At this moment, Saegusa Mayumi had completely forgotten her surroundings. Her focus was absolute, her entire soul poured into the sizzling grill in front of her.
On her face was a grin… no, not even a grin anymore. It had long surpassed "hehehehehe" mischief and evolved into something far more sinister—"huhuhuhuhuhu…" and even "gegegegege…" spilled from her lips.
It looked less like cooking and more like some dark alchemy. Honestly, it was kind of terrifying.
Without warning, she pulled out a bottle of high-proof alcohol from who-knows-where. Before anyone could react, pop! went the cap, and she poured it generously across the grill.
"Oi oi oi, Mayumi-senpai, who taught you that using alcohol like that is part of grilling?!" Mahiro wanted to scream, but all he could do was watch in horror.
Fwoosh!
The flames burst upward, illuminating her delicate snow-white cheeks. For that fleeting instant, she didn't look like a school president anymore—she looked like a Fire Witch reveling in her inferno.
"Having fun, aren't you, Senpai…" Mahiro muttered, sweat forming at the back of his neck.
"Alright, everyone, come and try my cooking~," Mayumi declared with a proud flourish.
A moment later, she placed her so-called grilled skewers onto the table.
But what lay there was not meat. No, it was something else entirely. A black, carbonized… thing. A burnt offering to some eldritch god.
"This…" Miyuki's brows furrowed as she stared down at the plate. The normally elegant girl hesitated, but out of politeness she picked up the smallest skewer.
Minami, looking equally reluctant, followed her example.
The twins, however, were nowhere to be seen—they had already made a tactical retreat to somewhere beyond Mayumi's line of sight.
That left… Yotsuba Mahiro.
Mayumi's gaze bore into him, her eyes clearly saying, 'Why aren't you eating, Mahiro-kun?'
"…Haaah…" He forced a smile and reached for the largest skewer. If he was going to go down, he might as well make it a heroic sacrifice.
Inside, he was screaming, Is this even edible?! But looking into her hopeful eyes, he swallowed those words back down.
He slowly raised the skewer to his mouth.
"…Forget it. If I die, then I die! …Not like I can really die anyway."
Under the combined gazes of Mayumi, Miyuki, and Minami, he bit into it.
Crunch!
That's right—it crunched.
The second it entered his mouth, his taste buds were assaulted. First came an unnatural crispiness, then an overwhelming bitterness, then the sting of alcohol that hadn't burned off, and finally the chewy, rubber-like muscle fibers.
And beneath its blackened exterior? The meat was still raw—bright red, with drops of blood oozing out.
"…Just as I feared…" Mahiro thought, despair rising in his chest.
"Mahiro-nii, are you okay?!" Miyuki gasped.
"Mahiro-kun…!" Minami's voice wavered with worry.
"…I-I'm fine…" He tried to smile, lips smeared in some mysterious black residue. But before he could finish the words, darkness overcame his vision.
Beep!
System reboot. Self-repair spell automatically activated.
Reading individual data from backup system… Magic formula loading—complete. Self-repair—complete.
Before collapsing fully, Mahiro's body stabilized. His vision cleared.
"Mahiro-kun? Are you alright?" Mayumi asked with concern.
"I'm… fine," he forced out.
One automatic repair later, he had somehow developed the tiniest resistance to Mayumi's "dark cuisine." Swallowing the half-raw lump in his mouth, he wiped his lips and gave a stiff smile.
"It's just… Senpai, I think the meat you grilled isn't really cooked through."
"Eh? Not cooked? That's impossible! I followed the recipe's timing exactly!" Mayumi pouted.
Mahiro's inner voice screamed, Which recipe book tells you to grill meat by dousing it in alcohol?!
But Mayumi didn't believe him. With confidence, she picked up one of her own skewers and popped it in her mouth.
At that moment, Miyuki, Minami, and the twins all thought the same thing: President… Saegusa-sama… you're too brave.
But the next second, Mayumi's expression shifted. Her rosy cheeks turned pale, her eyes went wide, and she spun around, spitting the entire bite out.
"Bleeeghh!"
She grabbed her drink and downed it desperately, rinsing her mouth over and over until she could breathe again. Finally, she slumped, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Ugh… it's disgusting… I failed again. So embarrassing…"
Mahiro gently patted her shoulder. "It's alright, Senpai. Just keep practicing. You know what they say—practice makes perfect."
