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Chapter 75: Were already like a young married couple.
Chapter 75: Were already like a young married couple.
Niihama-kun, should I cut the carrots and daikon for the miso soup into chunks or slices?
Oh, just go with chunks. Thats what we always do at home.
Understood!
Beside me, as I arrange the fish in the pot, Shijouin-san cheerfully responds. Luckily, our kitchen has three burners and enough space for two cutting boards (one for my mother and one for me), so theres no issue with the two of us working together.
~
Shijoin-san rhythmically chops the daikon and carrots. Despite her title as the daughter of the company president, her movements are graceful, revealing her experience in cooking.
And I find myself absentmindedly gazing at her figure.
Shijouin-san, wearing an apron, is making miso soup in my kitchen. She bends over the cutting board like a wife or mother, preparing dinner for this household.
In this precious moment, reminiscent of beautiful memories from my past life that I have forever lost within this home, I am captivated by the precious girl.
Huh? Whats wrong, Niihama-kun? You seem distracted.
Oh, no, its nothing. I was just trying to recall the cooking steps.
I quickly make up an excuse, trying to hide my embarrassment, and proceed to retrieve fresh ingredients from the refrigerator for the next step. In the process, as I pass by Shijouin-san,
a sweet scent of a girl wafts through the air, and my face flushes.
(Oh no! I smelled something incredible just now! No, I must calm down. Perhaps its because we havent seen each other in a while, but Im becoming overly sensitive to Shijouin-sans charm!)
The scent, the breath, the faint warmth when our shoulders brusheverything ignites my virgin circuits.
Standing together in the same kitchen is a much more dangerous act than I imagined!
Ive run out of ingredients for the miso soup! Ill just put it into the pot now!
Oh, sure. By the way Shijouin-san, you seem really excited.
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Yes! I never imagined I would be having a sleepover at your house, Niihama-kun. Its making me so thrilled! Talking with Kanako-chan and your mother, and cooking in someone elses home like this, its so enjoyable!
It feels as if the heavy rain outside is a lie, as Shijouin-san exudes a smile as bright as the sun. She speaks with pure joy, like a child experiencing a sleepover for the first time.
And I feel really refreshed right now.
Hm? Refreshed?
Yes, actually I had been troubled by something since yesterday, and it felt like a heavy burden in my chest. But this morning, I realized that I was overthinking everything, and I resolved it all.
I-Is that so?
Its true that Shijouin-san doesnt seem to be suffering from anything right now. Shes not the type to hide such things, and it seems like her worries have truly been resolved.
(But why is she staring at me while saying that?)
Could it be that the worry you had was related to me?
Well, that is
When I ask her, Shijoin-san blushes slightly and stumbles over her words.
And then, she remains silent for a few seconds
Hehe, its a little embarrassing, so its a secret.
With flushed cheeks and a mischievous smile, Shijouin-san whispers, putting her index finger to her lips.
I became quite curious about that secret, but I find myself captivated by her unusual bashful expression and the gesture of shh from the always open Shijouin-san.
It feels like Ive been mesmerized by Shijoin-san more than Ive been focused on cooking since earlier.
A secret, huh Well, I guess theres no helping it.
Yes, but someday Ill tell you Ah, Niihama-kun! The simmered fish looks about ready!
Oh, shoot! Wait, is the miso soups ingredients already soft enough?
Oh, right! Then Ill add the miso now!
Prompted by the sound of the boiling pot, Shijouin-san and I return to cooking.
And from there, things progress quickly.
We get into the flow, and as the cooking progresses, our wavelengths synchronize more and more.
The cucumbers are cut, but how does the soaked wakame look?
Its fresh and back to its original texture, so Ill mix it now! Oh, and I salt-rubbed the okra and placed it there!
Thanks! Oh, and I feel like making something else. Can you help me with tamagoyaki and bacon-wrapped asparagus?
Oh, unfair, Niihama-kun! Then Ill take care of another dish!
As Shijouin-san suggests, cooking together was truly enjoyable.
Working together with someone youre familiar with enriches your heart.
The harmony is pleasant, and being aware of each others existence and trusting each other gives a sense of coordination akin to playing sports.
And though this feeling might be unique to me, having someone I love fit into my natural world, the cycle of our family dinner, makes me incredibly happy.
In this way, including the additional dish I proposed in order to extend the enjoyable time, Shijouin-san and I continue to laugh and progress through the cooking steps.
The joyful time passes by in the blink of an eye.
Kanako what are you doing?
Ah! Mama, youre done with work already!?
No, I just came out of my room for a bathroom break but what are you doing? It looked like you were peeping into the kitchen from behind the pillar
Well, you see look at that!
Huh? Eh!? Shinichirou and Haruka-san were cooking together!?
In the direction I pointed, my brother and Haruka-chan were cooking together in the kitchen. It was something my mother couldnt have imagined.
When Haruka-chan asked, May I borrow an apron? Id like to help with dinner but I dont want to stain Niihama-kuns shirt I enthusiastically applauded and gladly accepted. Internally, I was grinning from ear to ear.
And now, Im fully committed to eavesdropping.
Accidental touches and other happenings in that cramped kitchen, my brothers flustered reactions to Haruka-chan in an apron I had hoped for a bittersweet situation like that
Oh, Shijoin-sans tamagoyaki looks so fluffy and delicious!
Hehe, thank you very much. Just seeing Niihama-kuns bacon-wrapped asparagus makes me excited. Its like a highlight in a bento!
Even though its a bit late to mention it, Shijouin-san is really down-to-earth Im glad we can share these ordinary food topics, though.
Well, Im someone who loves yakisoba after all!
Haha, yeah, I remember that! By the way, its currently the season for local festivals
Laughter and warm conversation can be heard coming from the kitchen.
At first, my brother blushed at how close he was to Shijouin-san, just as I expected. But now, they seem to naturally understand each other, creating a space filled with harmony and smiles.
The direction of the joyful and embarrassed situation I had anticipated is slightly different, but in a way, theyve created a more intense world than I had imagined.
Whats with that warm and fuzzy atmosphere? It may not be passionate love, but the way they understand each other is amazing, isnt it?
Right? Its like theyre already a young married couple.
As the cooking progresses, their breathing synchronizes more and more, and the fact that they both feel so comfortable in that atmosphere is evident even to me. Its as if they have always been that way, with gentle respect existing between the two of them.
Huh? Wait, does that mean theyre more like an old married couple?
But Mom would be surprised Just the fact that shes friends with such a beautiful young lady is unbelievable, but to have such a good relationship Could it be that theres really something between them?
Theres definitely something! Unlike the previous useless older brother, the current Super Brother has become incredibly handsome and theres no way theres no interest!
Why are you boasting like that?
As I receive Moms retort, I continue to watch my brother and Haruka-chan in the kitchen.
I feel incredibly pleased to see the two of them getting along so well.
It makes me so happy that such a wonderful person like Haruka-chan recognizes my brother and has feelings for him.
My brother is really serious I hope everything goes well
Hehe, thats so true. I wholeheartedly welcome such a wonderful girl.
(Ah, seriously, do your best, Brother! Im already determined to become Haruka-chans little sister!)
In front of the kitchen filled with delicious aromas, I immerse myself in the gentle atmosphere and continue to watch the two of them getting along. In my heart, I send them lots of encouragement.
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