Chef's Skillful Hands!

<You Became Best Friends with Rika!>

<Reward: <strong>Best Spike!>

<Do You Want to Accept?>

Yes / No

As the whole class continued to look at me, a notification appeared before my eyes. 'Best smash?' It was offering me an award, and I didn't know whether to accept it or not. Plus, it was starting to feel like a video game.

Without thinking too much, I said yes, and after taking a deep breath, I picked up my bag and headed towards the classroom door.

"Oh, are we going together?"

"No, I'll go alone today."

"Hmhm..."

Rika frowned, but I don't regret my decision. I don't want attention from a beautiful and popular girl from the first day of school. Maybe another time...

I went to the shoe cabinet with my school bag slung over my shoulder. I opened the cabinet with my name on it, took out my sports shoes, and placed them on the floor. I also took off the school shoes I was wearing, put them in the cabinet, closed the door, and once I put on my own sports shoes, I was ready to leave school.

I went out to the garden, and as I started walking towards the school exit, I began to feel something vibrating in the pocket of my pants. I put my hand in my pocket to see what it was. It was my phone. When I took it in my hand and opened it to see what was going on, I noticed that someone was calling me.

'Kyouko Hori?'

The name sounded familiar, but without much thought, I answered the phone and put it to my ear.

"Hello, cousin. I heard you're in Miyagi. I'm sorry I couldn't meet you. When your mom called me, she asked for permission for you to stay at our house. So, I'll send you the location."

The girl on the phone was almost talking to herself, not leaving much room for me to speak.

"Um, okay..." That was all I could say.

"Alright then, see you."

As I was about to close the phone and put it back in my pocket, a notification sound came. 'So fast?' When I opened the phone again, I had received Hori's location. It was a nearly half-hour walk, a few kilometers away from school. It wasn't far, and exercising is always good for a young body. So, walking would be good for me.

After the calculated half-hour walk, I reached the location Hori sent me. Looking at the building in front of me, it was an ordinary two-story house with a small garden. The walls of the garden were made of bricks. I entered through the gate and walked towards the house's door through the path in the garden. I looked at the name written on the doorbell.

"Hori Residence."

With a press of my index finger, the door opened in less than a second. It was as if it had been waiting for this moment all this time. Hori had a beautiful smile on her face. Her hair hung down to her shoulders, and she was wearing a kitchen apron.

"Welcome, Finn-kun."

"Thank you."

Before entering the house, Hori observed me from head to toe and began to say:

"Wow, you're still taller than me even though you're in your first year of high school. It seems you take good care of yourself."

She was right, I have no doubt that my body is healthy, and I'm probably around 1.75 meters tall. Anyway, I have no issues with my height, so without much thought, I took off my shoes and entered the Horis' house.

"Where is your family?"

"Oh, don't worry. They went abroad for a long time, so the house is entrusted to me."

"Why didn't you go with them?"

"Both school and the house couldn't be left empty, so I let them go. Besides, my mom promised that she would take me next time."

This means I'll be living alone in the same house with a girl. I hope I won't do anything that will cause a problem.

"When your mom called, she said she would send your suitcase with a courier. So, you can wear some of my dad's clothes until your suitcase arrives. Also, I recommend taking a shower while the bathroom is still warm. Dinner will be ready soon."

While Hori continued talking, she also showed me the room where I would be staying. It was in a guest room style, but still the size of a regular room with a comfortable-looking bed and a bedside table. In the center of the table, there was a small authentic plant.

"Do you like your room?"

"Yes, it feels peaceful and comfortable."

"Drop off your bag and wait for me. I'll bring you a few clothes to wear."

Hori quickly walked away from me, went into her father's room, picked up some clothes, and came back to me, handing them over. After taking the clothes from Hori, she pointed out where the bathroom was.

When I opened the bathroom door, the warm air and humidity inside affected my entire body. I entered and started to undress. At the same time, I was preparing the water to warm up. After removing all my clothes, I started to wash.

The scent of the shampoo was different from what I was used to, but it was very pleasant. So, I was sure my body would smell as sweet as a girl's.

After finishing the wash, I started to dry off. Among the clothes Hori gave me, there was a towel. After drying my entire body, I started to get dressed. I stood in front of the mirror with the help of a hair dryer to dry my still slightly damp hair.

After a little effort, I gave my hair a neat look and I was ready. I walked out of the bathroom with the clothes I was wearing and started down the hallway towards the living room. When I entered the living room, I saw Hori in the kitchen, putting food on plates.

The kitchen was connected to the living room, with only a nearly waist-high partition separating the two.

"You've just come out of the shower, and dinner is just ready. Would you help me set the table?"

"Of course."

Hori continued to prepare the meal while I wiped the table with a cloth and set two glasses, two spoons, and forks on the table. When Hori finished preparing the food, she approached the table with a tray and, after placing it on the table, arranged the plates.

"If you wait a moment, I'll prepare the salad."

"No problem, I'll wait."

Hori returned to the kitchen to prepare the salad. Meanwhile, I pulled the chair next to the table slightly back and sat down. The meal Hori made smelled wonderful.

'Stew, huh?'

It smelled delicious. Also, I couldn't help but be amazed that Hori could make such meals at such a young age. It was clear that she would cook beautiful meals for her future husband.

After finishing the meal, I began to feel full. I was about to help Hori clear the dining table, but a hologram appeared before my eyes again.

"You've enjoyed Hori's delicious meals!"

<Reward: Chef's Skillful Hands!>

<Do You Want to Accept?>

Yes / No.