After a simple wash-up, the girls went downstairs together, ready to greet Kitahara Makoto and then leave.
But as soon as they walked downstairs, a super fragrant aroma subtly wafted into their noses.
"Mmm, so fragrant~"
"Eh eh, what's that smell?"
"It seems Kitahara-kun is cooking."
"…"
Yamada Ryo, who had been eating grass intermittently these past few days, her eyes suddenly lit up even more, and she rushed two steps ahead to the kitchen doorway, clasping her hands together, her eyes sparkling as she said:
"Kitahara-sama, what are you cooking?"
Kitahara Makoto had a grayish-looking towel draped around his neck and looked at the girls at the doorway upon hearing her words:
"I'm making egg-fried rice."
"No way?" Kita Ikuyo sniffed her nose, feeling like her saliva was about to flow out, "Kitahara-kun has made egg-fried rice before, and it wasn't this fragrant."
When the girls had stayed over before, Kitahara Makoto would also get up in the morning to prepare meals, and he had indeed made egg-fried rice.
"When a scholar has been away for three days, one should look at him with new eyes." Kitahara Makoto said calmly, "I am no longer the me of before."
"Tch."
Kita crossed her arms and couldn't help but retort:
"Even if a scholar has been away for three days, egg-fried rice can't be this fragrant, right?"
"Alright, I'll be frank, no more pretending." Kitahara Makoto said truthfully, "I used a cheat."
The girls: "…"
This was true.
Yesterday at noon, when he went to an eel restaurant with Anon to explore, the eel rice tasted ordinary, nothing memorable, but he did discover a glowing towel.
Kitahara Makoto had intended to buy it, but the chef old man said he was going to throw it away anyway, and finally just gave it to Kitahara Makoto.
After getting the towel, he then went to buy yukata with Anon, watched the fireworks festival… there were too many things, so he forgot about the towel's existence.
It wasn't until he was organizing his backpack this morning that Kitahara Makoto remembered this dirty-looking towel, and after [Optimization], it successfully upgraded him to a cooking master.
[Item: Cooking Towel]
[Current Status: Optimized]
[New Entry: Glowing Cuisine. When you hang the towel around your neck, your cooking skills will reach perfection, and you might even be able to make glowing dishes.]
[New Entry: Only Love and Food Cannot Be Let Down. Diners who eat the dish have a certain probability of gaining a beneficial buff, including but not limited to happiness, courage, clothes-bursting, etc.]
Although something strange was mixed in the middle, Kitahara Makoto didn't mind.
If he could really make glowing dishes, then diners' clothes bursting would be normal, right?
So after waking up this morning, Kitahara Makoto put on the towel and began preparing breakfast.
Time was short, complex dishes would definitely not be possible, so he only made egg-fried rice and brewed a pot of miso soup; now it seemed the effect of the entries was quite good, even though it was just ordinary egg-fried rice, its aroma clearly made people unable to move.
"All of you go wash your hands." Kitahara Makoto said while frying rice, "The food will be ready soon, eat before you go back."
"I'm not eating." Nijika's eyes were filled with resentment, and she lightly bit her lower lip, clearly still bothered by last night's two-player co-op incident, "I'm going back."
"Nijika, what's the rush to go back?"
Kita Ikuyo swallowed her saliva, saying, bewildered:
"It's still early, it's not too late for us to eat a few bites before going back."
"Kita is right." Yamada Ryo crossed her arms and tilted her head, "Nijika, why are you in such a hurry to go back? Do you have some unspeakable secret?"
Nijika: "…"
Too much!
This is too much!
You know better than anyone why I'm in such a hurry to go back!
"Mama, together, eat."
Hana hugged Nijika's leg, looking up with her small face to persuade her to stay.
Facing her 'daughter's' offensive, Nijika finally surrendered, turning her pretty face away and saying:
"Then I'll just eat one bite… I'll go back after eating."
At this moment, Kitahara Makoto's voice came from the kitchen:
"Nijika, come in and help out."
"...How dare he even ask me to help?"
Nijika lightly bit her teeth, puffing out her cheeks as she walked into the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong, Nijika, please forgive me."
Kitahara Makoto simply apologized three times.
"Hmph." Nijika kept her pretty face taut, "I won't forgive you, it's too late to apologize now."
