Chie/Aika ~Acknowledgment~
~Aika’s Point of View~
From childhood I had the fortune (or misfortune depending on how you view it) of being ignored. Not in a bully way mind you, as if I didn’t really exist. Whenever the teacher called my name, others would look around and then notice me. The whispers of ‘who is she’, ‘how long has she been there?’ would follow.
Rumors began about me being a ghost, hence why nobody could see me. But that wasn’t the case. I was visible, but I had nothing to say. Not to the boys, and not to the girls.
Girly stuff didn’t interest me, but neither did boy stuff. Like my grandfather, I love to cook. It’s something that I discovered early on.
I don’t mind talking about it, but really; who wants to talk about a cooking? especially children, when all they care about at that point in their lives is cars, explosions and just being cool?
Cooking is certainly not ‘cool’ for the boys, and girls don’t care about cooking at all at that age either, rather minding their physical beauty and status quo; both which much like the boys interest, I did not care for either.
So I wasn’t a ghost, more like…a stranger with no stories to tell. Those lonely wanderers you see around that nobody pays attention to. For years as I grew, this continued. Nobody bothered me, I was left alone to my business…which at the time was nothing more than learning the Aiya family recipe to continue working on the restaurant, and of course education, though just the basics as I wouldn’t need to go to college for what I want to do.
Cooking tends to calm me. It’s difficult to explain why, but whenever I’m cooking, I lose track of time and myself. It’s like…like I’m completely focused on it and ignore everything else. The world could be ending for all I know and I would never notice. Not that it matters, because nobody notices me…at least that’s what I thought until one day, one person changed that…the very person whom my heart now clings to.
It was an early summer day when she came into the store…we were both kids, but I was with grandpa learning to cook, and I took her order for practice at the request of grandpa. It was a simple beef bowl, fairly easy to do given my limited experience. It was done within a few minutes, and my grandpa handed the bowl to her.
"Wow thanks!" the girl grinned as she digs in "Wow!" she stopped after the first bite "Did you make this?!"
My grandpa shook his head “No I’m afraid that would be my granddaughter” he moves to his left to reveal myself standing on a chair (I was little at the time). I prepared myself for the inevitable ‘there’s no one there’ remark or ‘where was she five minutes ago?’ comment, but none of that came…
"Wow!" the girl chimed "You made this?! You’re pretty good! Say what’s your name?!"
My heart suddenly began beating harder. She…noticed me “…I-I’m…A-Aika…”
"Cool" she nods "I’m Chie! Thanks for the bowl! You’re a great chef!"
My heart beat faster again. Not only did she notice me…she acknowledged me…
"…T-Thank you" I uttered out of the nervousness I was feeling. The girl…Chie didn’t even seem to notice.
"Hey no probs!" She said as she munches through the beef "I really love meat you know! So thanks a lot for your help!"
"…Y-You’re welcome." I meeped out, feeling my cheeks heat up for some reason. This feeling, it was unknown to me at the time…but I liked it.
"Well I gotta get going" Chie said after finishing the bowl minutes later "But yeah really Aika-chan thanks again!" she grinned.
Again, my heart beats faster at that smile, and I feel the need to smile back. It felt strange to do that, yet so…natural “C-Come again whenever you…want more of our meals…”
"Of course!" Chie laughs "I’m a regular here, so I’ll always see you Aika-chan."
`See you See you See you` those words echoed in my ears, my mind continues to repeat them, slowly coming to the realization that this girl…will always see me.
I won’t be a ghost to someone, but an actual person to talk to, to serve to, to be a friend to.
…I smiled again, and I felt really happy.
I hoped for Chie’s visit next time. I’ll cook harder for her.
As Chie promised, she came. I slowly took notice that she comes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and rainy days. Holidays it depends. At times another girl would join her. Yukiko Amagi is her name. She seems nice, if quiet…like me. I took a liking to her, but my focus was mostly on Chie. I learn a lot about her on her visits since we make small talk.
She’s physically strong, sharp on her senses…not so much on studies, but she’s very athletic, and wants to protect everyone.
From what I don’t know, but it is kind of hopeful to see Chie beat up bad guys. She’s like the town hero in some way. Chie is…noticed by many.
