If one were to cook for oneself, the overall cost would indeed be cheaper than eating in the school cafeteria. Of course, the taste of the food is determined by the chef's skill.
Shikime Natsu felt that he was making quite a significant sacrifice. He had absolutely no idea how good Horikita Suzune's cooking skills were. What if this fellow wanted to seize the opportunity to poison him to death? He hadn't yet obtained a constitution invulnerable to all poisons.
If Horikita Suzune were to know about these rude thoughts within Shikime Natsu's heart, she would probably smash the ingredients directly into Shikime Natsu's face.
For tonight's dinner, Shikime Natsu wasn't being particularly picky; he only requested that Horikita Suzune bring out her best dish.
"Shall we go to your dormitory or mine?"
Shikime Natsu took a few extra steps forward to be on the same level as Horikita Suzune. Although Horikita Suzune's steps were small, she increased her frequency to widen the distance from Shikime Natsu. It was quite visible that she was unwilling to walk together with him.
Hearing Shikime Natsu's question, Horikita Suzune fell silent. This was indeed a major issue.
"Go to mine."
A moment later, Horikita Suzune gave her answer. At the very least, being in her own dormitory would make her feel a bit safer.
Shikime Natsu's eyes lit up. It was his first time going to a girl's dormitory. Usually, girls came to his dormitory.
Horikita Suzune's room... Hmm, no matter how he thought about it, it wouldn't be that pink and tender style. It felt like it would be similar to his own room—quite minimalist. Aside from the bed and some essential items, there was basically nothing else.
Taking the elevator, Shikime Natsu arrived quite naturally at the floor where Horikita Suzune lived. They didn't encounter any students along the way. Horikita Suzune's small face was full of nervousness, as if afraid of being misunderstood; she looked left and right with every step she took.
Fortunately, the two arrived safely at Horikita Suzune's room.
"Excuse the intrusion."
Shikime Natsu walked quite naturally into Horikita Suzune's room. The girl's room was just as he had imagined—very clean and tidy. His gaze fell upon the maiden's bed. Hmm, it was also a quite simple white.
"You cannot sit on that."
Noticing Shikime Natsu's gaze, the warning in Horikita Suzune's eyes was heavy. If she didn't warn this guy, he might just sit directly on it. Or even worse... perhaps this pervert would go smell the scent on the bed.
Shikime Natsu had absolutely no idea that his impression in Horikita Suzune's mind had already become so terrible.
"I know, I know. Hurry up and prepare dinner, Chef Horikita."
Shikime Natsu sat on a chair to the side. Fortunately, the school provided basic chairs, otherwise... Shikime Natsu felt he would have had to stand the whole time.
Horikita Suzune placed the groceries on the table, then picked up a hair tie and tied her beautiful long black hair into a single ponytail. She then casually picked up an apron and put it on. The apron was very clean and tidy. Horikita Suzune's appearance gave the impression that she was quite good at cooking.
Of course, as the saying goes, "bad students have the most stationery." Although she looked the part, perhaps her cooking would be a mess.
However, contrary to Shikime Natsu's expectations, Horikita Suzune was quite capable. Processing ingredients, then putting them in the pot—the whole process could be said to be quite skilled.
[Ding~]
[CG25: Making a Meal (Horikita Suzune)]
[Cooking is the most basic of basics]
[Congratulations Host, you have obtained the Skill Card: Culinary Legend (Your culinary skills are an existence that stands alone eternally in this world. Is your cooking drugged, or did you add fluorescent powder?)]
Looking at the CG in front of him, Shikime Natsu found Horikita Suzune more and more pleasing to the eye. As expected of the woman he selected; in just a short day, she had directly exploded two CGs for him.
Horikita Suzune was currently concentrating on cooking and paid no attention to Shikime Natsu. If she knew that Shikime Natsu found her pleasing to the eye, she would probably despise Shikime Natsu fiercely.
"It's done."
Horikita Suzune placed the finished dish in front of Shikime Natsu, then took off her apron, washed her hands simply, and arranged the tableware on the table. Since plates and such were not sold individually, there were extras, so Shikime Natsu didn't need to eat with his hands at all.
Of course, if Shikime Natsu really intended to eat with his hands, then Horikita Suzune would definitely have to teach this guy a good lesson.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Shikime Natsu nodded. From the perspective of his 'Culinary Legend' status, this dish had quite a few flaws. Of course, from the perspective of an ordinary person, this dish could definitely be considered pretty good. Shikime Natsu didn't possess the 'God Tongue', so he naturally wouldn't be that picky.
Horikita Suzune didn't move her chopsticks; her wine-red eyes just stared straight at Shikime Natsu. Fortunately, Shikime Natsu's psychological quality was exceptionally strong, and he continued eating regardless.
"So?"
The young girl seemed to have waited a bit impatiently. Shikime Natsu was really just eating here without saying a word. Was it delicious? Terrible? Also, what about the matter of being friends?
Horikita Suzune urgently wanted to get a result.
"Mn, your cooking is better than I thought. Thanks for the meal."
Shikime Natsu nodded. Mm, he didn't pay. After all, he bought the ingredients himself, and he even bought enough for three people. Not completely freeloading was already quite friendly of him.
"Is that it?"
Horikita Suzune frowned. This wasn't the answer she wanted.
"Of course. Otherwise, did you think you could bribe me into being your friend with just a single meal? I am a man of principle."
Shikime Natsu was naturally aware of Horikita Suzune's little thoughts. She was too naive.
"Then you..."
The young girl gritted her teeth. This detestable guy clearly said cooking for him would be okay.
"I spoke of a 'possibility.' If it's just a possibility, it isn't necessarily one hundred percent."
Shikime Natsu shook his head, looking at Horikita Suzune with a face full of smiles.
Indeed, Shikime Natsu did say 'possibility,' but... he clearly said the possibility would be high. According to the brain circuitry of a normal person, a high possibility is basically equivalent to an equals sign, right?
"Are you playing me?!"
Horikita Suzune frowned as she looked at Shikime Natsu. On a rare weekend, she was having a quite unhappy time. Although she wouldn't smile anyway, being played by Shikime Natsu like this made her quite angry.
"I am not. Furthermore, the one unwilling to make friends is you, Horikita. From beginning to end, you've merely treated this as a task. I offered my sincerity, yet you are unwilling to be friends with me. It truly makes one sad."
Horikita Suzune really hadn't seen a guy more detestable than Shikime Natsu. He was completely packaging himself as the victim! Clearly, she was the one being spun around in circles by this guy the whole time!
"Remember, Horikita, what is more important than a smile is seeing if you have sincerity. Sincerity in wanting to make friends. Otherwise, I think your brother won't casually acknowledge your growth either."
"Thanks for the meal. Well then, I should get going. By the way, if there's a chance next time, I'll treat you to try my cooking skills. Of course, that's after you become my friend."
After saying this, Shikime Natsu stood up and left Horikita Suzune's dormitory, leaving Horikita Suzune sitting alone on the bed with a complex mood.
Horikita Suzune knew that what Shikime Natsu said wasn't wrong. From start to finish, she never had the thought of wanting to be friends with Shikime Natsu; she just treated it as a task. Like this... she definitely wouldn't be acknowledged by her brother.
But... becoming true friends with that guy... no matter how she thought about it, it was impossible!
___
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