Your friend, the Master of Social Combat, Yotsuba Mahiro-kun, has logged in.
That one line completely shut Mayumi down. Her big eyes turned into resentful daggers aimed right at him, while the twins barely managed to hold back their laughter.
"…Don't look at me like that, I'm just being honest," Mahiro shrugged. Then he glanced at the grill. "But look—the fire's perfect right now. Let me show you how it's done."
The flames had died down into glowing embers, perfect for grilling.
"Mahiro-kun… you can cook?!" Mayumi's eyes widened, as if she had just discovered a hidden side to him.
Miyuki and Minami exchanged a surprised glance. Neither had ever imagined Mahiro knew his way around a grill.
"Of course. This time, I'll show you what true skill is!"
With confidence, Mahiro picked up several skewers of fresh meat and seafood, laying them neatly across the grill. Instantly, the satisfying sizzle filled the air.
Golden fat dripped down, hissing against the embers. Gentle flames licked the surface of the skewers, wrapping the food in warmth.
Before long, the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat drifted across the coastline. The seasoning wasn't perfect—he had only found enough to sprinkle a light pinch of salt. But thanks to the excellent quality of the fresh meat and seafood, the taste turned out divine even without elaborate spices.
"Come and try it." Yotsuba Mahiro arranged the neatly grilled skewers and seafood onto a tray and placed it before the others.
"(╯▽╰) So fragrant~~~!" Kasumi beamed, snatching up one skewer. She took a big bite, her cheeks turning pink as she swayed in delight.
"Mhm, unbelievable! Mahiro-sama isn't just handsome and ridiculously strong with magic, he's even this good at grilling meat?" Izumi's eyes glittered with admiration, as if tiny stars had taken root inside them.
"Mmm~ this is too delicious, Mahiro-nii. Isn't that right, Minami?" Miyuki asked gently as she sampled a perfectly seared piece of fish.
"Yes, Miyuki-sama. The balance of heat is flawless. Minami feels… ashamed in comparison," Minami admitted quietly, chewing with delicate grace but unable to hide her smile.
"Ugh… it's seriously amazing," Mayumi muttered, though every bite left her conflicted. Her heart was filled with defeat as she stared at Mahiro. Strong magic, the ability to inscribe spells, physical combat prowess, and now even cooking? Just how far did his talents go? What could he not do?
Their happy faces drew a light chuckle from Mahiro. "Heh. For a transmigrator like me, grilling meat's just a natural skill, isn't it?"
...
The following day.
Since they had already exhausted themselves on the beach the day before, the girls unanimously agreed to explore elsewhere this time. A modest commercial center existed on the island they were staying, but upon hearing that the nearby South Shield Island boasted a livelier marketplace, the group decided to go there.
South Shield Island radiated a distinct Southeast Asian atmosphere, its markets buzzing with life and colors. The only odd sight that broke the harmony was the naval base looming not far from the commercial street, separated only by a narrow waterway.
"Mahiro-nii, hurry, hurry!" Kasumi's cheerful voice rang out as she tugged Izumi forward, waving at him.
Miyuki, serene as always, gently guided Minami by the hand. Mahiro trailed behind with Mayumi, forming a line of one boy surrounded by five dazzling girls. Their group naturally drew curious stares from passing tourists, many of whom slowed down to admire the striking scene.
"You're really lucky, you know. Surrounded by so many beautiful girls, and you're the only guy," Mayumi teased, poking him lightly in the arm.
"Is it my fault?" Mahiro smirked, shrugging playfully. "What can I say? My charm just can't be helped."
"Baka, you're so narcissistic," Mayumi huffed, but her lips curved into a grin. "Since you're so charming, Mahiro-kun you can act as our porter and escort today."
"Fine, fine, leave it to me."
But Mahiro severely underestimated the trials ahead.
As the old saying went, shopping is a woman's battlefield. From morning till evening, aside from a quick lunch, the girls stormed through shops like warriors of fashion. Mahiro followed loyally behind them, enduring trial after trial. Thankfully, most of the time the girls were only browsing and not buying, or else he really would have collapsed under the weight of their purchases.
By the time the sun sank below the horizon, they finally checked into the hotel Mayumi had booked earlier. Dinner passed in a blur, and afterward, Mahiro retreated to his room, longing for rest.
Knock, knock.
"Mahiro-kun you haven't gone to bed yet, have you?"
