"It was fun, wasn't it?" It's Saturday. I went to the aquarium with Miyanoshita. We had to travel by train, which is precisely what makes it a good idea. Using the train means a stalker can't easily follow us. I wanted Miyanoshita to relax on her day off, so I suggested we go to an aquarium a bit farther away. Sea creatures are somewhat mysterious, yet they seem to have a calming effect. I thought it might be good for Miyanoshita, and it looks like my hunch was right. "Ahhhh... The crab was adorable." "You watched it for so long, was it really that cute?" "It was incredibly cute! Those round little eyes, the slow sidestepping, and they taste delicious too. They're the best!" "The last part is a bit callous, or should I say, unfortunate..." "But they are delicious, right?" "I won't argue with that, but I was hoping for a more, let's say, refined comment." "How about... 'They're so cute I could eat them up', just like you, Yuuki-san♪'" "That's not a good comment either." "Buuuh." I'm glad she seems to be feeling better. She's had a bit of false cheer lately, as if she's been pushing herself too hard. It may only be temporary, but right now she has her usual bright smile. "Yuuki-san, would you like to have dinner with me later?" "No, it's probably too late for that now." The sun is already tilting towards the horizon. It'll likely be quite dark by the time we get to Miyanoshita's house. "No, no, I'm aware of the time. I wouldn't ask for anything unreasonable or selfish. What I'm proposing is that we have dinner at my place." "At Miyanoshita's?" "You might not believe it, but I'm actually quite a good cook." "Well, that's..." Going to someone's house suddenly isn't really acceptable, is it? "Don't worry, it's okay. Both dad and mom are at work right now." "I have an even worse feeling about this now..." "You can do whatever you want, okay? You're free to do whatever. Hehe♪" "I'm going home." "Aaaaah, please waittttt!" She clung to me desperately. "I'm kidding, it's just a joke. Well, half... I was about 90% serious, though." "Just as you mentioned, the problem is that you're indeed serious." "Um, could you please... just stay with me a little longer?"

Miyanoshita grabbed my clothes and looked up at me with pleading eyes. Her eyes trembled with unease. Am I an idiot? To say that she's regained her cheerfulness would be wrong. She was just acting that way to not let me down. Or maybe it was just temporary. Feeling gloomy when alone is only natural. *Sigh* It's shameful to make a child considerate of my feelings. "Got it, I'll do it." "Yay♪" Miyanoshita guided me, and I stepped inside the house. It's expansive. There's so much openness that I can't help but feel like exploring the living room. "Just take a seat anywhere and wait, please." "Oh, okay..." Miyanoshita is quite the lady, huh? "Yuuki-san, do you have any food you can't eat?" "Food categories aside, I find fatty cuts of meat a bit tough to handle." "So you prefer things that aren't too lavish. Got it. I'll whip something up quickly, so please wait for a bit." Miyanoshita donned an apron and headed for the kitchen. Before long, I could hear the sound of a knife chopping on a cutting board. The lively rhythm indicated a familiarity with cooking. Should I offer to help? No. I'd probably just get in the way since I can't make anything special. I'll contribute by cleaning up instead. With that decision made, I casually launched a game on my smartphone. ―――――――――― "Sorry to keep you waiting!" Miyanoshita had prepared fried rice and Chinese soup for us. Both were emanating a really nice aroma and looked very appetizing. "Let's eat!" - "Let's eat!" We said in unison as we began to eat. "Wow..." "How do you like it? How do you like it? I put all my love into it♪ The secret to delicious food is love! Love first, love second, and love third!" "Love aside... Yeah, it's really delicious." "You ignored my joke, how cruel... but I like you just the way you are, Yuukki-san♪"

"You really don't give up, do you?" The rice was stir-fried until fluffy, with the egg perfectly coating each grain. The mix-ins were leeks, thickly sliced bacon cut into strips, and kamaboko fish cake. It's simple, but that's actually what makes it so good. The faint aroma of soy sauce whets the appetite. "This is really authentic... feels like something you'd get at a neighborhood Chinese spot." "Hehe, you can praise me more if you like? Go on, go on." "It's incredible, so incredibly tasty." "Ehehe" "It's on par with professional cooking. No, it even surpasses it." "Ehehehehe" "You could charge for this. It's that level of delicious." ".... boouuh" Miyanoshita, previously in high spirits, suddenly puffed up her cheeks, looking dissatisfied. "There's more than just that kind of compliment, isn't there? There's something else, right?" "Huh?" "You know, the usual thing people say in situations like this. About being good at something." "Ah—" I realized what Miyanoshita was hinting at. I get it, but... To actually say it, well... "... I could eat this every day." "Ehehe♪ Alright! Of course, I'll make it for you every day, just! for! you!♪ Kyaa!" "I take it back." "Eh, why would you do that!? A cute girl like me is offering to cook delicious meals for you every day!" "I've got this weird feeling that I'll end up being drugged." "I wouldn’t do that... well, not often." "Hey!" "Ehehe♪" She is laughing to cover up her tracks. It hits me once more that Miyanoshita always has a bit of a devilish side to her. "Don't worry, I'll have some too." "Isn't that like sabotaging yourself?" "It’s an aphrodisiac." "Don't involve me in this." "The main course is actually me. Enjoy to your heart's content♪" "I'd like to return that, please." "Why!?" This smile is truly genuine... And with that, we were able to enjoy a bit of happy time.