NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
Chapter 16: I Am the Minister
“Zero foundation, so let’s start with the simplest butter cookies.”
With a reluctant sigh, Yukinoshita Yukino prepared all the ingredients needed to make the cookies as she explained, “I’ll demonstrate first, and then you can follow along.”
In softened butter, she added granulated sugar and a pinch of salt, whipped it into a paste, added flour to form dough; compressed it into cookie molds, baked in the oven, and waited for the timer—it was done.
The steps were simple, with no other complicated procedures, suitable even for beginners. Even Hachiman Hikigaya, watching from the side, and Lin Qi, watching in first person, learned it.
“How is it? Is there any difficulty or misunderstanding?” asked Yukino after arranging the freshly baked cookies on a plate and turning to look at Yuigahama Yui.
“Such a delightful aroma!” Yui exclaimed, eyes sparkling, looking at the cookies artfully laid out in spiral designs, “It’s perfect! I got it!”
“In the butter, add sugar and salt, right? Heave-ho!” Yui happily got started.
“When you make cookies, you should soften the butter first, Yui-san,” reminded Yukino.
“Oh, I see!”
Heating the butter slightly to soften it, Yui managed to get a mixture of butter, sugar, and salt, though her sequence was off, and precision lacking, within Yukino’s acceptance range.
“Certainly, sweet cookies taste better,” muttered Yui, looking sideways at Hachiman, “You like sweet things too, don’t you?”
“Well… yeah, considering how hard life is, maybe we could enjoy some sweetness when we eat,” replied Hachiman as he watched Yui sprinkle another dollop of sugar into the batter unintentionally.
Instinctively, he blinked uncomfortably.
Though I do prefer sweet stuff, this may be lethal!
Stop her. From inside the Domain, viewing via Yukino’s perspective, Lin Qi wore a similar expression as Hachiman.
Correcting mistakes after a failure sticks longer in memory, remarked Yukino confidently.
You’ll regret it, Yukino.
I’m not just a bug; I’m the Minister, Parasitic Bug.
After fifteen minutes, Yui excitedly took the cookie tray out of the oven and placed the baked cookies on a dish, her smile fading away.
Staring down at a tray of burnt blackened cookies, Yukino suddenly regretted not listening to the advice to avoid this mishap, perhaps truly allowing free rein wasn’t ideal.
“This is just charcoal, isn’t it?” carefully picked up a piece, Hachiman nervously asked, “Could it be poisonous?”
“Poisonous!? ” fuming Yui also grabbed a cookie, intending to taste but found it unpalatable due to its burnt hue, “Is it really that toxic?”
“Can this kill someone?” Yukino grimaced, silently calling for Lin Qi in her thoughts.
Try it.
What if it kills you?
Lin Qi promptly refused, unwilling to open his mouth, Yukino also couldn’t force-feed him without appearing uncouth.
Yui’s face fell, a gloomy cloud hung above her head; Hachiman, unable to stand it any longer, mustered his resolve to take a bite.
“It’s bitter…” his forehead wrinkled, the acrid, dry texture filled his mouth, swallowing the whole cookie with clenched nostrils, Hachiman distanced himself from the cookie dish immediately.
“Yui…” looking at him clearly repulsed, she was both amused and touched.
“Alright, now let’s do it again properly under my instructions.” sighed Yukino, preparing a second set of ingredients.
Observing as Yukino returned to making cookies, Lin Qi proposed, directly guiding Yui through the process rather than showing her, otherwise, she might act out of control.
She has no culinary sense, he realized; creative but never considers the taste, adds whatever she feels like.
If we don’t nip this in the bud, Yukino’s method will likely fail again.
Alright, then.
Having initially planned to refuse, Yukino finally agreed after a moment’s hesitation, following Lin Qi’s advice on tutoring Yui.
Though it might lead to mechanized execution by Yui, which doesn’t foster learning, Yukino conceded that given Yui’s spontaneous creativity during her first attempt, Lin Qi’s advice made sense.
In education, tailor-make your approach.
Seeing Yukino hesitate suddenly and put her tools down, Yui quizzically tilted her head, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it struck me that perhaps, better than demonstrating and following my process, I’d be better off directing you,” Yukino said.
“Oh, either works for me,” Yui scratched her ponytail sheepishly, feeling self-conscious.
She knew her lack of talent and clumsiness, appreciating Yukino’s dedication.
No doubt, Lin Qi directed her to do this.
Hachiman observed, quickly understanding why Yukino changed her mind.
Let’s hope this succeeds this time.
He wanted to taste something sweet and good.
Thus, guided by Yukino, Yui began making cookies, strands of hair falling and dust of flour on her cheek.
Hachiman subtly smiled, moved by Yui’s earnestness and sense of accomplishment.
“Enough, stop adding more sugar,” stopped Yui mid-action.
“But you love sweet things, Hachiman-kun,” Yui glanced at Hachiman who had a sudden pang.
“There’s enough sweetness already.”
“Oh… okay.”
Yui reluctantly put down the spoon.
Ping!
Yui gulped and solemnly opened the oven, removing the cookies.
Curiously, Hachiman looked over, “Looks quite normal.”
Taking a bite under Yui’s anxious and hopeful gaze, Hachiman responded slowly, “Delicious.”
Misunderstanding the silence, Yui’s mood plummeted, but rebounded rapidly, her face lit up.
“Perfect!”
Yukino secretly breathed a sigh of relief; thankful for Lin Qi’s advice, avoiding yet another disaster.
Wasn’t what I just said true?
Mentally, Lin Qi gloated gleefully.
This time, Yukino held her tongue.
It was a good deed after all.
…
School ended, and to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer: