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 47: In the Study of a Popular Author (2)

Kurose Touka kept glancing at me, while I, confused and unable to grasp the situation, didn’t understand what Naoto-san was trying to do.

Naoto-san was elusive, like a cloud—visible in form but somehow unclear. Was it impossible to grasp him? Or was there no form to begin with?

He was so ambiguous that I truly didn’t understand him.

“Yeah, I get it now.”

In the awkward atmosphere, Naoto-san seemed to have understood something. But what, and how? This was beyond merely reading between the lines.

“Touka, collect the tracking device and bug you put on Takeru-kun.”

“…Yes.”

When Naoto-san said this, Touka apologized and started searching through my school bag.

I never imagined she had planted a tracking device and a bug. She really was a serious stalker. Well, I guess I should have expected that by now.

“Touka, confiscate all the knives as well.”

“…Yes.”

She then began pulling out knife after knife—key-shaped, pen-shaped, and even scalpel-like ones disguised as stationery.

“Is that all?”

Naoto-san’s voice was gentle, yet I never imagined anyone could exude such a soft, threatening aura.

Touka seemed resigned and continued to reveal more weapons. Even her school uniform had been modified, as she took out needles hidden in her ribbon and hairpins.

“You sure have a lot.”

“If I have them, it makes me feel a little safer.”

“I’ll have to lecture the gadget store later.”

Is Touka an assassin or something? A high school girl carrying weapons and living a normal life is abnormal. Then again, I suppose it’s no longer surprising.

“I’m sorry, Takeru-kun. Touka’s been through a lot in the past, and she has a habit of carrying weapons.”

“…I see. Well, I kind of figured that when I saw the key-shaped knife, but… yeah…”

“That’s not it, Motobu-san!”

Touka grabbed my hands with both of hers, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes, as she desperately tried to convey something.

“I’d like you to forgive her for almost killing you, Takeru-kun.”

“Well, I’m not angry.”

I had no intention of blaming Touka, who was clearly in a fragile mental state. I knew something had happened to her, and it was likely a lot. So, I wasn’t really angry—just scared.

Still, the reason I continue to interact with her like this is probably because I resonate with whatever she’s going through. Maybe it’s because we’re both carrying some sort of wound. Though I know it’s not something that can be soothed by simply licking each other’s wounds.

“I’m sorry, Motobu-san.”

“It’s alright.”

Looking at Touka now reminds me of how I used to be. That’s probably why I couldn’t leave her alone and ended up offering to cook for her.

“Okay. Touka, you can go home now.”

“Uh, okay… I mean, never mind.”

With that, Touka bowed and left the study.

“There’s a lot going on with Touka.”

Naoto-san stopped speaking. It was clear that this wasn’t a story that should be asked about lightly. Everything was just too abnormal.

“Touka doesn’t have any parents. Now, she’s part of our group, or rather, a vigilante group that looks after troubled youths who have nowhere to go. Touka is one of them.”

“How does she manage to live alone?”

Leopalace is more than enough for a single person to live in, with furnished rooms that are perfect for solitary living.

“Touka is special. I’ve provided her with a room that I lease. She’s good at studying, so it’s like an investment. Well, she also works part-time as a detective, so it’s not entirely financial support.”

“So that’s why I couldn’t spot her while she was stalking me.”

“Touka has a talent for that sort of thing. But since her personal feelings got involved, she made you suspicious.”

Naoto-san chuckled, saying, “She still has a long way to go,” but I’m the one who suffered from her actions…

“I’ll keep an eye on Touka, but her taste disorder is something that even I couldn’t solve. I can cook too, but I wasn’t able to help her. That’s why, Takeru-kun…”

“Yes?”

“I’d like you to continue being friends with Touka and look after her.”

Friends, huh.

“I’ll do my best.”

“One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Touka has no memories of her early childhood. Her mind is full of landmines, but if anything comes up, don’t hesitate to consult with me.”

