"I used to help my mother in the kitchen from time to time. Cracking eggs, cutting vegetables, grating cheese. I liked using the tools in the kitchen. It wasn't much different from tinkering in my workshop, really."

Naoto looked at the offered apron and fell silent. She put a hand to her mouth and tried to stifle a snort of laughter.

"Where did that come from?" She turned her back to Hakuba, still trying to stifle a few giggles. "Never mind. Just tie it on me, all right?"