He paused mid-thought. The voice belonged to Mayumi.
"Eh? Not yet. Is something wrong, Senpai?"
To his surprise, she invited him for a late-night walk. Though unsure of her intentions, Mahiro accepted.
The sea breeze at night was pleasantly cool, a sharp contrast to the daytime heat. Under the moonlight, Mayumi stood by his side in a flowing white dress, her straw sunhat casting faint shadows across her gentle expression. Her hair was tied into a single loose strand that rested over her chest.
Compared to the flirtatious appeal of her swimsuit yesterday, tonight she carried an oddly mature aura… almost like a young wife. Mahiro's cheeks warmed despite himself.
But then Mayumi said something that made his expression twist.
"…A bar?"
He blinked in disbelief.
"Senpai, are you joking? You might be an adult and almost done with high school, but I'm still a minor, you know!"
Mayumi giggled, her tone playful. "Ara, ara~ don't be so uptight. It's fine to loosen up a little. Besides, Mahiro-kun, you don't look like a minor at all right now."
She had a point.
After changing clothes, Yotsuba Mahiro really didn't look like a high school student anymore. Instead, he seemed more like a young and ambitious professional, someone already on the path to success.
That was exactly why Mayumi grabbed his arm with that usual mischievous grin and dragged him straight into the nightlife.
They stopped in front of a bar, and before going in, Mayumi leaned up on her tiptoes, close enough that her warm breath tickled his ear.
"No calling me Senpai in here," she whispered playfully. "Just call me Mayumi, okay? And I'll call you Mahiro-san too."
She was really thorough, this Mayumi. Always thinking a step ahead, always planning the mood.
The place she chose wasn't noisy or shady either. Though the lighting was dim, the atmosphere was refined, quiet—more like a cozy café that happened to serve alcohol than a chaotic bar.
Guiding him confidently, Mayumi walked straight to the counter and sat down like she'd been here countless times.
"Boss, one Alexander, please. Mahiro-kun, what about you?"
Her tone was casual, practiced. Mahiro blinked, a little surprised—he hadn't expected this elegant honor student, who always seemed like the model Senpai, to have such a rebellious, grown-up side.
Under the bartender's curious gaze, Mahiro casually replied, "I'll have a Long Island Iced Tea."
The bartender's eyebrows rose slightly, though he said nothing. He quietly picked up the measuring cup and began mixing.
"Eh? Long Island Iced Tea? It has 'tea' in the name, right? Is it… non-alcoholic?" Mayumi tilted her head, genuinely curious.
Her eyes sparkled innocently. She looked more like she was about to order melon soda at a karaoke lounge than a cocktail.
The bartender let out a low chuckle as he mixed. "Long Island Iced Tea is actually quite strong. Vodka, white rum, gin, tequila, orange liqueur, bourbon, brandy, a bit of lemon juice, cola… it's a heavy blend, not a soft drink."
"Ehh?! That strong?!" Mayumi gasped. Her arms crossed, and she leaned back, making small "hmm~" noises like an anime heroine in disbelief.
Mahiro couldn't help but laugh. She really was acting like a manga character at this point.
"Don't give me that look. It's my first time here too," he said, raising his hands innocently. Of course, it was true—at least in this life.
"Boss, then make me a Long Island Iced Tea too!" she declared boldly.
"Oi, don't mess around," Mahiro stopped her immediately. "That drink also has another nickname… 'The Date Rape Drink.' You sure you still want to try it?"
"Wha—Da-Da-Date Rape Drink?!"
Mayumi's face turned crimson instantly, her composure cracking like glass. She waved her hands rapidly. "N-No way! Forget it, I'll pass…!"
"Heh, so the two of you are a couple, huh?" the bartender said with a teasing grin as he set down Mayumi's drink.
A glass of Alexander—creamy, sweet, tea-colored. The kind of cocktail that looked harmless, like dessert in a cup.
Mayumi picked it up, took a small sip, and beamed. "Boss, we're that obvious?"
The bartender chuckled as he started mixing another drink. "Very obvious. If a woman asks for a Long Island, most guys don't interfere. But you—" he glanced at Mahiro—"you're considerate enough to stop her. That's not just casual friendship."
Mayumi's cheeks turned pink, though this time it wasn't just the alcohol. She gave Mahiro a sideways glance, her lips curving into a smile that was way too pleased.
