This is not the date I wanted.

"But you're really only referring to kinako bread. The taste of 'happiness' is entirely up to the individual. Your happiness is not the same as other people's happiness. If you want to open a bakery just for this reason, I can guarantee that it will go bankrupt within a few days of opening."

Origami sighed helplessly as she spoke.

"I'm not trying to discourage you. If you like to eat soybean flour bread, no one will stop you. But after all, it concerns your future, so it's better to consider your career path carefully."

"Of course I know about this kind of thing..."

After mumbling something quietly, Tohka asked Origami as if to change the subject.

"What about you? What did you fill in on your application?"

"……secret."

Origami replied calmly. Tohka was a little dissatisfied with her attitude.

"What? You come to me to ask about your career path? But you don't even tell me your own career path?"

"…You told me this voluntarily. I didn't answer your questions in exchange."

"what?!"

Hearing this, Tohka couldn't help but feel angry.

"Hmph! Forget it, I'm not interested in your aspirations! Whether you want to go to a prestigious university or study abroad, it's up to you!"

——————————I am the dividing line when I return home————————————

After returning home, Tohka decided to discuss her career path with her grandmother.

"Open a... bakery?"

"Well, so I want to work and study at a nearby bakery, and then open a bakery after graduation."

Carefully observing the other person's expression, Tohka said uneasily.

"……Yeah?"

The old man named Guan Meng sighed slowly, with a slightly complicated expression.

(Again... that expression.)

Tohka felt an inexplicable pain in her heart.

Just like that day, after seeing myself bringing home a bag of soybean flour bread, for a moment, my grandmother's kind and benevolent face seemed confused and embarrassed for some reason.

To be honest, compared to Origami's scolding, her grandmother's tired expression made her feel more sad and guilty.

“Well, if it doesn’t work, forget it. I only filled it out to get by. Origami also said that I have no chance.”

However, just as Tohka was about to get up and leave, Guan Meng grabbed her hand and shook her head with a wry smile.

"...Silly child. I haven't even opened my mouth yet, why are you so worried and imagining things?"

Guan Meng smiled and sighed, as if he had figured something out, and spoke softly.

"That's true...it's really difficult to open a store. If you really want to do it, grandma will definitely support you."

"Really, really?!"

Tohka asked in surprise. In response, Guan Meng smiled and nodded.

"Of course...Tohka found what she wanted to do. Grandma couldn't be more happy."

Hearing this, Tohka couldn't help but hug Guan Meng with joy.

"Thank you grandma! I love you the most!"

35 If Line Searching for the Scent of Happiness (Part )

==============================

Just like that, with Guan Meng's permission, Tohka started working part-time in a bakery on the street.

When she first started working, things went smoothly. With her seriousness and diligence in work, as well as her beautiful face and cheerful personality, Tohka soon became the store's poster girl and was deeply loved by the store manager.

However, after finally being allowed to enter the kitchen to learn for a while, Tohka was persuaded by the store manager in a very tactful and gentle tone.

"Tohka-chan... everyone has things they are good at and things they are not good at. I can sense your passion for making bread, but I personally suggest that you don't put too much energy into this aspect. You can try more things in other areas."

"Yes...thank you very much."

Even Tohka understood that she was being discouraged.

"Huh...why am I not making any progress? Do I really have no talent for cooking?"

After finishing her part-time job, Tohka couldn't help but sigh listlessly as she walked home.

"I am back."

"Hey, you're back! My family!"

"Welcome. Welcome back Tohka."

When Tohka opened the door of her house, she saw Yui and Yakuya passing by the entrance.

"Worried. What's wrong, Tohka? You look listless?"

"Hmm... Now that you mention it, it's true. Your expression doesn't have the same bold and courageous look as before. What happened?"

Seeing the worried looks from the two, Tohka hesitated for a moment, but still shook her head and replied with a full of energy.

"That's not true! Um! I'm the same as usual!"

Hearing this, the Yamai sisters did not doubt him.

"Is that so... Well, I'm glad you're alright. I received an offering from the alchemist of Homugi today. It's just the right amount for a quick dinner, so I'll accept it without hesitation."

"Saving your craving. Take a piece of the store manager's bread, Xixian."

Seeing Yakuya and Yui mistakenly taking away the bread she made in the bag, Tohka was stunned at first, and then said a little panicked.

"Eh? That——"

"Ugh! Ahem, phew, phew - what's going on? Is this soybean flour bread cursed?"

"Subtle. Is this the manager's failure?"

"Woo..."

Although she knew that Yui and Yakuya had no ill intentions, Tohka still felt a little aggrieved and wanted to cry when she saw their reactions.

……

"what's the situation?"

Looking at Tohka who was squatting in the corner of the balcony with a depressed look on her face, and the Yamai sisters who were at a loss beside her, Tobiichi Origami asked silently.

"That's right. Yakushiya is speaking without thinking."

