"Have you ever eaten Crystal Peach Blossom Cake?"
"Crystal Peach Blossom Cake? I've never eaten it before," Shinchan and Toru Kazama said, shaking their heads. "Is it delicious?"
Asuka smiled and said nothing. "You'll know soon enough."
Seeing her enigmatic smile, Shinchan and Toru exchanged a glance, their anticipation growing.
"Sister, let me help!" Shinchan declared, eager to impress after his earlier antics at the table.
"I... I can help too!" Toru quickly added, unwilling to be left out.
"Alright," Asuka nodded. She then assigned tasks: "I found rock sugar and peach blossom tea in the kitchen earlier. You two can help by melting the rock sugar into sugar water and brewing the peach blossom tea. Just make sure the tea isn't too strong."
"Turn rock sugar into sugar water and make a pot of peach blossom tea..." Shinchan repeated. Then, patting his chest, he confidently volunteered, "Got it! I'll make the tea, and Toru can handle the sugar water!"
"Huh? But I wanted to make the tea!" Toru protested.
"Oh, it doesn't matter. We're just helping Big Sister make snacks. Let's get started, Kazama~"
"You mean to say, be generous..."
Ignoring their bickering, Asuka set to work. She took out rice flour, glutinous rice flour, and some small edible decorations. After brushing a layer of butter onto pastry molds, she poured in a thin layer of batter, added decorations, and topped it off with more batter. She made a dozen molds in total—enough for the four of them—and then stopped.
By then, Toru and Shinchan had returned, carefully carrying the sugar water and peach blossom tea.
"Sister, we're done!" Toru said, handing over the sugar water.
"Great. I'll take it from here. You two can rest for now."
Asuka accepted the sugar water and peach blossom tea. She mixed them with rice flour and glutinous rice flour in a bowl, stirring the mixture for five minutes until it reached the perfect consistency. Then, she poured it into the prepared molds.
After finishing, she placed the remaining sugar water in the refrigerator, carefully picked up the molds, and set them to steam.
That's right—steamed.
This was a new method for Shinchan and Toru, who were accustomed to snacks like cakes or pan-fried waffles. They leaned closer, watching with fascination.
Meanwhile, Mineko Kazama had finished cleaning the table. Drawn by the sweet aroma wafting from the kitchen, she entered, marveling at Asuka's culinary skills. Yet, curiosity nagged at her.
"Sister Asuka, could we talk for a moment?" Mineko asked softly.
Asuka nodded, turned down the heat under the steamer, and followed her out of the kitchen.
"Have a seat," Mineko said, gesturing to the sofa.
Once Asuka was seated, Mineko asked gently, "Sister Asuka, where did you live before?"
Asuka frowned, thinking. "Where I lived... I don't remember."
"You don't remember?" Mineko asked, surprised. She quickly composed herself. "I see... Then, do you have family?"
"I don't have family," Asuka replied without hesitation.
"No family? How..." Mineko trailed off, catching herself. She adjusted her tone, her mind racing with possible explanations.
Perhaps Asuka had lost her family in some tragedy, or she might be suffering from amnesia. Another possibility was that Asuka had been orphaned as a child and learned her impressive cooking skills while working in a restaurant.
Mineko decided not to press further. "Do you have any plans for the future?"
"Plans..." Asuka repeated, lowering her head in thought.
"I don't know yet. But... there is one name I vaguely remember."
"A name?" Mineko perked up. "What name?"
"Nohara," Asuka said softly.
"Nohara?!" Mineko exclaimed, glancing at Shinchan, who was playing nearby.
"Do you remember anything else? A first name, maybe?"
Asuka shook her head. "Just the surname."
Mineko sighed. "I see..."
She mulled over the few people in Kasukabe with the surname Nohara. One name immediately came to mind: Shinchan's family.
"Shinchan, come here!" Mineko called.
"Coming, Mom Kazama!" Shinchan dashed over.
Mineko explained, "Sister Asuka remembers the surname Nohara. I thought your mom might know something, so I'd like to give her a call."
"Big Sister knows someone named Nohara?" Shinchan asked, suddenly serious. He puffed out his chest, eager to impress. "Alright! I'll call my mom!"
Asuka watched their exchange, puzzled but touched by their concern.
After some time, Asuka glanced at the clock and realized the cakes were ready.
"Sister Mineko, the Crystal Peach Blossom Cake is done," she announced.
The group hurried to the kitchen, where Asuka turned off the heat and carefully wiped condensation from the steamer lid before opening it.
A wave of sweet peach blossom fragrance filled the kitchen, transporting them to a dreamlike peach orchard in full bloom.
Toru and Mineko closed their eyes, savoring the aroma, while Shinchan bounced with excitement.
Finally, the mist cleared...