1.4

A girl worth cooking for

Doraemon pulled the cord in boredom. This was supposed to be attached to a bell to call a helper, however, line was cut. Their carriages would be completely isolated from the rest, shutting out potential threats. All the other train goers were oblivious about their existent. Although they were too busy admiring the machine and immersing in the books of a land far far away.

The scenery outside while pretty got monotonous rather fast for the girl. The new faces weren't much fun either. Doraemon had hoped for Conrad, the knight in shinning armour. But the man was a train wreck, taking ages for a single sentence. Him defeating the Killer Queen was probably lighting in a bottle, the thing was softened up quite significantly.

On her table, Eikichi was describing future Japan to Haruka, who only paid attention when foods were mentioned. Then there was Jim…

'Bout time Doraemon went somewhere else.

Maybe she could take a peak at this final member. Although having only one door meant that her entrance couldn't be discreet. The girl ran the number, only to be called by someone, it was Mara. The old lady waved at her to come and sit.

Might as well. Doraemon made her way there. Sitting with Mara were Fleur and Willow. The French's beautician was showing the later about make-up.

The girl lied on the long seat, her head rested on Mara's laps, her legs crossing dangling on the arm rest. Across, Willow seemed rather annoyed about the limbs obstructing the walkway. The girl swallowed it, however, and looked at Doraemon curiously.

"What" The one from the future asked "Did no one teach you that staring at other is rude?"

"I was just wondering if you are wearing makeup or not" Willow answered.

Doraemon looked at the girl like she was dropped at a child. Her lips were literally neon red, of course she was wearing make-up. The future girl found the question too trite to reply. After a stern look from Mara, she grumbled a 'Yes'. Signalling clearly that she wanted to be left alone.

Fleur ignored all the signs completely "Come to think of it, I really want to see what your make-up is like. They are all so vibrant!"

They didn't interact much but sometimes Doraemon wondered if Fleur was a bit daft. The woman was still hanging around them for some reason. Nevertheless, the girl from the future placed a small case on the table. Fleur opened it, her mind filled with anticipation about what was inside.

She held out an item "Is… this some sort of laser rod!"

"No, it's just lipstick" Doraemon answered curtly.

Fleur spun the bottom and the bright lipstick poked out. The woman looked rather disappointed. After going through the case, she seemed dejected.

"What, didn't you want to see my make-up"

"I know" Fleur said, filled with disappointment "I just thought the future would be… different somehow"

It was not like there were no improvements. Future make-ups were so much more efficient, nearly impossible to smear and easy to clean when needed. Nevertheless, Fleur gave the case back to Doraemon. She wondered what the future was like, the one from that time weren't very talkative, however.

"Well, this is not all" Doraemon said, feeling rather bad for Fleur somehow "People use all sort, you can laser to colour your lips permanently, or spray to get a tan. I am just rather retro"

Before Fleur could continue Doraemon shot her down "And don't ask me about them" Her sympathy ended there "I do have this though"

The future girl reached into her inner pocket and pulled out a bulky pen. This should be futuristic enough. This was used to create neon tattoo that could be easily erased. While Doraemon wasn't into tattooing, this item was still quite neat. It didn't take long for Fleur to be marvelled at the pen. She decided to give it a whirl on the table.

Meanwhile, Haruka, tired of Eikichi, also arrived to watch her work. The young girl asked the beautician to surprise her. Fleur went to work with great vigour.

"Maybe I will borrow that pen later" Mara said, smiling to the girl on her lap.

The red string, still connected her to old lady, informed Doraemon that she would be the subject of Mara's experiment. Oh well, the result could be easily erased anyway. The girl considered taking a nap but that would not happen.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The train door opened to reveal Hiro, ready for an announcement. Their final member was finally up, ready to introduce herself.

Doraemon sat up to take a peak and the first impression was certainly strong.

Everyone turned silent as the towering figure stepped in. Over 2 meters tall with a lanky figure, this woman looked straight out of an urban legend with her long coat. And that wasn't the most notable detail, oh no. Her jaw was metallic, a row of steel teeth running along the upper lip and out some more. The woman skin was also deathly white, her eyes bloodshot.

'Now this look more like it' Doraemon thought to herself. Such an intense stare as well.

The woman stood there in threatening silence. Hiro had to nudge her a bit before a rather clear voice escaped from that metallic jaw.

"He…rro, nice to meet you all" Four wanted to die "My name, uh, my name is Hota… Hotaru… Hanazawa…"

Momo-chan: [What the, that's not the agreed upon name at all! She even used our name!]

Hiro, meanwhile, was heavily regretting this. Four seemed so calm and collected, he had thought her to be more… well… more than this. Maybe they should have spent more time preparing, no time to cry over spilled milk though.

