insurmountable | The Bet

[ Dot. Dot. Fucking. Dot.

Did she hear him right? Did he say that Inazuman sharks aren't as long as he expected them to be? What kind of monsters are swimming around Snezhnaya?!?!?! And maybe it's just her imagination but she swears, she swears he looked more excited about fighting that shark than saving that unfortunate person.

This guy has to be off his rocker. Any normal person would think that but fortunately for him, Yoimiya is anything but normal herself. Even if she wanted to get mad at him, it's hard not to when he looks so gosh darned happy. ]

Hey, don't apologize. You did the right thing by saving that person. If you weren't there, they might have turned into fish food. And... well, I can't deny you looked pretty dashing out there. I couldn't take my eyes off you as you were fighting that beast, haha. I'm happy to say that I'm in the presence of a hero.

[ Giggling, she reaches over to give him a well-deserved pat on the shoulder! While also double checking for any injuries, it's almost hard to believe he got out of it without a scratch but from just a quick glance, there's not a single bite mark, scratch, or even spots of blood on him. ]

I'm impressed you got out of it unscathed too! Dare I say... almost seems like that shark wasn't a match for you.

[ Which is kind of terrifying but maybe Snezhnayan men are just built differently. ]

[Well, that definitely makes him feel good. He was expecting to get scolded a little, since what he did was pretty dangerous. But not from Yoimiya! She praises him and he eats that praise all up, his chest puffing out just a little bit.]

Hah, well, if I wasn't careful it could have eaten me just as easily as any shark. It did help that the smaller size made it easier to get a handle on, so I could fight it until it was too frustrated to continue. Plus, the fight helped it go back into deeper water...so it works out for everyone.

[Ajax beams back at her, but now the beach is getting closed despite the fact that the danger has subsided. Lifeguards are shooing people away and helping others find their way out, and he sighs in resignation.]

Unfortunately, it looks as if our little date here is over. I was really looking forward to seeing the jellyfish.

[Said with some genuine sadness...he'd heard it was really cool, and that's something that could never happen in Snezhnaya.]

[ Look at this guy puffing out his chest in pride! Honestly, she's almost tempted to scold him for it just for acting like that but really, she can't be mad at him when he pulled such an incredible feat. (Even if it's to quell his own weird thirst for battle.)

But soon, this man goes from a proud peacock to a sad puppy. Poor guy, she could tell he was really looking forward to seeing them. ]

Yeah, it's a shame we can't see the jellyfish. The shark probably spooked them away from this spot...

[ Never fear, Yoimiya is here! And by gosh, she'll find a way for him to see the jellyfish. ]

Buuut, I happen know of a secret lil beach where you can still see the jellyfish. They won't come until nightfall, so why don't we grab something to eat in the meantime? It will be my treat! After all, a good hero like you deserves a reward.

[His ears perk up when she suggests going to another location to see the jellyfish. His eyebrows raise, and he looks very intrigued and happy by the news- and not to mention she's already on top of satisfying the hunger in his stomach after a hard workout like wrestling a shark.]

I'll take you up on that offer. Alright, let's go. If it's your treat, I'll go wherever you recommend. I've had my fill of sushi and ramen, so if there's a different dish you believe I should try...

[He's only one man with so much time to try every traditional Inazuman dish on the menu of the local restaurants. And who better to recommend things than a local?]

[ Who would have thought that someone itching to fight to throw hands with a shark could look so happy at the idea of seeing jellyfish? She swears this guy does not feel like a real person but that makes him intriguing. He is hands down, the most fun guy she's been around and she can't wait to introduce him to Itto. ]

Look at you, already acquainted with Inazuman cuisine. Hehe, color me impressed! I had a few options in mind and one of them was a rotating sushi bar. But we'll cross that one off the list for now.

[ She makes a note to take him next time he gets a craving for sushi. ]

Have you been to a yakiniku restaurant, yet?

[He keeps that rotating sushi bar suggestion in the back of his head for next weekend. Even though he's had a lot of it recently, that sounds good and he would be totally down to go to it with her.

Yakiniku is a new one, though, and it shows on his face. It's a very clear ignorance that he has to the wonders of Inazuman cuisine, but he also looks very interested in it.]

I sure haven't. What's yakiniku?

[Whatever it is it sounds delicious.]

[ Cool, cool. She's about to this Snezhnayan boy to a place that's gonna blow his mind. ]

Yakiniku means "grilled meat". In yakiniku restaurants, instead of cooked food, we order raw ingredients like meat and vegetables and we cook it ourselves on the grill built into the tables.

