Fusion Cuisine – Part III: Setting the Table

Disclaimer: In case you haven't figured it out yet, I don't own Little Witch Academia. All LWA-related characters, settings, etc. are the intellectual property of Studio Trigger and Yoh Yoshinari.

[-]

Luna Nova Academy

Two Years Ago

"You should just tell her!" said Hannah England in strident tones.

"Yeah, you're never gonna get another shot like this!" agreed Barbara Parker with a couple of furious nods, the two roommates as perfectly in sync as usual.

Diana paused in the middle of packing her suitcase and pinched her forehead. "Girls, I was under the impression you didn't even like Akko," she groaned.

Hannah and Barbara shared a glance.

"I mean, she's okay, but…" Hannah began.

"Even if we don't entirely get why you're in love with that buffoon, it's been pretty obvious for a while," Barbara finished for her. "Heck, I think Akko is the only one who doesn't know by now."

Hannah raised one of her dainty hands and started counting off on her fingers.

"Lotte knows for sure, and Sucy, and Jasminka, and definitely Amanda, and probably Constanze too even if she obviously never said anything…" she said. "Oh, and most of the teachers. Yeah, pretty much none of them care apart from Professor Ursula, but she didn't blab anything before she went on sabbatical or at least I don't think she did…"

Barbara shut her roommate up by smacking her lightly with a paperback Nightfall book, for which Diana was inordinately grateful.

"Be that as it may," spoke the blonde, in tones of enforced calm. "We are less than one week away from the end of term. "Do you really think now is a good time to engage in some dramatic, romantic confession?"

Hannah bit her lip. "Well okay, maybe not, but…" she admitted.

"But why didn't you do it sooner?" asked Barbara, cutting in. "I mean, you know she feels the same way, right?"

Diana turned her back to the other girls, staring resolutely out their dormitory window. "You…don't know that for certain," she tried to argue back, hating how weak her voice sounded.

But Hannah and Barbara just exchanged another lingering glance and then said, simultaneously and deadpan, "Yeah. We do."

The Cavendish heiress' hands gripped tightly around the windowsill, as if she suddenly found it difficult to keep standing. She remained facing away from her roommates as she spoke again.

"There always seemed to be…an excuse to delay. Not that any of them were good excuses, of course," she found herself explaining at last. "And now I find myself out of time. Akko and I have selected our paths forward, and they don't lead to the same destination."

"That's no reason you can't still tell her," Barbara declared. "What's the worst that could happen?"

"You don't understand. You don't know Akko like I do," said Diana firmly. "If I ask her to stay, to be with me…I know she'll say yes. She'll put her entire dream on hold for my sake. I…can't ask that of her. Better that she leaves with a smile on her face, and no regrets."

"Even if it makes you miserable?" Hannah pointed out, one eyebrow raised. "You know she wouldn't like that, right?"

At last, Diana turned to face her two closest friends. Her eyes were dry, but only by concerted effort.

"What Akko doesn't know…" she murmured, maintaining a proper British stiff upper lip. "Won't hurt her."

[-]

Diana pulled into the Narita International Airport with, she was proud to say, impeccable timing.

Akko was just emerging from the baggage claim – loaded with enough suitcases to clothe a family of gorillas – when she pulled into the "arrivals" lane. Diana knew exactly when the other woman noticed her car, because her face instantly erupted into barely held laughter.

As much as she wanted to believe in her aunt's professed change of heart, the fact that she'd gifted her this car in particular made Diana think there might still be some lingering enmity.

"It's so freaking cute!" said Akko as she approached the vehicle, one hand over her mouth to block the guffaws from spilling out. "And it's pink!"

"Yes, yes, it's hardly the most practical model on the market. But one mustn't look a gift unicorn in the mouth, as they say," Diana replied, her cheeks the same shade as her comically tiny car. It was a bit embarrassing that this was the first conversation they were having upon reuniting after two years.

And those cheeks only grew hotter when Akko seized her around the midsection and squeezed tight.

"Thank you so, so, soooo much," she whispered. "And get used to that, 'cuz you're gonna be hearing it a lot over the next few weeks."

"Y…Yes. Well then," Diana stammered, rather lamely, before clearing her throat. "In any event, I suggest we load up your luggage."

That turned out to be quite a bit easier said than done, but after several minutes of what Akko described as "Tetris with extra steps" (ah, pop culture references, the bane of Diana's existence) they managed to get everything squeezed in.

