Chapter 107
Upon hearing that Kazuma Hato was going to a certain place, Satoru Gojo immediately exclaimed, "I want to go too!"
Then he was politely declined by Kazuma Hagiri.
Besides Xia Youjie's trust, he always remembered that he had another request—to help Wutiao Wu find his favorite Mont Blanc.
Upon returning to Tokyo, Kazuma Hatori naturally did not forget to immediately put it on his agenda.
But what if we bring the beautiful Xiao Wu there directly? What if the shop hadn't even opened ten years ago? What if that master who almost lost his work hasn't started making Mont Blanc yet?
Kazuma Hatori decided to go and scout ahead first.
Therefore, he resolutely rejected the bowling invitations from Gojo Satoru and the other bowling clubs that were finalized at the end of the year, and went alone to the dessert shop with the signboard name "As You Wish".
Gojo Satoru watched helplessly as Hato Kazuma left, then immediately turned to ask Natsuyuu Geki.
"How about we follow him?"
He was really curious about where Yizhen would go!
Could it be that she's trying to secretly resolve her "family issues" before enrolling in vocational college? Is she choosing not to tell them because she doesn't want to cause them trouble?
Xia Youjie was searching for nearby bowling alleys on his phone when he heard this suggestion and almost choked on his own.
"Wu, how can you just stalk your friend like that?"
He cast a look of utter disapproval at this whimsical colleague.
Perhaps Xia Youjie himself also likes to keep some trump cards or secrets hidden, and never exposes them until the critical moment—including when he was studying at a vocational college, he told a little lie about the rules of absorbing cursed spirits.
He reported that he could not absorb cursed spirits with master-slave relationships, regardless of whether the original owner was dead or not.
This was actually a way to reduce the threat of his [Spirit Manipulation Technique] to others, so that the other spellcasters could rest assured that as long as the spirits belonged to them in terms of master-servant control, they would never be absorbed by Xia Youjie.
But the real rule is that as long as the cursed sorcerer disappears, Xia Youjie can unconditionally absorb the cursed spirit formed by the curse.
Therefore, he could very well understand Kazuma Hatori's need to handle his personal affairs on his own.
But seeing Gojo Satoru puffing out his cheeks in a bit of defiance, Natsumi Yuuki coughed lightly and spoke up to comfort him.
"Well, why don't you wait until Yizhen comes back and ask him then? If he wants to tell you, he definitely will."
In his opinion, it might be a surprise he's preparing for Gojo Satoru.
Seeing how they're always inseparable, it's hard for Xia Youjie to say what secret Yuqu Kazuma might be hiding from Gojo Satoru.
Gojo Satoru's unhappy expression relaxed after three seconds.
"Too,"
The corners of his mouth curved up, and his round-lensed sunglasses gave him an air of confident self-assurance, making him both smug and proud.
"Yizhen really likes me, how could she possibly hide anything from me?"
Before Xia Youjie could react to those words, Ieiri Shoko let out a soft "Eek," revealing a slightly disapproving expression.
She now understands a little better why Xia Youjie asked her that question before.
Before anyone else could turn their accusing gaze toward him, Ieiri Shoko slowly opened her mouth, trying to divert Gojo Satoru's attention.
"Shall we set off too? The loser treats—no cheating with spells allowed."
They both understand the rules of bowling, but the techniques used by these two contemporaries are too easy to secretly use, so they must be banned.
"Okay, okay, I don't know how to use [苍] anymore."
"Cough, I wouldn't command a cursed spirit to secretly push the pins..."
………
Kazuma Hatori, who rarely goes out alone, finds the pastry shop with the "God's Dessert" by following the address in his memory.
“Higashimachi 3-8-8… Ah, this way.”
The once romantic French-style shops have vanished, replaced by platinum and porcelain white spaces with constantly rotating tri-colored pillars at the entrance.
Kazuma Hatake: "..."
This shop, named "As You Wish," was just an ordinary barbershop ten years ago.
As he turned to leave, someone pushed open the door and greeted him.
"Hey buddy, I've seen you standing in front of my shop for ages. Aren't you going to come in and get a haircut?"
Kazuma Hatori shook his head: "No need, I'm not here to get a haircut."