In truth, Four thought she could handle this as well. But when suddenly confronted by a group of strangers, she just froze. Maybe that was why the higher-up never let her greeted the guests, instead asking her small and cutesy co-worker… She even blurted out half of her real name, talked about a failure.

"So, it's another Japanese" Murmured Doraemon, what a disappointment, this one only looked tough "When do you come from?"

"Eh?... What do you… mean" Four took awhile to process that simple question "Ah, I am from 2101…"

What the! Doraemon was surprised to hear that, this woman came from a future even further after her. In the next century even. This also piqued the others interest, another one from the future! Although unlike their previous one, there was nothing on Four that indicated that. All of her clothing was made in Eden, even the jaw wasn't that futuristic.

"Woah, there are so many of us!" Commented Haruka.

"Certainly, what a surprise" Said Hiro "How about I prepare for everyone a Japanese meal, it's about lunch right"

That got support from Haruka alright. Hiro could then drag Four away with the excuse of helping him. This introduction had been disastrous. There was one rogue element though.

"I will also help" Said Eikichi, who raised his hand like he was in class.

There was nothing Hiro could do about it, seeing that there was no reason to turn the man down. Mara also joined him, wanting to see how a few Japanese dishes. Besides, they would be preparing for fourteen people after all. For reinforcement, Mara called Doraemon who reluctantly agreed.

Momo-chan: [I'm surprise she even helps]

Hiro: {Certainly} From his observation, the girl from the future seemed to listen to her elder.

Before the med bay was the kitchen, a freezer and a kitchen in one. It was rather spacious, enough to fit five people. Now to cook for a dozen, quite a daunting task. Hiro wasn't that confident in his cooking either, except for one treat.

The young man went into the freezer, followed by Eikichi.

"So what are you going to make?" Asked the bald man.

"I am thinking about some sashimi or maybe sushi" Hiro had spotted gari, soy sauce and even wasabi in the kitchen.

Making sashimi was his specialty, although thinking about it still stung. He learnt that his old crush, the class representative, loved sashimi. And so, being the hopeless romantic he was, practiced to death to surprise her. Then it turned out the girl already had a boyfriend… Even Momo-chan was crying inside.

There was a fine selection of fishes in the freezer. Before Eikichi could take a look at then, Suiren already finished taking what was needed. Sea bass to tuna, even some eel, all of the ingredients were first grade. The woman was able to pick them out nearly instantly.

Hiro was sure that Suiren could make a wonderful meal, but this was his time. The masked woman could help the others.

Four, meanwhile, was delegated to making rice.

"So, how different is the cuisine from the future I wonder" Mara asked the operative. Doraemon's perspective wasn't the most representative.

"I don't think the food itself changed much, nor did the cooking. Although I mostly ordered food, though" Hotaru answered "Fully cooked meal could be brought to you in a few minutes, it was rather convenient"

"How was the quality though"

"It was better than most home cooked food I guess" Hotaru replied truthfully "But there was still a charm to making food yourself like a good old barbeque"

Mara giggled.

"I didn't think you would mention barbeque" A more expected answer out of the woman would be sushi or something.

Hotaru scratched her head "I knew a man from the State, he really loved his barbeque"

Before being flashed frozen, every time Four or any of her comrades returned after a big operation, there One was with his grill ready. Saying that, the woman could smell the sauce already, with the sound of sizzling meat permeating her ears.

"I do want to have a barbeque sometimes, Haruka would love it" Commented Mara.

Meanwhile, Hiro was preparing to make some sashimi. The knife he would use had already been sharpened to a tee. The young man carefully remove the meat with motion most delicate. Next to him was Eikichi, who was strangely focused onto his own knife. The man put his knife down with lighting speed but stop before touching the fish. He then cut up the thing, also with great care.

Doraemon looked at them, the two were so focused. Their moment delicate… like a maiden.

"This is rather creepy" She commented.

Soon, strips of fatty tuna were displayed on the tray with all of their glistening glory.

"I heard a lot about your cooking from the other" Said Hiro "You really are good at this"

"You too" Commented Eikichi "Although this is my specialty, I am surprise you can hold up to me"

That was surprisingly arrogant, Hiro thought to himself. But sure enough, the young man was measuring up to Eikichi "Why is this your specialty" Hiro asked.

The question seemed to take Eikichi back, the man smiled "It was for a woman" He continued with his job, carefully, especially with fugu. Removing their poisonous parts needed precise motion. Hiro already finished with a few. The man noticed his fellow cook had stopped, looking at the roof.

"What wrong" He asked.

After a pause, Hiro pointed his head back down.

"This is also my specialty, because of a woman"

The two men looked at each other and laughed. Then they continued with their work. Doraemon was behind them then "This is rather creepy" The girl commented.