Rudika beamed widely.
“It appears Rudika was feeling frustrated due to her limited perspective. The world is expansive. People are diverse, and so is this ocean.”
“Jephryn is vast. It’s only agonizing to live with a narrow point of view.”
I don’t quite comprehend why she’s going through this.
That was the defining trait of the character Rudika Hatsan Shadow.
She could have been an ally.
However, by the time Kelters enrolled, Rudika was already in her third year.
After the fourth year, regardless of the chosen path, she graduates.
Initially, when Kelters took the wrong path, Bearberry served as an assassin.
And, with her impressive skills, she led the first and second years.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, Rudika, with her “Surprise Attack Limited” ability, could incapacitate Eve von Loengrin in a single strike. However, if she’s given even a day to prepare for the surprise attack, Rudika would be at a disadvantage.
Anyway, I was captivated by her exceptional performance! But in the third year, she inevitably departs.
Many people would express, “Professor, I genuinely appreciate the bus ride!” I, too, frequently took the bus in the beginning.
However, even as I focused on training with Rudika, she graduated and left. The void left by the professor was just too significant.
For this reason, there were quite a few who held Rudika in high regard, but officially, it hasn’t been clearly disclosed what kind of heart Rudika Hatsan Shadow possesses, how she lived her life, or what kind of person she is.
Even if you peruse the setting book, it merely mentions that she’s an assassin from the southern Hatsan Shadow family.
Thus, I don’t understand why she’s going through this.
I don’t even know what kind of life she’ll lead after graduating next year.
The only certainty is that she’ll be here in Jephryn for the next two years, so all I can say is:
“We should spend the next two years without any regrets.”
“…Yes. We should.”
Rudika and I gazed at the sea for a moment.
“…Thank you, Wolfram.”
“What for. A good boss sometimes offers counsel when his regulars are struggling.”
“Ahaha…”
After saying that, we fell silent.
I clenched my fist and shivered slightly.
This is truly like a youth drama. No kidding.
Given that I’ve led a life far removed from youth, I’ve always yearned for something like this.
“Hyaaaaaaaohoohooooo!!”
In the distance, a person was swimming and emitting a ‘woohoo!’ sound, like a human dolphin, but we didn’t divert our gaze in that direction, not wanting to disrupt this somewhat tepid, poetic teenage sentiment.
That’s genuinely Nephti.
Or perhaps, that’s a form of youth in its own right?
***
Two hours later, when the sun was high, Nephti emerged from the sea.
Completely drenched in seawater, she seemed unfazed by her clinging clothes, wearing a wide grin.
“I really enjoyed swimming!”
“Did you encounter any sea monsters?”
“I did, but I defeated them all!”
So, she emerged victorious against them all.
“Hmm. Well done.”
“Yes!”
Observing Nephti closely, I could see the remains of Sword Horn Fish and Purple Octopuses behind her.
“It was truly an impressive battle swim!”
“Hmm.”
Is this what they meant by battle swimming?
“It’s quite warm!”
As I watched Nephti dry her clothes by the bonfire, I suddenly recalled something.
“Nephti, do you have a spare uniform?”
“Yes, I have an extra set.”
“Clothes can easily get damaged if you go into the sea and then dry them by a bonfire. Make sure to wash them as soon as you get back.”
“Yes! Senior! But for now, I’ll savor this warmth! It’s too disheartening to fret over clothes and miss this moment! Enjoying the sea! Battling and triumphing over seafood! Drying off! At this very moment, it’s the most enjoyable!”
With those words, Nephti hummed a tune beside the bonfire Patrasch had constructed.
She appeared genuinely content.
And the attitude of not allowing future concerns to spoil the present is very characteristic of Nephti.
“So, are we going to gather food and head back today?”
“Hmm. Today, I have something a bit different in mind.”
“What is it?”
“Right here, we have the items we collected along the way, the wild game and seafood Nephti won, and there are spices scattered on the ground.”
“Oh, so we’re having our meal here?”
“Hmm.”
“That’s a great idea. The scenery is beautiful, and so is the breeze. It’s perfect for a meal.”
Rudika agreed, nodding her head.
A fairly typical response. But what if I chime in?
“And among the ingredients we’ve gathered, there’s something… perfectly suited to Rudika and my taste.”
“What is it? Does that mean…”
“It’s unrivaled even by the Red Vinegar of the Sleeping Mountains.”
