(POV Kaito)
As far as I knew, the protagonist appeared to be a reserved high school student, constantly on the move due to her parents’ frequent job relocations. This situation made it difficult for her to form lasting friendships as she was always engrossed in her studies, thanks to her parents’ emphasis on education.
However, despite the constant changes in her life, there was one high school where she remained for a longer duration. It was here that she encountered the heroines and other friends, and their bond went beyond mere friendship.
In the game, the protagonist’s background wasn’t explored much; the story simply progressed without delving into many details.
That’s all I knew. It was merely knowledge, but wasn’t the protagonist supposed to come to this area after entering high school in the game? Maybe I didn’t know enough about it, or perhaps it was something irregular… I wasn’t quite sure about those details.
But this is not a game, and I can’t predict what will happen. I don’t know whether she will befriend Chiharu and the others, or what her future holds. In fact, I’m uncertain if she will even attend the same school just because we live nearby.
There was no point in dwelling on it. No matter how much I thought, nothing would change. While I was lost in these thoughts, I had already arrived back home. I was sure that the four of them must have prepared some delicious and sweet treats. It wouldn’t be right to think about unrelated matters while enjoying the food the girls had gone through the trouble of making.
I need to express my thoughts and gratitude properly as well.
As for the protagonist, I guess there was nothing for me to worry about or think too much about…
◆◆
“Kaito! Here! I want you to have some chocolate cake.”
Chiaki extended a plate with a piece of chocolate cake for Onii-san. After going outside for some exercise and working up a sweat, Onii-san settled into the kotatsu and took a bite of the chocolate cake.
“… this is delicious.”
“Mufufu, that’s right, that’s right.”
“Kaito-san, this one…”
“Kaito, I also made this for you.”
Following Chiaki’s lead, both Chifuyu and Chinatsu presented their Valentine’s Day sweets to Onii-san. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked up to the heavens and savored the chocolates. Both Chifuyu and Chinatsu wore slightly anxious expressions.
“They’re delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I did it!”
Chinatsu responded with a cheerful smile, while Chifuyu smiled happily and did a fist pump. They were incredibly adorable. Too cute for words to describe them.
Everyone had become skilled at cooking… I relied on Onii-san’s help, but my chocolates were failures. They had an ugly shape, and I couldn’t imagine giving them to anyone. I simply melted the chocolate, added some seasoning, and poured it into molds… resulting in misshapen chocolates. I couldn’t possibly give these to anyone, especially not after my sisters’ amazing chocolates.
“Haru, you were making chocolates too, right? Aren’t you going to gift them?”
“…Me… I’ll do it some other time.”
“You went through the trouble of making them, so you should give him some too. The taste was really delicious, so have confidence in yourself.”
“Onii-san, here…”
Prompted by Chinatsu, I reluctantly placed the chocolates on the plate. They were bite-sized and wrapped in pink paper. They didn’t look very appetizing. I felt embarrassed and apologetic about their quality.
I thought that putting them on a plate might make them look a bit more stylish, but my shallow thinking was very clear to see through.
Onii-san unwrapped the chocolates and put one in his mouth. The chocolate had solidified unevenly, and some parts were still stuck to the wrapper. Oh, they look even worse now.
My confidence was rapidly dwindling.
“It’s delicious. Chiharu, it’s really delicious,” Onii-san said.
“…. Really?”
“Yeah, I’m not lying.”
“I see…”
Even though he meant it sincerely, it wasn’t fun for me. After all, it’s obvious that my chocolates are inferior. Whatever, whatever… who cares… But what is it? I felt something within myself.
Was I really…. concerned about the order of which chocolate was best?
Did I not like the fact…. that I was the inferior one?
Does the order even matter? Was I just upset about showing my embarrassing side as an older sister to my siblings?
As I pondered these thoughts, Chiaki suddenly exclaimed, as if dismissing them.
“Kaito! Which one did you like the most?”
The most… Chiaki has rarely ever asked such a thing or cared about it before. Her casual question stirred up my heart.
