Life at the Tokyo Institute of Technology had become much livelier for Akira.
A few months ago, his days were quiet.
Wake up.
Attend lectures.
Eat alone.
That was it.
Now?
Things were very different.
He had friends.
A loud group of them.
Ren.
Yuuto.
Aiko.
Nanami.
Rina.
Mizuko.
Sometimes Akira wondered how someone like him had ended up in the middle of such a chaotic group.
But strangely…
He didn't mind.
A Normal Afternoon
The group was sitting under the large tree near the academic building again.
Ren and Nanami were arguing as usual.
"I'm telling you," Ren said dramatically, "this assignment is impossible."
Nanami crossed her arms.
"It's not impossible. You're just lazy."
Yuuto sighed.
"…You two have this argument every week."
Rina was sitting nearby taking pictures.
"Hold still," she said.
Ren blinked.
"Why?"
"Candid shots."
Nanami leaned over.
"Are you secretly building a documentary about us?"
Rina smiled proudly.
"Maybe."
Meanwhile, Akira sat quietly beside Aiko.
She was scrolling through her phone.
"What are you watching?" he asked.
"A cooking video."
Akira raised an eyebrow.
"You cook?"
Aiko looked offended.
"Of course I cook."
Akira nodded slowly.
"Good to know."
She narrowed her eyes.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
Mizuko suddenly leaned in from the other side.
"It means he's judging your cooking skills."
Aiko looked at Akira.
"…Are you?"
Akira shook his head.
"I haven't tasted it yet."
Ren suddenly turned around.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
"Akira cooks."
Nanami nodded.
"We know that."
Ren pointed dramatically at Aiko.
"And Aiko cooks."
"…Yes?"
Ren gasped.
"Why have we never tested this?"
Yuuto rubbed his forehead.
"…Please don't start another competition."
Ren ignored him.
"This group lacks culinary evaluation."
Akira sighed.
"…I regret learning how to cook."
Walking Back
Later that evening, after classes ended, the group walked toward the dorm buildings.
Ren and Nanami were still arguing about something.
Yuuto was trying to calm them down.
Rina was taking sunset photos.
Mizuko walked beside Akira.
"You look tired."
"Because Ren is loud."
"That's normal."
Ahead of them, Aiko suddenly turned around.
"Hey Akira."
"Yeah?"
"You still owe me dinner."
Akira blinked.
"…What?"
"You cooked for Mizuko," she said casually.
Mizuko immediately smiled.
"That's true."
Akira sighed.
"…You two planned this."
Aiko laughed.
"Maybe."
Ren suddenly appeared between them.
"Dinner invitation detected."
"Ren, go away."
"Too late."
Apartment Dinner (Reminder Scene)
A few days later, Aiko actually visited Akira's apartment for dinner.
The smell of cooking filled the room.
Aiko sat at the small table while Akira finished cooking.
"You weren't joking," she said.
"About what?"
"You really can cook."
From the couch, Mizuko added,
"He cooks too much."
Akira placed the plate on the table.
"Try it first."
Aiko took a bite.
Her eyes widened.
"…Okay."
Akira looked nervous.
"…Okay?"
"This is really good."
Mizuko leaned back proudly.
"I told you."
Akira sighed.
"You didn't cook it."
"I supported emotionally."
A Secret Plan
One evening Akira was lying on the sofa watching One Piece.
From the kitchen, Mizuko peeked out.
"You're watching pirates again?"
Akira didn't even look away.
"It's not about pirates."
"It's literally about pirates."
"It's about adventure."
"Same thing."
Before their argument could continue, Akira's phone vibrated.
A message from Rina.
That alone was unusual.
Rina:
Akira, are you free?
Akira:
Yeah.
Another message appeared instantly.
Rina:
We're planning a surprise for Aiko's birthday tomorrow.
Akira blinked.
Birthday?
Then more notifications appeared.
Nanami joined the chat.
Nanami:
Don't tell her.
Then—
Ren joined.
Ren:
Operation Birthday Chaos begins.
Akira sighed.
"This already sounds dangerous."
Mizuko leaned over his shoulder.
"What's going on?"
"Aiko's birthday tomorrow."
Her eyes widened.
"Wait, really?!"
"They want help planning a surprise."
Mizuko grinned.
"Oh this is going to be fun."
The Mission
Nanami sent the instructions.
Nanami:
Akira, your job is simple.
Akira:
That sounds suspicious.
Ren:
Bring Aiko to the café tomorrow at 7.
Akira frowned.
"Won't she get suspicious?"
Nanami replied instantly.
Not if you invite her.
Ren added:
You're the most trustworthy bait.
