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The cafeteria at lunchtime is usually packed with people chattering and lining up for the next best thing on the menu. Today, they decided to sell their usual katsu sandwich. But what students didn't know is that they decided to add a secret ingredient to this already perfect sandwich.
Which is why finding out what ingredient it is makes it more thrilling, which explains the longer-than-usual lineup.
"mm, I see"
Jade wipes the corner of his mouth using a napkin he kept in his pocket.
Today, Jade wasn't really planning to head into the cafeteria to buy anything. But for some reason, his twin brother told him to give it a try.
So he did, because it's pretty rare for his brother to be interested in something other than the mostro lounge and Riddle.
The line was tiring, but with a little gentle persuasion and sweet talking, he finally got his hands on the 'once-in-a-lifetime menu item' thatthe others are willing to get their hands on.
He lifted the sandwich, felt its weight, smelled through the plastic wrapping, unwrapped it, and took a bite.
What hit his tongue is a burst of flavor from the chicken, most likely being marinated overnight.
Then the crispiness of the chicken is achieved by double-frying it in oil that was mixed with a plethora of herbs, as the chicken soaks up all that flavor.
Then the bread isn't just any bread. They used whole wheat bread, which makes it all the more filling (although sourdough is superior)
But the secret ingredient didn't lie in there, no.
While the traditional recipe of katsu sandwich uses the usual katsu sauce, this sandwich in particular decides to alter it and give it a twist.
"hehehe, I finally figured it out."
While he didn't finish his lunch yet, he might want to save it so that Azul can give it a try. This revolutionary weapon can surely rake in customers (as a limited-time item, of course)
Jade looked at the time, lunch will be over in twenty more minutes, so he decided it's best to go back to class since he had nothing to do until he saw a familiar person amongst the crowd.
a short-statured man with white hair and sun-kissed skin. No doubt who it is.
But it's weird to see Kalim at the cafeteria since Jamil usually makes him lunch every day.
Though it's not like it's his own business to know what's going on, he decides to tail Kalim for now.
"Ah, finaally! I've been waiting for a long time! Can I please get the special menu item?"
He exclaimed, feeling rewarded early.
"The sandwich? Oh, I'm sorry boy, we just handed out the last one just now."
With that statement, a row of students started dissipating one by one.
well unincluding Kalim.
"What!? c-can't you make one for me?"
"I'd love to, but we're already running out of our sauce stock."
Hearing that, Kalim can only sigh in defeat, but still gave out a smile.
"Well, it's all good. Next time, I'll definitely come early to get my hands on them! Next time...ah, but I can't just leave empty-handed. Hmm..."
"You can have some of mine."
Kalim jolted and turned his head towards Jade, who had been observing him.
"Ah, Jade! What brings you here?"
The man greets Jade. Jade greets him back by shaking his extended hand.
"I was just heading back when I saw a troubled classmate in need. I simply could not help but be of assistance."
He smiled.
Kalim was quite awestruck by Jade's (fake) kindness and considerability.
Still, he shook his head.
"Thank you for your consideration, but I don't need it. Because I have to be independent. I need to learn not to keep on relying on others."
Kalim said, having a sense of resolution gleaming in his dark red eyes.
"That's very admirable of you, Kalim. Alas, it makes me a bit heartbroken that this sandwich will be going to the dump...bohoo."
Jade made a gesture of wiping his tears away, as if Kalim had committed a serious offense of some sort, which is untrue, given his personality.
Though it is a shame that his sandwich had been used as a sacrifice, it isn't a complete loss. Given Kalim's kindred spirit, he would automatically think he owes him.
Which benefits the Mostro lounge greatly. Jade just needs to make sure Kalim takes the bait with his convincing act.
"That's no good! Relying on others is bad, but I can't turn a blind eye to perfectly good food going to waste! gh..."
Kalim's resolve starts to waver; now is Jade's chance to attack his morals!
"Then, Kalim, take this sandwich and make the world a better place. I didn't want to throw it away either..."
Kalim starts contemplating life choices. It would be beneficial for him to just accept it, but can he really just do that? Even after he promised Jamil he would change?
Jade could sense the unease in his heart and thinks it's...rather cute? In a way. Like seeing Floyd still being hung up on his starfish plushie he got from his mother despite being a teenager.
Yes, Jade thinks Kalim is cute when he thinks hard about something. Because a future sultan isn't expected to think long and hard about their choices, because others will just do it for them.
