The next day after school.
In the classroom.
「Ah, Yamada, how do you solve this?」
「Unn? Ahh, this is…」
Today, I was studying for the tests with Sasaki-san again. With the midterm tests starting next Monday, we’re in the final stages of test preparation.
「Ahh, I see! Yeah, I got it! Thanks, Yamada.」
「No problem at all. If there’s anything else you don’t understand, just let me know anytime.」
「Yeah, got it! Ah, Yamada, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me too, okay? I can totally help with English or classical Japanese.」
「Ah, really? Then, there’s something I don’t understand in classical Japanese, so I’d like you to teach me… Can you help me with this question?」
「Yeah, of course. Fufun, then listen carefully as I explain it to you in detail, okay?」
「Haha, got it. I’m in your care, Sasaki-sensei.」
In this way, we taught each other the problems we didn’t understand, thoroughly preparing for next week’s midterm tests.
◇◇◇◇
A few hours later.
「Fuu, I’m getting a bit tired. Shall we take a break?」
Today, we had been concentrating hard on studying since we’re in the final stages of test preparation, so I felt more tired than usual.
So I suggested taking a break to Sasaki-san.
「Yeah, I’m tired too, so let’s take a break. Ah, right. Then… here.」
「Eh?」
Sasaki-san said that and took out a small package from her school bag.
So I looked at the small package with a puzzled expression. It seems that there are some sweets inside.
「Umm, are these… donuts?」
「Yeah, that’s right. I made them a bit sweet, so I think they’re perfect for a sugar boost. See, Yamada likes sweet things, right? So I thought they’d be just right for a break.」
「Hee, I see… wait, eh? So, does that mean… these are handmade by Sasaki-san?」
「Yeah, I made these donuts. Well, I don’t know if they’ll suit your taste, but if you like, go ahead.」
「I see! Yeah, that makes me really happy! Thank you, Sasaki-san!」
As she said that, Sasaki-san brought the package of donuts closer to me, and I accepted it with a big smile.
Then, I immediately took out a donut from the package and stared at the donut that Sasaki-san had made.
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They were round, bite-sized fried donuts coated with sugar, looking very delicious. Just by looking at them, I could tell they were definitely tasty.
「Then, I’ll try them right away. Itadakimasu!」
「Yeah, go ahead.」
Saying that, I stuffed the donut into my mouth.
「Eh, what’s this, it’s amazing!? The texture is so fluffy, and the sweetness is just right… I feel like I could eat an unlimited amount of these! They’re super delicious!」
「Fufu, I see, I see. I’m glad they suited Yamada’s taste.」
As I said that, I continued to happily eat the fried donuts that Sasaki-san had made.
And seeing me like that, Sasaki-san chuckled.
「Yeah, these are really delicious! Thank you, Sasaki-san! But Sasaki-san, you can make not only main dishes but also sweets! It’s really amazing that you can make so many different things!」
「N-No, being praised that much makes me a bit embarrassed… B-But well, these fried donuts are easy to make, so they’re not that big of a deal, you know?」
「No, no, it’s definitely a big deal! Sasaki-san is really amazing! And thank you for always letting me eat such delicious things! I’m always very grateful!」
「Nnn, I-I see…」
When I expressed my gratitude to Sasaki-san with all my might, she seemed a bit embarrassed, twirling her side hair with her finger as she spoke.
Then, as I continued to eat the donuts she had made, I said this to Sasaki-san.
「Iyaa─, but I didn’t know donuts could be made at home. I always had the image that donuts were something you eat at a specialty shop, so I’m a bit surprised!」
Somehow, I also have the impression that making flour-based foods like bread or donuts at home is incredibly difficult─. Well, this is just my impression as someone who doesn’t cook…
「Ah─, well, that image Yamada has is probably what many people think too. But the donuts I made today were just pancake mix fried in oil, so anyone can easily make them.」
「Eh, these are made with pancake mix? Hee, hearing that makes them sound quite accessible. But how did you know such an easy recipe? Do you usually look up easy recipes like this?」
「Ahh, yeah. This was in a book I borrowed from the library before. I thought I could easily make it, so I tried making it today.」
「Ah, is that so. I see!」
Indeed, I remember Sasaki-san borrowing a recipe book from the library a while ago.
「But it’s amazing that you find a recipe and try cooking it right away! If it were me, I’d probably forget about it even if I found a recipe I wanted to make…」
「Ahaha, no, that also happens to me more often than not. I look up recipes thinking I’ll make them someday, but end up forgetting. But well… this time was a bit special… you see, Yamada said you like sweet things, right? So, umm… I thought they might be just right for today’s snack and decided to make them.」
「Eh… wait, eh? S-So, does that mean… you made these donuts for me?」
「Uhh… t-that’s right. Got a problem with that?」
Sasaki-san said that with a slightly red face and a deadpan look. So I immediately replied with a smile.
「Ahaha, how could I have a problem with that! Yeah, thank you so much, Sasaki-san! I’m really grateful that you made such delicious donuts for me!」
「Nnn… well, if you say so, um… it was worth making them for you. Fufu.」
And so, when I properly expressed my gratitude again, Sasaki-san smiled happily.
I’m looking forward to it!