Work Text:
"So that's where the skateboard comes into play..?"
Irene was accompanying Ichiko, they were back on track on continuing the manga. She required the master detective for her insight on her manga so far.
All of a sudden, a beep came from Irene's MePad.
Irene then took her MePad, now looking at the screen, and her eyes widened at who the message came from.
"Hm? A text from Maria-san?"
The message read: "Come. To the Narby Square".
"Ah, sorry Ichiko-san! Can we resume this another time? It seems that Maria-san's calling for me."
Ichiko didn't mind, and waved off Irene who was scurrying to leave the dormitory.
While going to the Narby Square, she was thinking of all sorts of reasons on why Maria would call her. Though, she was thankful the text didn't read to go to the arcade. It has been a while since they last raced, but ever since their afternoon tea "date", they've stopped.
Knowing the reason why Maria was so insistent on that did make Irene feel butterflies in her stomach, but racing all day everyday would ultimately wear her out.
Not wanting to make Maria wait, she hurried off to the Narby Square. As she got closer, the smell of woodsmoke wafted throughout the park.
Still pondering on why, she then spotted the tall figure cloaked in red, next to a masonry oven. No one else could come to mind other than Maria. Finally spotting her, she dashed. Slightly out of breath, Irene composed herself before asking..
"Maria-san, why did you call me here?"
"I told you, I would treat you to pizza."
Looking over into the inside of the masonry oven, Irene wasn't sure if Maria was joking, as there was no pizza at all.
"But I don't see any pizza ready?"
"You'll help with making it."
"I think this kind of activity would be better done if we called in the rest of 31-X. Don't you think?"
"Not a bad idea, but for today, I only want to treat you."
That line made Irene's heart race. Brushing it off, Irene was glad that Maria's been warming up to her, the culture exchange was working wonders. While she was happy about the squad harmonizing over individuality, it also brought her closer to Maria.
"Very well then! I'd be delighted to help. Although I don't see any ingredients?"
"Let us grab what we need in the kitchen. I have already prepared the utensils on the table here, and the dough should be done resting."
"You even made your own dough.."
"Hah? Did you think I was going to use prepared dough? I will kill you."
"I'm sorry!!! I never doubted your dedication to Italian cuisine!!"
Walking side by side, they went off into the cafeteria and headed for the kitchen to gather ingredients.
"May I ask what specific type of pizza we're making?"
"Traditional Neapolitan pizza."
"After we finish making that, we can move onto making other variations."
"I see, I see. Mind if I suggest what toppings we could add?"
"Go ahead."
Seizing this opportunity, Irene thinks of a question that might end up in a death threat, but nevertheless her curiosity got the better of her.
"What if I add pineapple?"
"Cosa hai detto?!"
Maria stood still, her face conveying utter disbelief at Irene's question. She was staring at Irene as if she just did something horrible.
"M-Maria-san? What is it?"
"Pineapple is an utter disgrace to pizza. Die."
"Eh?! But you didn't mind when Vritika-san suggested kari on pizza?"
"Pizza is not a dessert! Adding pineapple ruins the essence of pizza, it is meant to be savory."
"So I guess pineapple is where Italians draw the line. Is it really that unorthodox?"
"Pineapple is sweet. It disrupts the integrity and harmony of a traditional pizza. The balance of the acidity from the tomatoes, richness from the mozzarella and freshness from the basil. Adding pineapple in would double the acidity, thus an imbalance in the flavor."
"Then would kari not also shake the imbalance by adding in more richness?"
"....."
"Ahh!! I'm so sorry!!! Clearly pineapple shakes the root core of a traditional pizza despite technically kari does as well?!"
"I guess some are just more unorthodox than others…"
"Do you understand now? Never put pineapple on pizza."
"I understand…"
Maria pointed out what they needed and Irene quickly rushed to her side, eager to be of help. Now acquiring the goods, they were walking side by side once again, both had plenty of ingredients for various pizzas.
Back at the Narby Square, they set the ingredients on a table near the masonry oven.
"Maria-san, did you put this table here? I don't recall this being here up until today."
"I asked for help from the maintenance crew. The ones who came to me for confession immediately set it up."
"Eheh, it seems like they appreciate you a lot."
"SÍ… Now, let us prepare the pizza."
Grabbing a knife, she cuts the pizza dough into balls.
"Irene, come here."
Hurrying to her, Irene was now at Maria's side, Maria then took the dough and started to knead it.
"Watch closely." Irene's attention was fully fixated on the process, after kneading, Maria started to stretch the dough and eventually formed the pizza base.
"Now.." Taking the pizza base, Maria proceeded to knead it back into a ball.
"Eh? Maria-san, why did you do that? Was there something wrong with it?"
"No, I would never mess up pizza. Here." She then handed the dough to Irene.
"Knead."
Caught off guard, she was a bit flimsy, but she did her best at following Maria's demonstration as she kneaded the dough. With Maria watching, it made her a bit nervous if it didn't turn it right.
"Maria-san, is this right?" Irene now formed the base, and showed it to Maria.
"No, the base is too thick."
"Ah sorry! I'll do it a—"
Before Irene could finish, Maria stepped closer, she was now behind Irene. Irene could feel her warmth from her tall stature, she was enveloped by it due to her much smaller frame.
Then, Maria covered Irene's hands with her own.
"M-Maria-san?!" She was as red as the tomatoes prepared for the pizza.
"Quiet, your kneading motion is wrong too. This is how you're supposed to do it."
Even with Maria guiding her, it was a bit hard for Irene to focus.
"Use the heel of your palm. Then knead the dough away from you."
Irene could only nod in return. She was trying her hardest not to panic, at least there was a silver lining, it was that Maria couldn't see her face.
