"???"
If someone were to ask Masatsuki Aozaki how he felt at this moment—
He would probably describe it as a ghost fire boy who had just met a girl he liked and was eager to walk her home…
But—
Where the hell is my ghost fire?!
"Kirio! What do we do?! This is a disaster! It turned into something weird!"
"...Masatsuki, calm down… Yes, this is indeed a tragic situation."
In utter distress, Masatsuki Aozaki lunged forward, throwing his arms around Kirio Hikifune and burying his face into her ample chest.
"Waaah! Kirio-sama, what kind of cursed place is this?! I can't cook at all!"
Kirio Hikifune was about to comfort him.
After all, she had been in the same position when she first arrived.
It had taken her a while to figure it out—
The Reishi concentration in the Soul King Palace was far too high, meaning that cooking required the use of Reiatsu to properly balance the process.
But then, her sharp mind quickly caught on.
A sly smirk crept onto her lips as she gently stroked Masatsuki's hair, chuckling softly.
"Hehehe, Masatsuki… You're still too inexperienced."
Masatsuki Aozaki looked up at her with teary eyes, his voice full of grievance.
"This is so unfair… Masatsuki is so pitiful. I can't figure anything out…"
"I've created a bunch of unidentifiable monstrosities that instantly kill appetites… I'm beyond saving…"
"Even if you're trying to help, do you have to say it that bluntly?! That really hurts, you know?!"
Letting out a ghostly wail, Masatsuki clung to Kirio even tighter, his tears barely held back.
Seeing him reduced to such a pitiful mess only made Kirio Hikifune even more pleased with herself.
She could hardly contain her laughter.
Since he can't even handle the basics of cooking, no matter how talented he is, he'll have to start from scratch.
Which means… he'll be staying right by my side for the entire time he's in the Soul King Palace.
And even better—just the two of us, all alone… A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Kirio Hikifune had already erased a certain someone from her mind.
At this point, her brain was completely focused on the future—already making plans on exactly how to train Masatsuki.
...
Meanwhile, Masatsuki Aozaki—after his initial shock had faded—
Was now being carried along like a large stuffed toy, still leaning helplessly against Kirio as she led him toward her quarters.
What now? I can't use cooking lessons as an excuse to get closer to Kirio anymore…
He groaned internally.
I was trying to show off… and instead…
The steps were right, so why the hell did it go so wrong?!
Does this mean I actually have to go back to being a student?
Actually… maybe that wasn't so bad.
The rational part of his brain offered a suggestion.
After all, before Kirio had joined the Soul King Palace, he had taught her quite a lot.
Now that he could no longer be her teacher, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to let her be his teacher instead.
Of course, he'd have to ask for her approval first—he couldn't just force her into it.
But…
She's definitely going to have me wrapped around her finger, huh…
With that thought, Masatsuki Aozaki let out a long, defeated sigh.
Once again, he lamented his own helplessness.
"Alright, alright, Masatsuki, you've been busy for so long—you must be tired, right?"
"It's fine. I've already prepared a home-cooked meal in my room. You can eat and rest properly afterward."
"!"
However, the moment they stepped into the entrance hallway—
Both Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune, the owner of the room, immediately sensed something was off.
Someone was here.
They both became aware of it at the same time—along with an abnormally strong Reiatsu.
Whoever it was hadn't bothered to hide their presence, but the sheer intensity of the Reiatsu fluctuating in the air far surpassed that of a Captain-class Shinigami.
"In the kitchen."
Kirio Hikifune smiled as she spoke.
Indeed, inside her bedroom—there was an actual kitchen hidden away.
Masatsuki Aozaki's mouth twitched.
Still, he was prepared for this. Without hesitation, he strode toward a sliding paper door.
As he got closer, the smile on his face only grew wider.
Creak~
As soon as the door slid open, the figure inside stood up, covering her face as she let out a soft, amused laugh.
The golden headdress adorning her head swayed slightly, producing a crisp, elegant sound.
