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 9-10

Chapter 9: Cabbage Rolls (1)

“Excuse me!”

“Welcome back, big brother. Oh, is this a guest?”

“Yeah, I’m teaching her how to make stuffed cabbage rolls while cooking.”

“I’m Miu Amatsuka, Master’s disciple.”

“Oh, how nice. I’m Chika, the little sister of your brother. Please make yourself at home, Amatsuka.”

Sister, why the formal welcome?

Don’t look at me so happily.

“Actually, I’ve been curious about what Master’s kitchen is like.”

“It’s not that interesting.”

I put the shopping bags on the kitchen counter and left my school bag and other items in my room.

“I’ve never been inside a boy’s house before!”

“Now that you mention it, I’ve never been inside a girl’s house before.”

“Seems like it’s new for both of us.”

After washing my hands, I put on a waist apron.

I gave Amatsuka a spare apron and started working in the kitchen.

“There are a lot of seasonings.”

“They’re handy. Store sauces and pastes are convenient but often too salty.”

“I know. I have some cheap pepper that’s too spicy to use more than once.”

Since we’re using Amatsuka’s ingredients for a combined dish, there’s quite a bit to do.

Let’s get started.

“Let’s begin.”

“Yes!”

“First, tear the cabbage from the base and wash it.”

“Yes, sir!”

I lightly dried the washed cabbage leaves and heated them in the microwave.

“The core of the cabbage is hard to eat, but for nutritional reasons, we won’t cut it this time. Feel free to cut it if you prefer.”

“Nutrients are important.”

While Amatsuka was working with the microwave, I took out the cutting board and got the remaining carrots from the fridge.

“We’ll use these leftover carrots for color. You can also use bell peppers or paprika for variety.”

“Color is important!”

I asked Amatsuka to chop the carrots.

“Wow, Master’s knife is so easy to use!”

“Well, I take care of it.”

While the cabbage cooled, I prepared the ground meat in a bowl.

The cabbage pieces that weren’t large enough to roll will be used for stir-fry another day.

“I’m done!”

“Next, add the chopped carrots to the bowl with the ground meat.”

“Master, let me fix your apron.”

“Thank you.”

Amatsuka adjusted my apron, which had shifted without me noticing. Her delicate fingers brushing against my skin felt ticklish.

“What’s wrong? Did big brother do something?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Chika, I’m sorry. I made a weird noise while mixing.”

“Oh, I thought maybe big brother was doing something inappropriate with Miu.”

“Chika, please stop smiling, I’m begging you.”

“It’s okay! Just, please don’t report Master!”

It’s almost as if reporting me is just a touch away.

Even so, I haven’t done anything wrong.

—

Chapter 10: Cabbage Rolls (2)

“It’s getting quite sticky now. It should be fine.”

“Brr, my hands are freezing.”

She was kneading the cold ground meat through rubber gloves, so it’s no wonder her hands were freezing. She looked cold.

“Here.”

“Cold!”

“Hehe.”

Amatsuka took off her rubber gloves;then she grabbed my arm and shared the cold with me.

I couldn’t bring myself to be angry at Amatsuka’s playful behavior. I was startled by the cold but didn’t feel any discomfort.

“Let’s move on and stop playing around.”

“Okay.”

“Once the meat mixture is ready, the next step is to roll it.”

“The most important part!!”

“Shape the meat mixture like a lemon.”

I put on rubber gloves, shaped the mixture, and showed her how.

“So, you don’t flatten it like a hamburger.”

“Stuffed cabbage rolls are simmered slowly, so focusing on shape is important. There are simmered hamburgers, but since hamburgers are usually grilled, they are mostly made flat.”

“I see, the shape has a purpose.”

Amatsuka, diligently taking notes, was a pleasure to teach because of her enthusiasm.

“It’s important to note how to do it right.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You’re doing great.”

“Master, praise me more!”

“You’re doing well.”

“Oh, I was so sloppy just now.”

“Next, we simmer it to finish.”

We placed the stuffed cabbage rolls in the pot, added water, consommé cubes, salt, and pepper, and simmered it slowly.

As expected, Amatsuka happily added pepper again.

“Wasn’t it surprisingly easy?”

“Yeah, I think I can do it alone next time.”

“Once you get used to it, you can try adding cheese sauce or white sauce for variations.”

“That sounds delicious.”

“I’ll teach you next time.”

“Please do!!”

We chatted while cleaning up, and I took out the tomatoes.

“I’ll make Caprese while it simmers.”

“I should have bought tomatoes too…”

“Chika doesn’t like tomatoes, but for some reason, she eats Caprese.”

“Good job being a caring brother for your sister.”

“Well, I’m a full-time househusband.”

I sliced the tomatoes and alternated them with mozzarella cheese to make a Caprese salad. It was simple and nice.

“Adding avocado makes it even better.”

“Ugh, Master, stop with the food talk already.”

“And it smells so good from the consommé soup.”

Amatsuka was almost in tears while holding her stomach.

Considering the time, it couldn’t be helped.

“It’s almost done. Just hang in there.”

“I still have to walk home after this. It’s a tough journey…”

“It’s the best spice.”

“Master, you’re too cruel!”

Amatsuka, trying to distract herself from her hunger, grabbed the pepper mill again. She really seemed to like it…

“Master, how much did this cost?”

“I bought it at my favorite store. I think it was around 2500 yen.”

“I thought it would be more expensive.”

“There are options ranging from about 1000 yen to around 4000 yen. There are also electric mills.”

Though there are various options, I liked this pepper mill when I tried it.

“I don’t usually collect cooking tools, but since I use pepper often and admired it a bit, I bought this.”

“I get it. It’s exciting. I might buy one too.”

Just like new stationery can make studying a bit more enjoyable, it’s nice when things are fun.

“Take me to your favorite store next time.”

“Sure.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. Oh, the stuffed cabbage rolls should be ready soon.”

“I’ve been waiting!! Stuffed cabbage rolls!!”

I packed the finished rolls into a container and handed them to Amatsuka.

“Make sure to remove the toothpicks when serving.”

“Got it!”

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

“Thanks for everything, Motobu-kun.”

“No problem.”

With a big smile, Amatsuka left.

If Amatsuka added another dish to her repertoire, it was worth teaching her.

“Big brother, you looked like you were having fun.”

Chika peered from the living room with a knowing smile.

Her expression was already annoying, but it was just another part of her usual behavior.

“Cooking should be enjoyable.”

“Yeah.”

Chika seemed like she wanted to say something else but left without another word.

What’s up with that…

Oh well.