"Waaaah... I'm an unqualified wife..."
Only after burying herself in Ryuji's chest did Mai calm down a little.
Meanwhile, 'Kasumi' watched Mai's reaction and honestly felt somewhat frightened. But seeing Ryuji holding Mai and comforting her and driven by an impulse she didn't fully understand herself, 'Kasumi' still picked up a piece of grilled meat.
The next moment—
She felt that she had lived her entire life in vain.
'Kasumi's' chopsticks fell to the ground.
Her whole body collapsed as well, leaving her kneeling on the earth with both hands supporting her weight. Staring blankly at the ground, she spoke in a lifeless voice.
"I... no... What exactly had Kasumi been eating all these years... Hehehe... the ninja village really is something completely meaningless..."
When she remembered that the most delicious thing in her memories was candy, 'Kasumi' suddenly felt that every memory involving Kasumi and the Mugen Tenshin clan was utterly worthless.
Because those people actually ate food that was practically inedible!
What value could such a life possibly have?
If I can't eat food like this, what's the point of my life?!
"My choice was definitely correct!"
The lingering hesitation in 'Kasumi's' heart instantly disappeared.
Tears streamed from her eyes as she mourned the original Kasumi.
"Poor Kasumi... What could she possibly be eating right now? Joining the Shiranui-ryu that has Ryuji was definitely the best decision I've ever made."
Ryuji felt slightly numb.
He looked at the crying Mai in his arms, then at 'Kasumi', who was also crying but seemed to have somehow found the meaning of life.
Finally, he looked down at the grilled meat he had cooked and fell silent.
The cooking techniques themselves weren't particularly special. The result was simply delicious food.
This sort of mental contamination-like effect came from only one thing.
Because his perception was enhanced in this world, the food he cooked naturally carried a strong spiritual power.
And because his only thought while cooking had been to make the food delicious, everyone who ate it had been affected by that intent as well.
"Then will it have the same effect on me too...?"
Ryuji stared at the grilled meat on the plate. After thinking about it for a long time, he ultimately didn't have the courage to try it himself. Instead, after some consideration, he packed up the remaining grilled meat and prepared to take the two emotionally devastated women back home.
After hailing a taxi, he quickly returned to the Shiranui Dojo under the driver's curious but silent gaze. Once inside, Ryuji casually tossed the grilled meat into the fridge and decided to wait until most of the spiritual influence dissipated before eating it himself.
After all, wasting food was shameful. Even in the Kuroinu world, if he threw a lavish feast, he would still finish whatever food he could eat.
However, while Ryuji was busy settling Mai and 'Kasumi' into their rooms, Tifa returned.
Hungry from the day, she didn't realize that Ryuji had already come back. Kasumi Todoh wasn't with her either, not because of Tifa, but because Kasumi had received a phone call from her mother and had been forced to return home.
"Hmm, is there anything to eat in the fridge?"
Tifa opened the fridge that Ryuji had closed only a short while earlier. She was really hungry, especially with another physical education class having taken place that afternoon.
To her surprise, the fridge was nearly empty. The only thing inside was a package of grilled meat.
"Have Mr. Ryuji and the others come back already?"
Looking at the grilled meat, Tifa felt that she shouldn't touch it. Because it looked like an expensive dish, and as someone staying in another person's home, she felt it would be inappropriate to eat something so delicious without the owner's permission.
So, after one glance, she gave up the idea.
However, as she closed the fridge door, she noticed a piece of grilled meat sitting on the table.
"Honestly, how careless."
Looking at the piece of meat, Tifa felt somewhat helpless. But because she hated wasting food, she picked it up anyway. After rinsing it under the tap, she heated it in the microwave for three minutes before finally taking a bite.
After all, it had only fallen onto the table. Throwing it away would be a waste.
Tifa had always been diligent and frugal and as someone living under another person's roof, she certainly wasn't the type to be picky.
But the moment the grilled meat entered her mouth, even she felt that something was strange.
It was as if the meat itself was constantly tempting her and she was completely unable to resist its allure.
"How strange..."
Muttering to herself, she chewed.
The next instant, when her tongue touched the piece of meat that her teeth had cut apart, Tifa's mind suffered an unimaginable shock.
Delicious! Absolutely delicious! Indescribably delicious.
"What... what have I been eating all my life?!"
Tifa collapsed!
Unfortunately, the fallen Tifa had no idea that the food was made by Ryuji and there was nobody available to rescue this poor girl whose habit of never wasting food had led her into disaster.
Because at that moment, Ryuji was busy with something else entirely...
"Ryuji, do you really not care that your wife is a clumsy woman who can't even cook properly?"
Mai looked at him with tearful eyes, clinging to him and refusing to let go. Because of this, Ryuji had first been forced to deliver the muttering 'Kasumi' to a guest room before finally carrying Mai to his own room.
"Of course. Of course not."
Ryuji was now filled with regret, deep regret.
A single moment of carelessness had caused Mai to act as if she had been possessed.
And, somehow, she had become quite fussy and talkative as well.
~~~~~~~~~~
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