I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"Yui can go to whichever group she wants to learn. Playing games is fine too, but you have to get Sora's permission first."

"That's it. Does anyone have any questions?"

"..."

Yukino Yukinoshita crossed her arms and gave her a look that said, "Didn't you even ask for my permission first?"

Tenkuji Yu smiled at her, and she sighed helplessly, no longer caring about it.

"Senior Yu, is there a right or wrong way to make Mapo Tofu?"

The next person, with a look of confusion in their eyes, asked a question earnestly.

A long-sleeved red dress with white trim hugged her slender figure, while a white shawl with floral patterns on her shoulders made her look elegant and lovely. She didn't look like someone who came to learn cooking, but rather like a newly appointed little Christmas girl who was about to climb through his window to deliver presents—or go in herself.

Why dress so nicely to learn cooking...? Tachibana Kanade once asked this question, and originally planned to wear her school gym uniform, which is long-sleeved, warm, easy to move in, and won't get dirty.

Then this idea was ruthlessly rejected by her advisor, Iroha Isshiki.

"When a girl goes to someone's house, especially a boy's house, she should definitely wear nice clothes! Even if she doesn't intend for him to compliment her or seduce her, she should still wear something cute and casual out of politeness. Sports clothes are definitely a no-go! As for getting them dirty, an apron will do, right?"

So, with some hesitation but unwilling to give up on the girl's insistence, Tachibana Kanade wore this red and white dress to the Tenkuji family.

After taking off her winter coat, her delicate and lovely curves, her snow-white thighs bound by knee-length black stockings under her skirt, and her collarbone faintly visible above her collar were all exposed in the warm room and under the gaze of Yuuki Tenkuji.

Of course, aside from thinking he was "quite good-looking," he wouldn't have any romantic thoughts whatsoever.

"Correct means the most normal and within the range that can be done by following the recipe. It is perfect for Yukinoshita to teach you from the most basic steps."

Yu Tenkuji explained just as earnestly: "As for me, after you've pretty much learned how to make 'correct but ordinary' Mapo Tofu, I'll teach you how to make 'incorrect but so delicious it'll make you glow' Mapo Tofu... I can't guarantee you'll be able to learn that."

Feeling that she had been subtly insulted, Yukino Yukinoshita stared at him coldly, but considering that his cooking skills were indeed better than hers, she didn't know how to say anything in response.

"Correct but ordinary, incorrect but delicious..." Tachibana Kanade murmured a few times with her face down. She raised her eyes, and although her expression did not change much, her pale golden eyes seemed to sparkle, filled with an unwavering will that seemed to be real.

"I will study hard! I would appreciate your guidance, both teachers!"

This was said to Yuuki Tenkuji and Yukino Yukinoshita.

With her expression softening, Yukino Yukinoshita nodded gently: "Don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand anything during the process. This is my first time teaching someone, and Chinese cuisine is not my area of ​​expertise. I can only say that I will try my best to tell you how to do it well."

"That's enough." With his hands in front of him, Tachibana Kanade bowed slightly to her, his voice soft yet solemn, "I'm willing to accept any trial in order to produce delicious Mapo Tofu on my own."

Beside her, Iroha couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Kanade gets inexplicably all fired up when she comes across Mapo Tofu."

Before she could even react, she was dragged out of the kitchen by the ear by Yuu Tenkuji.

"With Yise gone, the kitchen is theirs. I'll teach you how to make delicious desserts in the living room... Would you like to start with cookies or mixed nut mooncakes?"

"That second option looks weird, doesn't it?! Wait, let me go, senior... my ears are very sensitive!"

"Come on, I clearly didn't use any strength."

"If you use a bit more force, it's fine, but it's just this moderate amount of force..."

"what?"

"No, nothing! Yui-senpai, I have to complain! Senpai touched me inappropriately in my sensitive areas!"

"Huh? Um... Xiaoyou didn't mean it. You can't just hold hands or pull hair, can you?"

"Is that the problem?! Ah... I'm desperate. I'm desperate for this world where seniors protect each other. Do whatever you want with me, I know, cute juniors always end up being bullied..."

"No, you forgot about Li Hua—"

"Senior, if you continue, I'll 'die in a jade-like state' with you, okay?"

Looking at Isshiki Hatake, whose eyes were empty and cold, whose voice was sweet but utterly devoid of any jest, Yuu Tenkuji once again realized a truth—

Teasing a lively and cute junior is really fun.

△

During the morning, the five people split into two groups and were active in the living room and kitchen.

Yukino's teaching went very smoothly. Tachibana Kanade, who was quick-witted, fast learners, and had strong hands-on skills, quickly learned the basic cooking method of Mapo Tofu. Moreover, despite it being her first time holding a kitchen knife, her knife skills were so good that Yukino suspected that Tenkuji Yu had secretly instructed her.

Meanwhile, the dessert team outside is struggling to make progress due to the addition of Yui Yuigahama, and unexpected situations occasionally arise.

"Xiaoyou, why won't my dough solidify?"

"Xiaoyou, why can't we add coffee beans? Not even Orio? I brought them all..."

"Xiaoyou, why are my cookies different from yours? I followed all the steps correctly!"

"Xiaoyou, my cookies seem to be emitting a black light, and they're squealing and wriggling... Does that mean it's a success?"

