The Two Female Owners of the BBQ Restaurant

"Is this the orange chiffon cake?" Izumi Kotomi asked as she pointed to the orange chiffon cake in the display case.

"That's right, the orange and chocolate flavors are quite popular for chiffon cakes recently. They were all sold out by noon today, and these pieces were made in a rush this afternoon," Yui Yuigahama's mother said with a slight smile, her lips softly curving. For a moment, Izumi Kotomi felt that while the cake might be sweet, it couldn't compare to the sweetness of Yuigahama's mother's smile.

After selecting the orange chiffon cake and the Baumkuchen, Yui Yuigahama helped Izumi Kotomi pack the two cakes into a box. As Izumi Kotomi looked around the shop, she remembered that her sister Aimi Izumi really liked egg tarts, so she bought a box of them as well.

"Tomorrow's Friday, so we finally get a break," Yui Yuigahama said with a smile as she saw Izumi Kotomi and Megumi Kato off at the door. She was the kind of student who thought about the end of the school day as soon as classes started and dreamed of Friday once Monday arrived.

If Izumi Kotomi knew that Yui Yuigahama thought that way, she would have grabbed Yui's hands and said, "Me too!" like she had met a kindred spirit.

After parting with Yui Yuigahama, Izumi Kotomi and Megumi Kato headed home.

Since both of their houses were a bit far from the commercial district, there was no shortcut to take. They had to return to the intersection from earlier, then turn left to head home.

"Are you going to have yakiniku with your sister after school tomorrow, Izumi-san?"

"I promised her earlier. After school tomorrow, we'll go."

Megumi Kato casually mentioned, "If you're planning to have yakiniku, I have a place I'd recommend. It's not far from your house, Izumi-san. It's reasonably priced, and the meat is both delicious and served in generous portions."

"Oh? Really? This is the first I've heard of such a yakiniku place near my house. What's the name? Do you have the address?" Izumi Kotomi asked. She had been wondering where to take Aimi for yakiniku tomorrow night, and Megumi Kato's recommendation came at just the right time.

"Yes, I do. I'll send you the address on my phone. But if you plan to go in the evening, make sure to reserve a table in advance. Otherwise, it'll be hard to find a seat when you get there," Megumi Kato advised.

After saying that, she sent Izumi Kotomi the location of the recommended yakiniku restaurant.

"Adshima Yakiniku? Is this a newly opened yakiniku place? I've never heard of it before," Izumi Kotomi said after receiving the location and name of the restaurant. She recalled that the spot used to be a gyoza and fried rice shop, but the owner had moved to a location with cheaper rent, leaving the original place vacant.

She had often seen renovation trucks passing by recently, which must have been for this new yakiniku place.

"Yes, the restaurant just opened a few weeks ago. It's run by two girls. I don't know their first names, only their last names—one is called Adachi Sakura, and the other Shimamura Hougetsu. The restaurant's name might be a combination of their names."

Adachi and Shimamura.

Adshima Yakiniku...

Thinking of this, Izumi Kotomi couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" Megumi Kato asked when she saw Izumi Kotomi suddenly smiling.

"Nothing, I just find the restaurant's name amusing. It makes me really want to go there for yakiniku," Izumi Kotomi said with a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

In her past life, she hadn't gotten to see the ending of Adachi and Shimamura before she died, and it had always been a regret in her heart. But she never expected that in this life, she would find out the outcome of Adachi and Shimamura's story in such an unexpected way.

She wondered if the two of them had gotten married by now.

Well, since they've opened a restaurant together, it seems they're already living together...

When they reached the door to Izumi Kotomi's house, she stopped and said to Megumi Kato, "Would you like to come in for a bit, Kato-san?"

"Hmm~ I'd love to, but my mom's making dumplings at home today, so I need to go help her," Megumi Kato said with some regret.

"It's no problem. You're welcome to come over anytime, Kato-san."

"I'll remember that, Izumi-san~" Megumi Kato said with a slightly teasing tone before continuing on her way.

She would remember.

When Megumi Kato got home, she saw her mother chopping vegetables in the kitchen.

"Mom, I'm back."

"Ah, Megumi, welcome home. How was school today?"

"It was great."

"Really? I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Megumi, if I remember correctly, your school lets out at 4 p.m., right? How come you've been coming home so late these past two days?" Ikemi Kato asked, concerned. Her daughter usually came home on time, but lately, she hadn't been arriving until after 5 p.m.

As a mother, how could she not worry?

"I've taken to finishing my homework in the Sobu High School library. That way, I have more free time to play when I get home~" Megumi Kato explained with a smile, taking out a workbook from her bag to show her mother as proof.

"You silly girl, you need to make sure you're still focusing on your studies when you play. Haven't you always wanted to go to Kyushu University? If you don't work hard, it'll be tough to get in," Ikemi Kato said, stroking her daughter's head affectionately.

"Mom, I want to talk to you about college. I don't want to aim for Kyushu University anymore."

"You don't want to go to Kyushu University? Then what university do you plan to apply to in your third year? Megumi, although it's hard to get into Kyushu University, I believe that if you work hard for all three years of high school, you still have a good chance of getting in."

"No, it's just that I've suddenly changed my target to Tokyo University and Kyoto University. As for which one I'll choose, I haven't decided yet. When I make up my mind, I'll definitely let you and Dad know," Megumi Kato said calmly.

"When did you decide to change your goal?" Ikemi Kato asked, puzzled. She didn't understand why her daughter, who had always said she wanted to go to Kyushu University, had suddenly changed her mind.

"Just now, on the way home," Megumi Kato replied nonchalantly, as if it were something she had casually decided.

"Oh, well... okay."

Even though she didn't yet understand why her daughter had suddenly decided to aim for Tokyo University or Kyoto University, Ikemi Kato nodded in agreement.

She had always been supportive and doting when it came to her daughter's decisions.

"Thank you, Mom. I'll head to my room now. Call me if you need any help."

"Don't worry about it. I can make these dumplings in no time," Ikemi Kato said confidently.

Megumi Kato went back to her room, closed the door, and immediately picked up the tablet on her desk to search for the train schedule from Tokyo to Chiba City on Go*gle.

However, Megumi Kato wasn't looking for just any train schedule. She wanted to know what time the last train from Tokyo's Roppongi to Chiba City departed.

"Saturday's train schedule... ah, here it is. The last train departs at 12:30 a.m. Hehe, it looks like after watching the movie with Izumi-san on Saturday night, I'll have to make sure we stay out until after 12:30 a.m."

"Oh right, I should also check if there are any available hotel rooms in the Roppongi area on Saturday night, preferably with a large bed. Even if we miss the last train, I'll take responsibility and make sure Izumi-san gets a good night's sleep~"