(Last night I cried and begged you to stop, but you didn't listen at all, and instead… Today, don't even think about me forgiving you easily!)
"I can give Nijika three universal exchange tickets." Kitahara Makoto's tone was sincere, "Whether it's accompanying Nijika to the fireworks festival, or traveling far away, it's all fine."
Nijika's eyebrows slightly furrowed, feeling a little tempted, but she quickly calmed down.
"These things don't even require exchange tickets, do they?"
"Then let's change the condition." Kitahara Makoto whispered, "As long as Nijika forgives me, I can not take advantage of Nijika for three days."
Nijika's pretty face flushed crimson, and she shyly extended her right hand, gently pinching Kitahara Makoto's waist:
"I wasn't going to let you take advantage of me anymore anyway!"
"The food is ready." Kitahara Makoto took off the towel from his neck, "Nijika, first scoop out the miso soup."
"…"
Although Nijika was sulking, she was naturally destined to be busy; ever since she entered middle school, all the cooking and housework at home had been her responsibility.
Upon hearing the instruction, her body instinctively moved, and she began to scoop the miso soup.
Then, without Kitahara Makoto needing to say anything, Nijika proactively opened the cupboard and bent down to get bowls, chopsticks, and spoons.
After counting the number of bowls and chopsticks, Nijika had just straightened up when she saw Kitahara Makoto leaning in with burning eyes.
Before she could dodge, she was directly kissed by Kitahara Makoto.
"You, what are you doing!"
Nijika's pretty face was crimson, and she looked back in a panic.
"I'm sorry." Kitahara Makoto's tone was incredibly sincere, apologizing again, "Nijika just now was too cute, I couldn't help it, absolutely couldn't help it."
"Pfft~"
Nijika lightly spat, her face red as she carried the miso soup out of the kitchen.
"...Thank goodness, it'll be fine now."
Kitahara Makoto let out a soft sigh in the kitchen, feeling relieved.
Playing the two-player co-op game last night while Nijika was groggy, he was indeed worried that Nijika would be angry, but now it seemed that although she was angry, it was completely within an acceptable range.
In the future scenes he had foreseen, if Nijika were truly disappointed and angry, she would be cold and silent, quite terrifying, completely different from her current appearance.
It was probably because Yamada Ryo talked about two-player co-op every day, planting a psychological seed in Nijika, so her level of anger was even lower than expected.
A moment later.
Kitahara Makoto and the girls sat around the dining table.
"Let's eat."
The girls' voices were clear and in unison.
After Kitahara Makoto was the first to pick up his chopsticks, the girls all began to eat.
"Super delicious~" Yamada Ryo's eyes sparkled, and a super happy expression appeared on her pretty face, "After eating this bowl of egg-fried rice, I can eat grass for three consecutive days without any problem."
You're going to eat grass again? You should be more disciplined with your spending, make a bit of a plan!
"Super delicious." Hitori nodded in agreement, praising sincerely, "It's as delicious as the food Mama makes."
In Hitori's mind, Mrs. Goto's cooking was the best in the world.
Saying that Kitahara Makoto's cooking was even better now was a very high compliment.
"The taste is really good…", Kita swallowed the egg fried rice in her mouth, a look of happiness involuntarily appearing on her small face. "Even the legendary Fried Rice Immortal couldn't be better than this, right?"
Japan loves to create all sorts of deities—Ramen deity, Onigiri deity… one more Fried Rice deity is no problem at all.
"That's right, I am him."
Kitahara Makoto was quite confident; even if the Fried Rice Immortal came, he would have to bow down before him.
Mutsumi wiped the corner of her mouth with her hand, held up her empty bowl, and said expectantly:
"Makoto-kun, I want more."
"…"
"Nijika, how does it taste?"
Yamada Ryo turned her head to look at Nijika sitting beside her.
"Just barely… acceptable."
Although Nijika really wanted to say it wasn't good, she couldn't bring herself to say such a disingenuous thing.
It was delicious.
Today's egg fried rice was clearly an unprecedented delicacy.
Yamada Ryo's rosy lips curved slightly upward, forming a pleasant arc:
"Well, I remember Nijika just said she'd only take one bite and then leave."
Nijika: "…"
She really wanted to forcefully put down her chopsticks.
But…
She couldn't stop.
