My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 10

"I'm sorry, I'll try harder next time."

After apologizing, she looked directly into the snow.

Faced with that unexpected gaze, Yukinoshita couldn't think of a reply.

"..."

For Yukinoshita, this was probably her first experience. Few people sincerely apologize after being reprimanded; most just blush and become angry.

Yukinoshita looked away and fiddled with her hair, seemingly searching for the right words but unable to find them. This girl really doesn't know how to improvise.

"...Yukinoshita, you should teach her the correct way. Yuihama, you should listen carefully too."

I broke their silence. Yukino sighed softly and nodded, saying:

"I'll demonstrate once, and then you can do it yourself."

She stood up and quickly began preparing. She rolled up her sleeves, beat and stirred the eggs, calculated the amount of flour to be added and made sure the powder was completely dissolved without clumping, and then added sugar, butter, vanilla extract and other ingredients.

The skill with which he moved was completely different from that of Yuihama just now.

Snow quickly prepared the dough and then used molds to press out different shapes such as hearts, stars, and circles.

Aluminum foil had already been laid out on the baking tray. Snowflakes carefully placed the dough on it, and then it was put into the preheated oven. Before long, an indescribable aroma wafted out.

With everything prepared beforehand, the outcome was predictable.

The freshly baked cookies look delicious.

Yukino put the cookies on a plate and handed them to us.

These cookies are a golden brown color and are just as exquisite as those sold by Shio Li; they truly deserve to be called cookies.

I gratefully picked up a cookie.

The moment the cookie entered my mouth, the expression on my face melted.

"So delicious! What color patisserie are you?" (A veiled reference to the manga "Yumeiro Patisserie")

I honestly shared my thoughts and couldn't resist eating another one; it tasted just as delicious. The thought that I might not have the chance to eat cookies made by girls again made me pick up a third one. The ones baked by Yuigahama don't really count as cookies, so they're not included in this calculation.

"It's so delicious... Yukinoshita-san, you're amazing!"

"Thanks."

A smile appeared beneath the snow, a smile devoid of any malice.

"However, I just followed the recipe, so you can definitely do it too. It would be strange if you couldn't."

"Why not just give this away as a gift?"

"Then it would be meaningless. Come on, Yuihama-san, do your best."

"Okay, okay... Can I really make cookies this delicious, just like Yukinoshita-san?"

"Yes, as long as you follow the recipe, there won't be any problems."

Even under the snow, I didn't forget to give my advice.

So, Yuihama took on the challenge again.

She was like a carbon copy of Yukinoshita from earlier, making the exact same movements. I used "carbon copy" specifically because we're making cookies now, it's a really clever metaphor (the original text here is "焼き直し", which means to bake again or to replicate).

The cookies that come out of the oven later will surely be delicious, that's a great way to put it (the Japanese word "うまい" means "delicious food" and "good").

however……

"Yuihama-san, that's not how it works. When you sprinkle flour, you should try to draw a circle. Do you know what a circle means? You should have learned that in elementary school, right?"

"You need to hold the bowl down while stirring. The way you're doing it, the whole bowl is just spinning, so you're not stirring properly at all. And the motion isn't circling, you're breaking up the egg yolks."

"No, no, that's not right. We don't need any seasoning. We can save the peaches for next time. Besides, adding so much water will ruin the dough!"

The snow-covered area was in chaos and seemed to be exhausted.

By the time she finally managed to put the dough into the oven, she was panting heavily, and her usually expressionless face was covered in sweat. When she opened the oven, a similar aroma to before wafted out. However…

"It seems a little different..."

Yuihama fell into despair.

After actually tasting it, I found that the flavor was indeed significantly different from that of the one grilled by Yukinoshita.

However, this at least reaches a level that can be called a cookie, a significant improvement over the first batch made with charcoal. Moreover, if it's just considered as regular food, there's nothing to complain about.

However, neither Yuihama nor Yukinoshita seemed quite satisfied.

"...How should I teach you so that you can understand?"

Under the snow, she lowered her head and whispered, racking her brains in thought.

Seeing her appearance, I suddenly realized that she probably didn't know how to guide others.

Because Yukinoshita is a genius, she has absolutely no idea how people who can't do it feel. She doesn't understand why others make mistakes in those areas.

The idea that "just follow the recipe" is the same as "mathematics is just about applying formulas."

However, for people who are not good at math, they don't understand why formulas exist, or why applying formulas can lead to answers.

As for Yukinoshita, she couldn't understand why Yuihama couldn't understand.

When I say this, it sounds like Yukinoshita is wrong.

But that's not the case; Yukinoshita actually works very hard.

The problem lies with Yuihama.

"Why isn't it baking right? I followed your instructions exactly..."

Yuihama picked up another cookie, feeling utterly perplexed.