I see...

[This sounds more like a social experience to him. He lifts his hand to his chin, wondering about what else he might find there.]

I'm guessing they can get their own special cuts of meat, right? You'd have to to convince people to cook their own food at a restaurant, haha.

[It sounds fun though, he's already looking forward to it.]

That's right! Yakiniku restaurants offer a wide variety of special cuts to choose from. Well, showing is better than telling so come on. Let's get dried up and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

[ And of course, she can't forget the most important part about yakiniku. ]

Hopefully, you've gotten yourself familiarized with chopsticks.

[ Off to the yakiniku restaurant they go, which happens to not be too far away from the beach they were playing at. The restaurant is remarkably well-equipped with grills built into tables everywhere you look. The aroma of grilled meat immediately hits anyone coming through the door and Yoimiya can already feel her stomach rumbling just from the scenet alone. As soon as they get seated at one of the tables, she slides menu his way. ]

So, what do you think? Not too shabby, eh? The special cuts of meat almost seem endless.

[Chopsticks...

He's going to wait until they get to the restaurant to tackle the chopsticks issue. He sure has attempted to use them when he got to Inazuma but that doesn't mean he's been successful. As they're lead through the restaurant, he's noticing that most people are using them as they grill their food, happily eating without a fork in sight...oh boy.

Ajax takes the menu, opening it to take a look. There's a bunch of meat in here that he has never heard of before, and he blinks a few times at it.]

Yeah, it seems so...

[He can already tell he has no idea what to order. He doesn't even know what half of those side orders are.]

There's almost too much to choose from. You know, maybe I'll go with your recommendation tonight. You'll find I'm really not picky, as long as it's good.

[ Oh poor Ajax. She can tell that's the face of a white boy who is overwhelmed with all the choices and is still in the process of learning Inazuman phrases. For someone who jumped in to literally fight a shark, he sure looks confused... it's honestly really cute. All these different sides to him are really charming. So much so, that she can't help but lightly giggl. ]

You got it. Two of the most popular cuts of meat are karubi and harami. Karubi is a short rib that's very tender, super duper juicy, and has more marbling than most cuts. Harami naturally tastes more bold than most meats and comes marinated with soy sauce.

[ Once the waitress brings the pair their complementary bowl of rice and miso soup, Yoimiya places an order of karubi, harami, and even throws in a side of kimichi and the veggie platter. The waitress quickly jots down their order and scurries off into the kitchen. ]

I hope you don't mind me going overboard. Since you saved that guy, I figure a celebration feast is in order.

[ Besides, she's paying anyway! Mora is really no issue for her when she wants to treat a hero :3c ]

Edited 2025-03-25 03:18 (UTC)

[Whatever Yoimiya is saying, sounds appetizing to him. He's willing to try it, and as long as it's good, he knows he'll like it. Ajax doesn't even flinch as Yoimiya orders all that food- he's a healthy boy, and he can eat. When the soup arrives, he picks up the soup spoon, savoring the miso. He's had it already a few times while being in Inazuma, so it's a welcome appetizer.]

Haha, that's kind of you to order so much in my honor.

[But he still looks proud regardless. He's more proud he wrestled with a shark and won, over the fact that he saved someone...but she can interpret his pride in any way she likes. He's not going to clarify.]

I'm very excited to try everything. However, there is well...one problem.

[He might as well get it out there before she watches him fail. Maybe he can get some help before he makes a fool of himself.]

I'm not from somewhere that uses chopsticks...

[ A problem? Oh no. Yoimiya's ears immediately perk up at that, worried that she might have accidentally ordered something he's unable to stomach. As a billion thoughts float through her head, she's dead silent as she listens to him.

And then... he finally reveals the issue. Chopsticks...

This boy can't use chopsticks!!!!! ]

Wha...?

[ Yoimiya looks speechless. She certainly wasn't expecting that kind of twist. It takes her a moment to gather her thoughts together and when she does, she's giggling up a storm. ]

Hehehe, I should have known. It's not like Snezhnaya is known for using chopsticks.

[ Well, she figures there are a couple ways of fixing this problem. ]

I'm sure the restaurant has forks you can use! Or if you're interested, I can teach you.

[He had a feeling he might get laughed at a little. Won't be the first, nor the last time. All he can do is do his best to learn and master them...which he will!]

I'd like to learn, though having a fork as a backup wouldn't hurt.

[His pride isn't going to hurt from getting a little help. Without the help he's gotten in his life, he wouldn't be where he is now. So having to use a fork if all else fails won't hurt him.]