Her chopsticks simply couldn't stop.
"Phew…"
Kita drank the miso soup in one gulp, covering her stomach with both hands, a particularly happy and satisfied expression on her small face:
"Indeed, in this world, only love and delicious food are not to be let down."
"Something's not right." Nijika put down her bowl and chopsticks, biting her lower lip lightly with her pearly teeth, and looked at Kitahara Makoto suspiciously. "Kitahara-kun's previous dishes tasted good, but today's food is ridiculously delicious… You didn't add anything strange to it, did you?"
"You guys found out." Kitahara Makoto interlaced his fingers, propping up his chin, and said in a low voice, "I did add something to it."
"Eh eh?" Kita's eyes widened as she looked over. "What did Kitahara-kun add to it?"
Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly:
"Of course, it's my affection and love for you all."
"Ptooey~"
"Shameless."
"Stop lying."
"…"
Except for Mutsumi who remained expressionless and Yamada Ryo who looked indifferent, Hitori and the others all became shy, then said their goodbyes and left.
Before leaving, Nijika's 'housewife' trait acted up again; she neatly put away the dishes into the dishwasher, wiped the table clean, and finally reminded Kitahara Makoto to throw out the trash when he left, before departing with Ryo.
After all the girls had left, Kitahara Makoto, as usual, began to complete his daily fitness routine.
Nine in the morning.
Kitahara Makoto changed into his sports shoes, went out, got on his bicycle, and headed to Hitori's house.
Just as he stopped the bike at the entrance, he didn't even need to take out his phone; Hitori, who had been waiting behind the door, quickly opened it and slipped out, taking small steps to stand in front of Kitahara Makoto.
"Kitahara-kun, the hat…"
Hitori's small face was flushed as she handed over the hat she was holding.
It was a men's summer sun hat, clearly just bought, as the tag hadn't even been cut off yet.
"Thank you, Hitori."
Kitahara Makoto's gaze softened, but he didn't reach out to take it; instead, he simply lowered his head:
"Hitori, put it on for me."
"Okay."
Hitori's small face was crimson; she slightly tiptoed and placed the hat on Kitahara Makoto's head, then held her breath, helping to adjust the edges and corners.
"It's… it's good now."
"It feels very comfortable." Kitahara Makoto said earnestly, "It's decided, I won't take it off even when I sleep tonight."
Hitori's small face turned red, and she stammered softly:
"You… you still have to take it off when you sleep at night… It's uncomfortable to sleep with it on."
Kitahara Makoto smiled and opened his backpack, took out a sun hat from it, and directly placed it on Hitori's head:
"Get on, let's go to the driving school."
"Mhm mhm."
Hitori agreed, then turned her body and carefully sat on the back seat of the bicycle.
Without Kitahara Makoto needing to instruct her, Hitori had already extended her arms, her small face flushed, and gently hugged Kitahara Makoto's waist.
"Let's go."
Kitahara Makoto pushed off with his foot, and the bicycle started smoothly.
The sun was just right.
The breeze was gentle.
The air was filled with a lighthearted atmosphere.
"You just bought this hat at the convenience store, didn't you?" Kitahara Makoto praised as he cycled, "That's amazing, Hitori, you're even brave enough to go to the convenience store by yourself now."
Hitori responded softly, her face red:
"The cashier was a girl, so I dared to go in and buy the hat…"
"That's still very impressive." Kitahara Makoto was generous with his praise. "Keep it up, and later you'll perform at Tokyo Budokan."
"I can't do it, Tokyo Budokan is definitely impossible."
"…"
Talking all the way, the two quickly cycled to the driving school.
Next was naturally driving lesson time.
After yesterday night's dream training, Hitori's driving skills were no longer an issue. Unfortunately, there were many students and instructors at the driving school, and under the 'spotlight effect,' Hitori always felt like everyone was looking at her, so she couldn't complete the lesson content.
Kitahara Makoto also had no good solution for this situation; she could only slowly adapt.
The morning half-day passed quickly.
The afternoon was for the weight-loss business.
Kitahara Makoto and Sakiko ran the business together; everything went smoothly. Using insect's devouring ability, they easily earned several million yen. The only trouble was that his charm value was getting higher and higher, and during business hours, he was always harassed by various madams.
