A Story About a Blonde Gal Angel Who Excessively Praises My Cooking. After Asking Me to Teach Her How to Cook, Feelings of Mutual Love Began to Grow

Chapter 120: I Don’t Understand

After finishing my conversation with Naoto-san, I was thinking while shopping at the supermarket.

No matter how much I think about it, there’s nothing I can really do.

In the end, all I can do is cook for Kurose-san.

“Hey, Motobu.”

“Miaki-san, good work.”

Miaki-san was restocking the cabbage that had been on sale.

She seemed a bit tired, lacking her usual energy.

“How’s it going lately? Student council stuff keeps you busy?”

“Well, yes. It’s been somewhat hectic.”

Though we’re in the same class, I haven’t talked much with everyone recently. With preparations for the school festival and student council work, it can’t be helped, but I’ve been intentionally keeping a bit of distance from Amatsuka and the others.

Still, the only ones I’m somewhat involved with are Momohara and Kurose-san.

I see Kurose-san every day, cooking for her one way or another, so of course, that’s natural.

“Once I finish restocking this, I’m done for the day. Want to chat for a bit?”

“Sure. I don’t mind.”

“Thanks.”

“Not at all.”

To be honest, I’m not very good at talking one-on-one with Miaki-san. She scares me a little. She’s not a bad person though, and her big-sisterly vibe makes things easygoing.

After she finished restocking, I told her I’d be wandering around nearby, so she could call me once she was done changing, and I continued shopping.

“It’s really helpful to have a classmate working at the supermarket during times like the school festival.”

Our class decided on a maid café, but there’s a lot we need, like cutting cardboard and such. As for the costumes, Kurose-san and a few other students from the sewing club should manage it.

The menu isn’t a problem either.

What’s left is the interior décor. Fortunately, we can probably manage with props from previous events and stuff from the 100-yen store.

“The real issue is the ingredients…”

I forgot to ask Naoto-san if there’s anyone who could provide ingredients. Well, the menu isn’t that extensive, and we’re only open for two days.

Including the after-party, it’s just three days.

I hope we can stock up just the right amount.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Good work.”

Miaki-san looked stylish in her simple hoodie and skinny jeans. Her good figure and long silver hair stood out after work.

“When I finish this early, there are still groceries left, so it’s convenient.”

“You’re quite the housewife, Miaki-san.”

“Well, yeah.”

There are high school girls like Miaki-san, who take care of their little sisters and make sure they eat properly, and there are also grown women who abuse their children.

Neither of us lives in luxury, but relatively speaking, you could say we’re living comfortably.

“Thanks to you, I’ve gotten a bit better at cooking lately.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

After finishing our shopping, we walked together for a while. Two high school students, each carrying a shopping bag.

“By the way, Amatsuka-chan has been feeling lonely lately, you know. She said you’re not teaching her how to cook anymore.”

“I feel bad about that, but honestly, she’s already good enough that she doesn’t need my help.”

In fact, Amatsuka-san’s cooking skills are almost on par with mine now. All she needs is more practice. The basics are all there.

“That’s not the point.”

Miaki-san stopped walking as she said this. I could feel the tension in the air.

“Amatsuka-chan enjoys cooking with you and learning from you, Motobu.”

She seemed irritated, like she was frustrated about something.

I didn’t understand why she was so upset.

“Well, I enjoyed it too.”

“Then why?”

I didn’t have an answer to that.

There are plenty of excuses.

I’m busy with the student council.

I’m busy with housework.

I have things to take care of with Kurose-san.

I also decided to forget about what happened with Manoka-san. There’s too much to think about.

“I’m Amatsuka-san’s cooking teacher, and she’s my student. That’s all there is to it.”

It’s enough for her to just admire me. As long as she can look up to me from afar, that’s fine.

It’s not like I can reach her anyway, so I’ll just watch from a distance.

And as long as I do what needs to be done, that’s enough.

“Are you serious?”

“I’m not saying anything wrong.”

I wasn’t lying. I learned this from Naoto-san.

“…I see.”

After muttering that, Miaki-san quickly walked away.

Why does she think that way?

I don’t understand.

Amatsuka-san, Miaki-san, and I live in different worlds. It’s like the difference between countries with entirely different ways of thinking.

If Amatsuka-san and Miaki-san are from a rich country, then I’m from a poor one.

Maybe this isn’t the best way to put it, but our concepts and common sense are fundamentally different.

