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Guessing the ingredients being used is probably possible. But if they have a special way of cooking, then there’s no way to know. To figure that out, you’ll have to experiment with different methods on your own. And if you figure that one out, maybe you’ll discover another new technique to experiment on.

“The path of cooking has no end.”
“True.”

After all, the desire to eat and make delicious food has no limit. Which is why new food, whether it be good or bad, is made every day. To begin with, if they’re using expensive ingredients, it’s way beyond our reach. Even practicing is impossible.

“I’ve been learning from Mom, but I’m pretty much an amateur.”
“You’re so good with curry, though.”
“Being good with one dish isn’t enough. Besides, it’s a cafe. The shop won’t last if I can’t make confectioneries and desserts.”

I’ve never seen Kaori ever making desserts. Maybe she practices a lot in secret. Still, there’s no way of knowing about something I haven’t even tasted. If it’s just for the family to eat, then even if it looks bad, it’s fine as long as it’s delicious.

“I don’t make desserts that much either.”
“I have been taught how to make them, but that’ll end up with me just copying Mom. It’s not like I’m asked to be creative.”

You get sick of having the same thing, after all. Still, their family dynamic is completely different from the Shimotsuki family’s. With them, they don’t mentor their child, the child only learns on her own. I know the mother has it properly thought out, but there’s no way to know if the daughter understands it.

“I feel like I’ll never run out of inspiration if I keep being with you, Kotone.”
“You’re working under the assumption that I’ll either do something stupid or get dragged into something, aren’t you?”
“Isn’t that obvious? I could say the same with January’s plan, but I don’t think you’d come up with that plan if you were sane.”
“Really?”

I scrapped the first plan I thought of for today’s occasion. That plan was to have one of the restaurant staff bring the ring when the principal can’t muster his courage. But if it’s someone else doing it, Ms. Saeki might think it’s actually from him. That’s why I scrapped the indirect ring idea.

“Besides, there’s no certainty anyway. In the end, everything will depend on whether the principal makes his move.”
“That’s just normal. By all rights, this isn’t a problem I should be involved with. Their feelings are what’s important.”

Forcing them to be together isn’t my role, and I don’t want to do it either. If I don’t respect their free will, it’s a denial of my very being. Without free will, the current me would’ve been nothing more than a puppet. Though you can also say that this free will is the cause of most of my problems.

“We’ve arrived. First, let’s go as planned.”
“You say that, but I’ll just be eating from start to finish.”

Kaori might be here as my partner, but there’s really nothing for her to do. I just need her with me. Any action to be made is all on me, and only I will face humiliation. I’m fully prepared, so it shouldn’t fail. Everything else falls on the principal’s shoulders.

“Still, thinking about it again, aren’t we sticking out?”
“No, it’s just really difficult to get reservations here.”

While the restaurant is on the expensive side, anyone – even regular folk – is welcome here. The seats are just crowded because it’s Christmas Eve, but you can’t even tell if there are celebrities around. Most of all, everyone has their attention on their partners.

“Stop being so restless.”
“I can’t help it, it’s my first time being in a place like this.”

Some people might not like being stared at; it’s best to avoid getting wrapped up with them. Still, I don’t think there’ll be those types of people today. After all, isn’t Christmas Eve a special day for many people? Excluding the single people, of course.

“Just think that we’re only here to celebrate.”
“Well, sure. So, where are they?”
“They’re pretty far away.”

We have been informed about their table prior. There are four tables between us and the principal, and we can’t see well unless we peek through the gap between people. Which I especially asked for. It’d be really awkward for both parties if we’re next to each other, you know?

“I can’t see them well from my position.”
“It’s the same for me. It’s fine, since I don’t feel like seeing it.”
“Then you’re not really monitoring them.”
“I don’t feel like doing that either. Intervening once will be enough.”

Whether it’ll result in success is a gamble, though. Today’s main lead is once again not me, but the principal. I absolutely don’t want to get in his way. Lastly, the principal’s timing to propose will be important. After all, he hasn’t been informed about my plan at all.

“Kotone, you’re going to make your move at around the end part, right?”
“That’s the plan. Though I’d really appreciate it if the principal made his move before that.”

Honestly, if he just proposed already, then I won’t have to take action and that’d be a huge relief, but I don’t see any hint of that happening. From how stiff he’s acting, I don’t see him doing it at all. Is he really going to be okay?

“Kotone. From what I’m seeing, it’s probably impossible.”
“Agreed. Ms. Saeki seems to get the hint, but they’re not making progress.”

After all, with the date today and the principal’s current state, it’s obvious that he has something important to ask. Ms. Saeki also looks a bit nervous, I don’t think they can enjoy the food. Seeing the two of them, I let out a big sigh.

“It’s going to be tough.”
“Kotone, did you accept this because you had experience in these sorts of stuff?”
“Like hell I do. At most, I got confessed to only after I died.”
“Thinking about it normally, that’s such a crazy statement.”

I’m aware of that. If I had received that confession while I was alive, I wonder how I’d answer? I know there’s no point thinking about it now, but I’m still curious. Actually, for some reason, I’m scared to imagine Isami’s reaction afterward.

“Still, those two really aren’t noticing us.”
“Read the mood.”

I’m sure they’re too occupied with themselves. Both of them have feelings for each other, but neither of them have professed it. I can understand the principal, but I wonder what’s holding Ms. Saeki back?