Since Things Have Come to This, Let's Eat First

The Suzuran household was very lively today.

"Akimoto-kun, how do I do this?"

"Oh, for these dumplings, you have to roll out the dough first, then wrap the filling I've already prepared inside."

"What kind of filling is this? We've had chocolate and cream fillings before, they were delicious."

"That's right, that's right! They sell them at the convenience store, and there are even fruit-filled ones."

"...If you two mention chocolate or fruit-filled dumplings again, I'm going to make you fermented herring sushi."

"Ugh~ Akimoto-kun, you're so gross!"

"What? Have you tried it, Maya?"

"She has. Maya-chan's dad bought some home."

"Typical of your family, Maya. You're all like that."

"So, Akimoto-kun, what is this seasoning? Do you need me to chew it for you first?"

"Nishida-san! Please stop messing around!"

"Oh my~ Suzuran-san, don't be so angry. I'm just curious. Maybe Akimoto-kun would really enjoy food prepared that way?"

"I also like wakame sake. Are you willing to prepare that for me?"

"As expected of Akimoto-kun, how bold."

"Hm? What's wakame sake? Is it some kind of rice wine?"

"If you don't know what it is, Maya-chan, it's for your own good. It's best if you keep your current level of intelligence."

"Akimoto-kun! Stop talking nonsense with Nishida-san! Hurry up and make the mapo tofu; I'll handle wrapping these chive and egg dumplings."

"Did you buy the Sichuan peppercorns?"

"I already bought them, they're right here."

"Alright, then I'll get to cooking."

"..."

Fukayama Natsuki watched the three girls and one boy bustling about the kitchen counter, completely unable to comprehend the scene.

Including Suzuran Ayano, how could these three beautiful girls not see that the Akimoto Yoichi standing right next to them was a terrifying blond-haired villain?

How could everyone be so cheerful and happy staying by Akimoto Yoichi's side? The boy right next to them was clearly a blond-haired villain!

The four of them were squeezed into the small kitchen area, weaving back and forth, completely unbothered by their bodies brushing against one another.

In Natsuki's eyes, the sight of Akimoto Yoichi and the three beautiful girls looked exactly like the plot of those adult doujinshi she had read!

It wouldn't be long before everyone ended up unable to live without that blond-haired villain.

"Natsuki-chan, could you pass me the tissues next to you? Akimoto-kun is sweating a lot."

Looking at Suzuran Ayano, who was calling out to her, Fukayama Natsuki bit her lip.

Especially Suzuran Ayano—she was supposed to be the childhood friend of her brother, Fukayama Midori.

The person who should be chatting happily and cooking with Ayano right now was her brother, Fukayama Midori.

"What's wrong, Natsuki-chan? Can you pass me the tissues?" Ayano urged.

Fukayama Natsuki looked at Suzuran Ayano, then at Akimoto Yoichi beside her, wanting to say something but holding back.

"No need. Ayano, help me roll up my sleeves; I'll just wipe it with my hand," Akimoto Yoichi said as he prepared to start tossing the wok.

"Okay." Ayano helped Akimoto Yoichi roll up his sleeves.

Watching Suzuran Ayano and Akimoto Yoichi working together with the seamless coordination of a married couple, Natsuki clenched her small fists.

Why was this blond-haired villain Akimoto Yoichi occupying the spot that originally 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 to work together with Ayano? That, too, seemed to be the case.

Or perhaps her brother wasn't as reliable as Akimoto Yoichi? Akimoto Yoichi's wok-tossing performance had the girls beside him beaming with delight.

Fine, her brother Fukayama Midori had no way of tossing a wok as effortlessly as Akimoto Yoichi; her brother had barely even touched a pan a few times.

So, brother! Aren't you just a completely useless loser!?

Recalling Fukayama Midori, who was likely still lying in bed at this moment, Fukayama Natsuki could only sigh.

As a shut-in, Fukayama Midori was used to being lazy about everything, and even when things happened, he maintained a passive, wait-and-see attitude.

Looking at Akimoto Yoichi again, he was teaching the three girls how to prep ingredients, never scolding them for doing a bad job, never shouting, and even carefully standing behind them to guide their hands.

