Let's go take a picture with the pandas, Karin-chan! Oh, and we can get you a souvenir on the way back at the gift shop! Wouldn't you love that, Karin-chan?

Karin-chan?

Karin-chan!

"Rise and shine!"

The blue-haired girl shielded herself from the sunshine blasting through the window by putting her arm over his face.

"Ah… wait for me, Emma…"

Karin slowly lowered her arm and opened her eyes, looking up to see Emma was nowhere to be found. Instead, a just as pretty girl with long, blown hair sporting a light gray apron stared less than a meter away at the model with her violet eyes.

"Huh… Kanata…?"

"Good morning, Karin-chan." Her fellow third year smiled cheekily, squatting down where the futon laid on the ground. "Had a nice dream I take it?"

"I-" The model hid part of her face with the blanket. "What…? Why are you even here?"

"Why am I here?" Kanata giggled at her friend before standing back up. "Why, this is my house, silly! You spent the night here so I could help you with your calculus project, remember?"

"Oh, right... That."

"We made good progress last night, but we still have a whole day of work ahead of us." Kanata let out a sly grin. "We don't want you repeating a grade now, do we?"

The cranky third year jumped out of her futon at that remark. "There's no way I'm gonna repeat!"

"That's the spirit!" The blown-haired girl pumped her fist in the air playfully, her friend looking drowsy and blushy.

"Before that though." Kanata took a step closer to Karin, gesturing a hand towards the outside of the room, a warm smile on her face.

"Care to join me for breakfast?"


Karin grabbed a mug of freshly brewed coffee, sneaking three packets of sugar into it while her friend wasn't looking. Kanata seemed too preoccupied making something at the stove to notice though.

"How do you like her eggs, Karin-chan?"

"Hmm? Oh uh, scrambled is fine."

"Scrambled it is then!"

The blown-haired girl effortlessly cracked two eggs into a bowl before beating it with a whisk, adding a splash of milk, and pouring it within a preheated frying pan.

Not even two minutes later, a plate of hash browns, bacon, scrambled eggs, and a slice of sourdough toast was placed down by the cook, a confident look on her face.

"Whatcha think?"

"Wow, it looks delicious and, uh… very American."

"Really? I'm glad you think so!"

"What gives though? I wouldn't expect you to make something like this."

"Well, me and Mia-chan made a bet about who could cook the more Ameri-"

"N-nevermind." Karin waved her hand while chuckling. "I see how it is. That's a bet I already know you're gonna win."

"Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?"

"You've clearly never seen Mia cook…"

Kanata let out an innocent giggle, standing next to her friend. "Looks like I have another person to tutor then."

"Yeah… Thanks again by the way for helping a dummy like me out. I doubt I'd have a chance of passing the class without it."

"Aww, don't go around saying stuff like that." The blown-haired girl gave her friend a gentle head pat.

"You're an incredibly smart and hardworking person, Karin-chan! Sometimes you just need that extra push of support to get you across the finish line."

The model took a sip of her coffee, a little embarrassed. "You really think so?"

The cook pumped her fist in response. "I know so!"

"Haha… thanks Kanata."

"Mhm!" The blown-haired girl took off and folded her apron, taking a look again at the meal she prepared for her friend. "I'll be in the living room when you're done. We can start the work then."

"Sounds good to me."

"Be sure to finish every bite of it!" Kanata disappeared out of the kitchen, the model chuckling to herself as she picked up a fork, ready to stab into the soft bacon strips.

"Oh, and I got more sugar packets in the cupboard if you need them!"

Karin dropped the fork, completely flabbergasted.

"How did you know?!"

"Enjoy your meal, Karin-chan!" A giggle echoing from the hallway.

The model took a moment before picking up her coffee again, looking into the cup, and giving it a big sip.

"Oh Kanata…"