"So...how's it going, nee-san?"

Aoba turned her attention from the notes and peered over her shoulder to see Kinugasa smiling warmly like she always did.

"Well...So far, the people I've interviewed pretty much answered the same thing," Aoba groaned.

"Really? Like what?" Kinugasa sat beside her, setting down the bento box she was carrying just nearby. While she would always admire her sister for working hard, she often found her investigations too nosy to her liking—but this one was a rare exception, if only because she had never thought Aoba would even think of making a story about that.

"Okay, so first, I found Belfast-san taking a tea break. Surprising enough, huh? With how she usually is, you'd think she's all work, work work—then I asked her the question, and she said, and I quote, 'my sister's exquisite tea,'" Aoba said, sniffling. The potent, earthy scent of Edinburgh's brew lingered still within her nose. It was, without a doubt, loaded with herbs. She was offered a cup, and even just a single sip gave her a big jolt.

"Oh...I see. Maybe I could ask Edinburgh-san for tips sometime. She seems nice enough," Kinugasa beamed. "Then, who's next?"

Surprised but not minding Kinugasa getting invested in her work, Aoba continued.

"Oh...then I met George-san. Asked her the same question. She said it was her sister's cookies. I can't say I'm surprised—even before she opened that bag, I could sniff the sugar and chocolate."

"Ah...I hope she doesn't eat too much sugar," Kinugasa shook her head. Knowing someone is not eating a balanced diet often had her concerned, no matter who they were. "It seems a lot of people like the smell of food more than anything, isn't it?"

"Well...I did accidentally see Akagi-san being buried under Amagi-san's tails...she seemed to enjoy sniffing them too much. But I had to bolt out of there before she could murder me."

Kinugasa laughed along with Aoba. Her sister took it well, at least—though she had to remind herself not to bring that up in front of anyone by accident. She hoped Aoba would be just as prudent.

"Well, that's the most exciting thing from my investigation so far. But then again, this port is big; there are lots of people around here I could interview. That means I'll be busy for the whole day, though."

"Hm-mm," Kinugasa hummed and nodded before presenting the box to Aoba. "I know. That's why I'm bringing you this. Can't have you neglect proper eating, can we?"

Aoba rolled her eyes as she received the food but chuckled after that.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. I'm pretty hungry anyway. Thanks a bunch, Kinugasa," she said, opening the lid to let the pleasant aroma waft into the air—the fish, the vegetables, the eggs.

As much as she wanted to add that particular detail to her article, she knew she would end up derailing it by singing her sister praises.

But just as everyone she had interviewed had the one scent they adored the most in the world, she, too, had hers.

And that would be the food her sister had carefully, lovingly prepared for her.