I Want to Completely Avoid Troubled Girls, but It Seems I’ve Reincarnated as a Background Character in the Most Dangerous Yandere Academy - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Being In the Same Group for Cooking Class

“Ruriko, you seem really fixated on Issei-kun,” Kana said calmly, undeterred by Ruriko’s warning glance.

“Yes, I can’t stop thinking about Issei-kun. I plan to be the woman who knows him better than anyone,” Ruriko replied matter-of-factly.

“Stop, you’re embarrassing me,” Issei interjected.

“But it’s the truth. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be monitoring—”

Before she could finish, Ruriko seemed to realize she was about to drop a bombshell and abruptly stopped speaking.

“Anyway! I’d really appreciate it if you could stop researching Issei-kun on your own,” Kana said firmly.

“I refuse. This research is a top priority, and it can only be canceled under exceptional circumstances,” Ruriko countered.

“Of course, you won’t back down.”

“I can’t. It’s non-negotiable.”

It seemed like restraining Kana would be a tough challenge for Ruriko. Kana possessed an unyielding steel will.

“Aww, you two are getting so worked up. Don’t forget about me,” Yuu chimed in with a smirk. “If Issei-kun is so amazing, then I’ll make him mine.”

Ruriko sighed deeply and began her rebuttal.
“Yuu, your ‘love’ is so superficial.”

“What!?”

“To put it simply, your feelings are based on a relative assessment, like ‘if Kana and Ruriko like him, he must be worth something.’ Your passion can’t compare to ours, which comes from instinct.”

Yuu twisted her mouth, clearly displeased.
“Still, I’m genuinely attracted to Issei-kun’s submissive tendencies!”

“That’s shallow. The fact that it wasn’t the first thing you mentioned shows your feelings aren’t serious enough.”

“…I guess I have to admit defeat for now.”

Unlike Kana, Yuu was surprisingly quick to back down.

Looking at the situation objectively, it seemed like Issei was being pursued by three of the school’s top beauties. To students unaware of their true personalities, it would be something to envy.

“I get how everyone feels. But—” Issei began.

Before he could finish asking them to stop, considering the stares they were attracting—

“Does this mean Issei-kun has decided to grow closer to me, Ruriko Kazuki?” Ruriko said, cutting in.

“Does it mean he’s pledged to be my exclusive research subject, increasing our time together?” Kana added.

“Or does it mean he wants to be my loyal pet?” Yuu teased.

The three beauties continued to spout absurdities one after another.

“Can you all calm down already? This is getting exhausting.”

Reluctantly, the three of them shifted back to a more normal conversation. The stares they had been attracting subsided, and they finally seemed poised for a peaceful mealtime—or at least as peaceful as it could be compared to earlier.

“With so many upcoming events, my research is bound to make great progress,” Kana said.

“Cooking class, swimming lessons, the sketching competition… All perfect opportunities for me to spend time with Issei-kun,” Yuu added.

“Wait, are you just assuming it’ll be the two of you?” Ruriko asked.

“Of course. I want to stand out from the rest,” Yuu replied, her tone a mix of jealousy and determination.

“So, what are we making in cooking class?” Issei asked.

“Don’t you remember last week’s class, Issei-kun?” Ruriko asked back.

“Ah… well…” Issei stammered.

Sensing his hesitation, Ruriko kindly stepped in.
“Don’t worry if you forgot. I think we’re making hamburg steak.”

“That sounds good,” Issei replied.

“Don’t forget your apron tomorrow,” Ruriko reminded him.

“Good thing you said that. Thanks!” Issei said, realizing how close he had come to forgetting.

The cooking class was happening sooner than he had thought.

“The school will provide the ingredients, so there’s no need to bring anything. On the day, there’s only one thing we need to do,” Kana said, her tone neutral at first but growing more passionate.
“We can choose our groups freely! About four or five people per group.”

“Seriously?”

It wasn’t hard to do the math: Issei and the three beauties made four people.

“I want to be in the same group as Issei-kun to further my research. Is that okay?” Kana asked, brushing her hair back dramatically.

“Sure, being in the same group is fine,” Issei replied, feeling an unspoken pressure that left him no choice but to agree.

“I’m destined to be with Issei-kun, so of course I have to be in the same group. If you leave me out, you know what’ll happen,” Ruriko added.

“I get it. I don’t like being threatened, though,” Issei muttered.

“Say what you want. It doesn’t bother me,” Ruriko said with a smug smile.

Thus, the third group member was confirmed.

Then Yuu chimed in.
“Issei-kun, do you really think I’d let these two sneak ahead of me?”

“Not really.”

“So, the group will be the Three Beauties and Issei-kun?”

“Seems like it,” Issei said with resignation.

As expected, their group was predetermined. “Looking forward to it,” he said.
“My cooking skills are average. I’ll do my best not to slow us down.”

“I’ve worked hard over the years, so I’m confident in my skills. I’ll make sure to steal the spotlight,” Ruriko boasted.

Her cooking skills were exceptional. Issei looked forward to their “miraculous hamburg steak.”

“I have no sense of taste, so I probably won’t be much help with seasoning,” Yuu admitted.

“Don’t worry. There’s a role for everyone,” Issei assured her.

“I’ll handle task coordination,” Yuu offered.

That left Kana.
“What about you, Kana? What’s your cooking style?”

“Issei-kun, what do you think?” she asked.

“You’d probably follow the recipe measurements down to the millimeter and cook everything with perfect timing,” he guessed.

“Exactly. Leave tasks like chopping vegetables to me,” Kana said confidently.

“That’s reassuring.”

The Three Beauties seemed surprisingly dependable when it came to cooking. Issei decided to rely on their strengths.

Before the swimming class event, cooking class was up first. The thought of making hamburg steak brought back nostalgic memories of his childhood, a time when his family relationships were still intact.

His thoughts drifted to his past and the family he’d left behind in his previous life. He wondered how they were doing now.

“I’m alive and well in this new world,” he thought to himself, knowing they wouldn’t believe him even if he could tell them.

Lost in thought, he was snapped back to the present by Yuu’s voice.
“Hey, Issei-kun. Don’t look so gloomy. You’ll ruin the meal with these lovely ladies.”

“Do you really have to call yourself lovely?” Issei asked.

“Of course. I’m adorable,” Yuu said with a grin.

“What? I’m way cuter. I even rank higher in popularity,” Ruriko shot back.

“Like I’d ever lose to Ruriko,” Yuu retorted.

Watching their silly argument, Issei decided to focus on the present. He wondered how the cooking class would turn out.