WebNovels

Chapter 18 - Chapter 18 – A Recipe of Laughter

Sunday mornings in Sakura City had a special kind of calm — sunlight streaming gently through the curtains, the air carrying a faint chill of early spring, and the world outside just quiet enough to feel like it belonged only to them.

Beru's house stood not far from Haruto's — in fact, just across the small alley that divided their neighborhood. Though they had grown up as neighbors, it had been years since Haruto had actually stepped inside her home. Back then, it was all crayons, juice boxes, and silly arguments about who could climb the tree faster.

Today, though, the air held a different excitement — the Cosmic S.T.A.R. Club had gathered for an important mission: creating the perfect dessert and drink menu for their upcoming "Mini Planetarium Café."

Beru's kitchen was buzzing with life. Pots clinked, the oven hummed, and the counter was crowded with ingredients — flour, sugar, chocolate, whipped cream, and a collection of colorful syrups that looked like potions in a wizard's lab.

"Okay, everyone!" Beru said, clapping her hands with her usual bright enthusiasm. "Today's goal is to test desserts and drinks for the café menu! Let's make sure everything we serve during the festival feels magical!"

Souta was already stirring something in a bowl that suspiciously resembled glue. "I call this—uh—Souta's Cosmic Shake!"

Luna frowned, tilting her head. "It looks like it could summon a demon instead of quenching thirst."

"Hey! It's experimental!" Souta defended. "Every great chef has to fail before success!"

Tadao leaned against the counter, arms crossed, and smirked. "Then congratulations, Souta, you're already halfway to being a legend."

The group burst into laughter as Souta pouted dramatically.

Haruto stood at the side, watching them with a soft smile. There was something comforting about this — the warmth, the laughter, the chaotic clatter of friendship. Beru's voice called him back.

"Haruto! You're not escaping, mister," she said, hands on her hips. "You're in charge of the drinks station. Let's see how well you handle a coffee machine."

"Eh?" Haruto blinked. "I thought I was the taste tester."

"Nope," she grinned mischievously. "You're the barista."

"Looks like Haruto's in trouble," Luna said teasingly, brushing her hair back. "Don't burn the milk this time."

"I didn't burn it last time! It just… evaporated faster than expected," Haruto replied dryly, setting up the coffee grinder.

Beru giggled, watching him fumble with the machine before leaning closer. "Here, let me show you."

She placed her hands over his, guiding him through the motions — the faint hum of the grinder filled the quiet moment between them. Haruto felt his heartbeat quicken, aware of how close she was. Her hair brushed lightly against his arm, and her soft voice explained every step.

When she finally stepped back, she smiled. "See? Easy."

"Yeah…" he murmured, though he wasn't sure if he'd been paying attention to the process or the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed.

Meanwhile, Souta had somehow managed to spill half of his batter on the floor.

"Emergency! The cosmic shake has breached containment!" he yelled.

"Contain it with napkins, not your face!" Luna groaned, quickly grabbing paper towels.

Tadao sighed, already cleaning up beside him. "Souta, maybe you should just stick to decorations."

"No way! I'll make the most popular drink at the festival!"

"Right," Luna said dryly. "If people don't run away first."

The kitchen became a whirlwind of laughter, chaos, and the occasional accidental fire alarm. Beru's mother, hearing the commotion, peeked in once, smiled, and shook her head. "You kids are really something."

Hours passed in cheerful experimentation. There were mishaps — burnt cookies, sugar explosions, one incident involving Souta mistaking salt for sugar — but between the laughter and teasing, genuine progress began to show.

Beru carefully presented her creation: a delicate mousse layered with fruit and cream, topped with edible stars made of sugar. "This one's called the Galaxy Dream Parfait!"

"Looks fancy," Tadao admitted.

"And it tastes like heaven," Luna said after taking a spoonful, eyes lighting up.

Beru beamed, pride warming her cheeks. Haruto took a bite too, and his expression softened. "It's perfect, Beru."