"I think so too. Your hairstyle looks pretty good, like it doesn't need much styling."
The uncle had a very friendly smile.
Perhaps because there were no customers in the store, he was bored and chatted with Kazuma Hatake for a while longer.
"What are you looking for? You've been pacing back and forth several times, looking quite hesitant."
“A dessert shop,” Kazuma Hatake hesitated for a moment, “I think it may not be open here yet.”
"Hmm? Is a shop opening here soon?"
The barber shop owner scratched his head in surprise, "I haven't heard anything about a new shop opening around here recently..."
"so."
Kazuma Hagoromo nodded, not appearing particularly disappointed.
After all, if we use a precise year, the time he arrived here is twelve years before last week when he came to this store, so this outcome was entirely predictable.
This store may not be able to open for business for several years.
He could first visit the apartment of that master Kawamura and see if he lived there twelve years ago.
"I think I remembered the address wrong. Sorry to bother you."
Kazuma Hatake bowed slightly to the barber shop owner before preparing to leave.
"Okay, welcome next time—oh wait, there won't be a next time," the barber shop owner said with an embarrassed smile. "I'm planning to close down next month and go back to the countryside to retire."
"...!"
Kazuma Hatake's black eyes suddenly brightened slightly.
When he found the apartment again this time, he didn't violently blast it open with a few punches [Black Flash].
The nameplate with "[Kawamura]" hanging on the doorbell also means that Kazuma Hatori did not go to the wrong place.
Ding-dong—
"They're here, they're here."
After a short wait, a voice came from the walkie-talkie, followed by the turning of the door lock, and Master Kawamura's familiar but much younger face appeared before Kazuma Hatori.
"Another sales pitch?" he muttered to himself, "I already said I don't need it..."
What he saw was a black-haired boy with a cold expression, which made Kawamura a little stunned.
Immediately afterward, he reflexively leaned back, his whole body trembling with shock, "You, you are..."
After saying "yes" for a long time, no clear answer could be given.
Instead, his own expression gradually turned blank, and he didn't know why he suddenly felt a sense of unease when facing this seemingly ordinary black-haired boy, as if he would die if he didn't do something.
Fortunately, the feeling came and went quickly, and by the time he tried to search for it again, it had calmed down considerably, preventing him from having such a violent reaction again.
Kazuma Hatori was very polite: "Hello, I'm Hatori."
He could understand why this younger version of Master Kawamura was suddenly so nervous... This was also one of the aftereffects of Master Kawamura being threatened with a gun by him in the previous playthrough.
Just like those old NPCs.
Perhaps because he had little contact with this Kawamura master and had saved his life, his favorability rating hadn't dropped to -100 yet. After another discount in the new playthrough, it barely returned to zero.
-17, how can rounding it off not be considered zero?
Seeing that Kazuma Hatori was so polite and didn't seem like the kind of thug who deliberately came to cause trouble, Master Kawamura relaxed a little.
"What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to ask you to make a [God's Dessert] for me," said Kazuma Hatake.
"Huh?" Master Kawamura frowned. "What the hell is this? Such a cringey name? I've never heard of it, nor have I ever done it."
Kazuma Hatake: "..."
He had expected Master Kawamura to react knowingly or to question how he knew he could do it, but to his surprise, the master also thought the title "[God's Dessert]" was too childish.
If you think it's cringeworthy, then don't choose this name.
Kazuma Hatake was speechless for a moment, then opened the Mont Blanc photo he had found online and showed it to the master Kawamura.
"This is it, the Mont Blanc dessert you made."
“I have made Mont Blanc,” Master Kawamura glanced at the photo, “but [God’s Dessert], wow, who came up with such a cringeworthy name? It’s giving me goosebumps.”
He's way past the age of being a rebellious teenager who wants to be different, okay?
Looking at this black-haired boy in front of me, he really does seem to be in his adolescence...
Kazuma Hatori, who was being scanned back and forth by the gazes: "..."
...It's you.
"In short, I hope you can make a Mont Blanc."
Before arriving, Kazuma Hatori searched online for Master Kawamura and learned that he had just won the title defense in the recent Western-style pastry competition.
After thinking for a moment, he subtly expressed Satoru's love for the dessert without revealing the first playthrough.
