Nina was both nervous and excited. Nervous because tomorrow would be her departure day and excited because her best friend had just advanced to the final of a certain ga tournant.
As much as she wanted to call and celebrate it with him, she had the last preparation to do. On top of that, she felt the situation between them was still a bit awkward since that last outing. She was embarrassed that she cried in front of him and hugged him tightly.
In fact, she hadn't even ssaged him even once since that ti. She planned to do it tonight and had the last talk before leaving.
But for now, her preparation was more important. She couldn't leave without that last item.
"Dad! Where is my apron? I put it in the laundry room to dry it yesterday!" She shouted with her head peeking at the hallway.
She was expecting an answer or a sight of her dad, Chef Rush, appearing from the end of the hallway. But what greeted her was silence.
"Where is he going?" She grumbled in a low voice and walked down the hallway.
Before, Chef Rush promised to help her prepare. It wasn't her fault for watching Max's livestream because she certainly couldn't miss one, but she only needed the final preparation now. Only an apron was left to put inside her bag, and she was ready for tomorrow morning.
"Dad?"
Nina entered the kitchen, having a feeling that her father was inside. If not in the living room, then he would test a new nu in the kitchen.
When she moved the curtain, she spoke again.
"Are you here, dad?"
Chef Rush was indeed inside. She saw him imdiately standing behind a blazing stove. But… What she didn't expect was that Max was sitting on a chair in front of the desk they often used to test a new nu.
Due to surprise, she froze in place.
"Oh, you're here." Chef Rush said, raising his head. "The boy is here for you."
"Afternoon, Nina. Hahaha, I didn't know the restaurant was closed today. Chef Rush allowed to co inside and try his new nu." Max scratched his cheek and laughed in a playful manner, just like how he usually was.
Nina felt a little stupid for feeling awkward eting him. They were still friends. There was nothing to be awkward about between each other.
'Ugh… I want to bury myself.' She thought as her lips curled up into a big smile.
"Ah, you didn't ask first!" She approached him and sat on the next chair, "If you ssaged , I would tell you. We're preparing for my departure this morning, so there is no ti to prepare for the ingredients."
"Haha, I see. I thought the restaurant would always be open regardless of the day, so I didn't do that. And, well… I have been kind of busy lately. Sorry if I seldom show up."
"What are you talking about?!" Nina protested with a cute pout.
"I know you're still playing that Midnight Heist and have a tournant. You should focus on that." She reprimanded. Her pout turned into a toothy grin, "And talking about the tournant, congratulations! You have advanced to the final! That's really amazing."
"Thanks." Max smiled, but Nina thought there was sothing wrong with that.
She tilted her head slightly and humd, "Was it not sothing to be congratulated about?" She asked, a bit unsure about it herself.
"No, it's indeed sothing to be congratulated about." Max shook his head and explained, "But I was just a bit dissatisfied with the result. Not that it's bad, but… You know? Like when you cook sothing, but it doesn't end like how you imagined it to be. The taste is different."
"Ah, I know that feeling." Nina nodded repeatedly with crossed arms, "It just feels like sothing is missing!"
"Yeah. That's what I feel." He answered with a bright smile. "I am ready to compete for the position in the final. But my opponent's team suddenly surrendered. Imagine it, Nina. You're pumped up to test a new recipe, but the main ingredient is missing.
How would you feel?"
"I would shout loudly in rage because of it. It's the worst!"
"See?! That's how I feel right now!"
Both of them laughed while talking about it. There was no awkwardness presented at the start. It was lted by the cheery atmosphere behind them, returning them to when they were just a simple best friend. Before Nina laid her feelings bare.
This conversation lifted any nervousness Nina had felt earlier. She felt like she could depart without leaving any feelings behind tomorrow.
'Yup, this is the best for us.' She thought as she giggled while listening to Max's story about the tournant and the practice session with his friend.
There was no need to take a step further. Her feeling was that both of them realized it was better to be buried.
'It's a sha I can't et the girl that makes him fall, though.' She mused in her mind. An idea suddenly flashed in her mind as she rembered that the girl Max fell in love with also lived in the sa city. 'Or I can?'
"Max–"
"It's done."
Before Nina could say anything, however, Chef Rush's voice interrupted. She imdiately sent a death glare at her dad, which he brushed off as if it were nothing.
"Eat first, then talk later." The giant chef put two bowls of noodles with red broth in front of them. A healthy heap of char siu was placed on top. "I will leave you both alone. And Nina, the apron is in the living room. You put it there this afternoon in a daze."
"Ah! I-I see." Nina stuttered as her expression returned to normal. "Umm, thanks, dad."
Nodding, Chef Rush took off his chef hat and walked out of the kitchen. An awkward air brimd between them again, but Max shattered it with a cough.
"Earlier…" He said, "You wanted to ask sothing. What is it?"
"Ah, that…" Nina hesitated now. The interruption earlier made her think twice.
Still, she was so curious and at least wanted to et that girl once. So she asked.
"Do you think you can introduce to Lily before I depart, Max? You know… I wanted to talk a little and be friends with her if possible!"
If there was sothing Max didn't expect from Nina's question, it would be this request. He looked a bit troubled, but eventually nodded.
"I will ask her. Is tonight okay?" He asked, "She's probably free, and I also have no plans besides going to the park to exercise."
"That's perfect!" Nina exclaid and clasped her hands, "Thanks."
"It's nothing." He said, smiling softly. "Now, let's eat before the noodles beco soggy. I don't want Chef Rush to get mad at for wasting a perfectly fine noodle."
"Hahaha, you're right."
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