"Boss, another one!" she called out happily.
Mahiro sighed. Even when teased, she leaned right into it.
Though Alexanders were made with lower-proof liqueurs and cream, they were still alcohol. By the third glass, Mayumi's wine-red eyes were hazy, her voice slightly slurred. Her elegant, untouchable aura was gone—replaced by something softer, more vulnerable.
Mahiro rubbed the back of his neck and muttered, "Such a weak tolerance, huh, Senpai…."
He quickly apologized to the bartender, settled the bill, and carefully helped her out of the bar. The walk back to the hotel was quiet, Mayumi leaning into him with every step.
When they finally reached their room, Mahiro tried to rouse her. "Senpai, wake up. We're at the door already."
"Mmm… thank you, Mahiro-kun…" she murmured drowsily.
He set her against the wall near the doorframe, but she immediately slid down to sit on the floor, cheeks still flushed.
"I say, Senpai… where's the room key?" Mahiro asked, already bracing himself for trouble.
"Heeere you go—"
Mayumi-senpai held up the card key, waving it back and forth with a drunken, triumphant grin.
Just as Mahiro thought she would hand it over, she suddenly giggled and tucked the card into the front of her dress. She seemed to want to wedge it securely into her cleavage, but lacking the necessary… topography… the card slid straight down without any obstruction, disappearing from view.
Yotsuba Mahiro: "..."
I told you already, if your chest is that flat, don't even try that gag! Baka-senpai…
Even drunk, she still never forgot to pull pranks.
"Troublesome…" Mahiro muttered with a sigh.
Resigned, he picked Mayumi up and gave her a light shake. Sure enough, the card slipped out from under her skirt and fell to the floor with a soft clink.
As he bent down to retrieve it, Mayumi suddenly leaned against his back. Her warm breath tickled his ear as she whispered:
"…Mahiro-kun, do you know? After you left that day, I talked a lot with Dad and my sisters…"
Her voice was quiet, but carried a raw honesty that made him freeze.
"Dad… he wants me and my sisters to marry you."
Mahiro's eyes narrowed slightly. He had expected as much, but hearing it directly from Mayumi's lips made it more real.
"As the older sister… I should have yielded to them. But I didn't. I was selfish. Tell me… am I a terrible onee-san for stealing my sisters' chance?"
"That's not your fault," Mahiro replied firmly as he swiped the card and the door unlocked with a soft beep. "And you're not a bad sister at all. If anything, you're someone admirable. Honestly… if I could, I'd want an older sister like you."
"…Is that so?" Mayumi's lips curved faintly as he carried her into the room.
"But… I know you already have Sayaka-san. Yet here I am, shamelessly wanting to be part of your world. Doesn't that make me a senpai without any dignity?"
"How could you even think that?" Mahiro shook his head, setting her down gently on the bed. "Mayumi-senpai, you've always been the pride of First High. You shine brighter than anyone. If there's someone at fault here, it's me."
He exhaled slowly, then added, "Your dress… it'll wrinkle if you sleep like this. You should take it off."
Mayumi raised both hands toward him, her cheeks flushed.
"…Help me take it off, Mahiro-kun."
"…"
Yare yare… As expected of her.
He was too far in to bother with troublesome objections now. He not only helped her out of her shoes, placing them neatly by the bed, but also carefully unzipped and helped her slip out of the elegant dress. He folded it meticulously and placed it over the chair. It was what she was wearing now, however, that made his breath hitch and his nose feel suspiciously warm.
A white, lacy negligee…
Incongruous with her otherwise petite and slender frame was a surprisingly full and well-endowed bust. Her curvaceous hips and narrow waist outlined a perfect, alluring silhouette. Clad in flesh-toned sheer silk, her long, gracefully curled legs intertwined, their smoothness reminiscent of fine jade, giving an impression of both gentle innocence and undeniable temptation.
"…Senpai, I should be going now."
Just as he placed the room card on the bedside table and turned to leave, he felt a pair of arms wrap tightly around his waist, holding him fast.
"I'm serious, Senpai, what are you doing? You're playing with fire, you know? And I'm starting to seriously doubt if you're even drunk at all!"
But no reply came from Mayumi. It wasn't until his hand landed on her pale, smooth arm, intending to gently pry her grip loose, that her voice softly echoed in the quiet room again, laced with a vulnerable plea.
"Mahiro… stay with me tonight… onegai…?"