The next day…
When Sasuke woke up, he noticed that Sakura had already prepared breakfast. The aroma of freshly cooked rice filled the room.
Sasuke sat up slowly, rubbing his head. I can't believe I drank so much yesterday…
Turning his head, he saw Sakura sleeping peacefully next to him and let out a quiet sigh. At least it's like this… things are fine.
He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. After all, Sakura would be his wife in the future. A few early morning mishaps didn't matter much.
Just as he was about to get out of bed, he froze.
Huh?
Karin was sleeping on his other side!
One was on the left, the other on the right… Sasuke covered his forehead in disbelief. This is… impossible.
Twenty minutes later, the three of them were fully dressed and seated at the dining table in the living room.
All the food from last night's drinking game had been cleared away. Sasuke let out a long sigh. "Who came up with the idea yesterday?"
Sakura remained quiet, her face flushed with embarrassment. Karin, on the other hand, smirked coldly. "I thought so! What the hell, Sasuke!"
Sasuke shook his head, already guessing that Karin had orchestrated the entire event.
"Okay… let's just eat first," he muttered.
"Let's eat at home. Since this has already happened, what else can we do?"
As he prepared to get up, Karin stopped him. "Hey, Sasuke, don't go out. I remember we still have vegetables from before yesterday. Because of last night, they weren't cooked at all. I'll make a few dishes myself!"
Sasuke thought for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, that works."
Sakura immediately volunteered. "I'll help too!"
And so, Sakura and Karin went into the kitchen to cook together.
Twenty minutes later…
Sakura had prepared two dishes, and Karin had also made two. They laid them out on the table, each looking quite similar.
"Sasuke-kun, try it! This is my cooking!" Sakura said, her eyes sparkling as she pushed her plate slightly toward him. Her watery gaze begged for approval.
Sasuke hummed thoughtfully, picked up his chopsticks, and tasted the dish. He immediately frowned.
Seeing his expression, Sakura panicked. "Sasuke-kun! What's wrong?!"
Not wanting to upset her, Sasuke quickly swallowed and forced a small smile. "It's… not bad."
Karin, observing the interaction, realized that Sasuke's words were more about sparing Sakura's feelings than true praise. She took her chopsticks and tasted the dish herself.
Her eyes widened in surprise, then mirrored Sasuke's stunned expression.
Sakura noticed and asked, worried, "What's wrong?"
Karin glanced at Sasuke, then smiled at Sakura. "You better taste it yourself, Sakura."
Sakura, already suspecting the truth, nervously picked up her chopsticks and took a bite… only to immediately gag and spit it out.
"Ugh! Ugh! Oh no… what did I do?"
Sasuke chuckled softly. "You're trying, don't underestimate yourself so much."
Sakura frowned. "Stop lying to me. And you, Karin! Don't just tell me indirectly!"
Karin feigned innocence. "Sasuke didn't say it tasted bad. How dare I say so?"
Sakura sighed, then pointed to another dish. "I cooked this one too. Try it again!"
Sasuke and Karin each picked up a piece with their chopsticks. This dish turned out even worse, leaving both of them stunned.
Seeing their reactions, Sakura felt utterly confused. "What's wrong this time?"
Tasting it herself, Sakura realized the problem. "Ugh! Ugh! What's wrong with my cooking?!"
She felt deeply discouraged. Could it be that she truly had no talent for cooking?
Karin looked at her and asked, teasingly, "Sakura, is this your first time cooking?"
Sakura shook her head. "No… I've cooked before, but it seems my skills are… lacking."
Karin laughed lightly. "It's okay. You don't cook often, so it's natural that your skills aren't perfect. You can practice slowly and get better."
Sasuke nodded in agreement. "Yes, Sakura. Karin is right. You just need to practice more."
Sakura's cheeks flushed. "I originally planned to practice cooking at home because I heard that if you want to win a man's heart, you need to win his stomach. But now… it's all revealed."
"Oh, what a pity," Karin said, though her smile was encouraging.
Sakura felt a pang of frustration. Karin continued, "Come on, don't be upset. Eat the food I cooked!"
With that, Karin handed some of her dishes to Sakura, and Sasuke eagerly tasted Karin's cooking. Her food was so well-prepared that even Sakura couldn't hide her envy.
Why… why is her cooking so good?!
Sakura's heart sank. She couldn't believe it. Karin had actually outdone her in every way—Sasuke clearly enjoyed Karin's cooking much more.
Karin noticed Sakura's expression and asked teasingly, "What's wrong, Sakura? Not happy with it?"
Sakura shook her head, frowning. "No! I'm just… jealous of you, Karin. Your food is so good, much better than mine. No wonder Sasuke-kun likes you!"
Hearing this, Karin's smile grew wider than when Sasuke praised her. After all, a woman's vanity is most flattered by admiration from another woman.
"Hahaha! Sakura, I'll teach you how to cook from now on!" Karin said cheerfully.
Sakura's eyes brightened with determination. "Humph! Karin, I won't lose to you. From now on, I'll learn everything from you until I surpass you!"
Karin laughed softly. "Surpass me? That'll be a long way off."
After breakfast, Sasuke wandered onto the balcony alone, casually watering the flowers, while Sakura and Karin washed the dishes in the kitchen.
Karin glanced at Sasuke, then tilted her head and asked Sakura, "How did you feel last night?"
Sakura blushed deeply. "Oh… you really know how to ask!"
Karin chuckled. "Well, how about it? Don't you want to thank me, sister?"
Sakura nodded sincerely. "Yes, Karin. I really do want to thank you for everything. I appreciate your help!"
Karin patted her shoulder warmly. "Don't mention it. From now on, we're a family. You're always welcome."
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