Royal Road
Chapter 74: Lets Cook Together!
Chapter 74: Lets Cook Together!
(TLN) Bonus chapter 2/2. Thank you so much for your support!
Um, I have obtained permission from my parents, so I thought I would shamelessly take advantage of your kind offer, but Are you sure its alright?
Yes, of course! Make yourself at home as if it were your own house!
Shijouin-san, who spoke hesitantly, received a joyful response from my mother, who had a delighted expression. It seemed like she had taken quite a liking to Shijouin-san, who was both adorable in personality and appearance, and her excitement was like that of a grandmother whose grandchild came to stay over.
(But still, did I hear a faint scream from the phone at the end? Well, it must be my imagination. It has to be.)
Shijouin-san staying overnight at our place was an unexpected and uncontrollable situation. It should be clear that I am not at fault, and Tokimune-san should understand that as well. Yeah.
(However When I calmly think about Shijouin-san staying at our house, its really an unbelievable situation! Ah, somehow Im getting excited now)
I was the one who suggested to my mother to let Shijouin-san stay over. However, the reason I suggested that was due to the common sense and rationality of helping each other in times of disaster, not because I fully understood what it meant.
Hehehe Its great, isnt it, big brother? Its a sleepover, a sleep-o-ver! Its like an event that says, Have a hot night! I should treat my sister to a triple scoop of ice cream for bringing up this situation!
Hey, cut it out with that smirk. And Im not ungrateful, but be more careful not to drop your wallet, alright?
Honestly Hes making such a vulgar face, as if saying, The most exciting event has come! when Im not calm about this unexpected event.
Now then, lets start cooking dinner. Oh!?
Suddenly, a ringtone echoed from my mothers cellphone, and upon hearing it, the career woman let out a small scream. Seeing her like that, I could sense what the call was about.
Oh no Did it happen?
Yes, this is Niihama Ah, yes, we all went home early today due to the heavy rain What? Whaaat!? Ah, no, yes Yes Ill do my best to finish it and send it by email tomorrow Yes, understood Im sorry, but I have to go now
Just as I had expected, my mother hung up the phone with a worn-out expression. It seemed like it was an announcement that kills the privacy of working adults.
Im sorry Theres something about documents that need to be completed by tomorrow from another branch, and I have to start working on them now! So, Shinichiro, Im really sorry, but
Thats alright. Ill take care of the cooking, so you focus on your work, Mom.
Well, I appreciate your help. Youre truly amazing these days, but honestly, Im grateful! Well then, Shijouin-san, Im sorry to leave you so suddenly!
Oh, its fine. Please take care of your work.
Yes, sorry about that! Ugh, I really hate it when the workplace intrudes on family life with just a single phone call!
I watched as my mother, carrying her laptop, headed towards her room, and I found myself nodding in agreement. Its unsettling when a work-related phone call comes in while youre at home.
Now, Ill go and make dinner, so Shijouin-san, please watch TV in the living room with Kana.
What? I knew that Niihama-kun can cook, but are you saying that youre making all the dishes for the family?
Well, not every time. I dont dislike cooking, and I want to lessen the burden on my working mother from time to time. Well, Im aware that its a bit unusual for a guy to do that.
No, its really amazing, and its not unusual at all! Papa even said, In the future, the era when men cant do housework or cooking is almost over, as dual-income households become more common.'
Oh, I see. Tokimune-san is in his 50s, but he certainly has a modern sense about that.
Ah, by the way, Im a specialist in eating! I cant even cook a decent fried egg!
At the very least, try not to let tea leaves mix into the tea you brew, you silly sister.
Honestly She boasts about being popular with guys, but she doesnt even try to improve her femininity.
Well, Ive always been bad at cooking, even as an adult. I guess Im just physically averse to it
What? Even as an adult?
Oh, no, I was talking about myself. Well then, both of you, please relax while I stay in the kitchen.
While disguising it as a future conversation that slipped out, I headed to the kitchen, leaving the two of them in the living room. Now What should I make?
Hmm, well, I only have ordinary ingredients
Ideally, I would want to make a visually appealing dish to entertain someone like Shijouin-san, but since I didnt prepare anything, it seems like itll be a very ordinary menu.
Okra with sesame dressing Cucumber and wakame seaweed with tuna vinegar And miso soup with carrots and daikon radish Oh, do we have Kawahagi fish? The only option for that is simmering it.
That sounds great! I love sweet and savory simmered fish with rice!
Ah, its perfect as a rice companion Wait, Shijouin-san!?
When I turned around, there stood Shijouin-san wearing my mothers apron, with a smile on her face. W-Why is she in the kitchen!?
W-Whats with that outfit?
I asked Kana-chan and borrowed Mika-sans apron. I know its proper etiquette for a guest to wait patiently, but well, I really wanted to
She really wanted to?
I really wanted to cook with you, Nihami-kun.
Huh
The girl with long, beautiful black hair said that with a dazzling, cheerful smile.
Since I heard that Niihama-kun can cook, Ive been thinking about it all this time. I thought it would be a wonderful time if we could stand in the kitchen together, cooking and then eating together while having a conversation!
As Shijouin-san, wearing an apron over my shirt, said that with nonchalance, I blushed like a maiden.
(S-Shes so cute! N-No, calm down Ive experienced Shijouin-sans natural pure intentions many times before! I need to stop my virgin mind from going all geeky!)
Of course, thats impossible.
Whether Im a virgin or not, if a girl I really like says, I really wanted to cook with you, I cant help but feel flustered.
I have so much fun cooking with Mother and the housekeeper, Fuyumi-san, so I wanted to try it with you, Niihama-kun Um, was that still bothersome?
N-No, not at all! As you can see, our kitchen isnt as spacious as Shijouin-sans house, but Id be extremely happy if you could help!
Oh, thats great! Then please guide me. Since Niihama-kun is the head chef, just give me instructions!
For some reason, just the fact that we would be in the kitchen together made Shijouin-san show a blooming smile.
(But still Shijouin-san seems to have no sense of tension about staying overnight at a guys house, even though she said she felt guilty about it Is she getting excited about this situation instead!?)
This isnt a dating sim, and even if were staying overnight, its just eating, talking a little, and then sleepingbut in front of this oddly cheerful natural girl, my sense of normalcy was already starting to crumble.
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