Day 91:

Second last shift for holiday.

Kinda felt like the whole holiday trip was wasted since I ended up working anyway. What is a holiday?

Lucie mentioned something about fireworks next week. She seemed excited to see Japanese fireworks. Had to tell her they were the same kind of fireworks everywhere else. Lucie refused to believe me and demanded answers from passing Chef Shinomiya.

We both got chopped and told to stop slacking off. Reluctantly went back to work.

Day 92:

Day off.

Heard from Megumi that Soma-kun is winning tons of kitchen wars or whatever.

Still don't really understand why their school does kitchen battles.

Received packaged sweets from 'Isshiki'. Took a while to realise it was the apron guy.

…Is it normal for students to only wear aprons?

Day 93:

Day off.

Started to slowly pack and wrap souvenirs for Marie and Louise. Kind of sad I'll be leaving Japan soon.

Felt sad so I napped for four hours.

Day 94:

Final shift for Japanese 'Shino's'.

Lucie invited everyone to join her for fireworks. Had nothing to do that day so agreed. Abel and Gao Wei also said they were going to come.

Lucie asked Chef Shinomiya who only glared at all of us saying he had better things to do.

Expected his response but a bit disappointed? (It isn't a squad if one is missing).

Day 95:

Finally free!

Spent the whole day sleeping and eating. Also, thinking of going out tomorrow for some fresh air.

Productive day.

Day 96:

Went out today.

Bumped into Chef Shinomiya whilst picking up milk at a grocery store.

Was glared at like usual and forced into conversation.

(It's kinda not fair how he looks good in casual clothes and I don't).

Asked about plans and mentioned fireworks thing. Was questioned if I was really twenty-two years old. Spoke back and asked if he was really twenty-seven. Glared at again but surprisingly did not get chopped.

Weird.

Day 97:

Found and opened old boxes in the back of closet. Found high school yearbook and could not help but flick through pages.

Read a few lines and flipped to homeroom class. Found myself immediately and started wondering if I was born without any facial expressions. Shut the book the moment my eyes landed on Keiji's face.

Hate.

Day 98:

'Sawamura-san, I heard you've come back to Japan for a break. We should catch up some time before you leave.' — Sayuri

…

Can't believe the woman even messaged me.

Does she think I'm stupid?

Deleted message.

Day 99:

Can't stop thinking about Sayuri's message.

Keiji probably told her about me.

There is probably no one as annoying as Keiji in the whole of Japan.

Day 100:

Lucie messaged to remind me of meet up location for fireworks. Also informed me she managed to drag Chef Shinomiya out.

A bit shocked at that and praised her for her audacity.

…

(Squad complete!).

Day 101:

Day before fireworks.

Also realised that 'Shino's' Squad are considered my friends (according to my brother).

…Does Chef Shinomiya even count?

Day 102:

Met up with everyone for fireworks. Last one to arrive but not late. Abel was emotional already even though the fireworks hadn't started yet (probably because he was staying behind in Japan).

Gao Wei brought snacks and I mentally decided she should be blessed for that. Chef Shinomiya brought drinks with Lucie. Saved money.

Talked and ate with everyone as we waited for fireworks. (Got chopped for saying: "Are you a tsundere, Shinomiya-san?")

…

Fireworks! Looked pretty, noted out loud that one of them looked like an octopus and Lucie said I was ruining the moment. Rude.

Chef Shinomiya and I were left behind when the others rushed forward for photos. Asked Chef why he wasn't taking any photos and was given this answer: "They're just fireworks."

Stood beside him and watched the fireworks in silence.

Could not stop my mouth from opening and saying: "I'm happy you came along."

Regretted it when the serious expression on his face shifted into one of surprise. (Personally, I thought he looked horrified). Was about to quickly apologise but was interrupted by Lucie running back up to us.

Kind of thankful she came.

Did not speak to Chef alone for the whole night.

Day 103:

Kind of want to die.

Stomach has been feeling all weird since I came home last night. Currently feel uneasy and nervous but don't really get why. Probably had to do with what was said.

Stayed in bed and repeatedly questioned what had happened.

Felt shook.

Day 104:

Accidentally banged into my desk and am now sporting a bruise on my knee.

Need to stop spacing out.

Day 105:

Continued to pack belongings. Leaving Japan in three days.

Japanese holiday over.

: (

Day 106:

Mother purchased plenty of snacks for me to eat on the plane. Don't know why she thinks I can finish all of it alone.

Brother gave me a book to entertain myself on the plane. Couldn't help but feel surprised since all I see him read is manga.

