After some discussion,
it was decided that lunch would be something light—soumen made by Ayu—and that Arisa would cook dinner a little early in the evening.
And after lunch—
“So, Arisa-sama, what shall we buy?”
Having arrived at the supermarket, Yuzuru asked her that.
Naturally, Yuzuru usually accompanied Arisa on her shopping trips and devoted himself to carrying the bags.
This time, since it was his fault that Arisa would be doing housework, it was only natural for him to come along as her attendant.
“It’s summer, so I was thinking summer vegetables would be nice. …By the way, does your family have any dislikes, Yuzuru-san?”
“Don’t worry. I don’t recall anyone having particular dislikes.”
Including Yuzuru, no one in the Takasegawa family was especially picky.
They could eat pretty much anything.
“That’s a relief. …What about favourites?”
“Hmm, Ayumi and Dad seem to like fairly childlike things. Curry, hamburger steaks, omurice, that sort of thing.”
“I see. …And you, Yuzuru-san—you like fish, right?”
Yuzuru nodded at Arisa’s question.
“Yeah… Mum and I might have similar tastes when it comes to food.”
Arisa placed a hand on her chin and began to think.
She was probably planning the menu for today.
Yuzuru watched quietly so as not to disturb her.
“I’ve decided. We’ll do a Japanese-style hamburger steak, and add some kind of fish dish.”
“…Won’t that be a lot of work? It can be simpler.”
“I may not look it, but I’m quite motivated.”
Clenching both fists tightly, Arisa said this.
It seemed she truly didn’t mind cooking for Yuzuru’s family.
“Right then, let’s start with vegetables. Summer vegetables would be best.”
They headed first to the produce section.
It seemed Arisa already had a clear idea of what she would make.
She placed the okra, cucumber, shiso, aubergine, myoga, ginger, spring onion, and onion into the basket.
Then they moved to the meat section.
They bought a mix of minced beef and pork.
Next came fish…
“This horse mackerel looks excellent. It’s suitable for eating raw—shall we go with this?”
Looking at the large horse mackerel resting on ice, Arisa spoke with clear delight.
It seemed she intended to prepare it herself rather than using pre-cut fillets.
Yuzuru already knew she could handle fish, but…
he couldn’t help but be impressed at how effortlessly she took it on.
Ayu liked fish, but disliked preparing it, so she rarely handled whole fish.
“Is that everything?”
“We just need the tofu, and we’re done.”
Japanese-style hamburger steak was a given, but what else was she planning?
Yuzuru felt a quiet anticipation build in his chest.
Around four-thirty.
Yuzuru and the others waited eagerly for Arisa’s cooking to be ready.
“I can’t wait to try Arisa-san’s cooking. With how much my brother praises it, I’ve got high expectations,” Ayumi said, visibly excited.
In contrast, Ayu wore a somewhat complicated expression.
“I’m looking forward to Arisa-chan’s cooking too. …But you know, I kind of wanted to do that thing you see in dramas—where the mother-in-law teaches her son’s bride the family’s cooking. I’ve got mixed feelings.”
At that, Yuzuru and Ayumi immediately chimed in together.
“Mum’s cooking is basically Ajinomoto Popular Japanese brand of MSG (monosodium glutamate), an umami flavour ehnancer, isn’t it?”
“There’s nothing to teach. Easy to recreate.”
“You two really have some nerve, saying that when you’ve never properly cooked in your lives.”
It was true that neither Yuzuru nor Ayumi could cook, so they couldn’t argue that point.
Still, it stung to leave it at that, so Yuzuru shifted the topic slightly.
“Speaking of which, Mum, shouldn’t you be helping Arisa?”
“I offered, you know? But she said, ‘I couldn’t possibly trouble Okaa-sama.’ Such a good girl.”
“Wasn’t that just her politely saying you’re not needed?”
“Be quiet.”
As Yuzuru, Ayumi, and Ayu bickered, Kazuya cut in with a reprimand.
“You lot… could you not have such unsightly arguments?”
It seemed he didn’t want Arisa to witness the Takasegawa family’s less-than-graceful squabbles.
Though it was about maintaining appearances…
Yuzuru also didn’t particularly want Arisa to see him arguing with his mother, so he let it drop.
Meanwhile, Ayumi and Ayu continued their battle…
“Dinner’s ready.”
At those words, Arisa appeared carrying the dishes, and the argument came to an end.
At the very least, they helped set the table.
“Still… you really went all out.”
“Yes. I put in a bit of serious effort.”
When Yuzuru praised her, Arisa replied in her usual cool tone.
Meanwhile, Kazuya, Ayu, and Ayumi were all surprised at how lavish the meal was.
“This is… truly, I must apologise, Arisa-san.”
“…Yes, I concede. It was presumptuous of me to think I could teach you.”
“Wow… this is amazing.”
Kazuya and Ayu apologised, while Ayumi’s eyes sparkled.
As for the meal that drew such reactions—
Steamed white rice.
Miso soup with horse mackerel dumplings.
Japanese-style hamburger steak.
Horse mackerel namerou and sashimi.
Simmered aubergine.
Chilled tofu.
And a strangely sticky, mysterious dish.
“Arisa, is this that Yamagata ‘dashi’?” Dashi here refers to a regional cold vegetable relish, not soup stock
Pointing at the sticky dish, Yuzuru asked.
It appeared to be finely chopped okra, cucumber, shiso, myoga, and aubergine mixed with mentsuyu.
“That’s right. I made it to go over chilled tofu, but it’s also delicious on rice.”
At her explanation, Yuzuru said “Thank you for the food” and immediately tried the dashi.
He spooned it over the chilled tofu and took a bite.
“Well? How is it?”
“It’s good. It feels refreshing, and in this season, something cold and slightly sticky like this really makes it easy to keep eating.”
It seemed simple enough that he could make it himself, so he made a mental note to ask for the recipe later.
Even after September, when summer break ended, the heat would linger.
With this, he felt he could get through the late-summer days.
“This horse mackerel namerou is excellent… makes me want some sake.”
“The hamburger steak is delicious—so tender.”
“The miso soup is wonderful… the fish flavour really comes through, with no smell at all.”
“The simmered aubergine is great too. Arisa’s simmered dishes are always so good.”
Kazuya, Ayumi, Ayu, and Yuzuru all praised Arisa’s cooking in turn.
At that, her cheeks flushed, and lowering her gaze, she spoke softly.
“Th-thank you very much… There’s more if you’d like seconds.”
Seeing her like that, Ayumi and Ayu exchanged glances—
and smiled wryly.
“I think I see why my brother’s completely smitten.”
“Arisa-chan really is adorable. I’d love to have her as my daughter… oh, wait, I suppose she will be.”
(What are they even saying?)
Yuzuru thought to himself as he sipped the dumpling miso soup.
…Though he did feel a little embarrassed, he kept that to himself.
