Chapter 31 two

…As above, I am reminded of some stories from last year. Thinking about it this way, last year I was even colder than this year.After all, Ibara and I were quite distant at the time, so there was nothing I could do. After graduating from Kasiya Middle School, all three of us successfully entered Kamiyama High School.Later, for unknown reasons, I joined the same club again.Although Satoshi and I are considered friends, and Ibara has a crush on Satoshi, the three of us are not a "three-person group of best friends" who even go to the bathroom together.The reason why we have joined the 'Ancient Books Research Society', a mysterious society whose purpose is not clear, is because of "a trick of fate" in poetic terms, and "naturally" in prose terms. , it will come when conditions are ripe."

However, when it comes to the Ancient Books Research Society, it is far from enough to mention just the three of us.There are four members in the Ancient Books Research Society run by the Lecture Room of Geosciences, and the last one is the most difficult nut to crack. The high-pitched sound of this hard-to-eat bone breaks the tranquility of my memory. "Eh? What's going on? I'm curious!" Looking back, the first thing that caught my eye was a head of long black hair.Although her back is facing me, I can't see her face, but even if I don't look at it, I know what her expression is now.Whenever she said "I'm curious", the only thing on her body that didn't match Yamato Nadeko's temperament - those big eyes - would be further widened, and maybe her cheeks would also be stained. light red.This person is the only daughter of the rich farmer Chitanda family, Chitanda Eru.Thanks to this guy's exuberant and wide-ranging curiosity, the Ancient Books Research Society is also full of vitality this year-although for me who like to do nothing, this is a complete disaster.

In the middle of the classroom, Chitanda and Ibara had been chatting for quite a while.I don't know if they didn't pay attention to me who was reading next to me, but the volume of both of them was as usual.Because of this, their conversation flowed into my ears naturally once I turned my attention away from the memory.I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but here's what Ibara said next: "So, the reason why chocolate has been used as a 'drink' for four thousand years is not because South Americans lack creativity, but because technology There's a bottleneck." Since just now, the two have been discussing various topics related to chocolate, but rather than 'discussing', it might be more appropriate to say that Ibara is giving Chitanda a 'lesson'.My memories of last year's Valentine's Day are also born from this.Last year...yes, a whole year soon.Now, 2001 AD has also entered February. I don't know if it is for energy saving or what, the school has set the heating to a mere 16 degrees, which is not enough to keep out the cold.Energy saving is indeed in my favor, but I am not sensitive to the cold.

However, Ibara’s tone is always full of fiery enthusiasm enough to drive away the cold: “Even after being brought back to Europe by the Spanish conquistadors, it took a long time for chocolate to become popular as a hobby. It’s no wonder, When the cocoa beans are crushed, what you get is a viscous liquid with more than 50 percent fat. Who wants to drink that when coffee already exists.” "Although I'm more afraid of caffeine, so I can't drink coffee..." Chitanda paused for a moment, then continued, "But it doesn't feel too good to say that half of it is oil."

Of course, that would be the same as drinking mayonnaise directly. "It is said that the gastrointestinal problem is really serious." "But then it became more popular." "It became popular because of the addition of sugar. In the UK, chocolate seems to be regarded as a more advanced drink than coffee. Because it has medicinal effects and contains a lot of calories, it sounds like a high-end drink." "Efficacy?" "Well, as an aphrodisiac." Chitanda tilted her head: "Hey? What are the words?" Ihara, who was hesitant to speak, froze for a moment, and the conversation was temporarily interrupted.I raised my head from the paperback book and glanced at Ihara, as expected, I blushed.Who made her talk more than her head?

"Urging, urging..." "What about after the reminder?" "all in all!" If so, Ibara tried to forcefully advance the topic.Although she had a smile on her face in a hurry, no matter how you look at it, it was squeezed out through gritted teeth. "If you want to turn a beverage like chocolate into food, you not only need to extract the oil, but also wait for the technology of adding alkali. Only this method can neutralize the sour taste and break down the oil." These technical topics seemed to attract Chitanda's interest, and Ibara successfully shifted the focus of the conversation.

