As soon as Haruno spoke, Utaha felt as if the world around her had been put on mute.
Haruno stood there, her smile friendly yet carrying a hint of sothing deeper.
From the couch behind them, Hiratsuka Shizuka and Kato gumi continued their conversation. Yukino, outwardly calm, was quietly paying attention to the exchange.
It took Utaha less than a second to shift from initial surprise and nervousness to a composed and steady mindset.
"What are you talking about, Miss Haruno?" she asked, her beautifully made-up face showing just the right amount of confusion.
Haruno's voice remained warm. "You and Haru?"
Utaha responded smoothly, "Oh, that's what you an? I'm a mber of the photography club, and I know him very well."
"Only answering that and avoiding my actual question—isn't that a bit too obvious?"
"I don't know exactly what you're implying, Miss Haruno, but from your tone, it seems like you're not very friendly toward …"
She smiled faintly. "There's a book that says: If you approach soone with preconceived malice, no matter how they respond, you'll always twist it into the answer you want to hear."
Haruno waved a hand, still smiling. "No need to be so tense. I was just asking casually."
As she turned away, she subtly exchanged a glance with her sister.
Yukino understood her aning imdiately.
This Kasumigaoka girl is quite impressive.
That was what Haruno's eyes conveyed.
Kato gumi, as if completely unaware of their silent conversation, continued answering Hiratsuka's questions about the photography club with sincerity.
By the ti Haruno and Utaha reached the kitchen doorway, they were instantly hit by a rich and mouthwatering aroma.
Neither of them had eaten dinner yet, purposely saving their appetite.
Now, with that irresistible scent in the air, they both instinctively swallowed.
"Give another thirty minutes," Haru said, catching the mont they both looked a little too eager. He assud they had co to rush him.
Haruno didn't bother hiding her surprise. "This is the 'inferior' cooking that Yukino was talking about?"
"Judging by the sll alone, I'd say this al is going to be absolutely delicious."
Utaha's admiration for Haru deepened as she gazed at him, her eyes sparkling.
As expected of the man I like!
"If you can already tell how amazing my cooking is, why are you still standing here, disturbing ?" Haru asked, deliberately acting impatient.
Neither of them took offense.
Utaha chuckled. "Need any help? I've been working on my cooking skills during the holidays."
"No need."
Haru rejected the offer outright.
His cooking skills had already surpassed Yukino's by a significant margin. Having soone less skilled assist him would only slow him down, as he would instinctively want to correct their mistakes.
It wasn't that he was a perfectionist, but when he had the ability to do sothing exceptionally well, he found it hard to settle for diocrity.
"Haru, can I have a taste of that chicken nugget?"
Haruno's sharp eyes imdiately locked onto the plate of chicken nuggets.
Without even turning his head, Haru replied, "No sneaking bites."
"But I'm really hungry."
Haruno's unusually honest response caught Haru off guard.
"If you're hungry, go to the living room and have so cookies. I prepared cake and biscuits for you all," he refused again.
"But after seeing your cooking, how could cookies possibly satisfy ?" Haruno said in a teasing tone.
Haru shot her a glance, wondering if she was being suggestive on purpose.
Utaha also wanted a taste, but she wasn't as thick-skinned as Haruno.
Instead, she simply leaned against the doorfra, silently watching Haru cook, enjoying the view.
Seeing that Haru wasn't giving her a chance to sneak a bite, Haruno sighed dramatically. "Haru, you've really changed. You used to care about first and foremost."
"Haruno, stop talking nonsense," ca a voice from behind.
Haruno and Utaha turned to see Hiratsuka Shizuka walking over, rolling her eyes.
"That last comnt of yours was way too misleading. Don't talk to your juniors like that," Shizuka scolded.
"But Haru and I are so close—it's fine," Haruno responded with an unconcerned smile.
Shizuka was about to say more when her nose twitched. She caught the irresistible scent wafting from the kitchen.
"This sll… Haru, are you making beef? No, wait… I also sll vegetable salad."
She swallowed unconsciously.
"You have a sharp nose, Hiratsuka-sensei. Yes, I'm making beef and vegetable salad. The next dish is waka tofu soup," Haru confird.
Shizuka nodded instinctively. "Soup is definitely essential for dinner."
Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, she started moving toward the kitchen.
Haruno grabbed her hand. "Where do you think you're going?"
Shizuka coughed, forcing a smile. "I just want to observe his cooking up close."
"Are you sure you're not just trying to steal a bite?" Haruno exposed her without hesitation.
"What are you talking about? Why would I do that? It's normal for a chef to taste-test their food while cooking."
"So, Shizuka, you want to be the taste-tester? Get in line, and make sure I'm ahead of you."
"Haruno… so you also…"
Watching their back-and-forth banter, Utaha's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
Is this what Hiratsuka-sensei is like in private?
She recalled that Shizuka was quite popular at school.
Because of her excellence, Utaha often heard bits of gossip from other teachers.
For instance, while Shizuka seed straightforward and carefree, she was actually thoughtful and possessed a mature woman's unique gentleness.
Her car was an outrageously expensive sports car, way out of reach for the average household.
And once, a teacher had seen hidden shonen manga tucked away in her desk drawer.
Now, looking at the mature beauty in front of her, Utaha had to admit—whether in figure or appearance, Shizuka was undeniably attractive.
Her well-maintained black hair was striking, and her fitted suit pants accentuated her long legs. Perhaps due to her maturity, her thighs and waist-to-hip ratio were particularly well-proportioned.
Utaha thought to herself—if she strictly maintained her figure, she could probably achieve a similarly voluptuous body in the future.
Then, Haru's voice broke the mont.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, no sneaking bites in my kitchen."
Shizuka, who had been joking around with Haruno, froze.
Haru continued, unfazed, "And as for taste-testing, that's my job. After all, I'm the one responsible for making sure the al tastes perfect."
Caught red-handed, Shizuka's face flushed. Having her craving exposed so bluntly, she had no choice but to cover up her embarrassnt. "Fair enough. I'll just wait outside, then."
She quickly retreated, afraid that if she stayed any longer, she might actually blurt out a request for a bite.
Haruno chuckled helplessly. "Fine, I'll go sit down too."
As she walked away, she deliberately muttered, "Haru's all grown up now. He doesn't like anymore… how heartbreaking."
Haru remained unfazed.
Haruno, watching him from the corner of her eye, saw his lack of reaction and finally gave up her act, sighing in defeat as she left.
Now, only Utaha remained by the door.
Haru plated the beef and vegetable salad and gestured toward her. "Want to try so?"
His [Drugging] skill had been thoroughly tested. Simply tasting a dish wouldn't trigger its effect.
"Eh?"
Utaha blinked, then broke into a sweet smile. "Didn't you just say no sneaking bites?"
"Yeah. No sneaking bites. But you can help taste-test."
Haru maintained a very thodical double standard.
Utaha's smile grew even brighter as she stepped forward, parting her lips.
Haru picked up a piece of beef, blew on it to ensure it wasn't too hot, and gently placed it into her mouth.
The mont the beef touched her tongue, Utaha's eyes lit up.
"So good!"
The taste was leagues beyond her mother's cooking.
It was also the most delicious thing she had ever eaten.
"I want another piece."
She leaned in, opening her mouth in front of Haru, revealing her soft pink tongue and pearly white teeth.
Haru chuckled and shook his head. "A taste test should be just that—one bite is enough. You need to hold onto that anticipation for later, or else the excitent of the al will be lost."
Utaha found his logic a bit odd.
But she agreed nonetheless.
As Haru was preparing the soup, Yukino entered the kitchen.
She paid no mind to Utaha leaning against the doorway and instead curiously asked, "My sister and Hiratsuka-sensei were raving about your cooking. Did they already try so?"
"No," Haru replied honestly. "They wanted to sneak a bite, but I refused."
Yukino looked even more skeptical. "Then why are they praising you so much?"
"The aroma."
Haru gestured for her to co closer.
Yukino stepped into the kitchen.
The mont she did, her fair face showed a trace of surprise.
Utaha teased from the side, "Are you craving a taste too? He let try a bite earlier. Want to give it a shot? I guarantee you won't be disappointed."
Yukino was tempted.
But she remained rational. "Haru, have you been secretly practicing?"
