Sunday at Keyaki Mall

After school on Tuesday, Yuto headed straight for the cake shop.

He took off his coat, changed into his work clothes, and tied on his apron. Miki had told him yesterday that today they would be testing a Matcha Red Bean Roll. He had made it dozens of times in his previous life, and the recipe and process were etched into his mind, but with a new environment and different ingredients, he still needed to readjust his feel for it.

He poured the matcha powder into a bowl, added a little hot water, and slowly whisked it with a chasen. The matcha gradually dissolved in the hot water, releasing its slightly bitter fragrance. A regular whisk could work if there was no chasen, but the stirring had to be gentle and could not create foam, or the matcha mixture would turn astringent.

Miki came in from the front, glanced at what he was doing, and said nothing. She simply leaned against the doorway and watched.

Yuto did not look up and continued working. Once the matcha mixture was ready, he set it aside to cool. Then he started whipping the cream—heavy cream with sugar, whipped at low speed. He stopped when it reached soft peaks. At that point, the cream still flowed, but it had begun to thicken. He added the matcha mixture he had prepared earlier and continued whipping until the cream became an even pale green, smooth and delicate in texture.

Next came the cake layer. He used the batch of Hokkaido butter he had tested yesterday, along with cake flour and eggs, to make a thin sheet of sponge cake. After baking it for twelve minutes, he took it out. The cake was an even pale gold, soft and springy to the touch.

He laid the cake sheet over baking paper, spread the matcha cream evenly across it, arranged a row of sweetened red beans down the middle, then carefully rolled it up. The pressure had to be even while rolling—not too fast and not too slow—or the cream would squeeze out from both ends.

Once it was rolled, he wrapped the cake tightly in baking paper and put it in the refrigerator to set.

"Forty minutes," he said.

Miki nodded and glanced at the remaining ingredients on the worktable. "Clean up, then wait."

Yuto cleared the counter and washed the tools. Forty minutes later, he took the cake roll out of the refrigerator and peeled away the baking paper. Its surface was smooth and even, the pale green matcha color uniformly distributed, without cracks or collapse. He cut off a slice. The cross-section was clearly layered—the fluffy matcha sponge wrapped around delicate matcha cream, with several plump sweetened red beans nestled in the center.

Miki took it, picked up a fork, and put a small bite into her mouth.

She chewed a few times without speaking, then cut off another piece.

Then she set down the fork and glanced at Yuto. "You pass."

Yuto let out a breath of relief.

"We'll start selling it tomorrow," Miki said. "Put it in the most visible spot in the display case. Price it at 380 points per slice. Make a batch every day after school, and sell until it's gone."

"Okay."

"Oh, right. Give it a name yourself."

Yuto thought for a moment. "...Matcha Red Bean Roll of Happiness."

"Too long," Miki said. "Just call it a Matcha Red Bean Roll."

"...Okay."

Yuto cut the remaining cake roll into several portions and packed them into boxes. He saved one piece to bring to the library tomorrow—not for any particular reason. He just wanted someone who understood matcha to give him an opinion.

On Wednesday afternoon, Yuto did not send a message. He simply brought the cake to the library.

The familiar scent greeted him the moment he pushed open the door. He looked around and spotted Hiyori sitting in her usual seat by the window, holding a book with a cup of tea on the table.

Hearing his footsteps, she looked up. When she saw Yuto, there was no surprise in her eyes. She merely gave a slight nod.

"You came today too," she said.

"Yeah, I was passing by." Yuto walked over and sat across from her. "I brought something for you to try."

He set the box on the table and opened the lid. The cross-section of the Matcha Red Bean Roll was revealed, layers of green matcha and white cream stacked together, dotted with dark red sweetened beans in the middle.

Hiyori looked at it, then looked up at him.

"You made it?"

"Yeah. It's a new product from the cake shop, going on sale tomorrow," Yuto said. "Consider it an internal taste test. Give me your opinion."

Hiyori did not refuse. She picked up the fork from the box, cut off a small piece, and put it into her mouth.

She chewed a few times, her expression unchanged. Then she cut another piece, slightly larger than the first.