"Add alkali? It's rare to hear that someone adds alkali to food... Yes, it's also used in Chinese noodles." Seeing this, Yi Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief: "But relying on these technologies alone is not enough. The cocoa beans taste hard and are not tasty at all, so we have to continue grinding. The size of the crushed grains is... Xiaoqian, do you think there will be How big is it?" Particle size of chocolate?Never thought about it.I also blamed the surprisingly boring softcover book in my hand, and I was also attracted to Ibara's questions.It's just that I don't even have a concept on this topic, and I can't imagine it at all.

Chitanda, on the other hand, replied in a low voice with little confidence: "Let me think about it. I heard from the wheat seller at home that the particle size of flour is about 40 to 50 microns. Is it similar to chocolate?" However, Yi Yuan shook his head triumphantly as if he was the inventor of the technology: "Let me tell you, it's only 20 microns!" "...It's amazing!" Is this number surprising?I couldn't understand the astonishment at all because I couldn't find anything to refer to.But how much difference can there be between 20 microns and 50 microns?

...Ah, 2.5 times. Chitanda kept nodding her head in admiration. "It's a bit difficult to grind it down to such a small size with only a mortar and a wooden stick." “Just as you can’t make ice cream without an ice cream maker, you can’t make chocolate from cocoa beans at home.” "It's a pity, Fukube-san, don't you want chocolate made from cocoa beans?" Hearing this, Ibara sighed: "I didn't know last year. Who knew it was so difficult to make chocolate... But Ah Fu probably doesn't know this, so it's okay!" "No problem means..."

Before Chitanda asked half of the question, a smile appeared on Ibara's face.Don't get me wrong, that smile is not hearty, and it can even be exaggerated to say: "She let out a creepy sneer from her throat, and I couldn't help but sweat when I heard it. There was a twisted pleasure from the corner of the girl's mouth, as if she was enjoying own dark passions in general".I saw Yi Yuan clenched his fists and raised his head, declaring resolutely: "I must make the best handmade chocolate! If Ah Fu still dares to babble, I will lock him up and let him take care of the data together." Learn what I just said. If it doesn’t work...I’ll open his mouth and stuff the chocolate into it!"

