“I’m moving to America tomorrow.”

“Huh?” Risa stood there, stunned. “Why?”

“My father got offered for a job in America. He was planning to take me and my mother with him. I was also shocked with the sudden news, so I was having a hard time to decide when I should tell you.”

Risa didn’t know how to react to that. Everything just happened so suddenly and her mind just went blank. She just stood there like a doll.

“Risa? Risa!”

“Huh?” She startled.

“Are you okay?” Ken ask.

“Of course I’m not, Ken. All of this happened without a warning, how am I supposed to be okay about this?!” Risa shouted. The feeling of anger, burning up inside her heart.

Scream, is the only thing she can think of right now. She just wanted to scream as loud as she can, but she kept it all to herself.

Tears are beginning to flood her eyes. She clenches her fist, trying to hold back her tears and calming herself down. “This is no time to cry Risa. You have to think of something to make him stay, anything.” Risa said to herself.

In that moment, Risa remembered Miku’s advice. She knew it was not the right time, but it was her only shot to make Ken stay.

Risa takes a deep breath, she’s ready to give her all to confess and hoping that maybe, just maybe Ken will not leave her.

“I know this might not be the right time, but, Ken, actually I-I…”

“Come on Risa, you can do this.” She said to herself.

Risa tried her best to say it out loud, but not a single word came out from her mouth. She tries again and again, even so, it felt like she has lost the ability to speak.

“Why can’t you do it Risa? You have to tell him how you feel or else…”

While Risa is struggling to tell Ken how she feels, Ken suddenly interrupted her.

“You must be wondering about your birthday present right?”

“Huh?” Risa got confused for a while. “Y-yeah, my birthday present. That’s what I was thinking about, but I thought it’s just not the right time to bring it up.” She added.

Risa then realized, trying to make Ken stay, is a selfish act. Looking in Ken’s eyes, Risa knew that no matter what she said, it will not go through him because for some reason, Ken was determined to go to America. However, Risa trusts Ken with all her heart so she will not question him anything about it.

“It’s fine. Here, take this.” Ken hands out a nicely wrapped box to Risa.

“What’s in it?” Risa ask while shaking the box.

“A bracelet? Thanks Ken.”

“Not just any bracelet, look.” Ken showed a matching bracelet on his wrist. “It’s a friendship bracelet.” Ken said.

Risa smiled awkwardly. “Oh, a friendship bracelet, huh. Looks… cute.”

“Right? This way, we will always be by each other’s side even if we’re far apart.” Ken added.

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Risa feels a little bit of relief knowing that Ken will always remember her.

The sky turns yellow as the sun starts to set. Ken looked at his watch and knowing that it’s time to part ways with Risa.

“Thanks Risa. Thanks for being my friend. I am really grateful to have you by my side, always. I guess it’s time we say goodbye.” Ken said

“No. Instead of saying goodbyes, just promise me one thing.”

“What is it?” Ken asked

“Promise that you will come back, okay?”

Ken smiled as a drop of tear came rolling down his cheeks.

“I promise.”

10 years later…

“Chef’s special for table 10!” A waiter came rushing in the kitchen and slams the door open.

“You mean the VIP’s table? But the head chef is on leave today.” One of the chef said.

Who’s our guest tonight?” Another chef asked.

“Mr. Nakamoto, the famous food critic.” The waiter replied.

“Damn. He’s bad news.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” A female chef added.

“Here you go sir. Our chef’s special dish.”

Mr. Nakamoto stared at the dish, not saying a word, he grabs his knife and fork.

As he takes a small bite from the plate, his eyes are widely open. He takes one bite after another without even slowly chewing it. His action even attracts the eyes of the other customers in the restaurants.

The food began to decrease until not a single sauce was left on the plate. Even the waiter beside him couldn’t believe his eyes.

“So how’s the food sir?” The waiter asks.

Mr. Nakamoto slowly reaches for the napkin on his laps and wiped his mouth clean. “May I speak to the chef who made this please?” Ignoring the waiter’s question.

“S-sure. Wait a minute.”

He rushes to the kitchen and calls out the chef. “Excuse me chef, Mr. Nakamoto wants to speak to you.”

“Alright.” The female chef replied. She unties her apron and walks out from the kitchen confidently.

She stands in front of Mr. Nakamoto. “Who is this?” He asks the waiter.

“She’s the chef who made your dish.” The waiter answered.

“Oh.” He sits there and stares at her from head to toe. “How old are you?” He added.

“26.” She said.

“I can’t believe a woman could cook this delicious dish, and at a very young age.”

The chef felt a little annoyed by what Mr. Nakamoto said.

“Don’t worry, I’m not underestimating you, I’m just shocked, that’s all. Besides, it’s the 21st century, anything a man can do, women can also do it. Sorry if I upset you, I’ve never complimented a single chef, ever, in my 30 years as a food critic. You see, us food critics are really passionate about our food, even when there’s a slightest mistake, we will know. However, I can’t even find a single mistake in your dish. I can really tell how much love and effort you put in this dish. Can you tell me more about this dish?”

She smiled upon hearing that. “Sure, actually this dish was the first dish I made when I first started cooking. I was 14 at that time. I used to cook it for someone very precious to me. He’s the one who encouraged me to be a chef.”

“He’s your first love isn’t he.” Mr. Nakamoto interrupts her.

The chef blushed and nodded her head.

“So where is he now? Has he become the love of your life?” Mr. Nakamoto said with a grin on his face.

She smiled and said. “Unfortunately, he moved to America when we were 16, and since then I haven’t heard a single news about him.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope you’ll meet him again someday.” He said while he gets up from the table. “Once again, thank you for the delicious dish you made.”

The chef bowed as a sign of respect.

“Oh yeah, I didn’t catch your name yet.” Mr. Nakamoto said.

“It’s Risa. Nakano Risa”

“It’s really nice meeting you, chef Risa.” Mr. Nakamoto smiled and waved goodbye.

After a whole day in the kitchen, all of the chefs went back to their locker rooms.

Risa, lies on the bench as soon as she walks in. She lets out a big sigh “Ah, finally. Dealing with a VIP sure is tiring.” She said to her colleagues.

“But you still manage to serve him the perfect dish right? Well, I wouldn’t expect less from you Risa. After all, you’re the first rookie that was praised by our head chef.” One of her colleague said.

“You shouldn’t spoil her too much Airi. Just because she got praised by the head chef doesn’t mean she’s a pro. She still has a long way to go.” Another colleague of her said.

“There you go again Kuroka. Just admit that you’re jealous of Risa’s cooking skills.” Airi said.

“Ugh, whatever.”

“Come on guys, quit it. You’re giving me a headache.”

While they were busy chatting, a waitress came in the locker room. “Excuse me, chef Risa, someone wants to meet you.”

“What? Who is it this time? I’m so tired right now, can you ask them to wait?” Risa said.

“But chef…” Just as the waitress is about to finish her sentence, a little girl came rushing towards Risa.

“Mama!”