Volume 2 - CH 6

The result of our discussion.

It was decided that we would have a light meal such as somen noodles made by Sayori for lunch and that Arisa would make dinner a little earlier in the evening.

And after lunch.

“So, Arisa-sama. What should I buy?”

Yuzuru asked Arisa after visiting the supermarket.

Naturally, Yuzuru usually accompanies Arisa on her shopping trips, acting as her luggage handler.

This time, it was Yuzuru’s fault that Arisa had to do the housework, so it was only natural that he would come as her “chaperone”.

“It’s summer, and I’m thinking summer vegetables would be good. …… By the way, does Yuzuru-san’s family have any likes or dislikes?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t remember there being anything in particular that we dislike.”

The Takasegawa family, including Yuzuru, have no particular dislikes.

They can eat anything.

“I’m glad to hear that. …… What are your favorite things?”

“Hmm, I have an image that Ayumi and my father like rather childish things. Curry, hamburgers, rice omelets…”

“I see. Yuzuru-san likes …… fish, right?”

In response to Arisa’s question, Yuzuru nodded.

“ah…I think my mom and I have similar tastes in food.”

She put her hand on her chin and started to think about it.

She was probably thinking about today’s menu.

Yuzuru watched her closely, trying not to interrupt her.

“I’ve decided. Let’s add a Japanese hamburger and some fish.”

“…… Isn’t that a lot of work?　It’s more appropriate, though.”

“Even though I look like this, I’m very excited.”

Arisa said as she clasped her hands together tightly.

It seems that she was not lying when she said that she was not reluctant to cook for Yuzuru’s family.

“So, let’s start with the vegetables. Summer vegetables are good.”

They went to the vegetable section first.

Arisa already had an idea in her head of what to cook.

She threw okra, cucumber, shiso, eggplant, myoga, ginger, leek, and onion into the basket.

Then they went to the meat section.

And bought ground beef and pork.

Now for the fish. ……

“This horse mackerel is magnificent. It looks like it can be eaten raw, so shall we try this?”

Arisa said happily, looking at the large horse mackerel soaked in ice.

Apparently, she wasn’t going to use the fillets but was going to process the fish with her own hands.

Of course, he knew that Arisa could handle fish, but ……

Yuzuru couldn’t help but be impressed by how she managed to do it.

Sayori loves fish, but she doesn’t like to cook it, and generally doesn’t handle it.

“Is that all?”

“We’ll just buy some tofu and be done with it.”

The Japanese-style hamburger steak was confirmed, but what else was she going to make?

Yuzuru’s heart swelled with anticipation.

It was around 4:30.

Yuzuru and the others were waiting for Arisa’s cooking.

“I’m looking forward to Arisa-san’s cooking. Since Niisan raved about it, I have high expectations.”

Ayumi said with an air of excitement.

In response, Sayori had a complicated look on her face.

“I’m also looking forward to Arisa-chan’s cooking……. But I’ve always wanted to be like the mother-in-law in the drama, teaching my son’s wife the taste of our own home. I have mixed feelings about this.”

Yuzuru and Ayumi both made a comment to Sayori.

“Mom’s flavor is Ajinomoto, right?”

” You don’t have to teach her. There is sufficient ability to reproduce.”

“You guys, you’ve never cooked a proper meal in your life, and yet you keep saying that.”

Neither Yuzuru nor Ayumi can indeed cook, so they can not argue about it.

However, it was frustrating to be told off, so he changed the subject a bit to argue.

“So you don’t have to help Arisa?”

“I told her I’d help. Then she said, ‘I don’t want to bother Mom’. She’s such a good girl.”

“Isn’t that just a notice of dismissal?”

“Shut up.”

As Yuzuru, Ayumi and Sayori were arguing, Kazuya complained.

” You guys, ……, can you please stop fighting so disgracefully?”

Apparently, he didn’t want Arisa to see the hideous quarrel between the Takasegawa family.

This is because he was concerned about the reputation of the house. ……

Yuzuru also didn’t want Arisa to see him and his mother arguing, so he settled the matter.

On the other hand, Ayumi and Sayori continued to fight. ……

“The food’s ready.”.

After saying that, Arisa brought the food over and they stopped fighting.

Then, trying to at least help serve the food, they set the table.

“Even so, …… you’ve put in a lot of work.”

“Yes, I did. I got a little serious.”

When Yuzuru praised Arisa, she replied with her usual cool expression.

–On the other hand, Kazuya, Ayumi, and Sayori were surprised to find that the food was more luxurious than they had expected.

” This is so…… I’m really sorry. Arisa-san.”

“…… Yeah, I lost. I was so rude to want to teach you.”

“Oh, wow, this is awesome.”

Kazuya and Sayori apologized to Arisa, and Ayumi’s eyes lit up.

The dishes that made the three of them have such a reaction was ……

White rice.

Miso soup with horse mackerel balls.

Japanese-style hamburger steak.

Horse mackerel, sashimi.

Simmered eggplant.

Chilled tofu.

And a strange, sticky, mysterious object.

“Arisa, is this the thing called ‘dashi’ in Yamagata?”

Yuzuru asked, pointing at the gooey things.

It seems to be a combination of small chopped okra, cucumber, shiso, ginger, and eggplant with noodles sauce.

“That’s right. I made it to serve with chilled tofu. But it’s also delicious over rice.”

After saying “Itadakimasu”, Yuzuru immediately took a spoonful of the broth.

He poured it over the chilled tofu and brought it to his mouth.

“What do you think?”

“It’s delicious. It’s cool and refreshing, and at this time of year, something cold and sticky like this makes my chopsticks go faster.”

I think I can make this myself, so I’ll ask for the recipe later, Yuzuru thought in his mind.

Even after the summer vacation had ended in September, the hot days will continue.

He felt that he could survive the lingering heat with this.

“This horse mackerel filet is good. …… makes me want to drink sake.”

“The hamburger steak is delicious. Very tender.”

“The miso soup is delicious. …… The fish has a strong flavor and no odor.”

“Eggplant stew is also delightful. The simmered dishes made by Arisa are really delicious.”

Kazuya, Ayumi, Sayori, and Yuzuru all praised Arisa’s cooking.

Then her cheeks blush and she lets out a small voice as she lays face down.

“Ah, t..thank you. …… oh, we have refills, if you’d like.”

Ayumi and Sayori looked at each other when they saw Arisa’s gesture.

Then they chuckled.

“I think I understand why Niisan has fallen so hard.”

“Arisa-chan, you’re really cute. I want you to be my daughter. …… Ah, you will be, soon?”

What are they saying?

Yuzuru drank the miso soup with balls of fish, thinking inwardly.

…… It’s a secret that he felt a little embarrassed.