“……”
“It’s the Crazy Hot Chili Peppers sauce, boasting up to five times the spiciness.”
I grinned, and Rudika responded with a smile, taking my hand.
“…Please spare me from that. I don’t have the courage to add something so insanely hot.” Nephti, still drying her clothes, looked at us in amazement.
She’s unfamiliar with the taste.
***
The Crazy Hot Chili Peppers sauce, crafted in ‘The city of natural beauty’, earned high praise from Rudika.
“It’s spicy! Really spicy! Rudika enjoys it!”
“Hmm.”
It falls a bit short of my taste preferences, but Rudika is content with this level of spiciness.
It’s not on the level of fiery chicken; it’s more akin to a reasonably spicy pork bulgogi from a restaurant. A bit underwhelming.
Nevertheless, the meal was thoroughly enjoyable. The cooking method was straightforward: season the cleaned ingredients lightly with salt and grill them as they are.
It was nothing more than a beachside barbecue, but a meal with close friends is always delightful.
“By the way, Senior Rudika, can you truly only taste spicy flavors?”
“Due to my training, I’ve lost most of my senses except for touch. More precisely, they’ve been sealed away.”
“Sealed away?”
“Yes. All Shadows undergo training to seal away one or two senses. It’s not just me, but everyone, including Cecil. …I can’t disclose more than that. It’s a secret technique of the Hatsan Shadow family. Please understand.”
“Oh, I apologize. It was just a curiosity-driven question. Forget I brought it up.”
“It’s alright. Rudika and Nephti are friends, aren’t we!”
“Ahaha, that’s right!”
Ah, so there’s such a background. I should make a note of that.
So, it’s not that the senses were erased, but deliberately sealed?
Since Rudika’s character description in the book is concise, it’s intriguing to learn more about her.
Rudika gazed at the seasonings for a moment, then nodded decisively, as if she had resolved something, as if she had shaken something off.
“Wolfram, can I take some of this spicy sauce with me? Can you pack it generously?”
“That’s not a difficult request.”
“Thanks.”
So, after we finished the meal, we headed back as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
During our return journey, we encountered a few monsters, but nothing significant.
However, Nephti made an unusual statement.
“Senior, I’ve made a decision.”
“About what?”
“The Royal Guard.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yes. Honestly, I’m not sure if I want to join the Royal Guard or become the captain of the Gluco Village guard. But…”
“But?”
“If I apply for the Royal Guard, the Knight’s Department offers special classes for me. They teach things like the proper etiquette befitting a royal guard.”
“Oh, right. I remember there were such classes. They even offered scholarships, if I recall correctly.”
“Yes! …Not that the scholarship is the most crucial thing. Well, it is important, but anyway.”
I had to take a similar class in the Eve route. It was beneficial for improving my qualifications, so it didn’t feel like a loss.
“Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m suited for the Royal Guard, but after today, seeing the sea, swimming, and experiencing all these new things, I’ve realized something.”
“What’s that?”
“There’s no need to hesitate when it comes to learning something new. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to explore a new world.”
“I see.”
“And if I genuinely decide to pursue the path of the Royal Guard, then, Senior, at that time…”
Nephti paused before looking at me.
If she decides to pursue the path of the Royal Guard? Hmm?
Ah, I see what she means.
“There’s still an open spot for a recommendation. And you are still the top candidate.”
“……Ah. Still the top candidate… Hehe.”
“But I have no intention of recommending someone who doesn’t measure up.”
“Yes! I’ll work hard at learning!”
Working hard at learning.
It’s an unusual way to put it, but it’s very much like Nephti.
“Then I’ll go register for the classes! Oh, but first, I need to wash my uniform!”
With that, Nephti rushed toward the academy area as soon as she stepped out of the portal.
Her face seemed a bit flushed.
“Nephti is remarkable. That spirit of challenge and improvement might be her most shining quality.”
“Hmm.”
Your choice of words is getting complex again, Rudika.
“Rudika should also consider learning a bit.”
“What should you learn?”
“Well, to start, I should invite my sister to have lunch together starting tomorrow. She should accept that much persuasion.”
Saying this, Rudika departed with a determined expression.
I can’t say for certain, but it seems like everyone’s concerns have been resolved.
Now, there’s no need for a somber atmosphere at the convenience store.