"Oh my, Masatsuki… and Kirio, what brings you two here?"
Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune simply looked at the woman before them, saying nothing—as if waiting for her to continue.
Masatsuki blinked and took another good look at the elegant, refined woman before him.
Those alluring, peach-colored eyes of hers could easily mesmerize anyone.
Her clothing completely concealed her hands, yet from the back of her robes, three pairs of skeletal arms extended outward—giving off an air of both mystery and danger.
With a serene smile, she lowered the skeletal arm that had been covering her face, revealing lips still dusted with faint crumbs.
"You two were preparing a meal, weren't you? Are you done already?"
"I've been waiting for quite some time, you know… Have you figured out how you're going to make it up to me for keeping me waiting?"
She flashed a gentle yet teasing smile—her every movement exuding grace and composure befitting a noble of Zero Division.
Masatsuki Aozaki narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly stepped forward.
There was something off here—he could feel it.
And judging by his expression, he had already figured out what it was.
Senjumaru Shutara tilted her head slightly in curiosity, observing him with amusement.
Had this little troublemaker already caught on?
However, Kirio Hikifune—who was also present—immediately understood the meaning behind Masatsuki Aozaki's current expression.
He was in the mood for mischief.
Without a word, Kirio turned her head away, wrinkling her nose slightly. She had no interest in getting caught up in whatever nonsense was about to unfold.
And then—
Masatsuki Aozaki pointed directly at Senjumaru and declared:
"You! You did something sneaky behind our backs, didn't you?!"
"...Eh? How did you know?!"
Senjumaru's eyes widened in surprise before she quickly corrected herself.
"No, wait—I certainly didn't sneak a bite!"
"Senjumaru-senpai, you just admitted it! And besides…"
Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly leaned in, reaching out toward her.
"If you're going to lie, at least clean up the evidence first."
With a swift motion, he brushed his fingers lightly over Senjumaru's lips, rubbing a few crumbs between them.
"This was specially prepared for me, you know. After committing such a terrible crime, are you ready to accept your punishment?"
Senjumaru Shutara's smile visibly stiffened as she blinked at him, feigning innocence.
…
"V-very sorry…"
Half an hour later—
After finally settling down in the dining area and filling his stomach—
Masatsuki Aozaki watched as Senjumaru Shutara knelt on the floor, formally offering her apology.
Following Kirio Hikifune's remark that "you really shouldn't wear strange outfits indoors,"
Senjumaru had immediately removed her skeletal arms.
Now, dressed only in her Shihakushō and Haori, her actual hands—usually hidden beneath her sleeves—rested properly in her lap.
She was trying her best to maintain an air of dignity and seriousness, yet…
Both Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune knew her true nature.
…
Seated comfortably in the host's seat, Kirio Hikifune sipped leisurely from a ceramic cup.
A knowing smirk played at the corners of her lips as she watched the scene unfold with great amusement.
Across the table, Masatsuki Aozaki sat with his arms crossed, regarding Senjumaru with a stern expression.
Meanwhile, Senjumaru—clearly flustered—fidgeted anxiously, her hands twisting in her lap.
Her face held a guilty expression, and every now and then, she would sneak a glance at Masatsuki, only to quickly look away again.
Masatsuki let out a sharp exhale through his nose, his gaze turning piercing as he finally addressed her.
"So, as I was saying earlier—you… really stole my dessert, didn't you?"
His voice was low and serious, as if delivering a verdict in a trial.
Senjumaru visibly trembled and immediately started stammering:
"I-I didn't steal it! It's just that… well, that thing you called 'Tiramisu'… It was placed so obviously in the open…"
"And, well, Kirio never makes Western-style desserts, so I accidentally… um… just… had a little taste…"
The more she spoke, the weaker her voice became.
By the time she reached the end of her excuse, she could no longer meet Masatsuki's eyes, her gaze shifting evasively to avoid his direct stare.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake