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[If only Sakura knew that he was meeting with perhaps the most unjudgmental person on planet Earth (or whatever planet it is they're on). Odasaku's outward demeanor probably doesn't do him many favors. He's tall, imposing, stone-faced, cold-looking - but it couldn't be farther from the truth. He nods his head at Sakura's greeting.]

It's good to meet you in person.

[Just a kid, like Odasaku thought, and a shy-looking one at that.

[That's fine. He's dealt with shy before. It doesn't bother him. Does anything bother him?]

I'll have to heat this up on your stove, if that's alright.

[ his shoulders relaxed, relieved. he doesn't need to explain anything about some kid living on his own. ]

Sure, okay.

What am I supposed to do? Since I'm learnin' and all.

Here. I'll show you.

[Oda helps himself into the kitchen, expecting Sakura to follow. He even thought to bring a little pan with him to reheat the curry, assuming someone who doesn't know how to cook might simply not have one.

[He sets it on one of the burners, then turns to Sakura.]

This dial controls how much heat comes out. The farther you turn it, the higher the heat.

For reheating already cooked food, we'll just put it about halfway.

[ sakura peers at it curiously. he knew vaguely about it, but he never could figure out the right temperature. his class got him a stove and all sakura managed to do was burn ramen. ]

Isn't it better if it's all the way?

You might think so, especially if you're so hungry you can't wait for it to heat up, but you don't want it to burn. That would really ruin your meal.

[He demonstrates how to turn the dial and ignite the stove, then opens one of the containers and spoons the curry out into the pan.]

You'll also have to stir it a bit while you're standing here. That will keep it from burning too.

Give it a try.

M-Me?

[ he's here to learn, obviously, but now sakura is afraid he'll ruin it. he ruins everything. ]

Are you sure?

Sure.

[Oda holds out the spoon.]

You'll never learn if you don't try.

Don't worry. I brought more.

[ that's true. he has to move forward, doesn't he?

his class. his friends. the town. they're all relying on him, aren't they?

sakura can't afford to stay the way he is. he's still not good enough. ]

R-Right. I can do it.

[ his hands shake a little but . . . he strives on. ]

[Oda nods.]

You can do it.

Y-Yeah. Obviously.

[ stirring isn't that hard thankfully, but he's still nervous. so his movements are weaker than they'd usually be. ]

Anyway, how's that?

Not too bad. See the way it's starting to bubble, though? Let's turn down the heat a little.

Uhm, okay.

[ sakura turns the knob down, watching the flames die down. ]

I didn't think the heat stuff was so important.

Sure. Too little heat, you've got cold food, too much, you've got burnt food.

Don't worry, though. There's a pretty big margin for error.

You say that but I burned ramen once.

How many people do that?

All sorts of people, if they don't know how to cook. Go easy on yourself.

[ sakura frowns. all sorts of people. and yet, he always feels — ]

Yeah. I guess.

[There's no need to press. Sakura continues stirring, and Oda continues watching, but only for a moment before he starts setting out plates, leaving Sakura momentarily unattended.]

I forgot to ask if you like spicy food. What's in the pan now is a milder version. ["Mild" for Odasaku is still hellfire hot, but luckily, this was made by Maruki's standards.]