Haruka:Are you ready, Makoto? Makoto:Yeah. I’m ready for anything, Haru. Haruka:Then… let’s begin. Makoto:Ah, wait! I forgot to put on an apron! [scrambles] I’m really sorry about this, Haru. I’ve never even attempted to cook anything before now. Haruka:It’s fine. But why the sudden request to teach you how to cook? Are you making food for someone? Makoto:Yeah. Haruka:…Who? Makoto:[laughs] Ran and Ren. Tomorrow is my parents’ marriage anniversary, so they’re going to spend the day at the hot springs. I have to watch over Ran and Ren while they’re away, and I can’t feed them takeout pizza for both lunch and dinner. Haruka:Then mackerel cooked in miso would be perfect for you. It’s so easy that even a beginner can do it. Makoto:I put myself under your tutelage, Haru. Haruka:Sure. Then let’s begin. Do it the way I tell you to. First, we have to prep the fish. Put the mackerel fillets on top of the bamboo drainer. Makoto:Like this? Haruka:Then put a paper towel on top. We’re going to douse them in hot water. The hot water is in the kettle. Makoto:[takes kettle and pours] Like this? Haruka:Yeah. By simmering them in hot water first, it removes their fishy smell and prevents them from breaking apart while they’re cooking. Makoto:Wow… this is all so professional! Haruka:It’s normal to know this much. Makoto:[laughs] This reminds me of what we all talked about that one time, about who we’d choose for a boyfriend. You’d make a good husband when you get married, Haru. Haruka:I’m not interested in getting married. Makoto:Yeah, if you got married, you won’t be able to say “I only swim freestyle” anymore. Haruka:Leave me alone. Quit talking and keep moving with the preparations. Next is the ginger root. Cut it in thin slices. Makoto:Uhm… ginger root, ginger root… Like this? [starts cutting] Wah! Haruka:No, be careful! When you’re using the cutting knife, you’re supposed to curl your fingers on your support hand, remember? Makoto:…? Haruka:…We took home-ec classes in school together, don’t you remember learning that? You’re supposed to curl your finger like this… Makoto:Oh! Right! Haruka:Makoto… Don’t tell me you’ve never touched a knife since then. Makoto:Eh? Uhm… well… I guess…? Haruka:[sighs] Try cutting it the way I just showed you. Go as slow as you need to. Makoto:Okay. [slicing] Haruka:Yeah, that’s it. Makoto:…I did it! Haruka:Okay then. Next, put soy sauce, mirin, cooking sake, sugar, and water in the frying pan, and bring it to a boil. Makoto:Wait, hang on! Let’s see now… soy sauce, mirin… sake… sugar… and… [turns on the stove] Ack! It’s hot! Haruka:No, dummy! You’re too close to the flames! Makoto:Sorry! Haruka:You didn’t burn yourself, did you? Makoto:Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks. Haruka:Then next, line up the mackerel fillets without overlapping them in the frying pan so they cook evenly. Makoto:Like this? Haruka:Yeah. That’s the only thing you did well. Makoto:Be quiet. Haruka:Put the ginger root you sliced earlier into the frying pan too, and cover the pan with the lid. We’ll let it simmer for 5-10 minutes on medium heat. Makoto:If this were a cooking show, they’d bring out the completed dish they’d made beforehand at this point. Haruka:Why is it you know that, and yet you don’t know how to use a cutting knife? Makoto:Oh, be quiet. Haruka:Let’s move on. Once it’s done simmering, ladle some of the broth with miso, then distribute that around the mackerel back into the frying pan. This is when I also add in this as my secret ingredient. Makoto:Mayonnaise?! Haruka:Putting in a tiny amount of it helps to bring out the flavor. You can use cheese or yogurt too, but I always use this. Makoto:Wow… that part about you is really amazing. I never would have thought up something like that. Haruka:…If you cooked, you would…
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Haruka:Okay, it’s all done. Makoto:Smells great! I hope it turned out well. Haruka:Makoto, open your mouth. Makoto:Eh? [Haruka feeds Makoto] Haruka:Is it good? Makoto:…!!? Haruka:What’s wrong? Makoto:Haru, it’s kind of salty! Haruka:Eh? Could it be…? Where did you get the sugar from? Makoto:Eh, from this container with the blue lid. Haruka:That’s salt. Makoto:Eh?! Haruka:[sighs] Makoto:What now? We can’t eat this… I guess we’ll have to throw it out… Haruka:No. This mackerel isn’t dead yet. Makoto:Eh? What are you going to do, Haru? Haruka:First, break up the mackerel fillet into small pieces. Then we’ll fry them with eggs in the frying pan. Makoto, take out the eggs. Makoto:O–Okay! [Haruka whisks the eggs] Haruka:After that, we’ll add in a serving of cold cooked rice and stir-fry it altogether. Makoto:Such skilled movements… Haruka:No need for any more seasonings. With this, you now have mackerel-miso fried rice. Makoto:Wow! Can I have a bite? Haruka:Sure. Makoto:…It’s so good! It’s really good, Haru! Haruka:That’s great. Makoto:This is going to make them so happy! Haruka:Only if you manage to pull it off properly tomorrow. Makoto:That’s true. Haru. Haruka:Hm? Makoto:Thanks. Haruka:…Y–Yeah. Makoto:Hey, the frying pan! The food’s burning! Haruka:The crispy parts of the rice still taste good. Makoto:But it’s turning black! Ah! Now the fried rice is on fire! Haruka:Calm down. You can use mayonnaise to extinguish the flames. Makoto:You can’t do that, Haru! Just use the lid! The lid! Put the lid on the frying pan– [Makoto's cell phone goes off] Who’s calling me at a time like this?! Hello? Rei? What? Tomorrow’s training menu? Sorry, now’s not the time– No, I don’t mean that, the fried rice–