Packed souvenirs for Marie and Louise.

Day 107:

Just remembered I have to help Louise for her transfer. Made mental note to tell Chef I can't work on that day.

…

Went on a walk to the convenience store and bumped into Sayuri.

"Sawamura-san, how are you? You didn't answer my texts!" - Sayuri. Believe it or not but it was because I didn't want to.

Ignored her and went around her to buy food. Could not catch expression on her face but she was probably mad. She was always mad.

Don't know why she kept trying to converse when I made it obvious I did not want to. Once again, she has always been like this. Asked to hang out again but told her I was leaving Japan tomorrow.

Left store kind of annoyed.

Day 108:

Departure day and I drank like 5 cups of coffee.

Family all gathered to say goodbye and mother told me to make sure I don't do anything stupid. When do I ever do anything stupid?

Goodbye Japan.

Day 109:

Arrived in France.

Accidentally spoke to some people in Japanese and had embarrassed myself in public. Nice.

It is the return of the French (unless I'm at work).

Day 110:

Chef Shinomiya apparently is taking a day off because he's jet lagged (information provided by Gao Wei) so no work!

Megumi contacted me for my address here in France for some reason. Didn't ask why because I wasn't paying attention. I should work on that.

Marie and Louise welcomed me properly now that I wasn't half-asleep and Marie cried about the merchandise I got her. Apparently it was the wrong one? Damn otakus.

Louise reminded me about her moving next week. Ugh. I have to tell Chef about it at work tomorrow.

Day 111:

Told Chef about the moving day thing and was allowed a day off (note: ONE day only).

Worked. Kind of miss Abel. Kind of. Ended up getting fed food made by Chef Shinomiya (his food isn't as salty as he is). Still feel half-weird (is there such a thing as feeling half-weird?) but decided to ignore it.

Got a dishrag thrown at my face. Okay then.

Day 112:

Made the mistake of asking Chef Shinomiya what he looked like without his glasses on. If looks could kill I would be well over legally dead. His glasses actually kind of shield whoever he glares at by a third from his death gaze.

Got ignored by Chef for the rest of the day. Was not fed.

(He has a nice face. Hm.)

Day 113:

Marie showed up at Shino's to eat. Ended up serving her and was caught 'disrespecting a customer' by Chef Shinomiya and got banished to the stockroom. Chef stayed behind probably to 'apologise' even though Marie is my friend.

Storeroom was dark but I managed to organise the new deliveries. Wandered out and went up to Marie again who had a grin wider than a window on her face.

Asked her what was wrong only for the grin to extend basically off her face.

"I didn't know you were into older men, Haru." - Marie

What.

Day 114:

Kneeled in front of Chef Shinomiya and apologised for Marie. Never found out what she was talking about but felt that my livelihood may be threatened so decided to apologise anyway.

Chef only stared down at me with his arms crossed. Can't really read his expression but livelihood is still probably threatened. Gao Wei looked pretty concerned on the side. Thanks.

Expected pain but only got an order to get to work?

"Ah, he's getting pretty soft." Lucie told me but I don't see where this softness is.

Chef Shinomiya is not soft.

Day 115:

Banana-shopkeeper!

Told me he missed me and felt deeply touched. Received 'welcome back' bananas as a present. Asked about how Chef was doing and told him he was fine. Apparently, he's looking forward to seeing him again. Asked to send his regards. Will do.

Marie made some more banana bread. Delicious.

Day 116:

Told Chef Shinomiya when I came in about banana-shopkeeper and was told that he was going to go to the marketplace anyway so he'll talk to him. Cool.

Was going to pass Chef to put backpack in the staffroom but got grabbed by the hoodie and dragged out of the store with him. Ended up going to the market again. Met banana-shopkeeper and received more bananas. Left stand momentarily to look at some other fruit and returned to find Chef looking mildly annoyed and banana-shopkeeper snickering.

Did I miss something spicy?

Worked for the rest of the day.

Day 117:

Went to University and met professor again who asked about this diary. Seemed satisfied I was actually doing it.

Returned home to find package from Japan. Looked at sender and it was that apron kid again, Isshiki-kun.

!

Sweets!

Will now support Isshiki-kun in whatever kitchen brawl he desires to brawl in. Sent email to Megumi with thanks and added message about undying support for her upperclassman.

Day 118:

Brought Isshiki's sweets to share with the rest of staff. Everyone took a bite and looked very shocked. Was questioned where I got the sweets and told them about my new apron son (Didn't actually say 'son').