Indeed, Akimoto Yoichi's patience, diligence, and humor were very attractive to girls.

But! But Fukayama Natsuki knew!

This Akimoto Yoichi was a bad person! A big, bad villain!

No matter how realistic his act is right now, Natsuki can still see the suppressed desire hidden deep within the eyes of Akimoto Yoichi!

This guy is terrifying! Super scary! He is practically a boss-level supervillain!

The moment she met Akimoto Yoichi, Natsuki understood this instantly.

Because she had spilled curry all over him, his attitude was simply abnormally good.

That was definitely a deliberate performance in front of Ayano to gain her trust.

How could someone who dyes their hair blonde be that gentle? And how could a truly gentle person dye their hair blonde?

Furthermore, he keeps staring at her! That gaze, which makes Natsuki feel like she is being X-rayed, proves that he is a total pervert!

Afterward, she came to the Suzuran residence, wanting to help her brother defend his childhood sweetheart's territory.

As a result, she heard Ayano say that Akimoto Yoichi had gone up to the second floor, and that she couldn't find Mother Mari anymore.

Fukayama Natsuki knew immediately that something had gone wrong!

And sure enough, she smelled the curry scent that only Akimoto Yoichi has on Mother Mari!

He raided the base! Ayano's base had been raided by Akimoto Yoichi.

So, this evil blonde, Akimoto Yoichi, doesn't just want to snatch away sister Ayano; he even wants to eat the chicken and egg together in a parent-child rice bowl!

Not only that, this Akimoto Yoichi even pinned sister Nishida Yuki against the wall!

He went through her phone and said something about photos.

That is clearly the plot from those manga where a blonde guy coerces pretty, cute female students, telling them not to speak out or he will leak their photos!

This Akimoto Yoichi clearly had his sights set on Ayano, yet he maneuvered to raid Mother Mari, and then proceeded to wall-pin another girl right at the entrance of Ayano's house.

He just raided a base and then went to flirt with another girl! Isn't this just pure scum?

Of the people here, the five women in this house, three have already fallen victim to Akimoto Yoichi's "poisonous hands"!

Only the seemingly silly Kuroo Maya and herself have yet to be targeted by Akimoto Yoichi.

But given how Kuroo Maya is, it's only a matter of time!

No one else has seen through Akimoto Yoichi's true colors! Only she, Fukayama Natsuki, knows the truth of it all!

It's just a pity that Natsuki has tried to expose Akimoto Yoichi to Ayano.

But Ayano doesn't believe her.

The others don't believe her either.

Should she ask her brother for help? Let her brother come to protect everyone? Natsuki thought, hesitating.

Better not.

Her brother had an completely indifferent attitude when he found out Akimoto Yoichi was visiting Ayano's house; he didn't even want to come and take a look.

Fukayama Midori is unreliable; she can only rely on herself!

Natsuki! You have to work hard! Even if you have to fight alone, there is no other way.

For now, she must find a way to convince everyone to believe that Akimoto Yoichi is a big villain.

Because she isn't in a 5v1, where five women are fighting against the sole male villain, Akimoto Yoichi.

It is actually a 1v5, with Natsuki being the 1.

With Suzuran Ayano, Nishida Yuki, Kuroo Maya, and Mother Suzuran Mari all completely brainwashed by Akimoto Yoichi and standing on his side, Akimoto Yoichi is the 5.

Useless teammates are your opponents too!

The advantage is not with her, and Natsuki desperately racks her brain.

She needs to think of a way, otherwise everyone will fall into the blonde guy's clutches!

"Natsuki-chan, come help carry the plates; this was made by Akimoto Yoichi."

Ayano called out to Natsuki from over there.

It wasn't that Ayano wanted to give Natsuki a hard time; rather, she wanted Natsuki to integrate with everyone.

Since a moment ago, Natsuki had been standing behind them holding a broom, not saying a word, just watching them work.

She could also tell that Natsuki wasn't acting like herself today.

"I don't... fine, alright." She had originally wanted to refuse, but when Natsuki smelled the mapo tofu made by Akimoto Yoichi, she swallowed hard.

Since things have come to this, let's eat first!