Chapter 486: The Kitchen Is Not For You(5)

"This meal is meant to replenish blood," Sui said, turning back to the kitchen. But as he glanced around, he noticed Miku's face had turned bright red, and she had lowered her head, steam practically rising from it.

Even Nino's face was flushed, and she glared at Sui with a mix of shame and anger.

"Uh, what's going on with you two?" Sui asked, puzzled.

"Hey, Sui, how did you know that Miku and Nino's 'relatives' came to visit today?" Yotsuba asked curiously, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"Yeah, it just so happens that both of them are... you know, having that time of the month," Ichika added with a playful smile, resting her chin on her hand.

Sui froze in place, his face betraying his confusion. "There's no way… that's just a coincidence…"

He muttered quietly, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "What are the chances that I'd get involved with all three of them like this?" he grumbled to himself.

Behind him, a certain senpai, who was just trying to maintain the image of a quiet girl, blushed deeply. She felt a strange sense of guilt, though mixed with an unexpected warmth. Sui's attentiveness had stirred something in her heart.

Sui, deciding to move past the awkwardness, left the apartment briefly to gather ingredients from the kitchen and began preparing dinner for everyone.

Nino and Miku joined in, washing rice and putting it into the rice cooker, ready to practice making rice balls again, just as they had learned.

"Did you practice at home yesterday?" Sui asked, turning his head toward them.

"Yeah, I practiced," Miku nodded, her voice soft and innocent as she rolled up her sleeves, revealing her pale, delicate arms.

"It's just rice balls. This time, I'm sure I'll do it perfectly," Nino declared confidently, her chin raised as she rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands.

"You even removed your nail polish. Nice job," Sui remarked, noticing her clean, bare nails, and giving her an approving nod. He was starting to sound like a proper chef now.

Nino's face turned red as she quickly hid her hands behind her back, looking away. "I just thought about it when I got home... it's not right to make rice balls with nail polish on. It's not... because of you or anything," she mumbled, still putting up a front. 

Sui chuckled to himself and shook his head, amused by her guilty demeanor.

Meanwhile, Utaha, determined to uphold her refined image, wandered around the kitchen. Seeing her, he couldn't help but say, "The kitchen's no place for you, senpai."

"Oh, come on! My Kohai is making a thoughtful meal for his senpai. As his senior, isn't it only right that I help out?" Utaha replied, flipping her hair behind her shoulder. She feigned indignation as she added, "Or do you think that a beautiful, gentle girl like me should be kept far from the greasy mess of the kitchen?"

Sui met her gaze coolly. "No, I just think that a lazy, dry-food-loving senpai like you has no business in a kitchen with an actual cook."

Utaha froze momentarily, her cheeks puffing in mock anger before she playfully swatted him. "Come on now! Aren't I always gentle, considerate, beautiful, and generous?"

Sui rolled his eyes at her dramatic act, not sure what had gotten into her today. "Really? Last time I made dinner, you just laid on the couch reading a novel and even had me feed you."

Utaha's face reddened, clearly embarrassed. She shifted awkwardly and said, "I just want to help this time."

"Do you really want to help?" Sui raised an eyebrow.

Utaha nodded earnestly.

"Then please, leave the kitchen," Sui said in a calm, deadpan tone.

Furious but not wanting to ruin her image, Utaha reluctantly tiptoed out of the kitchen and sat quietly on the sofa, fuming. 'Fine,' she thought to herself. 'I'm a literary girl. I'll act dignified.'

Sui watched her leave, feeling a bit confused by her recent odd behavior. After a moment's thought, though, he figured it had to do with her time of the month, and his confusion melted away.

Soon, the cooking was finished. The Nakano sisters helped set the table and serve the food.

"Thank you for hosting us for dinner," Itsuki said, putting her hands together and bowing in gratitude.

"Thank you very much," the other four sisters echoed, even Nino, though she did so with a hint of reluctance.

Sui was a little surprised. He hadn't expected such formal politeness from the sisters, but it seemed they had been raised well. Despite their quirks, they were all quite well-mannered. Even Nino, despite her tsundere exterior, had a good heart.

His gaze drifted to Utaha, who, for some reason, blushed and looked slightly guilty when he glanced at her.

"Sui, this is the rice ball I made," Miku said nervously, her face turning red as she handed him the rice ball she had made.

Sui inspected the rice ball. Though they were still uneven in size, at least this time the rice held together and didn't fall apart. It was a marked improvement.

He took a bite. Although the taste wasn't quite there yet, he smiled and praised her. "It's definitely better than last time. Keep it up."

"Mm-hmm," Miku nodded softly, her face glowing with pride and determination.

Utaha, watching from the sidelines, felt an inexplicable pang of jealousy seeing this scene unfold. It was as if a label marked "harem member" had become clearer above Miku's head.

Next, Sui tasted the rice balls made by Nino.

"They're better than last time," he nodded, "but some of the same issues remain. Let's go over them."

He patiently explained where she could improve, and although Nino tried to act impatient, her tone had softened. "Got it, I'll do better next time."

With dinner ready, everyone began eating. 

As they ate, Itsuki, with a big smile, added more rice to her bowl. "It's delicious! Way better than anything from high-end restaurants!"

Sui, seeing how much she was eating, muttered quietly, "Are you eating so much because... you've got your 'relatives' visiting too?"

He couldn't help but be impressed by this girl's appetite.