Nina was both nervous and excited. Nervous because tomorrow would be her departure day and excited because her best friend had just advanced to the final of a certain game tournament.
As much as she wanted to call and celebrate it with him, she had the last preparation to do. On top of that, she felt the situation between them was still a bit awkward since that last outing. She was embarrassed that she cried in front of him and hugged him tightly.
In fact, she hadn't even messaged him even once since that time. She planned to do it tonight and had the last talk before leaving.
But for now, her preparation was more important. She couldn't leave without that last item.
"Dad! Where is my apron? I put it in the laundry room to dry it yesterday!" She shouted with her head peeking at the hallway.
She was expecting an answer or a sight of her dad, Chef Rush, appearing from the end of the hallway. But what greeted her was silence.
"Where is he going?" She grumbled in a low voice and walked down the hallway.
Before, Chef Rush promised to help her prepare. It wasn't her fault for watching Max's livestream because she certainly couldn't miss one, but she only needed the final preparation now. Only an apron was left to put inside her bag, and she was ready for tomorrow morning.
"Dad?"
Nina entered the kitchen, having a feeling that her father was inside. If not in the living room, then he would test a new menu in the kitchen.
When she moved the curtain, she spoke again.
"Are you here, dad?"
Chef Rush was indeed inside. She saw him immediately standing behind a blazing stove. But... What she didn't expect was that Max was sitting on a chair in front of the desk they often used to test a new menu.
Due to surprise, she froze in place.
"Oh, you're here." Chef Rush said, raising his head. "The boy is here for you."
"Afternoon, Nina. Hahaha, I didn't know the restaurant was closed today. Chef Rush allowed me to come inside and try his new menu." Max scratched his cheek and laughed in a playful manner, just like how he usually was.
There was no need to take a step further. Her feeling was that both of them realized it was better to be buried.
'It's a shame I can't meet the girl that makes him fall, though.' She mused in her mind. An idea suddenly flashed in her mind as she remembered that the girl Max fell in love with also lived in the same city. 'Or I can?'
"Max–"
"It's done."
Before Nina could say anything, however, Chef Rush's voice interrupted. She immediately sent a death glare at her dad, which he brushed off as if it were nothing.
"Eat first, then talk later." The giant chef put two bowls of noodles with red broth in front of them. A healthy heap of char siu was placed on top. "I will leave you both alone. And Nina, the apron is in the living room. You put it there this afternoon in a daze."
"Ah! I-I see." Nina stuttered as her expression returned to normal. "Umm, thanks, dad."
Nodding, Chef Rush took off his chef hat and walked out of the kitchen. An awkward air brimmed between them again, but Max shattered it with a cough.
"Earlier..." He said, "You wanted to ask something. What is it?"
"Ah, that..." Nina hesitated now. The interruption earlier made her think twice.
Still, she was so curious and at least wanted to meet that girl once. So she asked.
"Do you think you can introduce me to Lily before I depart, Max? You know... I wanted to talk a little and be friends with her if possible!"
If there was something Max didn't expect from Nina's question, it would be this request. He looked a bit troubled, but eventually nodded.
"I will ask her. Is tonight okay?" He asked, "She's probably free, and I also have no plans besides going to the park to exercise."
"That's perfect!" Nina exclaimed and clasped her hands, "Thanks."
"It's nothing." He said, smiling softly. "Now, let's eat before the noodles become soggy. I don't want Chef Rush to get mad at me for wasting a perfectly fine noodle."
"Hahaha, you're right."