A few days had passed since Mizuha and the others had hung out together in town, and Mizuha still remembered the day they had spent together.
I hope we get to do something like that again, Mizuha thought.
After class ended, the teacher asked for two volunteers to fetch printouts from the teacher’s room.
Mizuha raised her hand immediately. Eri raised hers a moment later, slowly and carefully.
The teacher assigned the task to them, telling them to bring the printouts back to class.
The girls walked to the teacher’s room, collected the printouts, and headed back with the stack split between them.
"Umm, Eri-chan, are you okay carrying that? If it’s too heavy, just give me some of it."
"Thanks, but don’t worry, I can carry this myself. It’s not too heavy for me."
"Really...? Tell me if you struggle, okay?"
While walking back to their classroom, Mizuha asked,
"Umm, Eri-chan, are you free this evening?"
"Yes, I’m free. What is it?"
"Then, can you come to my house this evening? I need you to teach me how to make Tamagoyaki like you did before."
"I’m glad you’re asking me to do that. Sure, I’ll come over later."
"Really? Thank you so much!"
Mizuha was happy that Eri had agreed to help her. In her excitement, she dropped the stack of papers.
"Oh, no! The papers! What am I doing?"
"Mizuha-chan, are you okay?"
Mizuha chuckled. "I’m okay! It’s just... I got too excited, and it made me lose my grip—haha!"
Both of them started gathering the papers on the floor before another girl passing by stopped and approached them.
"Let me help."
With her help, they quickly gathered the scattered papers. She handed her stack to Mizuha and said, "Here."
Feeling grateful for her help, Mizuha bowed her head. "Thank you so much."
The girl smiled. "It’s no problem"
Then she turned to Eri, who was standing next to her.
She looked surprised at first, then excited. "Eh, Sakamoto-san! It’s been a while. Are you doing well?"
Eri stammered. "Umm, I’m... okay... doing... thank you."
She chuckled. "You’re still as shy as before, huh?"
Glancing at her watch, she said,
"Okay, I need to return to my class. Please be careful, you two." Then she walked away.
As she left, Mizuha turned to Eri and asked,
"Umm, do you know her?"
Eri nodded. "Yes, I know her. She was Takamiya-kun’s classmate in 1B. We went to the same middle school. We were in the same class last year, along with Zul and Takamiya-kun.
"Oh, I see. So, she went to the same school as you guys. She seems really nice, and she’s pretty too."
Eri’s expression suddenly changed, and her face paled. "Umm, actually..."
She mumbled, her voice fading. "Um, nothing happened."
Mizuha was taken aback. Eri-chan... she thought, unsure of what to say.
Eri caught herself and quickly tried to change the subject.
"Umm, forget about that. Anyway, let’s return to our class."
"Yeah, let’s go."
Walking back to the classroom, Mizuha found herself lost in thought.
What happened with Eri-chan earlier? She seemed unable to finish her words. Is something wrong with that girl?
Meanwhile, the same girl who had helped Mizuha earlier returned to her class and was walking to her seat when she saw Hikaru, lost in thought and staring out the window.
Hikaru was still thinking about how he had suddenly asked Mizuha to hang out, just the two of them, and felt embarrassed about it.
His thoughts were interrupted by Akemi, who called out to him.
"Hikaru-kun? Are you here? Hey!"
Hikaru jerked in surprise and turned to her.
"Huh, Akemi!? Don’t startle me like that. By the way, welcome back."
"What are you doing? Spacing out like that?"
"Oh, it’s nothing, just my thoughts. Don’t worry."
"Really? Then there’s nothing I can do."
"Oh, yeah, while I was on the way here, I met Sakamoto-san and that girl you always hang out with at break. Um, Yuki-san, right? The new transfer student from Class 1F."
"Huh, you met them? Did something happen?"
"Umm, they had printouts scattered in the corridor. I saw them, so I just lent a hand."
Hikaru smiled. "Oh, I see. Thanks for helping them, Akemi."
Akemi looked away, her tone sharp but her cheeks faintly pink. "Well, it couldn’t be helped. I can’t just ignore them and leave."
Mizuha and Eri returned to their classroom after collecting the printouts.
They placed the papers on Eri’s desk, then began handing out the printouts to their classmates.
Done with it, Eri returned to her seat, while Mizuha approached Shimizu.
"Shimizu, this evening, Eri-chan is coming to my house to teach me how to make Tamagoyaki. Do you want to join us?"
