<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/g0lfdvdo7/image.png" style="max-width: 500px;" alt="Imaizumi pictures Naruko cake" />
Your name is Imaizumi Shunsuke, all-rounder cyclist at Sohoku High School. You grudgingly respect your teammate and rival, Naruko Shoukichi. His birthday, later this month, has been the cause of much stress for you.
You want to give a gift befitting of a rival of his caliber and have been planning on baking him a delicious cake as a surprise.
Through countless hours spent pouring over photographs on cooking blogs it is only the thought of his bright eyes and toothy smile as you present him with your finished masterpiece that has kept you going.
You want to make the cake to prove you’re better than him, of course. There’s no other reason.
As it stands, however, you have never baked anything in your life and are currently at a loss as to what to do. Should you try to [[learn on your own]] or [[ask your senpai]] for guidance?
(set: $helpreqs to 0)
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/pmezu64tz/image.png" alt="selftaught" />
You’ve asked Takahashi to buy you the first five books from the Top Baking Books section of the local bookstore. You figure that following some written instructions can’t be too difficult, even for a beginner.
No, you soon realize, it’s not just difficult. It’s impossible.
You have no idea what a soft peak is but you figure it’s not as related to road racing as you wish it was. The vocabulary makes no sense and the youtube tutorials aren’t making the process any easier. You give it a few tries but make no progress.
You wish you could bake it on your own, but you might have to consider a [[store-bought]] cake instead, or maybe you should [[ask your senpai<-ask for help after all]].
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/53k3p3qwn/image.png" alt="imagine senpai" />
You know your senpai's riding styles perfectly but, outside of that, you have almost no information about them. Could any of them help you?
You've seen the snake (if: $askedKinjou is true)[Kinjou-san](else:)[ [[Kinjou-san]] ] embroidered on the inside of his jersey; maybe he's good at cooking too. (if: $askedKinjou is true)[But Naruko's birthday is coming up, and you don't have time for trial and error.]
You feel like you've heard (if: $askedMaki is true)[Makishima-san](else:)[ [[Makishima-san]] ] talk about cooking too, though his cooking might be as peculiar as his fashion sense... (if: $askedMaki is true)[You've learned your lesson there.]
(if: $askedTads is true)[Tadokoro-san](else:)[ [[Tadokoro-san]]]'s family owns a bakery, so it's a good bet he knows more than anyone else. (if: $askedTads is true)[You thought he was the safest bet, but you might need to find an alternative...]
(if: $helpreqs is 0)[ ](else:)[If you can't rely on your senpai, maybe you should [[learn on your own]] or [[buy a cake->store-bought]].]
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/735au9alz/3_wasted.png" alt="wasted" />
By caving and buying a premade cake, you have failed to prove to Naruko that you’re better than him and have only succeeded in proving that you have more disposable income than him, something you both already knew.
Naruko laughs at you as he eats, and when he offers you a bite even the delicious store-bought cake tastes like defeat.
You have died.
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/ws6qwmdx3/5_kinjou.png" alt="kinjou cheer" />
You stay behind after practice and explain your situation to Kinjou-san, leaving out what the cake is for and why it's important that you make it yourself. Thankfully, he doesn't pry. In fact, he asks no questions at all, not even the obvious ones, like what kind of cake you want to make.
Instead, he gives you a rousing speech about building confidence through practice and hard work. He tells you to visualize the goal and never give up until you cross that line. Is he telling you to bake as many cakes as it takes until you get a good one, or is he talking about cycling?
Before you can figure out how to politely ask for clarification, he finishes his speech, claps you on the shoulder once and leaves.
Will you [[Kinjou cakes<-keep his guidance in your heart]] or [[ask your senpai<-ask someone else]]?
