"Mai, are you at the apartment?"
Kitahara Makoto sat on the sofa, took out his phone, and sent a message to Sakurajima Mai:
"Let Hana come over to help activate the Domain."
It was already eleven in the morning, and preparing a multi-person meal was clearly too late, so the idea of verifying whether happiness and joy could charge the Kessoku Band could only wait until tomorrow.
As for Mutsumi… she came over to sleep almost every night, so there was no need to waste Hana's energy.
The message quickly showed as read.
Sakurajima Mai: "Let Hana come over."
Kitahara Makoto put away his phone, got up and walked into the kitchen, carrying the fruit he had just bought at the supermarket, then, after thinking for a moment, opened the refrigerator, took out all the remaining ingredients, and said:
"Hana, let's go."
"…"
A moment later.
With Hana's help, Kitahara Makoto quickly traveled to Mai's apartment.
Stepping out of the full-length mirror, looking at Mai in front of him, with long hair reaching her waist, wearing only a white shirt, yet still clear and refined, like a high-mountain flower that could be viewed from afar but not defiled, Kitahara Makoto's eyes suddenly brightened:
"Senpai, long time no see."
At the beginning of the summer vacation, everyone was trapped on Eden Island, Kitahara Makoto called Mai for help in a dream, Sakurajima Mai drove from Kamakura to help, and since then, Kitahara Makoto had not seen Mai in reality.
Of course.
They met from time to time in the Dream World, so they wouldn't become estranged due to not seeing each other for a long time.
Sakurajima Mai crossed her arms over her chest, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, concealing the fluctuations on her pretty face, and said expressionlessly:
"Now that you've seen me, Scumbag-kun can go back."
"Not going back." Kitahara Makoto raised the shopping bags in both hands, "The ingredients are already here, I have now mastered the highest realm of cooking, and I want to cook lunch for Mai."
It was too late to make a multi-person meal, but making a meal specifically for Mai was no problem.
Sakurajima Mai said sarcastically:
"Sorry, I completely lose my appetite whenever I see Scumbag-kun."
"Tsk."
Kitahara Makoto clicked his tongue softly, and muttered quietly:
"In the dream the night before last, I wonder who held onto me and wouldn't let go as soon as we met…"
Before he finished speaking, Sakurajima Mai's pretty face tightened, and she stepped forward two paces.
"Senpai, your foot."
"What about my foot?"
Sakurajima Mai asked back as if nothing was wrong, while pressing down with her foot.
"It hurts." Kitahara Makoto simply begged for mercy, "Please, Senpai, lift your noble foot."
"Hmph, I feel quite comfortable stepping on it."
"Senpai, you're so close to me, I might not be able to control myself."
"…"
Their eyes met.
Noticing the rapidly heating gaze in Kitahara Makoto's eyes, Sakurajima Mai's pretty face flushed slightly, and she cautiously retreated two steps, creating distance.
Having lived together in a dream for ten years, Sakurajima Mai naturally knew Kitahara Makoto inside and out.
If she didn't create distance now, she would likely be taken advantage of…
"Senpai is already backing down?" Kitahara Makoto's voice was disappointed, "I was just starting to feel a bit comfortable."
"…Scumbag-kun is really getting more and more perverted."
Sakurajima Mai clutched her arm, retreating two steps, as if afraid of catching the perverted attribute.
Seeing Mai assume a defensive posture, Kitahara Makoto knew there was no chance to take advantage of her, though he was disappointed, he wasn't anxious; there would be plenty of opportunities in the future, and he lowered his head and said:
"Hana, activate the Domain."
Hana obediently listened, and the Flower Sea quickly grew, spreading throughout the entire apartment.
Kitahara Makoto placed the fruits and ingredients he was holding on the table, then opened his backpack, took out the Kessoku Band poster from it, and pasted it on the wall:
"I just returned from Otherworld this morning, so… Senpai, would you like an Eden Fruit?"
Band Togawa walked out of the poster, curiously glanced at Sakurajima Mai, put down the Eden Fruit, and then obediently went back.
A strange fragrance that acted on the soul instantly filled the entire room.
"I…"
Sakurajima Mai parted her lips, wanting to say no, but the instinct from her soul made Mai completely unable to refuse.
She had eaten Eden Fruit before in Otherworld, so she was even more unable to resist the temptation of the Eden Fruit.
"Here."
Kitahara Makoto took out half an Eden Fruit and handed it to Sakurajima Mai:
"Mai, eat it as soon as possible, otherwise the entire apartment building will suffer."
The scent of the Eden Fruit would subtly dissipate, and even closing doors and windows couldn't stop it; the only way was to eat it quickly.
To avoid causing madness, Kitahara Makoto always stored the Eden Fruit in the poster space.
