Every situation has a proper cause and effect.

That’s a valid point. It really is…

But in Kivotos, that common sense occasionally goes awry.

For example, imagine Asuna suddenly practicing choreography in our practice room and then, out of the blue, moving away from her spot to open a window. Just then, BOOM! A sudden explosion echoes outside, and at the same instant, a perfectly intact pizza lands right in Asuna’s hands…

Can we really say that a legitimate cause and effect was established in that case?

Picture a chaotic street fight, just as you’d expect in Kivotos, with explosions happening regularly. Let’s say, during that chaos, a pizza on its way to somewhere gets swept up by the blast and flies into the third-floor practice room’s window, landing perfectly in Asuna’s grasp.

The cause and effect might seem to exist there, but the timeline just doesn’t line up.

It’s as if Asuna’s shockingly irrational luck creates that disconnected causality. On the flip side, there’s also someone who embodies the complete disregard for cause and effect, and that is Akashi Junko, the newcomer of the Gourmet Research Club.

Of course, because Haruna, using her navigation app, found a crab specialty restaurant that’s closed, the sushi place has shut down, and the next option, a wagyu restaurant, is an absolute mess due to a horde of chaos-wielding beasts.

In the midst of this overwhelming situation, where it feels as if the whole world is trampling my desire to feed Junko delicious food, she says she’s fine with just some dango. At that moment, I concluded that I absolutely couldn’t give up.

After wasting a whole hour searching for a decent restaurant, we finally settled on a ramen place that Junko carefully chose by comparing her options.

Here, Akari was restricted to just one bowl, and Izumi… faced punishment for trying to pour chocolate paste on her curry ramen.

Now that’s what I call a justified revenge against those who mercilessly slaughtered my innocent chocolate waffles.

As we wrapped up our meal after navigating through various tribulations, the time to part ways approached. Originally, the three of us should have headed back together, but Haruna decided to join the Gourmet Research Club for a while at Hakgwiyaeng.

“Vice President, will we be able to meet again…?”

“You don’t need to worry too much! Despite my absence, our President will take good care of you ☆”

“Wow… I can trust you, right, President?”

“Of course, Junko! Our gourmet adventures have only just begun!”

“…using my card, right?”

“But that’s because Mika signed it over willingly, right? Hehe.”

“Well… I was just being a little petulant because it was cute to see you puffed up with pride. After all, it is also Haruna’s card.”

“I think the opposite but… I wouldn’t mind if Mika became mine.”

Haruna, with a refreshingly sweet smile, said that and tightly grasped my hand. Her charm, which had captivated me since our first meeting, was still intact and would likely remain so.

Personally, I wanted to take a bit more care of Junko… But that can be dealt with next time when we go to Sanhaegyeong together.

As for Akari and Izumi… let them sort themselves out. It’s disheartening to have received waffles back after preparing Christmas gifts for them.

By the way, I suddenly wondered, how did they manage to steal those? I can’t imagine Noah and Haruna not noticing…

Huh?

“Hey, Haruna. Just to check… were you an accomplice in the waffle incident?”

“…Huh? What do you mean, Mika? Just to clarify, it’s an misunderstanding.”

Yeah, that doesn’t sound right. She looked pretty surprised when I checked the gifts from the Gourmet Research Club kids.

Heueng. Right? Haruna wouldn’t do something like that to me. More importantly, we shouldn’t forget to find some tasty establishments for next time, right?

“As long as Mika is with me, I think anywhere will be good… but I’ll try to put in some effort.”

“And the most important thing: don’t cause problems just because I’m not around with Noah, or I’ll be disappointed. Okay, let’s hold back?”

“Mika, you really don’t trust me, do you…? Sigh. I didn’t even bring any bombs on this trip, you know.”

“Oh, Vice President! Don’t worry; we brought those! ☆”

“…Huh?”

“….?”

With a baffled expression, Haruna turned back to me after staring at Akari, filled with a whirlwind of emotions in her eyes. This feels like I’m about to witness an interesting scene.

Haruna, what are you going to show me?

Even if it’s nothing in particular, I could let slide if it’s just a bit of aegyo, you know?

“Mika.”

“Huh-huh.”

“You trust me, right?”

“…Huh?”

“I believe you will, of course. Because we are friends.”

This is… a bit unexpected. Is she just going to straightforwardly act cheeky?

I could see Noah beside me stifling a laugh behind her hand.

Well, it’s not like I couldn’t trust the Haruna of today, but… which side will it be? I mean, I trust her, naturally…

“Ahahaha. Haruna.”