"Where will you be staying while you're here?" asked the blonde, as her passenger buckled in beside her. "A hotel?"

"Nah, my folks' place. They still haven't done anything with my old room, apparently," said Akko. "Part of why I need to head to the hospital first. Don't have a key anymore."

Diana nodded dimly, her body working on autopilot as she pulled toward the airport exit.

"I'm surprised you've taken to driving so well," added the Japanese woman after a few minutes, once they hit the expressway. "I know 'muggle tech' isn't exactly your strong suit."

Her driver's lips pursed slightly. It wasn't honestly something she'd ever stopped to think about in depth.

"I won't deny that the majority of the technology used as a substitute for magic…befuddles me. Computers and cell phones might as well be black boxes," she told the other woman. "But something about this motor vehicle…clicked. I wouldn't be able to adequately explain why. Except, perhaps, a general admiration for its alchemical nature."

"Okay you lost me," Akko cut in, her eyebrows furrowed. "What's this gotta do with the class I failed cuz I misheard the professor and turned lead into mold?"

Diana let out a short, indulgent chuckle.

"Alchemy is the study of achieving transformation through a polymerization of components," she said, realizing that her explanation probably wasn't clearing things up much for Akko. Alas, she couldn't help herself; even if she was taking a break from school right now, Diana's instincts would always be those of a scholar. "An automobile is much the same. So many chemical and mechanical processes working in tandem, to achieve a result none could accomplish on their own."

"I…think I get it. Well, kinda," responded Akko. "It's…well, it's like you and me, right?"

Diana kept her gaze firmly on the road, though she felt her breath hitch for a moment. "How so?" she asked.

"Well we were always so…different. At least at first. You were the brilliant prodigy from a noble witch family, and I was…uh, not those things," spoke Akko, scratching her head sheepishly. "But I don't think either of us could've unlocked the Grand Triskelion alone. We only accomplished that because of our differences."

"You shouldn't sell yourself short, Akko. But you know I've told you that before," said Diana. "Nevertheless, I cannot disagree with your overall point. Working in twain, we have accomplished miracles before. Now…we just need to do it again."

"Obtaining the Seven Words of Arcturus and stopping a magic nuke…or keeping a down-on-its-luck restaurant afloat in downtown Tokyo," Akko muttered, with a lamentful sigh. "Hard to say which is gonna take more magic."

Diana spent several moments carefully controlling her body language, and wondering if she should say the next thing that was on her mind. In the end, she decided she couldn't bear otherwise.

"Akko, if you will indulge me. There will be plenty of time to discuss the logistics of this…venture, once we arrive at the venue," she breathed out. "For now, however…it has been so, so long. I simply want to enjoy your company, while we have the chance."

She was pretty sure she didn't mishear Akko's breath hitching as well.

"I…I'd like that too, Diana," she whispered back. "It's a long drive to the hospital, after all."

For the next hour, the two old friends talked at length about absolute nonsense. Like the collection of novelty hotel soaps from all around the world that Akko was secretly hoarding from her tours, and the absolute disaster that'd been Diana's attempt to tip her waiter when she first came to Japan.

The entire conversation was silly and stupid and an absolute waste of time neither of them could spare.

It was the most fun either woman could remember having in months.

[-]

"I can wait here in the lobby while you see your parents," said Diana, once they'd checked into the hospital's visitor center. "I assume you have much to catch up on."

But before the blonde could make her way to one of the plush chairs lining the walls, a pair of slender fingers closed around her sleeve.

"Please. Stay with me," Akko whispered, her voice betraying far more vulnerability than she wanted it to. "I don't know what I'm gonna say to them, and…and it'd help a lot if you were there."

Diana's body stiffened for a moment, but ultimately she stated "Very well then," and fell into step beside the Japanese woman.

Akko tamped down the impulse to grab for her companion's hand, as much as it would probably help her own from shaking. She'd never been a big fan of hospitals – and given her childhood antics, had seen her fair share of them – what with their cold, clinical seriousness and aura of sterility. Being here, getting told that her parents were in a unit marked "intensive care," made it all feel so much more…real.

The woman at her side, by contrast, was walking through the halls like she owned the place. Something that, to be fair, was very much a possibility in the future.

She knew, from one of their school day heart-to-hearts, that a good deal of Diana's cool confidence was entirely feigned. But damn did Akko wish she could pretend that well.

"This should be their room," said the other woman after a few minutes, stopping before a door that, like much of this place, was almost blinding in its unnatural brightness. "Are you ready to go in, Akko?"