Sakurajima Mai instinctively raised her hand, took the Eden Fruit, and then a faint voice quietly sounded:
"Thank you…"
Kitahara Makoto said seriously:
"Please change 'thank you' to a kiss coupon."
Sakurajima Mai's pretty face tightened:
"There's no such thing."
"Then a hug for a while should be fine, right?"
"Heh."
"I'm going to cook."
Kitahara Makoto quickly took out a cooking towel, hung it around his neck, then carried the ingredients towards the kitchen, "Senpai, please look forward to it."
"…"
After eating the Eden Fruit, the strange fragrance in the apartment quietly dissipated.
Sakurajima Mai sat on the sofa, turned on the TV, let Hana watch cartoons by herself, then quietly turned her head to look at Kitahara Makoto busy in the kitchen.
In those years of sinking into dreams, the beginning was such a warm scene.
On an evening after a busy day.
Outside, it was cold winter wind and snow.
She played with her daughter, and Kitahara was in the kitchen cooking…
At this moment.
The dream and reality overlapped, making Sakurajima Mai feel a little dazed.
About half an hour later.
"Senpai, go wash your hands." Kitahara Makoto walked over with the dishes, "Dinner is ready."
Sakurajima Mai stood up, took Hana's small hand, and said softly:
"Hana, let's go wash our hands."
"…"
A moment later.
The three of them sat down at the table.
"Senpai, try my cooking."
Kitahara Makoto's tone was exceptionally confident, placing two bowls of rice in front of Mai and Hana respectively.
Looking at the three dishes on the dining table, Sakurajima Mai's eyes brightened slightly, clearly curious and expectant.
Mapo Tofu.
Di San Xian.
And Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs.
Regardless of the taste, the color and aroma alone were enough.
"The Mapo Tofu is a revised version, but I'm not sure if it suits Senpai's taste." Kitahara Makoto handed over the spoon, "Senpai, it's best to eat it mixed with rice."
Sakurajima Mai pursed her lips, couldn't help but take the spoon, scooped a spoonful of Mapo Tofu, poured it over the rice, then gently parted her lips and ate it.
The next second.
Sakurajima Mai's beautiful eyes widened slightly, feeling a smooth, tender, rich aroma explode on her tongue, every taste bud cheering.
"How does it feel?" Kitahara Makoto asked, "Is it too spicy? Does your tongue feel a bit uncomfortable? If so, I'll revise it later."
"Hoo…"
Sakurajima Mai exhaled softly, indeed feeling a slight tingling on her tongue.
However… it felt very strange; even though her tongue tingled, it was completely irresistible.
"No need to improve it," Sakurajima Mai pursed her lips, unable to resist scooping up another spoonful of Mapo Tofu with her spoon. "The taste… is excellent."
Although she wanted to deny it, faced with such delicious food, she couldn't bring herself to say anything against her true feelings.
"As long as Mai likes it," Kitahara Makoto smiled. "Try the Di San Xian and Sweet and Sour Pork too."
"…"
Sakurajima Mai curiously picked up the other two dishes, and only felt that the flavors were all different, yet all incredibly delicious.
"Scumbag-kun," Sakurajima Mai looked up in surprise, unable to help but ask, "How did your cooking skills improve so much?"
In the dream of ten years, Kitahara Makoto often cooked, but it could only be described as tasty; it was nowhere near as delicious as it was now.
Kitahara Makoto spoke nonsense with a straight face:
"As the saying goes, to capture a girl's heart, you must first capture her stomach. To capture Mai's heart, I painstakingly cultivated my skills and finally successfully advanced to a Culinary Immortal."
Sakurajima Mai said expressionlessly:
"Tell me the truth."
"The first half of the sentence is true," Kitahara Makoto took a mouthful of rice. "But I didn't painstakingly practice; instead, I obtained a magical item that elevated my cooking skills to perfection."
"Dad, rice."
A voice sounded from the side.
Hana looked up with her small face, handing over an empty bowl, a grain of rice still sticking to the corner of her mouth.
Kitahara Makoto helped wipe off the rice from Hana's mouth, refilled her bowl, and then looked at Sakurajima Mai:
"Mai, eat faster, or Hana will eat it all."
"…"
A sense of urgency welled up in her heart.
Sakurajima Mai unconsciously sped up.
She usually only ate one bowl of rice, but today she ate an extra bowl. Luckily, Kitahara Makoto had the foresight to cook extra rice, otherwise it wouldn't have been enough.
"Mai, have some tea." After clearing the table, Kitahara Makoto brewed a cup of green tea and brought it over. "The food tasted pretty good, right? Should I cook for Mai every day?"
Sakurajima Mai reached out, took the teacup, and took a small sip:
"Scumbag-kun coming over every day, are you planning to abandon those girls in Tokyo?"
"Of course I won't abandon them," Kitahara Makoto said shamelessly. "So, Mai can travel quickly through the mirror and come directly to my house for dinner."
