Chapter 65: The Angry Little Chef

Since that day, Meiryu Kiyorin’s culinary skills had visibly improved—one could almost see the progress with their own eyes, though no one quite knew how Asami Matsushita had managed to teach her so well.

Tonight, the little chef prepared two simple dishes: tuna sushi and stir-fried squid tentacles, accompanied by a flavor-enhancing soup.

As Haruhi Yano set the plates on the table, Meiryu Kiyorin rubbed her aching chest, then took out two cushions and sat down. The television was playing a rerun of Lady Yukinoshita’s show, while the two quietly enjoyed their dinner.

Neither spoke, and a silent atmosphere hung in the air. Yet Meiryu Kiyorin deliberately made noises as she ate, as if to assert her presence—when drinking soup or setting down her chopsticks, she would slam them against the bowl, the sharp sound echoing through the living room. But soon enough, the teacher’s voice on television drowned it out, leaving a hint of awkwardness.

Looking up, Haruhi noticed Meiryu Kiyorin’s cheeks puffed out, unsure if they were stuffed with food or just air. Sensing Haruhi’s gaze, her large eyes shot back a look of wounded resentment.

So now, she was not Meiryu Kiyorin the little chef, but Meiryu Kiyorin the little grudge-holder.

Haruhi Yano was bewildered—how had he managed to offend the lady again? Hadn’t they all just been happy together moments ago?

He carefully recalled Meiryu Kiyorin’s actions and expressions, remembering how she had rubbed her chest before dinner and noticing her swollen, reddened lips. He couldn’t help but let out a silent laugh.

Meiryu Kiyorin truly was adorable.

It was no wonder she was upset; after all, in the kitchen, caught up in excitement, Haruhi’s grip had been too strong and had hurt the young lady. There might even be bruises. Both had been happy at the time and hadn’t noticed. Later, when she was adjusting her clothes, the pain returned, and Meiryu Kiyorin fell silent, refusing to speak and sulking by herself.

At that moment, Haruhi was in a post-blissful haze, his mind and body elevated, oblivious to the fact that the little chef was angry.

It was much like the faint scratch marks on Haruhi’s back—there had been no discomfort at the time, even a sense of pleasure, but later, the lingering pain made him regret his actions.

Meiryu Kiyorin, out of pride, didn’t initiate conversation, and since Haruhi hadn’t noticed the “angry bundle” had appeared, he didn’t start chatting either.

Thus, the situation unfolded as it did.

“Meiryu Kiyorin, tonight’s dinner was absolutely delicious!” Realizing his mistake, Haruhi quickly smiled and complimented her, “How did you do it? Could you teach me sometime?”

His tone was as if coaxing a little girl: Uncle will give you a lollipop, so please don’t cry!

Meiryu Kiyorin was no fool; faced with this child-placating tone, she was slightly pleased but still stared wistfully at the self-proclaimed Tokyo-style handsome guy.

Alright, his words had been a bit forced. Haruhi hesitated, his face showing reluctance, before making a heavy and difficult decision.

“How about you pinch me back? Even the score?”

At this, Meiryu Kiyorin’s lips pouted, her whole body entering a fiery state.

“Haruhi Yano, you really are a scoundrel!”

“Hmph hmph hmph hmph hmph~”

After dinner, Haruhi Yano lounged on the sofa in his pajamas, enjoying the leisurely time watching JOJO on television.

Meiryu Kiyorin was scrubbing herself clean in the bath, and Haruhi was already used to the sound of running water from the bathroom, his heart calm, no longer restless as he had been at first.

Bathing keeps the body healthy; when there’s nothing to do, take a bath.

Haruhi hummed to himself, a piece of dental floss in his mouth, as he checked his attribute panel.

[Name: Haruhi Yano]
[Intelligence: 62 (above average)]
[Charisma: 93 (no need to look—Hu Ge, Eddie Peng, Daniel Wu, you, and the reader before the screen are said to be the five most handsome men in the world)]
[Physical Strength: 67 (With stamina above passing, you’ve shed the title of “three-second guy”; maybe in good spirits, you won’t need any more King Kong Power Pills)]
[Skills: None]
[Partner Candidate: Yoshimi Uehara]
[Money: 194,650 yen]
[Attribute Points: 8]
[Support Points: 20]
[Items: King Kong Power Pill x8, Divine Singing Experience Card x5]

Headache—only eight King Kong Power Pills left, and there’s no other source for these precious things. Haruhi gazed at the dwindling stock, feeling a pang of regret. If only he hadn’t squandered them before. How foolish!

No, tomorrow Yoshimi Uehara must compensate him. If she can’t, then he’ll show no mercy—he’ll give his lady a taste of what he’s owed! Let her get acquainted with the color white!

This system—sigh—it doesn’t even have something like a points store! Compared with others, it seems just a little inferior!

There was still some time before Meiryu Kiyorin finished her bath, and Haruhi, bored, continued reviewing his recent tasks.

[Achievement Task: Please, within a year, dirty 100 pairs of Meiryu Kiyorin’s socks, including knee-highs, stockings... but not limited to these.]
[Current Progress: 13/100 (please keep working)]
[Task Reward: Stocking Slayer.]

Only ten percent of Meiryu Kiyorin’s achievement task was complete—still a long way to go. Tonight, he had to make that number rise by one. As a disciplined, persistent individual, he believed good habits must be maintained daily; even missing a single day would breed laziness forever.

With this in mind, Haruhi began carefully selecting from a shopping bag beside the sofa: black stockings, white stockings, fishnets... fifty, a hundred...

Heading onto the battlefield, one must choose the right equipment, prepare the cannons and long guns—don’t let your weapons fail when fighting the enemy.

After a thorough selection, Haruhi clapped his hands in satisfaction, returned the boxes to their place, and lounged contentedly on the sofa.

Such a life—leisurely and comfortable.

Aside from Meiryu Kiyorin’s achievement task, the rest of the task production belonged to the landlady, Eri Momotani.

[Cumulative: Jog with Eri Momotani for 30 days. Task reward: Attribute Points: 10, Support Points: 10.]
[Current Progress: 15/30 (not completed)]

The cumulative jogging task was halfway done; in another half month, it would be finished as scheduled.

But now, Haruhi no longer jogged simply to complete tasks. Now, if he didn’t get up in the morning for a run, he felt as if ants were crawling all over him—restless and uncomfortable.

[Daily Task: Go to the gym with Eri Momotani thirty times. Task reward: 100,000 yen / Epic Title: Wolf of Fitness (choose one).]
[Current count: 6/30]