Tap tap…
After a short while, Ayaka came running back, looking slightly flustered. It was rare to see her with such a helpless expression—so rare, in fact, that it was rather adorable.
"…What was that noise just now?"
Seeing her hurry over, the Shogun asked with mild exasperation.
At the question, Ayaka's cheeks flushed faintly pink.
"Um… that…"
Her delicate lips pursed in embarrassment, and as she lowered her gaze, the Shogun noticed the cooking ladle in her hand—the tip of which was completely blackened and even gave off a faint burnt smell.
"You… were cooking?"
The Shogun half-lidded her eyes, feeling her patience waver.
"Ah…"
Catching the look in the Shogun's eyes, Ayaka instinctively hid the charred ladle behind her back and quickly grabbed the other woman's hand.
"Shogun-sama… could you please come with me for a moment?"
Her voice was soft and pleading, her tone carrying an almost pitiful sweetness.
"…Haa, fine. Let's go."
The Shogun sighed lightly and allowed herself to be led away toward the neighboring courtyard. Naturally, Miss Kiminami, curious as ever, followed close behind.
Ssshh—
When they arrived at the source of the explosion, what awaited them was a smoking, scorched pot, its contents charred beyond recognition. The soup that had once been inside had completely evaporated, leaving only the blackened remains of a culinary disaster.
"Oh my… this…"
Miss Kiminami gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief. She had never seen such a catastrophic scene. Was this supposed to be cooking… or alchemy?
The Shogun stepped forward quickly, waving her sleeve and palm to disperse some of the smoke before crouching down to extinguish the fire in the stove. With efficient, practiced movements, she scraped the ruined contents into a nearby bin.
Clatter—
Then she took the blackened pot, turned on the water, and began scrubbing away the residue with smooth precision. Her motions were so deft and natural that she looked more like a housewife than a warrior.
"…"
Ayaka stood silently beside her, watching those graceful movements with guilt heavy in her eyes. The scorched ladle in her hands was still tightly gripped.
"Wow…" murmured Miss Kiminami, covering her mouth in quiet awe.
"…There. Good thing we got to it in time—otherwise the pot might've been ruined," the Shogun said, setting the now-clean pot back onto the stove.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Kiminami," Ayaka said, bowing apologetically.
"Oh, no, no, it's fine—the pot's still perfectly usable," Kiminami said with an awkward chuckle, scratching her head.
"This was your doing, wasn't it?" the Shogun asked, glancing at the ladle still in Ayaka's hands, her tone somewhere between disbelief and resignation.
"Yes… I… I tried cooking, but I failed, so…" Ayaka stammered softly, standing with both hands clasped before her like a scolded child.
"…And where did this pot even come from?" the Shogun asked again with a faint sigh. She had a suspicion about the answer already.
"Um… this house actually belongs to Miss Kiminami," Ayaka admitted after glancing at the shopkeeper, who looked equally embarrassed.
"Ah… yes, that's right," Kiminami replied with a sheepish laugh.
"This courtyard is part of my private residence. Miss Kamisato asked me earlier to prepare some cooking utensils and ingredients here. She said she wanted to make a special dish."
Ayaka's cheeks remained pink as she nervously brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
The Shogun turned to Kiminami. "…Is that so?"
"Yes, exactly. Miss Kamisato mentioned it beforehand—she said she wanted to use one of my pots," Kiminami confirmed with a nod.
"…Then why not just order food directly at your restaurant?" the Shogun asked, puzzled.
"Actually…" Ayaka began softly, "I wanted to make something as a gift for Lady Tsubaki."
"Tsubaki… she likes your cooking?" The Shogun blinked in confusion, not quite following.
"No, it's not that… Mother once mentioned that Lady Tsubaki enjoys foreign cuisine. Since we're visiting her soon, I thought it would be nice to prepare a dish from another land to bring along. But… my cooking skills are…"
Terrible. Truly hopeless.
Ayaka's expression dimmed with embarrassment.
"Ladies, I should get back to the shop. I'll leave you two to it," Miss Kiminami said hurriedly as she noticed new customers entering her restaurant. With a quick wave, she returned to her post.
In an instant, only the two of them remained—along with one slightly traumatized pot.
"If that's the case… why did you hide it from me?"
Wouldn't it have been easier to simply call her over directly? Why make things so complicated?
"There's a reason," Ayaka admitted softly. "Actually… I wanted to personally cook something for you. It's been two years since we last met, and this time we finally had a chance to reunite, so—"
"So you wanted to surprise me, is that it?"
"Yes… but I completely ruined it," she said, lowering her head, her tone filled with disappointment.
The Shogun sighed lightly and shook her head with helpless affection.
"You really are the same as ever," she said gently, her voice carrying a touch of fond exasperation.
Then, without another word, she reignited the stove and deftly poured in a suitable amount of oil, letting it spread evenly across the pan.
