Ingredient Preparation Area.
Yanami Anna was humming a tune, holding a paring knife, and skillfully peeling a potato.
"Hum hum~ Dum dum dum dum~"
As she peeled, her body swayed from side to side with the melody she imagined.
Her fluffy hair gently swayed with her, and her whole being exuded 'This chef is in a great mood'.
Imaizumi Keita sat beside her, responsible for cutting the washed green peppers and eggplants into sizes suitable for grilling.
His movements were unhurried, forming a stark contrast to Yanami, who had "happy" written all over her face.
"I say, Yanami."
Imaizumi Keita looked at the excited Yanami and complained helplessly, "You're just peeling potatoes, do you need to be so excited?"
"Of course!"
Yanami Anna hummed, not stopping her movements at all, and clearly refuted Imaizumi's criticism.
"This is crucial for whether we can eat delicious barbecue tonight! Ingredient preparation is the soul of cooking, something a guy who only eats ready-made food like you wouldn't understand!"
"Is that so?" Imaizumi Keita raised an eyebrow. "I think, for you, the soul of cooking is just the 'eating' step."
"You—!"
Yanami Anna wanted to retort but couldn't find a strong enough argument.
Since she hadn't personally made a bento for Imaizumi before and hadn't shown off her cooking skills, she could only work harder on the poor potato in her hand.
The two bickered back and forth like this, but their hands didn't stop working.
Before long, the table was already set with enough ingredients for five people to feast, including meat skewers and vegetable skewers.
"Alright! Everything's ready!" Yanami Anna clapped her hands in satisfaction. "Let's take them over quickly! Lemon-chan has probably already started the fire!"
She picked up the plate of meat skewers and walked briskly towards the cooking area, her steps full of impatience.
Imaizumi Keita followed behind her, carrying another plate of vegetables.
However, when they arrived at the cooking area, the scene they saw was somewhat different from what they had expected.
The charcoal in the barbecue grill was indeed burning red, with tiny sparks occasionally flying out, making soft crackling sounds.
However, the person in charge of starting the fire was not Shioyaki Lemon, who was responsible when they left.
President Tamaki Shintaro was fanning the charcoal fire with a round fan, while Vice President Tsukinoki Koto stood by, adjusting the position of the charcoal with iron tongs.
Koma Chihana stood beside the two, fanning them alternately as they worked.
"Oh! Imaizumi, Yanami, you've come at just the right time! The fire is almost ready, we can start grilling anytime!"
Tamaki Shintaro immediately showed a cheerful smile when he saw them.
"That's great!"
Yanami Anna's attention was instantly drawn to the grill. She walked over quickly and handed the meat skewers to Tsukinoki Koto.
"Senior, senior, quick, let's put this on first!"
Looking at the three who had already begun excitedly discussing what to grill first, Imaizumi Keita's gaze turned to the other side of the cooking area.
Shioyaki Lemon was squatting alone by the sink in the corner, her back looking a little lonely.
Imaizumi Keita placed the vegetable plate he was holding on the empty table nearby, then walked towards Shioyaki Lemon.
As he got closer, he realized she was squatting in front of a basin filled with fresh broad beans, clumsily peeling the thick pods with her fingers.
Perhaps because she had failed to start the fire earlier, several charcoal smudges were on her cheeks, making her look a bit pathetic and disheveled.
Imaizumi Keita stopped beside her, looking down at her somewhat condescendingly.
"What's wrong?" His voice was relaxed and gentle as he asked Shioyaki Lemon, "Didn't the fire start successfully either?"
Shioyaki Lemon's motion of peeling the bean pods suddenly paused.
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