Chapter 40: Entrusting Feelings!
Yukinoshita Yukino seemed like a switch had been flipped.
Under Yuigahama Yui's fervent gaze, she surprisingly didn't say anything more.
Perhaps this was the first time she had encountered someone like Yuigahama Yui.
Generally, most normal people, when faced with harsh criticism, would blush and retort or fire back with sarcasm, not like Yuigahama Yui, who not only apologized but also expressed admiration for the critic.
"Sorry, I'll work hard," Yuigahama Yui said sincerely, her gaze never leaving Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yukinoshita Yukino, usually incredibly calm and confident, now couldn't help but avert her gaze, taking a light breath.
She also seemed at a loss.
Luke, having some understanding of Yukinoshita Yukino, knew she might have crashed.
She wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words for the situation.
After all, Yukinoshita Yukino, having no friends, wouldn't have experienced anything like this.
This idiot has some surprising attributes, Luke thought, looking at Yuigahama Yui.
She might just be the ultimate weapon against Yukinoshita Yukino.
Not just Yuigahama Yui's perfect straight ball just now, but also Yuigahama Yui's unique ability to read the mood, able to tear through the surface of Yukinoshita Yukino's icy words and sense Yukinoshita Yukino's consideration for her.
"Yuigahama, Yukinoshita, I have a question," Luke took the initiative to break the magnetic field between the two.
"Hmm?" Yuigahama Yui tilted her head, looking at him puzzled.
Yukinoshita Yukino also shifted her gaze to him.
"Why are we focusing on having Yuigahama make delicious cookies? Isn't that somewhat unrealistic?"
He, worn down mentally by the hellish cookies, finally remembered why he felt awkward about this request.
"What's wrong with striving for perfection?"
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at him puzzled, adding a slight touch of sarcasm, "The pursuit of perfection isn't because it can truly be achieved, but because pursuing perfection makes one better. You wouldn't not understand this principle, would you?"
Luke turned his head to look at her, issuing a Yuigahama-style threat, "Yukinoshita-san, be careful or I will act like Yuigahama."
Be careful I don't keep throwing straight balls at you like Yuigahama.
"..."
Yukinoshita Yukino awkwardly took two steps back, her face showing some discomfort.
"Please refrain from actions unfitting of your image. It's very unbecoming."
"That's right! It's the patent of cute people," Yuigahama Yui, seeing this, regained some composure, confidently puffing out her chest.
"Talking about her, not you, right? Idiot."
"I'm not an idiot, you're the idiot."
Chatting now, the annoyed Yuigahama Yui showed a normal person's reaction.
"Then why are you so receptive to Yukinoshita's criticism but avoid mine?"
"Hmm?" Yuigahama Yui paused, blinking as she started thinking hard.
Heh, this one's actually thinking about it.
Seeing the smile creeping onto Luke's lips, Yuigahama Yui realized and quickly cried out, "That's different! Yours is just pure mockery."
The two continued to steer the conversation into outer space.
"So what are you trying to say?" Yukinoshita Yukino brought the topic back.
Yuigahama Yui continued to glare puffily at Luke.
"Do we remember the purpose of making cookies?" Luke asked back.
"Mm—" Yukinoshita Yukino thought quickly, vaguely grasping the main point: "Expressing feelings?"
"Yes," Luke nodded.
He felt they had strayed from the initial path from the beginning.
For Yuigahama Yui, who wanted to give cookies to the person she liked, the initial approach was already flawed.
"What do you mean?"
There was still a cute idiot who didn't understand.
"The request you gave us, rather than teaching you to make delicious cookies, was more about helping you learn a way to express your feelings," Luke explained his concept.
"Cookies are just a vessel to carry feelings, like flowers or chocolates on Valentine's Day."
"Mm... mm," Yuigahama Yui nodded her little head, seeming to half-understand.
"So, what should I do?"
Seeing she was starting to get it, Luke pointed at Yukinoshita Yukino:
"Just like you did with Yukinoshita."
"Please don't speak so vaguely," Yukinoshita Yukino retreated again.
Yuigahama lacks the courage to break through.
Yukinoshita has no friends, no experience handling similar situations.
But he was different...
"Simply put, throw a straight ball!"
Luke pointed at Yuigahama Yui.
He was a regular customer constantly being hit with straight balls by two fair-skinned, beautiful, youthful maids.
"You just need to express your feelings to the person you like!"
So when it comes to throwing straight balls, he's quite capable!
"Ooh ooh ooh— No, no!" Yuigahama Yui quickly waved her hands shyly, creating afterimages.
"I don't dare. Don't dare!"
"It's just an explanation, don't worry. As I said, cookies are just one method of indirect attack. You can easily substitute it with other methods."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded in agreement.
"For example, confessing via text message without meeting face-to-face."
"Text message..." Yuigahama Yui lifted her blushing face, glancing thoughtfully at Luke.
"Not formal enough."
Yuigahama Yui shook in disagreement.
Luke picked up a crumb of the black cookie with his finger:
"Confessing directly leaves no room for retreat, so you need to substitute it with something else, hence your idea of making cookies."
"But the cookies themselves aren't the point. The feelings hidden within are the real attack."
"We got the method and purpose wrong from the start."
"Meaning, whether the cookies you make taste good or bad isn't important at all. As long as you made them yourself, you can convey your feelings to others..."
Luke looked at the black crumb on his fingertip and quickly added:
"Of course, it's best if the cookies are at least edible.... Hah, anyway, the point is the taste doesn't matter, maybe even tasting a bit bad is better. Compared to store-bought cookies, handmade cookies that are worse and different can actually express feelings more effectively."
Hearing his analysis, Yuigahama Yui started murmuring, "I-is that so?"
"Sigh," Yukinoshita Yukino nodded helplessly.
"Although it's a bit annoying, he grasped the key point on this matter. He's right. However, I remain skeptical about his claims regarding the taste."
Luke looked seriously at Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Yukinoshita hasn't been in love before, right?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's face darkened.
"Guys care more about the feelings. The taste of the food... really isn't important."
Luke, having experienced kitchen hell, was certain.
The food Mikasa and Annie made when they were just learning cooking skills was just like that – barely edible without making people sick, but definitely not delicious.
If anyone else made food like that, he absolutely wouldn't eat it.
But, sometimes, even if someone's technique is clumsy, if their intention is strong, if they pour all their effort into cooking, thinking about making a dish that satisfies him...
Eating such terrible food feels like tasting the other person's heart, making one willingly accept it.
...
---
Read More With Pictures (30+ Chapters In Advance):
p@treon.com/U22
Replace '@' with 'a' on your web browser.
(NOTE: Apple charges 30% more if you buy a Patreon membership through the iOS app. So, I suggest using a web browser to buy the membership from Patreon. You can then use the app to read chapters. Of course, if you don't want to save money, then ignore my suggestion.)