"…"
Ayaka could only watch in silence, eyes wide, as the Shogun moved with graceful precision.
"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated," the Shogun said calmly, stirring the oil, "but if something isn't your strength, don't force yourself."
"Shogun-sama… thank you," Ayaka replied softly, a faint smile returning to her lips as she gently clasped the Shogun's slightly lowered fingers.
"No need for thanks. Just promise me you won't do something so reckless again," the Shogun said, grasping Ayaka's hand in return and lightly tapping her forehead with a finger. "After all, a kitchen fire can be dangerous."
"Yes… Ayaka will remember," she said, nodding obediently.
Ssshh… ssshh…
The sound of heating oil filled the pan, bubbling like rippling waves. The crisp popping sounds echoed softly, evoking the anticipation of food being fried to golden perfection.
"She likes foreign cuisine, doesn't she?" the Shogun asked, gently stirring the shimmering oil.
"Yes… but I don't really know much about cooking, let alone foreign dishes," Ayaka admitted with a troubled expression.
The Shogun fell silent, thinking for a moment.
Foreign cuisine…
Foreign…
Anything not from Inazuma would qualify. But she herself didn't know many dishes from beyond this land.
What to make…?
Wait—perhaps that would do.
An idea flashed through her mind—something she had learned long ago in Fiore's world. What was it called again? Ah, yes—"pizza."
"Pizza," she said plainly.
"Pi… z-za?" Ayaka repeated, clearly unfamiliar with the word. Even pronouncing it seemed a little difficult. But if the Shogun knew of it, that was more than enough. Somehow, the foreign term even sounded elegant to her ears.
"It's a baked flatbread topped with meat, sauce, and vegetables. It's quite delicious. Ei loves it," the Shogun explained.
If Ei liked it, then surely Ayaka would too. After all, Ei's tastes were notoriously particular.
"Hehe… it sounds wonderful. If Ei-sama enjoys it, and you're the one preparing it, then it must be an excellent dish," Ayaka said sweetly, her voice filled with admiration—like a little girl excited to watch her mother cook.
And so, the process of making pizza began.
They purchased all the ingredients from Miss Kiminami's shop. Fortunately, the restaurant had nearly everything they needed—rare ingredients and all. Truly, the reputation of Hanamizaka's finest eatery was well deserved.
They began by mixing enough flour with the proper seasonings, then oiling the pan and spreading a layer of rich tomato sauce across the dough. Soft cheese was sprinkled over the top, followed by fresh seafood, sausage, cured meat, ham, diced pork, mushrooms, green peppers, and pineapple. Once ready, the creation was placed into the oven to bake for five to seven minutes.
Meanwhile, the Shogun fried a few strips of bacon until crisp, sliced them into small pieces, and sprinkled them over the freshly baked crust. Finally, she garnished the edge of the plate with a few green leaves for presentation.
And just like that, a beautiful—and likely delicious—nine-inch pizza was complete.
"Wow… it looks amazing! The aroma alone is making my mouth water," Ayaka said in awe, her pale blue eyes sparkling with excitement as she admired the dish. The toppings on the freshly baked pizza still sizzled faintly, releasing an irresistible fragrance.
"As expected of you, Shogun-sama…"
Both she and her brother had always been captivated by the Shogun's cooking. The meals she had once made for them remained some of their most cherished memories—simple, warm, and full of peace.
If she were to marry the Shogun one day… just hypothetically, of course…
Wouldn't that mean she could eat food this delicious every single day?
"How are you two faring?"
After serving her customers, Miss Kiminami returned to check on the pair—only to be immediately struck by the rich, mouthwatering aroma of the pizza. Her curiosity piqued, she quickened her pace to take a closer look.
That scent—she had never encountered anything like it before. With her years of culinary experience, she could tell instantly that it was a foreign dish, one that exuded an irresistible fragrance that made the mouth water.
"Oh my, is this… Miss Kamisato, is this the dish you wanted?" she asked excitedly, eyes bright.
"Yes, this is the foreign dish that my… ahem… my friend helped me make. Miss Kiminami, could you please have it packed up?" Ayaka said, catching herself just in time before she almost slipped.
"Of course!" Miss Kiminami nodded eagerly and hurried off to fetch a takeout box. Returning to the table, she gazed at the colorful, beautifully presented round dish with admiration.
"Mmm~ it smells divine! It must be incredibly delicious. Ah… I wish I could serve something like this at my restaurant," she said dreamily, her eyes full of yearning.
"This…" Ayaka looked a little troubled. After all, she hadn't been the one who made it—it was the Shogun. She couldn't just give permission without asking her first.
"If you'd like, I can write down the recipe for you," the Shogun said calmly, not even needing to think about it.
"Truly? You'd really allow that?! Oh, thank you so much!" Miss Kiminami exclaimed, bowing deeply in gratitude. So kind, so gracious—no wonder she and Miss Kamisato were friends. They really did make a perfect pair!
