Mahiro the Patissier

Mahiro the Patissier (まひろとパティシエール, Mahiro To Pate-shieru) is Chapter 26 of Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!. It was originally published on Pixiv on March 30, 2019.

Summary
Mahiro and her friends learn how to bake cookies in Home Ec.

Plot
Mahiro and her friends are in their Home Ec. class. Mahiro notes how she feels so productive on days when they have special classes. Asahi mentions that she totally knows what Mahiro means.

The Home Ec. teacher tells the class that next week, they'll finally be able to use the practice kitchen, and that they are going to get their feet wet with some simple homemade cookies. She adds that she'll provide all the basic ingredients, and that they can mix it up if their group decides to with everyone bringing in something for it. Mahiro cheers for this, adding that they get to eat them as well. Momiji points out that they still need to make it first before that.

Miyo asks the group what they want to do for their cookies. Mahiro notes to Miyo that she seems like she's good at baking sweets. Miyo says that she loves it, while Momiji gets a serious expression on her face. Mahiro laughs and notes to Miyo that it really suits her, and Miyo remarks that she just loves to eat them. Mahiro notes that together, they'll be unstoppable.

Momiji and Asahi call Mahiro over to talk about something privately. Momiji tells Mahiro not to get her hopes up too quickly, with Asahi saying that although it's not obvious, Miyo's not exactly a top chef. Momiji mentions that the last time they had cooking practice (before Mahiro transferred into their class) Miyo ruined what they made, with Asahi saying that she doesn't even have words for it. Momiji suggests that they help Miyo out as subtly as they can, since they don't want to make her feel bad. Mahiro agrees, with Miyo being completely oblivious. Mahiro asks Momiji and Asahi if they're good at baking then, but the two have no words for that, not having much experience in that area.

Later, Mahiro walks home with Momiji and wonders how she is going to learn to make cookies. She's sure that that Mihari would tech her if she asked, but thinks that she might not be the best student. Momiji asks why not, and Mahiro thinks to herself that if she asks, Mihari might assign her to "little sister" status for good. She also imagines a scenario where Mahiro goes overboard, saying that baking is all about chemistry.

Mahiro says that if they want to learn to bake, it should be more like someone singing "Let's bake a cake for me and you". Momiji calls that idea cute, and gets one of her own that might just fit the bill. She suggests that they go and ask her sister Kaede to teach them, and Mahiro calls that idea perfect.

At the Hozuki household, Kaede is reading a magazine while laying on the couch with her hair down. Momiji comes in and calls out that she is home, and asks Kaede if she's here. Kaede rolls over prepared to give a hug saying where she is, only to become shocked to see that Mahiro is also there. Kaede is suprised to see Mahiro, telling Momiji that she should have texted that she was inviting someone over, calling this situation embarrassing as she's in casual wear. Momiji remarks that this is what Kaede is like with her guard down, and Mahiro is amazed to see a whole new side to Kaede.

Kaede puts her hair back in a ponytail and is surprised that the two are asking her about baking cookies. Momiji mentions how they're going to make them at school, and Kaede instantly understands that they want some practice first. She says to leave everything to her, and that she'll teach them every last detail. Mahiro tells Kaede that she knew she could count on her, thinking to herself how this feels so intimate. Kaede says that they need to wait for a bit, as she needs to fix up her reputation.

Once Kaede has fixed herself up, she gives the three of them aprons so they can begin. She remarks that it's always been a dream of hers to teach her little sister how to bake. Momiji is suprised as Kaede never asked her, with Kaede mentioning how she didn't want to pressure her. Mahiro notes that they are such a wholesome family, and thinks to herself that she's just in the way here. Kaede tells Mahiro that she's her honorary little sister for the day, and Mahiro gets all giddy at the thought.

Kaede remembers how she also taught Mihari how to bake when she was probably around Mahiro's age. Mahiro is suprised, and Kaede mentions how Mihari went all out because she wanted to make cookies for her brother. Mahiro remembers how Mihari used to bake cookies a lot, recalling how she would give them to her as an afternoon snack. Kaede remarks she thought that Mihari's cookies turned out pretty good, with the secret ingredient being love or something like that. Mahiro thinks to herself that that might just be the most important ingredient, and thinks about everything that Mihari has done for her.

On Practice Kitchen Day, Miyo asks Mahiro if she figured out what she wants to make. Mahiro says that she wants to make tea-flavored biscuits. Momiji remarks that all they need to add is the tea leaves, which Miyo says sounds wonderful.

The girls follow the teacher's instructions. Momiji mixes the melted butter with the eggs, yolk, and sugar, and whisks in the cream. Mahiro takes the flour and sifts into the bowl, mixing it well. Asahi lets it rest in the fridge before rolling it out and cutting it with the cookie cutters.

When it's all set and done, Miyo notes that the other three handled it so excellently that she didn't have a chance to step in. Mahiro thinks to herself how it's too bad that Miyo only sounds like she can bake. To make up for, Momiji tells Miyo that she can arrange the cookies on the baking sheet.

When the cookies are done baking, everyone is amazed. Asahi comments that they look like real people food, confusing Miyo. Momiji remarks that they look good. Mahiro bites into one, and gives a thumbs up saying that they are good, much to the relief of Momiji and Asahi. Miyo remarks that homemade cooking is the best. Asahi starts to say that Miyo's homemade cooking could use some work, but Momiji shoves a cookie into Asahi's mouth before she can finish her sentence. Mahiro feels good and looks at the cookie in her hand.

Later, Mihari welcomes Mahiro home, noting that she worked hard today. Mahiro rumages through her bag and gives Mihari a bag of the cookies saying that they're for her. Mihari is surprised that Mahiro has cookies for her, and Mahiro explains that they made them in Home Ec. Mihari is shocked that Mahiro made them, while Mahiro comments that she doubts that they are as good as Mihari's. Mihari is driven to tears with happiness and collapses on her desk remarking how she can't possibly eat them now, as they're too good for her.

Ultimately, Mihari does eat one and smiles at how good they are, savoring every bite.

Characters

 * Mahiro Oyama
 * Mihari Oyama
 * Kaede Hozuki
 * Momiji Hozuki
 * Asahi Ōka
 * Miyo Murosaki
 * Nemu Fujimi
 * Yuriko Kitahara

Trivia

 * First appearance of Yuriko Kitahara, but her name is not given here. Her name was listed in the end credits for episode 7 of the anime series "Mahiro's Role-Playing Game" which adapted the storyline of this chapter.