ODL – Chapter 12 – Onii-chan ♪

“Is it really okay for you to come along?” (Souma)

“Yeah, I was just about to head home anyways.” (Mafuyu)

“I see. Sorry for making you come along for shopping.” (Souma)

“No, it’s okay. I wanted to talk to Souma-oniichan more.” (Mafuyu)

“…………Eh?” (Souma)

O..Oni-chan!?

Mafuyu-chan, did you just call me ‘Onii-chan’ just now!?

“…………Is that not okay?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan tilted her head in a cute way and looked up at me, I could only nod in response

“N-No, it’s totally fine.” (Souma)

“Thank you. When it’s just the two of us, let me call you ‘Onii-chan’ okay?” (Mafuyu)

“O-okay.” (Souma)

As the two of us walked through the meat section of the supermarket closest to my home, my mind was still in disarray.

Wait, why are we in the meat section again?

What did we come here to buy?

I seriously have no idea.

“Onii-chan, didn’t we come here to buy chicken? We walked right past it.” (Mafuyu)

“Oh, right, right. Chicken, that’s it. Sorry, I was spacing out.” (Souma)

“Seriously mouu, get it together.” (Mafuyu)

“Sorry…” (Souma)

The reason I can’t focus is you, Mafuyu-chan… It’s all your fault, you know?!

“You said that chicken legs were on sale, right? Is it this one?” (Mafuyu)

“Ah, yeah, it’s this. Thanks, Mafuyu-chan.” (Souma)

As Mafuyu-chan placed the chicken legs she had picked into the basket… I suddenly began to think.

I wonder if girls prefer chicken breasts over chicken legs. …Chicken breast is healthier, after all. Wait, I have no idea how much everyone actually eats.

“How much do you eat, Mafuyu-chan? For example, how about this amount of fried chicken?” (Souma)

I use my fingers to indicate a certain size and show it to Mafuyu-chan.

“Well, um… I guess around 5 pieces? But if onii-chan is making rice, I might be able to eat as much as you make.” (Mafuyu)

“I-I see.” (Souma)

No good… Mafuyu-chan’s suddenly sweet attitude is messing with my brain. My heart is pounding so loudly, it feels like it’s about to give out.

Okay, calm down me.

Assuming Mafuyu-chan eats around five pieces, judging by the amount of food packaging in Shizuka’s home, she probably eats a normal amount. She was even devouring the Peyoung with great enthusiasm. It seems reasonable to think she eats about the same as me.

As for Hiyorin… I wonder. She seems like a drinker, so she might eat quite a bit, right?

If it’s fried chicken, it might sell quite well.

The fried chicken I make is bite-sized, so even girls can eat it in one bite. Maybe around 30 pieces should be fine. If there’s any leftover, we can have it for breakfast tomorrow.

“Mafuyu-chan, is it okay if I get one more pack of chicken legs?” (Souma)

“Okay, got it… This is quite fun, isn’t it?” (Mafuyu)

“………Kinda.” (Souma)

Mafuyu-chan gives a smile I have never seen before from her back in university. Somehow, I managed to return a smile despite my confusion. Is this really that fun? While I was thinking about that, we continued shopping.

◆

“…………Ojamashimasu¹.” (Mafuyu)

“Come in. Feel free to make yourself comfortable.” (Souma)

After glancing around the living room, Mafuyu-chan settled herself at the four-seater table placed in the center.

“Why is this table for four people? Onii-chan, you live alone, right?” (Mafuyu)

“Yeah, about that… my parents left it behind. They probably intended to check in on me frequently. But I told them not to worry so much, and after I insisted on it for a long time, they stopped coming.” (Souma)

“Fufu. So, how’s your mom doing?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan’s expression softened as if recalling some old memories.

“She’s doing really well. Almost too well, to the point of being troublesome. She’s overly protective. Even this apartment was chosen by my parents. They said it has good security, even though I actually preferred somewhere closer to the university.” (Souma)

The high rent also meant I don’t get any neighbors. That was the case until recently.

