Fine Dining, Cookies, and Aid Episode 2

It began with a strange rumor...about me.

Um...

Captain? Is something wrong? You look sad.

Oh, let ME cheer you up!

Don't worry. I'm fine. ...There's a rumor going around about me.

A rumor?

Is it the one where you like to collect medical supplies because you like the smell of patches?

Not that.

What about the one where the reception's a front for you to find new targets?

Not that either...

I did hear one about how you're secretly eating protein cookies at tea time so you can bulk up...

No...!

Where are you hearing any of that?! It's all wrong! VERY wrong!

Don't worry too much! We know you're not actually like that!

Nonetheless, it's disturbing how fast these stories spread.

All I've ever wanted was to foster the spirit of aid, in as many people as possible.

Sorry to hear...

How can we fix this?

Oh, I know!

We bake a bunch of cookies and hand them out to as many people as possible.

When they taste the love we put into those cookies, all the misunderstandings about the captain will just go away!

Oh, we should make the cookies cute! Like little animals. Chicks or something.

A chick-shaped cookie. That's a great idea!

...So we decided to make chick cookies, but there was a problem.

I've never baked cookies before.

Serina and Hanae helped, but the first attempt was a total disaster.

They didn't look like chicks. They looked like some twisted monsters from hell...

So I sought advice from a famous bakery in Trinity, but...

Their recipes were too fancy, with filling and icing and such. Perhaps they assumed I was more advanced than I truly was.

So you still preferred the chick cookies.

You know what they say. Cuteness is justice.

That aside, I went looking for more advice, and I came across Fuuka in the shopping district.

Schale's shopping district is a melting pot, of course. One might find Trinity and Gehenna students shopping side by side.

And so, the famous Remedial Knights met Fuuka.

Indeed. But we need not rush that story...

I picked up lots of fresh ingredients today.

This will be enough for a while...

...as long as THEY don't show up this time.

Hm...

Oh... Hello. Can I help you with something...?

Hello there. Are you interested in aid work, by any chance?

...Excuse me?

I am Mine, captain of Trinity General School's Remedial Knights.

T-Trinity? The captain?!

Indeed. The moment I saw you from afar, I felt a strange sense of kinship.

The care with which you chose those ingredients, it reminded me of how I agonize over choosing medical supplies.

I-Is that so...?

Seeing the concern upon your very kind face, I took you for an aid worker. Are you?

Uh... I'm the president of Gehenna's School Lunch Club...

I knew it...! My eyes did not deceive me!

Might we take a moment to talk? I have a feeling we'll get along famously.

Huh? But...you're Trinity, I'm Gehenna...

A meaningless distinction, compared to the great cause of aid. Is it not?

Well...yeah, you're right about that. I believe in feeding the hungry no matter who they are...

...although some are a handful.

A handful...?

So that's how you heard about us.

They also asked me to help them make cookies.

I figured, if the Remedial Knights wanted to be friendly, why not?

So if you could, just give it a rest today, and the Knights and I will go buy some cookie ingredients.

As you wish. Consider our lunch request on hold.

We have a new plan instead.

Mine, with your permission, may the Gourmet Research Society handle the tasting of your chick cookies?

I sensed the aura of gourmet food the moment I heard the story.

Heehee, I want to taste them! ★

Yeah, I love cookies!

Tasting's free, right? Heeheehee...

Well, you're all back on your feet, I see.

Tasting... Perhaps the Gourmet Research Society would know taste better than we do.

I don't think anything good will come out of getting them involved...

Don't worry. We're merely curious about the cookies, that's all.

And with your help, Fuuka, they'll come out perfectly.

Well...they will, but...

What do you say, Captain?

I'm all for it! Making cookies with you, it sounds great!

Very well. We will all go together.

Ah, I'm getting a bad feeling...

Ah, they smell delicious. How much longer until they're done?

Just a bit. Almost.

All right, let's get ready, then.

Are we really okay to be here right now?

Of course we are. Just enjoy, like we planned.

...Liiike we planned.

Does that mean if they taste bad, you're going to blow it all up?

Heeheehee, I wonder...

The wait is finally over!

Captain Mine's cute cookies are finished!

...

Come on, show us!

I'm sure everyone will like them.

A-All right.

Everyone...! These are the cookies I've made.

Ooh, I feel warm simply looking at them.

The presentation's solid, that's for sure. ★

They're so cute! It feels like a shame to eat them!

Can we, though? Can we eat them now?

Ha, all this praise... My cheeks must be so red...

There's no smoke without fire, as they say. In other words, we all speak the truth.

Unlike these rumors you've concerned yourself with. One can't go through life taking everything at face value. We here see the real Mine for who she truly is.

...!

Wow! It worked, Captain!

Now everyone will get to know the real you!

W-Wonderful...

All right, let's taste them already!

Heeheehee, should I eat the head first? Or the body?

Eat the head first. It's merciful.

Then, time to dig in...!

Wait, this taste...!

This is dangerous... ★

I never had a cookie like this in my life...!

How should I put this... Basically...

This tastes INCREDIBLE!!

The rich, sweet egg taste that spreads in your mouth. It's irresistible!

I really love the youthful vibe you get from this crispy texture.

This cookie tastes cute! I've eaten a lot of things. I've never TASTED cuteness before!

...There's more to enjoying food than taste, of course. One also enjoys the care that went into making it.

And these cookies are filled with your care, Mine.

Gourmet food, no question.

...S-Such praise.

Thank you all so much. Getting recognized by the Gourmet Research Society gives me great confidence.

Honestly, I was dreading failure...

Fufu, I'm really glad I didn't blow this place up.

I KNEW you were thinking of that!

But they're all delicious, right?

For sure! Can I have some more?

Of course. Have all you like. I made plenty for all.

Wow...!

Captain, these cookies are going to show everyone how you feel.

That's right! I'm sure even Vice President Hasumi, from the Justice Task Force, will like them.

Vice President Hasumi... I hope she doesn't laugh at me.

Oh, she's picky about desserts, but she won't laugh at these!

I hope this brings you two closer together.

H-Hmm...!

Anyway, thank you so much. Thanks to all of you, I experienced something new.

I especially owe a huge thanks to Fuuka. Thanks to her incredible guidance, these cookies...

...Huh? Fuuka?

Huh? Where did she go? She was here when we were making them.

I don't think I've seen her since the tasting started...

Well, Remedial Knights, we'll be heading out.

Mmph...! Mmmph!

Fuuka?! Why are you all tied up?!

When did she...!

When you took the cookies and left the kitchen.

The cookies were so nice, they distracted you... ★

And in that short amount of time...?

Heeheehee, you know how many times we've done this with Fuuka? It's easy.

Don't BRAG about it...!

Mmph! Mmmph...!

Oh, she wants to hurry and make lunch for us!

Let's get moving, then. Ah, we should call Juri first...

Haruna. Did you find Fuuka?

Yes. She is safely under our protection.

We found her picking out ingredients.

Oh, that's where she was. Great, just please keep watching over her.

Oh, leave it to us. We certainly will.

Well, I believe that's everything.

Thank you for the cookies! ★

How dare you treat a friend that way?!

Medicine knows no borders! We will pursue you wherever you go!

Sh-She blew a hole in the wall...

Ahaha... This "changing her image" thing might be a little harder than we thought.

Gourmet Research Society...! You will not escape!

Fufu, you're not catching us this time!

Mmph! Mmmmph!