"Well?" Yuto asked.

Hiyori set down the fork, lifted her teacup, and took a sip before speaking. "The bitterness of the matcha and the sweetness of the cream are balanced well. The cake is soft too, not dry. The red beans are a little sweet, but they work well with everything else."

She paused, then added, "It's pretty good."

"That was such a calm review that I'm not sure whether you actually liked it or you're just being polite," Yuto said.

"That's just how I talk," Hiyori said flatly. "But it really is good."

"Then eat more. Help me advertise it." Yuto pushed the box toward her.

Hiyori did not refuse and cut off another small piece. The two sat in silence for a while. The library held only the distant rustle of turning pages and the hum of the air conditioner.

"You've been coming here pretty often lately," Hiyori said.

"It's not like I have anything better to do," Yuto said. "By the way, did you finish The Moon Over the Mountain that you borrowed last time?"

"I did. It was very well written—better than I expected." Hiyori said, "The Moon Over the Mountain in particular. That line, 'Everyone has a beast inside them'—the whole story is about that theme. How people struggle between ideals and reality, only to be devoured by the beasts within themselves. It leaves you feeling down for a while after reading it, but it isn't a negative kind of sadness. It feels like being understood."

"Then would you recommend it to me?" Yuto asked.

Hiyori glanced at him, nodded, took The Moon Over the Mountain from her bag, and placed it on the table.

"I've already returned it. If you want to read it, you can borrow it. It's on the same shelf as last time."

"Okay, I'll remember that."

Hiyori lowered her head and resumed reading. Yuto did not say anything else. He stood up, found The Moon Over the Mountain on the shelf, then returned to his own seat—not across from Hiyori, but one row away.

After sitting down, he opened the book and began to read.

There was no need to rush things. Being able to give her a piece of cake and chat for a few minutes was enough. Next time they met, they would have something to talk about. Once he finished the book, they could discuss what they thought of it.

He stayed at the library for over an hour and read more than half of The Moon Over the Mountain. Hiyori left before he did. When she left, she nodded in his direction as a greeting.

Yuto nodded back and continued reading.

By Friday, Kushida's message arrived right on time.

"Hayashi-kun, let's meet at the entrance to Keyaki Mall at two tomorrow afternoon. Don't forget! (^^)"

Yuto looked at the message but did not reply right away.

Leaning back in his chair, he thought about it for a while. Going shopping was not part of his core plan, but it was not completely without value either. He could use the chance to observe how Kushida behaved in social settings and learn more about the class's social network. Besides, constantly turning her down would not be good. It would seem too deliberate.

He replied, "Okay. See you tomorrow."

At one thirty on Saturday afternoon, Yuto left the dorm.

The weather was nice. The sun was bright but not harsh. He followed the main campus road out, passed through the school gates, and entered the shopping street. Keyaki Mall stood at the far end, a three-story red-brick building.

By the time he arrived, several people were already waiting outside.

Kushida stood at the front, wearing a pale blue dress with her hair tied in a high ponytail. She looked a little more mature than she did at school. Beside her stood Matsushita Chiaki, dressed in a white T-shirt and denim shorts with a small shoulder bag. Next to her was Hirata Yosuke, unusually dressed casually in a white shirt and khaki trousers, looking clean and fresh. There was also a girl Yuto had barely spoken with—short brown hair and tiny earrings. He remembered she was from Class C, and her name was... Shimazaki? She seemed to be Kushida's friend.

"Hayashi-kun! You made it!" Kushida's eyes lit up as she waved at him.

"Yeah." Yuto walked over and stood at the edge of the group.

"Everyone's here, then let's go!" Kushida said with a smile, turning to lead them into the mall.

The first floor was filled with clothing shops and variety stores. Kushida walked in front, turning back now and then to speak with everyone and make sure no one was being left behind. Her social skills were on full display in an environment like this—she kept pace with everyone and made sure no one felt neglected.

"Hayashi-kun, what do you think of this one?" Kushida stopped outside a women's clothing store and pointed at a white shirt in the display window.

"It's okay," Yuto said.

"That was way too perfunctory." Kushida puffed out her cheeks. "Let me pick something for you. Your clothes are all too plain."

