(Bonus Chapter 150 Power Stone)
Chapter 54: Corn Porridge and Fried Dough
The following morning.
The sun had only just begun to rise. After the heavy rain yesterday, the weather today was magnificent. A thin mist drifted through the air like a veil of gauze, and the atmosphere was thick with the fresh scent of greenery.
Chishima Akishin woke up at seven to cook. Instead of his usual simple breakfast, he prepared several different dishes. He also used high-protein flour to make You-tiao (fried dough sticks) and simmered a pot of corn porridge.
This wasn't specifically for anyone, mind you. It was simply because he had guests coming over. The fundamental principle of a chef was to serve food well.
Yes, definitely not for anyone in particular. (Serious face)
By seven-thirty, several types of pickled vegetables, a pot of corn porridge, a plate of golden-brown You-tiao, and a plate of Yuxiang Qiezi (fish-fragrant stir-fried eggplant with pork) were ready.
Grains of golden corn adorned the rice porridge, which was as white as flawless marble. The fresh aroma of the corn was even more perfect than what you'd see in a television advertisement.
The fried dough was cooked to perfection—golden-brown, looking incredibly crispy, yet retaining a palpable softness beneath the crust.
A true master of frying doesn't view the process as merely frying, but as steaming; using high temperatures to seal the exterior and using the food's own moisture to steam it from the inside out.
What people called the pinnacle of "crispy on the outside, soft on the inside" was exactly this. Those who could achieve and truly feel this point were worthy of being called Heat Control Masters.
Right on cue, the sound of a car horn drifted from outside Chishimaya. Akishin walked over to open the door, allowing a gust of slightly chilly morning air to mingle with the warmth of the shop.
A familiar brown van appeared in the slanted morning sunlight. Shizuka stepped out of the car. Today, she was wearing that same white dress from before, featuring beautiful, nameless floral patterns along the hem.
A white sun hat sat slightly tilted on her head. Perhaps because the morning air was a bit brisk, she wore a light blue jacket over her dress.
"Oh, Chishima-san, we're here."
Shizuka waved, and Akishin returned the gesture with a smile. "Breakfast is ready."
"Chishima-sensei."
Hachiman climbed out of the passenger seat with his trademark dead-fish eyes. Today, he was sporting a blue-and-white hoodie, complete with matching pants and shoes. Whoever had bought this set had... "excellent" taste.
Hikigaya: [My mom bought this.]
As if he could read the look in Akishin's eyes, Hachiman glared at him.
"Get inside quickly. We need to head out as soon as we're done eating." Akishin pulled out the 'Closed' sign and hung it on the door.
"Hello, hello! Chishima-sensei, long time no see."
A cheerful voice rang out. After Hachiman stepped down, the rear door of the brown van slid open, and Yukinoshita Haruno stepped out.
She was dressed in a collarless Chanel-style jacket, with a modest high-collared blue shirt underneath and a pair of culottes.
"Haruno-san?" Akishin's brow furrowed slightly. "What are you doing here?"
Haruno clutched her small handbag, tilting her head with a look of mock surprise. "Ara~, is Chishima-sensei not going to welcome me?"
Akishin stared at Haruno. "Could you drop the fake smile? It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, especially after... that incident."
"That incident," of course, referred to Haruno's secret investigation into his background. Even if she had her reasons, prying into someone's privacy was still a violation.
The three people outside the shop froze. Shizuka's gaze dimmed slightly.
A small, knowing smirk played on Hachiman's lips. Internally, he admired Akishin for so easily saying the things he himself never could.
Ever since Shizuka had brought Haruno to his front door, Hachiman had recognized how formidable Haruno was. Especially after Hiratsuka-sensei mentioned that Hachiman was one of only two members of her sister's club, Haruno had become intensely interested in him, constantly digging for information under the guise of teasing.
Hachiman didn't want to get close to a woman like that; she felt dangerous. After getting into the car, he had insisted on sitting in the front passenger seat.
Haruno herself was stunned for a few seconds. Then, with a smile that seemed a bit more genuine, she said, "I came here today to apologize in person for what happened before."
"I see." Akishin nodded, then added, "If a mask is worn for too long, it will eventually grow into the face. If you ever want to take it off again, you'll have to carve through bone and peel back skin."
