Volume Three: Academy-wide Rampage - The Club's Happy♀ Everyday Life

Probably no one would expect that there's a kitchen in this old building.

"Seriously, a bunch of incomprehensible idiots..."

Swish! Swish! Swish! Xiao Wu wielded the spatula, stirring the meat in the large iron wok with practiced skill, yet every swing of the spatula seemed to carry a murderous intent...

"It's almost lunchtime, hurry up!"

"""""Yes----"""""

We answered weakly.

Our loud antics in the clubroom infuriated Xiao Wu, who suddenly returned. In a fit of rage, she used her club president privileges to drag all the troublemakers into the kitchen to work.

I was tending to the soup pot, which was on par with those in the school cafeteria—it was frighteningly large. The soup contained all sorts of vegetables, a small amount of meat, eggs, and some other ingredients I couldn't name. Although it was a typical large-pot meal, it looked and smelled delicious, making my mouth water.

"Heave-ho... heave-ho..."

Meanwhile, the two loli duo who caused the incident were also working. Little Butterfly was stirring a vegetable salad, and Evelynths was mixing the meat filling for making pies. Of course, Xiao Wu had prepared all the ingredients and preliminary work; they only needed to help mix the ingredients evenly.

The two little ones seemed to be sulking, their cheeks puffed out, and they were stirring faster and faster, as if they were having a special competition.

Meanwhile, Xiao was in charge of processing the ingredients, cleaning the bones off the fish and peeling the celery and green beans. Although she was a Literature Department and a homebody, she was surprisingly skilled at these tasks, clearly indicating that she had often assisted Xiao Wu before.

As for Haoyue... snap

"Ah, it's sliced too thin."

Click!

"Ah, it's gotten thicker again."

Click!

"Ouch, I almost cut my hand!"

Haoyue rarely showed a troubled expression. In front of her was a small pile of unevenly sliced potatoes, many of which were cut crookedly and were simply unsightly.

"Hey, you're supposed to be a swordsman, right? How come you're still so clumsy?" Xiao Wu couldn't stand it anymore and asked.

"Using a sword is using a sword, cutting vegetables is cutting vegetables; the difference is significant."

"But you can't even cut a potato properly... Never mind, can you cook?"

"Speaking of cooking, to be honest, the first time I stepped into a kitchen as a child..."

Did you burn the food?

"Blow up the kitchen."

"... You're not just a typical cooking idiot."

"I've never had a natural talent for cooking, but you, who seem like a fearless delinquent, are actually quite intelligent and kind. You bought all discounted items, saving at least a third of the money, and with your cooking skills... whoever marries you will be very fortunate."

"Don't talk nonsense. It's just that I've been living alone for a long time, and now I have to take care of a bunch of kids. Even if I can't cook, I have to learn. Unlike you, a rich girl who's rotten inside and out, you can't even chop a vegetable properly."

"You're so modest, but no one would want a tigress like you, your feminine charm is too low!"

"... Are you looking for death?"

"Bring it on... Ah!"

With a snap, a piece of potato flew off, and the knife slammed into the cutting board, just centimeters from Haoyue's fair fingers.

"..." "..."

Haoyue and Xiao Wu fell silent.

"... Come teach me how to chop vegetables, you brat!"

"... You'd better give in sooner rather than later, you damn Qipao Woman."

Haoyue maintained her knife-wielding posture, and Xiao Wu stood behind her, gently holding her hands. To get a better view of the cutting board, Xiao Wu was slightly taller than Haoyue, rested her head on Haoyue's shoulder, her not-so-large but beautifully shaped breasts pressed against Haoyue's back, creating a very ambiguous shape.

Well... the atmosphere is rather awkward.

"... Now it's time to cut, follow my movements."

"Um..."

Thump, thump, thump. Xiao Wu carefully took Haoyue's hand, guiding her to use the kitchen knife. Their two equally fair hands were intertwined, creating a strange attraction. The potato slicing progressed quickly, but the two of them seemed a little distracted.

"Xiao Wu, your breath is on my neck..."

"You're the one who... your back is rubbing against my chest and it's so itchy."

"Hey! Idiot, you're hitting too hard!"

