Apathetic

Ch. 17

Helping peel off potatoes, Kotoha sweetly hummed as she prepared lunch alongside several other members in the kitchen. The rhythmic sound of peeling filled the air, and the warm scent of vegetables wafted around them. She diligently worked, placing each peeled potato one by one into a large pot bubbling on the stove, surrounded by an atmosphere of camaraderie.

"Okay, Kotoha, I think we've got enough potatoes for lunch," Emiyo said, her tone tinged with irritation as she scrubbed the remaining vegetables vigorously under running water. She flicked a glance over her shoulder, noticing the mountain of potatoes Kotoha had accumulated.

"Oh oops! I think I overdid it," Kotoha replied, her face flushing with embarrassment. Her gaze dropped, and she fiddled with her apron strings, feeling shame wash over her for what seemed like her usual blunders.

Hisashi, standing nearby and slicing carrots with remarkable speed, glanced over with a gentle smile. "Hey, it's never a bad thing to be prepared. We can always save them for later." He gave her a reassuring nod, his voice friendly and warm.

Emiyo huffed, casting a frustrated glance towards Kotoha. "Yeah, well, maybe we can focus on not making more messes, too. I just got my kimono cleaned!" Her brow furrowed, clearly irritated.

"Emiyo-san, I understand how important it is for you to wear your kimono to meet our gracious leader in a hour, but I don't think it's wise to wear it while handling your kitchen duties," Hisashi remarked, carefully placing the freshly peeled carrots into a bowl and then carrying them over to the sink to be.

Emiyo scoffed, her frustration boiling over as she roughly tossed the remaining vegetables onto Hisashi's carrot bowl. "Our gracious leader wouldn't want to see a dirty or stained lovely kimono on me. It's simply inappropriate, don't you think?" She huffed, adjusting her sleeves with a hint of defiance in her tone.

"Besides, it has been too long since I have one of my personal meetings with him." Emiyo glared at Kotoha, irritation flickering in the corners of her dark brown eyes. Ever since her leader had developed a particular interest in Kotoha, her own meetings with him had become rare, leaving Emiyo with a growing resentment towards her rival. Now, however, fate had presented her with an opportunity to see him again. He had asked to wear a special kimono for their upcoming activity, and Emiyo was determined not to let this chance slip away.
"I want to make sure our meeting goes very well."

Kotoha, who was nearby, perked up with a bright smile, completely unfazed by the tension. "I'm really sorry, Emiyo! I wanted to help, but I got carried away," she chimed, her eyes wide with sincerity.

"Your help is perhaps a little too much," Emiyo replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. With a deep sigh, she removed her apron and tossed it into the hamper as she started toward the exit.

"Emiyo? Where are you going?" Miya, who was busy cutting the beef, looked over with concern, her knife momentarily pausing in mid-air as her partner is making the seasoning.

"You're not supposed to leave during your kitchen duty!" Aimi added, her voice filled with disbelief as she checked on the vast pot of rice bubbling on the stove along with another member.

"I am not leaving! I'm just taking a breather," Emiyo snapped back, striding out of the kitchen with an air of indignation, her mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming meeting.

Hisashi shook his head, a hint of a smile playing on his lips despite the chaos. "That young girl's attitude needs some serious work," he muttered to himself, continuing his kitchen duties with a sense of calm.

The kitchen buzzed around them, filled with the sounds of chopping and boiling. "Kotoha-san! I know it was Emiyo's role to make the broth, but since she's taken a breather, would you mind if you helped out?" Hisashi asked, glancing over at Kotoha, who was busy measuring out rice.