Miku Mahashi and Chieri Umezato

I'm home...

Miku!! Chieri is mega-amazing today!

You startled me...! Can you just say hi normally?

Chieri is not someone who can be contained by "normal."

Yeah, yeah. So what is so amazing today?

Hehe. Miku is not the only one who knows what we are running low on at home.

Ta-da!! The union leader has personally restocked our everyday essentials!

What!?

You are surprised, and you want to admire me too, right? I picked up eeevery last thing at the convenience store!

Oh... So that is what happened...

You are so amazed you are holding your head...! It is a little dramatic, but I will allow it!

No, that is not it. I bought some too...

Wha...?!

B-But Chieri got back first! Besides, Chieri must have bought more things than Miku did!

I just hope we got different things... What did you buy, Cherie?

So this is a restocking contest...! All right. Chieri accepts your challenge!

Ahem... First up, from the leader of the Chieri Union... Toilet paper!

See? I got that too. It's right here in my other hand, not in the bag. You can tell just by looking, right?

Hmph... Then item number two... Toothpaste!

*Sigh*... I bought that too.

Urgh... How about this? Plastic wrap!

Yep, I got that too. Even the same size...

Then, fabric softener refill!

That too. At least it is a different scent, so that is okay.

We are even so far...! But Chieri still has a final secret weapon!

Here we go... Ta-da!! Dish soap!

Bought it. Double-size refill.

Wha...?! It is twice the size of Chieri's...!

Is that everything you bought, Cherie? Then I guess this one is not a duplicate.

Rubber gloves. Separate from the ones for the kitchen and bathroom, I thought we could use them for hand-washing Shizuku's clothes.

Ugh, you pulled even farther ahead...! Chieri is amazing, but Miku is even more amazing...!

Hehe.

Why are you laughing? Is that the confidence of a winner?

No. It is just that this has never happened before.

(When I lived with my mother, I was the only one who ever bought backup supplies.)

? I do not really understand, but I will not lose next time!

Let's make sure there is no next time. From now on, we should message each other before we go shopping.

Convenience stores are expensive too, so we can share information about drugstore sales...

You know, the whole "let us know" thing.

"Lettuce"...? Then Chieri is bok choy!

What...?

Bok choy sounds rarer than lettuce, right? Chieri's vegetable choice is a winner, too!

That is not what I meant...!

(You little monster... Listen when someone is talking!)

Hmph... I am sure I have done this question before...

I almost remember... It looks familiar, but I just can't place it...!

Cherie, I am making black tea. Want some?

I know the year and what happened... So why can I not remember it...?

Cherie, what are you doing?

Aah!? D-Don't look!!

What? If you do not want anyone looking, you should do it in your room.

I was! It was the thing where you go somewhere else and give your brain a quick whoosh!

A whoosh...? Oh, you mean refreshing yourself.

That is it! Chieri knew that!

Why not take a quick break...? I am making black tea.

Mm... I will have some.

Okay. Just wait a minute.

Here you go.

Just as expected of Miku. Making black tea especially for Chieri...

I was making some anyway. So why did you not want me to see that Japanese history assignment?

W-When did you see it!?

Just now. It looked like you had filled in about half of it, though.

Everything's been going smoothly so far. That is why I should be able to solve this question too!

So there is a question you are stuck on. Let us see... Ah, this is...

Aaaah!! Do not look at the question, and do not answer it!

That is what I am asking. Why?

Chieri is the union leader! I have to be smarter than my subordinate!

You are in different grades. That is not something you need to worry about, is it?

Mm... B-But, if I do not solve it myself, it does not really count...

*Sigh*... Then keep trying on your own. I will head back to my room.

W-Wait, please!

F-Fine... If Miku wants to teach Chieri so badly, Chieri will graciously accept a hint.

What?

If Chieri hears the answer, it'll count as Miku having solved this assignment. That means it will not be Chieri's achievement anymore.

But if Miku gives Chieri a hint and Chieri writes down the answer, there is no problem!

Now then, capable subordinate Miku. Give Chieri the perfect hint that makes it click!

...

Oh, Chieri-chan, I am sorry~ It seems it is too difficult for me to understand.

Wha...! But you were about to say something earlier!

Maybe you just imagined it~ But I am sure Cherie can do it.

I believe in Chieri-chan's potential! Bye!

Hey, we are not done talking yet!

Just give Chieri a hint that proves you believe in her potential! Miku, come baaack!!

And my English notebook goes in... All right... I am ready for tomorrow.

(It is already this late... Maybe I will work on my composition a little before bed.)

Miku! Are you still awake?!

Aah!? Hey, I told you to knock!

Never mind that. You should be thanking Chieri!

"Never mind that"...?

Chieri has prepared the greatest present for you! It is a special gift for one of Chieri's subordinates.

Ta-da!! "The Great Chieri Encyclopedia"!

What...?

Take it and look inside already. Come on! Hurry!

What is with that notebook? I do not know what I am supposed to do with this out of nowhere.

Chieri knows. There is something else you have been even more troubled by, Miku.

Huh?

Chieri noticed that you have been giving Chieri passionate looks day after day.

The reason is obvious: you have been stuck composing our new song, "Glory of Chieri-sama"!!

This encyclopedia is exactly what you need to help you out, Miku! Wow, such devoted support for a subordinate... Even Chieri is impressed!

*Sigh*...

Heheh, Chieri's greatness has left you speechless, has it?

Yeah. You are so amazing I cannot even find the words.

See? See?! Now, read it!

"Chapter 1: Behold Chieri's Physical Greatness"...?

Chieri is fast on her feet and a fast swimmer too. I am this close to being the fastest in my class!

Those are some very elementary-school-level bragging points.

Chapter 2 is "Behold Chieri's Great Sense of Style," and Chapter 3 is "Behold Chieri's Great Intelligence."

What even is this...?

For starters, I never said I was going to write a song called "Glory of Chieri-sama."

Wha...?!

What do you mean?! You promised!

I am writing songs for the band. I am not writing a song just for you.

You understand now, right? Take that notebook and get out.

W-Wait! I need Miku if I am going to recruit a hundred million subordinates!

Hey, let go! That has nothing to do with me!

It does! Your songs are amazing, Miku!!

!

Our very first song! That was the song that showed off Chieri's greatness better than anything else!

That is why Chieri absolutely, absolutely needs a song by Miku that lets Chieri drum at her absolute best!!

Aaaaugh, enough already!! Out. Now!

Ow!

Chieri will not give up until you write it for meeee!

*Sigh*... She is seriously exhausting...

(But...)

That is why Chieri absolutely, absolutely needs a song by Miku that lets Chieri drum at her absolute best!!

Hehe...

(I will not write a song just for you. But I will write a song that lets you play at your "absolute best.")