Free! Iwatobi Swim Club [Drabble Collection]

Mackerel Man [Haruka Nanase

[Name] pressed the spatula delicately against the sizzling fish. Frying it to perfection, she hummed a little tune through her lips whilst smothering the fish with a fistful of spices and herbs. Flipping it for the umpteenth time, a smile of satisfaction spread across her face as she plated the food. She wasn’t a complete wiz in the kitchen and her boyfriend couldn’t agree more. He was indeed a picky eater, but she was determined to cook for him until she could find just one dish he found edible.

Meanwhile Haruka sat in the dining room patiently; he faced [Name] as she set the piping hot food on the table, “Here, Haru-kun!” [Name] grabbed a portion of the fish between her chopsticks, inching it nearer to his mouth, which he hesitantly opened.

Fish? This was different. It didn’t smell too bad as it passed his nose and was popped in his mouth. [Name] slowly retracted the chopsticks as he bit into the crispy skin, the soft flesh beneath it seemed cooked, too. So far so good. The seasonal herbs then kicked in, sending his taste buds into flavour frenzy. An explosion of tastefulness bursting in his mouth. He swallowed the food whilst [Name] sat kneeling beside him, waiting for Haruka to pass judgement on her meal. The critique she knew he was could turn her food down in an instant.

At last he nodded in approval, with a smirk appearing on his face, “This fish is good, what kind is it?” His words of praise set [Name]’s heart a-flutter as she announced the dish that would forever be marked as his favourite.

“Mackerel!”