Okay, this should be more than enough cake flour and coffee beans...
I have everything I need, so I think I'll get started now.
Hiya!
Wait, huh...?
MEIKO, are you making something?
Oh, welcome.
I was just thinking about baking a coffee pound cake.
I don't remember seeing that on the dessert menu. Wait, are you gonna add this to it...?!
Hehe. Unfortunately, I won't be.
It's for Toya since he's been working so hard lately.
Huh? For Toya?
Yes. He came by the other day wondering what he should do about his song and...
What?! You're starting over from scratch?!
Yes... No matter how much I try, what I currently have just isn't shaping up to become anything good... So, I feel that starting over is a valid option.
I'm sorry, KAITO.
After all the help you've given me...
No, don't worry about that!
I'll also keep researching what I can.
Thank you...
I really appreciate it.
Which is why I'd like to also show my support by doing something for him...
So, I've decided to bake him a little treat that isn't too sweet using his favorite coffee beans.
Hehe. That's so thoughtful of you!
Oh, MEIKO, can we help you bake it?!
What?
I wanna help Toya too!
Yeah!
I also wanna help!
Hehe. Thank you both very much...
Then, let's all bake it together.
Woohoo!
Be mindful of the temperature of the eggs and butter because the cake won't rise properly if they're not mixed well.
Okay!
Next, we'll start mixing our finely ground coffee beans into the batter.
Okay!
A little bit at a time and...
Oh, I wanna do that too!
Rin, don't mix it too much.
Doing so will cause the batter to sink and the cake will become dense.
Got it!
Still, these coffee beans smell great...
Yes, they do. However, most of this aroma will be gone after it's finished baking. It'll just be a hint at the end...
Which means only we get to experience this great smell!
Hehe. Yes, you may be right...
Okay, it's nicely baked...
Yay!
Hehe. Very nice work, you two.
Why don't we have some tea to celebrate?
Oh, something smells nice.
Hey, KAITO! We just finished baking a coffee pound cake for Toya!
You know how Toya's been working super hard lately? We decided to show our support by making him something he'd really like!
Oh, this is for him?
I was hoping to maybe have a little taste, but I guess I can't now that I know who it's for...
But it must be good if you two baked it with MEIKO! I'm sure Toya is going to enjoy it very much!
*Nod*
Thanks!
Hehe.
KAITO, here's your slice.
What? My slice...?
Yes.
You've been helping Toya quite a lot lately, no?
I mean, just the other day...
(Is that KAITO? What's he doing here...?)
Oh, this song has a bit of edge to it.
Toya could use this as a reference.
It's not quite the same sort of energy he's trying to produce, but it's another idea to keep in mind...
You listened to all sorts of songs in hopes that you could give some good advice to Toya, right?
H-How long were you watching me...?!
Hehe. That's a secret.
Anyway, this is a little reward for all your efforts. I'm glad you've been there for him.
MEIKO... Thank you very much!
But you're the one who's always there for us and the others!
I think they like visiting SEKAI as often as they do because they know you're going to be here at the cafe.
Yeah, he's got a point!
The way you say, “Welcome,” whenever we walk in always feels so reassuring for some reason!
Exactly! So...
Thank you for everything!
Hehe. You're all very welcome.
Anyway, let's get that tea ready.
I'll pour some for you as well, KAITO, so just give me one minute.
Okay!