Our Song - Danganronpa

Chapter 7

Well, this is awkward, Y/N thought.

Here they were, stir-frying vegetables in a roomful of commotion but no one was talking in Y/N's group.

Although a few weeks had passed since then, and almost everything had gone back to normal, it's been different with Hajime. Y/N wasn't sure what it was, but there was a slight shift in their dynamic. Hajime continued his daily memes and joked as usual, every time he interacted with Y/N, it was stiff. He acted as if nothing happened but there was still something off.

Teruteru was absent today and Kiyotaka was focused on staying on track, not cutting either Y/N or Hajime's slack. Culinary class was dull and Y/N sighed for the fifth time that hour. They tapped the counter rhythmically with a wooden spoon.

"I kind of miss Teruteru," Hajime said to Y/N. "It's boring without him."

Y/N was startled, it was the first time he had spoken to them during that period. "Be careful of what you wish for."

"Yeah? At least if he were here the vegetables wouldn't have been cut so unevenly."

"Hey, I did my best. You can't do any better."

"Of course I can."

"You two, stop chit-chatting and check the rice to see if it's ready. It should be done by now," Kiyotaka commanded.

"Yes sir," Hajime half-joked. He lifted the lid off the pot and fluffed the rice. "Yeah, it's ready."

"Okay, turn off the stove," he instructed.

Y/N set the table while Hajime and Kiyotaka served the food. Y/N enjoyed Culinary class. Not only did they get to learn to make dishes, but the end results were always rewarding and delicious.

Y/N dished themself a plate. They poked at the stir-fried carrot. They didn't like carrots: it was one of their least favorite vegetables. They bit into it anyway to dry their handiwork. It was true that it was slightly thicker than what it was supposed to be, but it didn't make it any less delicious. For a carrot anyway.

"Is it good?" Hajime asked his group, taking a seat next to Y/N.

"Of course it's good, we made it as a team!" Kiyotaka answered.

"I wonder if the vegetables cooked all the way through," Hajime teased.

Kiyotaka nodded, not realizing it was a joke. "It's true that your cutting could use a little more practice."

"I tried, okay? Someone else cut them next time," Y/N scowled. "And whoever made the rice made it a little too watery."

Hajime shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry. I'm so used to making rice in a rice cooker."

"It's fine, at least it isn't mushy." Despite the wet rice, the meal was decent. Y/N continued to converse as they ate. "Do you know what we're cooking next time?"

"I believe we're making chicken noodle soup," Kiyotaka stated. "Would it be alright if we cut back on the salt? I've always found it salty."

"I don't think it'll be too salty since we're making it from scratch. It's only ever salty in cans because they need to preserve it," Y/N replied.

"Is that so? Then I hope it'll be a success!"

"Just as long as someone doesn't mix up the sugar and salt, right?" Y/N joked. They turned to Hajime when there was no follow-up comeback but he was already staring. "What?"

"Uh, nothing. It's just that you got a little something there."

"Here?" Y/N blindly swiped at the corner of their mouth.