Chapter 38

Yesterday, due to missing the scheduled posting, chapters three and four were posted simultaneously.

A few days ago, if you read chapter four by jumping from the "latest chapter" using the bookmark feature, please check if you have read chapter three.

If there are any who read chapter four without reading chapter three, please read chapter three first.

"I am truly sorry."

After breakfast.

When Yugen and Arisa were alone in the guest room assigned to her, he knelt and bowed his head.

"I ended up forcing you to cook."

"No, Yugen-san. That's an exaggeration. Please stop it."

Her well-proportioned face suddenly appeared close to him.

Arisa was peering into Yugen's face.

Involuntarily, Yugen raised his head as if jumping.

"I don't mind at all."

"Still, however..."

"If it's just this much, I would be happy to cook for you."

Arisa smiled.

From her expression, it was clear that she was not angry.

"...I am grateful to hear that. I also apologize for talking about your cooking so casually."

Generally, if a son says something like "my wife is a better cook," the mother would be upset.

It was an act that would pour oil on the fire of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law problems.

Even if it was a question asked by the mother to the son, it should not have been answered so lightly.

However, Yugen and Arisa had no intention of getting married, so there would be no mother-in-law and daughter-in-law problems.

Moreover, at least Yugen believed that Ayu would not get angry over such things.

Despite this background...

Still, it would have been better not to say anything unnecessary.

"Yes... When I found out that Yugen-san had talked about my cooking, I felt a bit embarrassed."

Arisa's skin flushed slightly, and she scratched her cheek as she spoke.

Then she looked up at Yugen with her eyes, and began to fidget.

"But, I was happy. Really... I knew you thought so."

"I've always told you it was delicious, haven't I?"

"Who would say something is bad about what someone has cooked for them?"

Generally, it is bad manners to criticize the food someone has cooked for you.

Of course, it's fine to critique something you've eaten at a restaurant later...

Arisa cooks for Yugen without being asked.

Common sense dictates that saying "delicious" is the natural response.

"Of course, I knew Yugen-san wasn't just being polite. You always asked for seconds. So... in other words, you thought my cooking was so good that you wanted to brag about it to your family. I was very happy to realize that again."

Then Arisa sighed softly.

"Can I complain a bit?"

"Feel free to let it out."

Yugen nodded vigorously.

Arisa thanked him in a barely audible voice and then poured out her heart.

"My family... I'm not sure if they can even be called a family, but they never say anything is delicious."

Her eyes clouded over.

She lowered her head and confessed in a pained voice.

"To be honest... I don't really like cooking. I was forced to do it, no, I'm sorry. That's a cowardly way of putting it. I was never directly told to cook, but it's assumed that I should do it at home. So I can't refuse."

Then she smiled with a self-deprecating laugh.

Her shoulders trembled slightly as she smiled, and it was painful to watch.

"I didn't want to be scolded. That's why I became good at cooking. It's all because of that. I didn't do it because I wanted to... just because I was afraid. It's not something to be proud of."

Then Arisa sighed deeply.

She looked at Yugen with moist eyes and smiled.

The smile seemed forced, and it was slightly strained.

"So, I was very happy when Yugen-san praised me. Even if it was just flattery. After that, when I realized that Yugen-san really thought it was delicious, I was so happy I wanted to jump for joy. ...It was the first time."

A single tear rolled down the corner of Arisa's eye.

Still smiling, Arisa said:

"For the first time, I thought I wanted to cook. I went every week because I wanted you to eat it. For the first time, I thought it was good that I was good at cooking. So..."

"Arisa"

Yugen called her name softly.

Then he embraced her, slightly surprised.

He pressed her face against his chest.

Arisa went along with it.

He gently stroked Arisa's hair.

"You did a great job."

"...Thank you."

For a while, Arisa wet Yugen's chest.

Sobs could be heard for a few minutes.

Soon, she raised her face and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingers.

"That's not good... I cry when I'm with Yugen-san."

"Is that my fault?"

When Yugen asked, half-jokingly, Arisa chuckled and then answered.

"Yes, it is. Yugen-san is a bad person... I just want to lean on you."

Perhaps because she had let out her pent-up feelings, Arisa's expression was more cheerful than before.

"Anyway, Yugen-san, you've made me lose my train of thought."

"Oh, sorry. ...What was it again?"

When Yugen asked, Arisa hesitated.

"Um... Well, I enjoy cooking for Yugen-san. If you say it's delicious, I'll cook... as much as you want."

After saying this, Arisa's face turned bright red.

She seemed to realize that she had made a rather risky statement and hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

"N-no, I mean! It's not like I'll make you miso soup every day or anything like that!"

"Ah, yeah... I understand that."

Yugen felt his face heating up.

He didn't think Arisa was proposing to him, but her obvious embarrassment made him feel embarrassed too.

"To put it simply, it's like feeding a cat. A cat that eats happily is cute, you know?"

"That's a bit harsh."

Am I a stray cat?

Yugen protested.

But objectively, he might look like a cat that has been fed.

More than that, he was completely like one.

Surprisingly, that analogy hit the mark.

Yugen felt a bit embarrassed as he thought this.

"Anyway, I don't mind cooking for Yugen-san. So, I wouldn't mind serving your family either. Do you understand?"

"Meow."

"Stop it."

Arisa scolded Yugen sharply, and he shrugged.

Arisa is a cat person. Yuzuru is a dog person.

Their hobbies don't actually align.

Incidentally, Yuzuru is more like a cat, and Arisa is more like a dog.

Well, Yuzuru can be a dog, and Arisa can be a cat.

But whether it's a cat or a dog, feeding is important.

Incidentally, feeding the author is also important.

If you find it interesting and want to read more, sit! Stay! Down! Update!

If you can bookmark and rate (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents),

I would be very happy.

The next update is scheduled for tomorrow or the day after.

True Dere Level: 0% → 5%

I thought about it, and I decided to keep the "True Dere Level: 0%" until the end of the first chapter, and then increase it to 5% this time.

So, while the numerical value hasn't changed, there has been a change.

I've also made it so that the change is noticeable.

If you're looking forward to the True Dere Level, bookmarking and rating (changing the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents) would be greatly appreciated.