Ai's teasing made Kai angry as he clenched his fists.
"You stupid goddess! Your character creation has caused so much trouble. She wouldn't let leave, so I had no choice but to stay overnight!" Kai grumbled, though his face flushed as he rembered spending the night cuddling with Aya.
"And look at you, one little tease from a girl and you're already spending the night with her! I know you've never dated anyone in your life, but you're way too quick to lose your virginity. Maybe you should just beco a gigolo! HAHAHA!" Ai burst out laughing.
"Ugh! I'm not easy! And for your information, I'm still a virgin! Staying at Aya's house was purely innocent—just sleeping! Don't lump in with the stupid harem novel MCs like that sleazeball Haruto!" Kai shot back, stepping closer to Ai, their foreheads nearly touching in defiance.
"Oh? What, you want to fight now?" Ai smirked, raising a fist. "You're so bad at being honest. People like you make my job as the Goddess of Love even harder!"
"Argh! You gorilla goddess!" Kai dodged Ai's punch with a yelp.
"Hah! Coward. You're a scaredy-cat gigolo!"
"Who are you calling a gigolo?!" Kai was about to argue further when he sniffed the air. "Hey, crazy goddess, what are you cooking? I didn't know you could even cook."
"Don't underestimate ! Of course, the Goddess of Love can cook! I'm making soup, but I'm not sharing it with you!" Ai snapped, guarding the pot defensively.
"What does being the Goddess of Love have to do with cooking? And... are you sure that's soup? It's pitch black and looks like it's emitting dark energy," Kai said, approaching cautiously.
Suddenly, the pot burst into flas, sending both of them into a panic.
"You idiot goddess! Are you trying to cook or burn my house down?!" Kai grabbed a wet towel and extinguished the fire.
"H-How did this happen? It was supposed to be perfect! I followed a tutorial on WTube!" Ai looked devastated.
"Perfect at burning down my house, maybe," Kai said, flicking her forehead.
"I didn't an for this to happen. I was starving all night because you didn't co ho, so I tried cooking this morning..." Ai muttered, looking downcast.
"Fine, it's partly my fault for not coming ho. I'll cook, you just sit there and stay out of trouble, you clumsy goddess," Kai said, rolling up his sleeves.
He donned an apron, dumped Ai's failed soup, and started cooking from scratch. With practiced ease, Kai prepared miso soup and grilled fish, asuring ingredients like a pro. The delicious aroma filled the room, making Ai's stomach growl loudly.
Unable to contain herself, Ai watched Kai cook, her cheeks flushing slightly.
He's surprisingly reliable when he's like this. Not bad for a lousy side character. If only he weren't so grumpy and obsessed with ani, otaku... maybe... No! Stop thinking about this idiot!
Soon, Kai served the food. Ai eagerly reached for it but got her hand slapped.
"What kind of goddess has no table manners? At least say Ittadakimasu before eating!"
"Hmph! Why should I? I'm a goddess of love, not so mortal!" Ai pouted.
"Yeah, a goddess who fell from heaven, hahaha," Kai teased, making Ai blush.
"Fine! Ittadakimasu!" Ai dug in ravenously, her hunger taking over.
Inwardly, Kai sighed. This goddess isn't good at anything except hitting . Guess I'll have to cook for her from now on so she doesn't starve.
...
After breakfast, the two got ready for school. Ai left first, and Kai followed soon after.
On his way, soone suddenly hugged him from behind.
"Guess who~?" ca a playful, familiar voice.
Kai instantly recognized Aya from her scent and soft presence.
"Aya, stop that. If people see, they'll get the wrong idea," he said, gently freeing himself.
"Hehe, why so shy, Kai? You were hugging tightly in bed last night!" Aya teased, grinning.
"Th-that was... an accident!" Kai stamred, his face turning red as the mory flashed back.
"Sure it was," Aya giggled. "Co on, let's walk to school together." She grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
"You waited for just so we could walk together, didn't you?" Kai asked.
"You caught ! Is that a problem?" Aya replied innocently.
"No... it's fine," Kai admitted, knowing he couldn't say no to her.
At school, they were greeted by Haruto, who was waiting by their desks.
"Aya, I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I couldn't control myself," Haruto said, looking remorseful.
"Umm... it's okay, Haruto-kun. Just don't let it happen again," Aya said kindly, though she seed uncomfortable.
Kai thought to himself, Stupid harem MC! Acting all innocent now when you were totally trying to pull sothing yesterday!
"Hey Bakachin! Sorry about yesterday. Even though you hit too, I still won, haha!" Haruto said, grinning.
"Are you apologizing or trying to pick a fight?" Kai growled. "I'll let it slide this ti, but if you ss with Aya again, you'll regret it!"