"Your movements are incorrect!"

"Show some mercy to the ladies!"

"I'm not a man, so what right do I have to talk about chivalry and protectiveness..."

"... Fool."

"... idiot."...

With their combined efforts, the mountain of ingredients to be chopped was finally processed.

"..."

Everyone lowered their heads, looking as if they didn't know what to say.

"... Hello."

"Um?"

"Anyway... thank you for teaching me how to chop vegetables."

Haoyue turned her head away after saying those words, her ears slightly red.

"... It was nothing, no need to thank me."

Xiao Wu rubbed her hair in a slightly agitated manner, making it even more messy.

This is the first meal I've ever had in this World's Little Corner, and also the first time in my life I've eaten with so many people.

Because there wasn't a table big enough, the large and small plates of food were simply placed on the floor, which Monet said was how they always ate. A large group of us sat around on the floor, looking at the food scattered everywhere, each dish looking and smelling delicious; you'd never guess it was a large-scale meal. I tasted a small piece of meat; it was tender and juicy, the rich meat juices sliding down my throat and into my esophagus—it was incredibly delicious. Haoyue next to me was equally surprised, her face full of dissatisfaction.

Si Nan Xiao and the other children had clearly already experienced Xiao Wu's superb culinary skills, and they did not show any surprise at the delicious food.

"Sister Sakura Dance! Today's meal is even more lavish than usual!"

Is it some kind of auspicious day?

"It's nothing, just some extra money from my part-time job, and..." Xiao Wu, sitting in the middle, glanced at me and Haoyue, hesitated, and then passed the question to Si Nan Xiao, "Xiao, you say it, I'm not good at those polite words."

"Huh? Me? Okay then..."

Ahem—Xiao stood up, cleared her throat, and said, "Actually, there's a reason why Xiao Wu's meal was more lavish than usual today. Today is not only Xiao Wu's payday, but also the day we're having a welcome party for the two new members—cough cough cough!"

Oops, I choked on my food.

Xiao coughed and wrinkled her face, clearly unaccustomed to speaking loudly in front of others.

"Ahem... Anyway, as the deputy minister, I... ahem!"

"Alright, alright, catch your breath first."

Xiao Wu patted Shino on the back, somewhat reluctantly taking over the conversation.

"Although I'm not particularly welcoming to either of you, especially you, Tartaglia... I can still organize something like a welcome party, so... welcome to this World's Little Corner..."

"There should be two members."

"Don't you think the two of them sound a little strange?"

"Of course I'm a member, because Xiao Ye and I are of one mind!"

"You've gone off-topic! Let me finish!"

Xiao Wu throat and continued, "Welcome to the team. From now on... from now on... from now on what...?"

Quiet--

"... Tsk, forgot his lines."

Xiao Wu pouted, buried her face between her knees, and remained silent.

"... puff!"

Haoyue suddenly smiled.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!! What's wrong with you, you delinquent girl! You're the club president, how can you be so shy and forget your lines? How can you be so cute!!!"

"Who's shy?! It's all your fault for interrupting and ruining my rhythm!!"

Xiao Wu angrily swung her fist while keeping her face buried in her knees, somewhat resembling Remy crouching in defense with her head in her hands.

It suddenly became so cute!

"Ah, everyone, let's welcome our two older sisters!" With that, Xiao, who had completely become a peacemaker, gave the order—

The little girls all over the place immediately stood up and said in unison, "Welcome, Sister Ye, to this World's Little Corner!"

Evelynths said somewhat reluctantly, "... Well, welcome, Sister Ye, even though your daughter isn't very good."

Thank you everyone...

"Wait, why are you only welcoming Xiao Ye and not me?"

"... Who knows?"

"I always feel like Sister Haoyue is in a dangerous situation."

"Always bothering Sister Ye..."

"Pervert... no, I mean perverted woman."

"Smiling, but who knows what she's thinking."

"You guys are so mean! I'm crying! Waaah..."

She really cried.

Haoyue, I'm not trying to be mean, but ever since you reappeared, your image has been steadily deteriorating. Becoming a lovesick woman is one thing—you're supposed to be a lady on the outside but a lovesick on the inside—but please, don't go down the path of becoming a goofball...

