Let's Make a Deal ch18: Summer Valentine

p1
>I'm home~
>Welcome back... Oh?

>You went shopping, huh?

>I wanted to make some chocolate.
>Why all of a sudden?
>It's summer right now.

>It just kinda felt like I need to make some...
>I wonder why. How mysterious...
>It's because this chapter is being published close to Valentine's Day.

p2
>So with that said, I'm gonna borrow the kitchen tomorrow.
>It's not borrowing if it's your house.

>You're going to make sweets, huh?
>How unexpected...
>It's been a while.

>I used to make chocolate every Valentine up until high school, but when college came around...
>This is what I think of your chocolate!
>Ohoho
>Haha
>No thanks, Hitsuji-san.
>Is it another painful memory...?

>I started working part-time so I was able to buy the expensive and delicious stuff.
>I see. That's good.
>...?

p3
>So on the actual Valentine's Day, you give chocolate to people, right?

>Do they not do that where you come from, Adel-san?
>We don't celebrate Christian events.

>I see... I wanted to get chocolate from you.
>I can make you snacks any time you want.
>...I'll give you some next year.

>Eh? Are you sure?
>Most people in Japan aren't even aware that it's a Christian event, so there's no problem.

p4
>The next day.
>Okay, let's do this!
>Do your best, Ryouko!

>Erm, I need a bowl and spatula...
>Here.

>Ah... I don't think I have a sieve.
>I bought one after you fell asleep.

>Reminds me of my first time making chocolate...
>Shall I chop up the chocolate for you?
>With my mom, that is.

p5
>You're actually going about this properly.
>>Eyeballing it
>Of course I am.

>When making sweets, you gotta follow the recipe to a T.
>To a T...!?

>Make one small miscalculation and it won't bake properly.
>Fufu...
>Add one drop of water and the chocolate will split.
>You can't stop mixing even if your arm falls off.
>I think I can see the mistakes that led you here.

p6
>I've grown from making the same mistake once a year.
>You could've just practised on a regular basis.

>They're pretty much made out of obligation, so once a year is my limit...
>Everyone makes them and the commercial stuff is expensive.
>So it was obligatory chocolate, huh...

>By the way, what are you making right now?
>Brownies.

>They don't melt, they don't break, they don't crumble.
>They're perfect!
>Just from her choice, I can see the failures she's had up until now.

p7
>Oh? You're going to wrap them too?
>>3 included

>I feel like I need to hand them out...
>I wonder why...
>It's because this chapter is being published close to Valentine's Day.

>Three...
>Three included...

>No doubt she's given some to Kodaka and Himawari.
>She'd probably give Mahala some too...

p8
>Wait, does that mean there's none for me...?

>Is something the matter?

>Ah!
>Is the pattern lame!?
>Don't worry.
>I'm just gonna go shopping.

>Eh? Let's go together.
>You need to focus on the baking.

p9
>Welcome back, Adel-san.

>I knew it. There's three...

>I think they came out looking cute. What do you think!?
>Y-Yes. They're well made.

>It's for Kotaka-chan and Himawari-chan~ and Mahala-san to be safe.
>>Shock

p10
>That Ryouko.
>She should know Mahala would just scarf it down...

>What's this...?

>That's for you, Adel-san!
>Let's eat them together later.

p11
>I also bought some vanilla ice-cream for the finishing touch.
>...Hey, Ryouko.

>Is this perhaps heartfelt chocolate?

>Yeah!
>You're special to me, Adel-san!

>...
>I humbly accept.

p12
>Kotaka
>Eh? Handmade brownie!?
>Thank you, Ryouko-chan!

>She likes it.
>Good for you.

>I figured she'd say "It'd be a shame to eat it, so I won't!"...
>Fufu...

>I'm going to have it for teatime with some high-quality tea for the ultimate experience!!
>High society...
>How did such a well-raised girl wind up as a stalker...?