Honestly, the answer was probably "no." But Akko had learned her lesson about avoiding uncomfortable truths at Luna Nova.

So in lieu of answering, she took hold of the doorknob and twisted.

The first thing that was apparent was that their appearances over video chat had, if anything, downplayed her parents' injuries. The webcam hadn't been able to capture, for example, that both her mother and father had bedpans tucked underneath their legs – meaning they weren't even capable of leaving their beds to use the restroom.

Underneath their bandages, however, both restauranteurs were all smiles as their only daughter walked into the room.

"Akko-chan! Oh, it's so good to see you," said her papa. "Truly, the worst thing about this accident is that I can't go to hug you right now."

"And I see you've brought a guest," her mama added swiftly, casting a warm grin in Diana's direction, only slightly marred by the gauze covering half her mouth. "Please, don't be a stranger, Miss…?"

"Cavendish. My name is Diana Cavendish, and I am deeply humbled to meet your acquaintance," spoke the blonde, in perfectly accented Japanese.

Akko had to marvel a bit at how effortlessly she made the switch. She tended to default to English when she was talking to Diana, since that was what they'd spoken at Luna Nova, but it was clear Diana had truly mastered the language in her two years studying in Tokyo.

Unfortunately, that stray thought distracted her from anticipating the very real danger she was now in.

"Ah. So this is Diana," said her father, cocking one eyebrow knowingly. Akko was certain the lack of honorific was intentional. "We are well met. Akko has told us a great deal about the friends she made at school, but you are the first we've had the pleasure of meeting in person."

As subtly as she could manage – which wasn't very much – Akko made faces toward her parents, urging them not to carry this thread any further. Anything she might or might not have shared with them on the subject was in confidence, and not meant for repeating before the woman in question.

But naturally, in the way only mothers could, her mama either failed to understand her signals or deliberately chose not to.

"You know, now that I think about it, I believe she did mention you specifically once or twice, Cavendish-san," the black-haired woman mused aloud. "But what was the context, I wonder…?"

Akko cast a narrow-eyed glare at the woman who'd raised her. They all knew very well that the "context" was her coming out as bisexual after graduation.

And as much as it'd meant to know that her parents were fully supportive of her identity, and open to a future where she might have a marriage that wasn't recognized in the nation of Japan, or offer them grandchildren who weren't biologically hers…

Maybe she would've thought twice if she realized it meant double the potential partners for her mother to meddle with.

"I, ahem…brought these for you. As an expression of well-wishes, and in hopes of your speedy recovery," said Diana after a prolonged silence, producing a neatly wrapped gift bag from behind her back. Akko did a double-take, because she hadn't a clue where the slender woman had managed to hide it.

She placed the bag on the bedside table and then, since neither of the recipients were in any shape to open it, slowly removed the packaging.

"Cookies. And homemade, judging by the shape and consistency," declared Rio Kagari, her tone shifting from overbearing mom to cool professional in an instant. "Well, I hope you know that a professional chef has exacting standards. Akko-chan, would you do the honors?"

Akko dutifully extracted one of the cookies and, as they were rather large, broke it into thirds. She fed one piece to each of her parents and then, as an afterthought, munched down on the last herself.

"Mmm, quite nice," mused her mother after a few moments. "The ratio of butter might be a little off – with these types of pastries, you'll usually want a texture that's a little smoother – but the flavors are all there. This hint of…nutmeg, I think? Really brings it together."

Her daughter, meanwhile, was making the face she generally reserved solely for fruit tarts and picked plums. These were sooooooo good! She didn't really see what her mom was talking about as far as the texture, though Diana was bowing her head again in recognition of the feedback.

Akko's smile broadened as she thoughtlessly devoured another. Clearly, whichever high-end baker Diana had probably personally commissioned for this was worth every yen. Ah, the life and times of the aristocracy.

"What do you do for a living, Cavendish-san?" asked Junya Kagari, while his daughter was still distracted by sugary goodness. "Are you still in school, or working somewhere?"

"I attend the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine," said Diana. "The focus of my studies is the integration of magical healing into modern medical practice."

"Ah, very prestigious," responded Rio Kagari, with an approving nod that made Akko want to groan. "I'm sure that must be fascinating work. Your parents must be incredibly proud."

Akko felt her own chest tighten. But while Diana's smile became just a little thinner, she took it in stride. "I'd like to think so," she told the pair.