"I refuse."
Sakurajima Mai's expression didn't change as she directly reached for Kitahara Makoto's waist and twisted it:
"To think you can capture a girl's heart just with cooking, Scumbag-kun is being too naive."
"Ouch ouch ouch."
"Scumbag-kun's expression clearly looks like he's enjoying it."
"Domestic violence, Mai, you are committing domestic violence."
"Heh, compared to a certain Scumbag-kun who drinks and gambles, I'm already gentle enough now."
"Mai, can you not mention it? My will was distorted at the time."
"No, I can't forget it no matter what."
"…"
Kitahara Makoto wanted to stay for a nap, but unfortunately, Mai mercilessly sent him back. However, regarding the matter of coming over to eat together when she had time, Mai tacitly agreed.
He quickly traveled back home.
Kitahara Makoto used the afternoon to complete today's four daily tasks, successfully earning a lottery chance.
Unfortunately, his luck was bad; the bicycle didn't turn into a motorcycle, and he only obtained a skill fragment.
In the blink of an eye, it was evening.
The sun set.
Tired birds returned to their nests.
Kitahara Makoto took Hana out and headed to the agreed-upon restaurant.
There was an exorcism request tonight, so before heading to Togawa, they naturally had to gather beforehand.
"Kitahara-kun, we're over here."
The clear voice of a girl reached his ears.
Kitahara Makoto walked into the restaurant and saw that Sakiko, Soyo, Mutsumi, and Tomori had all arrived. Taki didn't come today, staying at home with her sister. Instead, Anon enthusiastically came to join the fun.
Although the girls hadn't formed a new Kessoku Band, their adventures in Otherworld were a matter of 'life and death' friendship, so their bond was naturally stronger than that of Kessoku Band mates. The one who just called out was Chihaya Anon.
"Coming."
Kitahara Makoto took Hana and sat down beside the girls.
"Hana, good afternoon," Chihaya Anon's eyes sparkled, and her voice was clear. "Come here, come here, let me hold you for a while."
Kitahara Makoto handed Hana over and turned to look at Soyo beside him:
"Has everyone eaten?"
"Not yet," Soyo shook her head gently, her voice soft. "Everyone is waiting for Kitahara-kun."
Kitahara Makoto suggested:
"Let's eat something first; we don't know what situations we'll encounter during the request."
Sakiko nodded gently:
"We should indeed eat something beforehand, just in case."
"…"
It was still early, so there was no need to rush. Kitahara Makoto and the girls ordered their food and then waited patiently.
"The movie filming is almost finished," Chihaya Anon said clearly, holding Hana. "We still need some insert songs. Togawa's 'Haruhikage' is very nice. Should we let Ayane-nee listen to it?"
"…"
As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere instantly became subtle.
Soyo, Tomori, and Mutsumi, all three girls, turned their gazes towards Sakiko. A field of gravity quietly converged. Only Kitahara Makoto remained calm, as all the potential traps had already been cleared, so he wasn't flustered at all.
As a social expert, Chihaya Anon's ability to 'read the room' was quite good. Upon realizing she had said the wrong thing, she quickly stuck out her tongue:
"It was just a suggestion. If Sakiko is too busy, then forget it."
Sakiko lowered her eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and then softly said:
"I'm not that busy… I can go and try."
"Really?!" Soyo's eyes suddenly brightened. She grasped Sakiko's right hand, her face full of pleasant surprise. "I can perform with Sakiko again!"
Kitahara Makoto sat beside them and suggested:
"At that time, we can summon everyone from the poster as well. Then we'll definitely have double the fun."
Sakiko pressed her forehead helplessly:
"Performances aren't necessarily better with more people… and won't it scare others?"
"Sakiko is right," Soyo naturally spoke up for Sakiko. "Kitahara-kun shouldn't be too greedy."
Kitahara Makoto looked over at her, his eyes signaling:
"Don't even think about going home tonight."
"Pfft~"
"…"
Dinner was quickly finished.
Kitahara Makoto suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out and saw a message pop up on the screen:
"Mr. Kitahara, the custom photos have been taken. Would you like to see them now?"
Kitahara Makoto asked curiously:
"Send them over, let me take a look."
"Please wait."
"…"
Soon after, the very professional coser-san sent the photos over.
According to Kitahara Makoto's requests, all these photos were unedited, and the poses tried to express a mix of grievance and shame, looking quite good.
Besides that, whether it was the hairstyle or the figure, everything was exactly like Shiina Maki. There was no need to worry about the face, as it was covered by the phone throughout, so her true identity wouldn't be exposed.
"Not bad," Kitahara Makoto was quite satisfied. "Even if Taki saw them, she wouldn't be able to tell the difference between real and fake for a while, would she?"