"Stepmother, don't cry! Little Butterfly is on your side!"

"Waaaaaahhhhhh, at least change how you address me!!!"

Little Butterfly Goddess delivered the finishing blow! Looks like I'll have to step in...

"Don't cry, okay? I already told you, Little Butterfly is someone I... gave birth to all by myself. There's no such thing as a mom or dad."

"But... but..."

"A Ye, you're so heartless! You took the child and now you're abandoning me?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Givinia! I finally managed to coax her!"

"Sorry, sorry~"

"You... um? Givinia!?"

I jumped back in fright, staring blankly at the person who had suddenly appeared before me. Light brown long hair, delicate features, a breezy dress and capri pants, and cute little sandals revealing her delicate feet—who else could it be but Givinia?

"Who goes there!"

Xiao Wu jumped up and got into position. She hadn't sensed the strange girl's presence at all. Even if she had superpowers like spatial jumps or teleportation, she would be alerted by the slightest fluctuations in space. But this girl's appearance was completely without warning!

"Sorry to disturb everyone's meal. My name is Givinia, Givinia Sorel, an old friend of A Ye's from the Northern Border."

She smiled gently, a soft smile that was very comforting, but Xiao Wu remained on her guard for a moment.

"A Ye... you mean Xiao Ye? You're the navigator for that team?" Even Hao Yue stopped crying.

The girls immediately erupted in excitement.

"Wow, it really is Lady Givinia!"

Is it some kind of celebrity meet-and-greet today?

"Do you have paper and a pen? Hurry up!"

"I want an autograph!"

"Indeed, I'm flattered to be recognized. You must be the friend Xiao Ye often mentions. I'm so envious."

Givinia bowed slightly to Haoyue, but Haoyue only returned her a cold gaze.

"Wait a minute, what did you mean by 'taking the child and then forgetting about the parents'?"

"What does that mean? I'm not quite sure either, but Miss Haoyue, who do you think Little Butterfly is A Ye?"

"... mine?"

"How could that be? When A Ye was racing in the Northern Border, you were probably thousands of miles away. You weren't by her side, but I was with her the whole time... So, whose child is this?"

Clang!!!

The words had barely left her lips when a sharp sword gust swept through the air, aimed straight for her neck! However, the instant the sword touched her, her figure suddenly became illusory, vanishing into thin air in the blink of an eye!

"Oh dear, that's not ladylike at all."

Givinia appeared behind Haoyue like a ghost, scrutinizing her with a half-smile.

"It doesn't seem like teleportation or anything like that... Who are you anyway? Don't tell me you're just an ordinary navigator."

"Don't be so tense, we're not enemies. We're just here to see A Ye's life is like at school. You've already heard some things from her, right? We can talk about the details another time..."

Her figure gradually faded.

"Then goodbye, A Ye, Haoyue Tartaglia, and... Urahara Sakura Dance."

She left behind those words and vanished without a trace.

"Urahara Sakura Dance... Urushihara?"

Is this Xiao Wu's full name?

Click!

The sound of shattering ceramics rang out as Xiao Wu crushed the plate beside her, her thick killing intent flowing freely. Her eyes were bloodshot and terrifying.

"Urushihara?"

Haoyue's beautiful eyes suddenly widened, looking incredulous.

"Hey delinquent, your surname... is really 'Urushihara'?"

"Shut up..."

"No wonder you're so averse to your surname, I see—"

"I told you to shut up!!!"

A gunshot rang out, and a gust of wind swept across Haoyue's face, piercing through the wall behind her.

Xiao Wu suddenly had a pistol in her hand. The gun was all white, covered with beautiful carvings, and a sharp bayonet was hanging below the barrel.

The welcome party, which had just been filled with laughter and joy, suddenly fell silent. The little girls were filled with panic, huddled together in a corner, and Si Nan Xiao looked like she was about to cry. Haoyue gently stroked her cheek, which had been scratched by a bullet.

Silence.

"... I'm sorry, Xiao Wu, I went a bit too far."

"No... I acted impulsively too, and I still... Never mind, let's end the welcome party here."

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I didn't ship Tsuki x Mai at all!