It's fun to tease the easily influenced Kalim, but lunchtime is almost over, so he compromised.
"Then think of it like this, you do me a favor by eating my lunch, and you have a peace of heart because not only do you get to eat for free, but you also saved the sandwich. Sounds like a good deal, no?"
Sometimes, Jade spouts the most absurdly sensible thing, and that makes fooling his customers easier. If that doesn't work, then observe and take the opportunity when they're caught off guard.
It's the essence of being an eel.
"Huh, I never thought about that! You know Jade, you should become my advisor! nhahaha! "
Oh? What does Kalim imply when he says he should become 'his' advisor? Isn't the broader term to use 'an' instead?
Kalim can secretly be good at flattering others unintentionally.
It's unlike Jade to overthink about something so trivial, even coming from someone who is usually unserious like Kalim. He's confused why he even felt a bit uneasy. Probably something that also comes with being a human. Now he's just straying from the topic at hand.
"Oh, crap! Hey, Jade! Can I have the sandwich now?? I feel really hungry right now!"
Jade finally snapped out of his deep thoughts as the boy in front of him, writhing in pain (exaggerated), made Jade's sadistic side show a bit of its true colors, but not right now.
"fufufu, of course. A deal is a deal, and I don't make empty promises."
Jade, with a face full of glee, finally hands out his half-eaten sandwich that still looked very stacked. Enough to feed two people at how stuffed it is. Fortunately, Kalim is quite the glutton thanks to his childhood upbringing, so his sandwich disappeared in a flash.
Kalim, now savoring the flavor, finally gets to taste that sweet, sweet mystery ingredient.
"This texture...this flavor...I feel like I know what it is, it's just at the tip of my tongue..."
He closed his eyes to really feel the flavor, letting it sink in.
Then a lightbulb appeared at the top of his head.
"AH! I GOT IT! It's..."
"Bechamel!/Bechamel."
The two said in unison
"Congratulations, Kalim! It seems like you know your culinary after all!"
Jade gave his mate a quiet clap on the hand, a celebratory gesture of something unnecessary.
"Right!? I never knew that bechamel as a substitute for katsu sandwich would make an incredible duo! And the usage of wheat bread to soak up the sauce, then the generous amount of salad...ghhh! I wish I could buy the whole stock! Ah, maybe Jamil could- wait, that sounds wrong...ahhh but I want to try it again..."
As Kalim contemplates one more time, Jade thought of a brilliant idea. An idea so brilliant, it would make it seem like he intentionally thought about is just so he could get closer to Kalim. Which is not wrong, that is his goal in mind lol.
"Then do you want to visit my dorm?"
"Huh?"
Kalim got a bit taken aback.
"Hm, let me make this clear. Since both of us are the ones who have tried eating the special menu item and have a general knowledge of the taste, I was thinking of experimenting in the kitchen to convince Azul of a few things. You can help me there, as a--"
"friend?"
Kalim's eyes, which looked a little too sparkly, stared at Jade's.
"...yes, as a friend, no doubt about it. (nothing more than a friend, super platonic besties) And you get to bring some of what we cooked together as a personal gift from me. Yes, sounds like a beneficial business indeed."
Jade didn't stare back at Kalim's eyes, scared of being swallowed by them.
"So, like a date?"
Jade choked on his own saliva, thinking, 'How did it lead to that...'
But if it brings ease to Kalim, then he'll accept whatever he identifies it.
"Sure, if that's how you view it."
"I see...hehe, a date with Jade..."
Kalim grins a little too widely. Jade just prays that everything went well.
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(extra dialogue with nothing)
*after getting back to the mostro lounge
Jade: Hah, what a tiring day.
Azul: Oh? It's rare seeing you so discouraged. Did a seaweed get tangled in between your legs?
Jade: fufufu, instead of being tangled, it's like being strangled...
Azul: *sigh
, you say the strangest of things, partner.
Jade: Apologies if it brings you inconvenience, dearest Azul. By the way, Kalim will be coming here.
Azul: How rare, does he have any business with us?
Jade: fufu, not "us"... just "me."
Azul: Oh...
*sigh...
*after getting back to scarabia
Kalim: JAMILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, GUESS WHAT!? JADE ASKED ME OUT ON A DATE!
Jamil: WHAT? HUH? WHEN? HOW DID IT ESCALATE THIS BAD??