"No need—"

"Come on, come on. Just try something."

Kushida pulled Yuto into the store and held several shirts up against him. Matsushita and Shimazaki stood nearby watching with smiles, while Hirata waited by the entrance with a gentle smile on his face.

Yuto was forced to try on a pale blue shirt. When he came out of the fitting room, Kushida's eyes brightened.

"It looks great! So much better than the one you were wearing!"

"It really does look nice," Matsushita agreed with a nod.

Yuto looked at himself in the mirror. He did look more presentable than he had in the gray T-shirt, but he had no intention of buying it.

"I'll leave it for now. I want to look around some more."

"You're really difficult," Kushida said with a laugh, though she did not push him.

The group continued up to the second floor. Most of the shops there were dessert stores and restaurants, and the air carried the scent of crepes and coffee. When they passed a crepe stand, Shimazaki said she wanted one, so everyone stopped outside it.

"I want strawberry cream!" Kushida was the first to raise her hand.

"Then I'll have chocolate," Matsushita said.

"I'll get the same as Shimazaki. Banana chocolate."

Hirata ordered matcha flavor. Yuto had been about to say he did not want anything, but Kushida had already ordered for him. "Hayashi-kun is definitely getting strawberry cream too, right?"

"...Whatever."

Kushida smiled and turned to place the order with the clerk.

The six of them took their crepes and found a bench in the mall's central atrium. Sunlight streamed down through the skylight. Several children ran around the atrium, their laughter echoing through the space.

"What do you usually do on weekends, Hayashi-kun?" Matsushita asked.

"Nothing special," Yuto said. "I stay in the dorm, or go to the library."

"He really loves reading," Kushida added, with a faintly proud tone, as though it were somehow her achievement. "I ran into him at the library last time too."

"Really? What do you read?" Shimazaki asked.

"The Moon Over the Mountain by Atsushi Nakajima," Yuto said.

"I've never heard of it..." Shimazaki stuck out her tongue. "That sounds so profound."

"It's fine. It's just a collection of short stories, not difficult to read."

"Hayashi-kun really does like reading," Hirata said. "I saw you reading at the library last time too."

"You go to the library too?" Yuto glanced at Hirata.

"Sometimes." Hirata smiled. "But not as often as you do."

They chatted for a while, moving from books to school, then from school to weekend plans. Kushida was very good at controlling the pace of conversation. She never let a topic go quiet for too long, nor did she let anyone talk for too long. Like an experienced host, she guided the entire conversation.

Yuto observed while eating his crepe.

Kushida treated Hirata no differently from anyone else—warmly, kindly, attentively. But Yuto noticed that she would glance at Hirata from time to time, as though checking on something. Hirata cooperated with her well too. Whatever she said, he would smile and nod. He never contradicted her or undermined her.

Yuto withdrew his gaze and continued eating his crepe.

He knew what those two were up to. But he did not need to analyze or judge it, because he had known the answer all along. Kushida needed Hirata's good reputation to solidify her own social standing, while Hirata needed Kushida's social skills to maintain harmony in the class. Each got what they needed, without interfering in the other's affairs.

Still, Hirata was not a bad person. He was the sort of person who was genuinely kind, though sometimes too kind for his own good. In the original story, he was a classic people-pleaser—good to everyone, incapable of refusing anyone. Kushida had indeed chosen her partner well.

"What are you thinking about, Hayashi-kun?" Kushida's voice came from beside him.

"Nothing," Yuto said. "I was thinking this crepe is pretty good."

"Right? I told you this place was good!" Kushida smiled happily.

After finishing their crepes, the group continued upward. The third floor sold household goods and books. As they passed the bookstore, Yuto slowed down.

"Want to go in and take a look?" Kushida noticed where he was looking.

"Just browsing."

"Then let's all go in. I wanted to see whether there are any new magazines too."

Kushida led the way into the bookstore, and the others followed. It was not a large store, but the selection was fairly complete. Yuto went to the literature section and scanned the new releases on the shelves. Most were newly published light novels and bestsellers. Nothing caught his interest.

