A Spice in Life (Shokugeki no Soma x Fem!Reader)

Chapter 4- Cooking for a Nude Man

(Name)'s POV

"I can't take you seriously when you're nude..." I uncomfortably stared at Isshiki a bit when Soma
suddenly jumped up.

He did his signature bandage thingy and shouted, "Hang onto your seat!"

We're sitting on the ground.

Realizing that I should do something too, I jumped up to my feet but slipped on my socks and landed back down on my butt. Ignoring the pain in my tailbone, I forced myself up and acted as if nothing happened as the two males sweatdropped. They stared awkwardly as if waiting for me to speak.

"My butt hurts."

You have quite a way of ruining the atmosphere, (Name).

I know.

"Does your family run a traditional Japanese restaurant, by any chance?" Soma questioned Isshiki after inspecting his dish.

"Why do you think that?"

"Spanish mackerel grilled with Chinese pepper is a common Japanese dish, but it can't be made this well by just any establishment." Isshiki chuckled softly as he brought his finger to his chin in thought at Soma's words.

Soma then proceeded to further inspect Isshiki's dish as I waddled over and crouched next to him.

I pinched off a small piece and placed it in my mouth, only to be greeted with a mild smooth sweetness that greatly complimented the mackerel. It reminded me greatly of springtime. I let out a small hum of delight as I picked off anther piece.

I looked at Soma who seemed to be deep I thought and lightly tapped his shoulder. His gaze snapped towards me and I nodded my head lightly towards the dish.

"Are you gonna eat that?"

*~*~*~*~*

I ignored the two males currently conversing as I finished off Isshiki's dish, licking the plate clean. I placed it down and then began listening in on what the two were saying.

"I'll use the same ingredient. I'll serve you Yukihira's popular menu item, with the same spring theme as yours." Soma said, turning to face the silent Isshiki.

I stood up from the ground, slowly this time, and stood there as if reluctant for a minute as I realized I also had to participate. "Wait, we're doing this now-oh, okay." I cut myself off, trying not to ruin the moment once more as I headed out the door to the kitchen.

*~*~*~*~*

Since there was only one cooking station in the room, I let Soma have it and went downstairs to the main kitchen to cook my dish.

Let's see, it seems like I'll be making mackerel... And I think they said something about spring?

I glanced down at the mackerel in my hands as I pushed open the door and turned on the light.

I placed the mackerel down on the counter and quickly pulled back my hair and washed my hands. After that was done, I washed the mackerel and immediately began on the dish. I didn't want to take too long, I knew Soma would be done soon.

I better make extra just in case the others wake up. 

I grabbed a pot and quickly heated up soy sauce, mirin, sake, and some yuzu lemon together and put in the mackerel to marinate it. The heat would speed up the marination but it wouldn't cook the fish either. While it marinated, I preheated the oven to 400°F. When the timer for the oven went off, I took the mackerel and placed it on a baking pan and put it into the oven. I then set the timer for ten minutes and stepped back to let it cook.