“I see.”

It was all too heavy. That’s how I felt.

The burden that Kurose Touka carries is too heavy.

Even so, there’s probably nothing I can do for her besides cooking.

That’s really all I can do.

And maybe, it’s the same for anyone else.

—

Chapter 48: Meanwhile

“Hey, Amatsuka-chan, you’re not with Motobu today?”

“Oh, yeah. He said he had something to do, so I’m shopping alone today.”

As we walked to the supermarket together, it had become a regular routine for me to go grocery shopping.

“It’s rare to see you two not together.”

“W-We’re not like a couple or anything…”

I mean, being a couple is something I admire, but still…

“Didn’t you take care of Motobu the other day?”

“Yeah. I sent him a message, but he didn’t reply. He usually responds even when he’s busy with chores, so I called him, and he sounded unwell.”

Motobu-kun is really efficient. When he cooks, he’s well-organized and wastes no time. I’m not that fast yet, and I often struggle with each task.

“Then you’re like a live-in wife.”

“Oh, stop it, Miaki-chan. That’s embarrassing.”

“And yet, Amatsuka-chan doesn’t seem to mind that idea too much.”

“Miaki-chan…”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry!”

“You’re not sorry at all.”

I like Motobu-kun. I’ve already realized it, and Miaki-chan probably knows it too. Actually, she definitely knows—it’s been obvious since middle school.

“I’d be happy if you and Motobu got together. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about Miko being taken.”

“I-I don’t think Miko-chan is serious about him…”

“I hope not, too.”

But in this world, there are people who marry with a 10-year age difference, so when I think about the possibilities…

“But how was it, really? You were practically alone with him while taking care of him, right?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Come on, tell me.”

“…It felt a little like being his wife, and it was kind of fun.”

Of course, seeing Motobu-kun suffering because of his illness was hard. But when he ate the porridge I made and when I watched him sleep, I felt happy.

I found myself wishing I could always stay by his side like this.

“So, not a girlfriend, but a wife, huh?”

“…It’s like, I want to be able to do things for him.”

My face felt hot from the embarrassment. Even though I said it myself, it was still embarrassing.

“Amatsuka-chan, you really are a romantic.”

Miaki-chan peered into my face with a mischievous smile. I didn’t feel any malice, but she really did have a teasing look—yet she seemed to be having fun. I’m already overwhelmed enough as it is.

“Oh, look, a message from Motobu.”

“?!”

Miaki-chan had a devilish smile. Well, she’s also learned cooking from Motobu-kun, so it’s not surprising that they exchanged contact information.

“Hmm, interesting.”

“…”

She’s totally teasing me…

But every little playful gesture from her is making me anxious. Even though this is my first love, Miaki-chan is being so harsh.

“I see, I see. So that’s how it is.”

“…Please, give me a break…”

“Hm? What’s wrong? Are you curious?”

“Miaki-chan, you know, that’s called a rhetorical question.”

“Then admit it—Amatsuka-chan, do you like Motobu?”

“…I… like him…”

My chest tightened. Even though I hadn’t said it to Motobu-kun directly, just putting my feelings into words made me feel so hot and overwhelmed. And most of all, embarrassed.

“You’re so cute, I might just throw up from the sweetness.”

“…What a terrible thing to say.”

“Well, it’s fine.”

Miaki-chan smiled at me, her face definitely looking devilish as she saw my embarrassed, red face.

“Motobu says he wants to do something to thank you for taking care of him. He’s thinking of cooking something, but that’s all he can come up with.”

“I don’t need a thank you.”

“But you look really happy just hearing that.”

“…Well, yeah, I guess.”

The way he seriously cooks for someone—that’s one of the reasons I fell for him.

“Don’t you want to go on a date with him?”

“…I do, but I also love watching Motobu-kun cook.”

“Amatsuka-chan, your face is all soft and dreamy.”