(set: $askedKinjou to true)
(set: $helpreqs += 1)
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/DLsOz31.jpg" alt="maki cheer" />
You’re a little skeptical of Makishima-san’s advice. He doesn’t ask many questions about what the cake is for. That should relieve you, but it only makes you more anxious because it’s like he doesn’t need to ask. He gives you a knowing smile and confidently recommends adding balsamic vinegar to the recipe, sho.
That doesn’t sound like an ingredient for a cake. Then again, you don’t know much about baking.
You can [[follow Makishima's instructions]], or you could [[seek someone else's help->ask your senpai]].
(set: $askedMaki to true)
(set: $helpreqs += 1)
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/dsbua9vxz/5_tado.png" alt="tads cheer" />
Tadokoro-san won’t stop laughing when you explain to him that you want to bake a cake, and he laughs even harder when you refuse to tell him why. You feel like maybe Tadokoro-san thinks he knows something you don’t but he still helps you prepare an ingredient list, which soothes the irritation somewhat. He explains that he can’t reveal his family’s secrets in more detail, but he does offer you a discount coupon for the bakery!
Will you [[use the coupon->store-bought]], [[try to make the cake]] with just the ingredient list, or [[find another way->ask your senpai]]?
(set: $askedTads to true)
(set: $helpreqs += 1)
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/74kaksirb/image.png" alt="maki cheer" />
What is that awful smell? The cake you’ve made looks foul. Toxic, even.
You’re not sure it’s edible and you can already imagine Naruko recoiling at the sight of it. You haven’t tried it though, so you can’t guarantee it tastes as bad as it looks.
Onoda calls, he wants to know if you’ve made progress. You could [[get a second opinion<-invite Onoda over]], or you could just throw the demon cake into the [[trash->no cake]] before it gains sentience and threatens to kill the whole Sohoku team with just its smell.
(set: $askedKinjou to false)
(set: $askedTads to false)
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/N4HJJdd.png" alt="maki cake" />
Despite the chaos of your kitchen and the hideous cake you’ve made, Onoda looks unfazed. He seems very happy that you’re even attempting to bake something and offers to taste-test the monstrosity.
You mention that Makishima-senpai helped you make it, hoping to dissuade Onoda. That turns out to be a mistake; Onoda becomes even more eager to help you out.
As his friend, should you [[stop him->Onoda stopped]] or [[Onoda hospital BAD END<-not]]?
(set: $onodahelp to true)
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/u4qxx4gl3/image.png" alt="no cake" />
Naruko’s birthday arrives before you know it. You’ve made another dozen attempts but you’re no closer to a good cake than you were when you got yourself into this mess.
You’ve worried about what to do all night, and when morning comes you’re in a panic. You’re trying to consider what options you have left to save your pride and still impress Naruko when [[the doorbell rings->Naruko arrives]].
(set: $nocake to true)
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/g2rpiqQ.png" alt="naruko fridge" />
When you get to the door, you see exactly who you were expecting to see: Naruko. This would be going according to plan if you had a cake (if: $nocake is true)[, but you don't.](else:)[as perfect as you imagined at first...]
“What’s with the face, Hotshot?”
“What do you want?”
“Heard you were making a cake!”
You think about closing the door, but Naruko jams his bike’s front tire into the doorway before you can. He knows you wouldn’t willingly harm a bike. Damn.
He takes that chance to run inside and plants himself in front of the fridge. “Let’s see it!”
You could tell him to go away, but he’d make a fuss. (if: $nocake is true)[Should you [[let him stay no cake<-let him stay]] ](else:)[Should you [[let him stay cake<-let him in]]] or [[make him leave]]?
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/dsbua9vxz/5_tado.png" alt="tads cheer" />
You’re feeling much more confident after Tadokoro-senpai’s help. You’re an Inter-High veteran, so how hard can making a simple cake be?
Very hard, as it turns out. You have batter in places it was never meant to be, and when you close your eyes you dream of riding your bike on an icing road that melts under your tires.
After what feels like years of cake purgatory, Onoda calls you to ask about your progress. ou could [[tell him you have it under control->refuse Onoda help]] or [[ask him over->Tads cake help]] to ~~save you~~ help.
(set: $askedKinjou to false)
(set: $askedMaki to false)
<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/r7tdjcmul/MR2_10.png" alt="bake with onoda" />
You confess you’ve been having trouble making a decent cake, and thankfully Onoda is happy to help. You can only hope that his tendency to pull off miracles applies to baking projects as well as cycling.
Onoda helps you understand the instructions and look up some of the more obscure baking terms online. He doesn’t necessarily work miracles, but by your combined efforts you achieve a cake that looks decent and, when you taste-test it, neither of you die.
You have made an [[ok cake<-okay cake]]. It will have to do.
(set: $helpneeded to true)
Whatever happens, you've done your best, and just in time for Naruko's birthday tomorrow.
You've just woken up when Takahashi comes up to tell you you have [[a guest waiting downstairs->Naruko arrives]].
You’ve avoided sudden death-by-cake and Onoda is safe. You can’t give him the cake, but that also means you can’t give it to Naruko.
You [[no cake<-don't have a cake]], but it's no big deal. Naruko didn't know you were planning to make him a cake, so it won't make a difference if he doesn't get one. At least, that's what you tell yourself.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/ooeghf3.png" alt="onoda hospital" />
Onoda ends up hospitalized from food poisoning. You feel guilty knowing that you are responsible for his condition. Naruko blames you as well, and says he won’t forgive you for what you’ve done to his best friend.
Even without Onoda’s help, you succeed in making something that looks not entirely unlike a cake. It’s not the most beautiful cake in the world, but you’re pretty sure Naruko’s not going to die from eating it. [[ok cake<-Probably]]. As long as he watches those sharp bits around the edge and maybe avoids that questionable spot in the middle.
<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/avjbtm8j1/MR2_8.png" alt="full of cake" />
You've test-tasted all of your attempts so far and, while you can detect a slight improvement from the first one (which you had to trash due to health concerns), it's still hard to tell if any of them taste like a proper cake should. You tell Onoda you'd appreciate a second opinion, and he cheerfully volunteers to help.
Two hours later, you and Onoda are sitting on your kitchen floor (most of the chairs are occupied by cakes). You have both tasted all of your attempts, some of them multiple times for comparison. At one point, Takahashi, who you suspect has been waiting outside the kitchen the whole time, comes in to save you from forgetting your latest masterpiece inside the oven and make tea for you and your guest.
Onoda helps you decide on a winner. You [[save that cake->ok cake]] (or, most of it) for Naruko.
(set: $onodahelp to true)
<img src="https://s5.postimg.org/ws6qwmdx3/5_kinjou.png" alt="kinjou cheer" />
The next day, you get Takahashi to drive you to the store and buy ingredients. Takahashi looks alarmed when he sees you come out with your purchases, but you refuse his insistence to help. Carrying the bags to the car makes for good strength training.
Once you get home and fill up the fridge, you pull up the recipe you had decided on and set about following Kinjou-san's advice. What you think his advice was. If your first cake fails, you just need to make another one, and another, until you get it right. You must never give up.
While you're making your seventh cake, Onoda calls to ask about your progress. You survey the landscape of failed and semi-failed cakes laid out on every available surface.
Do you want to [[Kinjou cakes taste<-ask Onoda over]] or [[refuse Onoda help<-tell him you have it under control]]?
(set: $askedMaki to false)
(set: $askedTads to false)
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/OZiuGL1.png" alt="naruko storms out" />
“No," you tell Naruko. "Get out.”
“Come on, it’s just for fun.”
“Get. Out.”
Naruko’s face goes as red as his hair. “Alright. If you don’t want me here, then fine! I’m leaving!”
As he stomps out of your house, you think about all you went through to make a cake for his birthday.
It was supposed to be a fun day, but your pride got in the way, again.
“There’s no cake, okay?” You grit your teeth. “It didn’t work out.”
