Nashi-san Is Too Oblivious!

Practice Making A Delicious Bento!

{NASHI'S POV}
Here's the thing you need to know about Storm. Aside from certain times (*cough* devil magic *cough*) he has like no self-esteem.

That's why I've taken it upon myself to be his love practice partner until Storm is confident enough for the real thing! No need to applaud me.

We've spent the past few hours studying how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.

When will we ever use this in real life? I don't know, but if I dare to complain then Aunt Erza will make it so I have something bigger to complain about. Just look at how Dad follows her orders to a T!

I can't hold back anymore. My stomach growls loudly. I laugh sheepishly, rubbing my tummy. "Should we head back to the guild hall? I could inhale Aunt Mira's meatloaf right now."

Storm stands quickly. "I'll cook for you!"

I blink in surprise. I love to eat, but I'm a miserable chef. "I didn't know you could cook. That's so awesome, Storm!"

"Yeah, well..." Storm twiddles his fingers. "It's a decent skill to have. Besides, I-I—Storm wants to cook meals for the person he loves!"

Storm squeezes his eyes shut, face flushing yet again.

Ah ha! I've got it! Storm wants to make a bento for Emmy to eat, so he wants me to taste-test it to be sure that it's not terrible when he gives some to Emmy! I'm such a genius. Seriously Storm, your words could be easily misconstrued if I was anyone but your best friend.

"Okay!" I grin, empty stomach seconding my choice. Storm's face lights up and my smile broadens.

I sit at the low dining table, looking up at Storm as he moves about the kitchen. He looks so determined as he ties an apron around his torso. Based on the cute snowmen, it's Aunt Juvia's, but somehow that only adds to the quiet charm he exudes.

Storm and I are so comfortable around each other and I know him as a clumsy goofball, so sometimes I forget that other girls and even some guys see him as such a huge catch. They only stay away because they know about his one-sided love.

For Emmy.

My heart twinges. Hmmm... maybe I should visit Aunt Wendy and get that checked out.

The silence is electric as I watch Storm's arm muscles (he's quite well-built) flex up and down while he cuts up veggies for curry.

Suddenly I can't stay still. I jump up, anxious for anything to make this weird feeling go away. "Storm! Let me help you!"

"What?!" A look of panic crosses Storm's features as I grab the knife from his hands and swing down at the unsuspecting carrot.

I cleave the carrot, cutting board, and countertop in two. I turn to Storm and boink the top of my head, sticking out my tongue. "Oopsie."

Gently, he grabs the knife away from me. "Seriously, Nashi. I've got it. DO NOT come into the kitchen."

"Boo." I pout, returning to the dining table to watch as Storm deftly cleans up my mess.

I pull at my sweaty shirt collar to let some of the weird heat out. It sticks to me persistently, pooling. After what seems like forever, Storm sets the table.

He cooked all of my favorite foods, exactly the way I like them: extra-spicy curry and rice, hamburg steak with extra-spicy sauce, and a vanilla bean milkshake. It's all delicious. I wolf it down like a madman.

There's just one problem. Neither Storm nor Emmy likes extra-spicy food. Storm hasn't touched the meal even though he's probably hungry too. He's not going to make Emmy happy like this!

"It's delicious. But it should be less spicy tomorrow." I inform him between bites.

Storm's eyebrows crinkle. "You want it... less spicy? Do you not like it?"

"I love it!" I shout, pounding my hands on the table and making Storm jump. "But Emmy hates spicy food. She won't accept a bento like this!"

Storm blinks then his eyes widen. He scratches his cheek awkwardly. "Right. I forgot you thought that."

Not liking the uncomfortable atmosphere between us, I stuff my face with food.

"Nashi..." Storm takes a deep breath. Very timidly, he practice confesses, "The one that I like is you."

I lick sauce off my thumb. "Not a bad time for a confession, trying to win her heart with food first. But it definitely needs more oomph."

"You! I like you!" Storm shouts, rising. A vein pulses in his forehead.

"That's better." I critique. "But can you sound a bit less irritated when you confess for real?"

Storm collapses with a long sigh. "Your defenses are as impenetrable as ever."

"Mmmm!" I squeal, in my own slice of heaven while slurping on the milkshake.

Storm leans heavily onto his elbow and smiles slightly as he watches me pig out. I'm totally incorrect for thinking that his expression says, but that's what I love about you.