“This apartment is really impressive. I am quite surprised.” (Mafuyu)

“They told me an apartment like this would be enough for a university student to live alone. Thanks to them, I have too much space to handle.” (Souma)

It’s a 2LDK, after all. It could fit a couple and a child. Not that I have any plans for getting a girlfriend or having kids.

“I see… You mentioned having two friends, right?” (Mafuyu)

“Yeah. The neighbor next door and the one across the hall. The apartment diagonally across from mine is empty.” (Souma)

“Hmm…” (Mafuyu)

I place the bite-sized pieces of chicken legs into a bowl and start adding salt, pepper, soy sauce, garlic, sake, sesame oil, and other seasonings. The only difference is that instead of using eggs, I use mayonnaise.

I saw a chef on TV adding mayonnaise to a dish and thought, “This is it!”

It’s a common issue with fried chicken recipes that they often tell you to put “½ an egg”, leaving you wondering what to do with the other half. Switching to mayonnaise solved that problem. It was quite the revolution in my cooking.

After that, you just mix and marinate, coat it with a mixture of potato starch and cornstarch, then fry it.

It’s seriously easy to make. The only drawback of fried chicken is dealing with the oil, but aside from that, there aren’t many downsides, so I make it quite often.

“Hmm… Maybe I should time it so that the second batch finishes frying while we are eating. Girls probably won’t eat too quickly, so their eating pace should be manageable.” (Souma)

As I continued working, I constructed a mental timeline. When I checked the clock, it was exactly 7:00 PM. I still had quite a bit of time left.

“Mafuyu-chan, are you not bored?” (Souma)

“Hiyaaa! …Ahem. No, I’m fine.” (Mafuyu)

When I turned back and returned to the living room, Mafuyu-chan, who seemed to have been watching my back, was suddenly startled by my question. She let out a surprised and stiffened up.

While I take off my apron, I sat down next to Mafuyu-chan. I noticed her sneaking a glance at the apron I had placed on the table. Maybe it’s because it’s rare to see a guy wearing an apron.

“I’m sorry for leaving you alone after you came over.” (Souma)

“I should be the one apologizing for not being able to help.” (Mafuyu)

On the way home, I asked Mafuyu-chan about her cooking skills, and it seems that she is not particularly good at cooking either. She wants to cook for herself, but her university life has been so hectic that she hasn’t had much opportunity to do so.

Oh, I totally get it. I started off all enthusiastic for the first few months, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it afterwards. Cooking itself is fine, but the dishes are a hassle, you know? However, once you get used to it, you will find ways to save time, so it’s not that big of a problem anymore.

“Don’t worry about it too much. I’m used to cooking by myself, so just the fact that I can get opinions on what I cook is valuable enough.” (Souma)

By the way, when I asked in the ‘Souma-kai’ group chat if it was alright to bring along one of my kouhais, both of them readily agreed.

When I mentioned it to Shizuka, she sent me a cryptic message in a private chat saying, “You’re quite popular, huh?” But now that I think about it, I haven’t replied to that yet.

“…………? Maybe she’s here, though it’s still early.” (Souma)

As I thought about sending a reply, the doorbell rang at the exact moment I took out my smartphone. On the camera feed, I saw Shizuka’s figure with her slightly wavy chestnut hair, looking a bit fidgety and adjusting her hair ends.

“Looks like the neighbor’s here. I’ll be right back.” (Souma)

“Yeah, got it.” (Mafuyu)

I left the living room and unlocked the front door. Shizuka, with her elegantly brushed down hair, was standing there. I had seen her meticulously grooming herself on the camera feed, but I probably shouldn’t mention that.

As soon as Shizuka saw my face, a teasing smirk formed on hers.

“You’re quite popular, huh?” (Shizuka)

“I’m not making fried chicken for you.” (Souma)

*Bam*

As I closed the door, a loud knocking sound echoed from the other side.

“Hey, open up! I paid you a Yukichi²! Give me some fried chicken already! I’m begging you~~~~!” (Shizuka)

“She’s quite the character.” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan, who had quietly arrived at the entrance at some point, muttered under her breath while looking at the door.

Yeah, I agree.

Illustration of Mafuyu settling down in MC’s home