NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42
“Hot, hot!? Aaaah…!?”
“What is this sight?”
Such words slipped out naturally. After all, my acquaintance, who’s wearing a bikini apron, is writhing in front of the stove, screaming in pain, so it’s understandable.
As for why this absurd situation is happening, it’s because Chiaki, who greeted me like a fool, started making dinner without even changing her clothes.
“Seriously, she’s so dumb.”
“Excuse me!? But you’re the one who requested this, Haruto-kun!”
“Technically, this whole situation is just Chiaki-san self-destructing.”
Her protest fell on deaf ears. Don’t make it sound worse than it is. Let me make it clear: I didn’t force her into doing something dangerous.
Yes, I did tell her to “make fried chicken in that outfit,” but it was a joke. Also, it was a punishment for her foolish actions.
After startling her a bit, I told her it was a joke, revealing my prank.
…But Chiaki still stood in the kitchen in that ridiculous outfit. While she didn’t attempt to fry anything, she started cooking on her own.
‘This is my chance to serve Haruto-kun my homemade cooking! And seduce him in this outfit at the same time!’
Or so she said. Even thinking back on it now, it’s stupid beyond words.
So, here we are. Chiaki, showing off a dangerously large amount of skin, is moving about the kitchen, attempting to prepare a meal.
Honestly, it’s nerve-wracking to watch, but since she’s doing this of her own volition, I can’t exactly stop her. She’s being reckless, so maybe she should learn a painful lesson.
“Ouch! Ouch, ouch, wait, what!?”
“Bold of you to think you could seduce me like this.”
“I didn’t think the oil would splatter this much—ow!?”
“That’s what happens when you underestimate oil splatter.”
Chiaki, in a nearly half-naked outfit, is wielding a frying pan in the kitchen. Taken out of context, it might seem like a playful scene between a silly couple or a moment from a romantic comedy, but reality is much harsher.
Depending on the outfit, you might not feel it as much, but oil splatters more than you’d imagine.
It’s not just limited to fried foods—this applies to most cooking. Anyone who’s tried stir-frying vegetables in short sleeves would understand.
In short, even though she’s protected by an apron, Chiaki cooking in a bikini is just plain stupid. Ridiculously stupid.
Her goal seems to be seduction, but her screams from the oil splatter are too comical. Instead of being alluring, it’s more laughable and exasperating.
There’s a saying that you need to “cut meat to break bones,” but in Chiaki’s case, she’s not even breaking bones. It’s more like “all pain, no gain.”
“Hey, Haruto-kun!? Sorry, but, ow! Can I go change—ouch!?”
“I think sticking to your original goal is important.”
“Wait, are you actually mad!?”
“No. Honestly, I’m kinda enjoying this as a show.”
“Hey!”
“Of course, I also think you should suffer a bit and learn your lesson.”
“Sorry—ouch!”
“Heh.”
“Did you just laugh through your nose!?”
Honestly, as a show, it’s top-tier. It feels like I’m watching a live recording of an old variety show. The key word here is “old.”
“By the way, Chiaki-san, what are you making?”
“You’re asking now!? Chicken steak!”
“I have to say it again—you’re an idiot.”
“Why!?”
Chicken steak is one of those dishes that splatters a lot of oil. Though it’s easy to make if you have the know-how, given her outfit, it’s not much better than frying food.
Chicken is a fatty ingredient, which is why things like chicken fat exist. Plus, with the cooking oil added in, even with minimal movement during cooking, the oil splatters everywhere.
Honestly, a simmered dish would’ve been better, but changing the menu at the last minute is difficult, even for an experienced cook.
Based on what I know and her exaggerated reactions to the oil, I’d say Chiaki is at an intermediate level of cooking. She can do it, but she’s not entirely comfortable with it yet.
“…Hey, Chiaki-san.”
“What?”
“This is hilarious. Mind if I record a video?”
“No way!? If you film me like this, I’ll never be able to get married—ouch!?”
“Then why are you doing it?”
If you’re seriously considering regretting this on a life-altering level, you normally wouldn’t do it in the first place. …Then again, most normal people wouldn’t do this without the regrets to begin with.
“Well, if you don’t like it, I won’t record it… I just thought it’d be nice to have a video of Chiaki-san in a bikini for myself.”
“Should I strike a pose?”
“I wasn’t expecting that answer, but Chiaki-san, are you sure you’re okay?”
It’s rare for someone to fall for such an obvious trap so enthusiastically. Even calling her dumb wouldn’t do it justice.
They say love makes you blind, but losing even basic human intelligence in the process seems a bit extreme.
“Stop joking! Taking these small steps is important! And when I think about how I’ll be in Haruto-kun’s photo folder, it’s kind of exciting!”
“Uh, sure…”
It seems she’s really not okay. I still don’t understand how her mind works.
“Well, if you’re willing… sure.”
“What pose should I do? Should I exaggerate my reactions more?”
“No, just act natural.”
“Got it!”
I have no idea what she thinks she’s got… Chiaki-san really lives in her own world.
“Hehe. This kinda makes us look like a newlywed couple, right? Ow! The oil’s hot!”
“This is painfully staged.”
Did she not understand my request for something natural? This couldn’t be more forced. …But then again, it does make for interesting content, so I guess it’s fine.
“Sooo! Haruto-kun, what do you plan to do with the video of me in such a compromising outfit?”
“Obviously…”
“Obviously?”
“I’ll send it to your guardians with evidence and have them give you a stern talking-to.”
“Nooooooo!!?”
Too late. I’ve already sent it to our group chat.