“Let’s head back, Patrasch.”
***
Back at the convenience store.
As expected, the next day, I had muscle soreness.
Ah, really..
***
Surprisingly, the next day, I felt quite good.
So, I decided to start working right away.
I retrieved fruits, bread flour, butter, milk, and other ingredients from the stone refrigerator, along with a scale.
The freshness of these ingredients from ‘The city of natural beauty’ is exceptionally high.
So, these aren’t just store-bought ingredients; they’re obtained from farming. This is crucial, but the fact that it’s not a map designed for early gameplay also significantly affects the quality.
Despite being part of the fantastical Emily Haimelody route that transports you to space, it’s still one of the standard routes, and the maps it unlocks aren’t exactly suitable for the early stages of the game.
Naturally, there’s the downside that the place where we gathered ingredients is on the outskirts of ‘The city of natural beauty’.
However, it’s fair to say that these ingredients are comparable to mid-Act 4 quality.
Certainly, if you head towards the center of the island, the ingredients almost reach Act 9 level. I must make a point to go farming there later.
In any case, armed with these ingredients, I activated Magical Patissier.
“Wow. Senior, are you making desserts?”
“Oh, Wolfram. It’s been a while since you’ve made sweets, hasn’t it?”
At that moment, Mille-feuille, who was discussing with Aila how to change her nickname from “Iron Fist” to something like “Magical Puncher,” returned.
Naturally, Aila was accompanying her.
“Hmm. I thought it’s about time to improve my proficiency.”
I said this while washing the fruits and preparing the dough, reflecting on what was needed to enhance the skill of Magical Patissier.
In short:
[Make more desserts]
[Make higher-quality desserts]
[Make more magical desserts]
[Make higher-quality magical desserts]
The proficiency increases faster as you move down the list, and high-quality magical sweets require top-notch ingredients.
So, I’m planning to give it my all today.
You can’t just whip up simple sweets with excellent ingredients. Instead, you need to take on a real challenge.
Let’s see. How about making shortcakes with strawberry chips on top? What should I use for decoration?
[Activating Magical Patissier.]
[MIX WEET!]
[Sunlight Great Success!]
[The Blessing of the Goddess of Sweets is upon you!]
[Two potent protective spells are bestowed upon the sweets!]
As I triggered the Mix Weet by combining the sweets, a different phrase appeared.
Normally, it would be “Dreamlight Great Success,” but this time it was “Sunlight.”
And Sunlight is not a phrase from Magical Patissier.
Which means…
It has finally arrived.
[Skill proficiency has been achieved. The skill ranks up!]
[8T Magical Patissier evolves into 7T Shining Patissier!]
[Up to tier 6 buffs can now be conferred upon the sweets!]
Magical Patissier has finally evolved into 7-tier Shining Patissier after exceeding the proficiency limits.
I quivered with a sense of almost god-like power.
Feeling the progress, the advancement, filled my heart.
“Would you like to taste?”
Upon my offer, the two of them simply nodded in silence.
I sliced a piece of the first creation of Shining Patissier, the shortcake, and handed it over. They both took forks and simultaneously took a small bite.
“This taste, it’s like a fluffy sponge cake delicately enfolded in fresh cream. The not-too-sweet cream accentuates the flavor of the strawberries on top.”
“I may not have the eloquence for a complex review, but it’s heartwarming. It’s simple yet profound, and kind. It feels like it warms your heart.”
“Truly a rebellious flavor!”
“A flavor that makes you want to stay together.”
What’s going on here?
Why are they suddenly reacting like judges in a cooking manga?
Reaction?
Ah, yes.
“That’s right, there was such a feature.”
Starting from Shining Patissier, tasting it prompts a reaction.
This is actually a scene from the official game.
“That’s right. This is Wolfram’s heartfelt skill. Truly remarkable. This dessert. It can certainly bring about a rebellion.”
“I haven’t tasted many sweets from Senior, but the ones I have tried are all Senior’s. So, I can say this with confidence. …Right now, Senior, you’ve extended your reach farther than I ever knew.”
So.
Does this mean that every time I make a dessert from now on, I’ll have to endure such praise?
“…I’ve simply done my best.”
Why must I endure such embarrassment?
I glanced at the shortcake, the result of my efforts.
The sun-kissed shortcake seemed to be radiantly smiling.
