“I have a question Fuuki. What’s the point of putting our cookies in the fridge before baking?”

“Good question Aya, the goal is to allow the cookie dough to keep a good shape and keep the cookie core from baking too fast to keep the chewy look you’re going for.”

“For one hour then?”

“One hour is the minimum. You could leave them for two or three hours in reality. It all depends on the variations of the recipe you’re applying.”

“Um, I get it.”

Rina seems to look intensely at the beautiful cookie dough balls, be careful not to drool on them…

“So there’s only a few minutes left.”

“Exactly Rina, the cookie dough bakes up very quickly. You must be on your toes to avoid missing the recipe’s baking time. You want an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture inside, if you leave it even two minutes longer you’ll already lose quality.”

“Chill out. I’ll stay in front of the oven if needed.”

“Haha, no need to look, I’ll set the timer.”

Fuuki puts the plates in the two ovens provided.

“Okay, now the baking is underway, we can get ready for our tasting. I invite you to set up in the lounge area of the club, there are tables and chairs.”

Two members of the cooking club approach the workshop group.

“Welcome to the tea room area of Les Délices du Monde. Please take a seat.”

“Oh~ it really does feel like a professional tea room. Was it like this in the tea ceremony club too, Sophie?”

“It used to happen at a few events that we would do tea rooms in that genre, but generally it was more of a traditional ceremonial atmosphere.”

“There should be a tea room-only club then, I’m sure many people would be interested.”

“Do you know that this club has existed in the past, Rina-chan?”

“Really? It has been disbanded?”

“Well, yes and no. The senpais of the ceremonial club told me last year that there was a tea club once upon a time. But alas, the club was deemed non-productive in relation to the resources they used to run it, so the student council committee at the time forced them to disband the club to free up a room.”

“Heee? That’s a damn hard decision.”

“That’s what I thought too, but they were able to find a more beneficial alternative for this problem. The tea ceremony club absorbed this club and started diversifying its activities to keep all members happy.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard of a club being absorbed by another club.”

“It’s unusual but it’s happened before. Look at me with the surf club, basically, there were three different clubs. One for middle school, one for high school, and one for university. For logistical and organizational reasons, it was decided that the university club would absorb the other two to form one.”

“Now that you mention it, it’s true that there were students of all ages the last time Sophie and I visited you. “

“When you say merging clubs, you also say merging budgets and resources, in the end, we were able to invest in equipment and now the surf club is one of the most organized and attractive sports clubs on campus, hehe.”

“In the case of the tea ceremony club also the budgets have merged and as I said the activities have diversified. Now all styles are practiced and more popular events are held regularly, everyone has found something to do.”

“It’s true that for the record the student committee handles these situations very well, the outcome of these stories is always incredibly positive and productive.”

“Um, I’m interested in this committee now… I’ll have to ask Sana how it’s going at the college level.”

We chat and chat but almost forget that cookies are in the oven, don’t we? Has Rina already forgotten what she came for?

*Bip Bip Bip*

“Cookies are ready!”

Rina instantly turns around completely forgetting the discussion she was having with Aya and Sophie.

Waiters approach the tables.

“We offer a menu of sides and drinks to enjoy your cookies, the first service is free.”

Fuuki takes the cookies out of the oven and lets them rest for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, the beverage service.

“I’m listening, ladies.”

“Warm milk for me.”

“Orange juice, I need some vitamins for my evening surf session.”

“I’d like an iced black tea please.”

“Warm milk, orange juice, and iced black tea. Noted.”

No sooner do the drinks arrive than…

“Here come the cookies!”

Plates are laid out at every table with these still warm wonders ready to be devoured without any form of mercy.

“The moment of truth has finally arrived. Bon appetit to all.”

*yum-yum*

…

“Hmmm, these are super good. Super gourmet, I’m going to have to make up for that tonight, calorie-wise it must be delirious, haha.”

“You have to treat yourself once in a while Aya-chan.”

“That’s right. And so Rina, your verdict?”

“…”

Fuuki gets closer to the girls.

“I hope they are to your liking.”

“…”

The silence settles in the room while waiting for the final judgment of the pseudo-critic.

Her eyes are closed and her mouth is energetically chewing the cookie.

*BAM*

Rina stands up suddenly, everyone looks at her surprised.

She… picks up the second half of his cookie… looks at him intently.

“Well?”

She puts her finger on Fuuki’s mouth.

“Shhhhh….”

Then dips this half into his glass of warm milk in one go before gulping it down in a flash.

*Gulp*

…

*smug face*

“So you didn’t lie Fuuki, I’m even surprised that I haven’t had the opportunity to eat such a simple cookie recipe yet. Simply splendid…”

*Phew*

“Successful challenge, hehe”