Lucie did the eyebrow wiggle thing and made me want to slap it off. Got called a cougar despite my youthful age of twenty-two.

("Hehe, Haru-chan's popular with younger guys~!" Cue howling noises by Lucie.)

Kind of felt flustered by this and tried to defend myself: "I'm not into high school kids."

Was lame defence and Chef Shinomiya ended up leaving midway to continue his prep work.

…?

Could have sworn he smirked?

Day 119:

Louise's moving day is soon and Marie looks sad.

Felt sad too and Louise seemed to notice. She promised to still hang around us and talked about how she loved Marie's banana bread. Same.

I wonder if things are alright with them again?

Day 120:

Studied during my break at Shino's and seemed to surprise all the staff that I actually study. They all forgot I was a med student and seemed to believe I was an idiot (informed by Chef Shinomiya).

Asked about my goals by said Chef who was also on break (not that many customers surprisingly). Felt kind of embarrassed thinking about telling him the complete thing so just told him I wanted to be a doctor.

Luckily, he didn't ask further.

Day 121:

Moving day.

Pretty sure I scared Louise's neighbour's cat on the way up to her new flat with boxes in my arms. Also made me realise that I have weak arms.

Marie, Louise and I all ate some takeout in her new apartment before continuing to help her set up. Because I can't help the next few days Marie will be helping her with the furniture. Apologised but was reassured it was alright.

Clocked out the moment I arrived home.

Day 122:

Back to work and my arms feel like jelly. Did best not to drop any plates and avoid the wrath of Chef Shinomiya.

Recently, Gao Wei and Lucie have been sneaking around and whispering things behind my back and am concerned about my safety in the upcoming days. Definitely know they aren't backstabbing me since they aren't the type and Lucie would probably just say it to my face (Appreciate her honesty).

On the look out.

Day 123:

Asked Chef about Lucie's weirdness.

Got this as a reply: "She's always been weird."

Thanks for the help, Chef Shinomiya. Gao Wei was always giggling nowadays. Seriously, did I miss something?

Why do I keep missing the spicy goods.

Day 124:

Worked on coursework the whole day and basically ran on coffee (made by that one guy who watched me drop it once and gave me another for free) for the whole day. Got message from Megumi that another package was being sent and decided I should probably find stuff to send back to them in return.

Wait, what would they even want?

Day 125:

Asked Chef Shinomiya what I should send Megumi and her friends. Was told to send ingredients I have never ever heard of so they can use them in their stove feuds ("It's 'Food war'!").

Informed him about the fact I had no idea what he was talking about.

Looks like I'll be buying them with Chef Shinomiya now.

(It was kind of nice he said he would come after he glared).

Day 126:

Was forced by Lucie to buy a new skirt. Don't really get why but purchased a nice pastel pink one that stopped right before my knees. Was complimented about my clothing tastes by Lucie and thanked her.

Ate at some Chinese restaurant. Prawn dumplings were great.

Day 127:

Met banana-shopkeeper again and was questioned about the lack of Chef Shinomiya's presence when purchasing bananas. Told him I wasn't always with him. Got a confused look in response.

Both of us were confused before moving onto talking about his health issues.

Ended up leaving after giving him so advice about how to deal with his back.

Day 128:

Studied.

Why am I attending college?

Day 129:

Asked by Lucie if I wanted to attend a blind date tomorrow. Ew. Luckily, I already had something going on.

Told her about the quest for ingredients that Chef Shinomiya will be helping me with. Got a blank look before getting asked what ingredients they were. Told her some names and found out the ingredients were mainly found in rural areas and farms.

Stared at her for a really long time.

Walked to the kitchen and asked just how long it was going to get these ingredients.

Got a deadpan look. "Three days."

…

Sighs. Need to shave legs.

Day 130:

Met Chef in front of Shino's with a duffel bag and half a cup of coffee. Had to show up at 5am and felt dead.

Chef looked fine though and gave me train tickets.

This ingredients thing was more of a pain than I thought.

Author's Note: I have my final exams coming up and I just really wanted to update this because it had been sitting on my laptop for like 8 months now. I am so SORRY GUYS. I am so grateful for the amount of support this story is getting and I'm asking you to just please bare with me a little longer as November 16 marks my last exam and after that I am free (until I start University next year)!

Anyway, this chapter has the return of our favourite banana-shopkeeper, Marie and Louise's tension-filled relationship, no Abel and basically Haru adopts a son. Hahaha. Reviews are appreciated and once again thank you for all your feedback and encouragement!