Just curious on a whim?
More like a long-premeditated plot, if you asked anyone with half a brain.
Yukinoshita Yukino's expression didn't change. "I've never tasted Shirase-san's cooking, so even if you ask me that, I can't answer."
"In other words, you'd like to try it?"
"If given the chance, I certainly wouldn't refuse."
"Reason?"
"Perhaps because he's always treated me as a rival—and now, I've started doing the same."
Her tone was perfectly calm.
When Shirase had first declared he wanted to become number one in the school, Yukino hadn't thought much of it.
But after seeing this week's quiz results—where Shirase lost only a few points in English and was now right behind her—she'd finally started taking him seriously.
As for whether Shirase's cooking was as impressive as Nakano Ichika claimed, she wasn't particularly curious.
In her mind, her own culinary skills were already exceptional. Even if Shirase was good, at most he'd be on her level.
Even assuming he was slightly better, there was no way his food could be that amazing—not the kind of dish that glowed like those ridiculous "drugged meals" in TV shows.
So Yukinoshita Yukino remained calm and composed.
"Oh right, Yukinoshita-san—if you don't mind, can we exchange LINE contacts after school?" Ichika asked suddenly, shooting her shot.
This time, Yukino didn't bother hiding her suspicion. "Why?"
"To make friends. Simple as that." Ichika picked up an egg, gave it a casual shake, and smiled dazzlingly.
For some reason, Yukino suddenly felt a little dizzy. That charming, friendly smile—hiding clear ulterior motives—reminded her far too much of her older sister.
Meanwhile—Nakano Itsuki, helping Shirase at his station, quickly drew the attention of Nakano Yotsuba, who eagerly joined in.
The sight of two Nakano sisters surrounding Shirase immediately caught everyone's eyes. By tomorrow, the gossip would probably be all over school.
But the three of them didn't care. Itsuki was here to freeload, Yotsuba was just here for fun—and if she got a bite or two, that'd be a bonus.
With Shirase supervising, Itsuki's clumsy kitchen work at least didn't turn into a disaster.
"What are you making this time, Shirase-san? Cookies again?" Yotsuba leaned over curiously.
"Senbei." Shirase's movements were steady and professional.
"Oh, the rice crackers people call jiān zǎi bǐng? Nino can make those too."
"Yep, that's the one."
These weren't the packaged kind but real homemade senbei, available in both salty and sweet varieties. Shirase was making the sweet ones—they were always more popular.
Itsuki's eyes sparkled. "You can even make these?"
"I know a little," Shirase replied modestly. "Actually, I wanted to make sakura mochi, but I didn't prepare cherry leaves ahead of time, so I changed plans."
Then, completely deadpan, he added something that made both sisters freeze:
"By the way, my quiz results came out. If I keep up this pace, after the monthly exam, Nakano-san will probably come looking for me."
Itsuki immediately fell silent.
"I heard Ichika talking about that," Yotsuba said hesitantly. "Do you really plan to tutor us?"
"Because your grades are terrible—so bad even the stray cats in my neighborhood look down on you."
"It's not that bad!" Itsuki protested, cheeks burning.
Shirase nodded. "You're right. I misspoke."
She looked relieved—until he added, "I should've said the stray dogs around my neighborhood shake their heads when they see your scores. That's more accurate."
"…"
Once the senbei were ready, Itsuki shamelessly abused her role as taste-tester, munching away with enthusiasm.
But maybe because of the tutoring comment, she didn't seem quite as cheerful while eating.
Shirase took a bite himself—the flavor exceeded even his expectations. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly at the system's terrifying boosts to his cooking.
Before class ended, he glanced toward Nakano Ichika, who was still chatting with Yukinoshita Yukino. Yesterday evening, when he'd gone out to buy soy sauce, he'd picked up two little things along the way—intended as "bribes" for Yukino.
Today, they'd finally come in handy.
After school, instead of heading to the soccer club, Shirase took another route.
He was heading for the Service Club.
Coincidentally, halfway there, he ran into Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"What are you doing here? Isn't your team practicing today?" she asked casually, as if the awkwardness from before had never happened.
"I have something to ask Yukinoshita-san," Shirase replied honestly.
That immediately piqued her curiosity. "Hm? Have you two already grown close enough to ask each other favors?"
Her voice grew more animated by the second. "Looks like my intuition was right after all. Sooner or later, you two are going to become close friends."
Shirase gave her a sideways glance. "Hiratsuka-sensei, aren't you overthinking this? I'm just here to ask for a small favor."
"See? That's exactly how friendships start," she teased.
Seeing her attitude, Shirase decided to pull out his trump card. "Sensei, do you still want to lose weight?"
"Shh—!"
Hiratsuka jumped, hastily clapping a hand over his mouth.
Shirase caught a faint whiff of her shampoo as he gently moved her hand away. "Sensei, are you that worried about people finding out?"
"Isn't it obvious? I definitely don't want students knowing their teacher once agonized over body image," Hiratsuka said with a wry laugh.
"Once?" Shirase immediately caught the key word.
Hiratsuka chuckled proudly. "Yes, once. After talking with you that day, I figured it out. I must've been temporarily insane—considering dieting, when my figure's already perfect!"
Shirase's face went completely blank. You agonized so much back then, and now you're bragging? That swing was way too fast.
Hiratsuka patted his shoulder. "Actually, it's because you're close with Kojima, and I figured I'll probably become friends with her too. That's why I brought her up that day."
"With Kana-nee's personality… yeah, she can make friends with anyone," Shirase nodded.
Hiratsuka sighed softly. "Actually, I talked to her this morning. Turns out she's even more interesting than I thought."
Shirase played along. "For example?"
Hiratsuka's expression turned amused. "When I asked if she was worried about getting a boyfriend, she told me very seriously that she wasn't worried at all—that she's never had any trouble being pursued."
Shirase couldn't help but laugh. "There must've been more after that."
Hiratsuka grinned, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I pretended to leave, then eavesdropped. Sure enough, I heard her muttering to herself… she said—"
"'I'm clearly this beautiful, so why isn't anyone pursuing me?'—right?" Shirase finished for her.
Hiratsuka froze, wide-eyed. "Incredible! How did you know?"
Shirase smiled helplessly, spreading his hands. "Because that's exactly the kind of person she is. If I were there, she would've immediately followed up with, 'Nee-san actually has tons of admirers chasing after her.'"
Hiratsuka clapped her hands in delight. "Brilliant, brilliant~"
---
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