Her heart skipped — not because of the compliment itself, but the gentle sincerity in his voice.

"Thanks, Haruto," she said softly, smiling down at her apron-covered hands.

As the day went on, they filled the kitchen with laughter and sweetness. Souta eventually found his redemption with a soda float that fizzed just right, while Luna's herbal tea became the surprise favorite.

By late afternoon, their energy began to fade. The sun painted golden streaks across Beru's living room as everyone lounged around, surrounded by plates of half-eaten desserts.

"I can't eat anymore," Souta groaned, flopping onto the floor dramatically. "I'm ninety percent sugar now."

"That's still better than your last creation," Tadao remarked without looking up from his notes.

Luna chuckled softly. "At least we have a few solid items for the menu now."

Beru nodded, writing down the final list. "So far we have: Galaxy Dream Parfait, Luna's Serenity Tea, Souta's Star Float, and Haruto's… uh, slightly smoky latte."

Haruto frowned. "You had to include that adjective, didn't you?"

She giggled. "It's your signature!"

As everyone burst into laughter again, Haruto leaned back, content. These were the moments that made everything worthwhile — the small, silly fragments of happiness that felt more real than any grand battle or destiny.

Soon, the others began to pack up, promising to meet again the next day for decorating plans. One by one, they left — until it was just Haruto and Beru, cleaning up the kitchen together.

Beru hummed softly as she wiped the counter. Haruto helped gather the leftover dishes, glancing around. "You know… your house hasn't changed much."

She smiled. "Yeah, I like it that way. It feels… safe."

There was a brief silence before Haruto, looking for a trash bag, opened the wrong door and froze. It wasn't the pantry — it was her room.

He blinked, a little surprised. The soft pink curtains, the tiny bookshelf full of old novels, a small planet-shaped lamp glowing faintly on her desk… and pictures. One of them caught his eye — a childhood photo of them together, grinning with ice cream in hand.

Before he could step back, Beru appeared behind him, her face turning crimson. "H-Haruto! What are you doing in my room?!"

"I swear, I was just—uh—looking for the trash bags!" he stammered, backing up immediately.

Beru puffed her cheeks, grabbing his sleeve. "You still don't know the difference between left and right, do you?"

"I do! I just… got distracted by your uh… decor."

Her blush deepened. "Don't look at my room like that!"

"Like what?"

"Like—it's something interesting!"

He chuckled softly, raising his hands. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry. It's… cute, though. Just like I remember."

Her embarrassment faded slightly, replaced by a shy smile. "You remember?"

"Of course. You always had those little star lights. You said they were to keep nightmares away."

Beru's expression softened, nostalgia shining in her eyes. "I guess… they still do."

For a quiet moment, neither spoke. The air felt lighter, warmer somehow — a blend of memories and new emotions hanging between them.

Finally, she broke the silence, her voice gentle. "Come on, barista boy. Help me carry these dishes before Mom thinks we broke something."

He grinned. "Yes, chef."

They spent the last of the evening washing dishes, occasionally flicking water at each other until Beru's laughter filled the room again. By the time they finished, the sky outside had turned deep orange, the setting sun casting golden light across the window.

Beru looked at the notebook where she'd written the final café menu. "I think… we did it."

Haruto smiled. "Yeah. A recipe of laughter, huh?"

She giggled. "Exactly. It's not just food—it's us. Our memories, our teamwork."

He nodded, glancing at her fondly. "Then I'm sure it'll be the best café at the festival."

As twilight embraced the town, Beru walked Haruto to the door. The gentle evening breeze rustled the cherry trees outside, their petals falling like soft rain.

"Thanks for today," Haruto said quietly. "It was… nice. Like old times."

Beru smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It really was."

And as he walked away, she looked up at the sky — the first star beginning to twinkle. Somehow, the world felt brighter, lighter, and more beautiful than before.

Inside her home, laughter still lingered in the air — the sweet echo of friendship, love, and the simple joy of a Sunday well spent.

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To be continued...

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