I had learned from experience that you should never casually eat something given to you by others.

However, I made the mistake of placing too much faith in Rumi’s cooking skills. Rei’s words about how Rumi’s cooking could be trouble without proper hospitality echoed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but resent her a bit.

If you’re going to say that, at least warn me before I get hurt…

“Hey, Mika… I’m sorry. Huh? I didn’t think it would be that bad when I ate it. Really, really sorry!”

“M, Mi…”

Is it appropriate to say that to someone who’s teetering on the brink of hell with tears flowing from her eyes every second?

Guess I can’t say that, huh…?

“If you’re sorry, um, please, just make me a bowl of bingsoo… it’s too spicy…”

“Ah, got it! I’ll make the best bingsoo—”

“Don’t care about best or anything… Just hurry up, please…?”

“Yep.”

Why did I just smile gently, but Rumi reacted like I had shocked her and gave me a stiff answer? I checked my face with my cellphone out of curiosity.

“…”

The first thought that came to mind was, ‘Oh no, my makeup is going to be ruined.’ I guess I’m really vain like that.

Still, even though it’s a pain to put on makeup, doing the basics is good for your skin… I should properly take care of this body that I need to return to our princess someday.

Well, the previous remarks about not wanting it because it got dirty were just me being sulky. Considering I’m practically glued to my childhood friend, I’d feel a bit… I at least acknowledge that might be kinda gross for me.

“…Mika? Are you okay? I thought the Halo was flickering, and I thought something was really wrong.”

“No… something was wrong, Rei-chan… sniff”

“Ah, right. That did happen.”

Why is she watching my face when she didn’t even do anything wrong? But then I glanced at the cellphone screen and totally understood.

This is way beyond just a light sprinkle of tears; it’s a full-on torrential downpour.

Click.

“…Uh, Mika?”

“I pressed the wrong button. I’ll delete it right away.”

“…”

Are you really going to delete that?

Are you crazy? No way in hell!

I know that the princess is most beautiful when she’s crying, but seeing her like this is completely ridiculous—she’s adorable, fragile, and I just want to hug her! How can I feel such high and noble emotions when she’s sobbing like that?

I’m not one to cry easily, so I couldn’t help but take a picture. Honestly, it’s a masterpiece worthy of being passed down for generations.

Pushing that silly thought aside, I pulled out a tissue from my handbag and wiped my face when Rei hesitantly asked me a question.

“Um, I saw you handled stage three well earlier… How spicy was stage four?”

“…Huh? Stage four? What are you talking about? Hic.”

“Uh?”

“There’s no way this is stage four. Sniff. Must have been some kind of mistake. Rumi must have thought of a weird challenge, like giving a prize to whoever finishes a bowl to get money… Yeah, it was definitely something like a purgatory challenge where if you finish the whole thing, you’d get not just the base prize but everyone else’s entry fees too… Yup, I’m certain.”

“Mika, that’s an insult to Rumi’s cooking spirit. Please cancel that.”

“Rei-chan, I just faced a real-time live viewing of the afterlife after eating Rumi-chan’s food. Do you really think I’d accept such a story in this situation? I’m the victim here! These tears are proof!”

Where in the world can you find clearer evidence than a victim’s tears? So, Rumi is guilty! Absolutely guilty. Therefore, she must provide me with bingsoo as compensation!

“…Cough. As I mentioned earlier, the president probably didn’t intend any malice. Sometimes, strange dishes come out during her new menu development.”

“Ahaha, I suppose I was the unfortunate victim today, huh?”

Ah, my tongue still feels numb. I really thought I was going to lose my mind.

What Haruna had fed me back in the day was so atrocious that I didn’t even have time to taste it, but this was a whole different level of agony. The spicy flavor hurts, and the pain puts you in a daze, making you feel like you might faint, only to have it hit you again and again.

“Ugh, when will Rumi-chan come back…?”

“If she went to make bingsoo… then she probably headed to the main hall’s bingsoo shop. There aren’t any bingsoo ingredients here at all.”

“So no matter how fast she is, it will take quite a while—”

“Mika, you’re not dead yet, right?! Here’s fresh fruit bingsoo!!”

“——will it… take long…? What the heck, how is she so fast?”

“It’s my mistake, so it’s only natural I do my best to remedy it, right? So… eat this and cool your tongue down.”

Rumi had returned with the bingsoo before even ten minutes had passed. How the heck did she finish that up so quickly, including the time to come back?

And it was presented so beautifully that it ticked me off. Making bingsoo might not need special skills, but creating something like that in such a short amount of time is clearly a talent.

But why did such a talented girl have to do something so cruel to me…

“Phew… thanks for hurrying, Rumi-chan.”

I scooped a big spoonful of the milk ice and brought it to my mouth. As soon as it touched my tongue, the ice melted smoothly, calming the angry beast within me.

Then I added in some pineapple and peaches and took a big scoop of the vanilla ice cream on top.

This is maddeningly delicious to the point I might explode from it.

“Rumi-chan… I will remember today forever.”

“That’s a bit petty… Ahahaha, just kidding! I was wrong, so please don’t glare at me like that. It hurts.”

“If you’re really sorry, go grab a couple of spoons.”

“Huh? Why suddenly that… oh my, you’re not suggesting we eat together, right?”

Rumi’s mouth curled up in surprise at the unexpected suggestion, and as her face drew closer, I gently pushed her forehead back with my fingertip.

“Just said I was full… There’s no way there’s a special dessert stomach. Yeah, so we’re going to need two spoons.”

“Huff, hahaha. Seriously, I knew your personality was anything but normal from the moment we met, but this is too much. Mika, would you be interested in being my little sister from today? Huh? I’ll make you all sorts of delicious food!”

“…Wait, are you planning to use me as a test subject?”

At my rebuttal, Rumi flinched and started shaking her head vehemently.

“Of course not! I really mean it! I just thought I wanted to take care of you a bit more out of gratitude.”

“Aha. I’m not sure if I should trust that or not.”

“Ahh, please. Teasing people like that is just not fair, Mika.”

Truth is, Rumi made a huge mistake this time, but the last time I was with Haruna, I was treated to a fantastic drop. Honestly, it didn’t fall short even compared to the service at Hyunryongmun when it came to flavor.

“Okay, but I’ll only trust you this one time, Rumi-chan.”

“Yay! Little sister Mika! From now on, just trust your big sister! I’ll make you all the tasty food you want!”

“Uh, wouldn’t it be better to make Haruna-chan your little sister instead? Besides, we’re in the same year. How can you call me big sister?”

…Ah, thanks to this bingsoo, I feel like I can finally breathe a little.

I’m learning first-hand what “giving a disease and then a treatment” really means here today.

“If you just look at the height difference, we look just like ordinary sisters—”

“…I’m going to kill you, Akeshiro Rumi.”

“Eek.”

After a small commotion that felt like my tongue was about to express its rage, we resumed what was originally my intention, the development of the tteokbokki recipe.

However, I absolutely swear that until a proper recipe is completed, I will never put that cursed stage four level of spiciness in my mouth, no matter what!

…But anyway, the roasted goose Rumi made for dinner was amazing. The taste was enough to fall in love with!