1835 Tasked to Help Out

“Alright. This should be our division of tasks. Class 1 is in charge of the chicken porridge. Class 2 for the salted grilled salmons. Class 3 for the stir-fried tofu and vegetables as well as miso soup. And Class 4 for the egg rolls. Any questions?”

Taking the leading role again, I stood before the other 12 representatives of all Year 1 classes, listing what each class decided to make.

Given that I was the odd one out among them, they once again handed me this role just like how they unanimously made me step up earlier.

I could see my girls giggling to themselves while looking at me in admiration. On one hand, they found it amusing to see me step up like this, and on the other hand, they couldn’t help but admire my dedication despite my situation.

Maaya also maintained an amused smile. I’d probably hear her teasing me later. I should get even with her when I find the chance.

Anyway, Kobayashi, Umeda, and the rest were nodding their heads. No one raised their hands to protest against the distribution of dishes to make.

I turned my eyes to the Class 2 President and her two classmates, since preparing the fish would be the most arduous task, I thought they’d ask for some kind of leeway. Umeda even seemed to want to take that but in consideration of Maaya and the other guy, who I remembered to be among the top 5 of the previous popularity contest, she fell back on the easiest one to make. So much for being the daughter of a family eatery.

“Alright. Since there are no objections, let’s start. You twelve put me in this position so... I’ll help out my class first. Call me if you need my assistance.”

Yep. Being the leader also put me in a position where I am not exclusive to our class... Too much work for one person, no?

If not for my girls, I would’ve made them compensate me for this.

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Ten minutes later, while the others had started setting up the tables and seats, the stove in front of us was occupied by two large pots. They’re filled with water and the chopped chickens that we’d be using for the porridge.

Next to us, Class 2 was still busy cleaning and cutting the fish into fillets and dipping shortly in vinegar to reduce some of its pungent fishy smell.

On Class 3’s side, a huge wok was being heated on their stove. They’re then crouched down on the side as they prepare the green vegetables and slice the blocks of tofu. Umeda seems to be the one telling Maaya and the other guy what to do while she’s preparing the miso soup.

On Class 4’s side, Kobayashi and the other two girls from his class are breaking shells of eggs on a huge bucket. Since it’s easier to season and scramble the eggs all at once, that’s the hardest part of the side dish they’re going to make. Rolling the eggs on the specialized pan was easy enough even for a beginner.

With more than 100 mouths to feed, I doubt we’ll be able to finish cooking in an hour.

Thankfully, those who would be serving what we cooked were already preselected. So as soon as we finished here, we could quickly sit down and relax.

“Onoda-kun, can we ask for some help here?”

Five minutes later, the first call for help arrived from the neighboring class. There, I saw the Class 2 President having trouble lighting up the charcoal grill that they’d be using. Yep. The college students wanted us to use that instead of grilling them on a stove.

It’s the most ideal to use for grilling loads of them at once.

In any case, it seems like Class 2 decided to start cooking already even though the salmons have yet to be fully prepared.

That’s fine, I guess? Even if it’s considered a huge grill, they’ll be hard-pressed for time if they wait until they finish preparing the fish.

At the moment, since they give the task of preparing the salmons to the guy who, I must say, is pretty skillful at it, the Class 2 President was left to start the embers on the charcoal. She’s bad at it though so she called me for help.

Anyway, that made me wonder why he rejected Komoe's request for friendship. Did he take it the wrong way? I don't know. I never really tried to find out his reason and with the girl having moved on from it, there's no reason to find out properly anymore. At least, my impression of him is different from the delusional Ogawa or the arrogant Inugaki.

“Alright. You’re doing it wrong, Hayakawa-san. You should give the fire a breathing room first.” I said as I demonstrated how to do it to her. I piled up pieces of charcoal while keeping an open space beneath them where the fire could breathe. Then I pushed the lighter nozzle there and pulled the trigger to start the fire. “Look, once you get some of them flaming, they’ll spread to the other ones. The next thing you have to do is to spread them out and let the other charcoal catch the heat and fire. You have to regularly check on them though and refill them since they’ll turn to ashes in due time.”

After that demonstration, I handed the lighter back to Hayakawa who immediately thanked me for my help.

“How reliable, Onoda-kun.”

Suddenly, as I was about to return to my girls, I heard Shiina’s voice coming from somewhere. I followed the source and saw her observing not far away from us. She’s smiling contentedly as if she’s watching her favorite show play out in front of her eyes. Sawano wasn’t around. He’s supervising the boys bringing us buckets of water.

“You overpraised. It’s only because I have the knowledge for it. And it’s not that hard.”

“Yeah, right. You’re still as humble as that time.” Shiina smirked at me before backing away to observe the other classes on how they were faring.

Really, even after I told her to keep it a secret, she’s still going out of her way to approach me. Is my help that impactful before? No, right? Besides... it’s making me wonder what’s running in her head right now. Seeing me still in high school, she’s probably thinking that my introduction as Miwa-nee’s husband isn’t real.

Anyway, I also spotted Sara from a distance looking in my direction. From the way she’s fidgeting, she’s possibly deliberating whether to approach me or not. We left her while she was unconscious because of her wound back then, she must’ve been itching to thank me for that.

In any case, I acted like I didn’t see her and just returned to my girls and helped them out chopping onions and ginger for the porridge.

Not long after that, I was once again called for help. This time, it’s Umeda.

“Onoda-kun, can you help out Itou-san preparing those vegetables? We have our hands full here.”

As soon as I approached them, she pointed me to where Maaya was standing. There’s still a small mountain of cabbage, string beans, and potatoes next to her.

I thought we could ask the other students for help in preparing those ingredients but it seemed to be impossible when they’re still busy with the task we left behind for them. Hence, this situation.

Since it’s helping Maaya, I naturally wouldn’t decline it but Umeda, this girl... I couldn’t help but find this move intentional on her part.

Is she hoping to witness my interaction with Maaya? Well, no matter what her motive is... it’s still an opportunity for us.

“Sure. You should also help us out once you’re finished there. You don’t have to watch over the miso soup as it boils, no?”

“Pfft. You’re right. Don’t worry. I’ll also help out in a bit. Thanks.”

Without waiting for me to respond, the girl moved behind me and pushed me toward where Maaya was.

Of course, my girl had long noticed me and she’s not at all amused at Umeda. She didn’t voice it out though. Instead, she acted normally, receiving me with a genial smile. It’s not a secret that she’s close to me, after all.

However, as soon as Umeda returned to the stove and I began peeling the potatoes for her, Maaya warned me.

“Don’t get played by her, Ruki. She’s quite a headache to those she finds ‘interesting’. We haven’t seen each other eye to eye yet but I can assure you, you should be careful around her.”