This is not the date I wanted.

"Well... because it's easy to make, and it's quick to eat when you're in a hurry in the morning, and it's eaten quite frequently... Yeah, so Mengyue, did you really make porridge?"

After answering Kotori's question half-heartedly, Shidou coughed lightly and asked Mengyue with the intention of changing the subject.

"Well... it's true, but at least I put in some effort."

With a sigh of helplessness, Mengyue opened the pressure cooker, filled a bowl and placed it in front of Shidao.

Then, after the smell of the porridge completely dissipated in the air, Shidao smelled the slightly bitter smell of medicine in the air, and he had some guesses in his mind.

"Mengyue...are you making medicinal food?"

Unlike Origami's dishes that were filled with suspicious drugs, Mengyue's dishes were truly based on pharmacology.

"Well... it's a bit exaggerated to call it a medicinal diet. It's just salty porridge with some medicinal herbs and vegetables added to protect the stomach and intestines." Meng Yue waved her hand and said, "Besides, porridge puts little burden on the stomach and intestines, and it is definitely harmless to the body. It won't be a bad thing for you to eat a little."

"Well, let me eat some first...it's so bitter——"

Although it is not as bitter as real boiled Chinese medicine, to be honest, it is not a taste that people can swallow happily. Shidao showed a complicated expression on his face.

"Just bear with me for a while. As the saying goes, good medicine tastes bitter. Although I have tried adding some tomatoes and cabbage to season it, I don't have much experience with medicinal food."

Meng Yue scratched her face and said helplessly.

"Sister Mengyue, you should understand... this is a cooking competition."

Kotori looked at Mengyue with a slightly strange look and said.

As the name suggests, this is a competition to see who can cook more delicious food. Although Mengyue's cooking takes more health factors into consideration, when the medicinal taste is too strong, Mengyue can be said to be eliminated just like Tohka Origami.

"Well, I didn't have any intention of winning this match. If it weren't for my cooperation with the investigation of Orimori, I might have just given up."

Mengyue shrugged indifferently, and looked at Shidao who had a bitter look on his face but still finished his food bite by bite, and a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Hehe, now that the most dangerous opponent has chosen to self-destruct, you are no longer a threat! Look... this masterpiece that Yakushi and I have worked so hard to create is unmatched."

"I am sure that with the combined strength of Yakuya and Yui, there will be nothing to fear anymore."

After seeing Mengyue, the biggest danger, give up the competition, Yakuya and Yui felt that they had won the game and declared confidently.

"Well... is this the almond egg I promised you to make?"

In response to Shidou's question, Yui nodded slightly, then served two more dishes and explained.

"A side dish. It's served with French consommé and burdock salad."

Hearing this, Tohka interrupted in a panic.

"Wait a minute, Yui-chan! Isn't there only one dish that determines the outcome?"

"Counterargument. Although there is only one dish to decide the winner, there is no special rule that does not allow for combination."

Xixian retorted somewhat proudly.

Well, Mengyue did notice this loophole. If the side dishes are chosen properly, they can indeed highlight the deliciousness of the staple food. If it is a one-on-one cooking competition, it is indeed a good idea.

"Well, there is indeed no clear regulation." After thinking for a moment, Kotori did not object to Yui's idea, but still said, "However, side dishes cannot be counted as part of the review."

Yakuya remained calm, covering his face with his right hand, pretending to be cool as he replied:

"Kuku... that's enough. At most, it's the result of my thoughts for the servants. It doesn't matter to us that the side dishes are not evaluated. Rather, you should feel fear from my cooking. Especially Mengyue - my compatriots~ I want you to understand that my cooking skills are no longer the same as before. Tremble for this masterpiece of the ages, ignorant mortal - pain, pain, pain!"

Although the food is indeed good, this guy is a little too proud of himself, which makes people feel uncomfortable. Thinking this way, Mengyue grabbed Yakushi's cheeks and pulled them hard.

"Well, it may sound a bit exaggerated, but this dish is really well made. All the ingredients have been carefully processed. Just smelling it makes me feel that it is very delicious."

"Be honest. What determines the outcome is the onion that Yakuya cut with tears."

"Wuwu...signal line...Kuchi...redundant..." Yakushi, whose face was being ravaged by Mengyue, let out a meaningless and panicked cry.

"Then Darling~ Honey~, the last one is Miku's loving curry~"

With a bright and sweet smile on her face, Miku handed her food to Shidou and Mengyue.

Uh...after seeing Miku's cooking, Shidou and Mengyue's faces twitched at the same time.

To be honest... neither Mengyue nor Shidao could understand what kind of ingredients were added to make the curry shine with colorful colors.

"…Miku, tell me the truth, how did you make this curry?"

Taking out a small spoonful, looking at the sauce on the rice grains that was glittering with rainbow colors, Shidao swallowed his saliva but still didn't dare put it into his mouth.

"Well... after listening to the various opinions of my classmates on the phone, it turned out like this. How about it... it's a very tempting fragrance, right?"

Um...it does smell like curry...it's not just a similar smell, right?

"Don't worry, Shidou... It may be hard to believe... but this is just normal curry."

After tasting it with a try-it attitude, Mengyue chewed Mijiu's curry with a very complicated expression.

What kind of chemical reaction can make such a strange-looking curry taste the same as ordinary curry? Is it the so-called extreme things will turn into the opposite? Or is Miku actually a hidden level 6 magician?

"No way……"

Hearing Mengyue's words, Shidao looked incredulous.

"You darling, judging people by appearance is a bad habit. Come, let me feed you. Ah——"

As she said that, Miku gently handed the spoon to Shidou's mouth.

Then, Meijiu's action successfully touched everyone's bottom line.

