153 - Three Different Approaches

RAW

After greeting each other, Haruto and the others immediately begin making sweets.

"Feel free to use anything in the kitchen."

"Thank you very much."

Ikue smiles warmly as she speaks, and Ishikura bows his head in response.

"Alright, let's preheat the oven first."

"I'll take care of it. Around 180°C?"

Familiar with the Tōjō household's kitchen, Haruto asks Ishikura while heading towards the oven.

"No, 160°C is fine. I want to roast the nuts first."

"Hm, Kazu-senpai, are you insulting me right now?"

"I'm not! That’s not what I meant!"

"Huh? What’s up with the nuts?"

Seeing Shizuku suddenly lash out at Ishikura, Haruto looks puzzled.

"...Nothing that concerns you, Haru-senpai. Come on, Kazu-senpai, give us instructions. Now is the time to put that scary face of yours to good use."

"My scary face has nothing to do with this, seriously."

Ishikura sighs, rebutting Shizuku’s words before politely announcing, "Excuse me for opening the fridge," and taking out some eggs.

"Alright, so... Since we're making three types of brownies today, how about splitting into three pairs?"

The brownies they plan to make include:

1. A classic version with nuts on top.

2. One with dried fruits added.

3. A matcha and white chocolate variation.

Hearing Ishikura's explanation, Haruto and the others exchange glances.

"Hey, Ayaka, wanna team up?"

"Yeah."

Ayaka nods at Haruto's invitation.

As she quickly moves to his side, Ishikura smirks and teases, "You two are so lovey-dovey." Then, turning to Shizuku, he adds, "Shizuku, you’re with me."

"Oh? So, Kazu-senpai, you actually like me?"

"Shut up! You're just the one I can't take my eyes off!"

"I see, I see. My irresistible beauty has captured Kazu-senpai’s gaze. Truly, I am a sinful woman."

"You really are a troublesome one..."

As Shizuku shrugs with an exaggerated "oh well," Ishikura sighs in resignation.

Watching Haruto & Ayaka and Ishikura & Shizuku pair up, Saki glances at Tomoya.

"Looks like I'm stuck with you, Akagi-kun, the self-proclaimed 'more than a fried egg, less than an omelet' cook."

"I humbly ask for your guidance and support."

"Very well. Work hard and earn your keep."

"Yes, ma’am."

With Saki striking a confident pose, hands on her hips, Tomoya dramatically bows.

Haruto, observing them, leans toward Ayaka and whispers.

"Hey, don’t they actually make a pretty good pair?"

"Maybe? Saki looks like she's having fun, too."

"But if those two ever dated, Tomoya would definitely be completely under Aizawa-san’s control."

"Fufufu, definitely."

Imagining Tomoya being bossed around by Saki, Ayaka giggles softly.

Noticing her laughter, Saki narrows her eyes suspiciously.

"Hey, you two. What’s so funny while snuggled up together?"

"Oh, nothing at all."

Ayaka smiles innocently and dodges the question.

Saki, unconvinced, shifts her skeptical gaze to Haruto, but he just laughs it off and turns to Ishikura.

"Kazu-senpai, what should we do first?"

"Let's prep the molds first."

"Got it."

Haruto pulls out some parchment paper from the kitchen storage and grabs three baking molds from the cabinet.

Ishikura, impressed by his efficiency, raises an eyebrow.

"You move around like this is your own kitchen."

"Well, I spent my whole summer break cooking here."

"So, Haru-senpai was like a live-in husband instead of a live-in wife, huh?"

"It was a housework job, okay?"

Haruto lightly retorts at Shizuku’s teasing as he arranges the baking molds on the dining table.

"Alright, let’s line the molds with parchment paper."

At Ishikura’s instruction, each pair starts preparing their molds.

Tomoya, however, presses the parchment paper into the mold and tilts his head.

"Huh? Aizawa-san, the paper’s all wrinkly."

"You need to make cuts here and here."

"Oh, I see. Then I'll use a knife—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Scissors will do just fine!"

"Oh, right. Using scissors for cooking is a revelation!"

"Don’t be silly. Using a knife for parchment paper is just impractical. Besides, you use scissors when eating crab too, right?"

"Tashi-kani!"

Saki and Tomoya’s dynamic has her guiding him step by step through the process.

Meanwhile, Haruto and Ayaka work harmoniously on their mold preparations.

"Haruto, we need to butter the parchment paper, right?"

"Yeah. Oh, but we don’t have an extra brush."

Shizuku is currently using the only brush they have.

"Should I grab another one?"

"Ah, no need. Since it’s just to help the paper stick, I’ll spread it with my hands."

Haruto takes a bit of butter on his fingertips and rubs it onto the parchment paper.

Just as he finishes, Ayaka suddenly grabs his wrist before he can wipe his fingers. She guides his hand toward her mouth—

And softly licks the remaining butter off his fingers.

Haruto’s heartbeat spikes at the warm, moist sensation.

"Fufu, butter is delicious, but eating it plain feels a bit sinful, doesn’t it?"

"Y-Yeah. But this is unsalted butter, so maybe it's not that bad?"

"Maybe."

Ayaka grins happily.

This girl is truly dangerous. Her cuteness is lethal. Haruto can’t help but smile.

While they flirt, Ishikura and Shizuku are having their usual banter.

"Behold, Kazu-senpai! This parchment paper fits the mold like Cinderella’s glass slipper!"

"...You’re oddly skilled with your hands."

"How rude. Apologize, Kazu-senpai."

"Yeah, yeah, my bad. Oh, the oven’s preheated. Let’s roast the nuts for seven minutes."

"Wait, Kazu-senpai. Who is more important to you, me or the oven?"

"What kinda weird question is that? Obviously, you!"

"You chose the oven so quickly— Wait, what?"

Shizuku stops mid-sentence, eyes widening.

"What’s with that reaction? That’s just mean."

"...Kazu-senpai should just be his usual scary self."

"What does that even mean? And I’m not scary!"

With lively chatter, the teams continue preparing.

They roast walnuts, melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler, and smoothly progress.

As she stirs the melted mixture, Ayaka sighs dreamily.

"The aroma of chocolate and butter mixing is so irresistible…"

She looks ready to sneak a taste when Saki, mixing beside her, nods in agreement.

"Right? It’s like the devil whispering to you."

"Totally! I hear it too!"

Both girls stare at the mixture, entranced.

Tomoya casually chimes in.

"But, you know, this is a calorie bomb. Eating too much and you'll gain weight fast."

He laughs absentmindedly.

At his words, Saki and Ayaka’s blissful expressions stiffen. They glance away from the batter.

"Yeah... we should finish cooking first before thinking about eating."

"Yep... exactly."

While they refocus on mixing, Ishikura suddenly shouts.

"Shizuku! You added extra sugar, didn’t you?!"

"Sweetness is justice. Therefore, sugar is justice."

"That’s not how baking works! It’s a precise science!"

"Sweet things taste good, though?"

"Ugh, baking isn’t that simple! You have to follow the recipe exactly!"

As Ishikura argues with Shizuku, he notices Ryota watching from the living room.

Smiling gently, he says, "Just wait a bit, okay? It'll be ready soon."

Ryota flinches before nodding hesitantly.

Seeing this, Haruto pats Ishikura’s shoulder.

"Kazu-senpai, patience."

"...Yeah. I’ll make the best brownies for Ryota!"

Just then—

"Hey! Shizuku, stop adding more sugar!"

"Tch, you caught me."