Still, Akko wasn't surprised that she swiftly and deftly changed the subject.

"Apologies if this is improper to bring up, but I am aware of the…complications surrounding your family business at this time," she said. "Akko has requested my assistance, and I have pledged to offer it. In whatever form will be most helpful."

"I know we talked about this. How I can't do this all on my own," added Akko, before her parents could interject. "But Diana…I promise you, she's amazing. I've never met anyone in my life who's smarter, or more organized, or better at putting a project together. With her help, I know we can save Kagari's. And send those jerks from Take-whatever packing!"

Diana's cheeks reddened, and her head turned askance, so that she was no longer facing any member of the Kagari family.

"Your daughter…exaggerates, from time to time," she muttered. "I will admit, I have no direct experience in food service management. But I will do everything in my power to ensure its continued success, until the day you are able to return to full health."

Akko saw her parents cast a long, significant look between them.

Then, ever the realist, her father adopted a small frown and said, "That is…very kind of you, Cavendish-san. But will this not interrupt your studies?"

"I've already applied for, and received, my leave of absence from the university. I couldn't take it back now, even if I wanted to," she explained in clipped tones. "For the next three weeks, I am fully and completely at your disposal."

"Well then, Junya…it seems we have no choice but to trust in these young ladies," stated Akko's mother, folding her bandaged hands across her lap. "You'll find the apartment and restaurant keys in my purse over there. We're temporarily closed through the weekend, so feel free to swing by whenever you're ready."

"You have our permission to do anything it takes to keep the lights on. And I do mean anything," her father went on, casting a very serious look toward the two witches. "I've always known I could rely upon my little girl in a pinch. And so Cavendish-san, if you have her full faith…then you have mine as well."

"That means quite a lot," said Diana, bowing one more time. "I will do my utmost to live up to those expectations."

Meanwhile, Rio Kagari was signaling her daughter to come closer, so she could say something in confidence.

"Just so you know…" she whispered in Akko's ear. "Working together at the restaurant was how your father and I found each other, too. So good luck, sweetie."

Akko's face took on the color and consistency of a ripe tomato, and she quickly jammed another cookie in her mouth to keep herself from saying something stupid in return.

[-]

The drive to Kagemori District was a lot quieter than the first. Diana had no trouble keeping it that way, as she had more than enough to deal with inside her head.

"Meeting the parents" was one of those quintessential relationship steps – not that she and Akko had one of those, she was forced to remind herself – that everyone talked about. Almost a cliché, really. Diana had thought she was prepared for the experience, and instead found she was piteously, woefully not.

Akko's parents were clearly very perceptive and detail-oriented people; unsurprising, given their profession. That entire time, she'd been paralyzed by the idea that they might see right through her, and notice the feelings their daughter never had.

And what would be their reaction, if they did? Diana didn't even know if Akko was out to her parents, and couldn't think of a non-awkward way to ask.

As much as Diana had come to love her adoptive home, one thing that continually dismayed her about Japan was how hushed and conservative the culture was about queer issues. In 2022, they still didn't have marriage equality, though some prefectures offered partnership certificates that were at least a step in the right direction.

More to the point though, outside of very specific circles, it simply wasn't talked about in polite company. At Luna Nova, virtually everyone knew Diana was a lesbian. It wasn't a big deal. Here, she'd only confided in a single professor – and only because said professor happened to have a Revolutionary Girl Utena poster in her office.

She'd never intended to "re-closet" herself here. It'd just sort of…happened. Just like the fraying of her connection with the only girl she'd ever truly loved.

But now, with Akko at her side once more, those feelings were roaring back at full force. Diana wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to keep them inside, until even the infamously oblivious Atsuko Kagari wouldn't be able to miss it.

And under any other circumstances, that might be okay. Diana wanted nothing more than to confess what'd been in her heart for over four years.

Except this really, truly wasn't the time. They only had a few weeks to turn the restaurant's fortunes around, and keep it out of Takeuchi Holdings' hands.

She couldn't afford to distract Akko – or herself – with idle thoughts of romance.

"They really like you, y'know," said Akko suddenly, while still staring forward through the windshield. "I could tell."

"I hope you couldn't also tell that I was an absolute wreck of nerves," Diana answered back, her grip on the steering wheel tightening. "This whole affair feels like I'm…intruding. An outsider, swooping into matters that are meant for family alone."