"Do you understand now?"
"Y-Yes…"
Maria then let go of her hand, and returned to Irene's side. Then she noticed Irene looked a bit flushed.
"Oi, Irene. Are you ill?"
"I-I'm not, Maria-san, where is this coming from..?"
"You look red. Don't push yourself, we can continue this another time."
"It's fine really!! I promise I'm not sick!!" Irene really couldn't say she was just flustered from earlier.
Maria stared at her for a while, but decided not to pry into it. Though, she wasn't exactly convinced by Irene's words.
"No need to fret, say, can I try again on making the pizza base? I got it all sorted!"
Quickly wanting to move onto another topic, Irene takes a shot at pizza base redemption.
Handing the dough back to Irene, Irene takes into mind Maria's earlier correction.
"Push it towards me.. Using the heel of my palms.." After kneading, she makes sure to make the base thinner.
"Maria-san! How's this?"
Irene was now proudly presenting her work, Maria putting her hand on her chin, looking at Irene's new and improved pizza base.
"...Not bad."
The next step was now adding on the sauce.
Irene glossed over the tomatoes. Noticing the unique shape compared to regular or plum tomatoes. "Pear-shaped? If I'm not mistaken, those are San Marzano tomatoes."
"That's right. Only that and pomodorino vesuviano are acceptable for Neapolitan pizza. There are no substitutes, otherwise the taste would be different."
Maria takes the tomatoes, puts them in a bowl, and starts crushing them.
"Maria-san?! Why are you using your hands?!"
"Because it is the traditional way of preparing the sauce. Irene, you will crush too."
Irene quit her waffling and followed suit.
While crushing them, Maria squeezed a bit too hard and some of the tomato juice splattered onto Irene's cheek.
"Eek!"
"?!"
"Ah, It's alright Maria-san, I can wipe this off—I have a handker.." Without a pause, Maria cupped Irene's face. She too had her own handkerchief, and was wiping away at her cheek, making sure no drop was left behind.
"....."
"Scusa. I did not mean to do that."
As if Irene's brain hadn't circuited earlier, it definitely was now. With the addition of Maria seeing her face, it was incredibly hard for her to stay composed.
Despite it only lasting a couple seconds, it felt like hours. The image of Maria looking at her with such softness, it was burned into her eyes. After all, it was a sight so rare, she did not want to forget that gaze.
Maria then let go of Irene's face. It took a while for Irene to come back to reality.
With the crushed tomatoes now at the right consistency, Maria sprinkled in some salt to taste.
Maria nodded and grinned, it was clear she was feeling accomplished with it. Irene could only smile longingly at how much Maria was enjoying herself.
"You only put this much. Then we will add the mozzarella."
"Just like with tomatoes, only two types of mozzarella are fit for Neapolitan pizza. This one is mozzarella di bufala, however fior di latte is fine too."
"I'm surprised the cafeteria staff even has these specific ingredients.."
"Irene, tear the mozzarella."
"It's not meant to be cut?" Funnily enough, this reminded Irene of when she corrected Maria she wasn't supposed to cut scones, but to break them apart. This time, the roles were reversed.
Adding the last ingredient, the last thing needed to do was to cook it. Maria moved the pizza to the peel, and put it inside the masonry oven.
"It should be done in about 60-90 seconds. You eat first."
While waiting, Irene and Maria made some small talk. Time really is so fleeting, it was by now, that the pizza was already done cooking. Taking it out of the oven, transferring it to a plate, Maria added on basil, sliced the pizza, before giving it to Irene.
"Here. Eat it quickly, while it's still hot."
The difference between the cafeteria pizza and the one in front of Irene was appalling. As she took a bite, she nearly shed a tear. It was utterly perfect, an orchestration of flavors despite using such simple ingredients.
It was all over Irene's face, she was in bliss. Happily eating the pizza her and Maria made. She was so delighted in fact that she didn't even notice Maria was staring at her, with a smile plastered on her face.
Maria waited for her to finish eating, afterwards they went on to create more pizzas. Of course, all with no pineapples.
Later on, the smell of pizza cooking caught the attention of a certain someone.
"Hmm? This smell..?"
"It's definitely pizza! That has to be Maririn cooking! I'll ask for a slice!" It was Ruka, having tasted pizza made by Maria before, she absolutely wanted to taste her cooking again. With a thrilled look on her face, she went down the stairs.
A hand suddenly grabs the scruff of Ruka's collar, and pulls her off to the side.
"Stop, Kayamori!"
"Carole?!"
Carole ushered her to stay quiet, making sure that Maria and Irene didn't hear or see them.
"As the squad leader of 31-X, I don't want anybody interruptin' my squad's love birds."
"Just say you're spying on them!"
"Hold on, Irene? Maririn? Love birds? That's a little hard to believe…"
"Sure, it does seem that way. But I just need ya to trust me on this."
Despite Ruka always causing trouble, she did know her boundaries when she wouldn't intervene. That applied to this moment.
"Take a look for yourself."
Ruka, following Carole's gaze, looked at the two of them.
"Irene, try this."
"Maria-san, I can feed myself—"
"Eat it."
Irene eventually gave in and let Maria feed her. Albeit feeling embarrassed.
"..."
"Maririn really is a big softie. But I get the feeling Irene doesn't realize how lucky she is."
Ruka understood now. For such an unusual dynamic, they pair well together. Or perhaps the contrast is what makes them work, for their differences balance out each other.
Motioning to leave, Ruka spots Yuki seemingly coming from the munitions store, and runs off after her. Carole stayed behind, only leaving after Irene and Maria were done.
That night, Maria and Irene were teased by the rest of 31-X once again when they got back to their dorm.