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 16-17

Chapter 16: Urban Legend, Class Line

“I didn’t cook with Amatsuka today, so I should update my Instagram.”

After finishing my meal, I idly played with my smartphone in my room.

Since I started cooking with Amatsuka, I’ve been slow to update my Instagram.

“Well, it’s not something to hide, but still…”

If I post on Instagram on the same day I cook with Amatsuka, it will inevitably be discovered. After all, it’s the same food we made together.

Even if it’s only once, it might pass as a coincidence, but if the presentation and plates are the same, it’s bound to be noticed.

So, the days I can update Instagram are limited to days I haven’t cooked with Amatsuka or different times of the day.

“That said, it’s just a hobby, and I don’t feel obligated to do it.”

It’s a habit and a post to maintain my cooking awareness and motivation.

Recently, as my followers have been gradually increasing, my motivation is rising like a game.

“Some comments have increased a little, too. But I don’t know how to respond…”

The posts only include photos of the food, a list of ingredients, and simple cooking steps.

I don’t want to interact, and I don’t want to show off original recipes.

“‘[Black Vinegar Supervisor] Looks very delicious.'”

The [Black Vinegar Supervisor] has been a follower since fairly early on.

I remember because they always leave a comment, but I don’t know why the name [Black Vinegar Supervisor].

I always wonder why people use different names like radio nicknames or pen names.

Speaking of which, I’m also [Background Mobtaro], but let’s say that’s a complete self-deprecating joke.

“Speaking of which, there were other people with strange names.”

[Scrub Brush] and [Ham Cutlet Taro] are unique and interesting.

People I don’t know on the other side of the internet see my posts and comment.

In a world where I, who usually doesn’t interact with others, can send out something to unknown people.

Well, Amatsuka is also among them.

“…I didn’t expect high school life to turn out like this.”

I thought I’d spend high school just like middle school, with nothing special happening.

After school, I wouldn’t hang out with anyone, join clubs, just shop at the supermarket, and do housework and study.

I thought that would be fine.

Just once, eating lunch in the classroom led to this.

“Amatsuka seems to be having fun today, too.”

An unexpected message from Amatsuka.

A picture of Amatsuka with the food they made was sent.

Even though it’s been a short time since I started teaching, it’s fun to see Amatsuka visibly improving.

It must be something like a training game.

☆Miu Amatsuka☆

“Motobu-kun!!”

As I was feeling warm from Amatsuka’s picture, another message came.

☆Miu Amatsuka☆

“By the way, you’re coming to the Golden Week class social gathering, right?! ( ｰ̀ωｰ́ )✧”

It seemed like a natural assumption, but I had no idea about it.

Apparently, it’s a “Let’s get along since we’re classmates!!” event planned by the top-tier class members.

Takeru Motobu

“No, I’m not going.”

I haven’t heard about it.

And I definitely don’t want to go…

Currently, the only people I can talk to are Amatsuka and Momohara.

I don’t think Momohara, who has the same attributes as me, was invited beforehand, and even if they were, I don’t think they’d go along with it.

First of all, I’m not in the class Line group where this event is being discussed.

So, there’s no need for me to go.

☆Miu Amatsuka☆

“Eh… why?”

Well, I don’t know why… you know.

Honestly, I’m not very interested in deepening friendships.

Even if I went, I’d just be background noise, awkward, eating quietly in a corner.

It’s tiring to have to be considerate.

And Amatsuka would definitely come up to me, making the situation even more uncomfortable.

Amatsuka’s kindness would be my undoing.

Takeru Motobu

“I have plans.”

I have plans to shop at the supermarket. But I can’t say that, and it probably wouldn’t be accepted as a valid excuse.

So, I tell a small lie.

It’s not something that will hurt anyone.

It’s okay to tell harmless lies.

That’s the life perspective I’ve learned from living so far.

☆Miu Amatsuka☆

“Oh no (|| ﾟДﾟ) … I thought we could cook together (_ – -)_ ﾊﾞﾀｯ”

Takeru Motobu

“Sorry.”

Is the social gathering something where everyone cooks together?

I’m not sure.

But anyway, I’m not going and I’m not interested.

Takeru Motobu

“I can’t go, but I hope you enjoy it, Amatsuka.”

☆Miu Amatsuka☆

“…I see. Got it. Then I’ll send you food pics bombarding you on the day!!”

Takeru Motobu

“That would make me hungry, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.”

What kind of revenge is that…

Only in cooking.

Laughing over trivial things, I put my phone down and went to the bathroom.

—

Chapter 17: Teach Me!! Ms. Momohara ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و

“Excuse me for intruding.”

On the weekend, I visited Momohara’s house.

“Welcome, Motobu-kun!”

Momohara greeted me with a big smile. She was bright and cheerful, unlike her usual school self.

…Is she a multiple personality?

No, it’s probably just the comfort of being at home and her high motivation for baking.

Today, Momohara’s eyes, usually hidden by her bangs, were clearly visible. She was holding her hair back with bear-shaped hairpins.

Aren’t they too cute? No, Momohara is already cute enough. Yeah.

She taught me that cuteness is justice. Thanks, Naoto-san.

“I’ll leave the slippers here.”

The slippers she offered were also bear-shaped.

She must really like bears. I’d like to see her hugging a bear plushie while sleeping. Or even better, wearing bear pajamas.

“Ms. Momohara, here you go.”

“Thanks! It’s tea leaves. Let’s make some sweets and enjoy them together!!”

“O-Okay.”

…This is confusing. The mood here is so different from school that I’m not sure how to handle it.

Wait, didn’t I come to a classmate’s house today to learn how to make sweets?

Or maybe this is like one of those stories where a cute boy turns out to be a girl. What kind of light novel is that? Maybe one where only I know that the cute boy is actually a girl and I get to feel superior.

As I was thinking about this, I was led to the living room, put down my things, and immediately went into the kitchen.

“Today, Motobu-kun, we’re making fondant chocolate.”

“Fondant chocolate is the one that has gooey stuff inside when you cut it, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It sounds difficult.”

“It’s easy. The ingredients aren’t too many.”

Momohara started talking excitedly. It seemed the ingredients were not too complicated. You could find them at most supermarkets.

“First, we’ll make the ganache. Chop this chocolate bar and melt it over a double boiler.”

“Got it.”

I’m used to handling knives. While I boiled water in a pot, I quickly chopped the chocolate on the cutting board and put it in a bowl for the double boiler.

Momohara seems not to use the stove or induction heat. She uses an electric kettle to boil water for melting. However, she has no problem using the oven, which makes me think she might be an alien.

“Motobu-kun, you’re quick. It’s your first time doing this, but you’re fast.”

“I’m a full-time househusband.”

Even so, I can only follow the steps I was given. I don’t have a complete grasp of the overall process.

“Warm the cream to the same temperature.”

I heated the cream in the microwave at 500w for 30 seconds, and the chocolate melted perfectly.

If you overheat cream or milk, a film will form on the surface, so you need to be careful not to overheat it. Adding sugar later prevents the film, but since there’s already a lot of sugar in the chocolate, we won’t add more.

“Motobu-kun, are you used to handling cream?”

“Sometimes I use it in cooking, and it’s similar to milk.”

“…In terms of ingredients, yeah, it’s close.”

Mix the warmed chocolate and cream until smooth, then chill in the refrigerator for about an hour. You have to be careful not to chill it too much; otherwise, it becomes too hard to scoop out with a spoon and becomes difficult to handle.

This is another difference between cooking and baking. The consistency is crucial.

“After preparing the ganache, we move on to the batter.”

Mix the eggs and sugar, then melt the remaining half of the chocolate and unsalted butter over a double boiler.

“…Motobu-kun’s skills are too high. Almost doing everything at once…”

“I’m often asked by my sister to hurry with meals, so I can’t help but be efficient.”

According to the instructions, mix the eggs and sugar first, then melt the chocolate and butter. However, I decided to do both at the same time, thinking it wouldn’t be a problem. It’s not how one should act when asking for guidance, but that’s just how I am.

“By the way, if the eggs are cold when melting chocolate, it can cause the chocolate to harden. So, bring them to room temperature before starting.”

“Advanced preparation before the initial preparation. It’s indeed deep.”

Unlike thawing frozen meat, you can’t just leave eggs out at room temperature the day before; it’s more troublesome.

“Once it’s mostly mixed, add the flour and cocoa powder.”

Sift the dry ingredients and add them while sifting. Although it seems unnecessary, this step removes impurities and clumps, and adds air to make baked goods fluffier.

In cooking and baking, there’s no such thing as a useless step.

“Now we bake it in the oven. Preheat to 180°, then put the batter in the mold.”

The mold was a disposable paper type, like a muffin tin. While there are reusable types, disposable ones are convenient for managing and storing when making a large quantity.

“Fill the mold about halfway with batter, then spoon the chilled ganache on top. Add more batter and bake. It’s like making rice balls.”

Quickly cover the ganache with batter before it sinks and put it in the preheated oven.

“Bake for 10 minutes, let it cool for 5 minutes, then remove from the mold and it’s done!”

“It smells good.”

“For the final touch, sprinkle with powdered sugar♪”

“Wow. Just adding powdered sugar really changes the look.”

I prepared tea and took photos. I’ll post them on Instagram later.

“The fondant chocolate is great when you cut it and the filling oozes out.”

“Then, Motobu-kun, let’s eat!”

We ate the freshly made fondant chocolate together. It was delicious with the warm tea.

I pretended not to notice the ganache that dribbled from Momohara’s mouth, which looked a bit suggestive.