Otonari No Tenshi - sama Ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen Ni Sareteita Ken
Chapter 12: Cooking Lessons under Tenshi Guidance

Although Amane could handle lunch in the school cafeteria, it was a different case on his days off. They have their own business, and where possible lunch together. To be honest, he was probably in too much of a hurry to ask for lunch.

After all, someone had already cooked dinner for him, so he should at least think of his own lunch on his day off.

But if he goes to the minimarket and eats there, "You have to balance your nutrition." Mahiru would nag her, and Amane would feel embarrassed about having to eat out all the time.

So, lunch on his days off was the most troublesome thing.

"... Do I have to cook?"

Amane had no reason to go out, so he stayed home. An hour from noon, He began to contemplate what He should have had for lunch.

This would be the point where Mahiru would cook without hesitation, but she could not do so.

Well, at least the cooking wasn't completely ruined.

Amane wouldn't make the black mosaic dishes that are usually shown in manga. Ignoring his appearance and taste, He could make something edible, and though He would make something close to edible, not just edible, He could at least make something to eat.

But since Amane was already familiar with Mahiru's cooking, the question arose as to whether he could eat his own cooking. No one will cook a bad meal for no reason.

(... Ah ~, I really became a useless person thanks to Mahiru.)

He became a food prisoner of Mahiru.

But Amane really didn't want to go out, and he was fed up with the food from the convenience store.

Because Amane was so dependent on Mahiru, he didn't realize how important cooking was, but at the very least, he had to challenge her.

Mahiru could not always be by his side. Although he now has a good relationship with Mahiru, their high school period is still two years away, and something may happen that will break this relationship. The two would split up in college, and it was impossible to maintain the current situation.

(It's time I had to try a little.)

After considering the possibilities in the future, Amane decided to work hard, so he stood up from the sofa, and took his wallet.

"Huh? You went to the supermarket?"

Fortunately or not, when Amane returns from the supermarket, he meets Mahiru at the apartment gate.

It seemed like he had also just returned, holding a bag from a nearby stationery store.

"Yes." Yeah." There was no need to hide it, and Amane carried a bag of groceries. Mahiru herself looked at him with an incredulous look.

"Huh, what you bought yesterday wasn't enough? I thought you'd buy whatever I wrote on the note ..."

"Bu-Not that .. actually, I want to cook lunch for myself."

"... Amane-kun's."

After some explanation, Mahiru looked at him in shock.

That's a reasonable reaction. Amane always relied on Mahiru, and before meeting him, he lived through side dishes and food from the convenience store. But Amane is now telling me that he's going to cook, and that's unbelievable for Mahiru.

"I'll tell you not to do this stupid thing. You're gonna hurt yourself, you know?"

"... Hey, at least I can cook something, okay?"

"But that means ignoring possible injuries, the taste of food and appearance, right?"

Mahiru's accurate description left him speechless.

Amane also felt the same way, and could not argue.

"I won't stop you if you want to do it, but if you keep pursuing the ideal while ignoring reality, you'll feel disappointed."

"... You're right."

The ideal is Mahiru cuisine. He has confidence in his own cooking, and Amane has eaten it every day, praising how delicious it is, so Mahiru knows that Amane loves his cooking.

"But yeah, you want to, I have to wait for my diet. Once we get into college, when I have to live alone, I can't count on, Mahiru."

If He over-consumes Mahiru, He will be very surprised if one day Mahiru no longer exists. Amane became a useless human thanks to him, but at least, he wanted to be able to do something at least.

Mahiru widened her eyes hearing those words, and looked slightly impressed as she sighed.

"... I think it's a good attitude to think about your future, but this is where you have to rely more on me, right?"

"Eh?"

"It's better for me to observe when something happens, than to ruin everything without being disturbed. Amane-kun, are you sure you didn't make the kitchen a mess?"

"... Not really."

It is said that people who are not good at cooking cannot keep the kitchen clean, and he also feels the same way. Amane could not deny it, because he felt that once he used the kitchen, he would cause chaos.

"I think so." As soon as Amane nodded, Mahiru flatly took notes with a sigh.

"I think it's better if I'm there."

"May I ask you to do that?"

"I wouldn't suggest that if I didn't have the intention to do it."

His voice remained aloof, but Mahiru said it was for Amane's sake, so he didn't mind at all.

Amane lowered his head, feeling grateful, "You don't need to be so formal.", Mahiru answered frantically, and He smiled back, entering the elevator to his apartment together with him.

"... By the way, do you have an apron?"

"Don't worry. I bought it to use during cooking lessons."

"Do you use it?"

"Yes, but since then it's been pointless."

"I think so."

After expecting that answer, Mahiru sighed, and entered the Amane apartment with her. She does have an apron in Amane's apartment, and another one of hers. The apron Amane usually sees will be used in his apartment, it seems.

Mahiru tied an apron, and as usual, tied her hair into a ponytail. Mahiru saw Amane take a bright brown apron from the back of her closet, and narrowed her eyes.

"You don't usually wear an apron, Amane-kun. It feels weird."

"Silent. Sorry about that."

"Well, that's to be expected ... I think you decided on the menu because you bought your ingredients."

Mahiru glanced towards the shopping bag on the shelf, and Amane nodded.

"Fried vegetables and omelet."

"... Vegetables 'cause I told you to pay attention to your nutrition, and omelet because you like eggs."

"You understand that very well."

"I expected it after a little thought. What about the seasoning for the vegetables?"

"This. There's a bottle of my sure sauce."

"Attractive taste for guys .. even though it's delicious ..."

"If it's usable, it's good for cooking, right?"