Akira sighed.
"…Why am I bait?"
Mizuko laughed.
"Congratulations, protagonist."
The Surprise
The next evening, Akira invited Aiko to the café.
When they arrived, the place looked empty.
Aiko looked around.
"…Why is no one here?"
Akira shrugged awkwardly.
"Maybe it's quiet today."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Akira…"
"Yes?"
"Are you hiding something?"
Before he could answer—
The lights suddenly turned on.
"SURPRISE!"
Ren jumped out from behind a table.
Nanami popped up beside him.
Yuuto appeared carrying decorations.
Rina walked forward holding a cake.
Mizuko clapped slowly.
Aiko froze.
Then her face lit up.
"You guys!"
Rina smiled.
"Happy Birthday!"
Aiko laughed.
"You planned all this?!"
Nanami pointed at Akira.
"Your quiet friend helped too."
Aiko looked at him.
"…Really?"
Akira scratched his neck.
"Maybe."
The Celebration
Everyone gathered around the cake.
Ren raised his arms dramatically.
"Sing!"
The group shouted together.
"Happy birthday to you…"
Aiko laughed the entire time.
After blowing out the candles, she cut the cake.
First slice — Nanami.
Second slice — Rina.
Then she paused.
She looked at Akira.
And handed him the third slice.
Ren slammed the table.
"OHHHH!"
Nanami smirked.
"Interesting choice."
Akira sighed.
"…Please stop."
Aiko's Story
Later, while everyone sat around talking, Nanami suddenly leaned forward.
"Wait."
"What?" Aiko asked.
Nanami smirked.
"I heard something interesting."
Aiko blinked.
"…About what?"
Nanami looked at Akira.
"Apparently you had dinner at his apartment."
Akira froze.
Mizuko smirked.
"Oh this will be fun."
Everyone turned to Aiko.
"…You went to his apartment?" Ren asked.
Aiko nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
Ren leaned forward like a detective.
"And?"
She shrugged casually.
"He cooked dinner."
Nanami gasped.
"WHAT?!"
Yuuto looked impressed.
"So the cooking rumors are true."
Rina added dramatically,
"And?"
Aiko hesitated.
"…And Mizuko opened the door."
The table went silent.
Ren blinked.
"…Wait."
"Mizuko lives there now," Aiko explained.
Ren slammed the table.
"YOU TWO LIVE TOGETHER?!"
Akira groaned.
"It's not like that."
Mizuko shrugged.
"My apartment was smaller."
Nanami smirked.
"Sure."
Akira buried his face in his hands.
"I regret this conversation."
Sunday Plan
Ren suddenly stood up dramatically.
"I have decided something."
Everyone looked at him.
"What now?" Yuuto asked.
"We are visiting their apartment on Sunday."
Akira blinked.
"…Why?"
Ren grinned.
"To investigate."
Nanami nodded.
"I support this mission."
Rina raised her phone.
"I'll document everything."
Akira sighed.
"…I should have stayed quiet."
Sunday Visit
Sunday afternoon.
The entire group stood outside Akira's apartment door.
Ren knocked dramatically.
"Open up, chef."
The door opened.
Akira stared at them.
"…Why are all of you here?"
Ren smiled proudly.
"Apartment inspection."
Mizuko appeared behind him.
"Oh, you actually came."
Nanami looked around the apartment.
"This place is nice."
Rina immediately started taking pictures.
"Kitchen reveal!"
Ren walked straight into the kitchen.
"So this is where the legendary cooking happens."
Akira sighed.
"…Please behave."
The Cooking Challenge
Soon the group gathered around the kitchen counter.
Nanami looked at Akira.
"So you're the group chef."
Aiko crossed her arms confidently.
"Hey."
Everyone turned toward her.
"I'm good at cooking too."
Ren gasped dramatically.
"Oh?"
Mizuko smiled.
"This is getting interesting."
Nanami slammed the table.
"I have an idea."
Everyone leaned closer.
"Cooking competition."
Ren pointed dramatically between them.
"Akira vs Aiko."
Yuuto nodded calmly.
"That actually sounds fun."
Rina raised her phone again.
"I'll record it."
Akira sighed.
"…Why is this happening?"
Aiko smiled confidently.
"Scared?"
Akira looked at her.
"…No."
Ren raised his hand like a referee.
"Next Sunday."
"Cooking battle."
"The winner becomes the official chef of the group."
Mizuko leaned back smiling.
"This is going to be entertaining."
Akira glanced at Aiko.
She looked excited.
And for the first time in a while—
Akira smiled too.
"Fine."
"Challenge accepted."