I like that about her. She’s fearless, passionate, vigorous…I admire Chie.
Chie had traits that I… that I wish I had, myself. I looked up to Chie, in many ways. I wondered… could I be as noticed, and as loved as her?
People love my food…but not ME, except for Chie…and I like that. I like Chie. She notices ME, not just my food unlike the other customers. It makes me a bit jealous that I can’t see her after work because my shifts are so long.
But I cherish the moments I share with Chie when she shows up. Though not for long, we talk… we smile, we laugh…
It’s only after a few months that I realize that I… I may be falling for her.
I feel that every time she comes by, I have nothing to worry about. My loneliness vanishes for that time period that she’s near me; her smile fades away any concerns about not being…here. Chie makes me feel like I belong somewhere in this world, not just this restaurant, but out THERE.
So when grandfather asked me to focus more on delivery services, I took it without a second thought. I’d be able to be outside more, and hopefully, see Chie in action.
I took her orders every time, and I admit I gave those priority over all…a little biased, but for my favorite client, and growing crush, I would do what I need to do in order to know her better, and hopefully learn a bit about…myself.
We met time and time again — Chie continuing to order the same meal: the Beef Bowl. And every time, without fail, I would rush to her side and deliver her meal as fast as I could, regardless of where she was.
I got better at it I admit. I even learned of new routes around Inaba that I didn’t knew, so I took every shortcut I could to get to her as quick as possible.
"Thanks Aika-chan!" Chie would smile, and for me; that meant a lot.
Our conversations were still small, but… I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a shame I was too busy.
…Though surprisingly, my grandfather gave me a day off; a Saturday, one of Chie’s ‘free days’.
So I decided to see if I could spend some time with her…maybe even tell her if I feel brave enough. We are at our 2nd year of high school. I think I’ve waited enough for my feelings to develop…I hope.
I find her at the riverbed training…I should have known. I approach her normally and sit down near the bleachers to watch her train. I don’t want to disturb her concentration.
I worry somewhat. Would her seeing me here creep her out?
…No, I reassure myself. It won’t. Besides, I haven’t come empty-handed. Like always, even though I have a day off, I brought with me the usual — a delicious Beef Bowl.
I put it down next to me and wait for Chie to finish. She ends with one last harrowing kick…I think she just called it ‘Galactic Kick’. Interesting nickname for an attack; regardless Chie takes a deep breath and exhales, then turns around and blinks, noticing me there “Aika-chan?”
I smile and greet her “Hello Chie-chan.”
~End of Aika’s Point of View~ ~Normal Point of View~
Chie, despite her fatigue, jogs over to me. “Wh-What are you doing here, don’t you have work?”
"I’m off today." Aika smiled, showcasing the Beef Bowl she brought. "It’s your favorite. You should eat up."
"…Ah!" Chie just noticed the beef bowl "Y-you brought it for me…?!"
I nod “It’s on me…as a friend” she smiled “Please eat up Chie-chan.”
"A-Aww, Aika… you really didn’t have to." Chie seemed humbled, as she took her seat. "But… thank you so much! I was craving one of these!" She admitted. "How much do I owe you?"
"Hm…" Aika pondered it. "Just a bit of your time today — if you’re not busy, that is."
"Sure!" Chie nods as she begins to eat "Man you’re really great Aika…a hard worker if you don’t mind me saying that."
"Of course not" she shook her head "But you are a hard worker too Chie-chan."
"Pfft, yeah" she admits "But I think your work is harder. I mean I have to train my body, you have to exercise your mind to make sure you don’t screw up the ingredients and the orders for a lot of people. Doesn’t that get tiring?"
"It does, but it’s not as strenuous as training yourself." Aika admitted. "I would never be able to endure the kind of training regime you put yourself through. It’s… inspiring. You’re so strong."
"Well…" Chie blushed "I think you’re strong too Aika-chan. I guess we’re both strong in our fields. I doubt I’d be able to take orders and make them so perfectly every single time" she sighs "I can’t even cook a simple omelet…stupid bear…" she grumbled
Aika chuckled, knowing who she’s referring to. “Is that so?” she smiled. “I’m certain you can do what I can do with some training.”
"Heh" Chie grinned "Think you can do some of my kicks with training?"