What is it I should call you if you're my teacher...isn't there a word for that in Inazuman?

Oooh, I'm impressed you're already picking up Inazuman phrases. Keep this up and I think you have a shot at learning chopsticks pretty quickly.

[ Little does she know about his inability at chopsticks.....

Before she can answer, the waitress comes back with their order of meat and other side dishes. She sets their order in front of them, a litany of perfectly marbled meat is spread across neatly on the plate. Oooh, it already looks so good and she can't wait to sink her fangs into them! But first, she asks the waitress if she has an extra fork on her and she does! Now that they've acquired a backup plan for Ajax, she turns her attention back to him, picking up a piece of meat with her chopsticks. ]

The word you're looking for is "sensei". So from this point on, I guess you can call me Yoimiya-sensei, haha.

[ Not that she needed the ego boost. With her meat acquired, she extends her arm for him to get a good look at how the chopsticks sits in her hand. ]

First, study how I'm holding the chopsticks with my hand.

[Ajax gets his first glimpse at this particular Inazuman meal, pupils dilating at all the delicious meat spread in front of them. He can tell that it was going to taste amazing just from looking at it. But, in order to enjoy the Inazuman food, he's got to learn the Inazuman way of eating it- with chopsticks.

His current mortal enemy.

He studies the chopsticks in her hand, carefully noting how her thumb holds one stick while the other is free to move as it needs to. He takes his chopstick out, doing his best to emulate what Yoimiya is doing, but it's not quite right...]

Like this, Yoimiya-sensei?

[There's a small lilt in his voice, having fun with using honorifics and yet not quite understanding what it really means to do so. He shows her his work, but when he tries to move his top chopstick, it falls right out of his hand...]

[ Yoimiya-sensei... she could get used to hearing that!

She's trying hard not to giggle as he carefully studies her hand movement. He's taking this chopstick lesson seriously and she can't be any prouder of her student. Once he's done, she watches him try to emulate her hold but...

It's not quite right. And it shows in how it falls right out of his hand.

Ah... they have a lot of work to do. ]

It was a little off but you're getting there! Here, let's try this.

[ Yoimiya brings the fallen chopstick back to his hand, placing it inside his palm. She gently folds his thumb around the utensil, and positions his middle finger to where it supports the bottom of the upper chopstick. ]

Try thinking about it like holding a pencil!

[He watches in dismay as the stick falls right out of his hand and onto the table. Frowning, he wonders what on earth he did wrong. He swears that he'd emulated her perfectly, so what went wrong? He'll have to really think about it to make sure he doesn't mess it up again.

Silently, he lets her put it back in his hand, fixing his grip in a way that feels so unnatural. He's not used to having the bottom stick that far down on his middle finger, and now she's got him pinching it while holding the upper stick like a writing utensil. He's a little scared to move his fingers, so he looks to her before he even chances it.]

Okay...but how am I supposed to move them? Do they both move? I don't see how the bottom one is supposed to move...

[Shows how little he knows about chopsticks...]

[ Now, she might be an Inazuman with chopsticks ingrained into her brain but she swears, this is the first time she's seen someone so utterly inept at chopsticks.

It's tempting to poke fun at a guy who relishes in battle but can't even pick up two thin strips of wood. But even she feels bad for him. Poor Ajax, she doesn't have it in her to tease him because he just looks so beyond confused at the pair of sticks in his hands. Internally, she makes a silent oath to refrain from giggling at his expense. ]

This might be a tad difficult to remember keep your thumb in between the two chopsticks and press down on the top one with your index finger.

[ Naturally, showing is better than telling, and Yoimiya resumes the demonstration by effortlessly picking up a piece of meat with her chopsticks. ]

Try to pivot the upper chopstick up and down so it hits the tip of the lower chopstick.

[~~He's a 10 but he can't use chopsticks~~

Oh. You don't move both, you only move one. He can see how the bottom stick doesn't move and she's only pinching the top one down onto the bottom one. He supposes that makes way more sense, but just because he understands it doesn't mean he can put it into practice quite yet.

Ajax tries again, doing his best to do exactly what Yoimiya is showing him to do. But it's still very difficult for him, and when he tries to pick up a piece of meat, the chopsticks seem to twist around it and he drops it almost instantly. At least, he kept the sticks in his hand, but they're not looking too hot...]

...Maybe a fork will have to do. I'll work on using chopsticks...

[His face scrunches, frustration settling in his eyebrows at this new challenge, but he's determined to learn. Maybe just not completely tonight.]