Naruko bursts out laughing.
“Shut up.”
Uninvited, Naruko peeks into the fridge. “Well, you got some ingredients. I’ll help you make the cake. You can be my assistant! I’ll show you how it’s done!”
Your present situation proves that he's probably the more experienced baker, so you can't argue. “Fine.”
(link-reveal: "Still, you can picture how smug he'll look...")[<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/u9or71pd9/MR2_15-2.png" alt="strawberry" />]
[[Together, the two of you set about making a cake.]]
(if: $helpneeded is true)[<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/y0tqfmdnx/MR2_12-2.png" alt="eat cake onoda" />](else:)[<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/iqtv8fi5p/MR2_12-1.png" alt="no onoda help" />]
You’re still not sure if you should be proud of your cake. Still, Naruko’s already here, and is looking at you with expectant eyes.
You hesitantly bring out the cake and feel a little proud when Naruko’s eyes go wide.
“You made this yourself?”
(if: $helpneeded is true)["Onoda helped."](else:)[“Yeah.”] He can’t be allowed to see your doubt. “You’d better eat it. Unless you don’t think you can.”
“Watch me!”
You cut him a slice and watch him openly. He takes a hesitant bite. “Not too bad. Still a hotshot cake, though.”
You frown, but he’s still eating.
“Why are you making a cake, anyway?”
[[“It’s someone’s birthday coming up, so…”]]
(if: $helpneeded is true)[<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/lh7sjd48d/MR2_16-2.png" alt="eat together onoda" />](else:)[<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/gu1qhlgvh/MR2_16-1.png" alt="eat together imai" />]
“You don’t think I'd make a better cake, do you? I cook for my brothers all the time, you know!”
“Do you bake for them too?”
“No, but how hard can it be? I bet you haven’t made a bento in your life!”
“I have…!”
“Hmmm? Sounds fake!”
This is a familiar scene, one that you’re used to. Still, it’s kind of nice. Maybe all this effort wasn’t so bad, after all.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/FCr7hJv.png" alt="cake of love" />
There’s a glimmer in Naruko’s eye. “Yeah! You’ll see! I’ll show you how it’s done! Hotshot, you can be my assistant! Hey, do you think your driver can help us get some nice ingredients?”
“What happened to ‘no rich-boy ingredients’?”
“You want me to buy the ingredients for the cake you should have made for me? Lame!”
The two of you work hard at making another cake. You hate to admit it, but Naruko really does have some talent in the kitchen. Together, you manage to make something that looks great, and tastes great.
You wish you hadn't needed the birthday boy's help for the cake, but the smile on Naruko’s face as you bake it makes you set those thoughts aside. You have a good time together and enjoy his company, though you'll never him that.
(if: $helpneeded is true)[<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/63e3vx38t/MR2_14-2.png" alt="naruko eats ono cake" />](else:)[<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/se1yvw0j1/MR2_14-1.png" alt="eats regular cake" />]
“Oh.” Naruko stutters a bit, trying to find his words. “That’s surprising! Alright, consider this gift accepted!” He snickers. “Guess you’re just a hotshot on the road, huh?”
“Quiet.” You feel your face heating up.
“You know, I bet I’d make a way better cake. Pure Osakan style, no rich-boy ingredients! It’ll be the tastiest, and the flashiest!”
[[just eat<-“Just eat the cake.”]] / [[“Oh yeah? Prove it.”->make cake together]]
<img src="https://s20.postimg.org/u8etdmnjh/MR2_15-1.png" alt="eat naruko cake" />
You have to admit he does have some good ideas, and even in someone else's kitchen he seems at ease.
It takes a couple of hours, but you get it done.
“A perfect Naniwa-brand cake! And some hotshot too.”
“I helped.”
“Only a little! Well, let’s try it out!”
It’s sweet, soft, and the cream is just right. You couldn't have made anything this good yourself. Plus, seeing Naruko’s happy face makes it even better.