Chapter 15 Pineapple Fried Rice

"Sister Mitsy," Asuka suddenly said, frowning at Nohara Mitsy.

"Ah... how about we go out to eat?" Mitsy looked at the few bills in her wallet and once again regretted her impulsive purchase of the 40,000 yuan piece of clothing.

"Yes! Sister Asuka, we can go out for ramen. I know a particularly delicious ramen shop that's doing an event recently, but the place is a bit..."

"No need, Sister Mitsy," Asuka shook her head.

At that moment, Mitsy, sadly touching her shrunken wallet, thought maybe she should find a part-time job she could do from home to earn some pocket money. Then, she heard Asuka's words, "No need..."

Under Mitsy's doubtful gaze, Asuka walked over to the green peppers and pineapples she had just bought. Her cold voice sounded unexpectedly pleasant: "These vegetables make a really delicious meal."

"Sister Asuka, there's no need to comfort me like this. It's because I didn't entertain you well." Mitsy shook her head bitterly and was about to take Asuka's hand and suggest going out for ramen.

"It's not a comfort. Pineapple fried rice—has Sister Mitsy ever eaten it?"

"Pineapple fried rice?" Mitsy was stunned. "I've heard of it, but I've never tried it or learned how to cook it."

At this point, Asuka had already taken a pineapple in one hand and a knife in the other, preparing to peel it.

"It's okay, Sister Mitsy. This dish... no, more accurately, it should be called rice. It's very simple to make. You should be able to do it once you see me make it."

"This way..." Mitsy was stunned, thinking something was wrong. Why did it always end with her letting someone cook?

She shook her head repeatedly and walked over to take the pineapple Asuka was peeling, muttering, "Hey! You're a guest. It's already rude to make you cook twice. How can I let you cook again... or cook for me?!"

"Sister Mitsy..." Asuka dodged the hand trying to take the knife. Her expression, usually indifferent, looked a little serious.

"Sister Mitsy, I'm doing this to thank you for letting me stay last night. After all, I don't have any money, and I don't know how long I'll be bothering you at your house..."

As Asuka spoke, her voice softened. With her particularly delicate and lovely face, the 29-year-old Mitsy actually felt a hint of maternal love stir from deep inside.

"Hey! Congratulations to the host! Nohara Mitsy's favorability has exceeded 75, and the living conditions of the Nohara family have been unlocked!"

Already seventy-five favorability points?

Asuka paused for a moment, then looked up to see how Nohara Mitsy would react.

Mitsy, with her head lowered and eyes slightly closed, seemed to be lost in thought.

Seeing this, Asuka didn't bother her. She washed and cut the freshly peeled pineapple into cubes, placing them into a small bowl.

Then, she grabbed carrots and potatoes from the refrigerator. As she was about to handle them, a pair of hands, clearly showing the fine lines from overwork, reached out and took the potatoes and carrots.

"Sister Mitsy..." Asuka looked at the owner of the hands in confusion.

"Sister Asuka," Mitsy's expression was more serious than ever. "How about we make a sukiyaki pot tonight?"

"Sukiyaki pot? Is it such a lavish meal?" Asuka asked, confused. Didn't she have no money?

Unexpectedly, Mitsy touched her head, her eyes glowing with a warm, soft light.

"In order to welcome the new member of our family, of course, we need to have a sense of ceremony!"

"New member?"

Asuka's pupils widened, and a wave of inexplicable emotion passed through her heart.

Seeing Asuka's reaction, Mitsy, with a slightly amused look, patted Asuka's head, a hint of concern flashing in her eyes. She picked up the potato naturally and said to Asuka, "Asuka, do you need to wash and peel the potatoes?"

Asuka was still a little dazed, but after a moment, she finally recognized the smiling face in front of her—one that wasn't as young anymore.

"Um..."

"Have you finished peeling?"

"After peeling, cut them into small pieces, then soak them in water to remove the starch."

"Okay, I know the rest." After Mitsy spoke, she took another knife from the cabinet and began working beside Asuka.

Meanwhile, Asuka continued cutting the carrots on the chopping board, a blank expression on her face.

She really liked this quiet and warm atmosphere, as well as the lovely people around her—whether it was Miss Mitsy, the mischievous Shinchan, or Nohara, the peaceful head of the family, Hiroshi. Even the polite and enthusiastic Kazama and Fuko had become an important part of Asuka's new life.

She put down the knife, covered her burning heart, and let a faint smile form at the corner of her mouth. Maybe... it would be good to embrace these emotions.

---

Asuka and Nohara Mitsy were both proficient in cooking, and it took less than five minutes to prepare the ingredients.

After Mitsy placed the last handful of shredded green peppers into a new bowl, she turned to Asuka and said, "Then sister, I'll watch your performance, Asuka~"

Asuka's face turned red as she answered softly, "Okay, beautiful sister..."