Shimizu looked apologetic.
"Ah, sorry, I can’t join you guys this evening. I have a meeting with my editor."
Mizuha nodded. "Oh, I see. It’s about your novel."
"I’m really sorry."
"Don’t worry about it. I know it’s very important for you. I’ll let you taste the result of my Tamagoyaki tomorrow, okay? "
Shimizu grinned. "Oh, I can’t wait to taste it! You’d better make it taste good."
"I will! Just you wait and see."
School continued until it ended for the day.
Since Mizuha had to stop by the supermarket to buy groceries for making Tamagoyaki, Hikaru was walking alone today.
Suddenly, Akemi called out to Hikaru. "Hikaru-kun!" Turning around, Hikaru saw her running towards him.
"Oh, Akemi! What’s up?"
"It’s nothing. I just saw you walking ahead of me earlier. That’s why I called out to you."
"By the way, where’s Yuki-san? She usually walks back with you, right?"
Hikaru explained Mizuha had to stop somewhere for errands.
Akemi realized he was walking alone today.
Good, she’s not here. This is my chance, Akemi thought to herself.
"Umm, can I walk with you instead of her today?"
"Sure, why not?"
Akemi cheered, then clung to Hikaru’s arm. "Oh yes, lucky me!!"
"It’s been a while since we’ve walked together like this."
"Yes, you’re right. I think the last time was last year, right? After we got our entrance exam results?"
"Oh, you still remember it? I’m glad to hear that."
"Well, it was just two months ago. It’s not that long."
Suddenly, Akemi asked, "Umm, do you still think about her?"
"Who, Mizuha...?" Hikaru looked confused.
"No, no, not her. I mean your ex...Misaka."
Hikaru’s expression changed, and he looked uncomfortable.
"Umm, Akemi, please don’t mention that person again. It makes me uncomfortable."
Akemi mumbled. "Umm, sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up."
At that moment, Akemi’s stomach growled. She looked embarrassed and tried to hide her face.
Hikaru couldn’t help but laugh. "Haha, what was that growl? Are you hungry?"
Akemi pouted. "That’s so mean to say!"
"How about we stop by that family restaurant? I’ll treat you today."
Hikaru pointed to the nearby establishment.
Akemi lit up. "You’ll treat me? Yeah, let’s go!"
As Hikaru and Akemi entered the family restaurant, they picked a table near the window.
Across the room, Shimizu was sitting with her editor, going over her manuscript. She noticed them coming in and quickly covered her face with her manuscript paper.
She tried to redirect her attention to the editor, but couldn’t help feeling curious about Hikaru’s unexpected appearance with the unfamiliar girl.
She felt relieved that they hadn’t spotted her.
While Shimizu was distracted by Hikaru and Akemi’s arrival, her editor was trying to get her attention.
"Mizuno-sensei, hey, are you hearing me, Mizuno-sensei?"
Her editor frowned. "What are you looking at? I tried calling you so many times, but you weren’t paying attention to me."
Realizing she had lost focus on the meeting, Shimizu said,
"Ah, sorry, I lost my focus. Can you repeat what you said earlier?"
Her editor continued. "Like I said..."
At the same time that Hikaru and Akemi were at the restaurant, Mizuha had finished her shopping and returned home with the groceries needed to make Tamagoyaki.
Alright, everything’s prepared. Now I just need to wait for Eri-chan to arrive, she thought.
Mizuha put the groceries away and waited. Soon her doorbell rang.
Mizuha welcomed Eri inside. Eri apologized for disturbing her and noticed Mizuha was wearing her glasses again. Mizuha said she could wear them since Shimizu wasn’t there to tease her.
Eri looked around. "Umm, you’re alone here?"
"Well, both my parents are working, and they’ll return late today"
"Since you’re already here, let’s make Tamagoyaki now!"
"I’m counting on you, Eri-sensei."
Eri blushed at the nickname. "Please don’t call me that, Mizuha-chan."
As Mizuha and Eri began making Tamagoyaki, they worked together smoothly in the kitchen.
Mizuha looked at the ingredients spread out on the kitchen counter.
"Wow, Eri-chan, there’s more to this than I thought!"
Eri smiled softly. "Don’t worry, Mizuha-chan. We’ll go through it step by step."
Mizuha nodded enthusiastically. "Okay! What should we do first?"
