crescentview | ( summer catch-all! )

[ That gets him to laugh as he finishes dicing the carrot. ]

Grab the scallions out of my bag and cut them into thin slices.

( OKAY, BOSS. she washes and cuts the scallions. some parts are thick, some are thin, some are VERY thin, but she tried her best. )

Okay! What's next?

[ Gaku inspects her cutting, and while he could let this go, he decides that he's here for a purpose, so. ]

Cut the thicker bits in half so they match the thin ones. We don't want a bunch of thick pieces in the rice. That'll mess up the balance.

[ His phrasing might be blunt, but his tone is instructive more than anything else. ]

( honestly? she appreciates it! )

Right...! Okay! ( on her second attempt, Amber manages! she actually feels a little bit proud of herself! )

Wow! Those look way better!

Right?

[ He smiles, reaching into his bag and pulling out some rice. ]

We'll be using rice I made last night for this. Heat up some vegetable oil in a skillet for me.

[ Gaku will let her do that on her own, but he'll be watching just in case... ]

Oh, cool!

( FORTUNATELY, if there's anything Amber can do, it's temperature control. after twisting the knob on the stove and grabbing the pan, she pours the oil in and swirls it around so that every part of the base is covered. she then places it on the hob, leaning on her hand with a smile.

it's just ... oil in a pan, but she's very excited. ok. )

[ Gaku is breaking up some of the rice while she does that, and when he sees that it's smoking just a bit, he grins. ]

Great job.

[ And he pours half the rice into the skillet. ]

Now cook that until it's lightly toasted.

[ He'll be getting the chicken ready in the meantime. ]

Okay!

( she's definitely picking up a trick or two - because Amber is focused, paying as much attention to this as she would an Outrider lesson from her Grandpa. she may not have had the cooking bonding experience with family, but she's definitely having it with a friend! it feels so nice. as the rice browns while she stirs, she can't stop smiling. )

You know ... I'd never normally hang around the hob while I cook. ( who could've guessed jhjfkhdfkdshjsl ) I'd get distracted and run off to do other things to entertain myself. But seeing it get cooked right before my eyes is actually a lot more exciting than I thought it would be!

[ Oh.

No wonder why she's a terrible cook. ]

It's probably a good idea in the future to stay put and watch it cook...

[ Gaku glances over at the rice. ]

Since it's ready, put that rice in that container there and add more oil. Then, we'll add the chicken.

[ He gestures toward a container he's set out, clean and ready for some cooked rice. ]

Yeah! I'll definitely try staying put next time.

( carefully, she scoops the rice with her utensils and transfers it to the container. )

You mean you will stay put. There's no trying when it comes to that.

[ There's a strictness to his tone and his words, but a friendly smile etches his features despite that. ]

Now, put more oil in the pan.

[ And once it's done, Gaku puts the chicken into the pan, the oil popping and sizzling as it comes in contact with the meat. ]

Yes, sir! ( that's her told! )

Ooh...! How exciting! I love meat! ( it's a miracle that she hasn't died from e.coli )

Yeah? Well, this dish tastes best with meat, so you're in luck.

[ And he'll be watching the chicken with her, adding everything they've chopped up once it's cooked. ]

We'll let this cook together a bit longer and then add the rest of the rice back. I'll let you decide when we do that.

Ooh...! Okay! I can't wait!

( no, she really can't. her stomach does a very loud rumble which causes her to blush and cover her face with both hands. )

Uh-! Sorry! How embarrassing ... I kind of realise I haven't eaten a whole lot today. Please forgive my rude tummy.

[ All that does is getting a laugh out of Gaku as he starts getting everything ready for the omelets. ]

That just means that this omurice will taste even better, right?

( it's a little embarrassing, but it's fine. Gaku is nice. ) I guess you're right!

( Amber can't stop herself from being a little bit nosy and leaning in while he prepares the omelette ingredients...! she's fascinated by the process and wants to ensure that she's memorising as much as she possibly can. )

So the "omu" in "omurice" is like, omelette, right? I love a good omelette! Eating this can't come any sooner! ( this is probably why she eats most of her food undercooked..... what is patience for Amber...... )

[ Since the omelet is more complicated, Gaku decides to take care of it himself, getting the pan ready before cracking some eggs into it.

The lack of patience is honestly kind of cute to him... ]

That's right! It's omelet and fried rice together, so it's a combination.

[ The eggs firm up quickly, so it seems like they're just about done! ]

Wow...! I don't know who made that food combo, but I'd love to shake their hand!

( honestly!! what a marriage of food!! Amber watches with amazement when he cooks the eggs which he is, of course, doing a much better job at than she ever could. )

You really are so good at this! I'm more than a little jealous!

It takes a lot of practice, but you'll get there.

[ He smiles to himself, her energy practically rubbing off on him. Honestly, Amber would make a fantastic idol.

The egg is just about done, so... ]

Plate the fried rice. There should be enough for both of us to have some.

( she would make a fantastic idol, so true )

Okay! ( she picks up the large spoon utensil in order to transfer the rice onto each plate. Amber can't even remember the last time she had homemade rice like this ... it was one of her Grandpa's specialities. the nostalgia and excited thrill she feels just can't be hidden in the way that her smile never once seems to leave her face. )

[ Her smile and excitement is absolutely contagious, so when the omelets are ready and Gaku pours each over the rice, he does so with a bit of a flourish. ]

Ta-dah!

[ And then, he cuts each omelet so that the egg spills out and over the whole plate of fried rice. ]

Oooohhhhh my gosh...!

( Her voice climbs an octave and her eyes are sparkling-! Yes, this woman is looking at this meal as if someone has just proposed to her. Look at how excited she is!! )

This is sooooooooo cool! I had no idea what to expect, but it looks amazing! ( sniiiifff ... ) Smells amazing, too!

[ He grins, picking up a plate and holding it out to her once pours a thick line of ketchup onto that egg and he sets some utensils down on it. ]

Then you can bet it’ll taste even better! Go on. Try it.

[ All the textures and flavors really come together to make it a nice, comforting sort of meal. ]

Wait! Hold up! Hold everything! I know how to make it better!

( Which might sound alarming since she's Amber, but, the woman leans over and picks up the bottle of ketchup ... before she does this to the omurice alongside the ketchup line that Gaku made. Proud of what she's done, she beams! )

There! I think that's just terrific now, don't you? Let's try it! ( She picks up a knife and fork, severing off a corner of the omelette while leaving her bunny creation undisturbed (for now.) The moment that it lands on her mouth, her face melts into an expression of pure euphoria as she calls out a delighted "mmmmmmmmmm!" )

Gaku, this is...! Sooooooooooo good! ( She goes to grab another piece! ) It's so yummy, I can't even deal!

Yeah, it's perfect now.

[ It's downright adorable, so much so that he decides he'll do that next time he makes it. He has a bite of his own, nodding in approval. ]

It's great. Good work, Amber.

( summer catch-all! )

outrider amber!

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