Hiroki had spent far more time than he'd realized at Sugarcube Corner, despite having gotten Pinkie Pie on board for the evening almost immediately. The sun had risen further in the sky and the grains of sand in the proverbial hourglass were counting away to high noon. He was beginning to growl in frustration as he was still shoving the steel appliance down the street. A lingering doubt tickled him unpleasantly as beads of sweat fell from his face and into the dirt beneath his hooves.
It wasn't that much further, town square was only a few streets away. However the mango and chili powder was festering in his gut and with the sun beating down on him, it may as well have been a few miles. This was starting to feel more trouble than it was worth. He paused beside a bench long enough to wipe the sweat from his brow when a dull twang rang in his ears, causing them to perk up.
"Look out!" A voice rang out, causing Hiroki to whip his head around in search of the source.
He brought his gaze up, squinting his viridian green eyes as he caught sight of a red kickball screaming toward him with a direct path to hit him square in the face. The perceived threat gave him a boost of adrenaline, counteracting the fatigue he was feeling. In the blink of an eye Hiroki reached for his sword and took a single step forward, drawing his blade and striking swiftly in one perfect motion. The kickball didn't stand a chance.
The poor ball giving off a faint cry of escaping air as it was sliced in half.
The two sides zoomed past Hiroki and flopped to the ground just as Rainbow Dash came grinding to a halt a few feet in front of him. She swallowed hard when he raised up on his hind legs, his curved blade glinting in the late morning sun as it was held ready. Upon realizing there was nothing else being launched at him, his threat perception instantly diminished and the sword was soon drawn across the edge of the scabbard then put to rest. Several ponies nearby were now staring and looking very nervous, even after the sword had been sheathed. Despite initial reservations Rainbow Dash spoke up first.
She liked to be to first.
"Hey, what's the big idea? I said 'look out' not 'cut my ball in half'," she cried. Rainbow narrowed her eyes and crossed her forelegs as she rose up off the ground.
"I... apologize..." Hiroki slumped slightly, his expression of intensity soon fading back to fatigue. He turned back towards the grill, pushing it with a heavy grunt.
"Hey, what about my-" Rainbow Dash was beginning to protest as the samurai went to leave, but moved to hover along the opposite side of the grill when her eyes fell upon it. "What are you doing with this big piece of junk anyway?"
He was forced to stop and look up at the Pegasus. "Yūshoku. I need it to make you dinner."
"Come again?" Rainbow Dash sank back to the ground and gave him a strange look with one raised eyebrow. Hiroki let out a slow sigh of irritation before correcting himself.
"I am to make supper for you and your friends. Also Princess Celestia and," he growled fiercely as he gave the steel appliance another shove and caught a rock in the dirt, making him stumble. "Princess Luna..."
"Whoa, the Princesses are coming here tonight? And you're making us dinner?! That's totally aw-" Rainbow Dash moved around to stand beside him and her eyes were brimming with excitement. Until she cut herself short in attempt to keep some measure of composure. She could still hear Ms. Harshwinny reminding her about professionalism. "Ahem. Awesome. So, what is this thing? How is this gonna help you make dinner?"
"This is... hhnrghh... teppan. A grill. Teppanyaki means... to grill on... iron plate. The shokunin cooks in front of guests." The samurai was determined not to let Rainbow's line of inquiry distract him from the task at hoof.
Time was running out however, as the Ponyville clock tower suddenly chimed twelve o'clock. Hiroki suddenly grumbled furiously and with his teeth bared, lowered himself to shove with all his might. He gave the appliance another hard shove, pushing it over the obstructing rock and sending it several feet forward. The Earth pony was no pushover, but moving something so heavy by oneself would take it's toll on anypony. The Pegasus raised an eyebrow curiously.
"You're not looking too hot... actually, you're looking a little too hot." It wasn't readily discernible if Rainbow Dash showing concern or poking fun as she casually tapped the edge. "You need a hoof moving this beast?"
"..." Hiroki said nothing as he continued his epic struggle by letting out another growl when he shoved the grill again.
"You're going to hurt yourself if you keep up like this." Rainbow Dash shook her head, slowly rolling her eyes.
Why did Earth ponies have to be so stubborn? If he was determined to move this thing, then she'd help him even if he didn't want to admit needing it. Okay, she really did want him to admit it so she could boast about it later, but that wasn't likely to happen. She was going to help him, but maybe she could sweeten it just a little bit...
"How about this; I'll help you get this back if you teach me some of your wicked cool moves..." Dash dropped this and casually moved into position alongside him. She bent forward and gave a firm push, grumbling at the resistance she received. "Grrr... this thing weighs about as much as the Cake's Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness."