"Well…I don’t know" she admits "I’ve never pictured myself as a fighter. I don’t believe I have the uh…physique for it."
"Well…" Chie mused. "Even if you can’t kick as hard as I can, I can show you how I train if you want! Teach you as best as I can! You’re strong too, Aika-chan, there’s no denying that!"
Aika blushed at that “…Thank you Chie-chan…Your words of inspiration touch me. To tell you the truth…” she fiddled with her skirt “I did come for another reason.”
"Oh?" Chie blinked "And what’s that?"
Aika’s face was flushed — she glanced down, fiddling with her fingers. “I-I, umm…” she muttered. “I want… I want to tell you something, Chie. A-Ah, rather, confess something to you…”
"…?" Chie tilted her head "Confess?" before she could ask, Aika leaned forward, and pressed her lips on Chie’s cheek, leaving a soft kiss for about a few seconds before pulling out "….I-I like you…"
Chie sat there, staring at nothingness with a blank expression. “…”
Aika began to worry at her silence. “…I… I-I’m sorry…! I acted out of line, I—”
"No, it’s fine…" smiled Chie.”I, ahh…" her cheeks flushed red. "I like you, too…"
"H-huh!?" Aika’s eyes widened, and in the surprise, Chie leaned forward and gently pressed her lips onto Aika’s for a soft kiss. This one lasts a bit longer, and pulls back after nearly twice the time. Chie blushes and looks at Aika "I hope that wasn’t too out of line now."
Aika wore the silliest smile on her face, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “…I-It wasn’t. It absolutely was not.” she smiled. “Chie-chan… do you really mean this? I… I mean… how long have you felt this way about me…?”
"Um…some time now" Chie admits "I can’t remember when exactly though, but I just knew after a while. My heart went ‘bump bump, bump bump!’ whenever I saw you…so" she blushed a bit "T-That’s why I ordered so much your delivery services. The food of course too cause I love it, but I wanted to see you too. You look so cramped in that restaurant, I thought that a little fresh air would be nice for you…you know?"
"Ch-Chie…!!" Aika’s eyes widened. "All this time… you were thinking about me…?" she blushed. "I-I can’t… I can’t believe you… strong not only in body, but in heart as well," she muttered. "I… I-I’m truly blessed to have someone like you in my life…"
"H-Hey!" Chie blushed "You’re a blessing to me too, a strong woman and a great cook."
"I guess we noticed the best of us" She said "Thank you for noticing me…"
Chie seemed flustered. “Wh-Why wouldn’t I notice such a sweet girl like you? You’re very…” she paused, looking for the right words. “Precious to me.”
Aika blushed, and got flustered too “Precious…?”
Chie nodded “Mm! Like…” she mused. ”You’re very dear to me. I… I care about you a lot. You make me feel so… so happy.”
"You too…to me" The chef spoke softly "You make me feel…alive. Worth something outside of work…I feel like an actual person Chie-chan…"
Chie’s face flushed red again, hiding her embarrassment by pressing her hands to her face. “Th-That’s…! Aika-chan, I’m… I-I’m really honored to hear that~”
The two hug each other and smile, pressing their lips against the other one more time before deciding to walk away in harmony.
The two gazed at each other, happily entwining their fingers together. “…I’m so happy I could share a moment like that with you…” Aika blushed.
“Ah Aika-chan” Chie nuzzles her cheek with the chef’s “We’ll have more of those!” she giggled as she gently presses her lips on Aika’s nose “Love you my meat princess!”
"P-Princess?" Aika gasped, giggling contently as she nuzzled her nose against Chie’s. "…So if we can marry… would we be King and Queen?"
Chie giggled at the nuzzling and nods “King Chie and Queen Aika of the Meat Dimension!”
"It’s a lovely idea!" Aika exclaimed — and for the first time, Chie saw her give a genuine laugh; a long, happy laugh. A laugh that’s lively and full of hope, one that fills Chie with joy to hear for the first time
'Aika…you are no ghost, and I'll make sure of that'
The two walk hand-in-hand with jokes of their future kingdom and with a date already in mind. To think that a simple beef bowl could bring two unknown people together.
No one is unseen, it just takes the right person to be seen; the right person is the one that will see itself in you, because it will see you in itself.
~The End~