Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

Everyone has something they are good at, so there's no need to fear or worry about such things. Just face them seriously.

— This is one of Li Mo's life philosophies.

"I think I can take on the task of taste-testing."

Li Mo somehow appeared beside the two girls, looking at the cookies baked on the plate, speaking with a serious expression.

Hachiman nodded beside him: "I agree. Wait, no, I never agreed to take on the taste-testing task!"

Only now did he realize that from the beginning, neither he nor Li Mo had ever mentioned taking on the taste-testing duty.

Yukinoshita said, "Isn't this just a given? I and Yui are responsible for making them, and you two are responsible for taste-testing. Do we really need to spell it out?"

"Exactly, exactly. Hachiman, stop daydreaming and just accept your fate. As punishment, you should try this cookie first."

Li Mo picked up something from the plate that resembled "charcoal."

Who would admit that this thing is a cookie? My taste buds are already rebelling!

Hachiman spoke up: "Taste-testing? Are you sure this isn't a poison test?"

"Indeed," Li Mo said, slightly pinching the "cookie," which crumbled into black dust...

Seeing this, Yukinoshita remarked, "How could so many mistakes happen? Could this cookie actually kill someone?"

"It won't kill, but it might give you a stomachache," Li Mo added.

"Um, well..." Yui quickly took the plate of "cookies" and dumped them all into the trash. As she watched the blackened "cookies" crumble, she let out a cry: "It really does look like poison!"

"Alright, let's think about how to improve this," Yukinoshita said, pinching her chin in thought.

It seems even Yukinoshita finds this task difficult. Yui's cooking skills are indeed shockingly bad.

— Turning cookies into charcoal, that takes some real talent. Humans!

In reality, people who aren't good at cooking usually just mess up the seasoning—either too salty or a bit burnt. But turning a dish into a full-on charcoal? That's something most people can't do.

"My suggestion is that Yui shouldn't participate," Hachiman proposed.

"Hikki! Is that how you solve problems?" Yui exclaimed in surprise.

Li Mo said, "If you can't solve the problem, just eliminate the person causing it? That's not a bad approach."

"Please don't escalate my suggestion to a matter of life and death," Hachiman retorted.

Yui looked dejected, her face downcast: "What? Do I really have no talent for cooking?"

"Hard work is the way to solve problems," Yukinoshita glanced at Li Mo, "Taking shortcuts isn't the answer."

Li Mo rubbed his nose, as if he didn't think Yukinoshita was referring to him, and said, "By the way, why is Yui making cookies?"

"Didn't you hear earlier? She's making them to give as a gift," Yukinoshita replied.

Li Mo said, "I only need to know what she's doing. Why she's doing it isn't my concern. Well, thinking about it, Yukinoshita is right. Now that I've asked, if it's for gifting... why not just buy cookies instead?

As the saying goes, 'It's the thought that counts.' The important thing is the act of giving, not the gift itself, as long as it's not too shabby."

The taste of the gift doesn't matter much either. In my opinion, expensive gourmet gifts often don't taste as good as street food. The high price is usually just for the packaging. But... Yui's cookies aren't just about taste; even the packaging can't save them.

"Yeah, nowadays people don't make things by hand anymore. Doing it yourself seems a bit out of place," Yui said, twirling her short hair.

"I don't like this mindset of always trying to please others. If you care too much about what others think, you'll never succeed," Yukinoshita said. "Also, don't make excuses to avoid doing things. You haven't even started trying, so how can you give up so easily?

Yui, come here and watch me do it first. Once you're familiar with the process, I'll guide you step by step."

Li Mo stroked his chin, then nudged Hachiman with his elbow, "Hachiman, what about my earlier suggestion of going to the gym together?"

"I already refused once."

"Actually, I think you could benefit from some exercise."

Li Mo looked at Yukinoshita and Yui standing there, observing for a moment before asking, "Yukinoshita, have you studied any martial arts?"

Yukinoshita, who was still explaining the steps to Yui, replied without turning her head, "Aikido."

"Aikido, huh?" Li Mo rubbed his chin. "Hachiman, even Yukinoshita, a 'weak girl,' is improving her combat skills. Don't you think you should consider it too? Honestly, I'm pretty good at training people."

"No thanks, my dream is to be a househusband. I don't need high combat skills," Hachiman refused again.

"That's a shame," Li Mo sighed, thinking that a muscular Hachiman would be quite amusing.

Then, he turned to Yukinoshita and said, "President, a request from a club member. Will you accept it?"

"If it's about accompanying you to the gym, then no."

"I can treat you."

"Rejected."

Yukinoshita's hands didn't stop moving. She had already seen through Li Mo's intention—he just wanted someone to accompany him to the gym. And it wasn't really about inviting someone to work out together.

"Tsk, so cold," Li Mo complained.

Yukinoshita's hands were steady, not swayed at all by Li Mo's words. After finishing a batch of cookies, she began guiding Yui step by step. Perhaps because she was used to teaching, Yui managed to produce something that at least resembled cookies.

— At least they were edible.

Coach, this script isn't right. How did she manage to make something edible in just one try? What was with the "charcoal" earlier?

"Yukinon, Yukinon, I did it!"

"That's the result of your effort. Also, what's with that nickname?"

"Yukinon! Don't you like it?"

"Fine, it's just a nickname," Yukinoshita said, rubbing her forehead. She had already dealt with enough problem children. "These cookies should be fine as a gift. Just package them nicely."

Yui nodded, her eyes glancing unintentionally at Hachiman, who was eating the cookies.

Li Mo noticed this. It seemed Yui wouldn't be giving the cookies as a gift after all.

Because the person she intended to give them to had already tasted her cookies.

"How was today?" Yukinoshita asked.

"The club activities were quite interesting."

"That's good. And stop with that fake smile."

Hearing this, Li Mo shrugged: "I'm afraid I might lose my temper and hit someone. I have to keep reminding myself to be kind, to be kind."

Yukinoshita said, "Don't do anything wrong. Also, about the gym, you could ask Hiratsuka-sensei. She works out regularly. If you really can't find anyone, I might reluctantly accompany you."

"Then I thank you for your generosity, Yukinoshita-sama!" Li Mo laughed.

Yukinoshita said, "Hmm, that smile isn't as disgusting now."