The statement that truly intelligent people must also know how to teach, and that even the most foolish person can understand—is definitely a lie. Even a cow taken to Beijing is still a cow; those who can't understand won't understand no matter how much you teach them.

No matter how you try to fill that chasm, it can never be bridged.

"Ugh~~ It tastes completely different from what Yukinoshita makes."

Yuihama was quite depressed, and Yukinoshita was also having a terrible headache.

I looked at the two of them and ate a cookie at the same time.

"I've been wondering... why are you so insistent on baking delicious cookies?"

"What?"

Yui gave me a look that said, "What is this guy talking about? Is he a virgin?" She clearly thought I was an idiot, which annoyed me a little.

"Are you an idiot? How could a slut like you not understand?"

"Don't call me a slut!"

"It seems you don't understand men at all."

"What can I do? I've never had a boyfriend! Although, although many of my friends date guys... I, I only did this to fit in with them..."

Yuihama's voice grew softer and softer, almost inaudible. "Speak louder! Are you me when you're called on to answer questions in class?"

"What Yuigahama-san's lower body looks like isn't the point. Hikigaya-san, what exactly are you trying to say?"

The term "lower body" has become so rare that it's even rarely seen in tram advertisements these days. How old are you, anyway?

After keeping everyone in suspense, I smiled as if I were about to show off my victory.

"Phew... It seems you two haven't tasted real handmade cookies before. Please come back here in ten minutes, and I'll let you sample 'real handmade cookies'."

"What? What a boastful tone! Let's see what you've got!"

Yuihama was provoked by the rejection of her cookie-making, so she pulled Yukinoshita away from the classroom and disappeared down the corridor.

Next up is my turn! This is a top-tier showdown between "Ultimate Trouble Counseling" and "Strongest Trouble Counseling".

× × ×

Ten minutes later, a tense atmosphere filled the home economics classroom.

"This is what 'real handmade cookies' looks like? The shape is terrible, all crooked and uneven, and some pieces are burnt in one place... What is this...?"

Yukinoshita looked at the things on the table in surprise, and Yuihama also looked over from beside her.

"Hahaha! I was just listening to you brag, but you're nothing special. It's hilarious! This kind of thing doesn't even need to be eaten!"

Yui suddenly burst into laughter... no, it was downright snickering, and you'll remember that!

"Wait a minute, don't say that yet. Here, have a taste."

I forced a smile, suppressing a twitching at the corner of my mouth. I wanted to use that smile to tell them that I was fully prepared and would turn the tide. I was confident of victory.

"Since you put it that way..."

Yuihama nervously put the cookie into her mouth, while Yukinoshita silently picked up a piece as well.

The cookie made a crisp sound when bitten into, followed by silence.

Like the calm before the storm.

“This, this is!”

Yuihama's eyes widened. After the taste signal reached her brain, she began searching for suitable adjectives.

"There's nothing special about it at all, and it even has a grainy texture when you bite into it! Honestly, it's not very tasty!"

Yuihama's initial surprise turned to anger. Perhaps because the change was so drastic, she even started glaring at me.

Yukino didn't say anything, but gave me a surprised look; it seemed she had noticed.

Under their gazes, I lowered my eyes and spoke:

"Oh, it doesn't taste good... I tried my best though."

"Ah... I'm sorry."

After I lowered my head, Yuihama also looked awkwardly at the floor.

"Sorry, I'll take it and throw it away."

After I finished speaking, I grabbed the plate and turned around.

"Wait, wait a minute."

"...So what now?"

Yui grabbed my hand. She didn't answer me, but instead grabbed a strangely shaped cookie and stuffed it into her mouth, crunching it to pieces.

"Well, it's not so bad that it needs to be thrown away... and it's not that bad either."

"...I see. Are you satisfied now?"

I asked with a smile, and Yui nodded before immediately turning her head away. The setting sun shone through the window, casting a reddish glow on her cheeks.

"Actually, these are cookies you just baked."

"……what?"

I casually told her the truth.

Anyway, I never said I baked it myself, so it's not a lie.

Yuihama was stunned. Her mouth gaped open, and her eyes shrank to the point of being tiny.

"Eh? What?"

She looked back and forth between me and Yukino, blinking incessantly, seemingly unaware of what was happening.

"Hachiman, I don't understand what you're doing. What's the point of this farce?"

Yukinoshita looked at me with displeasure and asked.

There's a saying: "As long as there's love, love is OK!" (From the Japanese cooking show "Ai no Epron," translated as "Girl Apron" in Taiwan).

I gave a thumbs up and flashed a bright smile.

"Outdated".

Yuihama muttered under her breath. "Well, that was a show that aired when I was in elementary school." Yukinoshita seemed not to understand, tilting her head in confusion.

"Your standards are too high."

I couldn't hide the smile on my face. What was this feeling of superiority? It was wonderful to know the answer only to myself, and it seemed to open up a floodgate of conversation.