The three of them emerged from the forest.
They had originally planned to find a place to eat lunch directly after coming out, but now the situation had changed.
All of them looked a bit disheveled now.
"Where are we going next?"
Kashi carefully put the magic stone into her bag and asked the two.
Her goal for this trip had been perfectly achieved, and now it was up to the two of them.
Tanaka Masao asked Yukinoshita Yukino for her thoughts.
"Xuezhixia Classmate, what do you think? Should we go back or find a restaurant for lunch?"
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Tanaka Masao's somewhat disheveled appearance and said,
"Let's go back first, clean up, and thoroughly check if we have any injuries."
"Then let's go back."
...
Following the path they came from, the three quickly returned home.
"Xuezhixia Classmate, would you like to take a shower?"
Tanaka Masao asked.
Yukinoshita Yukino shook her head.
"No need for a shower, I can just clean up a bit."
Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't too dirty, so she didn't need a shower.
"Tanaka-kun, you should take a shower and change your clothes. Your current clothes can't be worn anymore."
"Okay, then you rest for a bit."
Tanaka Masao nodded in agreement; he had the same idea.
He grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom.
Tanaka Masao cleaned himself up thoroughly, looked at the shirt with the somewhat damaged back, and decided not to wash it.
Even if he washed these clothes, they would likely get more damaged and couldn't be worn anymore.
...
When Tanaka Masao came out of the bathroom, he noticed movement in the kitchen, so he went to check.
"Xuezhixia Classmate, why are you in the kitchen?"
At this moment, Yukinoshita Yukino was wearing an apron and busy in the kitchen.
Her previous twin tails were a bit messy, so for convenience while Cooking, she had casually tied them into a bun.
This attire made Yukinoshita Yukino look much more mature and much more virtuous.
Just like a newlywed wife.
Upon hearing him, Yukinoshita Yukino turned around and looked at Tanaka Masao.
"I've finished my shower. I'm preparing lunch; it'll be ready soon."
"No, no, I'm not asking about that. I'm asking why Xuezhixia Classmate is preparing lunch."
Tanaka Masao was suddenly flustered by Yukinoshita Yukino in her virtuous wife and good mother mode.
"Xuezhixia Classmate, do you know that your usual appearance has a powerful impact on adolescent boys?
Now, with this gentle and virtuous look, who can handle it?"
"You mean that? Kashi said she was hungry, and it's getting late. If we go out to eat, it will take a lot of time.
We didn't study this morning, so we need to make up for lost time this afternoon. That's why I'm preparing lunch."
Tanaka Masao smiled and said with some anticipation,
"I've never eaten Cooking made by Xuezhixia Classmate herself. I'm a bit curious about how it tastes."
Looking at the expectant Tanaka Masao, Yukinoshita Yukino's lips curved into a faint smile.
Of course, this wasn't a gentle and virtuous smile, but one with a hint of mischief and wickedness.
"If I remember correctly, Tanaka-kin only gets one cheat meal a week, and you already had yours yesterday.
But Tanaka-kin, don't worry, I'll prepare a special portion for you. How about boiled chicken breast and broccoli!"
Tanaka Masao's expectant look instantly vanished, and he looked at Yukinoshita Yukino in disbelief.
"Xuezhixia Classmate, this is a rare opportunity, how can you be so cruel? Just let me off this one time."
Facing Tanaka Masao's wails, Yukinoshita Yukino's lips showed a satisfied smile.
This morning in the small grove, he saw her naked and even hugged her.
Although it was just an accident, Yukinoshita Yukino didn't intend to blame Tanaka Masao, but she couldn't help but feel a little unhappy.
Now that she had successfully made him eat his words, her mood also improved, as if she had regained her composure.
Yukinoshita Yukino turned around and continued Cooking.
"Alright, don't just stand there. The three of us are eating the same thing for lunch. I don't want to trouble myself by making a separate meal for you."
"That's great."
Tanaka Masao was very happy to know that he could eat Yukinoshita Yukino's Cooking, but he had no intention of leaving.
"I'll help prepare some fruit."
"Okay."
Yukinoshita Yukino moved aside, leaving the sink area for Tanaka Masao.
Tanaka Masao took a dozen strawberries, carefully washed them, and placed them in a transparent glass bowl.
He looked at it, felt it was a bit plain, and went to the refrigerator to search, discovering a box of lychees.
What did Tanaka Masao do with the lychees...?
Of course, he washed them and then peeled them.
Seven or eight tender white lychees were added, instantly making the glass bowl look very abundant.
Tanaka Masao nodded, satisfied with his creation, and moved the fruit aside.
Now free, Tanaka Masao looked at Yukinoshita Yukino again and asked,
"Is there anything else I can help with?"
Yukinoshita Yukino, who was engrossed in Cooking, shook her head.
"I can do it myself. You can go prepare the tableware and check the rice in the rice cooker."
Yukinoshita Yukino usually did the Cooking alone at home, maintaining her own rhythm.
Having someone else help her might actually hinder her.
Tanaka Masao looked at Yukinoshita Yukino, who was handling everything in an orderly manner, and didn't insist.
The space was quite small, and if he forced himself in, he might get in the way.
He went nearby to prepare the bowls and chopsticks, then quietly waited for the rice to finish Cooking.
Tanaka Masao waited for the rice while watching Yukinoshita Yukino cook.
Yukinoshita Yukino's Cooking had a certain aesthetic, with every step perfect and rhythmic, reminding Tanaka Masao of those immersive Cooking videos from his previous life.
"At this moment, a down-tempo version of 'Faded' would make it even more perfect.
The ultimate elegance and enjoyment."
...
In less than half an hour, Yukinoshita Yukino had prepared lunch.
She divided the food into three portions and placed them on trays.
On each tray, one plate contained two fried pork chops, two egg rolls, and some lettuce.
A small bowl contained bean sprouts, and another bowl held miso soup.
Once Tanaka Masao placed the scooped rice, a simple four-dish, one-soup lunch was ready.
The three sat around the dining table, clapped their hands together, and said in unison,
"Let's eat."
Tanaka Masao took a sip of miso soup and said,
"Xuezhixia Classmate, shouldn't I say a classic line right now?"
"What line?"
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Tanaka Masao, not reacting immediately.
"It's that line, 'I want to drink your miso soup every day from now on.'"
Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tanaka-kin, if you say that, can I interpret it as you confessing to me?
If so, please allow me to refuse."