When she gave another push and felt it just as heavy as before, Rainbow stopped and looked over to see that Hiroki was now a few paces behind her. No wonder it felt so heavy, she'd been pushing it on her own. His hat was tilted so that she could see his eyes and she found him staring at her in a very cryptic manner. She had a sinking feeling he was sizing her up, judging by the way the corners of his eyes crinkled. Like he was trying to peer through her eyes and right down to her core.
"What...?" Rainbow leaned back, suddenly feeling like she might spontaneously combust under his scrutinous gaze. "Okay, I think it's awesome and I want to know how you do what you do. Happy?"
"The way of the warrior is not to be taken lightly," replied Hiroki as he moved back into position to give the grill another firm shove. Noon had struck and ponies were waiting. Rainbow Dash followed suit and found it much easier to move when they both pushed.
"Apparently neither is the way of the chef." She covered a laugh with the sound of a grunt as she and the samurai worked together. "I'm not... grrrrr... asking because I want to show off."
With the raised eyebrow she received it was pretty obvious he wasn't buying it.
"Okay, so I know I'm awesome and everything. I was just thinking that... maybe if you teach me some things that it might help me improve in other ways. Like my flying."
Hiroki said nothing else as he continued to heave-ho alongside Rainbow Dash. They were able to push further for longer when they pushed in unison, but their journey was not without it's complications. A few ill-timed moments of cooperation resulted in one or the other stumbling awkwardly against the weight of the steel and Rainbow even tripped, face planting into the dirt. He placed a hoof at her shoulder to help her up, only to have her brush it aside as she clambered upright. They both looked up to see that they were standing beside Town Hall and that they had reached the end of a line of ponies that moved across the front of the building, around the corner, through the square, alongside the cherry tree, and began at the door to the Red Apple Restaurant.
It was quite the line of ponies.
They were all waiting patiently to be admitted now that the time for lunch was upon them. Word had obviously spread about his cuisine and they all wanted to experience something new. It was likely helped along now that they knew their new resident samurai was actually rather polite and well-mannered, despite intimidating first impressions. He stood there at a loss for words at the number of ponies he'd be serving and a whole new wave washed over the rising tide of fatigue he was feeling. Rainbow Dash gave him a shake to get his attention.
"Hey, earth to Hiroki. Are we moving this thing or not?"
"Yes. Gomennasai..."
They continued pushing the hunk of steel across town square until they reached the front of his humble building, giving it one last shove as they tucked it off to the side of the restaurant. Hiroki bowed his head deeply in thanks to Rainbow Dash before moving to the door and pulled the sign down. Those ponies that had been queued for lunch were now perking up and whispering quietly to one another, growing excited now that the proprietor had returned. He turned to address those gathered and waved a hoof in greeting.
"Konnichiwa. Please excuse my tardiness. I will begin admitting patrons in just a few moments..." The excited murmuring around them grew a bit louder and Hiroki gestured for Rainbow Dash to follow him inside. The two disappeared with a jingling from the bell over the door.
"What's up?" she inquired. Rainbow watched him move behind the counter at the rear of the room. Hiroki plucked his hat from his head, swinging it up and leaving it to rest against a hook on the wall. His eyes were strained as he glanced up towards the windows, seeing the shadows of ponies against the screens. Maybe he really had exhausted himself moving that hunk of steel?
"I will not be able to serve everypony by myself..." Hiroki's thin eyes narrowed further and a frown tugged at the corners of his mouth. He looked most displeased at having to admit it.
Rainbow Dash almost broke out into boasting on the spot, but as he began tying his bandana around his forehead to keep the fringes of his mane out of his eyes that glimpse of the rising sun over white cloth gave her pause. Hiroki plucked the longest knife from the rack behind him and began to set up his work station. A water stone was plucked from a pail beneath the counter Rainbow Dash found herself watching the samurai as he began to sharpen the blade of his carving knife against it. She shifted her gaze from the quiet scraping and suddenly gave him a confident, almost arrogant smirk.
"How can I help?" Rainbow Dash would swear she saw the briefest of smiles flicker across Hiroki's face.
"I will make food... Would you be gracious enough to serve it for me?" Hiroki continued to sharpen the blade against the water stone. Up and down. Back and forth.
"You want me to be your server...?" This was not the most exciting way she imagined she'd be helping. Her smirk faded, but she soon realized it would be foolish for her to try and do much of anything else. She had no idea what went into his cooking or how it went in. "All right, I can do that!"
"Just until the line dwindles-" Hiroki had obviously anticipated her refusal and was prepared to negotiate. He cut himself short and looked up at the prideful smirk Rainbow Dash was giving him. The samurai bowed his head deeply in thanks, then went back to sharpening his knife. "Arigatō. Thank you. If you would open the door and let ponies begin to enter..."
