I Was Reincarnated as a Mob, and After I Kept Listening to the Losing Childhood-Friend Heroine’s Complaints, I Somehow Maxed Out Her Affection Rating - 22

Chapter 22: The Day Spring Arrived at the Mob’s Dinner Table

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Yuuta’s POV

The scene spread out across the table was downright unbelievable. Colorful plates, rising steam, a rich aroma. Grilled fish, miso soup, tamagoyaki, simmered dishes. Everything was carefully plated. It looked like a scene straight out of a cooking show on TV.

“Maybe I got a little too carried away.”

Kaede removed her apron and let out a relieved breath. Got a little too carried away? No, no… I mean, I was a mob character, right? This kind of thing was supposed to be eaten by the protagonist, or at least one of the capture targets, wasn’t it?

“If you don’t eat soon, it’s going to get cold, you know?”

While I was thinking that, Kaede sat down across from me. Sitting across from each other made us look kind of like a couple. No, calm down, me. This was just “cooking support that combined sympathy and health management.” It wasn’t some romcom-type event. Probably.

“Well then, thanks for the meal.”

I took a bite. The moment my chopsticks stopped, a sparkly kirakira~n sound effect rang out in my head.

“…This is amazing!”

“Really? I’m glad. I thought the flavor might be a little too strong.”

“No, it was perfect.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

Kaede let out a small laugh. And the way she laughed was unfair. It made my shoulders relax just a little. It was the type of smile that shortened the distance between us, which was exactly what I was bad at.

“Hey, I put some pre-made dishes in the fridge too. Make sure you eat them, okay?”

“Eh, pre-made?”

“Yeah. I thought about the nutritional balance. I made it with lots of vegetables.”

“…How blessed I am. This was the day ‘color’ was added to my life.”

“I’d be in trouble if the person who listens to my complaints wasn’t healthy.”

“I’ll do my best to become a healthy human being.”

“Very good.”

Kaede smiled in satisfaction. Seeing that smile made some strange emotion rise up inside me.

It wasn’t love or anything, but more like the feeling that there was suddenly a “place” for me in my everyday life.

“If I could be like this every day…That’d be nice.”

“Eh?”

“No, I meant—about the food! Purely the food!”

“Fufu, I know. …But yeah. I don’t think I’d mind, either.”

The way she said that sounded a little meaningful. Or maybe I was just imagining it? By the time we finished eating, night had deepened, and the world outside the window had grown completely quiet.

“I’ll take care of the dishes, so you should head home, Hiiragi-san.”

The plates clinked softly, and Kaede turned back to me.

“It’s fine. I cooked, so at least let me—”

“No, that’d really be too much.”

“Then I’ll take your offer and go home.”

Kaede put the movie and the rest into her bag and started packing up to leave. Wait, it was already this late… Considering she cooked for me, there was no way I could let her walk home alone.

“Hiiragi-san. It’s already late. I’ll walk you home.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“No no, making a girl walk alone at night? That’s practically a news headline waiting to happen.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“You cooked for me. At least let me repay you a little.”

“…Alright.”

Kaede gave a wry smile and stood up as if she had no choice. We left the house and walked side by side in silence. Still, to think that a mob like me would end up at a point where I’d watch a movie at my own house with the heroine. And she even cooked for me…

While I was thinking that, Kaede suddenly said.

“Oh, right. The movie we watched today? There’s a sequel coming out. It’s going to be out next week.”

“Oh, really?”

“Then next week… Do you want to go watch it together?”

My feet stopped. Did she just invite me? And “again,” no less?

“Eh, is it really okay for you to watch it with me?”

“Yeah. I have to go cook at your place again anyway, so might as well watch it with you.”

“Might as well!?”

“No no, it’s for your health. I’d be in trouble if the guy who listens to my complaints collapsed.”

“That’s completely something a mom would say…”

“Okay, okay. Until your next day off, cup ramen is banned. It’s a cup ramen ban!”

“Wait—cup ramen ban?”

“Cup ramen ban.”

“The unopened cup of ramen in the corner of the fridge is going to cry, you know.”

“Health comes first. Complaints will not be accepted.”

“Yes, mother—no, Kaede-sensei.”

“Good.”

At some point, our conversation tempo had become incredibly comfortable. The back-and-forth felt rhythmical, and our timing matched perfectly.

…No, this kind of atmosphere was kind of dangerous. After walking for several minutes, Kaede stopped.

“This spot is fine. Thanks, Yuuta-kun.”

“Ah, wait a second!”

“Hm? What is it?”

Suddenly remembering something, I took out my wallet and handed Kaede a few 1,000 yen bills.

“Here, food costs.”

“You don’t have to.”

“No, I’d feel bad if you kept paying for everything.”

“Then I’ll take it.”

It ended up feeling like I forced it into her hands, but this was fine. I couldn’t just keep relying on her.

“Well, see you.”

“Mm, see you.”

She waved lightly. I watched her until her figure became small in the distance, then finally let out a breath.

“…Aren’t we getting way too close?”

The words slipped out on their own. But I couldn’t deny it. Her smile, the rhythm of our conversations…. This wasn’t the kind of relationship you’d have with “someone who listened to your complaints” anymore.

…This wasn’t a misunderstanding flag for a mob like me, right?

The night wind was a little chilly, and before I knew it, something in the deepest part of my chest was quietly unsettled.

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