"I didn't mean to do that! I didn't know it was Tohka's work, and you, Xixian, are no better than me."

"..."

Listening to the two people sabotaging each other and taking a look at the bread bag thrown aside, Origami seemed to be able to guess what was going on.

Picking up a piece of soybean flour bread, Origami walked to the balcony, tore off a small piece of bread and started chewing.

"...it tastes bad."

After finishing the whole piece of bread, Origami commented without changing her expression.

"It's not heated evenly, and the texture is not chewy at all. The combination of soybean powder, butter, and other seasonings is completely wrong. It tastes more sour than sweet, like expired food. Although it's much better than the charcoal and mysterious object I made at the beginning, if you sell it as a commodity, the store will probably go bankrupt in less than a week."

"What are you doing here, Tobiichi Origami?" Tohka hugged her knees and said coldly, "I'm in a bad mood now. If you just come here to laugh at me, can you please leave?"

"What's wrong? Where did your usual excess energy go?"

"I want you to manage."

Origami sighed and said earnestly.

"I've said it before, you don't have a talent for cooking. It's fine if you just treat it as a hobby, but it's impossible for you to support yourself as a job. You're going to be a senior in high school soon, so you don't have much time to waste."

Hearing Origami's words, Tohka gritted her teeth in displeasure.

"You don't need to tell me. I know this too..."

"In that case, then quickly give up that thought. Reconsider your wish——"

"Don't make it sound so easy!"

As if irritated by Origami's nonchalant tone, Tohka retorted somewhat uncontrollably.

"I'm not as smart as you, Origami! I don't have excellent grades like you, and I can't master anything you learn immediately like you! Don't think that everyone has the same choices!!"

Origami couldn't help but frown when she heard Tohka's words. Just as she was about to speak, someone suddenly tapped her shoulder.

"No... Origami, I know you mean no harm... but... you have to be careful with how you say it."

"Grandma Guan Meng..."

"Don't worry, Tohka, just leave it to me."

Looking at Guan Meng's kind and gentle smile, Origami was silent for a moment, then nodded silently.

"I'm sorry...if I made you upset. I apologize."

After a soft apology, Origami quietly left.

"What's wrong, Tohka... You'll catch a cold if you get caught in the wind in a place like this... Dinner is ready, come and eat."

Slowly walking to Tohka's side, Guan Meng spoke in a calm and gentle tone.

"…I'm not hungry. I just want to be alone. Grandma, can you go eat first?"

Tohka shook her head.

"The dishes I made today are all Tohka's favorites..."

"Gulu——No, no need! I said I have no appetite——"

Gurgle! However, as if exposing Tohka's lie, her stomach growled with hunger.

Tohka's cheeks suddenly turned red with embarrassment.

"Tohka is a very honest child. Grandma is very happy..."

With a relieved smile on her face, Guan Meng said gently.

Instead of forcing Shixiang to eat in the living room, Guan Meng got up and went to the kitchen, filled a meal and brought it to Shixiang. Shixiang wanted to be strong at first, but soon she couldn't resist the aroma of the food and her hunger, so she picked up the bowl and ate it greedily.

"call--"

"Are you feeling better now?"

Seeing Tohka sighing with satisfaction, Guan Meng asked with a smile.

"Um... I'm sorry grandma, I made you worry."

After calming down a little, Tohka finally opened up and told Guan Meng what happened while working part-time.

“I see… this is what happened.”

"I know, Yakuya and Yui have no ill intentions, and Origami is just caring about me out of kindness, but I just felt very unwilling... I couldn't help but take my anger out on Origami."

"Not willing? Why?"

Guan Meng asked. In response, Tohka shrank back and whispered in a small voice.

"I'm a fool. I always have to make up for my exams and I don't know how to study. I'm not as smart as Origami, who can learn anything at once. When I was asked at school what I wanted to do in the future, I was completely confused. That's why I said I wanted to do what I like. But..."

"If you can't even do the things you like, then what else can you do? How can you be sure what's right for you? So you don't have the confidence to take a step forward... Is this what Tohka thinks?"

Looking at Tohka who seemed to be hesitant to speak, Guan Meng asked slowly.

"...Yeah." Tohka nodded and said in confusion, "Grandma, am I... running away? Like Origami said, I just said I wanted to open a bakery because I didn't want to think about difficult things."

"Well... I'm not sure... After all, some people have failed in their hobbies, but some have succeeded..."

Guan Meng touched Tohka's head and said gently,

"But... Grandma can be sure that Tohka is not a fool... In my opinion, there is no good or bad between you. It's just that each of you has different strengths. Tohka is so hardworking, so cheerful, so considerate, and so cute, so... you should have more confidence in yourself."

“…Is that so?”

"It's too early to give up now. Maybe... you may feel that time is running out in your senior year, but in fact, you still have a long way to go. There is no need to compare yourself with others, you are you. Don't be impatient, go at your own pace... and work hard to move forward."