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 68-69

Chapter 68: The Overbearing Student Council

After dinner, I started my study routine, going over what I had learned and preparing for upcoming lessons. I’m not naturally gifted, so no matter how much I study, I can’t solve problems efficiently in class. All I can do is review the formulas, English sentences, and history I’ve learned, trying to make them feel familiar so I can remember them better.

I envy people who can flip through a textbook and memorize everything instantly.

“Hmm? Who’s calling me?”

It was already past 9 PM. At this hour, even Amatsuka-san is considerate enough not to call me out of the blue.

My phone vibrated. It was Senior Tomitsugu. Trying not to let out a sigh, I quietly pressed the call button.

“Hello?”

“Motobu, we’re having a training camp over the summer.”

“…That’s sudden. When is it?”

“From August 10.”

“Sorry, I’ll be back in Okinawa from the day before, so I can’t make it.”

“What?! …Hmm…”

That was surprisingly cute. It’s not the kind of reaction I’d expect from Senior Tomitsugu.

“Well, in that case—”

“Then we’ll change the training camp to Okinawa!”

“…No, that’s impossible. Where will everyone stay? Plus, it’ll be expensive.”

“That’s not a problem.”

Is it okay for the club president to decide on the location so easily? Shouldn’t she discuss it with the other members first?

“My father owns a pension in Okinawa as a hobby. I’ll arrange for us to stay there.”

“…I see.”

I knew she came from a well-off family, but having enough money to run a pension as a hobby? Must be nice. And on top of that, the pension is in my hometown, so now I really can’t escape.

Well, the land there is relatively cheap, and with nearby supermarkets, it’s a convenient place to live.

…Fine, whatever happens, happens.

“Oh, and make sure to bring a swimsuit.”

“What kind of training camp is this? You’re clearly planning to have fun.”

“You can’t go to Okinawa without enjoying the ocean! It would be a waste.”

“Okay, okay.”

“If you stare at me too much, I’ll chop you up into tiny pieces.”

“I won’t look.”

The fact that she specifically mentioned a cooking method is so typical of Senior Tomitsugu. I definitely don’t want to be chopped up in my hometown, so I’ll be careful not to stare.

“Hmph. If you’re a man, you should be ogling with a grin on your face!”

“…Which one is it…”

“Don’t get smart with me. You’re a guy, aren’t you? Don’t even think about running away.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Make sure you join the camp, okay? For some reason, the student council president and vice president are coming too.”

“Why…”

It makes sense for the cooking club members to join the training camp, but why is the student council getting involved?

“Even I don’t know. Maybe they’re still suspicious of you being a ghost member of the club.”

“…It feels like they’re just using that as an excuse to take a vacation on the student council’s dime.”

That’s a pretty blatant abuse of power… Must be nice to be in the student council. I’d like to abuse some power too.

Though, I’m not sure if this trip will really get covered by their budget.

“Alright, see you there.”

“Got it.”

What was supposed to be a simple trip home to visit the grave has turned into a full-blown event.

Miroku, Nakamichi, and Momohara are all coming too. What started as a small plan has turned into an Okinawa trip for everyone. …I guess this is what happens when you let one person join in.

Well, since it’s a cooking club training camp, the advisor should be coming along too. As long as Rin Amatsuka and the teacher are there, we should be fine.

“How badly does everyone want to go to Okinawa…?”

But there’s nothing I can do now. I know that Okinawa holds a special place in people’s minds. Even though it’s just an island, hearing the name alone excites a lot of people.

For someone like me, an introvert, I don’t really see the appeal. Maybe it’s just my bias.

“…A cooking club training camp, huh. I bet they’ll come up with another competition or something.”

Even though I’m a ghost member, if the student council is coming along, I guess I’ll have to participate. Otherwise, things might get complicated.

It seems like it’ll be tough to just coast along like I’ve been doing.

I should probably think about quitting the cooking club soon. Yeah, I’ll do that.

“Takeru-kunnn!”

“…What now…”

I turned around, only to be hugged by Manoka, who was wearing a swimsuit. Her chest pressed against me so tightly that I couldn’t breathe.

“Look! My new swimsuit!”

“I-I can’t breathe…”

There’s no need to look—it’s all skin. Her overly affectionate behavior is seriously going to kill me one day.

—

Chapter 69: Kurose-san’s Twisted Thoughts

The first semester ended, and summer vacation had begun.

Chika went out to play with her friends, and Manoka-san went to work as usual.

“I’m bored, Motobu-san.”

“Why are you here in the middle of the day?”

“Since I’m free, I thought I’d serve my future husband.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Without permission, Kurose-san had already let herself in, brewed tea for both of us, and was now relaxing. I was momentarily surprised by how natural it felt. Scary, like a stalker. And as usual, she was still in her school uniform.

“Don’t you have work at your part-time job?”

“Not today.”

“I see.”