Ayaka smiled softly at that. Yes… that was exactly the kind of person her Shogun-sama was.
"There's no need for thanks," the Shogun said. "It's time Inazuma's cuisine broadened its horizons a little. Learning from other nations' food can only be a good thing."
"As expected of you—you have such foresight!" Miss Kiminami said enthusiastically. "Once I learn how to make this, I'll add it to our menu and put up advertisements everywhere!"
"Ever since the Sakoku Decree, it's been so long since we've had new dishes here," she added. "I'll go pack this up right away—please come to the dining area once you're ready."
Carefully carrying the plate holding the pizza, Miss Kiminami disappeared into the kitchen once again, leaving the two alone.
"Shogun-sama, you've made yet another contribution to Inazuma. Truly, you work so hard," Ayaka said warmly. Something that could easily be sold for a high price, yet the Shogun had freely offered it to enrich others. That was her—gentle and selfless in her care for her people.
"This is but a small part of my duty. There is no hardship in that," the Shogun replied, shaking her head slightly.
"Shogun-sama…"
"…Come. Let's go eat," the Shogun said simply.
"Yes…" Ayaka nodded obediently and followed close behind.
By the time they finished dinner, the sky had already turned the golden hues of evening. The sun was setting, dyeing Hanamizaka in warm amber light as streaks of fiery clouds spread across the horizon.
The Shogun handed the handwritten recipe to Miss Kiminami, each elegant stroke of her brush forming words so beautiful that the restaurateur held it as though it were a precious treasure.
Ayaka then took the neatly packed pizza, and after bidding farewell to Miss Kiminami, she and the Shogun set off once more—to meet Lady Tsubaki.
Following the directions written in Ayaka's notes, the two arrived at their destination—a natural cavern by the seaside cliffs beneath Inazuma City.
Wait… this was the place?
By the time they arrived, it was already close to seven in the evening. The sky had grown dark, and the waves lapped gently against the sand, the sound of splashing water echoing through the chill breeze.
"…"
Ayaka flipped through her notebook, comparing the markings to their surroundings before glancing up at the massive cavern ahead, looking slightly uncertain.
"This doesn't look like somewhere a person could live," the Shogun remarked, narrowing her eyes slightly as she carried the boxed pizza and folded kimono.
She had suspected as much from the start. How could the marked location possibly be beneath Inazuma City? She knew perfectly well that the city was built atop a sloped hill—below which lay nothing but beaches, caves… and crabs. Certainly no dwellings.
"But… the notes clearly say this is the place. Could it be… there's a hidden passage?"
Ayaka rubbed her forehead, her mind wandering as she tried to make sense of things.
"…Let's go inside and take a look first."
The Shogun took the lead, stepping into the quiet cave hidden beneath the mountain that supported Inazuma City.
"Alright…" Ayaka followed closely behind.
The cavern was vast, and perhaps due to the fading daylight, it carried a quiet, mysterious air. Moonlight streamed faintly through the entrance, scattering soft beams across the rocky walls and rippling water. Fireflies flitted gently through the grass, casting a dreamy glow across the dim space.
Ayaka didn't waste a moment—she was flipping through her notes, determined not to miss a single word.
"Ah, here it is…"
She seemed to have found something, hurrying to catch up with the Shogun.
"'A crane brings a flower to adorn my hair. The white rabbit stitches four rays of moonlight into my skirt. Dressed properly, I call Tsubaki's name seven times toward the east—and in an instant, I stand upon the path to her home.'"
She read the words aloud in her clear, melodic voice, then glanced at the Shogun beside her.
"Tsubaki…"
The Shogun repeated the name softly, lowering her gaze in thought, her fingers brushing her chin.
"Hmm… this might be…"
"…a riddle's clue," Ayaka finished, their voices overlapping seamlessly.
"...Pfft."
"...Heh."
Both women paused, then exchanged amused smiles.
The phrasing and tone were unmistakable—it was exactly the kind of whimsical writing Kamisato Kayo would have come up with. But… what could it mean?
In that moonlit cavern, the two stood surrounded by silence, their silhouettes painted in silver light. Occasionally, a crab would scuttle past their feet, the soft rustle of sand blending with the distant lull of the waves, weaving a serene and almost sacred stillness.
"The most obvious hint is the word 'east.' Shall we try heading that way?"
"Yes…" Ayaka nodded.
Together, they made their way toward the eastern side of the cave. When they came to a shallow stream, the Shogun gently took Ayaka's hand and guided her across, step by step—as one might lead a child. The gesture filled Ayaka's heart with quiet warmth.
Even as they walked, her mind kept turning over the words of the note. There had to be more to it than just the direction east. After all, as Kamisato Kayo's daughter, she knew better than anyone that her mother's words often carried hidden layers of meaning.
And in her heart, Ayaka had a feeling… that the one they were about to meet might not be 'Tsubaki' at all, but something far more important.