I think Kajii does long for connection, though she's too proud to admit it, because that would disrupt her narrative that she's figured it out and has followed her own desires without regard for societal norms. She does want the cooking class to be her friends... she wants Rika to be friends with her, on Kajii's terms of course... I found it a bit poignant and sad that her cooking blog is not actually particularly good!

The food descriptions were so good. It made me examine my butter choices.