The Basics of Baking

From Elise's Perspective, Formerly Eric

I woke up bathed in the morning sunlight, the clock showing 5:30 AM. Next to me stood Akira’s older sister, Ryoko.

“What are you spacing out for? Get up,” she said, handing me an unfamiliar stretchy garment called a "jersey."

“It’s Akira’s from middle school, wear it.”

“Huh?” Being told it was Akira’s made me oddly conscious.

“What’s with the dawdling? Can I get a response?”

“Yes!”

We went jogging along the riverbank.

“You run quite well, don’t you? Do you exercise regularly?”

“For magic, I maintain my vocal training and physical fitness. Long-distance running helps with lung capacity and sustaining long tones.”

“Hmm, you’re not the spoiled princess you look like then.”

After returning home, I served breakfast, then did the dishes and laundry.

“What are you zoning out for? Next up is cleaning the room. It’s New Year's, so many relatives will come. Once that's done, we need to go shopping.”

Thus, under Ryoko’s commanding tone, my day shifted from the dreamy world of music I had known yesterday to performing household chores.

Ryoko watched me intently as I worked, her gaze harsh and somewhat testing.

Time flew by, and soon it was evening.

“I’m sorry, Elise. It seems Ryoko is being a bit harsh,” her mother apologized.

“It’s okay. I’m just staying here temporarily.”

“How about we bake some sweets together?”

“Sweets?”

“I read in the diary that you failed at making cookies once, so I thought we could try it together. You want to make sweets for Akira, right?”

Her warm invitation touched my heart.

In this country, February 14th is Valentine’s Day, when girls give boys they like chocolates made from cocoa, cocoa powder, and sugar.

Though similar ingredients might be found in Miravennia, it wasn’t common.

I thought about making them and having Akira taste them, then suddenly felt embarrassed about being calm despite being a man.

“Elise, you need to follow the recipe exactly. Don’t try to be original at the beginning. It’s called 'shuhari'—first, you master the basics, then you can add originality.”

I hadn't heard the term "shuhari" before, but I was familiar with the concept.

Laugh at the basics, cry at the basics.

It was the foundation of teaching magic to Akira.

Firmly mastering basic magic first, before branching into creative spells.

I felt a kinship with Akira’s mother’s approach.