Without waiting for the three of them to snap out of their daze, Akishin turned and walked back into the shop. He no longer felt the need to maintain adult pretenses. It was useless since he had no real connection to Haruno; in fact, driving her away might be for the best.
"All three of you, get inside. Breakfast is getting cold."
"Haruno... Chishima-san just has that kind of personality. Um... don't take it too heart."
Shizuka hesitated for a moment before patting Yukinoshita Haruno on the shoulder.
Hachiman glanced at Haruno. In his mind, his teacher's words were incredibly profound—like a quote from some philosophy book.
Haruno maintained her friendly smile. "It's fine, Shizuka-chan. Chishima-sensei is right... it's just that I... Oh, never mind. Let's go in. We shouldn't keep Chishima-sensei waiting."
Haruno shook her head with a wide grin and took the lead, appearing as cheerful as ever.
Hachiman followed. Looking at the figure in front of him, he felt that surge of admiration again. Yukinoshita Haruno really is something. She didn't even flinch after hearing words like that. She's truly flawless and impenetrable!
Shizuka brought up the rear, let out a sigh. She wondered why the people around her were always so full of issues; it was honestly quite exhausting.
"Wow~ this looks delicious!"
In the living area, Haruno let out a chirp of admiration at the food before her. Akishin didn't say much more, deftly arranging the table so everyone could begin.
"Oh, right. This cake is a token of my apology to Chishima-sensei for the previous incident."
As the atmosphere began to thaw, Haruno pulled a cake box from her small bag and offered it to Akishin. The box wasn't large—maybe nine pieces at most—but the packaging was elegant. It definitely wasn't cheap.
The Japanese placed great importance on etiquette. Whether visiting or apologizing, bringing a gift was fundamental. It didn't need to be expensive; simplicity was often better. The most important thing was the sincerity behind it.
That was why such things usually required a face-to-face visit to show proper respect.
"Thank you."
Akishin accepted the cake box and set it on the edge of the table.
Haruno's smile widened instantly. "So, has Chishima-sensei forgiven me?"
Akishin, who was currently enjoying the stir-fried eggplant with his corn porridge, nodded. "Yes, I forgive you."
"I'm so glad. Chishima-sensei, please don't give up on Yukino," Haruno said, looking down as she spooned some porridge.
Hachiman and Shizuka both looked up.
Akishin nodded. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing. I am her teacher, after all."
"In that case, could Chishima-sensei take Yukino as your disciple? I also hope that Yukino can find a path of her own..."
"Sure... cough, cough! Wait, no. What did you just say? Take Yukino as a disciple?"
Akishin had almost agreed out of reflex, but he caught himself just in time and ended up choking on his porridge.
Haruno laughed with a slightly exaggerated expression. "That's right! I heard Chishima-sensei defeated Master Suzuki. If Yukino learns Kendo from you, she'll surely become much stronger!"
"I can't do that," Akishin refused bluntly.
"Why? Didn't Chishima-sensei already take Hikigaya-kun? What's the harm in taking Yukino too? As for tuition fees, the Yukinoshita family will cover everything."
"Yukinoshita-kun is not suited for my Kendo."
"Why not?"
"No particular reason. If you insist on asking, you can ask Hikigaya."
Immediately, Haruno's gaze shifted to Hachiman. Hachiman, who was in the middle of a bite of fried dough, froze.
Hey, hey, why are you dumping this on me? Chishima-sensei, your ability to pass the buck is truly world-class.
Under that calm yet high-pressure gaze, Hachiman coughed. He stole a glance at Akishin before speaking. "Um, Yukinoshita-kun really isn't suited to learn Kendo from Chishima-sensei. Chishima-sensei's Kendo... how do I put this? It's essentially real combat. A girl like her wouldn't be able to handle it."
Haruno looked confused. "Real combat?"
"Just like the name implies—it's direct fighting. Haruno, you haven't seen how miserably Hikigaya gets beaten," Shizuka interjected. "In a single hour of lessons, he's knocked to the floor at least dozens of times. So, Haruno, it's probably best not to let Yukino learn Kendo from Chishima-kun. It would just be putting her through hell."
"...I see. Alright then."
Haruno fell silent for a moment, then nodded with an unreadable expression, as if she were burying a multitude of thoughts deep inside.
Akishin caught the look and shook his head inwardly. These two sisters really were at two opposite ends of the spectrum.
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