Thanks again for another great meal, MEIKO!

Yeah, lunch was amazing!

We'll be back again soon!

Of course. Come back any time.

Alright, let's start cleaning up.

...

MEIKO, you always seem to have a big smile on your face whenever we begin or end our meals.

Hehe. I probably do.

I mean, I can't help but smile when I see everyone looking forward to having what I make and really enjoying their food.

Yes, I see.

...

MEIKO, do you think I can do what you do?

What? You mean cook...?

Yes, there's that... But I'm also talking about making everyone smile. I want to give it a try.

Huh...? Yes, challenging yourself is always good, but...

(Based on how Miku cooks... She's going to need a lot of practice...)

Um, Miku...?

I know. This is really sudden and you're not sure what to say.

No, it's not that...

I've actually been thinking about this for a while now. I'd like to try helping everyone in other ways besides singing.

I mean, Kohane and the others have been trying to experience new things together, no?

You're serious about this, Miku...?

...

Okay.

I'm prepared to help you.

...?

(I'm the one who wants to help everyone. Why does MEIKO need to prepare herself for that?)

(Or rather... She may be trying to empathize with me by seeing where I'm coming from...)

Then, I'd like to start by trying to make that vegetable curry you served us the other day.

Oh, that?

Yes, it may be a good place to start.

(The curry powder's already mixed and the vegetables only need to be washed, peeled and chopped into halves or quarters.)

(She should be fine as long as she's careful about how she peels them.)

Then, Miku, shall we get started?

Yes, let's!

First, we need to prep the vegetables.

We'll wash them and...

Throw them all into the pot.

(Oh dear. And here I was worried about her peeling them...!)

Oh, I put in the vegetables before filling it with water. I should probably do that first...

Yes, you should, but I recommend you peel them since it'll make the curry have an overall better texture...

Don't some people include them whole? I remember hearing something about the skin being the most nutritious part...

The area just under the skin to be more precise. So, yes, there are some vegetables that don't need to be peeled...

However, this dish mostly involves vegetables that do require peeling...

I see. Then, I'll use this knife to...

Let's use the peeler instead!

It'll be much easier!

Hm? I forget how deep an onion's skin actually goes...

Oh, there's some tomatoes in the fridge. Can I use these?

If you wish to make tomato curry, be my guest...

Oh, I also heard that chocolate and cinnamon can work as a secret ingredient. I'll toss some in while I'm at it.

Huh...? Wait, Miku! If you throw all of that in...!

It's already getting full. I must've put in more than I realized. Now, I need to add enough water to submerge them.

Th-This should be plenty!

The water in the vegetables should more than make up for what's missing.

Oh, really? I didn't know that.

Thank you, MEIKO.

Haha...

It's starting to smell nice...

I think it's ready...

Alright, MEIKO...

Mind giving it a taste?

O-Okay...

Oh, it's good...

Yes, it is! But how...?

(Are all of the ingredients she put in melding together and balancing each other out?)

(What if Miku's actually some sort of genius when it comes to cooking...?)

Hm? Something smells nice.

Oh, KAITO!

Good timing! The curry is just about ready. Would you like some?

Are we having curry for lunch today?!

I'd love to have some!

Okay, it just needs a little more stirring...

Hm? My stirring seems to be causing something black to rise up from the bottom...

(What in the world...?! That color... I've got a bad feeling about this...!)

Why don't we just serve what's on top?! I have a feeling that all the flavor is concentrated there!

Oh, that can happen?

Then, okay.

I feel like I've learned so much from you today, MEIKO. Thank you for doing this.

Y-You're welcome...

(Phew... KAITO narrowly escaped being served something awful...)

(MEIKO ended up teaching me a lot of things in the end, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of cooking.)

(Hehe. Next time, I'd like to make some sweets from scratch for Kohane and the others.)