Rainbow Dash nodded firmly and moved across the floor towards the door. She gulped nervously before pulling the door and propping it open, the little bell overhead giving a joyful jingle.
"C'mon everypony, he's open for business! No pushing, no crowding... maybe twenty ponies at a time?" Rainbow stepped aside to let ponies in and snickered when she saw that the first two in line were Cloudchaser and Thunderlane. They smiled at Rainbow Dash as they crossed the threshold, being met with a verbal greeting from the samurai.
"Irasshaimase!" He gestured Rainbow Dash over and she trotted up to the counter. "If you would, I will take orders from any who do not wish to wait for a seat inside. Simply tell them to place their orders with me. Would you be kind enough to run them out?"
"No problem. Just leave it to me!"
And so he did.
Hiroki spent the next few hours scooping rice, carving sushi rolls, and boiling tea. Many seemed more interested in dining in, but were sensible enough to decide to try for a seat another day. Rainbow Dash was true to her word and the moment plates were prepared she rushed them out to their respective tables. While those seated inside were served first Hiroki continued to with his ministrations, each 'to go' order bundled in decorative paper and perfectly bound with string. Rainbow found herself silently admitting she thought it was impressive each bundle was wrapped with the same care and precision as the last.
Thankfully most ponies were mindful that there were still those waiting for a seat inside and tastefully chose not to stay too long. Most were in and out within twenty to thirty minutes though it was obvious many wished to linger in order soak in the atmosphere the peculiar diner and it's proprietor offered. Hiroki paused with customers only twice. Once just long enough to drink a cup of water and once to fix lunch for Rainbow Dash.
She ate a meager helping of what she learned was called makizushu or 'rolled sushi'. These rolls had a base of specially prepared rice as well as ingredients that are often chosen daily by the shokunin, or artisan fixing it. Today it was white rice, cucumber, carrot, toasted sesame seeds, and rolled in nori or seaweed paper, making it 'norimaki'. Rainbow Dash gave the samurai a disapproving look when she noticed he himself wasn't eating. She didn't dawdle very long, keeping to her volunteered task and continued to help him serve his customers as well as deliver the orders to those outside.
The bell in the clock tower struck for a third time when she peered around the diner to see that it was no longer exceedingly busy. A pair of the tables set to the side were empty, as were three of the seats at the counter where Hiroki worked. Now that there was no longer a line of ponies waiting to be admitted, Hiroki finally set his cutlery down and allowed himself a long, slow breath. He wiped his brow on his foreleg, causing the beads wrapped around it to rustle.
"Looks like things are quieting down, so I guess you don't need my help anymore huh?" Rainbow Dash brought a tray loaded with empty plates and cups balanced on the end of one of her wings over to him, setting it behind the counter.
"Hai. Yes, you need not waste any more time here. Thank you very much for your assistance." The samurai bowed his head deeply in thanks.
"Yeah yeah, don't sweat it. I know I'm awesome and all, but don't think I'll do this full-time or anything. Course, if you keep needing help you might have to start paying me by the hour." Rainbow Dash laughed as she sauntered towards the door.
"Rainbow Dash..." Hiroki called out to her and she looked back. He'd lowered his head back to his work, carving a new set of norimaki for Mayor Mare after she sat herself at the counter. "...sun's rise on week's end. If you wish to learn, then I will teach..."
"Huhwha-" The Pegasus tilted her head and gave a ludicrous stare back to the Earth pony samurai. A look of slow comprehension dawned across Rainbow's face. "You mean... Yes! Omigosh omigosh omigosh! I'll be there!"
Rainbow Dash suddenly grew quite excited at prospect of learning his way with the sword, bringing a hoof up and drawing her leg down towards her body in a celebratory hoof pump. She left a rainbow blur in her wake as she whipped around and disappeared through the door. The ground shook as she took off abruptly, yelling a 'woohoo!' as she flew away into the sky. Hiroki furrowed his brow and gave a slow roll of his eyes, quietly wondering to himself if he'd made the right choice. She wasn't exactly the most disciplined of ponies...
But perhaps with his guidance she might learn some discipline. Perhaps... Well, a warrior doesn't shy away from a battle.
And this certainly would be a battle.
Hiroki spent the better part the hour tending to customers as they came and went. By the chime of four from the clock tower, his last customer had paid, thanked him, and left. At this point he wanted nothing more than to sit and take a load off, his energy having diminished greatly since his early morning. His stomach gave an angry rumble and he wasn't sure if it was from hunger or still in protest over forcing it to deal with Pinkie Pie's mango chili cupcake. He let out a sigh and began his tedious work of cleaning up.
Night was coming. He still had two errands left to complete, not to mention the preparations needed for the arrival of the Princesses.
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