...Women are really irresistible.If it is inappropriate to refer to all women in general, at least Ibara cannot be offended.Although what Ibara said was exaggerated just now, it wasn't all a joke.Satoshi is also really pitiful, because last year he made some random excuses when he refused Ibara chocolate, and this year he has to suffer such a bad result.Anyway, it is self-inflicted. It seemed that even Chitanda couldn't stand Ibara's vengeance. She comforted Ihara with her gestures, then brought the conversation back to the point and said, "B-By the way, what are you going to do this time? Kinds of desserts that use chocolate." a lot of……" It must have been decided long ago, Ihara replied without thinking: "Use a mold to make a heart shape." "Huh? But in that case..." "I know I'm not creative. But last year's failed product was also heart-shaped. This year I must let him accept it." After the topic finally returned to the right track, Ihara suddenly leaned out again.In response, Chitanda also leaned forward, their foreheads almost touching each other. "In short, I want to prepare the best chocolate. It must be the kind that is not inferior to the pastry shop...Xiao Qian, do you know where there is something similar?" For some reason, Chitanda suddenly lowered her volume, and replied, "In this case...there is an ingredient store for professionals next to the wholesale market, maybe you can take a look." Yi Yuan also lowered his voice: "Take me there?" "Well, how is this Sunday?" "Then it's settled...don't tell Ah Fu." "certainly!" In this case, the two made a firm vow between women. Although it's none of my business, but with a man like me and Satoshi's friend present, are these two people really at ease... It's okay to regard this as their trust in me, but from an objective point of view, the two of them made it clear Just didn't take me seriously.Just thinking about it, Ihara seemed to have finally discovered my existence, and said to this side: "Ah, Oreki." "……Ok?" I also replied as if I had just noticed Ibara.Yi Yuan didn't pay attention to my small movements, but showed a rare gentle smile: "Don't say anything." "Oh." "...Don't say it even if you die, do you hear me?" I definitely won't say it!So can you stop looking at me like that? After school the next day, Ihara and Chitanda were still teaching chocolate in the geology lecture room.Because of my scruples about these two people, I walked home as soon as school was over. I buckled up my windbreaker in the cold February wind and blended into the crowd leaving school.Speaking of which, last year—when I was still a junior high school student—I was like this, going home immediately after school every day.At that time, my life was muddled, and I had nothing to do when I went home early every day.In fact, even if I recall specifically, I can't remember how I spent my time after school at that time.Then again, as far as "aimless" is concerned, there is not much difference between this year and last year. I followed the flow of people up the street, crossed the narrow bridge onto the sidewalk, and entered the shopping street.The winter sun, which was already weak, was even less warm in the evening.I don't know when, the figure of the classmates from the same school has gradually become rare.It's not because I hate the cold that I feel this way, it's just that there are fewer people.Having said that, the cars around me are still one after another. Walking on the shopping street, there are fabric stores, fashion stores, barber shops, and various signs one after another.A little electronic sound mixed with the sound of the wind flows through the ears - next to the barber shop is a home appliance game center.I wanted to pass by here, but I suddenly realized that among the several bicycles parked side by side in front of the shop, one of them was very familiar to me.The left handle of this mountain bike had been repaired with rags, and it must have been Satoshi's. I glanced at my watch.Although I didn't particularly want to play, there was no point in going home too early.That being the case, according to my belief of "doing nothing superfluous and keeping things simple", there is only one action that should be taken at this moment...turn around and go home. At this moment, the glass automatic door in front of him opened.It was Satoshi who came out.He seemed to come out on purpose when he saw me, and waved to me with his usual smile. "Yo." "what." Satoshi looked at my expression: "Hmph~? It seems that you are in no hurry." Say all the things I don't want to hear.Seeing that I didn't respond, he pointed to the video game center with his thumb and said, "It's just the right time to pass by. We haven't played in a long time. Would you like to have a game? Although I developed a special version of Lizhi's nirvana , but just playing on the computer is really not enough.” It seems that they are looking for me to play a battle game.I yawned and said, "I haven't played in a while." Hearing that, Satoshi said lightly, "Me too. But, Houtarou, the statement from the Central Education Council—the Central Education Commission for short—says that children these days are playing games all day long. So, If we as modern teenagers don’t even play games, we’re going to have an educational problem.” I shrugged at Satoshi's sneer, and walked into the store.Anyway, there is no need to refuse. It may be part of the image strategy. The long-lost video game center is brightly lit, even a bit