Yuu Tenkuji: "Yes, you've successfully broken through the lower limit of human culinary possibilities..."

Regardless of whether any strange or monstrous things happened along the way, in short, with Yuu Tenkuji's desperate efforts to control the situation, Iroha Isshiki finally managed to learn how to make colorful macarons and marshmallow tarts, and the taste was pretty good. With the added bonus of being a JK (high school girl) handmade, she might be able to sell them to many people.

As for Yui Yuigahama...

Putting the cooking aside for the sake of all humanity, Yuu Tenkuji strictly forbids her from trying to make desserts in places where he cannot see her.

For some reason, Yui Yuigahama was actually quite happy after hearing this tactful criticism.

"That way, I'll have a reason to come to Xiaoyou's house every day..."

And so, the Sky Temple family had a lively morning, their laughter and chatter seemingly trying to shine through the windows and illuminate the gloomy gray winter.

Before they knew it, it was past midnight. After packing up their things, Yuu Tenkuji, who was the head chef for the day, put on an apron.

He chased everyone else out of the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and prepared to show off his skills for his friends and juniors.

The kitchen helper, without his permission, wearing an adorable apron with cat paw prints, stood next to him.

Do you have any comments?

In the quiet kitchen, the two people, alone, gaze at each other.

Chapter 53 The Kitchen Where Only Two People Exist

Tenkuji Yu turned his gaze away and shrugged.

"No. It's my honor that the Minister is willing to lend a hand; how could I possibly have any objections?"

Upon hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita rolled her eyes beautifully—proving that good-looking people are still stunning even when they roll their eyes.

Yuu Tenkuji thought to herself, "I'll make her make a funny face next time."

"If you have no objections, then get started and stop wasting time talking."

"The kitchen helper actually dares to order the head chef around? Be careful, or I'll... Fine, fine, I'll do it." Under her icy gaze, which seemed to be tangible, Tenkuji Yu pouted and slammed her knuckles against the kitchen counter.

With effortless ease, he transmitted the force, and the knife on the cutting board suddenly jumped up, spun a few times in mid-air, and was easily caught in his hand.

"Next up is a perfect cooking show, so don't be too stunned."

Glancing at his smug smile, Yukino Yukinoshita calmly walked towards the refrigerator: "Don't worry, I won't look at yours unless there's something wrong."

"Okay, I knew it." Not too disappointed, Yuu Tenkuji put away his frivolous attitude, lit the stove, and began to seriously work on his cooking.

Yukino Yukinoshita had just taken the meat and vegetables out of the refrigerator when she saw him casually flick his knife, cutting a block of tofu into neat, perfect white cubes at a speed she couldn't even see.

"..."

Then he grabbed a handful of scallions and started chopping them into sections. This time, he wasn't so fast that it was hard to see, but what puzzled her was why, even though the chopping method was exactly the same, the scallion sections he chopped would fly straight from the cutting board into the small bowl like a school of fish jumping into water?

"..."

Knives flashed, ingredients flew everywhere, the fire blazed, and the aroma was irresistible.

His effortless and skillful culinary techniques were indeed like a performance that delighted the senses, captivating the viewer and inspiring deep admiration.

Fortunately, this wasn't the first time Yukino Yukinoshita had seen him cook; although she was still quite shocked, she wasn't too surprised or stunned.

However, after pausing for a few seconds, she walked over to him and put down the ingredients she was holding.

Yuu Tenkuji didn't turn his head, but focused on preparing the sauce in his hand. His arrogant voice, however, reached Yukino Yukinoshita's ears almost imperceptibly.

"You said you wouldn't be stunned, huh."

"..."

To endure.

There's no need to argue with this childish guy. Be magnanimous and tolerant, like a mature older sister...

After taking a deep breath, Yukino Yukinoshita turned around expressionlessly and went to do chores like peeling and washing dishes.

She was self-aware enough to know that the guy's cooking was beyond the capabilities of a normal person, and even though she considered herself a fairly good cook, there was still no room for her to interfere.

Ultimately, he didn't need anyone to help him at all; that was a fact both of them understood...

So, why?

Why did he so readily ask me to stay and help?

Why did I realize that I had already closed the kitchen door and was standing next to him as if it were nothing?

……

The fire in the stove rose and fell, and the aroma gradually spread.

The soup in the pot was still boiling. While turning the spatula, Tenkuji Yu casually glanced at the black-haired girl busy at the sink.

Although people always say she's flat-chested, there are still subtle curves in her chest when she's wearing an apron.

The curve of her hips is visible even under the long skirt, making her look delicate and cute. It must feel great to touch when you take a picture of her.

So, why?

When did I become so obsessed with women's figures, unable to control my eyes?

Yuu Tenkuji secretly reflected on his actions and resolutely changed his ways—no longer looking down, but instead looking at the area above the shoulders.

This kind of behavior should be avoided when two people are alone together, otherwise the atmosphere will become awkward and you will easily be called a pervert.

However, for some reason, it seemed as if admiring her appearance had become a matter of course. At this moment, Tenkuji Yu didn't care about this and just casually glanced at her out of the corner of her eye.

He actually prefers short hair to long hair.

If I had to explain why, it's because girls with short hair are incredibly cute.

Her fair neck is adorable beneath her flowing hair, and her forehead, peeking out from behind her bangs with hair clips, is also adorable. She's even more adorable when her ears are lightly peeking out.