If I’m going to lose something, I don’t need it.

“…What should I make for dinner?”

I was already tired from the day, but there was still housework to do.

—

Chapter 121: Kumako Miaki’s Feelings

“Ah! I’m so pissed off!”

What’s with that indecisive attitude? It’s infuriating.

“…Damn. This stuff is heavy…”

Even the weight of the groceries I bought was too much; it annoyed me. Does Motobu really feel nothing toward Amatsuka-chan? Wasn’t he admiring her?

“What’s with that ‘Master and disciple’ crap? Acting all high and mighty.”

I feel bad thinking this, considering he’s taught me how to cook a few times, but is that really okay? And does Motobu truly not notice Amatsuka-chan’s feelings?

“…Is Amatsuka-chan just bad at approaching him, or is Motobu just incredibly dense?”

It’s frustrating. If they’d just get together already, it would make things easier for me. I wouldn’t have to worry anymore, and I could move on.

“…Seriously, what’s wrong with him? Any normal guy would definitely fall for Amatsuka-chan.”

I’ve been with Amatsuka-chan since middle school, and she’s always been popular. But back then, she wasn’t as carefree. I know a lot about Amatsuka-chan’s family situation since she’s from a single-mother household. And well, I’m in a similar situation.

“…But now that we’re in high school…”

Amatsuka-chan has become more cheerful since entering high school. She’s even become a bit more selfish. That’s why I felt relieved.

When Amatsuka-chan started learning to cook from Motobu, her smile increased. She always seemed so happy when talking about what she learned.

“Yet why can’t he notice when he’s right beside her?”

I’m irritated at how Motobu pretends not to notice. It bothers me how he keeps treating her as just a classmate.

Even Motobu looked like he was having fun cooking with Amatsuka-chan. I saw him during the Okinawa trip.

“Ugh, so annoying.”

Should I just make Amatsuka-chan go after Motobu herself? No, that wouldn’t work. It’s her first love. I can’t see Amatsuka-chan being that bold.

And making Motobu take the lead is also impossible. He’d never make a move. Probably wouldn’t even touch her, even if she were lying naked beside him. He’s not weak, but he’s not some kind of gentleman either.

“…In a way, it’s kind of reassuring.”

It’s not that he lacks appeal as a guy. If Amatsuka-chan didn’t like him, maybe I wouldn’t have to give up.

I’ve never really thought about wanting a boyfriend or girlfriend. But I admired the idea of Motobu being my boyfriend, getting married, and having a happy, proper family.

“…I like him too…”

Most high school girls would probably want some sparkling, lively love story. But I don’t like that kind of love where you can’t see a future.

With my mom gone after giving birth to Miko, and my dad sending money but never coming back from overseas, I want something real and warm, not some glittering fake romance.

“…Tch. Sigh. I guess Amatsuka-chan’s gotten to me.”

I know Amatsuka-chan doesn’t just want to experience love. She wants to get married. Most high school girls wouldn’t say something like that nowadays.

Amatsuka-chan is a good girl. Whenever I see her praying for her deceased dad, I always think so.

That’s why I can’t betray her. She fell in love first. And since I know about her feelings, I can’t steal that love.

“…That’s why…”

That’s why I want them to get together soon. So I can give up. So I don’t have to hurt anymore. I don’t want to keep being mad at Motobu.

“…I like him too…”

It feels gross, like some sappy love song. But that’s how it is.

I could see it—my life with Motobu ten years from now. I thought I could be happy with him. When the three of us—Miko, me, and Motobu—cooked together, I thought that.

“…I want to be happy too…”

Of course, even if I stay in love with Motobu and somehow end up with him, there’s no guarantee I’ll be happy.

But the image of that happy family won’t leave my mind.

Every time I see Motobu’s face, that picture flashes through my head over and over. And in those moments, I feel myself being a woman.

I’m not some ideal Yamato Nadeshiko, nor a woman who can work efficiently and get things done.

I’m probably just starving for it. Even though thinking about something like “love” is embarrassing, I guess I’m craving that sort of thing.

But it’s not just me—Amatsuka-chan, Kurose, we’re all craving it.

A normal family. A father, a mother. Sometimes fighting with siblings.

Miko and I fight too, but since I’m like her mother, it’s different somehow.

If Motobu were by my side, would this feeling get a little lighter? Would I be allowed to lean on him?

I can’t become a strong woman. Just trying is the best I can do.

“…What do adults do at times like this?”