Chapter 956

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai heard this answer, for some reason, quietly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, her mood inexplicably better, but still continued to ask full of curiosity.

"Repaired kitchenware? What is this?"

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui heard this topic and immediately became spirited.

"I know this!"

She explained it simply.

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai finished listening, her purple eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with stars, and she gently clapped her hands together, saying happily.

"Natsume-kun, you actually want to challenge making mapo tofu that can be recognized by that old craftsman, so as to win that kitchen knife?"

"So interesting!"

She suddenly thought of something, her eyes brighter, looking at Natsume Chikage with anticipation.

"That... can I help too? Although my cooking skills might be very ordinary, helping out or tasting the flavor is still okay!"

Yukimura Suzune also expressed rare interest and confidence in topics related to cooking.

She gently tapped her beautifully lined chin, a trace of seriousness appearing on her cold face, and spoke, her tone firm.

"My cooking skills are still not bad, I can make some home-cooked dishes and snacks."

"If you need to research how to make mapo tofu, I can also come to help, more people, more ideas."

Hearing this.

Natsume Chikage and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui almost stopped their movements at the same time, and then couldn't help but feel a sense of shame, invisible black lines seeming to slide down their foreheads.

Instantly, both of them clearly recalled the terrifying scene not long ago when Yukimura Suzune was a "kitchen killer."

Cooking skills not bad... are you really serious?

And Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai smiled naturally.

"Great, if Suzune helps, Natsume-kun might really be able to successfully challenge and win that kitchen knife!"

Yukimura Suzune seemed very satisfied with her friend's recognition; the seriousness on her cold face turned into a faint confidence, and she nodded.

"Of course, I still have confidence in my learning ability and hands-on ability."

Natsume Chikage and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui heard this, and their inner sweating became even more unstoppable, almost wanting to sigh while holding their foreheads.

Both of them complained in their hearts in unison: Yukimura-classmate/Suzune, where exactly did you get this mysterious confidence?

And Sister Xiyuan Si-classmate/Xiyuanji Qilai-chan, you too, why do you really believe that Yukimura Suzune can help?

Is this really not coming to help with trouble and increase the difficulty of the challenge?

Since things had come to this, Natsume Chikage looked at Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai's expectant eyes and Yukimura Suzune's serious expression, and refusing directly seemed not very good, appearing too heartless.

And thinking about it carefully, it seemed there was no need to refuse flatly.

After all, it wasn't letting Yukimura Suzune go with him to Ando Toshio's place for a formal challenge.

Just helping to research how to make mapo tofu in the kitchen of the school's home economics class, it should... not be a big problem, right?

At worst, he would just keep a closer eye on the process.

He could only smile awkwardly, touched the back of his head, and said in a somewhat dry tone.

"Haha... of course, more people, more power, thank you both for being willing to help."

Yukimura Suzune heard this, and a trace of extremely faint, almost imperceptible joy seemed to flash across her cold and fair face, and the arc of her mouth softened for a moment.

She remembered the notes Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui mentioned just now, asked, and cast her gaze toward Natsume Chikage.

"By the way, since Natsume-kun, you obtained the notes of that old chef, researching how to make mapo tofu, can you let me see those notes too?"

Her tone returned to her usual calmness, but her eyes carried a trace of probing interest.

"I am still very interested in researching different cooking methods."

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai was full of anticipation.

"I'm also very curious!! The notes that can be treasured by that amazing old chef must have recorded something very special, right?"

Natsume Chikage looked at their curious appearance, nodded, and smiled.

"Um, of course."

Saying this.

He turned to the side from the side pocket of the schoolbag hanging on the back of the chair and took out a photocopy of that "Midnight Diner Notes."

No matter what, Natsume Chikage still quite liked this piece of special equipment in his heart.

But because the notes had already been registered in his panel as special equipment, although the physical book was still there, it was troublesome to take it out all the time, and it was easy to attract attention.

He had long thought that Yukimura Suzune and the others, or perhaps others might be interested in the content of the notes in the future and would come to ask.

