[32] He Really Looks Like Mom

Chapter 32: He Really Looks Like Mom

"You… what did you end up buying?"

"You mean that? It's called 'bluefin tuna' or something. I bought all the lean cuts. Apparently, it's a rare catch today."

"…Why would you buy that?"

"I heard someone say that if you come to Japan and don't eat Kobe beef or bluefin tuna, it's like you never came."

"That's complete nonsense!"

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Shirogane stared at the price tag on the fish in his hands—over a million yen—and started calculating just how many days of part-time work it would take to cover the cost of this ingredient.

"Shut up, big bro. Don't get so worked up," Kei snapped at her brother's outburst. Sitting behind him, she immediately came over to see what he was so flustered about.

And then she saw it—a huge box of fish in Miyuki's hands, along with the price tag.

"…You've got to be kidding me."

"Nope. You're not seeing things."

"…"

Kei crouched down and started pulling items one by one out of the plastic bag that Ronan had brought. Each time she took something out, the siblings' eyes grew wider.

100 grams of ALmas caviar: ¥216,000 (tax included).

500 grams of matsutake mushrooms: ¥108,000 (tax included).

A square watermelon: ¥15,000 (tax excluded).

One kilogram of eel: ¥5,000.

Countless seasonal ingredients, condiments, and utensils.

...

"Who is he, big bro?"

"He's a mixed-program student at Shuchiin Academy, just like us. Supposedly his family runs a farm."

"Farming is that profitable these days?"

Even though Shuchiin is a school filled with prestigious and wealthy students, they're still just kids. None of them are given unlimited spending money. Spending over a million yen on ingredients for one meal? That's unheard of.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ronan was washing the cookware. As he scrubbed, he called out to the siblings in the living room, "What kind of cuisine would you like? French? Or Japanese?"

"Uh… just something normal. Japanese-style is fine."

"Got it. Hang out in the living room for a bit, I'll call you when it's ready."

Ronan took the fish from Shirogane's hands, picked up the entire plastic bag of ingredients, and headed back to the kitchen.

The siblings returned to the living room and sat down at the dining table to wait.

In their minds, they were simultaneously calculating how long it would take them to earn enough to pay for this meal.

After a bit of mental math, they figured it would take their entire family six months of work to cover the cost.

"Ronan… he seems kind of… out of touch with reality."

"Big bro sure brought a weird one into the student council this time, huh?"

Kei originally wanted to use a term like "rich fool," but considering they were all about to eat that food together, she decided it wasn't polite.

It wasn't long before Ronan, now wearing an apron, emerged with a small plate of food. He set it in front of the siblings.

"Here's your appetizer: grated daikon with caviar."

The glistening black caviar mixed with the finely grated daikon looked professionally plated and utterly mouthwatering.

"Ronan…"

"Yes?"

"Did you… used to be a chef?"

"Not really, I just studied it as a kid," Ronan replied with a smile. "Back then, I didn't need to go to the store for ingredients—my family ran a farm, so we always had fresh produce."

"Ah, I see…"

With that, Ronan returned to the kitchen to prepare the next dish. The siblings hesitated for a moment before picking up their spoons and taking a bite of the plated food.

It was absolutely delicious!

Soon after, Ronan brought out the second dish.

"This is the appetizer: soy-marinated egg yolk with sea urchin and jellyfish."

"…"

Honestly, who eats like this at home? Isn't it normal to just cook a few dishes and pair them with rice? Why does it have to be so professional?

The siblings were baffled, unable to comprehend whether Ronan had any sense of practicality.

But…

Seeing the beautifully crafted appetizer, they couldn't help but pick up their chopsticks.

It was amazing!

Then Ronan served the bluefin tuna sashimi.

With the bright red slices of fish and the meticulous plating, the siblings were convinced he must have been professionally trained.

"Um, Ronan…"

"Yes?"

"You're Chinese, right? I always thought you'd only know how to make Chinese dishes. I didn't expect you to be so skilled at Japanese cuisine…"

'Skilled' didn't even begin to describe it—this was the level of a professional, even a master.

"I already told you, I specifically studied it."

"Huh? Did something happen that made you decide to learn it?"

"…"

For some reason, Ronan's mood suddenly darkened.

"Oh! I get it now! Ronan, your cooking is amazing, and I'm sorry for asking that!"

Anyone could guess why Ronan learned Japanese cooking back then. Judging from the gloomy look on his face, it must have been related to a breakup.

Shirogane decided to keep his mouth shut for the rest of the evening.

Ronan returned to the kitchen to prepare the main course, while Shirogane and Kei watched his busy silhouette as they nibbled on the sashimi.

"Hey, big bro, don't you think your accountant resembles someone?"

"Who?"

"When Mom was still here, their silhouettes really overlapped."

"He's a guy! At least say he looks like Dad!"

Shirogane turned back with a sigh, once again catching a glimpse of Ronan busily working in the kitchen.

Back when his mother hadn't left and abandoned the family, she had probably cooked in the kitchen like this, too…

Click!

"I'm home… huh? What's that amazing smell?"

"Oh, you're back, Dad?"

Walking in was a slightly weathered middle-aged man. The moment he opened the door, the aroma hit him.

Following the smell toward the kitchen, he spotted Ronan grilling eel. For a brief moment, his eyes widened.

"You… came back?"

"Hm?"

Ronan glanced over at the man, puzzled.

"...Sorry, I mistook you for someone else. Are you… Miyuki's classmate?"

"Yes, I'm Ronan, the student council treasurer."

"I see. This must be the first time Miyuki has brought a classmate home. Looks like you're a reliable friend."

The man, the father of the Shirogane siblings, hung his coat on the rack and sat at the dining table. He picked up his chopsticks, dipped a slice of fish in soy sauce, and popped it into his mouth.

"Bluefin tuna, huh? It's pretty fresh."

"Uncle, since you're here, and we bought plenty of ingredients, I'll prepare a portion for you too."

"Thanks, I'd appreciate it."

The elder Shirogane—who could go by Papa Shirogane nodded and leaned over to Miyuki, whispering, "You invite a friend over and make him cook? That's no way to treat a guest."

"…He's the one who insisted!"

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