Having decided to confirm things on Thursday, we parted ways with Joan and then said goodbye to Andy at the Boys’ Dormitory.
When I got home, I went straight to the next room.
“Tokoooo”
As I called out while opening the door, Toko was lying on her bed, eating potato chips and reading a manga.
“What? Oh, knock next time!”
“Yes, yes. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
I knocked gently and asked.
“Hmm? How was your herb-gathering date? Did a bear show up?”
“Nope, not even a wolf. Sharl made caramel macchiato-flavored potion, and she said she wants to give it to you.”
“Oh! Did they turn out?”
Toko sat up on her bed.
“Apparently, heating it with a water bath is better.”
“Caramel macchiato, right? Alright, let’s try it immediately.”
We left the room and headed downstairs. When we entered the living room, Father was on his computer, and Mother was watching TV—a usual weekend scene for them. We simply bypassed this mundane sight and went into the kitchen.
“Water bath, right? Can we use a microwave instead?”
True, that would be faster and easier.
“Well, Sharl said water bath…”
“Would the effects wear off in a microwave?”
“I’d be more scared if it exploded.”
A mysterious liquid like this.
“Let’s just follow what the president says… These potions are mysterious liquids after all.”
As Toko said this, she took a pot out and began filling it with water. That’s when Mother peeked into the kitchen.
“What are you two doing?”
“We’ll be water-bathing this.”
She showed her the brownish potion.
“What is this?”
“Caramel macchiato-flavored potion. Sharl made it.”
“Caramel macchiato… Huh? She made this?”
Mother looked surprised.
“It’s a part of Sharl’s hobby. This is the same as the cola potion from last time. She said heating makes it taste better, so she recommended a water bath.”
“Ho, Ho? She’s an unusual one.”
“Not really, this was actually Toko’s order. By the way, I prefer the soda flavor.”
As I said this, I showed the transparent potion to Mother and placed it in the fridge.
“Sharlene shouldn’t be burdened too much. She’s already doing so much.”
Yeah, I feel the same…
“She enjoys it. Today, after we got this, she asked with a smile what potion to make next.”
“Hearing just that makes the president seem like a slacker.”
She’s not a slacker, she’s simply kind…
“Alchemy is her hobby. Today’s herb gathering was also for that reason.”
“Umm… I don’t completely understand, but please make sure to thank her properly.”
Of course, I do.
“Mom, how long does the water bath need to be?”
“Let me take it from you. You boys don’t cook, so I’ll do it.”
With that, Mother took the potion, stood in front of the stove, and Toko and I went back to the living room to wait. After a while, Mother came to us with two coffee cups.
“I think this will work…”
As she said this, she placed the cups on the table. The liquid inside the cup was clearly brown and steaming.
“Thanks!”
“Thank you.”
Toko and I each took a cup, and sipped it carefully. It was a little hot, but as we drank more, the sweet flavor spread in our mouths.
This was definitely the caramel macchiato I had before.
“Oh! This is insane! It’s a caramel macchiato! Super delicious!”
“Indeed, it’s a caramel macchiato… It’s sweet…”
It’s way too sweet.
“Oh… But I feel my stamina recovering.”
As Toko said, despite drinking just a sip, I could feel the tiredness from walking all day disappearing.
“Mom, here, give this a try. It’s too sweet for me. Also, Sharl was concerned about the flavor, so we need your feedback.”
With that, I placed my half-empty cup in front of her.
“Hmm…”
Mother took a sip.
“Umm… It is delicious, I think. But since I’ve never had a caramel macchiato, I don’t know. Honestly, I hardly drink anything but tea.”
This person didn’t even try it much.
Instead, what does she know about anything?
“Have you only ever drunk tea?”
“Mom only drinks tea-ooo.”
Unnecessary information came from Father.
“Hey, Dad, wanna try? It’s sweet and delicious!”
“Hmm, no thanks.”
Father waved his hand while still on the computer.
“Alright. We could ask the president to make tea flavors, maybe for Mom.”
Toko suggested.
“Ah, so that’s what Frank and Cedric meant by filial piety.”
“Absolutely not the same. The president would be the one making it.”
Well, yeah.
“Sharlene is really something. If she sold these, she could surely make a fortune.”
Mother sighed thoughtfully as she put the empty cup on the table.
“She doesn’t seem interested. It’s just a hobby.”
“Really… a hobby… Sometimes it feels like it exceeds what a hobby should be. But if she enjoys it, then that’s fine. Hmm… such complex feelings.”
Seems she’s still bothered by it.
“Is Iver that bad?”
“That’s not the issue. Though yeah, I don’t like Iver. It’s more about how Sharlene is just too talented and perfect, which makes me feel uncomfortable. And it bothers me that I think she should be disinherited.”
That’s ugly.
“Doesn’t that make Sharl pitiful?”
“No, my own daughter is more important! Hmm…”
Mother sighed deeply and looked down.
“What’s she talking about?”
“Eh? Brother, don’t you get it?”
Apparently, Toko understands.
“What? What?”
“I don’t know~ Just tell the president it was delicious. We’re going to the president’s house this week, right?”
“Hmm…”
Uh… I don’t get it.
Thank you very much for reading.
If you found this work interesting or are curious about the next parts, registering a bookmark or giving this a ★★★★★ rating will be a great encouragement for the author.
Thank you!