"Yes," Haru admitted without hesitation. "After all, you were the one who taught to cook. If I didn't put in the extra effort, wouldn't I always be stuck beneath you?"
Beneath her?
Utaha's face flushed, her mind suddenly conjuring an image of herself as a dominant knight towering over Haru.
Yukino, however, didn't entertain such thoughts.
Maintaining her composure, she pointed at the cola chicken. "I want to try that."
"Sure, help yourself—but only one piece."
"Alright."
Yukino picked up a pair of chopsticks and took a piece.
As she opened her mouth, Utaha imdiately turned to watch, her eyes brimming with curiosity and anticipation.
Yukino frowned slightly, annoyed. "Senpai, could you tone down that expression?"
"It's just that it's really delicious," Utaha laughed, unfazed.
Yukino ignored her and took a bite.
The mont the chicken touched her tongue, her expression shifted.
Haru was watching her closely.
"…Your skills have improved dramatically…"
Yukino chewed slowly, savoring the taste, and only after swallowing did she finally speak, her voice tinged with shock.
Haru crossed his arms smugly. "Then I expect so proper praise."
Utaha stifled a laugh. "This is the first ti I've ever seen Yukinoshita make that face."
Yukino realized she had let her surprise show but didn't bother denying it.
Haru's improvent was simply too staggering.
Even as his "teacher," she had to admit—just from this one dish alone, he had already surpassed her.
"How did you do it?"
Her curiosity was fully piqued, her eyes shining.
Haru raised a single finger. "The secret to success is sticking to your goals and beliefs."
Utaha blinked. "Is this a quote from the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau?"
Yukino nodded. "It is."
Then she looked back at Haru, her voice laced with wonder. "You an just through perseverance, you improved this much?"
Haru had his explanation ready. "You're forgetting sothing, Yukino."
"What?"
"The internet is incredibly advanced now. Every recipe imaginable is available online. If you're determined to perfect a dish and truly dedicate yourself to mastering it, you can absolutely make sothing delicious."
"I won't argue with that."
Yukino accepted his reasoning.
She knew that Haru was never one to lack patience.
If he had truly set his mind on surpassing her, then he would undoubtedly achieve it.
Thinking about it, she felt both surprise and a small sense of pride.
After all, this was the man she had chosen.
She cast a fleeting glance at Utaha.
And the man she had chosen as well.
Yukino was reserved and had excellent self-control. Since Utaha had only taken a single bite, she naturally wouldn't ask for a second one.
Even though her appetite was now fully awakened.
The two girls remained silent, simply standing at the doorway, watching and admiring Haru as he cooked.
Once dinner was ready, they both moved to help carry the dishes to the table—as if they had planned it in advance.
As they each carried a plate, their gazes t for a brief mont before they quickly and calmly looked away.
Haru also brought out a dish.
"Finally, we can eat!"
"Haruno, you really were starving, huh?"
"I'm digging in."
One voice after another rang out as the aroma of freshly prepared food filled the living room. The sound of chopsticks clinking against plates never stopped—everyone was eating non-stop.
Even the house's orange tabby cat was drawn to the fragrance. Not wanting it to disrupt the al, Haru swiftly picked it up and tossed it into the gym room.
[Drugging] skill activated.
The mont Haru felt the effect, he instinctively resisted it, relying on his experience and [Steel Body Lv2] to stay conscious.
The others weren't so lucky.
The al was t with endless praise, every dish t with admiration.
And yet, after finishing, everyone slumped into their chairs, sitting in completely unrefined postures, making it obvious that they had no intention of moving.
Even the usually composed Kato gumi was now half-reclining in her seat, her eyes filled with pure contentnt.
Anticipating this outco, Haru silently took it upon himself to clean up.
After clearing the table, he headed to the bathroom.
As he turned on the faucet at the sink, a faint fragrance suddenly drifted in from behind him.
He turned around—
Only to see Haruno approaching with a relaxed expression, flashing him a smile.
"Oh, it's you."
Such a casual remark.
Then, without hesitation, Haruno walked past him toward the toilet.
In her post-al sage mode, she didn't seem to care in the slightest that Haru was still standing right there.
She simply lifted her skirt, pulling down the black fabric beneath it to her thighs—
Then sat down on the toilet.
Haru: WHAT THE.....?!
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