The Suzuran Family was bustling today.
"Akimoto-kun, how do I do this?"
"Oh, first you roll out the dumpling wrappers, then wrap them around the filling I've already prepared."
"What kind of filling is in these dumplings? We've tried chocolate and cream before, and they were delicious."
"That's right, convenience stores have sold them before. They had fruit fillings too."
"...Next time you mention chocolate or fruit-filled dumplings, I'm making you sushi with canned herring."
"Ugh~ Akimoto-kun, that's disgusting!"
"What? Maya, have you tried it?"
"She has. Maya-chan's dad brought some home."
"No wonder, Maya. Your whole family's like that."
"Then, Akimoto-kun, what's this seasoning? Want me to chew it up for you?"
"Nishida-san! Please stop messing around!"
"Oh my~ Suzuran-san, don't get so angry. I'm just curious. Maybe Akimoto-kun would really like food that's been in someone's mouth?"
"I also like seaweed wine. Would you make me some?"
"As expected of Akimoto-kun. You're so daring."
"Hm? What's seaweed wine? Is it some kind of rice wine?"
"Maya-chan, if you don't know, it's for the best. It's better if you keep your current level of intelligence."
"Akimoto-kun! Don't join Nishida-san in saying nonsense! Hurry up and make the Mapo Tofu. I'll wrap these chive-and-egg dumplings."
"Did you buy the Sichuan peppercorns?"
"Already bought them. Here."
"Mm, then I'll make it."
"..."
Fukayama Natsuki watched the three girls and one boy bustling around the kitchen counter, completely unable to understand.
Including Suzuran Ayano, how could these three beautiful girls fail to see that Akimoto Yoichi was a terrifying silver-handed fiend?
Why were they all so cheerful and happy around him? That guy beside them was a blondie, for goodness' sake!
All four of them crowded into the little kitchen, weaving in and out, not caring at all when their bodies brushed against each other.
In Natsuki's eyes, the scene of Akimoto Yoichi with the three beautiful girls had practically turned into one of those scenes from the doujinshi she'd read!
Before long, they'd all become unable to live without the blondie.
"Natsuki-chan, could you pass me the tissues beside you? Akimoto-kun's sweating a lot."
As Suzuran Ayano called out to her, Fukayama Natsuki pressed her lips together.
Especially Ayano. She was supposed to be childhood friends with Natsuki's older brother, Fukayama Midori.
Midori should have been the one happily chatting with Ayano and cooking with her like this.
"What's wrong, Natsuki-chan? Pass me the tissues," Ayano urged.
Fukayama Natsuki looked at Suzuran Ayano, then glanced at Akimoto Yoichi beside her, hesitating to speak.
"No need. Ayano, roll up my sleeves for me. I can just wipe the sweat off with my hand."
Akimoto Yoichi was about to start tossing the pan.
"Sure." Ayano rolled up Akimoto Yoichi's sleeves.
Watching Suzuran Ayano and Akimoto Yoichi work together with the easy rhythm of a married couple, Natsuki clenched her little fists.
Why was this blondie, Akimoto Yoichi, occupying the place that should have belonged to her brother?
Was it because her brother couldn't cook? Well, Fukayama Midori really couldn't cook.
Or was it because her brother would never think of working alongside Ayano? Th-that was true too.
Or perhaps her brother wasn't as dependable as Akimoto Yoichi? The girls beside him were watching his pan-tossing skills with stars in their eyes.
Fine. Her brother, Fukayama Midori, couldn't toss a pan as effortlessly as Akimoto Yoichi. He'd barely even touched one.
So, brother! Weren't you just a completely useless loser!?
Thinking of Fukayama Midori, who was probably still lying in bed right now, Fukayama Natsuki could only sigh.
As a shut-in, Fukayama Midori was used to being too lazy to do anything. Even when something happened, he just sat around waiting for it to come to him.
Meanwhile, Akimoto Yoichi was teaching the three girls how to prepare the ingredients. He didn't criticize them for doing things badly or yell at them. Instead, he stood behind them and patiently guided them, hand over hand.
