I just love how they taka care of each other... thank you for this!
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“Sorry I’m late!”
“Just grab yo apron and get out there.”
The rough voice got to me quickly. I threw on the black apron to the filled dining room. Using my free hand to grasp the hair, I managed to get out to the first table in my station. The couple appeared like my parent’s age with the sparkle in their eyes.
“Can we have the sampler of escargot and stir-fried vegetables?” The male asked.
“Also, can we have a bottle of wine from 1986? That’s our marriage year.” The woman added.
“Okay, I’ll send in the order and look for a wine. Red or white?” I asked.
“White sounds better dear right?” She dotted as the male nodded.
I ran back to the register and punched it in before turning to the stairs and ran down the stairs. The smell of burnt wood etched into my mind with the flood lights lining the walls. The cool breeze caught me by surprise as the figure turned quickly.
“Ah Ayaka! What’s in need?” She asked.
“Nontii… 1986 white.” I spat as she ducked into the room as my hands went to my arms, rubbing it for warmth.
She had been known for her wine knowledge and loving food. Noro Kayo wasn’t the one to complain about everything but she admit her faults with food were obvious but it helped the wait staff with her knowledge as I heard clacking from above. My eyes switched as it stopped on the turn.
“Ayaka? Are you down here?” The voice asked, recognizing it quickly.
“Yuko? The food is ready?” I asked.
“Here’s the bottle.” Nontii handed it, cold to the touch as I walked up.
Serving the first customers were usually the toughest of the shift because of the pace and delivering everything at the same time was always noted and with the hot dish and cold drink, it was given to the couple. I headed to the next table for service giving the greeters the chance to celebrate with the couple. I hated how the specials were usually the same and the look of disgust upon the customers before seeing Yuko handing a piece of paper to me.
“Insert it into the menu.” She whispered.
Handing it over to them had brought a joy to their faces. “Two Chicken Saltimbocca.”
It seemed like wildfire once it came out as the interest grew with the waiters waiting in line to put in the order. The chefs through the slit were weaving around as we got them all out. My feet were hitting the hard pavement a lot but seeing Nontii upstairs was a surprise with the crowd. The checks were being spat out quickly that the time I saw a chair was at the end of service and the busboys were out in full force to the pickup the rest of the dishes.
“The Saltimbocca sold out.” Yuko breathed. “Somebody new took over the position.”
“Who did? I don’t see anyone in the back doing it over Hashimoto-san.” I said.
“I heard Sae… she looks quite handsome.” Yuko smiled.
Sae?
It was rather brief to think about a person. My lips breathed the name as Yuko pointed her out in the group with the white coat with the other people of the wait staff. Their eyes turned towards me as they grabbed me to bring it up to the new chef. It seemed like everyone had gotten the attention of the new chef as she ruffled through short, chest hair and a genuine smile.
“I’m Miyazawa Sae. I started about a few weeks back and I guess my big mouth got me into this position.” She laughed.
“Umeda Ayaka, I saw many of the Saltimbocca fly out of here. What type of dish is it?” I inquired as she scratched the back of her head.
“Italian… I think. I was in Italy for a while before I came back to Japan.” She explained.
“What about the men?” Another server added from the back.
“Stop that Kana. Sae probably feels bad that she has to leave them behind.” One had halted the question as Sae stepped out the door and dug through the breast pocket as I followed her out.
“Darn it, I forgot I gave up on cigarettes when I left for Italy.” She muttered as I placed my hand upon the shoulder.
“What’s been the problem?” I asked.
“Technically it was my last day tonight.” Sae scoffed. “Placing me on the line knowing it was my last service, I hoped it wasn’t a joke but honestly I didn’t expect to make such a dish.”
“I haven’t seen you around though… how long have you been working?” I tilted my head to the side.
Holding up five fingers, I pondered why. The chef and cooks I usually had seen but Sae stood out among the rest but where could a person hide in the small kitchen. The rest headed off as the cleanup crew had come inside. It seemed weird that Sae could be away from everything and turned back to see a metal container in hand.
“Want some?” Sae smiled.
“Sure.”
The smell of coconuts tickled my nose before taking a small bit. The liquid spread through my mouth before spitting it out to the joy from Sae. I was used to with alcohol but it was like oil as the coconut lingered within my mouth. Sae swigged the last bit and placed it back into the coat.
“I was doing prep work when day by day I was working with everyone before that idiot started to smack. He was keeping the dish as a secret for himself. The owner knew what was happening but had to side with the chef for giving him the recommendations. I told him I would give one last service before I left and I guess the owner saw everything before putting me in the front.” Sae explained, looking up into the moonlit sky. “I guess onto another kitchen.”
“You’re talented…” I sighed. “The owner…”
“Screw him. He was only impressing his mistress.” Sae scoffed. “I’m going to save my money for a small stall in Ueno.”
“I guess so… so I guess this is good bye?” I said.
The grip of my arm led to her lips. They were a bit rough but the mellowness of the passion brought out the image of it. She had answered the question immediately before pulling back. Sae turned around and grabbed the bag from the ground.
“Umechan, find me in Ueno.” Sae drew a smile.
The next day, I found myself in Ueno. The stall I never imagined seeing but somehow I noticed the people around it. Running up, it was, in a way, the torture Sae experienced through the travel as her arms were exposed showing the red marks crisscrossing like a flayed steak. I turned to find a spirit of torture seemingly looking over me
Topic: Kuro's Drabbles HKT Heavy YuiParu (Read 48854 times)