dazzling.The smell of cigarettes pervading in my memory has completely disappeared. Correspondingly, the shop is also very sparsely populated.The small machines were moved to the corner by the shopkeeper, while the big ones were filled with unfamiliar large machines. It's been a long time, how long has it been since?I hardly ever go to an arcade by myself.In other words, if you want to come, you will basically be with Satoshi.Then the period when I often came here should be last year... no, the year before last. I've hardly ever seen a game on screen.It's no wonder, after all, I haven't been here for two years.Ignoring me who was dazzled as if I had come to a foreign land, Satoshi walked into the depths of the shop on his own, and waved to me before a game: "How about it, you should remember this, right?" I do have some impressions of the game Satoshi chose, or rather, Satoshi and I used to play this game a lot.There are two cockpit-shaped black machines lined up in front of you, and the game itself is a simulated battle between robots.Two years on—maybe earlier as well—the game is still here.Satoshi opened his arms and shouted: "Magazines are flying, lights are intertwined! This game is completely a man's romance, you can't ask Mayaka to play it." "If you ask her to play other games, she may not know how to play. Then come, although I think I'm already born." "What are you talking about, I'll find the feeling soon. Anyway, please be merciful." After speaking, Satoshi's petite body got into the cockpit.Not long after, an exciting techno sounded from the machine. Putting down my schoolbag and taking off my windbreaker, I sat in another cockpit in a relaxed suit.After putting a hundred-yen coin into the coin slot, I asked Satoshi to challenge him.The airframe Satoshi chose was the same as two years ago, good at air combat and focused on mobility.The body was slender, with a cannon hidden in its right hand, and a beam cannon protruding from its body.I also directly chose the large ship and cannon type body that I used before.The machine appears to have a lower center of gravity and is stronger, with a smoothbore cannon in its right hand and laser cannons on its shoulders. Two bodies are displayed on the screen.The computer automatically chose the battlefield for us - the deck of the air carrier.In my vague memory, there are no obstacles on this map, which is slightly unfavorable for Satoshi's evasive machine.Anyway, this level can't make up for the disadvantage that I haven't played for two years. "Get Ready" - a synthesized voice prompts.There are only two joysticks and a total of four buttons on the console. "Go". There are three games in total.It may be that Satoshi deliberately asked me to use half of the time limit in the last game to familiarize myself with the operation.With 10 seconds left at the end, the laser cannon I fired to confirm the operation happened to hit the Satoshi body dangling in front of me.All I heard was a strange scream coming from the cockpit next to me.Even if there is no one around, this guy is quite embarrassing.Just like that, Satoshi's thinly armored machine was completely scrapped. Before the start of the second round, Li Zhi jumped out of his cockpit neatly, got into my side and said, "How does it feel, can you do it?" "Well, I probably remember it all. Let's start." "OK, then I'm not going to be polite!" Following the sound of Satoshi sitting back in his chair, the battle began.The next moment, Satoshi's body disappeared from my range, I guess he was serious about it.I also immediately operated the body to run away, and blue flames exploded where my body was just now.I turned the aircraft's orientation to search for the enemy plane, and when I spotted the enemy plane almost directly behind, I pulled the trigger and fired the smoothbore gun.But just before the hit, the opponent disappeared from my field of vision again.The opponent's movement speed is beyond my reach. As the feeling of the past gradually awakened, I also temporarily adopted a policy of avoidance.It is said to avoid the policy, but in fact it is just running away blindly.I saw Satoshi's body flying into the sky, and machine guns rained down like raindrops.That being said, my body can still withstand a few bullets. After all, the armor is set to be thick. When we were in junior high school, we basically had two ways to win this game: either I destroyed Satoshi’s body with great firepower at the beginning, or Satoshi used his mobility to tease me until the time limit.Satoshi wins more than me, and he often jokes with me, saying "Houtaro, you are too quick for quick success". In an instant, an enemy plane appeared in the sky directly in front of me.It's going to get worse, so I hastily aimed and fired a laser.Who would have thought that the enemy plane would descend rapidly and dodge the bombardment perfectly.Satoshi turned to me who was stiff and unable to move, fired the beam cannon with maximum firepower, and I could only be beaten obediently.The dominance of the battle was thus controlled by Satoshi, and under his continuous cannon fire, I was defeated. Game three. With the sound of "Go", I rushed forward desperately to shorten the distance between the two sides.Maybe it was because of his weak spot that he was caught, so Satoshi had no choice but to flee to the rear.I seized the opportunity to fire a series of smoothbore shots, one of which hit in the front.Satoshi's body armor is very thin, so he must have suffered