“I have a good friend who loves desserts, especially your Mont Blanc, and even calls it [the dessert of God].
This time, Master Kawamura finally showed an expression of understanding.
"I don't know how you found me..."
He muttered to himself, then turned and let go of the doorknob as he went inside, gesturing for Kazuma Hatori to come in.
“But I’ve only ever made Mont Blanc using the standard recipe,” Master Kawamura said. “Any pastry chef can make that kind of Mont Blanc texture, so it can hardly be considered a ‘divine dessert,’ can it?”
This time, Kazuma Hatori finally followed the visitor procedure, taking off his shoes and tidying them up in the entryway, instead of rushing into the bedroom with a gun to kill the cursed spirit.
He roughly understood that at this point in time, Master Kawamura had not yet invented his unique [divine dessert].
"My friend likes your production techniques and skillful techniques."
Kazuma Hato began to try hard to recall exactly what changes had been made to the "divine dessert" that Gojo Satoru had stuffed into his mouth compared to the original.
Fortunately, he also had a lot of experience making Mont Blanc and constantly trying different recipes.
“However, he prefers the puree made from local chestnuts,” Kazuma Hatake said. “The meringue base has almond flour in it… the cream filling has chopped chestnuts in it… and then…”
The further you listen, the higher Kawamura's eyebrows rise.
“I really like the style of this change,” he said, stroking his chin. “It sounds quite interesting, I’ll try to do it.”
Kazuma Hatori breathed a sigh of relief: "I will pay."
"Ha, no need, no need. It's just a prototype, there's no need to charge for it."
Master Kawamura waved his hand and counted the materials out of the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets.
He was quite amiable in conversation, but deep down he always felt an inexplicable tension around the black-haired boy, a kind of nervousness.
But he was subtly hesitant to raise his voice and yell at people.
Okay, let's make Mont Blanc first. At least this Mont Blanc sounds interesting.
Without a gun pointed at his head like in the previous game, Kawamura was much more composed this time.
He called over Kazuma Hatori, who was sitting on the sofa, to come and have a taste.
Is this the flavor?
After scooping up a spoonful of Mont Blanc and swallowing it, Kazuma Hatori hesitated.
"It's a little sweet."
If even someone like Kazuma Hatori, who isn't picky about food, says "[It's a little sweet]", then it must be extremely sweet.
"Oh? So there are standards."
Master Kawamura laughed and joked, not minding the other party's evaluation, and started making a second batch.
I didn't expect to succeed on the first try, so this time I'll reduce the amount of sugar in the meringue and the cream.
Kazuma Hatori slowly scooped out the overly sweet Mont Blanc with a spoon while asking Master Kawamura a question.
Why don't you open a shop?
"You even saw through my idea of opening a shop?" Kawamura chuckled in surprise. "I am planning to, and I'm currently looking for a location. What's up? Do you have any recommendations?"
Kazuma Hato blurted out, "Higashimachi 3-8-8".
"There really is a recommendation? I'll go check it out then." Master Kawamura nodded and noted down the address. "You're quite strange, kid. You actually went to the trouble of finding my apartment address for that friend?"
“Hmm,” Kazuma Hatake said, “He wants to eat the most perfect Mont Blanc in his mind, and he has tried many different versions. After thinking about it, I think only your [divine dessert] can satisfy his wish.”
Master Kawamura was surprised by this description, and even his whipping of cream slowed down a beat.
"I see."
In Kawamura's imagination, this black-haired boy probably traveled all the way to him for his friend's dream of a "divine dessert" that didn't actually exist, just to ask him to make a perfect Mont Blanc.
"In that case, I'd better do my best to make one for you."
Master Kawamura laughed, "Once the shop opens, I'll give this Mont Blanc a name. What do you think of '[God's Dessert]'?"
Master Kawamura, who just complained that the name was too juvenile, offered to name it "[God's Dessert]".
Kazuma Hagoromo had no objection—in his heart, it would always be called that name.
After several attempts, Master Kawamura and Kazuma Hatori finally managed to recreate the flavor from the latter's memory. Master Kawamura breathed a sigh of relief, found a cardboard box for packing, packed it up, and saw Kazuma Hatori off.
When will the new store open?