After hearing that, I wondered what I should do. What would one gain from asking such a thing? The order shouldn’t matter at all…
“The best, everyone’s chocolates are the best. Each and every one of them is delicious, so you all win,”
“Oh, really… Yeah! You’re right!”
Chiaki momentarily narrowed her eyes before quickly returning to her cheerful expression, lightening the mood. My anxieties seemed to disappear as if they were groundless worries
“I’ll return the favor, so look forward to it,” Onii-san said.
“For me, for me, I want some of Kaito’s cake! It’s delicious!” Chiaki exclaimed.
“I’d love to have Bolognese,” Chinatsu added.
“Chifuyu is fine with anything Kaito-san makes…”
“I see. And what about you, Chiharu?”
“…I need some time to think.”
“Alright. Don’t hesitate and just let me know.”
With my vague response, Valentine’s Day came to an end.
◆◆
(POV Mary)
Once upon a time, there was a certain elementary school student who happened to be a light novel writer, and that was me, Mary.
I was just an ordinary elementary school student you could find anywhere.
As I came to the library to return the books I had borrowed, I was thinking of phrases like the opening lines of my light novel. My friend, Chiaki, was with me.
“Oh, this one is a book about world cuisine.”
“Chiaki, you really love cooking books.”
“Yeah! I absolutely love cooking, both making and eating it!”
“I see… As for me, I still prefer light novels. I have plenty at home, so I don’t need to borrow them.”
I borrowed books other than light novels, but since we had a whole bookshelf full of light novels at home, there was no need for me to borrow more. That’s because of my parents’ professions.
“Oh, this book has some unique chocolate-making methods.”
“Really…”
Come to think of it, the chocolate I received from Chiaki the other day was incredibly delicious. It had a certain gourmet quality to it. I wonder if Chiaki plans to study culinary arts at some prestigious academy.
“Hey, there’s something I want to ask Mary.”
“Hmm?”
“Why do you think someone wants to know the order of things…?”
“Huh, what are you saying? Chiaki’s being so vague, so I can’t quite understand.”
“…Promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
“Sure.”
“The other day, I made a chocolate cake for Kaito.”
“Wow… that’s impressive.”
I wonder… why is there such a difference in our feminine qualities? I mean, I’m not into cooking or anything… But I made some stuff anyway, to give to Mom and Dad. It was quite a stretch from my usual simple recipes, but… making a chocolate cake is something else…
“Thanks. So, I asked Kaito which one he liked the most.”
“You mean, which one between your sisters’?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
“I just can’t figure out why I care about the order lately…”
“Well… I guess it’s normal for anyone to be curious about their rank or position.”
“But I love being in sync with everyone, forming a circle together… My actions seem contradictory… I have no idea what I’m really thinking…”
“Yeah… seems like you’re dealing with some complex thoughts…”
It’s hard to understand, but there are various things at play. Sisters, huh… I wouldn’t know since I don’t have any. Sometimes, I feel envious of that. I’m sure there would be enjoyable moments if I had them around, but it’s probably not just that…
I wonder if there is a rule that says sisters have to be in sync with each other. But honestly, I didn’t think such a thing existed.
“Well, um, I’m not entirely sure, but… I think Chiaki’s concern about the order might be about wanting to be the best among your sisters.”
“The best…”
“Perhaps it’s some sort of prideful ambition for cooking excellence, to be the top chef among the sisters, that ignited this feeling in Chiaki’s heart!”
“Cooking excellence… yeah, that could be it, I guess…”
“Even though I’m the one saying this, maybe it’s best not to dwell too deeply on it. Let’s relax and think about something fun instead. Oh, by the way, there’s this anime I’ve been really into lately, called ‘Charlotte’…”
Chiaki had these occasional moments when she seemed lost in thought or had a grown-up expression on her face, which was quite mysterious to me… but I liked her for it.
Soon, we would be sixth graders. Maybe Chiaki was starting to think about various things, like progressing forward or becoming more mature…?
I realized that I should also try to adopt this kind of attitude, reflecting on myself and my own growth…
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