"Got it," Haruto replied, smirking slyly.
The teacher entered, and class began.
...
After school, Aya imdiately clung to Kai and invited him to walk ho together. Kai had accepted this as part of his new routine. He had resolved to always walk ho with Aya to ensure Haruto wouldn't bother her again. Besides, he didn't want Aya to dislike him, forcing him to restart this scenario or face punishnt from that crazy Goddess of Love.
When they reached Aya's house, she turned to him with a bright smile.
"Kai, co on in! I was planning to cook dinner tonight. Oh, but unfortunately, you can't stay over because my mom's coming ho early."
"Where did you get the idea that I wanted to stay over again? No, absolutely not! But cooking together sounds fine. I'd like to bring so of the food ho, too."
"Oh, is your family ho?" Aya asked curiously.
"No, my parents are overseas for a while. It's just and my cousin living at ho temporarily."
"Really? Is your cousin a girl?" Aya asked with a faint hint of jealousy.
"HAH?! N-no way! He's a guy with the strength of a gorilla! He's lazy, incompetent, broke, can't cook, and dumb!" Kai vented, relishing the opportunity to criticize Ai.
In Kai's mind: I can't tell her my housemate is a girl and not even related to . That would cause a scandal. So I'll stick with calling Ai a guy. Though honestly, her strength really is gorilla-like.
"Okay, I see," Aya said, relieved.
They headed to the kitchen and started cooking together. They decided to make curry and karaage.
Kai noticed how skilled Aya was in the kitchen, and Aya admired how deftly Kai handled the vegetables and chicken. Neither of them realized how flustered they looked as they worked side by side.
When Aya struggled to cut a particularly hard carrot, Kai instinctively stepped in, standing behind her and guiding her hands. He felt the soft warmth of her skin.
Suddenly, a notification popped up in front of Kai:
---
[Physical contact detected!]
View heroine's status:
Na: Takashima Aya
Affection Level: 3/5
Thoughts: "Kai is so gentle and reliable..I want to hug and sleep with him again."
---
Kai froze, realizing their current position looked like a newlywed couple cooking together. He had acted purely on reflex.
"Uwaah! Sorry, Aya! I didn't an to..." Kai quickly let go of her hands.
But Aya gently took his hands back, blushing slightly.
"It's okay, Kai... Could you guide just a bit more?" she asked shyly.
Kai's heart raced. From this angle, it felt like he was hugging Aya from behind. He could even catch the faint scent of her hair, which made his mind race. He clenched his willpower to keep himself composed.
After cooking, they sat down to eat. Aya was clearly delighted with the al and even tried to feed Kai, though he refused, his face red with embarrassnt. Aya just laughed, enjoying his reaction.
Once they finished, Kai packed so of the curry and karaage to take ho for Ai.
"Well, Aya, I hope your mom enjoys the food," Kai said.
"She will! I loved it, after all. Thank you, Kai," Aya replied with a sweet smile.
They parted ways, and Kai walked ho.
...
When Kai arrived, he heard a loud rumbling sound. At first, he thought it was a thunderstorm, but the weather outside was perfectly clear.
He followed the noise to the dining room and found Ai lying on the floor, looking pale and weak. The rumbling was coming from her stomach.
"HEY, STUPID GODDESS! Don't die yet! You haven't fixed my life back to normal, so you can't leave peacefully!" Kai yelled, shaking her awake.
"You... worthless mob character... You dare to let the Goddess of Love starve to death...?" Ai groaned, sounding like she was uttering her last words.
Kai hurriedly unpacked the karaage and forced a piece into Ai's mouth. Her cheeks puffed up as she chewed.
"MMMFMMNHM!! UMMUHHUMMSMMMAH.....DELICIOUS!!" Ai ca back to life, scarfing down the karaage like her life depended on it.
"Hey, slow down! Here, have so rice and curry too, or you won't feel full," Kai said, handing her the rest.
"HUMPH!" Ai grabbed the food and continued eating ravenously.
When Kai reminded her to slow down, she hissed at him like a protective cat guarding her al.
"Okay, okay, I won't take it! Geez, this crazy goddess turns feral when she's hungry. You really can't do anything without ," Kai said with a resigned laugh.
As he left for his room, he heard Ai mutter, "T-thank you for the food. Next ti, try making steak."
"Yeah, yeah, you gluttonous goddess," Kai called back, shaking his head but smiling faintly.
Inwardly, Ai felt a strange warmth in her chest. She muttered to herself: What's with him? Acting like he cares... even though he's just a mob character. Her face flushed red as she spoke.
...
The next day at school, Kai found himself unexpectedly caught in a serious situation he never saw coming.
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