The beginning is always difficult.

But the difficulty is not just in the first step.

Until success is achieved, every step is difficult.

Starting from the very beginning to figure out how to get Kuroda's information.

To the extent of crossdressing to blend into the shopping street, disguising as a worker to sneak into the Japanese restaurant.

Everyone involved in this matter, Uesugi Yui, Uesugi Yuki, Koga Mizuo, Katagiri Mai, Chongzong, all put in their best efforts.

Some even crossed their own boundaries.

Crossed their own genders.

It can be said to have opened a new chapter in life... cough, it seems something's not right somewhere.

Anyway, after facing various difficulties, Chongzi is now very close to the target.

Carrying a tray, she arrived outside the door of "Between the Falling Cherry Blossoms".

Instead of immediately knocking on the door, she first set down the tray and poured the honey dish onto the fried tofu.

Then, she knocked on the door at a steady pace, opened the wooden lattice door, and softly said,

"Excuse me."

She then cautiously stepped into the house, placed the tray on the floor, and carefully presented the dish on the low table.

Throughout this process, no one in Kuroda's group paid attention to Chongzi.

Clearly, before Chongzi came in, they were whispering about something.

But after Chongzi knocked on the door, their tone immediately changed, speaking in normal volume, discussing some everyday idle gossip.

As Chongzi entered through the door, she expected to draw attention, feeling a bit nervous and unable to restrain herself.

But in reality, these people did not pay too much attention to Chongzi, just giving her a glance, acknowledging someone had entered, and then no longer giving Chongzi any more attention.

- Aren't they afraid the intruder might be an assassin? (Chongzi)

Chongzi found it somewhat difficult to understand their deliberate act of pretending not to care while actually being very vigilant.

But that's not Chongzi's concern, it's better this way for her.

"Enjoy your meal." (Chongzi)

After placing the dish on the table, Chongzi took small steps back intending to leave the room.

At this moment, Kuroda spoke up and stopped Chongzi.

"Today's fried tofu looks different from usual...?" (Kuroda)

This question instantly froze Chongzi.

"What's this syrup-like stuff on it?" (Kuroda)

Chongzi steadied her breath, catwalked forward again.

"This is a new method, on top of the usual fried tofu, we drizzle it with wildflower honey from New Zealand, giving it a refreshing and mild taste, very popular with the customers." (Chongzi)

Chongzi calmly improvised on the spot, confidently talking nonsense.

"Oh? Shouldn't it be more popular with female customers, right? Look at all of us big men in this room, not really suitable for overly sweet things like this." (Kuroda)

"We ordered regular fried tofu, didn't request any honey, please bring us a normal portion of fried tofu." (Kuroda)

Kuroda didn't seem to notice Chongzi's lie, but his request left Chongzi in a difficult position.

After all the hardships in preparing the plan, encountering such a problem at the most crucial step was truly unexpected.

- No, we can't just give up like this.

- There must be a way, a way to smooth things over.

"Actually, many male customers have shown a liking for it. How about this, consider this fried tofu as a gift, free of charge, and then I'll bring you another regular order of fried tofu~" (Chongzi)

Chongzi, quick on her feet, offered the most irresistible response.

Consider it a freebie, alright?