So, he simply went to the convenience store in advance and photocopied the recipes in the notes, just in case.

"I have already photocopied the recipes in the notes in advance; if you want to see them, you can take the photocopies directly, or use your phone to take photos and save them to look at slowly."

Natsume Chikage handed over the photocopy paper.

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai and Yukimura Suzune heard this and immediately stretched out both hands, took the photocopy, and brought it to their side.

The two leaned closer and looked at the handwriting and simple diagrams on the paper together.

They looked at those recipes that were recorded in detail, some of which also carried personal experience notes, especially the detailed records about how to make mapo tofu, and they were all secretly happy, revealing curiosity and liking for unknown knowledge in their eyes.

"Then I won't be polite, I'll just take photos and save them directly, it's convenient to check anytime."

Yukimura Suzune said, already taking out her phone, adjusting the angle, and shooting the photocopy paper clearly, her movements meticulous.

"Me too! Take photos and study slowly!"

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai also happily took out her phone with cute accessories and carefully took photos page by page, occasionally making small exclamations.

And Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui had already taken photos of the whole thing with her phone yesterday, and at this moment, she was sitting steadily and continuing to eat her own lunch, watching the two taking photos while calculating in her heart what she could help with.

Just as several people finished lunch, cleaned up the bento boxes, and continued chatting, Natsume Chikage looked at the clock behind the classroom, remembered the promise to go to the shogi club to find Araki Yuai yesterday, and intended to stand up.

At this time.

He suddenly felt a vibration from the phone in his pants pocket, followed by the familiar ringtone.

He took out his phone and looked; the screen clearly displayed the caller—"Araki Yuai."

He pressed the answer button and held the phone close to his ear.

【Araki Yuai: Hey, Natsume-kun, didn't you promise to come over to play shogi with us at noon? Where are you? What time is it!】

【Natsume Chikage: Coming coming, coming right away. Just finished lunch.】

【Araki Yuai: Ha? Don't tell me you forgot about this?】

【Natsume Chikage: No such thing, absolutely not. Just finished eating, was just about to set off.】

【Araki Yuai: Hurry up! Everyone in the club room is waiting!】

【Natsume Chikage: Okay okay, coming now.】

He just put down the phone, and Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai, who had been paying attention to his ears on the side, asked curiously.

"Did Araki-sister call to ask you to go play shogi?"

"Um, said everyone in the club room is waiting. So I have to go over quickly now."

Natsume Chikage said while quickly organizing the desktop.

Yukimura Suzune, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui, and Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai had all seen and heard Araki Yuai come to invite Natsume Chikage yesterday, so hearing the conversation content at this moment, they all understood.

At this time, they didn't say anything either; after all, it was just going to the shogi club for exchange, which was a proper matter.

Moreover, they actually hoped that Natsume Chikage could go over to study shogi more and play against the experts in the club.

After all, Natsume-kun in school, they basically hadn't seen him specifically study shogi.

For a long time before, he either played with his phone or looked at the scenery in a daze during class breaks.

Recently, he was obsessed with reading girl's manga.

Anyway, they hadn't seen him seriously study shogi for a day or flip through a shogi book once.

You know, he was going to participate in the crucial sixth round of the shogi tournament tomorrow afternoon.

Although they all felt in their hearts that it was very, very difficult for Natsume Chikage to win against professional players or top amateur strong players with strong strength.

But even if it was just temporary, studying a bit more before the game and accumulating a bit more actual combat experience could be considered as doing one's part, always better than doing nothing.

Shogi Club.

The club room was located on a relatively quiet side of the teaching building, with a simple wooden nameplate hanging at the door.

Natsume Chikage walked quickly to the door, raised his hand, and gently pushed open the door of the club room, making a slight "creaking" sound.

He stepped inside, and a smell mixed with old wood, paper, and faint tea fragrance rushed toward him.

"Excuse me."

He said habitually, his voice clearly audible in the somewhat empty club room.