139 [139] Hachiman is being squeezed again

Chapter 139: Hachiman is being squeezed again

As they observed Hachiman's newfound childlike demeanor, smiles graced the faces of the girls.

"I told you, this kid is definitely okay," Shizuka cheerfully shrugged and then called out to Hachiman.

"Hey, kiddo, hurry up and make dinner. I'm starving," she declared, leaving Hachiman feeling somewhat helpless.

Just moments ago, they had scolded him, and now they wanted him to cook for them. It felt as if he had transformed into an oppressed laborer.

However, the rumbling of their collective stomachs couldn't be ignored, and Hachiman himself was starting to feel hunger gnawing at him. For the sake of his own appetite, he had no choice but to get to work in the kitchen.

As Hachiman worked solo in the kitchen, both Haruno and Yukino were taken aback. They had never expected that Hachiman, a guy, would be the one preparing the meal.

Just as Yukino was about to offer her assistance, Shizuka intercepted her.

"Don't worry, this guy can handle it on his own. His culinary skills are top-notch, even Miss Erina couldn't stop praising him."

Erina, who was nearby, let out a slight hum of disagreement.

"Hmm, his cooking might be just a tad better than mine, but the taste is indeed quite good."

"Haha, Erina, you're just trying to save face. Clearly, you lost to Hachiman-kun twice, and you're still putting up a front," Alice chimed in without holding back.

Alice proceeded to recount the two times that Hachiman had bested Erina in cooking competitions. It was worth noting that both Erina and Alice hailed from renowned culinary schools in their homeland, and among their peers, only a few could surpass their cooking skills.

As the renowned "Tongue of God," Erina was widely acclaimed for her exceptional tasting abilities, often featured in prestigious gourmet magazines. Despite her tender age of fifteen, she had sampled an astounding number of dishes, with countless chefs willing to pay handsomely for her expertise in identifying flaws in their creations and suggesting improvements.

For Erina to declare something as "delicious" or "not bad" was an unequivocal endorsement of Hachiman's culinary prowess. This revelation only heightened the curiosity and amplified the expectations of the Yukinoshita sisters regarding Hachiman's cooking.

In less than an hour, a sumptuous dinner had been meticulously prepared.

Borscht, rendang, sushi, mapo tofu, sliced mushrooms, and a variety of other delectable dishes graced the table. Each dish seemed to glisten with a certain enchantment, as if they possessed a magical allure.

"Itadakimasu!" the girls exclaimed in unison, and dinner officially commenced.

Komachi: "Mmm... Onii-chan, your cooking is truly amazing."

Kokoro: "Absolutely, it's way better than what sis makes. I wish we could have this every day."

Kotonoha: "Kokoro, don't say such things."

Yui: "Even better than Mom's cooking."

Yumiko: "It's seriously impressive, feels like we have a master chef from a fancy hotel."

Hina: "I'm just an emotionless eating machine."

Shizuka: "Emotionless eating machine +1."

Haruno: "Better than Yukino-chan... no, Yukino-chan's cooking is the best."

Yukino: "Onee-san, no need to say more, Hikigaya-kun's cooking is indeed much better than mine."

Utaha: "Truly my knight in shining armor, your cooking skills are fantastic."

Saeko: "Hachiman-kun is indeed amazing."

Erina: "Hmph, he's just a tad better than me, just a tad."

Hisako: "Miss Erina is the absolute best."

Leonora blushed and covered her face shyly. "Oh my, this feeling is like reliving the first date with darling, the tender embrace, the passionate kisses, and that powerful impact..."

Alice: "Ah, Mom, you're way too lewd. How can you casually say such things?"

As they savored the delectable dishes, their faces beamed with contentment. Then, they all turned their gaze toward Hachiman.

Hachiman: "..."

Hachiman, who had been nibbling on Rendang, understood their thoughts when he saw their expressions.

"Alright, I get it. I'll handle all the cooking from now on, including the meals before you leave."

"Why do I feel like I'm becoming an exploited laborer more and more?" Hachiman couldn't help but express his sense of helplessness.

He had chosen the venue, paid the expenses, and now, in the end, he was the one responsible for the cooking. He found himself in quite a predicament.

"Yay!"

Upon hearing his agreement, the girls cheered and continued to relish the delectable dishes.

Witnessing the joyful smiles on their faces, Hachiman couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment, despite his initial reluctance.

---

After dinner.

Naturally, the girls took on the task of cleaning up and tidying the place.

Saeko and Kotonoha were in the kitchen, washing the dishes. Somehow, Saeko had managed to make Kotonoha's face blush with her words.

Yui, Yumiko, and Hina collaborated to clear the table, efficiently tidying up the aftermath of their scrumptious meal.

Erina, as the tea master, had taken charge of setting up the tea utensils for everyone.

Given her status as the heiress of the Nakiri Conglomerate, Erina had naturally delved deep into the art of the tea ceremony. She brought a regal air to the proceedings.

As the girls meticulously prepared tea, Erina's radiant golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, enhancing her fair and delicate features. Her lips curved into a serene smile, and her unwavering violet eyes remained focused.

Her slender, porcelain-like fingers moved with grace through the air, leaving behind elegant trails as she performed the intricate tea preparations. There was a captivating beauty in her movements.

Once the tea was ready, Erina graciously offered it to the eldest member of the group, Leonora.

"Aunt Leonora, please enjoy your tea."

"Thank you, Erina dear."

Leonora, with an elegant smile, accepted the tea cup, embodying the poise of a true aristocrat.

The tea then made its way to Shizuka, Saeko, and the others, before finally reaching Hachiman.

Holding a cup of steaming tea that emitted delicate wisps of steam, Erina hesitated briefly before handing it to him.

"This is for you."

"Thank you, Miss Erina."

Hachiman accepted the tea cup, and as he took a sip, he found the temperature and aroma to be perfect, bringing a soothing quality to the moment.

"It tastes quite good."

"Of course, this is tea personally brewed by me. While your cooking might be slightly better than mine, when it comes to the art of tea ceremony, you're far behind."

Upon hearing Hachiman's compliment, Erina tilted her head slightly, revealing her tsundere nature once again. However, this time, there was a clear smile playing on her lips.

Observing Erina's demeanor, Hachiman couldn't help but chuckle in amusement. He hadn't expected her to engage in a competition in this particular realm. To be fair, he hadn't delved into the intricacies of the tea ceremony, so it was clear that the girls held the upper hand in this regard.

"Well, I concede when it comes to the art of tea ceremony; Miss Erina is undoubtedly the master."

"Hmph, good to know."

Erina released a satisfied hum and gracefully raised her own cup of clear tea. Yet, beneath the lid of the tea cup, her smile conveyed a subtle sense of triumph.