Morning, Penguin Logistics dorm.
"I'm heading out!"
"Be careful on the way and do not eat while running."
Watching Croissant who slept late, grab breakfast and dash out the door, Shirou's leisure time began again.
It had been a few days since the last group dinner. Life had mostly returned to normal but after today, things would be different.
Snowsant had finally found some books related to Oripathy. She had originally planned to deliver them today.
But after Shirou insisted, he managed to convince her to let him come pick them up instead.
The delay was because the books had not been used in a long time so it took her a while to find them.
Thinking back to their last supermarket trip, Shirou guessed Snowsant was not doing very well financially.
Whether it was because her workplace exploited her or because she spent all her money on research, he was not sure.
Either way, it did not stop him from making a few extra sandwiches for her today.
Sandwiches were easy to carry, convenient to eat and still taste good even when cold. They were perfect for work.
"Let's see…"
Shirou returned to the kitchen and took out chocolate bars and eggs.
Besides sandwiches, he also planned to make a simple dessert for Snowsant.
He remembered that at the supermarket, she kept glancing at the cakes in the refrigerated section clearly wanting one.
Though he was not very skilled at making cakes yet.
Simple ones were fine, but more complicated recipes often went wrong.
Especially baked cakes.
Still, after watching videos and reading recipes he had gained some experience.
But that was not the point today.
Today's recipe was a very simple chocolate cake he found online.
Despite being called a chocolate cake, it only required five eggs and a few chocolate bars but the chocolate had to be sweet.
He used the chocolate Texas had bought but found too sweet to eat.
Of course, he had asked for permission and when she heard it was for a test cake she agreed immediately.
This was just the first trial. Later tonight he would make a larger one.
"Double boiler to melt the chocolate… separate the yolks and whites… mix the yolks into the chocolate… whip the whites until they hold their shape even when the bowl is upside down…"
Shirou worked while recalling the steps.
At this point, it was already halfway done.
The hardest part was whipping the egg whites but with modern tools it was easy.
"Next, mix one-third of the whipped whites into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the rest."
He carefully folded the batter with a spatula.
If overmixed, the cake would not rise, he had to just mix until combined.
Then he poured it into a lined mold, tapped it to release air bubbles, and put it in the oven.
Bake at 160°C for about 30 minutes.
After cooling, sprinkle powdered sugar or add cream and it's done.
While waiting, Shirou cleaned the kitchen and prepared everything to take with him.
Once the cake was done, he sprinkled powdered sugar, cut it into six pieces, and tasted one to make sure it was good before packing it.
Smaller pieces were easier to eat, too.
"The chocolate flavor is pretty strong… kind of like chocolate bread?"
He evaluated it simply.
Since it was his first time making it, most of the sweetness came from the chocolate and powdered sugar.
He figured using dark chocolate would give a different taste.
But considering Penguin Logistics' preferences, it was better to stick with sweet flavour.
After packing everything, Shirou left the dorm.
In his right hand: food for Snowsant.
In his left hand: trash from the past couple days.
After disposing of the trash, he headed toward the address Snowsant gave him.
This route was different from the shopping district or market, this time he was heading toward Lungmen's central district.
It was his first time going there alone.
Previously, he was either with Penguin Logistics or riding in a Guard Department vehicle…
Thinking about the latter made him a bit emotional.
Snowsant's workplace was not far from the Guard Department.
He timed his arrival carefully, she had said her break was between 11 and 1.
After sending a message, she soon came out carrying a worn, heavy-looking bag.
It looked like a struggle.
Shirou quickly stepped forward and took the bag and it was indeed quite heavy.
"Phew… besides Mr. Blood's books, I also found some beginner ones. Sorry it took so long."
Relieved of the weight, Snowsant apologized.
"No, not at all. If I searched for the books myself, it would have taken even longer."
Shirou checked the contents and there were about six or seven thick books.
They were thick enough to be used as weapons.
…Wait, why was there a bun inside?
"Ah! My lunch!"
Seeing the bun in a bag, Snowsant suddenly remembered.
This morning, because her hands were full, she had stuffed everything including her lunch into the bag.
And forgot to take it out.
"…You are eating this for lunch?"
Looking at the now-cold bun, Shirou was very glad he brought sandwiches.
Doing mentally demanding work while eating only that, she would ruin her health.
"Uu…"
Snowsant wanted to bury her head somewhere in embarrassment.
"I made some sandwiches this morning. If you do not mind, have these."
Shirou took out the container and handed it to her.
"I… do not think I should…"
She hesitated.
She really wanted to eat them but her rational side resisted accepting kindness so casually.
Seeing her conflicted expression, Shirou found it amusing.
This reminded him of someone he knew before.
He knew exactly how to handle this.
"Do not worry. It is just extra ingredients. If you do not eat them, they will go to waste."
He firmly placed the container in her hands.
That was…A lie, of course.
They were actually part of his own meal.
But as long as he had something to eat, he did not mind.
"Ah… okay. Thank you…"
Snowsant accepted.
Even if she suspected he was just saying that, she did not want to risk wasting food.
"Want to eat upstairs?"
Shirou still had the chocolate cake but judging from her personality, she probably would not accept it easily.
Luckily—
"Sandwiches… I can not eat those while working…"
She swallowed.
Even though she wanted to eat them immediately, she stayed rational.
A bun could be eaten while working.
Sandwiches? They were too messy and if she dirtied documents she would have to redo everything.
"Then let us eat together. There is a park over there and we can talk about the books too."
Shirou pointed toward a nearby park.
Honestly, he looked a bit like someone luring others, if someone saw this, they might report him.
"Okay, sure."
Snowsant did not suspect him at all.
After all, he had saved her from a fire before.
And this place was close to the Guard Department.
Besides, she did not think she had anything worth him targeting.
All those reasons and her good first impression of him made her agree immediately.
"Alright, let's go."
Seeing her agree, Shirou let out a small sigh of relief.
They sat on a shaded bench.
Shirou watched as she enjoyed the sandwiches in small bites, feeling satisfied.
Then a strange thought crossed his mind, a Liberi eating bird meat…
…Well, it should be fine.
After she finished one, he took out a book.
The terminology was complex and the data analysis was even worse.
That day, Shirou remembered the terror of mathematics.
"That is volume three. Start with volume one."
Snowsant explained the reading order she arranged.
"Thanks—that is a big help."
Soon, she finished all the sandwiches.
"These are really delicious…"
"This is just practice. I also made some dessert, do you want to try?"
He took out the cake.
"Chocolate cake… really?"
Her eyes lit up.
"I spent most of my money on research…"
She rarely got to eat sweets.
"Just treat it as helping me test it."
"…Then I will accept."
She took a bite.
Sweetness and rich chocolate filled her mouth.
"How is it?"
"Very good—ow!"
She bit her tongue.
"I am glad you like it. Take the rest."
He handed her the whole box.
"Thank you… for everything."
As he prepared to leave—
"Hey, is that Shirou?"
A familiar voice.
Turning around, he saw the blonde Feline…Swire.
"Swire, why are you here?"
"I am just passing by buying lunch. What about you? Are you on a date?"
"I am just picking up books."
Thankfully, Snowsant had already left.
Otherwise… things would have gotten complicated.
Given past incidents, Shirou was starting to suspect Swire did this on purpose.