“…Glance.”

“Stop lifting your skirt!”

This girl’s really turning into a pervert.

“I’m about to go shopping, so please leave.”

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

“Why?”

“I’m your servant, a subordinate of Motobu-san. I can carry your bags or do anything.”

“No, I’m fine.”

A plain guy like me having such a beautiful girl follow him around, carrying bags—it can’t lead to anything good. She has a good face and figure, after all.

“I’m not buying anything big. I have groceries.”

“So, you’re just shopping for small items, based on your usual shopping habits.”

“…That’s right, but…”

The fear of having a stalker know your routines… It felt like she could pull a knife on me at any moment. Her cheerful smile only made it scarier. Beautiful women’s smiles are terrifying.

“Well, do you want to come with me? To the Sunflower General Store.”

“…I-I-I’ll go…”

“Why do you look so reluctant…?”

I wonder what she thinks about Naoto-san. Actually, I had planned to go buy swim trunks with Momohara today, but his schedule changed, so we postponed it until tomorrow. That left me with nothing to do today as well.

I considered doing my homework, but with Kurose-san around, I couldn’t focus. If only Chika or Manoka-san were here, it would have been fine.

“Shall we go, then?”

“…Yes.”

Hinata-san often finds cute small items and dishes from somewhere. She loves wandering around and discovering things she doesn’t know, and some days she even closes the shop to go shopping. When she’s in the store, she’s often browsing handmade crafts from creators or workshops on flea market apps.

“Kurose-san, don’t you ever go look at clothes? You’re always in your uniform, and you don’t seem to own anything else.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my uniform, so I don’t need anything else.”

As soon as we stepped outside, the summer heat scorched my skin. I should’ve stayed in. It’s too hot.

“Even when you go out with friends?”

“I don’t have any friends.”

“Oh… I see…”

It’s true that Kurose-san usually gives off a slightly unapproachable vibe at school. Well, she used to.

“As long as I have you, Motobu-san, I’m fine.”

“If I weren’t around, it would be tough for you, huh?”

“If that happens, I’ll just die.”

“That’s heavy. Really heavy.”

It was just a little sarcasm, but she took it seriously. Talking with Kurose-san is difficult.

“Even if it’s heavy… For me, meeting you, Motobu-san, was a miracle. If I miss this chance, I won’t be able to live anymore.”

Kurose-san stared at me with straight, intense eyes. This twisted dependency of hers probably won’t go away easily. The reason I can’t abandon Kurose-san… is that, in some way, she resembles me.

Not having parents. That’s part of it. But it’s not just that.

Just like Kurose-san clings to me, I cling to cooking.

“…I know it’s strange for me to say this, but it’s better if you make some friends. You’re beautiful, Kurose-san. I’m sure people will want to be friends with you quickly.”

“B-Beautiful…? Hearing that from you, Motobu-san, makes me happy.”

“That’s what I’m talking about, Kurose-san.”

“?”

I wasn’t trying to compliment her just to flirt.

“If you feel happy when I compliment you, that’s good. If you start feeling happy when other people compliment you too, your food will probably taste better.”

“…I don’t quite understand.”

“You’ve been eating alone until now, haven’t you? Meals that have no taste.”

“Yes.”

“If there had been someone sitting next to you, maybe your taste disorder wouldn’t have gotten this bad.”

Why does she have a taste disorder? Why doesn’t she have parents? I still don’t know.

My parents were killed in a hit-and-run accident. But I haven’t heard about Kurose-san’s parents from Naoto-san yet. She probably doesn’t know either. There’s something deeply rooted in her.

“Ah, let’s change plans.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go look at some clothes for you, Kurose-san.”

“Why the sudden change?”

“You’re coming to Okinawa, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then a school uniform would be inconvenient, and more importantly, it’s a good chance for you to get closer to the other girls, like Amatsuka-san.”

I’m sure Amatsuka-san will help her get along with others. Miaki-san seems caring too, so hopefully, they’ll become friends, and maybe she’ll depend on me a little less.

“Well, if you’re going to pick out my clothes, Motobu-san, I’ll wear anything—even a micro bikini or a sweater that drives virgins crazy.”

“Those choices are way too extreme… And if you wear a sweater in summer, you’ll die of heatstroke before you kill any virgins.”

“If it makes you lust after me even a little, I’ll be happy.”

“I’m not into watching a dying Kurose-san and getting excited, okay?”

What kind of normal guy gets excited by words like “virgin” and “kill” in a conversation with a girl his own age?

Honestly, having this kind of talk with Kurose-san probably means I’m not very normal either. It’s depressing that I don’t even feel awkward when she says things like “virgin.”

“Anyway, let’s go look at normal clothes.”

“It’s a date with you, Motobu-san. I’m looking forward to it.”

“…Fine, whatever you want.”

And so, we walked down the twisted path together, heading toward the station.