"It's true the restaurant has always stayed within the Kagari clan," admitted the brunette. "Papa had his eye on a couple employees to succeed him once I went to Luna Nova, but I guess they've all quit since then."

Akko took a deep breath, then continued, "But you shouldn't feel like you aren't welcome. You are family, to me. I mean, all of our friends are. But…But you most of all, you're…"

It sounded like she had more to say on the subject, but whatever it was died in her throat.

So instead, Diana asked, "When we arrive, what will be the first order of business?"

Akko seemed immensely grateful for the change in subject. "Papa gave me the password for his office computer. I figure you'll be a lot better than me at crunching the numbers and figuring out where we stand," she said.

"A reasonable starting point," replied Diana, nodding once. "I must confess that I've already spent the past fortnight drafting ideas for a business plan in my head. But there won't be much point putting any of it to paper until I've seen the balance sheets."

The Japanese woman returned her nod, albeit much more slowly.

"Riiiiiiight, yes. A business plan," she muttered. "That's, uh…That's definitely something we should have."

Diana cocked a bemused eyebrow. "You don't know what that is, do you, Akko?" she said.

"Not even a little bit."

[-]

Diana had seen some pictures of Kagari's from their website and various online reviews, but it still struck her just how rustic and "homey" the whole place felt.

Most of her life, going out to restaurants meant spending several hundred pounds for the finest cuts of hippogriff steak and imported kappa eggs. Even after the coffers of the House of Cavendish went into decline, Aunt Daryl had still insisted on splurging regularly on such places.

The types of small, intimate eateries she'd found since moving to Japan were the exact opposite of haute cuisine in every way. Kagari's was certainly the former.

Diana knew which one she preferred.

"I've unlocked papa's office and logged onto his computer," Akko called out from down the hall. "I'm gonna try and tidy up the storeroom while you check on that, if that's okay?"

"Sounds like a plan, Akko," said the blonde, her mind whirring as she stepped inside.

It became immediately obvious that this was definitely the office of the man who'd raised Atsuko Kagari. Papers were strewn everywhere, stacked on top of overflowing file cabinets or in cardboard boxes on the floor, leaving precious little room to step.

Diana made her way gingerly to the office desk, careful not to disturb the equally large number of papers that covered every inch of its surface. She saw spreadsheets, tax records, fax confirmations…then finally, underneath a big stack of invoices, the keyboard.

It irked her OCD fiercely, even though she knew she couldn't really blame Junya Kagari. Given the amount of time he needed to spend covering the front house personally, she guessed that little things like proper filing were far from the top of his mind.

Thankfully, the electronic files were far better organized. Within a few moments she'd managed to pull up balance sheets, employment records, and a supplier list. All materials she would need to draft a proper business recovery plan.

Even if she would never be able to tell Akko precisely how she felt…this would be the proof. A labor of love, using every last ounce of her intellect and acumen to save something that Akko so dearly cherished.

And so, if they succeeded…

That would be enough for her.

Diana pulled out her personal laptop, opened a word processor, and got to work.

[-]

"Soooooo…what's the damage?" asked Akko several hours later, as they settled onto one of the dining area tables.

She didn't like the dark circles underneath her friend's eyes, though at this point she knew better than to call her on it. Once she set herself to a project, the only way to make Diana Cavendish take a break was to physically hit her over the head with a mallet.

"About as dire as we feared, I'm afraid," said the other woman. "The pandemic hit the entire food service industry particularly hard, and Kagari's was no exception. While things have recovered somewhat with the easing of restrictions in Japan, the restaurant has still spent nearly the entirety of the past two years in the red. It's bad enough that it seems your parents voluntarily stopped taking salaries three quarters ago."

Akko's mouth suddenly felt very dry. "They…They never told me…" she mumbled.

"I expect they didn't want to worry you while you were touring," replied Diana. "But those are the facts as they stand, and we're going to have to deal with them."

She pushed a sheaf of charts across the table, and while Akko had no talent for reading graphs, she was pretty sure that sharply declining red line didn't mean anything good.

"For some time now, the restaurant has been operating on a week-to-week contingency. In other words, the profits from one week only barely manage to cover the expenses for the next, if that. And where there have been shortfalls, your parents have needed to go further and further into debt to ensure essentials such as rent and utilities are covered," the blonde continued to explain. "So the unexpected weeklong closure that followed their accident is something the restaurant is going to have a hard time recovering from. We're going to need to hit the ground running on Monday, and not just match but exceed pre-pandemic sales. And that's merely to break even, much less pay down the existing debt, which at present totals…"

"Diana," Akko cut her off, now feeling alarmed for a multitude of different reasons. "I know it's bad, but you need to breathe. Let's take this one step at a time."