Hagoromo asked Master Kawamura so that he wouldn't come back empty-handed the next time he brought Goko there.
"It will probably be three or four months later. There will be some preliminary preparations."
Master Kawamura smiled and waved goodbye to Kazuma Hatori.
"However, I've already thought of a name for the shop."
—[As you wish].
………
By the time Kazuma Hatori walked out of the apartment carrying Mont Blanc in a normal, ordinary manner, the sun was almost completely setting.
Fortunately, he was able to catch the train back, and with the last stretch of winding mountain path that could only be walked, by the time Kazuma Hatori saw the gates of the vocational high school, the bright moon had already risen.
Candles lit in the stone lanterns on both sides cast long shadows that swayed gently on the stone slabs.
It's getting late. Maybe we shouldn't bother Wu now, and can give it to him tomorrow...
Kazuma Hatori suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The silvery moonlight not only guided him but also gave his playful hair, which was fluttering in the night breeze, a cool and refreshing feel.
But upon closer inspection, the warm light from the candlelight on either side caused the edges of warmth and coolness to overlap repeatedly in every strand of pure white hair and every fold of fabric, ultimately outlining a remarkably vivid silhouette.
When Kazuma Hatori started walking towards him again, his expression had unconsciously softened.
That was Gojo Satoru, sitting on the steps with his hands supporting his chin, seemingly unwavering and unchanging.
Why are you so late coming home?
As Kazuma Hatake approached, Satoru Gojo visibly relaxed, but still deliberately frowned and spoke to him with a stern face.
"Honestly, I've wanted to call you directly so many times!"
If it weren't for the worry that it would disturb him dealing with "family issues"... Gojo Satoru glanced down and noticed the cardboard box that Hato Kazuma was carrying.
He wanted to ask what it was, but he held back for now, waiting for Yi-zhen to answer the question he cared about most.
“I’m sorry,” Kazuma Hatori said somewhat embarrassedly, “I thought it would be over soon.”
As a result, several versions were made after repeated attempts, which took a lot of time in total.
"How's your bowling competition going?" he asked Gojo Satoru.
"Of course, the amazing Gojo won big—it's just bowling, I could definitely be number one if I wanted to."
Gojo Satoru suppressed the corners of his mouth to avoid appearing too smug.
He also has to judge this black pea stalk who came home late and almost thought something had happened to him!
"Wu can indeed quickly become number one in whatever he does."
Kazuma Hatori nodded, which made Satoru Gojo even more unable to maintain his rare serious expression.
"Hmph, cough, of course."
Gojo Satoru narrowed his blue eyes as he was praised, and his voice rose, completely breaking his composure.
"You still haven't told me what you went to do, what you were carrying, the snacks for me? I can smell them."
His nose is very sensitive; he could smell the aroma of chestnut puree mixed with cream...
"It's Montblanc!"
Gojo Satoru's expression immediately became incredibly bright.
"It really is for me, isn't it?"
Hmph, as expected, Yi Zhen really likes him. Even when she comes back late, she doesn't forget to bring his favorite Mont Blanc—she knows that will make him feel better, right?
That kid actually guessed right!
Gojo Satoru happily skipped down the steps and took the simple but delightful package from Hato Kazuma's hands.
"It's for you."
Kazuma Hatori pursed his lips, his smile equally evident.
"This is Mont Blanc, which is known as the [dessert of the gods]. I asked the master to make it for me."
"oh?"
Gojo Satoru blinked his azure eyes. "What a cringeworthy name! How could anyone name Montblanc like that?"
"..."
Unexpectedly, Kazuma Hatori was momentarily speechless when he heard the same chuunibyou (delusional) sentiments from the pretty little Go.
But in the last time game, you, that Master Kawamura, and all those fans who lined up to buy it were calling it "[God's Dessert]" with such enthusiasm... that he seemed a bit out of place.
“Anyway,” Kazuma Hatake coughed lightly, “you should try it first.”
Although the reward is not important, he must complete this request from the beautiful Xiao Wu.
"Okay, let me try it!"
Since they had already seen that the person had returned unharmed, Gojo Satoru pulled Hagoromo Kazuma to sit down on the stone steps as well.
