Haizakura came into the kitchen.

She looked dispirited and apologetic.

"No, it's my fault for not explaining it properly"

On the kitchen table was a cooking tray.

Moist cherry blossom leaves and petals were laid on top.

"Yes, they’ve been pickled in salt for 2 days. If you do that, they lose their poison and can be eaten..."

If you bring your face close enough, you can smell their refreshing aroma.

"See, it smells like spring doesn't it?"

"You can put them in tea like this or... use them to make sweets. Both are delicious."

I tried putting some in the black tea to make cherry blossom tea.

While we were getting excited by ourselves, Karasuba-san came in.

She picks up a tray and dejectedly walks out of the kitchen.

"Ehm, sorry for doing something unnecessary..."

Karasuba-san crossed her arms in silence.

She was brooding over something.

"No, I was just hoping that if it became a specialty... if it became trendy enough, it might attract more customers. I mean everyone at Black Cat Pavilion works so hard, and the atmosphere is so nice... I think this restaurant should be more popular."

She silently listens to my explanation.

And then lets out a small sigh.

"I... I'm sorry..."

I'm surprised, I thought she would be angrier.

For now, I put the tray with the salt-pickled cherry blossoms back into the fridge.

Karasuba returns to work as well, polishing cutlery with a napkin.

Suddenly, she raises her voice.

It didn’t seem like the question was directed at me but rather as if she was thinking out loud.

"It could, definitely!"

"It's true that autonomous dolls were used in the war, but..."

"But the dolls here in Black Cat Pavilion are different!"

I strongly insisted.

Those were my honest feelings after getting to know these girls.

"So, let's create a variety of menus and make the restaurant bigger... While we’re at it, let’s make use of that piano. We could get a pianist to play for us... Also, it’d be great to have someone sing along to the accompaniment. I heard the Girls Revue in the Sixth Ward is reopening, singing dolls would be the talk of the town. I think people would want to hear it."

Karasuba smiled cheerfully.

But her smile felt somewhat nostalgic.

"When you say alright..."

"You mean Haizakura?"

The fork she was polishing is gently put into the basket.

"Ah..."

"Karasuba smiles with a hint of sadness."

"Can she be fixed?"

She skillfully arranges the basket and gently drapes a brand new napkin on top.

Having finished her work she leaves the kitchen, her ponytail swaying back and forth.

Fluffy cherry blossoms were floating on top of the cold tea.