kyokkou
Though Hikaru always felt rather guilty when he made even the slightest mistake, he certainly couldn’t cling to his guilt too tightly when around someone as cheerful as Hui Fang was right now. There was simply no use– and he conceded, taking the bag handed to him without hesitation. As one might expect, before he was able to lead the way to the kitchen, the pitter-patter of the medium-sized dogs greeted them, followed by some pleased yips as they sniffed around the two. Hikaru didn’t shoo them away at all, simply letting them go about their business as he took his shoes off and put his work belongings down in the entrance. That, too, was subject to their checking, and once they were distracted, he led the way to the kitchen.
“I really appreciate you picking up the groceries, I’m not a big fan of take out food, if I’m being honest,” Hikaru admitted. The kitchen was essentially the only room that he could really call his own, and he genuinely enjoyed being in it. The rest were all shared, but Kiku would not go near the kitchen unless he was getting something to eat that was already prepared… or make tea. The differences between the two of them when it came to the kitchen and how to use it were like night and day.
That said, it didn’t have many modern amenities at all; the rice cooker he had was the most recent purchase, and he didn’t even use it himself. It was solely meant for Kiku to use during the times Hikaru was away at meetings, as Hikaru felt too guilty leaving him without some way to make food for himself that didn’t involve open flames. Even if he just made some rice and bought instant curry to put over it, that was enough to make Hikaru sleep a little easier when he was away from home. As for his own preference, Hikaru still preferred to use the kamado that had been there since the house had been constructed in the early Meiji era– it was the most prominent part of the kitchen, as he intended. Changing with the times was something Hikaru was far too reluctant to do.
“I hope the kitchen isn’t too difficult to use. I don’t mind cutting the vegetables, but if you find this kitchen too dated compared to what you’re likely used to, we can trade,” he assured, before heading over to a set of frosted-glass paneled doors, and sliding one open. Those were meant to hide the more modern amenities that had been squeezed in somewhere in the postwar period. It looked at least somewhat like a typical kitchen one might find in any apartment in Tokyo; all along one wall, sink included, and a ventilation fan near a small window. Some utensils hung above that window, and there were more in the cupboards beneath the sink and range.
Hui Fang was pretty glad that the dogs came back and that she could scratch them behind their ears, cooing sweet, silly things to them. After all, she loved dogs, especially smaller ones. Big dogs were always scary because if they ever jumped on her she didn’t stand a chance. Still, she hurried after him, ready to cook. “Oh, really? I don’t mind it if it’s a good spot.” She shrugged as she entered the kitchen.
As he spoke about his kitchen, she took a hair tie from her backpack and gathered all of her long brown hair in a neat, high ponytail, so no stray hair would escape into the food and bother any of them - plus, it was easier to cook without all of her hair in her face. “It’s fine, it’s fine, you worry far too much, you know?” She chirped, in her usual cheerful manner. “I am used to it. You should see what China’s kitchen looks like. Yikes, I tell you.” She laughed as she started pulling out things. A bag of rice, all kinds of vegetables, a sirloin steak, eggs, a bottle of some non-alcoholic drink, a strawberry shortcake and all kinds of spices. She wasn’t sure what they had, but she assumed they had soy sauce. What Eastern Asian nation wouldn’t have soy sauce?
Hui Fang moved through the kitchen with surprising ease, as if she used it all the time. She found some bowls, a cutting board and a knife, chopsticks, pots, pans, the works. She put the rice in the cooker and started handing him some of the fruits that she was washing. “Here, cut these thin, yeah?”
As they started to cook side by side, it was surprising to see someone like Hui Fang who was always rushing about was so calm and peaceful while cooking. Who knew she could be put like this.a
