Misaka Mikoto mustered her courage. Though her face was flushed and her body trembled slightly, she sat beside Kaito and reached out to help process the beef skewers he hadn't yet prepared.
She knew a little about grilling meat.
The important thing was how to start a conversation, how to talk!!
[Misaka]: Master, here's what you do next. Ask what Kaito wants as a way to repay him for the gifts and help!
[Mikoto]: I-Is that really okay?
[Misaka]: Trust me, Master! I'm a super AI. Would I steer you wrong?
A little Misaka Rei figure appeared on Mikoto's retina, hands on its hips, looking confident.
So, Mikoto decided to give it a try.
"Um... Kaito-nii, you gave me so many nice gifts... Is there anything you want? I'd like to repay you..."
"After all, gifts should be given and received, right?"
[Misaka]: Ooh, ooh!!
[Misaka]: Master, you did it! Great! You're the best!!
"Repay me?"
Kaito paused in his grilling, looked thoughtfully at Misaka Mikoto, then seemed to understand something and smiled helplessly.
"I don't want any gifts. But if you really want to repay me, I hope you can be more honest with yourself."
"Ah..."
Being asked to be more honest made Mikoto blush again. She lowered her head and didn't dare continue.
[Misaka]: Master! Hang in there! Don't break down!!
[Misaka]: I've found the best reply! Please say it!
[Mikoto]: I can't, I can't do it! Besides, it's not like I really, really like him! I just admire him, that's all!
[Mikoto]: Besides, he's my mom's boyfriend...
[Misaka]: Oh, you can still compete with her~ Or just share! From the data I've collected, whether ancient, modern, or even the future, this kind of situation is very common!
[Misaka]: With someone as handsome and powerful as Kaito, it's pretty much inevitable~
[Misaka]: And what's this about admiration? Are you insulting me, your AI? Through connecting to your brain, I can clearly see that you're practically...
[Mikoto]: D-Don't say it!!
Before Misaka could finish, Mikoto forcefully cut off the connection in her mind.
But Misaka's words made her think.
What the AI said...
She actually knew a bit. Not to mention the powerful and wealthy now, who didn't get what they wanted? Rules and regulations were more to restrain and help ordinary people develop.
After all, they lacked the ability and conditions, which also cut off their delusions.
But in ancient times?
If an ordinary person got the chance...
And the wealthy? They could take what they wanted.
So... so...
"Mikoto?"
"Waaah!! Ah, Kaito-nii, sorry, I spaced out! Did you say something?"
"Hehe, no. You just look really red. Are you feeling unwell?"
"N-No! I just had some spicy grilled meat!"
That excuse wouldn't fool anyone.
But Kaito didn't call her out. He smiled, nodded, and continued grilling.
Mikoto continued arguing with Misaka, one too shy and Tsundere to make a move, the other constantly encouraging her with perfect suggestions.
After a while, Mikoto looked up again.
"Kaito-nii... tomorrow after school, could you pick me up? I want to take you to a fun place..."
"Oh? Sure, of course."
"Okay, okay, it's a deal then!"
"Haha, deal."
'Oh, right. Misaki would probably keep pestering you?'
Kaito thought about it but didn't mention it. He was actually happy to see the two girls getting along.
"Th-Then I'll go somewhere else!"
With a whoosh, Mikoto ran off and disappeared into the group of Misaka Sisters to hide.
It seemed that inviting Kaito had used up all her courage.
Smiling, Kaito turned back to grilling. After putting the cooked skewers on a plate, he went over to Misaka Rei and Index.
He gave them their share, then went to Beelzebul, who had been banned from grilling.
'Hmm...'
'Why was she banned?'
It wasn't that her knife skills were bad; they were too good. She sliced all the meat paper-thin.
That would be better for hot pot, not grilling.
Then, with Misuzu unaware of her cooking prowess, Beelzebul added various incomprehensible seasonings to the skewers.
No matter how you looked at it, adding those things shouldn't make it inedible. But Beelzebul was miraculously able to ruin the grilled meat.
Misuzu finally saw the truth: Beelzebul could not cook, not even grilling!
"Here."
"Thanks."
Beelzebul took the skewers and started eating.
"How is it? Good?"
"Mm... delicious!"
In terms of appearance and taste, it couldn't compare to a professional chef's, but since Kaito had grilled it himself, it tasted exceptionally good.
At least Beelzebul was satisfied.
"Brother-in-law... if you and my sister had a daughter, have you thought of a name?"
"Of course. Raiden Mei."
"Oh... is there a meaning behind that name?"
Meaning?
No meaning at all.
She was used to being called Raiden Shogun. So, wouldn't their daughter be Raiden Mei?
Of course, just calling her Mei was fine too.
"Why? Do you want your sister and me to have a daughter soon?"
"Mm... no, not really! Just curious! Just curious!"
"Really just curious?"
"..."