Chapter 585

He thought for a while and added.

“Then I’ll call you ‘Chizuru-chan’ like Ruri does, okay?”

Ando Chizuru’s eyes lit up instantly, as if stars had fallen into them, and she nodded vigorously, calling out happily.

“Mm-hmm! Okay! Chikage-brother!”

After parting ways with Ando Chizuru at the street corner.

Natsume Chikage walked alone on the way back, looking down at the “Midnight Diner Notes” in his hand that was emitting a warm white light.

In his field of vision, a line of clear translucent text slowly appeared above the notebook.

【Detected registerable special equipment ‘Midnight Diner Notes’, do you want to register it?】

【Yes/No】

“Yes!”

Natsume Chikage muttered in his heart.

【Registration successful!】

【To get the next free attribute point, you need to collect two more special equipment!】

【Do you want to equip ‘Midnight Diner Notes’ immediately?】

【Yes/No】

“Equip!”

The moment he confirmed.

Natsume Chikage only felt as if a cool stream had been injected into his mind.

A large amount of detailed knowledge about cooking, culinary techniques, insights into ingredient handling, and dozens of complete recipes recorded in the notebook were clearly imprinted in the depths of his memory, as if he had already memorized them.

Regarding culinary skills, because he didn’t immediately start practicing, he couldn’t intuitively experience the changes for the time being.

But he decided to find an opportunity to test it when he went to work part-time at the coffee shop later.

However, what made him even more happy was that, while already holding an unused attribute point, he had successfully obtained a new piece of equipment!

Now, he was only two pieces away from the next attribute point!

It seems today’s luck was quite good!

Soon.

Natsume Chikage arrived at the coffee shop where he worked part-time on time.

After changing into his uniform and walking into the kitchen, he happened to hear the shop manager announcing.

“Everyone, a batch of high-quality coffee beans arrived today, it’s Yirgacheffe from Ethiopia. Everyone come and try it, make a few cups, let’s evaluate it uniformly, and determine the best parameters.”

When it was Natsume Chikage’s turn, he weighed the beans, ground them, distributed the powder, and extracted, just like usual.

However, in the process of operation, he clearly felt a “smoothness” and “sense of control” different from the past.

The water temperature seemed easier to grasp in the best range, the hand feel of water injection was more stable and uniform, and the judgment of the state of the coffee powder seemed more keen and accurate.

It was as if an invisible experience was guiding his hands.

【Yirgacheffe hand-drip coffee made successfully, flavor improved by 40%!】

Seeing this prompt information, Natsume Chikage felt even more encouraged.

He didn’t expect the effect of the repaired special equipment to be exactly the same as described, without any discount!

This was undoubtedly a major discovery!

At this moment.

Natsume Chikage held the cup of Yirgacheffe he brewed, which had an exceptionally rich aroma, his gaze swept across the kitchen and fell on Fujiwara Aoi who was tidying up the utensils.

He thought for a while, walked over, gently placed the coffee cup on the counter next to her, his tone natural.

“Fujiwara-san, are you busy? I brewed a cup with the new beans, would you like to help me taste it and see if there’s anything that needs adjustment?”

Hearing this, Fujiwara Aoi was stunned for a moment, and then a surge of indescribable joy welled up in her heart.

With so many employees, Chikage-kun actually asked me to taste his coffee first!

Does this mean… my position in his heart is becoming more and more special?

Thinking of this, the smile on her face instantly became exceptionally bright and radiant, and she nodded vigorously with full energy.

“Mm-hmm! Of course I’m not busy! Leave it to me!”

She carefully picked up the cup of coffee, which was clear in color and had a fragrant aroma, brought it to her lips, blew on it gently, and took a small sip.

The moment the coffee liquid touched the tip of her tongue—

Fujiwara Aoi’s eyes widened, and she subconsciously covered her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from exclaiming out of composure.

A bright and complex fruity acidity bloomed first, followed by honey-like sweetness and the mellow aftertaste of black tea, the layers were richer than she could imagine, and the taste was incredibly smooth!

This… is this really brewed from the same batch of beans in the shop?

It’s even better than the coffee the shop manager just made!

It can be said that the clarity and beauty of the taste have been improved by a whole level!

She put down the cup, looked at Natsume Chikage, her eyes full of incredible amazement.

“So delicious! Chikage-kun! This cup… is super, super delicious!”

The refreshing night breeze, carrying the unique, cool, and comfortable breath of early summer, brushed gently over the street.

Fujiwara Aoi walked with light steps, like a satisfied little squirrel, while “crunching” on the potato chips she had just bought, feeling the quietness and beauty of walking home side-by-side with Natsume Chikage.

She suddenly remembered something, secretly turned her head, glanced at the side profile of the boy beside her, which looked exceptionally gentle under the street lamp, and asked curiously.

“Natsume-kun, at noon today, didn’t you go to your sister’s school to watch the performance?”

“How is Ruri-chan’s situation at school? Is she adapting well?”

Hearing this, Natsume Chikage’s mind filled with the various scenes he saw at Sacred Heart Academy this afternoon, the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily, his tone gentle.

“Yeah, I went to watch.”

“Ruri is much more popular than I imagined.”

“Whether it’s the teachers or the surrounding classmates, they all seem to be very good to her and take good care of her.”

“After this trip, seeing her like this at school, I’m much more relieved.”

Hearing this answer, Fujiwara Aoi also felt a sense of relief in her heart and nodded.

After all, she also liked that well-behaved and cute Ruri-sister very much.

It’s just…

This thought made her subconsciously associate it with elsewhere, and she muttered in a volume that only she could hear, very softly, her tone carrying a subtle emotion she didn’t even notice herself.

“Brother and sister… are both the type that are so popular…”

Natsume Chikage seemed to have caught a hint of air sound, turned his head slightly, his gaze carrying inquiry.

“Hmm? Fujiwara-san, did you say something just now? I didn’t hear clearly.”

Fujiwara Aoi’s face turned a faint red “whoosh,” and she quickly waved her hands, shaking her head like a rattle, denying it.

“N-no! I didn’t say anything!”

She quickly changed the subject, trying to cover up the embarrassment of that moment.

“By the way! Natsume-kun, where did you go after leaving Ruri-chan’s school?”

“I heard Ruri-chan mention on Line that she seemed to have gone out to play, and you weren’t there at the time?”

Natsume Chikage didn’t delve into her whisper just now and explained following her words.

“Yeah, after leaving school, I went to Kappabashi to retrieve a piece of kitchenware I sent for repair.”

He paused, remembering the harvest of the afternoon, and a hint of rare lightness entered his tone.

“However, there was an unexpected harvest.”

Fujiwara Aoi was instantly hooked by curiosity, blinked those eyes that were always full of vitality, and leaned in a little closer.

“Unexpected harvest? What is it, what is it? Tell me quickly!”

Natsume Chikage stopped, took out an old-looking notebook from the schoolbag on his shoulder, and handed it to Fujiwara Aoi.

“I met a chef who originally ran a restaurant. He decided to change careers and no longer work as a chef.”

“So, he gave me a recipe notebook that had been passed down in his family for a long time. He also entrusted me, if possible, to let others who are interested in cooking see it.”

“I roughly flipped through the contents, the recipes recorded are all very detailed, and there are many unique points, it’s indeed quite good.”

“Fujiwara-san, you are so researched in eating, if you are interested, you can also take a look. Or just take a picture with your phone to save it, it doesn’t matter.”

As soon as Fujiwara Aoi heard the two words “recipe,” her eyes instantly lit up like searchlights; her love for food was carved into her bones.