It Seems Like a Girl I Don’t Know Is Doing Housework at My Place. But She’s Cute, So I’m Watching Her.

“…Huh? Ah… what time is it?”

──I wake up and check the clock. It’s past noon.

“Hmm, late…”

I completely overslept. I had a class from first period today, so it’s the kind of situation where there’s no chance of making up for it.

“… Should I just skip?”

The thought crosses my mind for just a second. Then, the decision is made. I do have a lecture in the afternoon, but it’s only one class. Going to the university just for that seems bothersome, so I decide to cut it off cleanly.

I’ve already skipped a class, so what’s one more? University life is all about personal responsibility. One of the best parts is deciding when to take a break for yourself.

“Yeah, this is why I love college.”

If this were high school, there’s no way I could get away with it. If I got caught skipping, I’d be marched straight to the guidance counselor. Compared to that, the freedom of university life… well, overdo it, and you’ll end up failing classes.

Fortunately, I’m a relatively diligent student. Unless I have a good reason, I don’t usually skip lectures, so I have plenty of attendance leeway. Unless there’s a surprise test, I’m not worried about failing. Even if there is, I can always say I’m feeling unwell, and they’ll probably offer some kind of make-up.

“Well, anyway… time to eat.”

Even though I just woke up, it’s already lunchtime. I also slept for quite a while.

In other words, I’m starving. Time to raid the fridge… Looks like I’ve got a packet of Taiwanese mazemen.

“Bowl, bowl…”

I fill a pan with water and heat it up. While waiting for it to boil, I throw the sauce packet into a bowl. I pour some hot water from the thermos over the sauce to loosen it up.

While the water boils, I gather my add-ins: sliced cheese, gochujang, black pepper, an egg, cheap grain vinegar, garlic from a tube, and some frozen rice for the “chase rice” phase later.

Once the noodles are cooking, I throw the add-ins into the softened sauce and wait a bit.

“Hot, hot…”

After straining the boiled noodles, I dump them into the bowl. I melt the cheese for about 40 seconds in the microwave, crack the egg on top, and voilà! Done.

“Ah…”

I slurp up a bite, followed by a huge gulp of tea from my glass. This is happiness. The rich flavors of the Taiwanese mazemen soak into my sleepy stomach.

“Still, this mazemen… why is it so bland unless I add gochujang and black pepper?”

As a regular at the supervising shop, that’s my honest opinion. I really wish the manufacturer would try a little harder.

I mean, I’m grateful they even sell it, and it’s pretty tasty as-is. But once you’ve had the real deal at the shop, something’s missing. The taste is close, but… it lacks punch, you know? It’s not about flavor concentration, but more about impact.

Just adding some gochujang and black pepper brings it much closer to the shop’s flavor. Why didn’t the manufacturer go for that? They were just one step away from perfection.

If they’d fix that, it would save me the effort of adjusting the flavor myself. I could just follow the instructions, toss in some cheese and an egg, and be done with it.

I’ll say it again: I’m super grateful that they made it into a product. The quality may not match the shop’s, but it’s far cheaper and still tastes close enough with a little tweaking.

Considering how much work it usually takes to cook a proper dish, being able to easily enjoy something close to the shop’s flavor at home is amazing.

──Which is why that final step being missing makes it all the more frustrating. It’s like being unable to scratch that itch!

“Mmm… maybe it’s time for some vinegar.”

As I ponder whether I should send some suggestions to the manufacturer, I casually splash some grain vinegar into the bowl for a flavor change.

Ahh, this mildness is just irresistible. Even just adding vinegar makes such a difference that I never get tired of Taiwanese mazemen.

“Maybe I should stock up on some kelp vinegar like the shop uses…”

But then again, making it just to change up instant noodles seems like a hassle, and buying it would probably be wasteful. I wouldn’t use it enough to justify it.

I mean, I could use it for other dishes, but I’m pretty satisfied with things as they are. It’s undeniable that kelp vinegar would taste better, but even without it, things are just fine.

Come to think of it, after changing up the flavor, I always find myself craving the original punchy taste again… though that’s not really a kelp vinegar issue.

“Time for some chase rice…”

After contemplating the situation, I realize I’ve already eaten most of the noodles. So, it’s time to move on to the chase rice phase. I throw my chopsticks into the sink, grab a spoon, and toss the microwave-warmed rice into the leftover sauce.

“Ahh…”

The marriage of sauce and rice… This is what Taiwanese mazemen is all about.

I chew slowly, savoring the flavor, as I shovel spoonfuls of rice into my mouth. The sauce is so rich that, before I know it, I’ve added more rice than I had noodles. But that’s just the charm of chase rice.

“Mmm, satisfied. Though, my mouth does feel pretty intense now.”

Maybe I went a little overboard for a post-nap lunch, because the lingering aftertaste is pretty strong.

The heavy seasoning is part of it, but the main culprit is probably the garlic I added. I only used a little for flavor, but garlic is still garlic. Combined with the cheese and extra gochujang, the sauce’s richness is on another level.

“Do I have something to cleanse my palate…?”

Tea alone isn’t going to cut it. I need something… maybe a quick snack to reset my taste buds with something sweet.

It’s strange how eating something salty makes you crave something sweet. That salty-sweet cycle is like the Bermuda Triangle.

“Oh, right…”

I suddenly remember that I got a box of baked goods from a regular customer’s band after my shift yesterday.

Apparently, it was a thank-you gift for helping one of their members fend off a creepy guy a while back. I barely remembered the incident, but it seems they brought it up in conversation and decided they should properly thank me. How thoughtful of them.

“Hm…”

After some deliberation, I pick out a snack that looks like a failed macaron.

According to the included menu, it’s called a macaron cookie. Apparently, it’s just the macaron shell without the filling.

I haven’t had many macarons, but I know the chewy part is the best part. Can it still be good without that?

“…”

Just as I’m about to tear open the package to try it, I hear the door click open from the hallway.

“I’m back! …Wait, Haruto-kun!? What are you doing here?!”

“…”

The now all-too-familiar stalker lets herself into the apartment like she owns the place.

But seriously, what’s wrong with me being home? Sure, I skipped class, but stop saying “I’m back” like you live here!

—

**Afterword**

There’s no deep meaning behind it, but one of my favorite ramen shops is “Menya ○○ro.” I often buy their instant noodles. Adding a bit of sliced cheese, black pepper, and gochujang makes it taste incredible.

That aside, to avoid any trouble, I’ll refrain from discussing the story’s settings and details in the afterwords from now on. I’ll also be removing any past comments on these matters, so please understand.

From now on, the afterwords will focus on administrative updates or personal anecdotes. Thank you for your understanding.