Table for Six
“I don’t know... I’m not really the best cook, especially for six people.”
“Relax, that’s why I’m here to teach you.”
“On the same day I have to make the dinner?”
“Time constraints, I have a job you know.”
Rika looked at Kiko with an expression of frankness.
“I know.”
Kiko tied the apron around Rika’s waist.
“I’m joking, this is going to be great.”
“But, what about Yuki?”
“I sent her out to get some things. You don’t own a proper dining set. And I only found two sets of chopsticks, and a single fork.
“There’s only the two of us that live here.”
Kiko patted Rika’s shoulder, resting her hand.
“That’s the overly sensible part of you speaking, the part that would have us all go to a restaurant. And, that’s why Yuki is out shopping.”
Kiko began filling a pot with water.
“So now we begin with the lesson.”
Rika pointed at the pot that Kiko had set on the stove and began heating.
“What are we making?”
Kiko put salt in the water and a lid on top.
“Pasta, we’re having Italian food tonight.”
“Italian... That’s pretty fancy.”
Kiko took a box of spaghetti out of one of the tote bags she had brought.
“It is! Yet incredibly simple to make.”
Rika looked at the pot.
“Do we need to do anything now?”
Kiko leaned against the counter and shook her head.
“Just wait for the water to boil.”
“So, just stand here, don’t do anything else. Should I stir the pot?”
Kiko giggled.
“It’s only boiling water. There’s no reason at all to stir it.”
Rika blushed.
“Don’t laugh at me! I’m learning.”
“I’m sorry, it’s a little funny. No, but it is important for you to learn. So asking questions is good!”
Kiko put two thumbs up.
“Just call me Teacher Kiko.”
“I’m not calling you Teacher Kiko.”
Kiko visibly deflated.
“Fine.”
Rika added on to her comment, seeing Kiki’s mood change.
“I’ll call you chef Kiko.”
Kiko grinned widely.
“I love it!”
They both stood in the kitchen, waiting.
“I bought some nice wine for tonight. Should I pour us two glasses?”
“What about dinner?”
Kiko motioned towards one of her bags.
“It was on sale, so I bought more than one bottle.”
Rika held up two glasses and a cork opener.
“Let’s drink.”
Kiko pointed at the wine glasses.
“When did you get those!?”
“I’m always prepared for wine.”
There was a loud pop as Rika opened the bottle.
“When did you get the bottle!?”
Kiko looked at the bag behind her, then back at Rika pouring two glasses.
“That doesn’t matter.”
Rika thrust a glass towards Rika, she covered her face with her hand.
“It’s futile to try to understand how I do what I do.”
Kiko was dazzled by Rika’s pose, she looked like she was about to begin a battle.
“Years of drinking wine have left me with skills beyond measure.”
Kiki’s eyes sparkled as she took the glass. She was about to take a sip, when Rika held up her hand.
“Swirl the wine around gently before you drink. Let the full bouquet open like a blooming flower.”
Kiko swirled wine around the glass like Rika was.
“Excellent, but...”
Rika held tilted the glass towards her nose.
“Be sure to witness the aromas, let them speak to you.”
Kiko sighed in awe. She titled the glass towards her nose.
“Tell me, what do you smell?”
Kiko thought for a moment.
“Fermented grapes.”
Rika laughed knowingly.
“Yes, but beyond that. Small whispers of other things.”
Kiko thought more.
“It’s a little spicy, and tart like berries.”
Rika nodded slowly.
“Hints of pepper and wild berries. You have a promising future my student.”
Kiko nodded.
“I’ll do my best, teacher!”
Rika held out her glass at an angle.
“Now clink your glass to mine and drink!”
Kiko reached her glass out and a ringing tone sounded as they touched.
Rika brought the glass to her lips and took a sip. The graceful and confident aura of a master swordsman surrounded her.
Kiko looked at her in awe as she sipped from her glass.
“You look so cool teacher.”
Rika turned her head and smiled.
“Thank you student.”
Kiko looked at the pot and saw the water boiling.
“The water is ready!”
They set down their glasses and Kiko took the lid off the pot.
“Ok, so this next part is also pretty easy. You have to measure out the pasta before putting it in the pot. Today we’re using spaghetti.”
She made a circle with her forefinger and thumb.
“About this much for one person, but it doesn’t need to be exact.”
Rika nodded silently.
“It’s better to cook more than you need, so you don’t have to start all over if you want more.”
Rika nodded again.
“Because we have so many people I’ll use the whole thing. And if there’s any left over, just put it in a container and refrigerate it.”
She snapped the sticks of spaghetti in two.
“Remember this part.”
She then set them in the pot, and the they slowly sank into the pot from standing up.
“Now we wait as they cook.”
Rika pointed at the lid.
“So that doesn’t go back on?”
“Don’t do that! The pot will boil over and make a huge mess. Just let it sit for around ten minutes, and stir slowly every once in a while, so the noodles don’t stick together.”
Rika watched Kiko work her pasta making magic.
“What do we do after the noodles are done, leave them in the water?”
Kiko put a basket-like pot in the sink, and pointed at it.
“We pour out the pot and noodles in here, the water will drain and then we put them back in the pot.”
She put a bottle of olive oil on the counter.
“We then pour some of this in, so the noodles don’t stick to the pot. And they’re ready to eat!”
“How did you fit so much stuff in that bag?”
“Amazing right? I got it online.”
Rika nodded.
“I need one, message me the link later.”
Kiko lifted her wine glass.
“Yes, teacher!”
