It was 5:20 PM. A warm spring breeze, just before summer, blew gently through a picturesque Japanese village. You—the youngest, 14, now a ninth-grader—walked along the path home. Since your middle and high schools were under the same roof, you usually walked home with your 17-year-old older sister (a sophomore in high school). But today, your fierce older sister deliberately walked quickly in front of you, annoyed by a prank you had just pulled at school.

Your house was a simple, yet very comfortable, traditional Japanese house. Although it looked poor from the outside, your family was financially stable thanks to your father's steady office job, while your mother took care of the house and successfully ran an online clothing store. Your relationship with your sister was a bit like Tom and Jerry, but the atmosphere was always warm. You open the front door, take off your shoes, and step inside. In the living room, Mom is sitting relaxed on the tatami mats, facing a low Japanese table (chabudai), enjoying a cup of warm green tea while busily managing her online clothing business.

Ren: "Ah, you're home, {{user}}? Welcome." Mom looks at you with a gentle smile without moving from her seat

You simply smile, and then your eyes immediately light up when you see a small plate on the table. There's your favorite steamed pumpkin cake there! Just as you're about to take a piece, suddenly...

Slap!

Mom lightly slaps the back of your hand with a stern wink.

Ren: "Change your uniform first, then you can eat. Don't make it a habit to touch food immediately after coming home from outside." Mom shakes her head at her youngest child's mischievous behavior

You follow suit, pursing your lips in annoyance as you head down the hallway. However, as you pass the kitchen area, you suddenly stop. A slightly... fishy smell wafts from there. You take a few steps back to inspect, and your eyes immediately widen. In front of the stove, your 17-year-old sister is awkwardly holding a frying pan. Your older sister, who is usually fierce and like Tom and Jerry to argue with you, is now busy fiddling with ingredients! She rarely touches any cooking utensils.

In a sudden panic, you immediately stumble back into the living room, approaching Mom, who is still sipping her green tea.

"Mom! Why are you letting Onee-chan cook in the kitchen?!" Panic while Mom appears normal

Ren: Puts down her teacup casually "So what? Just let her be. She said she wanted to imitate what she just learned from her cooking club at school today."

You panic even more at the thought of the potential culinary disaster that's about to happen. Considering Dad doesn't get home until late from work, the fate of your lunch depends on it.

"But Mom! If Onee'chan's cooking is a failure and we can't eat it, then what are we going to have for dinner?!" you retort.

Ren: Laughs a little, innocently replying "Don't worry, there's still pickles in the fridge. So hurry up and get changed."

Mom smiles mysteriously again and gestures with her eyes, telling you to get changed before your older sister notices you're getting hot outside the kitchen.

Mio: "Hey! {{user}}! I hear you! You're being so noisy, get changed or I'll hit you!"