She wasn't sure that would work, but to her surprise, the other woman nodded and inhaled deeply. She repeated this several more times before she spoke again.

"Thank you, Akko. I'll show you what I have so far for the business recovery plan, then," she said, now turning her laptop so both of them could see the screen.

Akko's first thought was to marvel that Diana had managed to pull this together in a single afternoon – a comprehensive slideshow, complete with graphics and visual aids. Which she knew to be silly; for as long as she'd known her, Diana had been pulling off this kind of stuff literally all the time. It was part of why Akko had fallen so hard for her.

…Whiiiiiiich was not a very helpful train of thought right now. Akko forced herself to tune back into what her soon-to-be business partner was saying, and not how goddamn hot she looked while doing it.

(Although seriously Diana, wearing that dress today was Just. Not. Fair!)

"This plan rests on three central pillars: hiring of key personnel, menu changes, and focused marketing to the community," began the blonde woman. "I'll start with the first, since it's the most straightforward. Kagari's only has two employees on payroll at this time, both waitstaff with less than three months of experience apiece. Obviously, that's an insufficient workforce with which to rebuild."

"Yeah, we don't have any kitchen staff without mama," said Akko with a frown. "I think I know enough to run the front of the house, and two more waiters is probably enough if I take some shifts myself. But we need a head chef. Plus at least one or two more cooks to support them."

"Agreed. And I doubt we'll be able to find one with the appropriate experience in the short amount of time we have allotted," Diana responded. "Which is why, in the interim…"

She took a deep breath, looked Akko squarely in the eye, and then spoke her next words with all the gravity and seriousness of a medical lecture.

"I will assume the role of head chef."

Akko burst into uproarious laughter.

[-]

Diana sat there for several moments, waiting for her companion's mirth to subside. That was not the reaction she'd been hoping for.

"S…Sorry…" said Akko, in between lingering giggles. "You tell jokes so rarely that they always throw me for a loop."

"I…was not joking," Diana replied, her frown deepening. "I know that my skills aren't quite at a professional level, and I haven't studied formally in the discipline. But I think I should suffice until we can recruit or train a suitable replacement."

Akko's jaw slowly fell open, as the revelation washed over her that Diana genuinely was serious here.

"But…" she stammered. "But you're…British…"

"And your point?" asked Diana, her gaze narrowing. "Because Britain's national cuisine is infamously subpar – an assessment, incidentally, that I do not disagree with – it is impossible for a talented chef to arise from its population?"

The Japanese woman was feeling more and more flatfooted by the second. "I mean…obviously not, but…" she said, scratching at the back of her neck. "Okay, look. We've known each other for five years, haven't we? How have I never known you can cook?"

Diana shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose it simply never came up," she answered. "The food at Luna Nova was almost uniformly excellent, despite your…vociferous objections to the quantity of potatoes. And so I'm afraid my skills atrophied somewhat. But the cooks at Tokyo University are…shall we say, less gifted than the Luna Nova fairy workers. So I've taken up the craft more in recent years."

"Huh…" Akko hummed, now poking a finger ponderously to her chin. "Well, I guess I gotta try some of your cooking one of these days, so I can tell for myself."

"You already have, actually," Diana stated pointedly. "Just a few hours ago, as a matter of fact."

Mercifully, it only took Akko a few seconds to parse her meaning – as evidenced by the slow widening of her eyes. Clearly, her mental acumen had improved since their time at Luna Nova.

"Wait. Waaaaaaaait wait wait wait," spoke Akko in evident awe. "You made those cookies?"

"Yes, and I think your mother was right on the money. I'll try another teaspoon of butter the next time around," said the medical student conversationally. "I'm happy she recognized the nutmeg, though. That was a last-minute addition."

But she was cut off by a hand seizing around her sleeve.

"Okay, the rest of those pillars-or-whatever can wait," Akko declared, reaching forward with her other hand and closing Diana's laptop shut. "You and I have something way more important to do first."

"And…that is…?" asked Diana lamely, her voice catching. The fact that their arms were in contact, even through clothing, was causing a great deal of her critical thinking skills to short-circuit.

"You're gonna join me in that kitchen over there," said Akko, crimson eyes filled with determination. "And we are gonna make dinner together."