If there's no kajakiku sauce, he intends to add it with pepper and soy sauce. Thankfully there was that sauce, Amane secretly thought so.

Amane intended to use everything he could to cook, so he thanked the sauce while imitating Mahiru, washing her hands.

As he did that, Mahiru prepared the equipment, lined up the groceries for the convenience of Amane. Such an ability really impressed him.

"For fried vegetables, you need to slice them, and make sure that they are cooked evenly ... do you know how to cut them?"

"Do you think I'm an idiot."

At least he can cut vegetables. It might be bad, but he knows how to use it.

Mahiru had advised him, given him an example, but he knew that Amane wanted to be independent, and did not interfere. Once there was a chance of danger, he would adjust a little, but as he began to get used to it and did not do as he was told, Amane began to mess with it.

"... Ow."

He groaned as he looked at his finger that was injured by a knife and bleeding.

Amane washed it with running water, but the wound still felt sore.

"... I have a feeling this is gonna happen. Here, try to give me your hand."

Mahiru took the handsaplas out of her apron pocket, wrapped it neatly, and Amane felt grateful and impressed.

"You prepared it well."

"It would be strange if it didn't happen to people who are bad at cooking."

"You don't believe me at all."

Amane knew very well that after injuring his finger, He could not be trusted, so He replied jokingly.

"But well, I've seen how hard you try, Amane-kun. It's very impressive."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"You should have called me from the beginning."

"I don't want to bother you with something like this on the weekends."

"I admit that you've worked hard, but you've failed, you don't know how to handle it, and you have to bother me. You should have asked me from the beginning."

"Yes." Yeah."

It was just a minor injury, but if Amane caused a mess in the kitchen or misused electronics, he would be utterly desperate.

What Mahiru said made sense, so He could not argue.

"... Don't fry. You could cause a fire."

"My level hasn't been that high."

"Frying is not too difficult, anyway ... I'm amazed you managed to live alone."

"Sorry about that."

I was going to spend my life in the convenience store, Amane deliberately replied in annoyance, but Mahiru looked towards him in panic.

Amane wasn't sad or angry, so Mahiru shouldn't have to worry, but he looked worried.

"... Well, since you don't dare to fry, Amane-kun, you can tell me in advance if you want to."

"I'm going to kiss-katsu tomorrow."

He said solemnly, his mood seems to be improving. Mahiru looked relieved as she exhaled a little.

"Eat the cabbage salad. I'll make miso soup full of vegetables."

"Yes yes .. thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything."

Amane is always taken care of by Mahiru, and his tirade comes out of his worry for Amane, so while he grumbles at Mahiru's nagging, he sincerely thanks her. Without her, Amane would not be able to lead a healthy school life.

Feeling a little embarrassed, "You've helped me a lot." Amane quietly whispered, and looked towards the vegetables again.

...----------------...

"Itadakimasu."

"Oh."

After battling the vegetables for over an hour, there was a plate of messy vegetables on the table, a beautiful-looking omelet.

Of course, a beautiful omelet is a sample made by Mahiru, and it would be more appropriate to call the Amane omelet a scrambled egg.

Just to note, it was a taste test, so the Amane omelet (or whatever it was) was in Mahiru, while in front of her was an authentic omelet of pretty shape.

They clapped, thanked them, and moved their chopsticks. Mahiru took the porous-looking egg, and ate it.

"... There is no taste in these scrambled eggs. Did you forget to add salt and pepper?"

"I forgot. And I'm supposed to make an omelet."

"You turned the egg around too much, and I even told you to stop when it turned into soboro ..."

"Sorry."

Amane forgot to add the seasoning because Mahiru was busy with her omelet, but mostly, she did follow her instructions. His taste and appearance were different due to his own mistakes.

For the record, Mahiru-made omelets are very soft, smooth, and very tasty. There is a difference in the standard.

"... But I understand that you work hard, Amane-kun, especially for your abilities. What matters is the attitude to do good. If I don't keep an eye on you, just cleaning it up will definitely be troublesome, so I hope you can improvise for the future."

"... Am I not relying on you too much now?"

"Did you just say it at this point?"

"U."

"Well, I'm kidding. I love cooking for others, and I also love teaching others to cook, so it doesn't matter."

"... Thanks for everything."

It was because of Mahiru's kindness that He could have life today, and thus He could not lift his head.

But if Amane kept his head down, Mahiru would be displeased, so as soon as He saw it was time, He raised his head and peered towards Mahiru.

For some reason, Mahiru looked a little sad.

"If you can finally cook, don't you need to rely on me, Amane-kun?"

If Amane can cook for himself, Mahiru does not need to make dinner for him.

Realizing what he was thinking, Amane immediately shook his head.

"No, actually ... I still want to eat your cooking, Mahiru .. Your cooking is the best, and I really want to eat it. That's a useless, selfish request of me."

Amane knew it was selfish for him to say that when he was the one who benefitted, but he preferred to eat Mahiru's cooking over his.

Also, Amane is infatuated with his cooking, and without it, he may have a mental breakdown of epic proportions.

As soon as He asked her in this pleading manner, Mahiru widened her eyes, and smiled.

The lonely expression on his face also disappeared.

"Silver. I guess I had no choice at the time. I have no intention of stopping now. Just relax."

"... Thank you." Thank you."

Amane saw his anxiety disappear, and felt relieved, thanking him again. A faint smile still remained on Mahiru's face.

"I'll let you help from time to time, like using a peeler and such, or measuring the amount."

"It sounds like a kid helping you."

"You should start from there, Amane-kun."

In fact, Amane's skills were still at the level of children, and could not refute him with a frown. Once again, Mahiru smiled happily.