Unlike in his previous life in Huaguo, on Sakurajima there was a highly unique subject called—
Home Economics.
The stated purpose of this course was to cultivate students' self-sufficiency and practical skills, reducing their dependence on parents.
But for the students of Sakurajima, all those lofty intentions barely mattered. What made them love home economics was simple: it was fun.
Oh, and one particularly important factor: no exams.
…
This session in Class 1-A was home economics, and today's theme was cooking.
Saint Eden Academy, flush with funds, naturally spared no expense on their culinary classrooms. Not only were the utensils and ingredients top-notch, but the variety and quality were also extensive and comprehensive.
Next to Hara Kei, their classmate Fujiwara Chika stood as if it were the most natural thing in the world, humming a familiar pop tune while tying on her apron.
It was a thick, linen-colored apron, printed with an English brand Hara Kei didn't recognize. Simple yet stylish, practical yet elegant. To prepare for the upcoming tasks, she had tied her pink hair back, giving off a composed and capable air.
The outfit added a touch of domestic charm and maturity to Chika, so much so that someone could probably mistake her for a newlywed wife.
But the moment she spoke, her true self came through:
"Kei-kun, last night was way too much," Fujiwara Chika whispered, half complaining. "Do you always reply to messages like that?"
Rewind to yesterday.
On the train from Tōma Yōko's house back to his own, Hara Kei had received a message from Chika through "e":
[Fujiwara Chika]: The lounge is sparkling now~~
Followed by a laughing emoji and two photos.
One showed the lounge—now bright, fresh, and immaculate. The other was a photo of Chika and Yukinoshita Yukino. Yukino tilted her head shyly, looking elsewhere, while Chika beamed openly at the camera, a smile so bright it could blow clouds away.
The difference in personality between the two girls was immediately obvious.
Incidentally, Chika's avatar on "e" was a somewhat goofy-looking dog. According to Hara Kei's knowledge, it had to be that dog named "Pace."
Just how much do you like that dog… he thought, typing his reply:
[Hara Kei]: Thanks to both of you for cleaning the lounge.
Immediately, he regretted sending it.
[Fujiwara Chika]: You're welcome! I actually enjoy cleaning, and I was really happy to do it with Yukino.
[Fujiwara Chika]: We even took a photo together today. At first, Yukino was a bit resistant, but when I told her it was for Kei-kun to see, her resistance crumbled.
[Fujiwara Chika]: Hehe, Yukino's body… soft… and smells nice…
[Fujiwara Chika]: Drooling_cat.jpg
[Fujiwara Chika]: By the way, this is the first time Kei-kun has messaged me!
[Fujiwara Chika]: What are you doing? I'm watching TV, the super popular "Hanzawa Naoki." Are you watching it too, Kei-kun?
Hara Kei inwardly thanked fate that this was happening over "e." If it were in real life, he might have gone insane.
An hour later:
[Fujiwara Chika]: Are you ignoring me because I'm annoying…?
[Fujiwara Chika]: Crying_cat_head.jpg
It seemed she realized she was performing a solo play. Hesitant, she sent the message anyway. Hara Kei, who never lied in such matters, replied plainly:
[Hara Kei]: Yes.
Waiting for him was a five-message barrage of angry rabbit stickers.
Memory over.
Chika pouted, clearly sulking. Facing her, Hara Kei said, "Think about it positively."
"?"
"At least I didn't just say, 'I just took a shower' to brush you off, right? I just honestly felt there was no need to reply."
"Not. Happy. At. All!"
…
Chika's sulking didn't last long. Once class began, listening to the home economics teacher, a natural smile returned to her face.
Today's lesson: chocolate cookies. The teacher intended to spark students' interest in baking through these sweet little treats.
Hara Kei listened attentively as well.
Above him, invisible to others, [+1] markers floated, and in his system panel, the proficiency bar for [Cooking] steadily increased.
This skill mattered to him. Directly tied to life satisfaction, mastering it was crucial for a free, comfortable lifestyle.
At Sakurajima, home economics was as significant as physical education in Huaguo. First-year students, still relatively new, didn't have extended class time for it, so Hara Kei didn't want to waste a single lesson.
After a month of experimenting with his built-in system, Hara Kei had figured out how skill growth worked:
Higher skill levels meant slower proficiency gains.
Learning from a teacher was faster than self-study; higher-level teachers accelerated growth even more. (One reason he hadn't hesitated to ride with Tōma Yōko and accept her key card.)
Physical practice surpassed mere mental visualization.
Yes, mental exercises were recognized by the system as "effort," but the gains were too minimal to be worth it. Hara Kei rarely used that method.
After a short demonstration, the teacher handed the students the remainder of class time. Unlike solo subjects, cooking involved group work in threes.
"Still need one more?" Chika muttered.
Hara Kei didn't worry. Unlike a lonely Yukinoshita Yukino, Chika's charisma meant she could recruit not just one but ten or twenty students effortlessly.
Yet before she could call anyone, someone approached on their own:
"Are you missing a person here? Can I join?"