“Fufu… Yes, Mika.”

“I can trust you, but I can’t trust those two. Out.”

“I see. That’s pleasant to hear. It’s a nice thing to say. I know you would’ve outright denied it in the past.”

Haruna, who was still holding my hand tightly, let go and took a step forward. Before I realized it, Haruna was embracing my back, and I found myself leaning backward. Reflexively, my arms wrapped around her neck.

“But don’t trust me too much. I might just draw you in and lead you astray, you know? Hehe…”

With that posture, reminiscent of a dance finale, my heart began to race uncontrollably as I gazed up at her.

This kind of situation is definitely hazardous for my heart. Haruna, knowing her own beauty, skillfully uses it against me, just like she has from the very beginning; she’s control over me in many ways.

“Haruna…”

“Is your heart racing? I can clearly hear that heartbeat right here with me. The fact that someone as strong as you feels this powerless in my embrace is quite a chilling thought.”

Haruna, with a sweet smile, leaned closer to me, making me gaze at those striking pupils. Instead of responding defiantly or launching a counterattack, I found myself entranced.

“You complete me. There’s no one like you. Of course, I like Noah too… but you are the one who brings us three together. For you, I can sacrifice countless things.”

Haruna’s lips kissed me lightly. As she pulled away, looking down at me, she continued,

“My culinary faith has been influenced by you… it’s changed a little because of you. Although I could’ve monopolized you first, I chose to leave a lingering impression instead.”

“…Well, that’s not concession; it’s just taking things easy—heh… chu… gulp?!”

This time, with a forceful kiss, she silenced me, and her fingers pressed against the base of my wings, sending delightful shivers through me. My expression must be a mix of longing and surprise.

Noah, who has seen all sides of me, is fine, but I definitely don’t want Akari, Izumi, or especially Junko to see that side.

“If that’s true, it is. If you wish to deny it, you might want to show me a proper retort. The old you… ah…”

Haruna, appearing lost in thought, opened her eyes partway, looking down at me with a soft smile.

“You used to show so many vibrant colors back in the day. Now, it feels just so monotonous. You still shine bright and boast a special flavor, but I sometimes crave that taste from before.”

Heueng…

I think I somewhat understand what Haruna wants to express, but at the same time, I’m not quite sure. Honestly, it seems she’s hinting at our nighttime escapades.

That said, I’ve always succumbed to her charm, it’s true; from our first meeting until now.

“Haruna… my most beautiful Haruna.”

“Eep… W-well, if you speak so easily, won’t the others get jealous…?”

“Sorry, I’m a shameless girl. I’ll say this now, and when I’m alone with Noah, I’ll proclaim she’s the prettiest. I’ll say the same to Hina or Nagisa if all of them gather. I’ll say I’m the prettiest to gloss over situations. Yeah, I’m a shameless girl.”

“Oh my, I think that’s one of Mika’s charms too ♪”

“…Even so, I think that’s just you being dazzled, Noah.”

Is it really possible for being selfish, greedy, and shameless to be considered a charm? I’m not sure.

Yet, seeing Haruna, who remains so easily flattered by my praises, gives me a sense of relief. Just as she has a deadly charm towards me, it pleases me to know I can wield that power over her, should I desire.

The chance of Haruna suddenly tiring of me and rejecting me decreases significantly. Not only with Haruna; if someone else tried to leave, I couldn’t even imagine how disgracefully I’d cling on.

“Haruna, just to point out, you’re pretty much my first love, you know? We match personality-wise, and there’s no need to even elaborate on looks. If the situation had been a bit different… I might have actively pursued you.”

“…Hehe, that’s definitely nice to hear.”

“The key point is this: once it’s in my grasp, I won’t let go, and I’ll do anything for it. So, I’ll try to meet your desires as best I can. Just like how you’ve changed for me, Haruna.”

While I personally think I lack the ability to replicate Haruna’s beguiling smile, I still pressed my lips close to her skin, right next to her cheek. Not exactly on her lips, but close enough for her to feel it deeply.

“Yeah. In that sense, make sure the four of you have fun. Oh, and… I love you, Haruna.”

I simply broke away from her embrace, turning my back. I could faintly hear her voice whispering in my ear.

“…Y-yeah, me too.”

Was it Haruna who once said this? The lingering taste of anything is significant. A great dish leaves a long-lasting impression on the heart.

Then, perhaps the ultimate lingering flavor I leave for you will last for a lifetime.