so cold? What did I even do? Talk about a bad start.
My outstretched hand for a handshake got completely ignored, leaving me deflated. The club president gave an awkward smile, trying to smooth things over.
“Haha… sorry about that.”
“No worries at all! Just being let in is more than enough!”
They’re probably fed up with guys joining for the girls. The president looked surprised at my quick response, which made me wonder what kind of dudes tried joining before.
But I’ve got my girlfriend and my survival on the line. I don’t want to be hated, but no matter how much they dislike me, I’m not quitting. Sure, getting along would be nice, but all my moves taught me people don’t just click easily. Sorry to Natsukawa-san, who was here first, but I’m sticking around with some thick skin.
“Ahem. Let’s see what you’ve got, then,” the president said, handing me a recipe book.
“It’s club tradition to have new members make a dish to gauge their skill level. Can you pick something from this book and make it?”
I flipped through it—hamburgers, nikujaga, fried rice—all stuff that actually looked like food. For someone like me, who can’t even stir-fry properly, this was way out of my league.
“Uh, this is all impossible. I’m a total beginner. I came here to learn from scratch!”
“Alright, how about tamagoyaki? It’s just mixing and frying eggs. You can handle that, right?”
“I’ve never even cracked an egg without getting shell in it. How do you do it without the shell?”
The president’s kind glance shifted to a mix of genuine pity and shock.
Please, don’t give up on me!
“Let’s just… give it a try!” President Miyase clapped her hands, forcing a cheerful vibe, and handed me an apron and some eggs.
After an eternity, I somehow finished the tamagoyaki. It didn’t even look like eggs anymore—more like something you’d call ink. Bits of white shell speckled the surface.
“Haha… so, this is my level.”
The dish screamed my incompetence before anyone even tasted it, but maybe out of duty as president, President Miyase took a bite.
“Ugh…”
She let out a groan and went silent.
“Senpai, I gotta say, it’s bold to join the cooking club with skills like that. Respect,” Natsukawa-san said, coming over to check. I couldn’t tell if it was sarcasm or genuine awe, but her words stabbed me, and the room’s stares turned harsh in a new way.
In a funeral-like atmosphere, I officially became a member of the cooking club.
That night, I video-called Yuna to tell her about my day.
Since we started long-distance, we’ve had a routine: video calls on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 11 p.m. Honestly, it’s a hassle some days, but skipping it could make us drift apart, so I’ve never missed one.
“Hey there!”
“Hey. You didn’t end up late this morning, right? Feeling okay since then?” Yuna’s voice was audibly relieved, her face softening even through the screen.
“All good, thanks to you.”
“I’m glad,” she said, her smile warm. “What about you? You got home okay? No trouble after coming to my place and staying over? Your parents didn’t get mad?”
“Surprisingly, it’s fine… I think they’ve kinda given up on me. Like, as long as I take over the family business, they’re good.”
Yuna forced a smile, her voice deliberately bright as she changed the subject.
“By the way, your dinner pic looked delicious tonight.”
“Right? I joined the cooking club, and they shared some with me.”
“You? In the cooking club?”
“No need to sound that shocked. I decided to step up so you wouldn’t have to worry. I wanna keep our promise.”
“I see,” she said, pausing as if embarrassed before smiling happily. “I hope you stick with it.”
Seeing that smile made joining the club worth it.
“Yup. Once I get better, I’ll cook for you, too.”
“Really?!”
“Stop acting so surprised.”
“I’m just… happy. It’d be great if you could make tasty food.”
The casual assumption we’d be together in the future wasn’t bad, but the long road to get there made it hard to respond.
Noticing my hesitation, Yuna clapped her hands and shifted gears.
“But, like, isn’t the cooking club full of girls?”
“…Yeah, pretty much.”
More like only girls.
Was she gonna tell me to quit? I braced myself, but Yuna just grinned mischievously.
“You gonna be okay, Shiki?”
“…Who knows.”
I started to argue, but Natsukawa-san’s words from earlier flashed in my mind.
Can I actually handle this?
After a beat, I answered, and Yuna’s face was a mix of awkwardness and relief.
She’s usually pretty rational and doesn’t get mad or suspicious when I talk to other girls. But since we went long-distance, I’ve caught glimpses of her insecurity. Would she get mad if I said that was kinda cute?
“What’re you grinning about? Make some friends while you’re there and actually learn to cook, okay?”
“Got it. I’ll try.”
Both seem tough, but I’ve got no choice.
I struck a playful fighting pose at the screen, and Yuna laughed.
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