The late summer nights are not as hot as the days, and the gentle breeze blowing through the mountains is even more pleasant, making it extremely enjoyable for them to sit under the stars and share this time in Mont Blanc, as soft as a silver sonata.
Wujiao Wuxiao cheered as he unpacked the package, picked up the included small fork, and eagerly searched for the best first bite.
Kazuma Hatake was also looking forward to his feedback, and the [Request] pop-up window was right in front of him.
Mmm—delicious!
Countless sparkling little stars seemed to pop out of Gojo Satoru's body; he was overjoyed.
It's his absolute favorite flavor!
And it was specially brought back for him by Yizhen... making it twice as delicious!
Gojo Satoru scooped out another piece of Mont Blanc and held it directly to Hagoromo Kazuma's lips.
He completely forgot that the other person might mind that he had already used the fork.
Fortunately, Kazuma Hatori didn't seem to mind at all, and he ate what was probably his umpteenth Mont Blanc of the day.
In the real world, he would most likely be burping by now, and Montblanc would have choked long ago.
"tasty."
Kazuma Hatake nodded in agreement, his black eyes glancing slightly at the [Request] interface.
[Currently triggered delegate:]
Gojo Satoru's Quest: Please help Gojo Satoru find a Mont Blanc dessert that will satisfy him.
Current highest satisfaction rate: 96%/100%
Reward: Unlocks the marriage module.
[God's Dessert] is indeed delicious and suits the taste of pretty Xiao Wu perfectly—but it still can't achieve 100% maximum satisfaction?
Kazuma Hatake's black eyes widened.
This is a [divine dessert] that doesn't exist at the current point in time. He kept trying different recipes with the answer in mind, and had Master Kawamura make the Mont Blanc ahead of time!
Sitting next to him, Gojo Satoru didn't have a [Request] interface to quantify his satisfaction. He happily exclaimed "Delicious!" after taking a few bites.
Judging from his performance, Gojo Satoru clearly likes this Mont Blanc quite a bit.
What exactly went wrong?
Could it be that he remembers the taste is off, and the recipe needs further minor improvements?
Kazuma Hatori is somewhat troubled.
Gojo Satoru shoved another Mont Blanc into his mouth, which Hagoromo Kazuma swallowed absentmindedly, without even tasting it—only the pop-up message "Your stamina has increased!" dutifully appeared, only to be casually closed by the latter.
"What's wrong?"
Even Gojo Satoru was a little confused, but then suddenly realized and spoke up, as if he had immediately found a reasonable explanation for Hatori Kazuma's absent-mindedness.
"Don't you think it's too sweet too?"
Too sweet?
Kazuma Hatori tilted his head. In terms of sweetness, this Mont Blanc shouldn't be the sweetest dessert Satoru has ever eaten.
"Hmm... I can't really explain it, but I feel like it needs to be a bit lighter. But it's just a strange feeling that suddenly came to me, don't take it to heart."
Realizing he might have guessed wrong, Gojo Satoru gently scraped the chestnut puree and cream from the bottom of the box with a spoon, finishing off the Mont Blanc that was already gone.
"After all, you worked hard to make this for me, didn't you?"
He laughed heartily, even turning his head to wink playfully at Kazuma Hatori with his azure eyes, the clear blue of the sky reflected in the candlelight, shimmering with a soft, cunning warmth.
"I can smell it, you smell sweet all over."
Gojo Satoru has always been very perceptive, hidden beneath his seemingly indifferent and flamboyant exterior.
"It must have spent a very long time in a baking place to have acquired this flavor. You wouldn't get this flavor if you just bought desserts from a regular store."
Kazuma Hatori blinked his dark eyes, about to deny that he had made the Mont Blanc.
"Is it because I told you last time?"
Gojo Satoru's smile grew even wider, and even Souhime's eyes crinkled into a smile, giving him an incredibly cute and satisfied look.
"That's why I especially love this Mont Blanc that was made especially for me."
As for that "subtle feeling is too sweet" comment from earlier... well, whatever, he figured that the "master" Yizhen was referring to might actually be himself!
"—No, not really."
Kazuma Hatori, understanding the implication in his words, laughed.
“My Mont Blanc isn’t like this… If you want some, I can try making it for you next time.”
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