Rudika beamed widely.
“It appears Rudika was feeling frustrated due to her limited perspective. The world is expansive. People are diverse, and so is this ocean.”
“Jephryn is vast. It’s only agonizing to live with a narrow point of view.”
I don’t quite comprehend why she’s going through this.
That was the defining trait of the character Rudika Hatsan Shadow.
She could have been an ally.
However, by the time Kelters enrolled, Rudika was already in her third year.
After the fourth year, regardless of the chosen path, she graduates.
Initially, when Kelters took the wrong path, Bearberry served as an assassin.
And, with her impressive skills, she led the first and second years.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, Rudika, with her “Surprise Attack Limited” ability, could incapacitate Eve von Loengrin in a single strike. However, if she’s given even a day to prepare for the surprise attack, Rudika would be at a disadvantage.
Anyway, I was captivated by her exceptional performance! But in the third year, she inevitably departs.
Many people would express, “Professor, I genuinely appreciate the bus ride!” I, too, frequently took the bus in the beginning.
However, even as I focused on training with Rudika, she graduated and left. The void left by the professor was just too significant.
For this reason, there were quite a few who held Rudika in high regard, but officially, it hasn’t been clearly disclosed what kind of heart Rudika Hatsan Shadow possesses, how she lived her life, or what kind of person she is.
Even if you peruse the setting book, it merely mentions that she’s an assassin from the southern Hatsan Shadow family.
Thus, I don’t understand why she’s going through this.
I don’t even know what kind of life she’ll lead after graduating next year.
The only certainty is that she’ll be here in Jephryn for the next two years, so all I can say is:
“We should spend the next two years without any regrets.”
“…Yes. We should.”
Rudika and I gazed at the sea for a moment.
“…Thank you, Wolfram.”
“What for. A good boss sometimes offers counsel when his regulars are struggling.”
“Ahaha…”
After saying that, we fell silent.
I clenched my fist and shivered slightly.
This is truly like a youth drama. No kidding.
Given that I’ve led a life far removed from youth, I’ve always yearned for something like this.
“Hyaaaaaaaohoohooooo!!”
In the distance, a person was swimming and emitting a ‘woohoo!’ sound, like a human dolphin, but we didn’t divert our gaze in that direction, not wanting to disrupt this somewhat tepid, poetic teenage sentiment.
That’s genuinely Nephti.
Or perhaps, that’s a form of youth in its own right?
***
Two hours later, when the sun was high, Nephti emerged from the sea.
Completely drenched in seawater, she seemed unfazed by her clinging clothes, wearing a wide grin.
“I really enjoyed swimming!”
“Did you encounter any sea monsters?”
“I did, but I defeated them all!”
So, she emerged victorious against them all.
“Hmm. Well done.”
“Yes!”
Observing Nephti closely, I could see the remains of Sword Horn Fish and Purple Octopuses behind her.
“It was truly an impressive battle swim!”
“Hmm.”
Is this what they meant by battle swimming?
“It’s quite warm!”
As I watched Nephti dry her clothes by the bonfire, I suddenly recalled something.
“Nephti, do you have a spare uniform?”
“Yes, I have an extra set.”
“Clothes can easily get damaged if you go into the sea and then dry them by a bonfire. Make sure to wash them as soon as you get back.”
“Yes! Senior! But for now, I’ll savor this warmth! It’s too disheartening to fret over clothes and miss this moment! Enjoying the sea! Battling and triumphing over seafood! Drying off! At this very moment, it’s the most enjoyable!”
With those words, Nephti hummed a tune beside the bonfire Patrasch had constructed.
She appeared genuinely content.
And the attitude of not allowing future concerns to spoil the present is very characteristic of Nephti.
“So, are we going to gather food and head back today?”
“Hmm. Today, I have something a bit different in mind.”
“What is it?”
“Right here, we have the items we collected along the way, the wild game and seafood Nephti won, and there are spices scattered on the ground.”
“Oh, so we’re having our meal here?”
“Hmm.”
“That’s a great idea. The scenery is beautiful, and so is the breeze. It’s perfect for a meal.”
Rudika agreed, nodding her head.
A fairly typical response. But what if I chime in?
“And among the ingredients we’ve gathered, there’s something… perfectly suited to Rudika and my taste.”
“What is it? Does that mean…”
“It’s unrivaled even by the Red Vinegar of the Sleeping Mountains.”
