The moment Fuuka invited you over for a home-cooked meal, you were… cautious. It wasn’t that you didn’t appreciate the effort—Fuuka was sweet and genuinely trying—but you had heard things. Whispers from SEES members who had lived through her past attempts. Akihiko’s haunted stare. Junpei’s barely concealed terror.

Still, when she greeted you with a bright smile and a grey apron (which you were certain wasn’t hers originally), you couldn’t bring yourself to turn her down.

“It’s almost ready!” Fuuka chirped, carefully stirring something in a pot. The smell was… complicated. Not necessarily bad, but confusing. Like three different cuisines had been blended together in an unholy fusion that no one had asked for.

You sat at the table, watching as she carefully plated the food. It was colorful, at least. Vibrant, even. A little too vibrant.

“I followed a recipe this time, Aragaki-senpai has been teaching me a lot” she said proudly, placing the dish in front of you.

You stared at it. It stared back.

Fuuka sat across from you, eyes shining with anticipation. There was no escape.

Tentatively, you picked up your fork and took a bite. The texture was interesting. The taste was complicated. Your brain struggled to process the sheer range of sensations happening in your mouth all at once.

“Well? What do you think?” she asked, leaning forward eagerly.

You swallowed—barely—and managed a smile that you hoped didn’t look too pained. “It’s… unique.”

Fuuka beamed. “I knew you’d like it!”

In the background, the kitchen timer dinged.

“Oh! The dessert should be ready too!”

…You weren’t sure if you were going to survive the evening.