"Then what about cooking wine and mirin?"
"I'm surprised, Miyako-san. I didn't take you for someone skilled in the kitchen. Unfortunately, you can't buy cooking wine or mirin here."
"What kind of bizarre rule is this..."
Seeing Amane's utterly dejected look, Store Manager Fujiwara reached out and ruffled her hair.
Not a bad texture, she mused.
"Don't look so down. It's not impossible to work around this."
"For example?"
"How about using a mirin-flavored seasoning instead?"
"...Wow! Manager Fujiwara, you're amazing! I can't believe you came up with a solution like that."
"Hahaha, it's nothing special. Just picked up a bit of knowledge here and there."
Watching the exchange between Amane and Manager Fujiwara, Kushida and the other three were completely dumbfounded.
They understood every individual sentence being said.
But when strung together...
It made absolutely no sense to them.
"Somehow, Miyako-san seems really impressive," Inogashira said, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Amane.
"Mhmm, I think so too," Wang Meiyu nodded in agreement.
She knew her way around cooking a little herself.
But compared to Amane, who seemed genuinely professional...
The gap wasn't small; it was massive. She felt a touch of envy toward Amane, who was so skilled at cooking, especially baking.
"Hey, how about we all go over to Miyako-san's place for sweets sometime?" Kushida suddenly suggested with a mischievous grin.
"Haha, Kushida-san, you're so bad! If Miyako-san heard you, she'd definitely—"
Before Ichihashi Ruri could finish, a pleasant face popped out from among their group.
"I heard all of that, you know~ Kushida-san."
Seeing her 'secret plan' had been exposed, Kushida responded with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, sorry! It just slipped out. But we're all getting pretty curious about your cooking, Miyako-san."
As soon as Kushida said it, the others quickly voiced their agreement.
"That's fine with me. But when the time comes and I ask you all to lend a hand, don't you dare run off," Amane joked, giving Kushida a playful wink.
"I'm the type who'd probably cut my finger while chopping vegetables, so I'm afraid I'd be useless!"
"I'm more specialized in the eating department, honestly," Ichihashi joined in the teasing.
"You're all just a bunch of slackers!" Amane put her hands on her hips, feigning disappointment at having found such hopeless friends, which prompted Kushida and the others to cover their mouths as cheerful laughter escaped.
"Alright, alright, we'll help you out when the time comes, Miyako-san."
"We definitely won't let you do all the work by yourself."
"So... does that mean I can just be in charge of eating?"
"In your dreams, Ichihashi-san!"
Amane laughed heartily.
She truly loved this kind of atmosphere.
Everyone talking and laughing together as equals.
This was the school life she had always dreamed of!
After leaving the bakery, Amane looked at the card in her hand.
It was a bread shop card from Manager Fujiwara, pre-loaded with three thousand points.
She had even promised to provide her with three thousand points worth of free spending at her bakery every month.
The offer was valid for one year. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was an unexpected delight nonetheless.
Kushida also gazed at the card in Amane's hand with a hint of envy.
With that, you could save quite a bit.
It could cover your breakfast expenses for a whole month.
But she was still happy that Amane had received it. Soon after, Kushida demonstrated her exceptional leadership skills.
She started with small items like phone straps. Then they proceeded to clothing stores, where they tried on and bought some outfits.
By the time they finished, it was practically dinner time.
They had a simple meal at the cafeteria.
Finally, they arrived at the last section: the daily necessities area.
Even though these were the most essential items, Kushida had scheduled this for last.
It was only then that Amane figured out her reasoning.
On one hand, Kushida wanted to avoid the peak shopping time for daily necessities, allowing everyone ample time to choose.
On the other hand, even though the dormitories provided quilts and bedsheets, frankly, few girls could accept the plain white, minimalist style, right?
But if they had started by buying new bedding first, they wouldn't have been able to go shopping freely afterward.
If their first gathering ended just like that, it would be difficult to get everyone together again in the future.
So, Kushida placed the most crucial task at the very end. She perfectly orchestrated the first successful gathering for their little circle.
"Well then, why doesn't everyone go buy what they need? Let's go out together again next time?"
"Mhmm, remember to message in the group chat!"
"Kushida-san, what are you going to buy? Want to go together?"
Finally, the group disbanded in a cheerful atmosphere.
The moment they split up, Amane went to a store, grabbed a pre-packaged quilt and bedsheet set, picked out a cute pillow and a hug pillow, and promptly returned to the dorm.
She needed to secure the absolute essentials first.
Next came the toiletries, available at the nearest supermarket.
After buying those, without even time to put them away, Amane hurried back to the shopping center, heading straight for the super-cool kitchenware store.
She pulled out her phone and started tapping away rapidly.
With Kushida and the others around earlier, she had been too embarrassed to buy so many things at once.
But now, shopping alone, she couldn't possibly leave anything out.
She also needed some small appliances.
And a pot.
Oh right, and ingredients!
Oh no.
Why does the list keep getting longer?
While Amane was navigating the supermarket, arms full of numerous bags large and small, a pot strapped to her back, trying to buy ingredients, she unexpectedly ran into Horikita Suzune again.
If meeting once was a coincidence...
And meeting twice was fate...
Then a third meeting was just...
So embarrassing.
Why did Horikita-san have to see me in this state?
"Miyako-san... Did you just go and rob a kitchenware store and an appliance store?"
Horikita's opening line was a total killer. But her current appearance really did look like she had looted several stores.
When she entered, she had even seen a clerk immediately reach for the phone.
If she hadn't explained herself promptly, the cashier probably would have called security.
And now Horikita had caught her.
What should she do now?
Confess the truth and ask Horikita for help.
Tell her she actually did rob the stores.
Pretend Horikita mistook her for someone else.
The first option was the most normal.
Horikita might refuse, but considering their relationship as classmates and neighbors, the chance of her helping was relatively high.
The second option...
Needless to say, Horikita would probably call someone to have her arrested, right?
Amane, clutching the rice cooker under her arm, fell into deep thought.
What?
Why not choose the third option?
Any sane person, once clearly recognized, wouldn't try to pretend they were a stranger, right?
Sometimes...
You really can't judge Amane by normal standards.
Because...
"Huh? Have we met?"
Amane adopted a somewhat deeper, more sensual female voice. Even though Horikita had already recognized her, she still paused momentarily, looking genuinely confused.
She then walked closer and reached out to feel Amane's forehead.
"Miyako-san... are you alright?"
"Haha, I was just joking!"
Beads of sweat began forming on Amane's forehead.
That joke wasn't the least bit funny.
That much was evident from Horikita's stern expression.
"So, Miyako-san, are you taking me for a fool?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.