Asuka took a small portion of pineapple cubes from the bowl and boiled water in a small pot. When it boiled, she added the pineapple cubes and let them simmer. After a while, the rich pineapple aroma wafted out.

Mitsy closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrant aroma, intoxicated by it.

"Asuka, why are you making pineapple juice now?"

"To make the pineapple aroma more intense in the fried rice." Asuka scooped rice from the rice cooker into the refrigerator to rest. Cold rice is easier to cook than hot rice. Though it was leftover from the morning, the rice cooker's automatic heat function kept it slightly warm.

After the pineapple juice boiled, Mitsy quickly turned off the heat and poured it into a small basin.

"We only need a little of this pineapple juice; the rest can be made into a pineapple drink," Asuka instructed.

"Okay, should we just pour the hot pineapple juice over the rice?"

"No, first pour out a little pineapple juice, then add two ice cubes wrapped in insulation paper to cool it."

Mitsy followed the instructions. After the juice cooled, Asuka poured cold oil into the pot, then took out the frozen rice from the fridge.

"Zi La~"

After heating the oil, Asuka added the rice, using a spatula to quickly shape it into a volcano. In her other hand, she held two eggs that had been prepared.

Once the rice was shaped, Asuka cracked the eggs into the "crater," and the egg whites and yolks filled it instantly.

Turning the heat to maximum, she picked up the wok and used a spatula to tilt the pot against the rice.

"What a beautiful technique!" Though Mitsy had been a housewife for many years, she wasn't as skilled at turning the pot as Asuka.

The rice for two blended in with the fire and stir-frying, turning golden.

Finally, the fried rice's aroma filled the kitchen. Asuka reduced the heat to medium and continued to stir-fry while asking Mitsy to get the pineapple juice.

"Do you need anything else?" Mitsy asked after bringing the juice.

"Next, just pour in the potatoes and carrots. When the color is right, add the seasoning, diced pineapple, and shredded green peppers."

---

Five minutes later, Asuka served the golden fried rice, which was neither greasy nor too sweet, onto two plates.

Mitsy took one look at the beautiful pineapple fried rice, took a bite...

The sweet and sour flavor of the fried rice filled her taste buds!

"This is really delicious! I feel like my appetite has improved after one bite!" Mitsy quickly sped up her eating.

"As long as Sister Mitsy likes it."

Asuka replied while turning the remaining pineapple juice into a frozen drink, then poured two glasses and brought them out.

"Sister Mitsy, this is iced pineapple juice with a touch of honey and mint. It tastes pretty good."

"Let me try it quickly!" Mitsy eagerly grabbed a glass. It was too cold, so she took a small sip.

The minty pineapple juice was refreshing, perfectly complementing the fried rice.

"This is delicious! Asuka, tell me, how are you so good at cooking?"

Mitsy couldn't help but sigh happily, enjoying another mouthful of pineapple fried rice.

"This is better than any fried rice I've had before."

Hearing Nohara Mitsy's constant praise, Asuka turned shy. She buried her head in her meal, but the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Mitsy suggested they rest on the soft quilt that had been drying in the sun all morning. The taste of sunshine was always gentle, and it was easy to get sleepy after a full meal.

Mitsy and Asuka lay on two quilts, the warm, non-glaring sunlight shining on their faces. The occasional chirping of cicadas, birds, and passing pedestrians intertwined, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Asuka's consciousness gradually blurred, and the soothing sounds made her body and mind relax as if she had never experienced such contentment before.

"Wait..." Asuka sat up suddenly, looking confused, her face turning pale. She looked around in panic.

But there was nothing—only Nohara Mitsy, who had fallen asleep beside her, her breathing slow and steady.

The warm sunlight filled the room, making Asuka's slightly pale face glow with the light of day. Only the small things around her could tell her that she was okay, and nothing else mattered.

Asuka turned her body and lay back down, closing her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

---

**Time**: 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

It was time for school to end at *Futaba Kindergarten*. Shinchan and his friends got on the stroller and waited to go home.

"Shinchan, let's gather at the Park later. When everyone is here, we can go to your house to see Sister Asuka, okay?" Kazama said, sitting next to Shinchan.

"Okay, I'll come find you when I get home and change my clothes." After playing at the kindergarten all day, Shinchan now felt a little tired.

The other four all agreed, "Then it's settled!"

Twenty minutes later, the stroller parked not far from Shinchan's home.

"Hey~ I went home to see my big sister!" Shinchan put on his backpack and wanted to rush out of the car.

At this time, Kazama reminded him: "Shinchan, change your clothes and remember to come to Horse Manure Park!"

"I know, Kazama, you're so verbose~"