“……”
“It’s the Crazy Hot Chili Peppers sauce, boasting up to five times the spiciness.”
I grinned, and Rudika responded with a smile, taking my hand.
“…Please spare me from that. I don’t have the courage to add something so insanely hot.” Nephti, still drying her clothes, looked at us in amazement.
She’s unfamiliar with the taste.
***
The Crazy Hot Chili Peppers sauce, crafted in ‘The city of natural beauty’, earned high praise from Rudika.
“It’s spicy! Really spicy! Rudika enjoys it!”
“Hmm.”
It falls a bit short of my taste preferences, but Rudika is content with this level of spiciness.
It’s not on the level of fiery chicken; it’s more akin to a reasonably spicy pork bulgogi from a restaurant. A bit underwhelming.
Nevertheless, the meal was thoroughly enjoyable. The cooking method was straightforward: season the cleaned ingredients lightly with salt and grill them as they are.
It was nothing more than a beachside barbecue, but a meal with close friends is always delightful.
“By the way, Senior Rudika, can you truly only taste spicy flavors?”
“Due to my training, I’ve lost most of my senses except for touch. More precisely, they’ve been sealed away.”
“Sealed away?”
“Yes. All Shadows undergo training to seal away one or two senses. It’s not just me, but everyone, including Cecil. …I can’t disclose more than that. It’s a secret technique of the Hatsan Shadow family. Please understand.”
“Oh, I apologize. It was just a curiosity-driven question. Forget I brought it up.”
“It’s alright. Rudika and Nephti are friends, aren’t we!”
“Ahaha, that’s right!”
Ah, so there’s such a background. I should make a note of that.
So, it’s not that the senses were erased, but deliberately sealed?
Since Rudika’s character description in the book is concise, it’s intriguing to learn more about her.
Rudika gazed at the seasonings for a moment, then nodded decisively, as if she had resolved something, as if she had shaken something off.
“Wolfram, can I take some of this spicy sauce with me? Can you pack it generously?”
“That’s not a difficult request.”
“Thanks.”
So, after we finished the meal, we headed back as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
During our return journey, we encountered a few monsters, but nothing significant.
However, Nephti made an unusual statement.
“Senior, I’ve made a decision.”
“About what?”
“The Royal Guard.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yes. Honestly, I’m not sure if I want to join the Royal Guard or become the captain of the Gluco Village guard. But…”
“But?”
“If I apply for the Royal Guard, the Knight’s Department offers special classes for me. They teach things like the proper etiquette befitting a royal guard.”
“Oh, right. I remember there were such classes. They even offered scholarships, if I recall correctly.”
“Yes! …Not that the scholarship is the most crucial thing. Well, it is important, but anyway.”
I had to take a similar class in the Eve route. It was beneficial for improving my qualifications, so it didn’t feel like a loss.
“Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m suited for the Royal Guard, but after today, seeing the sea, swimming, and experiencing all these new things, I’ve realized something.”
“What’s that?”
“There’s no need to hesitate when it comes to learning something new. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to explore a new world.”
“I see.”
“And if I genuinely decide to pursue the path of the Royal Guard, then, Senior, at that time…”
Nephti paused before looking at me.
If she decides to pursue the path of the Royal Guard? Hmm?
Ah, I see what she means.
“There’s still an open spot for a recommendation. And you are still the top candidate.”
“……Ah. Still the top candidate… Hehe.”
“But I have no intention of recommending someone who doesn’t measure up.”
“Yes! I’ll work hard at learning!”
Working hard at learning.
It’s an unusual way to put it, but it’s very much like Nephti.
“Then I’ll go register for the classes! Oh, but first, I need to wash my uniform!”
With that, Nephti rushed toward the academy area as soon as she stepped out of the portal.
Her face seemed a bit flushed.
“Nephti is remarkable. That spirit of challenge and improvement might be her most shining quality.”
“Hmm.”
Your choice of words is getting complex again, Rudika.
“Rudika should also consider learning a bit.”
“What should you learn?”
“Well, to start, I should invite my sister to have lunch together starting tomorrow. She should accept that much persuasion.”
Saying this, Rudika departed with a determined expression.
I can’t say for certain, but it seems like everyone’s concerns have been resolved.
Now, there’s no need for a somber atmosphere at the convenience store.
