Chizuru Mizuhara was wearing a pink yukata. It was a very modest yukata, so the kind of scene from earlier where her skin was exposed was out of the question. However, the beautiful curve that rose abruptly below her collarbone was still a tempting sight.
Kazuya Mugiwara glanced at it for a little over a second and quickly looked away. It’s human nature to appreciate beauty, so a brief glance is acceptable, but staring would be lewd behavior.
One can marvel at beautiful flowers, but one shouldn't just pick them up.
“Kazuya-kun, it’s ready to eat.”
Chizuru Mizuhara was arranging the hot pot, looking very wife-like.
As for Kazuya Mugiwara, he was currently admiring… or rather, doing nothing. He really only had some knowledge about food, but when it came to actually cooking, he was truly clumsy.
The two of them sat down around the dining table, which was laden with delicious ingredients.
Even though they hadn’t done much physical activity today, the fatigue from the car ride and the focused appreciation of the scenery had consumed a lot of their energy. They were already feeling quite hungry now, their appetites whetted.
No wonder there’s a saying, “An empty stomach is the best sauce.”
Under Chizuru Mizuhara’s surprised gaze, Kazuya helped himself to some rice.
“What’s wrong?”
Kazuya looked at Chizuru Mizuhara’s surprised expression and asked.
“Why is Kazuya-kun serving rice already?”
Do people serve rice first when eating hot pot? Chizuru Mizuhara wondered if she had been eating fake hot pot all this time.
“Nothing, I just prefer rice.” Kazuya explained, “I actually think rice is the perfect match for hot pot. You know, if you just keep eating meat, it’ll get greasy, so having rice and dishes together can help avoid that.”
“Really?”
Chizuru Mizuhara was dubious.
“Also, usually, I eat some dishes before adding rice, but today I was a bit hungry, so I added rice straight away.”
Kazuya explained.
…
“Itadakimasu.”
After saying that, Kazuya thought of something else.
Why do people say “Itadakimasu”? To give the food a psychological preparation?
If you want to show gratitude for food, don’t waste it!
Changing the so-called “best before” date could save so much food.
The phrase "Itadakimasu" is hypocritical, yet true.
…
“It’s so delicious.”
Chizuru Mizuhara exclaimed.
The dishes really were delicious. The mountain matsutake mushrooms and other fungi were a specialty. The fragrance of the mushrooms combined with the hot pot sauce created a spicy and fragrant flavor. The pork, beef, and chicken were also enjoyed with gusto.
“Come on, Kazuya-kun, cheers!”
Chizuru Mizuhara seemed very happy, the delicious food putting her in a good mood.
Looking at the beautiful girl in front of him, Kazuya also picked up a piece of raw fish. A beautiful girl, delicious food, perfect for eating.
“Cheers, Chizuru-san.”
“Clink!”
After finishing their drinks.
“Chizuru-san, it’s a good thing you haven’t turned twenty yet.”
“What?”
“I think you have this bold attitude towards drinking, so later you’ll definitely be the kind of person who keeps drinking until they’re happy.”
“Maybe, after all, if you’re drunk and don’t care about anything, I’d like to try it next April.”
Chizuru Mizuhara sighed with some disappointment, like a working professional encountering unpleasant matters.
“Forget it, let’s just enjoy ourselves, after all, we already paid.”
Chizuru Mizuhara turned her attention back to the delicious food on the table.
“Yeah, we should have fun when we’re supposed to. By the way, Chizuru-san, can I eat the enoki mushrooms now?”
Kazuya, who only knew how to eat, asked the chef, Chizuru, for guidance.
…
After eating and drinking to their fill.
Chizuru Mizuhara turned on the TV.
“You’re sitting too close, Chizuru-san.”
Kazuya reminded her, or rather, he had been reminded many times as a child, so now he also wanted to remind someone else and see how it felt.
“Oh!”
Chizuru Mizuhara, in a very accommodating manner, took the cushion and moved back two steps…
“Ding dong.”
“Coming, who is it?”
Kazuya went to open the door.
“Big brother, Charlotte came to play with you.”
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Charlotte, the little angel with golden hair.
“It’s so late, are your mom and the others okay with you coming out to play?”
Kazuya asked with concern.
“It’s okay, Charlotte told mom and the others that she was going to go find the big brother who played shogi with her this afternoon, and they immediately agreed.”
Little Charlotte seemed oblivious to any worries, bringing her simple joy to Kazuya.
“Kazuya-kun, who is this child?”
Chizuru Mizuhara was baffled. She had met Kazuya’s family this afternoon, and besides his parents, there seemed to be only a grandmother. There was no other family.
Although she didn’t think Kazuya was a kidnapper, it was still better to be sure.
“Big sister, hello, I’m Charlotte. Good evening.”
The little girl’s polite demeanor was also adorable.
“Hello.”
Chizuru Mizuhara nodded and smiled at little Charlotte.
“This child is Charlotte, she’s also here on a family trip. We met this afternoon in the lobby while playing shogi.”
Kazuya explained.
“Right, Charlotte, this big sister is Kazuya’s classmate, her name is Chizuru Ichinose, you can call her sister.” Kazuya patted Charlotte’s head and introduced her to Chizuru Mizuhara, “Her name is Charlotte Isaar, just call her Charlotte.”
“Charlotte-chan, good evening.”
Chizuru Mizuhara couldn’t resist the allure of the little cutie, she went forward and touched her head. The soft hair made her reluctant to let go.
“Charlotte, what do you want to play tonight?” Kazuya looked at the two charming ladies in front of him.
“I don’t know, heehee.”
Kazuya looked at his phone. Games? No, not appropriate.
They played shogi this afternoon, and they just ate, so they didn’t want to play anything that required brain power.
He searched around the room again, and the only thing he found was playing cards.
“So, Charlotte, do you want to play Old Maid?”
Kazuya took out the deck of cards and asked.
“Yes, Charlotte can play Old Maid.”
The little angel smiled.
“Then, Chizuru-san, do you want to play together?”
Chizuru Mizuhara looked at the TV, then at the little angel in front of her.
She made a very simple choice.
“I’ll play with you.”