...so I've asked an older student from school to taste test for me. He'll be coming over later today.

<That's good.

Having someone help out should be a shortcut to success.>

<Anyway, shall we get started?>

Yes, let's.

I'd like to follow the procedure described in the recipe as closely as we can. However, when I tried it out yesterday, there were several places where I got stuck...

If that happens again, Miku, I'd like you to give me some advice.

<Okay.

Then, mind if I have a look at the recipe?>

Of course, here it is...

<I see. Very interesting. So this is how you bake cupcakes. >

<So, how did the ones you made yesterday turn out?>

Well, when they came out of the oven, they didn't quite rise the way they appeared in the recipe.

On top of that, when I tasted them, the texture felt like I was eating hard paste.

<It felt like paste...? Actually, MEIKO did seem to mention something about getting a chiffon cupcake to rise being very important.>

Yes, I had a feeling...

<But based on what your testimony...

You may not have mixed them properly.>

I didn't mix them properly?

<Yes. Apparently, these sorts of sweets rise differently based on how their batter is mixed.>

<But they may also have trouble rising if you go a bit overboard.>

I see... I didn't know that...

Yes, now that you mention it...

I did mix the batter for a very long time.

<Oh, in that case, you can try not mixing it so much this time.>

<You have a tendency to be too careful or follow instructions too strictly. So, why not mix it only a little bit for this batch?>

<For example, well... How about two or three times?>

That little? Are you sure the batter doesn't need to be mixed more?

<I don't think it's a matter of how many times you mix it. You can still mix it fairly vigorously.>

I see...

<Also...

You could try using a little more baking powder.>

<MEIKO told me the other day that it's what helps cakes like these rise.>

Is that what this powder does...?

But is it okay for us to put in more than the recipe says...?

<I think that's up to the individual baker. I mean, everyone puts in different amounts of sugar into their coffee, no?>

<So, it should be okay to put in a little more baking power if you want them to really rise.>

Yes, that may be so...

<Actually, this recipe suggests a few additional options... Do you plan on trying any of these?>

Yes, I was planning to once I got the hang of baking. I even bought some of those ingredients...

<Then, let's try putting those in.

You may never get to use them if you wait until you “get the hang of things”.>

But...

(I am a little worried about going with an alternate option right off the bat... At the same time, I won't learn unless I try.)

(Plus, I have Miku here to teach me.)

Okay, then... Let's give it a try.

So, Miku, please tell me right away if you see me doing something wrong...

<Okay, I will.>

Based on the address Aoyagi gave me, his house should be just up ahead...

(Hehe... I hope his creations are coming along well. I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out...)

(Still...)

(It's interesting how Tsukasa and Aoyagi are trying to do so much for each other.)

(Still, this is their show...

There isn't much that I can do for them...)

(But I hope things go well for them...)

Ah, this must be his condo...

Kamishiro, hello.

Thank you for coming over today.

Yes, thank you for inviting me.

Hehe... There's a sweet aroma in the air.

Oh, yes...

They should be ready soon.

Let me get you something to drink.

Please, have a seat.

Okay, thank you.

(Now, let's see what he made....)

<The cupcakes seem just about done. I wonder how it turned out.>

(Toya had such a serious look on his face... Probably because he wants the recipient of his gift to really enjoy what he made.)

(I hope they end up being delicious.)

<Wait, it sounded like the cupcakes just burst...>

<It must be because they're full of so much energy. I'm sure they're going to be yummy and fun to eat.>