“Let’s head back, Patrasch.”
***
Back at the convenience store.
As expected, the next day, I had muscle soreness.
Ah, really..
***
Surprisingly, the next day, I felt quite good.
So, I decided to start working right away.
I retrieved fruits, bread flour, butter, milk, and other ingredients from the stone refrigerator, along with a scale.
The freshness of these ingredients from ‘The city of natural beauty’ is exceptionally high.
So, these aren’t just store-bought ingredients; they’re obtained from farming. This is crucial, but the fact that it’s not a map designed for early gameplay also significantly affects the quality.
Despite being part of the fantastical Emily Haimelody route that transports you to space, it’s still one of the standard routes, and the maps it unlocks aren’t exactly suitable for the early stages of the game.
Naturally, there’s the downside that the place where we gathered ingredients is on the outskirts of ‘The city of natural beauty’.
However, it’s fair to say that these ingredients are comparable to mid-Act 4 quality.
Certainly, if you head towards the center of the island, the ingredients almost reach Act 9 level. I must make a point to go farming there later.
In any case, armed with these ingredients, I activated Magical Patissier.
“Wow. Senior, are you making desserts?”
“Oh, Wolfram. It’s been a while since you’ve made sweets, hasn’t it?”
At that moment, Mille-feuille, who was discussing with Aila how to change her nickname from “Iron Fist” to something like “Magical Puncher,” returned.
Naturally, Aila was accompanying her.
“Hmm. I thought it’s about time to improve my proficiency.”
I said this while washing the fruits and preparing the dough, reflecting on what was needed to enhance the skill of Magical Patissier.
In short:
[Make more desserts]
[Make higher-quality desserts]
[Make more magical desserts]
[Make higher-quality magical desserts]
The proficiency increases faster as you move down the list, and high-quality magical sweets require top-notch ingredients.
So, I’m planning to give it my all today.
You can’t just whip up simple sweets with excellent ingredients. Instead, you need to take on a real challenge.
Let’s see. How about making shortcakes with strawberry chips on top? What should I use for decoration?
[Activating Magical Patissier.]
[MIX WEET!]
[Sunlight Great Success!]
[The Blessing of the Goddess of Sweets is upon you!]
[Two potent protective spells are bestowed upon the sweets!]
As I triggered the Mix Weet by combining the sweets, a different phrase appeared.
Normally, it would be “Dreamlight Great Success,” but this time it was “Sunlight.”
And Sunlight is not a phrase from Magical Patissier.
Which means…
It has finally arrived.
[Skill proficiency has been achieved. The skill ranks up!]
[8T Magical Patissier evolves into 7T Shining Patissier!]
[Up to tier 6 buffs can now be conferred upon the sweets!]
Magical Patissier has finally evolved into 7-tier Shining Patissier after exceeding the proficiency limits.
I quivered with a sense of almost god-like power.
Feeling the progress, the advancement, filled my heart.
“Would you like to taste?”
Upon my offer, the two of them simply nodded in silence.
I sliced a piece of the first creation of Shining Patissier, the shortcake, and handed it over. They both took forks and simultaneously took a small bite.
“This taste, it’s like a fluffy sponge cake delicately enfolded in fresh cream. The not-too-sweet cream accentuates the flavor of the strawberries on top.”
“I may not have the eloquence for a complex review, but it’s heartwarming. It’s simple yet profound, and kind. It feels like it warms your heart.”
“Truly a rebellious flavor!”
“A flavor that makes you want to stay together.”
What’s going on here?
Why are they suddenly reacting like judges in a cooking manga?
Reaction?
Ah, yes.
“That’s right, there was such a feature.”
Starting from Shining Patissier, tasting it prompts a reaction.
This is actually a scene from the official game.
“That’s right. This is Wolfram’s heartfelt skill. Truly remarkable. This dessert. It can certainly bring about a rebellion.”
“I haven’t tasted many sweets from Senior, but the ones I have tried are all Senior’s. So, I can say this with confidence. …Right now, Senior, you’ve extended your reach farther than I ever knew.”
So.
Does this mean that every time I make a dessert from now on, I’ll have to endure such praise?
“…I’ve simply done my best.”
Why must I endure such embarrassment?
I glanced at the shortcake, the result of my efforts.
The sun-kissed shortcake seemed to be radiantly smiling.
