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 56.2 - Chapter 57

Chapter 56.2: Special Episode – The Full-time Househusbands Eats Alone

“Finally, I’m done with the housework for now.”

It was a random Sunday.

Chika had gone out to hang out with her friends, and Manoka-san was working on her day off.

It was a peaceful day.

“Guess I’ll grab something to eat.”

A househusband’s lunch.

On school days, I prepare bento boxes for both Chika and Manoka-san, but on days off, I only make a proper meal when there’s someone else to eat with.

“Making food for one person is such a hassle.”

I looked inside the refrigerator and thought about what to do. I wasn’t motivated enough to make anything fancy, like something worthy of posting on Instagram.

“Well, I guess TKG (tamago kake gohan) will do.”

I heated up some frozen rice and cracked an egg. As a househusband, one of my hidden missions is to steadily consume the growing stockpile of frozen rice.

Sometimes, I just warm up rice and eat it with some cheese on top, or pair it with flavored seaweed and nothing else.

“I don’t want to wash any bowls either, so I’ll just place the rice, still wrapped in plastic wrap, into a bowl. This is crucial.”

By unwrapping the plastic on top of the bowl, I can use it as a dish while keeping the bowl clean. I don’t use cling wrap that tears easily.

This method is both cost-effective and saves effort—less water usage and less washing up.

“Keeping the microwave clean allows for these convenient shortcuts.”

Some people might consider this unsanitary. However, we each have our own personal bowls, and as long as I’m using mine, no one else has any reason to complain.

So, no problem there.

“Itadakimasu.”

Today, I’m out of extra virgin olive oil, so there are no special additions—just plain egg over rice. A sprinkle of chopped green onions for a bit of color is all I added.

“Hmm, a comment on Instagram.”

I don’t really take Instagram that seriously. It’s just a hobby and a way to maintain my motivation for cooking. It’s not something I actively put much effort into.

I often just leave it alone after posting.

“‘[Black Vinegar Inspector] Your food looks delicious again today.’”

This comment was on a post I uploaded three days ago. For some reason, seeing it sent a chill down my spine.

It never used to bother me before.

“…Wait, could Black Vinegar Inspector actually be Kurose-san?”

Black vinegar and Kurose. The “Inspector” part might have been hinting at a stalker all along.

I had always thought it was just a random, cryptic pen name, like something you’d hear from a late-night radio show listener, but there was a hidden clue in there all along…

“Well, Kurose-san probably didn’t mean anything by it.”

Usually, I just get comments from fans I don’t know on Instagram. But the fact that I figured out Kurose-san was the Black Vinegar Inspector might be because we’ve been interacting more in real life lately.

“She’s been more quiet lately.”

Ever since she started having dinner every night, her mood has improved. In a way, she’s become a better person. It seems that eating proper meals is important for everyone.

“But I wish she’d stop arguing with Manoka-san all the time.”

Especially when Manoka-san tries to take the upper hand, it gets really bad. That’s when the “Future Bride Battle” starts.

Every time, something gets broken during the dishwashing. Just recently, they broke my favorite dish that I bought at the Sunflower General Store…

Unforgivable… grr.

“Hmm? A message from Amatsuka.”

It was a picture of food, along with her smug face.

☆Miu Amatsuka☆
“Look, Motobu-kun!”

Takeru Motobu
“It looks delicious.”

Sometimes she sends me these photos of her meals, wearing that smug expression. I think she probably wants me to praise her. Manoka-san often makes the same face.

Apparently, this was Amatsuka’s lunch today, and she was about to eat it alone. It’s nice to see my student working hard on her cooking.

Meanwhile, I’m just having a lazy egg over rice.

Takeru Motobu
“Amatsuka-san, you’re doing great making proper meals. I’m just having egg over rice.”

☆Miu Amatsuka☆
“Are you alone too? We’re solo meal buddies.”

Takeru Motobu
“Yeah, I guess so.”

☆Miu Amatsuka☆
“If you’re alone, I should have invited you to eat together… (´・ω・｀)”

Why does Amatsuka say things like this so casually? It makes me feel like I might misunderstand her feelings sometimes. I could accidentally end up falling for her.

I never know how to reply in moments like this.

Takeru Motobu
“I’m always eating alone, so it’s no problem.”

☆Miu Amatsuka☆
“But I’m the one who’s lonely!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Amatsuka’s reply.

Well, I guess lunches like this aren’t so bad either.

—

Chapter 57: The Student Council President and Vice President

“The rainy season is coming soon.”

It was early June, and the commotion from the cooking contest had finally settled down. While walking to school, I reflected on how much had happened in just two months.

“Good morning, Momohara-san.”

“Good morning, Motobu-kun.”

Lately, as the temperature has risen, Momohara has stopped wearing her blazer, revealing her pale white skin. Her slender body and skin could easily make you mistake her for a girl, and even her behavior has started to feel more feminine these days.

“Oh, by the way, I heard about it, Motobu-kun. Something about a cooking contest?”

“Ah, yeah. It just kind of happened.”

“I heard you won against a senior? That’s amazing.”

“It was all thanks to Amatsuka-san.”

The story of the cooking contest between Amatsuka-san and Senior Tomitsugu quickly spread. Luckily, I was treated as just a background character, so there wasn’t much fuss from the people around me.

However, since Tomitsugu-senpai is the head of the cooking club, she’s been harassing me by constantly sending food photos after exchanging contact information. I don’t understand why she keeps bombarding me with delicious-looking pictures. Is this a new way of showing dominance?

“Oh, Motobu. Momohara.”

“Good morning, Miaki-san.”

“G-Good morning, Miaki-san…”

As we neared the school, we ran into Miaki-san. Her silver hair fluttered as she walked, making Momohara nervous. They’ve been talking more lately, but she still seems a bit scared of her.

“Thanks for the other day, Momohara. Mishin loved the cookies.”

“Mishin-chan was happy? …I’m glad.”

It seems that after our study session before the midterm exams, Momohara taught Miaki-san how to bake cookies. Miaki-san seems pleased about it too. Despite her tough exterior, she’s surprisingly friendly. I hope she continues helping with Momohara’s “Get Closer to Humans” plan.

“…Ugh, Takeru Motobu.”

“Good morning, Tomitsugu-senpai.”

At the shoe lockers, I bumped into Tomitsugu-senpai. She immediately gave me a dirty look when she saw me. Isn’t that a bit harsh? At least say hello.

“…Hmph.”

Grumbling, she stormed off to the second-year classrooms. I get it now—she’s the type to hold grudges.

“Motobu-kun, does Tomitsugu-senpai dislike you?”

“Seems like it. Losing must have frustrated her.”

Well, I guess anyone would be upset if they lost to a mere background character, especially after making such a big deal about it.

Not that I care too much, since we don’t really interact much anyway.

That afternoon, however, things took a turn. Tomitsugu-senpai dragged me off to the home economics room after school.

“You’re the last member, right?”

Waiting for me there was a child who looked like she was in elementary school. Confused by the situation, I leaned over and whispered to Tomitsugu-senpai.

“Tomitsugu-senpai, who is this kid? Why is she here?”

“Who are you calling a kid?!”

Even though I had whispered softly, she still heard me. Due to her small stature, even her anger wasn’t intimidating.

With chestnut-colored semi-long hair and a petite figure, she was even more childlike than Hinata-san.

“I’m Rinne Taguchi, a second-year student and the president of this school’s student council. Remember that!”

“Sorry about this, Motobu-kun. This is our student council president. Oh, and I’m Keito Nakamichi, the vice president. I’m also a second-year. Nice to meet you.”

Standing next to the tiny President Taguchi, Vice President Nakamichi, with her great figure, made the president look even more like a little kid. Her relaxed bob cut and full chest made it seem as if she was intentionally showing up the president.

“So, why exactly was I called here?”

“I heard that the cooking club has enough members now, but I wanted to make sure that’s actually true. If you’re just a ghost member, I’ll shut the club down immediately.”

“Got it.”

Honestly, I don’t care much if the club gets shut down. I joined on a whim, so I’m not particularly attached to it.

“Takeru Motobu, you’ll have to prove that you’re an active member of the cooking club.”

“…Prove it? Can’t you just check the club roster?”

“If you’re just a name on the roster and not actually participating, then the club can’t be allowed to continue.”

“Sorry about this. As the student council, we can’t provide club funds unless the club is actively doing things.”

“That’s the situation, Takeru Motobu. Now, start cooking.”

Suddenly being asked to cook… I did say that I’d show up to club activities if something came up, but still.

It’s only been three days since I joined, and now I have to start participating already.