Eri showed Mizuha how to prepare the eggs—the first step. Mizuha handed her the bowl and watched carefully as Eri taught her each step.
The two girls continued cooking, Eri guiding Mizuha through each step as she followed along attentively.
They finished making the tamagoyaki. Mizuha was impressed with how good it looked compared to her previous failed attempts that always came out burnt or soggy.
"Oh, I see. You already tried before."
"Why don’t you taste it now, Mizuha-chan? Let’s see how it tastes."
Mizuha felt nervous. "You’re right, I think I’ll taste it first."
Mizuha took a spoon and carefully cut a small slice of the tamagoyaki. She brought it to her mouth, full of anticipation.
Eri watched her friend’s reaction. "So, how does it taste, Mizuha-chan?"
"Umm... it’s so delicious!"
"That’s it! It tastes just like the tamagoyaki you made before!"
Thrilled, Mizuha turned to her friend. "Taste it too, Eri-chan!"
Eri took a small piece for herself. "Well, if you insist."
After tasting it, Eri smiled. "Umm, delicious! It’s just like how I make it. I’m glad you could do it."
She was happy for Mizuha’s success.
"Really!? I’m glad it turned out well."
"I’m glad for you too, Mizuha-chan."
"Umm, why did you suddenly ask me to teach you this today?"
"Well, actually, it’s nothing special, but I want to let you guys taste my cooking tomorrow. I’ve never cooked something like this before."
Eri smiled warmly. "I see. It’s for all of us. Thank you, Mizuha-chan."
"Also, I want him to taste my cooking too."
"Who is it, Takamiya-kun? Don’t worry, Mizuha-chan, I’m sure he will like it."
"Really? Thanks, Eri-chan"
Eri suggested they make another one for more practice. Mizuha agreed enthusiastically.
The two girls continued making tamagoyaki together, giving Mizuha more practice to improve her cooking skills.
After about 20 minutes, Mizuha’s mother unexpectedly returned home.
Hmm, we have a guest!? she thought, noticing the smell.
What’s this smell? It’s so good. Is Mizuha cooking?
As her mother entered the house, she called out, "Mizuha, I’m home!"
"Oh, Mom, welcome home."
Eri bowed slightly. "Sorry for disturbing you."
"Oh, Mizuha’s friend... Eri-chan, right? From the other day."
"So, you’re the only one here? Where’s the other one with the red hair?"
"Oh, Shimizu-chan! She’s busy today, so she couldn’t come."
"I see… So, what are you girls cooking? I smelled something good from outside earlier."
"We’re actually making tamagoyaki. I asked Eri-chan to teach me."
"We just finished. Here, Mom, have a taste."
Her mother tried the tamagoyaki. She looked surprised at how good it tasted. Mizuha waited anxiously for her reaction, then felt relieved when her mother praised the cooking.
Mizuha was grateful. "It’s all thanks to Eri for teaching me."
"Well, I just taught her what I know."
"Wow, that’s great. Thank you, Eri-chan, for teaching her."
"Oh, since you’re already here, why don’t you join us for dinner today? I’m going to make something special for you girls."
Mizuha asked if Eri was okay with staying for dinner. Eri agreed to join them.
"Umm, I can help you cook."
Mizuha’s mother insisted. "Don’t worry about it. You’re a guest today. Just leave it to me."
"Why don’t you two wait in Mizuha’s room first? I’ll call you when I’m done cooking."
"Understood, let’s go, Eri-chan."
After dinner, Eri prepared to return home.
"It’s already dark. Do you need me to walk you home?"
"I’m fine, thanks."
"Umm, thank you for having me for dinner. The cooking was delicious"
Mizuha's mother leaned in. "Don’t worry about it. Please come again if you’d like."
"Thanks, Eri-chan, for teaching me today. Tomorrow I’ll bring the tamagoyaki for the others to taste."
"I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see their reactions."
"Well, I need to go now. Please excuse me."
"Please be careful…!!!"
As Mizuha lay down that night, her mind wandered to the next day. She felt a mixture of anticipation and nerves about sharing her tamagoyaki at school.
What will Hikaru think of my cooking? She wondered.
The brief, strange interaction with Eri in the hallway earlier that day also lingered in her thoughts, especially how Eri had seemed unable to finish her sentence about Akemi.
With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Mizuha eventually drifted off to sleep, the events of the day fading as she prepared for what tomorrow might bring.
ns216.73.216.139da2
and then Add to home screen.