"Kitahara-kun, someone else found me, saying they want to commission us for exorcism…"
In the cold drink shop, Sakiko said softly.
"Exorcism commissions are naturally no problem." Kitahara Makoto took a sip of iced fruit juice. "What's the reward?"
Hana wanted to continue evolving and needed to devour more strange tales, so exorcism commissions were naturally the more the merrier.
Sakiko said softly:
"The reward is fifty million yen."
"That much?"
Kitahara Makoto showed a hint of surprise.
Although exorcism commissions were high-end, where you might not open for three years but then make enough to live on for three, no one's money came easily. To offer fifty million yen upfront was quite extravagant.
Sakiko bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, a complex expression on her pretty face, and lowered her eyes, saying softly:
"This time's client… is a bit special."
Kitahara Makoto looked over curiously:
"How is it special?"
Sakiko closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said:
"It's… Togawa."
"…"
Kitahara Makoto instantly understood that 'Togawa' here was undoubtedly Sakiko's main family.
No wonder Sakiko's expression was so complex just now; after being kicked out of the house, she actually received an exorcism commission from her family. It would be strange if her mood wasn't complicated!
Kitahara Makoto drank all his juice in one gulp and said softly:
"Whether to accept the commission is up to Sakiko to decide. Sakiko and I will advance and retreat together."
Sakiko looked up, her eyes sparkling, and took a deep breath, saying:
"Of course, we have to accept the commission. There's no reason to give up a fifty million yen reward, and it can also help Hana evolve."
"Understood." Kitahara Makoto nodded gently, a serious expression on his face, and said in a low voice, "The three-year period is up. Sakiko, who has become a Valkyrie, it's time to flatten Togawa."
"I'm not a Valkyrie, okay?" Sakiko's pretty face flushed slightly, and she glared at him playfully, "And I never thought of flattening Togawa… it's just that my feelings are a bit complicated."
Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand and gently held Sakiko's soft hand, saying softly:
"Do you remember the promise I made on the morning your father left, Sakiko?"
"…"
Sakiko blinked, her pretty face quickly reddening, clearly remembering the promise from that morning.
"Sakiko, your future life is in my hands." Kitahara Makoto's expression became serious. "So this time, when you return to Togawa, do whatever you want. Even if you act like a returning Dragon King, it's fine."
With Hana around, at worst, he could directly 'borrow' the memories of everyone in Togawa, and if he encountered any troublesome individuals, he could even throw them directly into the mirror space, making them disappear without a trace.
So Kitahara Makoto's words just now were not empty boasts but had ample backing.
"I don't want to be a returning Dragon King." Sakiko's pretty face was crimson, and she pursed her rosy lips, saying, "We just need to quietly complete the commission and then leave. We don't need to do anything else."
"Understood." Kitahara Makoto nodded gently. "What about the time?"
Sakiko raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear:
"The specific details of the commission haven't been confirmed yet. Kitahara-kun also has to go to Otherworld this afternoon… How about tomorrow?"
Kitahara Makoto said softly:
"How about I handle the liaison?"
"No need." Sakiko gently shook her head. "Leave it to me, it's no problem."
"…"
After finishing their cold drinks.
Kitahara Makoto and Sakiko left the cold drink shop, then each went home.
There was still some time before nightfall, so he couldn't go to Otherworld yet. Therefore, after Hana finished her cupcake, Kitahara Makoto, with Hana's help, quietly went to the Haunted House to check the charging status of Kessoku Band.
It would naturally be best if the minimum charging requirement could be met before entering Otherworld.
Unfortunately, Kitahara Makoto's wish was unfulfilled.
The charging progress was quite slow, still a distance from the minimum charging requirement to open the Kessoku Band.
"Too slow."
Kitahara Makoto frowned slightly:
"Is there any way to speed up the charging efficiency?"
According to observations over the past few days, the Kessoku Band's energy absorption efficiency is inversely proportional to the distance. The farther away it is, the lower the efficiency. However, this thing floats in mid-air and can only be hidden in the dark, so it definitely cannot be touched by tourists entering the Haunted House at close range.
"Wait—"
Kitahara Makoto suddenly thought of a possibility.
"When humans experience strong emotional fluctuations, they will dissipate idealistic energy. Emotional fluctuations do not necessarily have to be fear… What if it's happiness and joy?"