a lot of injuries. But Satoshi's strength should not be underestimated.I thought he would concentrate on avoiding it for a while, but he stopped where he was and fired a beam cannon.Because I was too close to react, my body was blown to the ground. As soon as I stood up, Satoshi unleashed a slam attack with all his firepower.Looks like a head-to-head battle.For the barrage in front of me, I sometimes dodge it by sprinting, and sometimes use my armor to push it down. "Ok……?" While busy operating the joystick, I suddenly felt a kind of incoordination.Did you feel this way when you fought against Satoshi before? No, absolutely not. Satoshi's previous style was not like this.Time is running out as the armor of both sides is reduced by the opponent's firepower.Satoshi managed to dodge the smoothbore gun I fired by relying on his anticipation, and then rushed towards me.On the screen, the slender body is rapidly approaching. However, the machine running in a straight line happened to be the target of the laser cannon.As I pulled the trigger, I remembered— That's right, Satoshi's style should be "victory first".In order to win, he will do whatever it takes. As long as the situation is unfavorable, he will definitely escape and wait for the opportunity.If he can win after running out of time, he will keep dodging.On the contrary, he will use all his strength when attacking.Not only that, system errors and game bugs are also within the scope of his exploitation. In short, Satoshi just wants to win.Also, if he loses due to some unlucky factors, his displeasure is palpable and he is quite reluctant to admit defeat.To be honest, the reason why I left the video game center was to get away from Satoshi's obsession. So what happened to this assault? ...is it a trap? It's too late to realize - the trigger has been pulled, and my body has entered the state of firing laser cannons.Satoshi only needs to brake suddenly here, escape into the air and fire a beam cannon, and the victory will be decided. But he didn't do that.A lightsaber suddenly protruded from the right hand of Lizhi's body that occupied most of the screen.Want to fight melee?That's too much nonsense, how could such a distance be possible in time. When the blade was about to hit me, the laser cannon hit the opponent head-on at a very close range.Satoshi's body was blown away without any explanation. The big score was 2-1, and I won. Before "You Win" disappeared from the screen, Satoshi suddenly moved his face closer.I wanted to see what his expression was, but it turned out to be disappointing—it was still the same smiling face.This guy looks very excited: "Oh, it's so intense! Houtaro, you haven't played for two years? It's so flexible. People say that riding a bicycle, swimming and riding a horse can be remembered for a lifetime , it seems that operating the robot has to go there too!" As expected of Satoshi, he can tell jokes so beautifully, and he's really impeccable.Anyone would be happy to win the match, so I replied with a smile: "I haven't played for such a long time, I have already turned back to the beginner level, it's just luck." As the winner, I got the right to continue playing against the computer.Satoshi pointed at the screen to let me continue, and then I played casually and lost without thinking. Just as I dropped the GAME OVER screen and started to get out of the cockpit, a can of coffee suddenly appeared in front of me.Leaning forward and looking up, it was Satoshi who was handing out the coffee. "The prize, my treat." He said.I took the coffee.Although it is only in a can, the coffee itself has been heated, and it is pure black coffee.I unceremoniously opened the can and asked, "Why are you so generous all of a sudden?" "It also means compensation. I force you to play with me." "You really care about that?" "Just talking!" Canned coffee is naturally hot, but to be honest, I'm not very used to hot drinks.I leaned against a machine next to me, and slowly sipped it with the tip of my tongue. Satoshi didn't look abnormal at all, rather his good mood seemed natural.However, this "can't be more aspirational" place conflicts with my memory.This guy lost the game just now, something is really not right here. "Satoshi, at the end of the third set." "Huh? Ah, I tried my best." "Why don't you fly? You can sink me in the air...why fight?" Satoshi shrugged jokingly: "For giant robots, the greatest romance is of course hand-to-hand combat. It's the most enjoyable to end the game with a clean knife. However, being counterattacked by the main weapon at full power is quite a feeling scene, so I am quite satisfied with the ending." An understatement.If what Satoshi said is true, then what he pursues is not victory or defeat but romance... Or, in other words, he deliberately lost for fun. It's really a suitable way of input for Satoshi.This attitude towards failure can be said to be in line with his image of a counterfeit elegant scholar who obeys instinct and pursues happiness.These were normal actions for the Satoshi I knew. But what did I think of at that moment? "Okay, let me show you Satoshi's Special Killer 2 next. Watch me show you the legendary full-time 'Fishing the Moon with a Pot'!" I was still sipping my coffee while Satoshi put coins into the mahjong game machine.Looking at him who is determined and unyielding, two images keep wandering in my mind: Satoshi who beats the machine when he loses, and Satoshi who treats the winner to coffee if he loses.