You won't mind if I don't use them all the time tonight, do you?

[Like an old codger who insists that learning to use chopsticks is the only way to enjoy the local gastronomy?]

[ ... Ah. Poor guy just can't seem to get it right. And it's not for a lack of trying, the frustration painting his features says it all, it's evident that he's doing his absolute best to follow her instructions but for whatever reason, the universe keeps getting in the way of this man and chopsticks. ]

Of course not! Don't worry, I'm not like one of those old fuddy duddies who will yet at you like... [ She clears her throat, attempting to her best old!Yoi voice. ] "I can't believe those darn kids from the north don't know how to use chopsticks! Young people these days, all they want is the easy way out with a fork and spoon."

[ Soon, Yoimiya's voice cracks into her usual high-pitched tone and she's immediately laughing. As she passes a fork and a set of tongs Ajax's way, she grabs the attention of a waitress passing by. ]

Excuse me! Could you bring us a bottle of your finest sake and some beer? We're going all out tonight since this guy saved a man from nearly getting eaten by a shark.

[ But if she had to guess, he was probably more interested in fighting the shark than saving that dude but details, details. ]

[Now he's going to wonder if old Inazuman men sound like this. Yoimiya's impression makes him laugh, it's silly and he wasn't expecting that out of her. He's not totally familiar with some of the Inazuman language, so he just imagines some old guy behind him judging him silently in Inazuman for using a fork. He's pale and ginger, old guy, give him a break.

But thank god they do have forks. He takes the one she passes his way, beaming up at the waitress when his good deed is announced. He sure did do that! It was great. Fighting the shark was the best part.

When the waitress leaves, he turns to grin at Yoimiya.]

You really weren't kidding about this dinner. I'm really looking forward to trying the sake from here; I've found that all sorts of places have their own, and I've really come to enjoy it.

[It's not Fire-Water, but he likes himself a drink or two.]

By the way, when do we start cooking the meat? My mouth is practically watering looking at it.

[ Cute... for a man who fought a shark with nothing but his bare hands, he sure looks adorable as he beams up at the waitress. He almost reminds her of a kid looking proud of his accomplishment. Except that he's a tall, ginger kid who just threw hands with a giant shark.

Yeah, this guy is proving that he's her type for sure. ]

Hehe, if you're already drooling now, the table is gonna be soaked once you smell that delicious aroma of cooked meat. Let's get to cooking now so we don't keep your poor stomach waiting.

[ Without further delay, Yoimiya picks up a few karubi with her chopsticks and begins laying them on top of the grill. Immediately, her senses are filled with the delectable scent of the meat's juices streaming across the black grates with a hiss. One whiff is enough to send her to heaven, she can't imagine how much drool Ajax is getting ready to spill. While the beef sizzles, she picks up a piece of kimchi, popping the spicy delicacy into her mouth. ]

Mm, I'm already getting hungry just looking at it. So! There's no set time for grilling the meat. Rare, medium rare, or well done, just cook it to your preferred taste. Once it's finished to your liking, dip it in the restaurant's special soy sauce mix for a flavor that will blow your mind.

[Ajax's eyes follow Yoimiya's chopsticks as they lay the meat on the grill, and as it cooks it smells delectable. He supposes now they can cook the meat to their liking instead of hoping the kitchen would cook it the way they like...so he supposes he sees the value in doing it yourself on the grill at the table. The longer the aroma of the meat lingers in his nostrils, the more he can feel his stomach growling. He hadn't realized he was so hungry...]

Oh, I will. I'm getting hungry smelling it...

[It's tempting to try the side dish, but he doesn't want to spoil his appetite yet with side dishes. The kimchi can wait for a moment for him.]

I could almost eat a piece right off of the plate right now. The bloodier, the better, I'd say.

[It's not good meat without some blood.]

My sentiments exactly! I see the charm of crispy meat but there's something about blood dripping out of the meat that makes it so... mouth-watering.

[ Likewise, Yoimiya can no longer wait either. With her chopsticks in hand, she plucks a cut of meat that's pretty much uncooked off the grill. It's still pink and oozing with blood but there's not an ounce of hesitation in her as she brings it to her mouth, and pulls it right off the bone with her teeth. She makes sure to savor each bite, taking her sweet time to enjoy the rush of blood that graces her tongue. It's clear she's enjoying the raw meat little too much with how happy she sounds while eating. ]

Mm! Delicious.

[ This isn't weird at all. Nope. ]

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he should get get drunk and use chopsticks like a pro by the end of their dinner LOL

👍

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