Today, Miko seemed to have a healthy complexion, likely because she had slept well last night.
He didn’t say anything, silently opening the lid of the bento box.
“Boom—”
Though it was an exaggerated metaphor, in Miko’s senses, it felt as if a bomb named ‘Deliciousness’ had truly exploded.
The golden Tamagoyaki radiated an inviting luster, garnished with red octopus sausages and bright green broccoli.
That ultimate aroma of home cooking instantly pierced through Miko’s psychological defenses.
“Want to eat?”
Ai’s voice remained cold, devoid of emotion.
Miko nodded frantically: “Yes! I really do!”
Ai chuckled inwardly.
The system hadn’t lied to him; [God-Tier Cooking] was indeed a finishing move against foodies (and girls lacking love).
He picked up a piece of Tamagoyaki, but instead of handing it over, he held it suspended in mid-air.
“Open your mouth.”
This was actually a slightly excessive command.
After all, they were in a classroom with other students around.
Under normal circumstances, Miko might have shyly refused or taken it with her hands.
But under the dual enchantment of [Charisma 74] and [God-Tier Cooking], Miko’s brain had stopped thinking.
She subconsciously leaned her body forward slightly.
With a flick of his wrist, Ai fed the Tamagoyaki into her mouth.
Soft.
Tender.
Sweet.
The savory umami of the dashi and the richness of the eggs exploded in her mouth.
The warm sensation slid down her throat and into her stomach, instantly turning into a warm current that smoothed out Miko’s nerves, which had been frayed by long-term hauntings from evil spirits.
Miko suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes widening.
It was so delicious…
she wanted to cry.
It wasn’t just the taste; it was more like a feeling of being cared for and pampered.
It was like the porridge her mother made when she was sick as a child, or a warm embrace during a stormy night.
[Ding! Yotsuya Miko Affection Value +60]
[Favorability increased! Current Favorability: 52/100]
[System Evaluation: Superb culinary skills combined with perfectly timed feeding—you have successfully converted ‘appetite’ into ‘desire.’ Now, she probably won’t be able to stomach cold convenience store bentos ever again.]
“Is it good?”
Ai withdrew his chopsticks, asking despite already knowing the answer.
“It’s… it’s delicious!”
With tears in the corners of her eyes, Miko nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed.
“This is the… best Tamagoyaki I’ve ever eaten! Fujiwara-san… in the future… can I eat it often?”
This question was actually quite out of line.
Eating it often = being together often =?
Ai looked into her hopeful eyes.
He didn’t agree immediately, nor did he refuse.
He simply said calmly:
“Depends on my mood.”
Those four words neither closed the door nor gave up his initiative.
The typical art of the push-and-pull of a scumbag…
no, a conqueror.
Just then, the system’s prompt sounded again.
But this wasn’t for Miko.
[Task Description: The effects pedal you gave away last night is being cherished and wiped clean by Goto Hitori. However, because she doesn’t know how to adjust the parameters, her tone sounds like sawing wood, and she is in a state of extreme self-doubt.]
[Task Objective: Go to the Live House ‘STARRY’ after school to ‘accidentally’ meet her and provide technical guidance.]
[Task Reward: Charisma +1, Skill: [Guitar Shredding (Mastery)]]
Ai’s chopsticks paused.
Live House STARRY?
That was the headquarters of bocchi the rock!
and the holy land of rock in Shimokitazawa.
It seemed he was finally going to officially enter Bocchi-chan’s main storyline.
Moreover, the reward this time was [Guitar Shredding].
Combined with the previous [Soul Resonance], it would perfectly make up for his lack of technical skill.
“Yotsuya.”
Ai suddenly spoke.
“Yes! Present!”
Miko, still immersed in the afterglow of the Tamagoyaki, immediately sat up straight.
“I have something to do after school. We’re not going the same way.”
Ai heartlessly shattered Miko’s fantasy of going home together.
“Eh…”
Miko visibly wilted.
But she quickly cheered herself up.
After all, she had just eaten his handmade Tamagoyaki; she couldn’t be too greedy.
“Then… then take care on your way, Fujiwara-san. See you… see you tomorrow!”
Ai nodded and continued eating.
In his heart, however, he was planning his afternoon itinerary.
Shimokitazawa, STARRY.
And that socially anxious pink Guitar Hero.