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 73-74

Chapter 73: Welcome to Okinawa (*´∀｀*)

“Haitai, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? You’ve gotten a bit taller too. So jealous!”

“Oh, uh, yeah. It’s been a while.”

When I arrived back home, my childhood friend, Yurina Kiyan, came to greet me.

She had healthy, tanned skin. Though she was small, her lively smile revealed a set of charming fangs.

Her large eyes narrowed when she smiled, showing the same expression she had in the past.

“Motobu-kun, what’s ‘Haitai’? Does your tooth hurt?”

“Haitai is the female version of ‘Haisai,’ a kind of greeting. In Okinawa, there are differences in words and even dances between men and women.”

“I see. So, is it ‘Haitai’? Is my pronunciation correct?”

“Haitai!”

“So cute.”

Amatsuka seemed happy that her greeting was understood, smiling brightly.

“Motobu, whose voice is that?”

“Oh, I haven’t introduced her yet. This is my childhood friend, Yurina Kiyan.”

“…C-childhood friend, huh… Miaki-chan, what should I do…”

“…Another rival, huh, Amatsuka-chan…”

“Yutashikuunige Sabira!!”

“She said ‘Nice to meet you.'”

…Why am I suddenly acting as a translator for the locals?

“Yurina, please speak in standard Japanese. Uchinaaguchi, the Okinawan dialect, is a bit much.”

“It’s fine, really. Besides, why don’t you call me like you used to?”

“No, that’s embarrassing.”

Yurina’s dialect wasn’t that strong. The older generation spoke in heavier dialects, to the point that our generation could hardly understand what they were saying.

However, everyone here today grew up in Tokyo. It would be quite a hassle if we couldn’t communicate.

Though I can’t exactly tell them to “Google it, fool.”

“Come on, just try it! Say ‘Yu-ri’.”

“Kiyan-san, could you please stop being so annoying?”

“Whoa, big brother’s giving me the cold shoulder.”

“Kiyan is such a cute last name. It sounds like a little animal’s cry.”

This was getting annoying. We wouldn’t be able to continue until we dropped off our luggage at my parents’ house. Yurina was also getting a bit carried away.

“Yurina, please guide everyone to the house first. We have luggage, and it’s really hot out here.”

“Hassa… You’re still not calling me that. Ta-ke, you’re going through a rebellious phase.”

“Motobu-kun, what’s ‘hassa’?”

“…It’s something like ‘Oh, come on!’ Anyway, let’s get moving.”

We were really getting nowhere…

☆☆☆

“Now that we’ve settled in, I’ll explain the plan. Today, you’ll have free time until the evening. I’ll be making dinner, so please come back in time.”

I had already gotten everyone’s contact information and installed a tracking app on their phones. This way, I could handle any situation if something happened.

Even though Manoka-san is technically responsible for everyone today, it’s better if it doesn’t come to that.

My family has to clean the graves, so we don’t have much time to hang out. Tomorrow, we’ll be sightseeing and having a barbecue, so I don’t need to join them today.

I’m not a tour guide, after all. These guys just tagged along on their own.

“Ta-ke, everyone’s so chura-kaagi.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“So? Who’s your favorite?”

“You’re being creepy. Please stop.”

“What’s chura-kaagi?”

“Oh, Amatsuka-san, you’re still here? Aren’t you going out with everyone?”

“Oh, well… I thought I might help out with something instead.”

Yurina’s teasing made me a little embarrassed. You didn’t have to stay just to help out. How nice can you be, Amatsuka-san? You’re seriously an angel.

“Churakagee means Churakagee.”

“It means beautiful.”

“R-really? Thank you.”

Amatsuka-san seemed interested in the Okinawan dialect. If that’s the case, I hope she gets along with Yurina. That would make things easier for me.

It’s always best when the girls get along with each other.

—

Chapter 74: Shopping at the Supermarket

“Are you both sure you’re okay not going out to play with the others?”

“I’d rather stay by your side, Motobu.”

“Oh, I’m not really into playing either. Besides, I’m interested in Okinawan cuisine, and I want to help with my master’s shopping.”

Amatsuka and Kurose accompanied me to the supermarket, a ten-minute walk from home. I understood why Kurose came along; she tends to feel restless if she doesn’t have anything to do. After all, she is a stalker.

Amatsuka, on the other hand, has been learning to cook from me, so it made sense that she was curious about Okinawan dishes. But honestly, I didn’t really need someone to carry the groceries. Sure, with more people around, I had to buy more food, but that didn’t mean I needed help.

“Well then, let’s start shopping.”

We arrived at Town Plaza Kanehide. It’s been a while since I’ve been here… With Obon coming up, I also needed to stock up on ingredients for the holiday.

“Oh, lettuce is on sale today. Let’s make taco rice.”

“Motobu-kun, you love lettuce, don’t you?”

“Lettuce can be surprisingly expensive. It doesn’t last long either, so I try to buy it when I can and cook with it right away.”

“Motobu-san, you’re really good at household things, aren’t you?”

“Well, I’m a full-time househusband.”

I wasn’t sure if “good at household things” was the right way to describe it, but Kurose, who doesn’t have parents, must genuinely believe that about me.

We’re both without parents, and neither of us knows much about what a normal family is like. It’s a complicated thought when you dwell on it.

“Gurukun, huh…”

“Gurukun? A type of fish?”

“Yes, it’s a white fish that’s delicious when deep-fried. I haven’t had it in a while, and I’m craving it.”

“You can’t eat this Gurukun fish in Tokyo?”

“They say you can catch it in Tokyo Bay, but it’s not something I usually buy. Now that I’m back in Okinawa, I really want to have it again.”

Back when I lived in Okinawa, it was common to see fried Gurukun at the supermarket deli. But in Tokyo, it’s hard to find. By the way, Gurukun is a type of fish called Takasago.

“Deep-fried fish, huh… I don’t think I’ve cooked much fried food before.”

“Well, since we’re here, do you want to try making fried Gurukun?”

“Y-Yeah… I’ll give it a try.”

I never expected that my first cooking lesson after coming to Okinawa would be teaching how to fry fish, but fried Gurukun is so delicious that I definitely want to share it.

“I’ve heard that preparing fish can be tough. Are you okay with that, Amatsuka?”

Kurose asked Amatsuka while glancing at the fish on display. For someone skilled in handling fish, it might not be an issue, but Amatsuka was still turning eggs into dark matter not too long ago. She probably doesn’t have much experience.

“I-I’ll be fine. Motobu-kun is here with me.”

“That’s true. Motobu-san’s cooking is delicious, so it might turn out okay.”

“Yep, yep.”

“Alright, let’s buy some Gurukun, then.”

With a group of young, hungry people to feed today, I needed to step up my cooking game. I was feeling motivated, but Amatsuka has probably never cooked for a large group before.

As her teacher, I need to do my best.

“What’s this? It looks tasty!”

Amatsuka was like a kid excitedly exploring the supermarket, checking out all the items on display.

“Amatsuka seems to be having fun.”

“Yeah, she does.”

Kurose smiled as she watched Amatsuka with a calm expression. Her quiet demeanor today was a huge help.

“There you are, Takeru-kun.”

“Takeru-kuuun!”

“Naoto-san?! Hinata-san?!”

“What?! …”

Why are Naoto-san and Hinata-san here…?

And by the way, Hinata looks so cute. I mean, who else in the real world can pull off a white dress and a straw hat like that? At a glance, she looks like a middle schooler.

“We came to hang out!!”

Seeing Hinata proudly puff out her small chest, all my questions faded away.

Cuteness is justice. That’s an undeniable truth of this world.