It was true that someone as patient, hardworking, and funny as Akimoto Yoichi was attractive to girls.
But! But Fukayama Natsuki knew!
Akimoto Yoichi was a bad person! A really bad one!
No matter how convincingly he acted, Natsuki could still see the desire he was suppressing deep in his eyes!
This guy was terrifying! Super scary! He was practically a BOSS-level villain!
The moment Natsuki met Akimoto Yoichi, she understood that.
She'd spilled curry all over him, but his reaction had been so nice it was abnormal.
He must have been deliberately acting that way in front of Ayano to earn her trust.
How could someone who dyed his hair blond be so gentle? And how could a genuinely gentle person ever dye his hair blond?
On top of that, he kept staring at her! That look made Natsuki feel as if she were being seen right through. It proved he was a pervert!
Later, Natsuki had come to the Suzuran home, hoping to help her brother defend his position with his childhood friend.
But then she heard Ayano say that Akimoto Yoichi had gone up to the second floor—and that they couldn't find Mama Mari.
Fukayama Natsuki immediately knew something was wrong!
And sure enough, she smelled the scent of curry that only Akimoto Yoichi could leave on Mama Mari!
He'd stolen her from right under their noses! Akimoto Yoichi had stolen Ayano from her brother.
So the evil blondie Akimoto Yoichi didn't just want to take big sister Ayano away. He also wanted to have an oyakodon made with chicken and eggs together!
And that wasn't all. Akimoto Yoichi had also pinned big sister Nishida Yuki against the wall!
He'd gone through her phone and said something about photos.
That was obviously the kind of doujinshi plot where a blondie blackmailed pretty, cute female classmates into keeping quiet, threatening to expose their photos if they didn't!
Akimoto Yoichi had been targeting Ayano, but then he'd stolen Mama Mari, and after that he'd pinned another girl against the wall outside Ayano's house.
He'd just stolen someone away and then gone off to flirt with another girl! Wasn't he just a total scumbag?
Of the people here, the five women in this house, three had already fallen victim to Akimoto Yoichi's "clutches"!
Only the ditzy-looking Kuroo Maya and Natsuki herself hadn't been targeted by Akimoto Yoichi yet.
But it was only a matter of time before he went after Kuroo Maya!
Nobody else had seen through Akimoto Yoichi's true nature! Fukayama Natsuki was the only one who knew the whole truth!
Unfortunately, Natsuki had tried to expose Akimoto Yoichi to Ayano.
But Ayano didn't believe her.
Neither did anyone else.
Should she ask her brother for help? Have him protect everyone? Natsuki wondered, hesitating.
No, better not.
When her brother found out Akimoto Yoichi was visiting Ayano's house, he'd acted completely indifferent. He hadn't even wanted to come and take a look.
Fukayama Midori couldn't be relied on. She could only count on herself!
Natsuki! You have to do your best! Even if you're fighting alone, you can't give up.
For now, she had to find a way to convince everyone that Akimoto Yoichi was a villain.
Because this wasn't five against one, with five girls fighting the one male villain, Akimoto Yoichi.
It was one against five. Natsuki was the one.
Suzuran Ayano, Nishida Yuki, Kuroo Maya, and Mama Mari had all been completely brainwashed by Akimoto Yoichi and were on his side. Akimoto Yoichi was the five.
Even your own teammates can be your opponents!
The odds weren't in her favor. Natsuki racked her brain desperately.
She had to think of something, or everyone would fall into the blondie's clutches!
"Natsuki-chan, come help carry the plates. Akimoto Yoichi made this."
Ayano called out to Natsuki again.
Ayano wasn't trying to make Natsuki do chores. She wanted her to feel included.
Natsuki had been standing behind them with a broom since earlier, not saying a word, just watching them work.
Ayano had noticed that Natsuki seemed a little off today.
"I don't... A-all right." Natsuki had been about to refuse, but when she smelled the Mapo Tofu Akimoto Yoichi had made, she swallowed hard.
The situation had come to this. She might as well eat first!
Before you continue