"Shidou. Then I should feed you first. Come here and eat first."

"Kuku. Be happy, Shidou. I will serve you a glorious feast."

"Speak up. Please also try the food that Yui made."

"Ah~ Mr. Shidao will definitely finish eating my food~"

"Shidou, mine too. Eat this piece of meat."

"Hey, don't forget my cooking. I worked so hard to make it. (How much time can you spend on a breakfast?)"

“Yoshino! Yoshino! Now is the time to compete. Show us your courage!”

“Well, well! Please try mine too!”

"I say...wait a minute...I can't...eat so much..."

After finishing the food that everyone handed over one by one, as his stomach kept sending signals that it was approaching its limit, Shidao finally understood why Mengyue cooked medicinal food for him to protect his stomach.

……

"Oh... No, my stomach is so bloated..."

Shidou leaned back on the sofa, holding his stomach, with a look of pain on his face.

As he was talking, although he managed to survive thanks to Meng Yue's medicinal porridge, some of the food he ate had some problems, causing Shidao to feel a pain of indigestion.

For the time being, Shidou didn't want to eat anything.

"Come on Shidou~ There's still one dish you haven't tasted yet!~"

And?! When Shidao heard Meng Yue's cry, his expression suddenly became very ugly.

“Well… don’t look like you can’t eat anymore. I suggest you eat this last dish~”

Patting Shidou on the shoulder, Mengyue handed a cup of dessert to Shidou.

"Pudding...? Babara (a French dessert), judging by the color, it seems to have some fruit added."

After making a few simple comments, Shidou decided to taste it.

"Hmm...hmm, sour. There's pineapple, figs... some yogurt too?"

The cool feeling spread throughout the body, as if cooling down an overheated engine, and my stomach, which had been a little bloated, also felt a lot more relaxed.

Although the steaming temperature was a bit high and the slag was not filtered well, it was indeed the most gentle taste for Shidao at the moment.

"Hmm. I think... this one is the most delicious."

After hearing what Shidou said, everyone except Mengyue looked surprised.

"What? Isn't my cooking the best, Shidou?!"

"I would like to ask Tohka, how do you think you can win?"

Meng Yue looked at Shi Xiang with a strange expression and complained.

"What...it's actually above our Yamai's golden egg."

"Surprised. Isn't it our victory, Yuxian?"

Yakuya and Yui said with some confusion.

"Pineapple and figs have digestive enzymes, and yogurt has the effect of regulating the stomach." Origami analyzed it quietly for a few sentences, and then said with some annoyance, "I calculated the calories that Shidao has eaten so far, but I didn't take tonight's dinner into account. It's really a strategic menu that takes all uncertain factors into consideration."

No... even if your cooking is considered, it is directly out of the question in another aspect.

Well, it's basically the same as what Kurumi said. Meng Yue's medicinal diet mainly contains some medicinal herbs that warm the stomach and intestines and vegetables rich in vitamins, mainly to strengthen the digestive function of the stomach and intestines. And this pudding, through its own digestive enzymes, helps Shidao relieve the pressure brought by food that exceeds his digestive capacity.

Obviously, these two dishes were designed and prepared taking into account Shidao's appetite tonight.

But Mengyue's medicinal food is not good in terms of taste...

"I, I was only thinking about my own cooking. I didn't consider Brother Shidou's feelings..."

"Well, it's true that I didn't think that through. Looks like I have to admit defeat."

"Hmm... I was blinded by the desire to win, and ignored the changes in the universe. Although I am unwilling, it is indeed my defeat."

"Reluctantly. But, Xi Xian still admitted defeat."

With a very clear reason for winning, no one said much and just admitted defeat.

"Mengyue? Did you make this pudding?"

"I don't have the spare time to prepare a second dish for you."

Meng Yue rolled her eyes unhappily and shook her head. "This is what Huo Shou asked me to give to you."

"Or Shou? Come to think of it, I did see her in the kitchen just now, but I didn't notice..."

Well, after all, Orumi seems to be a bit elusive. Shidou added in his mind with a wry smile.

"Well, the winner tonight will be decided as either the guard or the defender... By the way, where did the person go?"

Shidou looked around and didn't see any sign of Oruma, so he scratched his head in confusion.

"Well... he said he wanted to see the stars, so he went out."

Meng Yue answered Shidao's words.

Come to think of it…I was also outside yesterday observing the starry sky.

Although it should be fine for Oro to stay in her own world, it's already so dark, and it's not good to leave her alone outside, so let's find her back. Thinking of this, Gokawa Shido showed a worried look on his face.

As if seeing through Shidou's thoughts, Mengyue and Qinli let out complicated sighs at the same time.

"Well, I'll kick you out even if you don't say that. Leave the cleanup here to us."

“Really… I can’t stand the fact that you go full on brother mode when it comes to other people’s affairs. Rest in peace~ Onii-chan.”

"Oh!"

After Shidou responded with gratitude, he put on his loafers and went to search or guard.

"Hey...Sister Mengyue."

"what?"

"I think if it's Shidou... maybe he can make Orumi embarrassed."

"Of course, he is Shidou after all..."

Mengyue and Kotori looked at Shidou's departing figure. After looking at each other, a smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of their mouths.

Gu————!

Then, from the direction of the living room, there were very obvious stomach rumbling sounds.

"Ahhh~ Your stomach is growling loudly without hiding its hunger. You are truly Tohka-chan."

"No, there's nothing I can do! I was so busy preparing food when I got back that I completely forgot I hadn't eaten."

"Hmm... Come to think of it, I haven't enjoyed the usual offerings tonight."

"Weak. I'm a little hungry."