Chapter 6: Curry Rice

"Here's your tea."

"Yaah!" I yelp, nearly knocking Ukyo. He stumbles back a little, balancing two mugs of steaming green tea. 

"Are you alright?" he asks in concern.

I blink several times, catching my breath. "Ah, hai. Sorry about that."

Yo, Mai? Calm down. It's just Ukyo. The guy you just met. Don't go assuming weird things about him.

"No problem, I'm sorry for startling you," Ukyo says. "Let me know if you need anything. Ema-san, I can take care of dinner tonight."

"Oh, are you sure?" Ema asks, starting to stand.

"We can both help out," I say, reaching for the mug. I down a couple of sips, not caring that it's super hot. I just really need tea.

Ukyo doesn't seem like the pervy type. He's definitely got a more parental feeling about him. Juli must be referring to the other brothers.

"Oh, it's no trouble," Ukyo says. He loosens the collar around his neck. "You're our guest, Mai-san. After what you've been through today you deserve to take a rest."

"I wasn't actually there during the flooding," I say. "I can help out, even if it's washing dishes. I'll feel restless, otherwise."

Truly, I don't want to feel like I'm doing nothing in this situation. There's already so much I have no control over.

Ukyo seems to understand. He smiles. "Of course. We'll be making curry tonight, so if you don't mind, could you help Ema-san chop some vegetables?

"Hai!"

In the kitchen Ema hands me an blue apron with a prints of a cat and a bunny across the chest. She dons a pink and white polka dot apron, tying a bow behind her neck.

Ukyo grabs another apron, a green one with two spotted cat faces above the pockets. It rather suits him, contrasting nicely with his red shirt. Anyone who thinks guys don't look good in aprons has never met Ukyo.

Tearing my eyes away from the homey Ukyo, I help Ema wash and cut vegetables. Not much is said, aside from Ukyo asking how I'm doing and how I'm settling in. Ema has already filled him in on all the details, so he knows I'll be here a while.

"Sorry, I'll be in your care for now," I say.

"It's no trouble at all," Ukyo assures me. "It'll be like having another sister around the house."

Because it's Ukyo saying it I don't mind. "Arigatou. I'll help out as needed. I did live alone for a long time."

"Hai?" Ukyo's brow raises. "Ema-san tells me you rented out a place for university?"

"Hai, though I've been there since high school." I rotate a carrot on the chopping board. With a knife I cut it into rolling wedges. "I took an entrance exam for a Tokyo school, since it's got programs I needed for university."

"That's quite admirable," comments Ukyo. "Though you must miss your family."

"I do," I admit. "I go home to visit them on holidays and days off, and Kaasan calls me often. She likes sending me pictures of our cats, Jiji and Lily."

Ema giggles. "Mai-chan really likes Ghibli. She's even cosplayed as Kiki before."

"Ahhh, Ema, you bring up my embarrassing childhood."

"Ehh? But you look so cute in that photo?"

"I knew I should've asked Kaasan to take it off her social media."

Over at the stove Ukyo chuckles. "How fun. I remember when some of the guys cosplayed as kids. Some of them still do, though it's mostly for work."

I perk up. Cosplay? For work? Maybe one of the Asahinas is a fellow cafe worker!

I add my chopped carrots to the pot. Ukyo stirs them in and replaces the lid. Next, I help Ema wash and chop the potatoes. It seems we'll be making a basic Japanese curry. Off to the side, Juli waits for us on the dining table. Squirrels must not be allowed in the kitchen.

"You think you'll be up to shop later?" I ask Ema. "I think I want to go out before it gets too dark." Not that I mind walking home in the dark. It's pretty safe around here, but today it'd be nice if there was someone to help carry things.

Ema nods. "Hai. Ukyo-san, do you have the grocery list ready? Mai-chan and I are thinking of going out tonight."

Ukyo nods. "I can send it to you later. Do you two need a ride? I have work I need to do, but Masaomi-niisan might be available."

"I thought he had a shift at the hospital," says Ema. "He's a pediatrician," she whispers to me.

Lawyer, paediatrician... Now it makes sense why the Asahinas live in a mansion.

"I'll ask him," says Ukyo. He pulls out his cellphone to draft a text.

"Ah, is that really okay?" I ask. Masaomi helped drive us earlier, and he was bringing my stuff up to the room. I don't want to impose too much on him on his day off.

"Oh, it's really no trouble at all." Ukyo hits send and drops his phone back into his pocket. "Any friend of Ema-san is important to us."

I blush hard. 

Scrap "pseudo-mom". This man is husband material!

When it comes time for the curry roux to be added, I see Ukyo whisking something in a small pot. 

Curious, I step over to take a look. "Homemade roux?"

"Hai," Ukyo says. "I like to make my own when I can. It can be a lot healthier and more suited to one's taste."

"Un, I like adding a pinch of cayenne powder to mine," I say. 

Ukyo blinks at me in surprise. "Oh, do you make your own roux as well?"

I nod. "Kaasan taught me how. We use a basic recipe, but I tend to like mine more on the spicy side, so she puts more garam masala and cayenne powder in my portion. My brother thinks I'm weird for it."

"Oh? Then I'll have to add a little more spice to your portion." Ukyo smiles. 

"Eh? You don't have to. I like milder curries, too."

But I mean, if he really wants to I won't stop him.

"My brothers only really care about how much meat is in their dishes," Ukyo explains. "You and Ema-san are the only ones who've really taken interest in the flavours."

I look to Ema, who smiles. On the other side I spot Juli eyeing the curry. I wonder what talking squirrels eat?

"Really... I didn't really think of it that way," I admit. "I just like to eat good food."

"In that case, have you tried mutton curry? I'd like to try and make it sometime, but the guys here don't really like spicy food." 

I nod happily. "I tried to make some at home with my mom once. We used fresh cardamom and tomatoes. But I forgot to take out all the peppercorn by mistake, and my brother accidentally bit into it. Fufu, I'd never seen his face so red before!" 

Ukyo and Ema laugh with me. 

I grin, glad that Ukyo doesn't mind my peculiar tastes.

Who knew that Ema's brother would be so interested in food? If this is what it'll be like, I don't think I'll mind staying here for a little bit.