"Hayashi-kun, what do you think of this one?"

Yuto turned and saw Hirata standing beside him, holding a copy of No Longer Human.

"A classic by Osamu Dazai," Yuto said. "But it's pretty depressing to read."

"Really? Then I'd better not." Hirata put the book back and smiled. "I've been in a good mood lately. I don't want it affecting me."

"Then read something cheerful."

"Do you have any recommendations?"

Yuto thought for a moment. "If you want something lighter, try Golden Slumber by Kotaro Isaka. It moves quickly, and the story is interesting. You'll feel better after reading it."

"Okay, I'll remember that." Hirata nodded and headed toward that shelf.

Yuto stood there a little longer. He could hear Kushida chatting animatedly with Matsushita and Shimazaki in the magazine section, their topic moving from skincare products to trendy makeup looks. He was not interested, so he wandered farther into the bookstore and found a copy of Scandinavian-Style Simple Living on a shelf in the corner.

He flipped through a couple of pages when he heard footsteps approach.

"Hayashi-kun really does love books," Kushida said quietly as she came to stand beside him.

"Yeah, I guess."

"That's nice." There was a hint of envy in Kushida's voice. "I want to be able to sit down and read too, but I just can't stay still. After two pages, I want to go do something else."

"Then read things you're interested in. You don't have to force yourself to read anything profound."

"You're right." Kushida smiled. "Then I'll give it a try next time."

She pulled a fashion magazine from the shelf beside her and flipped through it.

"Oh, right, Hayashi-kun. Have you seen next week's schedule? I think Tuesday afternoon is free activity time."

"Not yet."

"Then do you want to do something together then?"

"We'll see."

Kushida smiled but did not press the matter further. She flipped through a few more pages of the magazine, put it back, and turned to find Matsushita and Shimazaki.

Yuto watched her back for a moment.

That question had sounded casual, but he knew it was not. Every question Kushida asked had a purpose. She was testing his attitude, trying to find out whether he was willing to become closer to her.

He would not reject her too obviously, but neither would he let her get too close.

At least, not yet.

By the time they came out of the bookstore, it was already four thirty in the afternoon. Everyone was a little tired, so they decided to get drinks at a beverage shop on the first floor before heading back.

The six of them sat around a round table, each ordering a drink. Kushida got an iced latte, Hirata chose lemon tea, Matsushita and Shimazaki each ordered fruit tea, and Yuto got an iced Americano.

"Today was so much fun." Kushida held her cup in both hands and smiled. "We should come out together like this on weekends from now on."

"Sure, sure!" Matsushita was the first to agree.

"I can do that too," Hirata said.

"What about you, Hayashi-kun?" Kushida looked at him.

"If I'm free, I'll come."

"Then it's settled!" Kushida's smile was radiant.

"Oh, right, Hayashi-kun." Matsushita set down her cup and glanced at him. "That new cake shop product of yours goes on sale tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, tomorrow."

"Then I'll go buy a piece and try it tomorrow," Matsushita said. "That chiffon cake Kushida brought back last time was really good, so this one must be good too."

"I'm going too!" Shimazaki raised her hand.

"If all of you are going, then I guess I'll go too," Hirata said with a smile.

"Wait. If you all come to our shop, won't I just be getting watched while I'm working?" Yuto said.

"Wouldn't that be a good thing? It just proves you're popular." Kushida winked.

Yuto lifted his iced Americano and took a sip without replying.

After finishing their drinks, everyone went their separate ways. Kushida and Hirata headed toward the dorms, chatting as they walked. Matsushita and Shimazaki went toward the station, saying they were taking the train into the city to shop.

Yuto walked back to the dorm alone.

The evening wind carried a chill. The streetlights had yet to come on, and the sky was growing dark.

He took out his phone and checked the time.

There was a new message—from Hiyori.

"Did that cake start selling today?"

Yuto froze for a moment. This was the first time Hiyori had messaged him first.

He replied, "It starts tomorrow. Today was just an internal tasting."

A few seconds later, she sent another message. "Then I'll buy a slice tomorrow."

Yuto looked at the words on the screen, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Okay. I'll save one for you."