I'm Getting the Hang of Eating This

Nakano Nino greeted her first, then complained to Fushimi Makoto, "So you haven't gone home yet? You suddenly messaged me asking me to come over, and I thought you were anxiously waiting for me, so I hurriedly made dinner for Miku. But when I arrived, you were still on your way to buy groceries."

Yukino also said in a helpless tone, "When he messaged me, he told me to come over quickly, saying that he had important things to discuss and also wanted me to experience authentic China mala tang."

"So we're having mala tang for dinner?" Nakano Nino perked up. "I've heard my classmates mention it; it's really popular in Ikebukuro, but I've never tried it."

"Wait, you received the message too." Utaha finally couldn't help but interrupt.

Yukino and Nakano Nino looked over at the same time. "What else?"

Utaha turned her head in surprise, staring at Fushimi Makoto's face and asked, "So, you invited three girls to your house for dinner today?"

"It's not just about dinner; I have something more important to discuss with you," Fushimi Makoto said, then added, "To be precise, I also invited Ichika, but she can't get away because of filming."

Utaha's feelings suddenly became complicated.

I was even gloating over my own cleverness, and I was even happy that Eriri Spencer Sawamura "created an opportunity for me," but in the end, this wasn't the romantic time I wanted at all!

However, since Fushimi Makoto said he had important business to attend to, she put aside those distracting thoughts and composed herself. "Since you're still out buying groceries, you shouldn't have messaged Yukinoshita and the others so early. It doesn't feel like your style to have them waiting for you at the door."

Fushimi Makoto asked Yukino and the other girl with some confusion, "I remember when I messaged you, I said the door wasn't locked, and you could come in and sit down."

Nakano Nino pouted, "I'd like to go in, but Yukinoshita insists that since you, the host, aren't home, we guests shouldn't go in without permission."

"Please note, I just told you that I wouldn't be going in by myself; I didn't ask you to wait at the door," Yukino corrected.

Nakano Nino rolled her eyes. "If you wait outside and I go in alone, wouldn't that make me look bad in comparison to you?"

Yukino seemed to be disgusted, shaking her head. "That's why I prefer spending time with Yotsuba and Itsuki."

Nakano Nino retorted angrily, "What do you mean?"

"Alright, if you want to argue, go inside and do it here," Fushimi Makoto interrupted them.

He had actually anticipated that Nakano Nino and Yukino's less-than-pleasant way of getting along would happen.

Nino is now a staunch supporter of Ichika, and Ichika has said more than once that her greatest rival in life is Yukino.

As a result, Nakano Nino would subconsciously harbor hostility whenever she faced Yukino.

However, this time it was his oversight; he hadn't expected the two to arrive so quickly.

You see, he didn't even go home after leaving school; he went straight to buy groceries. He thought Yukino and the other two would come back later than him.

The three beautiful girls changed their shoes and Fushimi Makoto cut fruit for them and brought them tea before going over to tie on his apron. "I'll cook first, and we can chat while we eat."

"Okay, but I'd like to get a book from your room." Yukino still caught up in the moment.

"Just take whatever you want. I've already read most of those books on the shelf and taken some notes on them," Fushimi Makoto waved his hand.

Upon hearing the word "notebook," Yukino's beautiful eyes lit up.

As she entered the bedroom, Fushimi Makoto went to the kitchen.

Utaha glanced at Nakano Nino was playing on her phone, and a thought struck her, "Nino, do you know why he contacted us?"

Nakano Nino seemed surprised that he would reach out to her. After a moment's hesitation, she replied, "I don't know either. At first, I thought he was going to discuss future tutoring plans with me, but he also invited you and Yukinoshita, so I can't be sure."

"Could it be related to tomorrow's speech?" Utaha asked instinctively.

Nakano Nino laughed and said, "That's obviously impossible. Giving speeches is very easy for him; it's practically second nature."

She then recounted an amusing anecdote about Fushimi Makoto's speech during the filming of his first short film.

At that time, she wasn't helping out on set yet, but because Ichika was the lead actress, she would often bring homemade meals to visit the set, and she was also encouraged by Fushimi Makoto's speeches.

"I see."

Utaha nodded slightly; she couldn't guess what Fushimi Makoto was thinking either.

After a while, she noticed that Nakano Nino seemed to be peeking at her. When she looked up, Nino was looking down at her phone, as if nothing had happened.

"You have something to say to me?" Utaha asked bluntly.

Nakano Nino blushed slightly, and she put down her phone as if feeling guilty, her gaze lingering several times on Utaha's beautiful legs in stockings.

This time, Utaha clearly noticed, and she couldn't help but wonder, "Why are you staring at my legs?"

"Um, Utaha- senpai, may I call you that...? I'm just curious, how do your pantyhose feel? Do they feel tight around your legs? Are they comfortable to walk in?"

"Um?"

Utaha was taken aback; she hadn't expected the other person to ask that.

Pretending not to notice the shifty look in Nakano Nino's eyes, she asked, "I remember Miku also likes to wear this. Didn't you ask her?"

"I asked her, but my relationship with her is a bit strange. Every time we chat for a few minutes, we start arguing," Nakano Nino muttered discontentedly.

Utaha smiled faintly, "Personally, I find them quite comfortable to wear, and they don't affect my walking at all. Of course, if you want to run, then you definitely can't wear them."

"I see, thank you for your explanation."

Nakano Nino said something politely, then fell into deep thought.

Utaha stared at her face for a few seconds, and seeing that she was completely distracted, she seized the opportunity to ask abruptly, "You want to wear black stockings for that guy to see?"

"Huh? No, Utaha- senpai, you're overthinking it." Nakano Nino blushed and hurriedly denied it.

Utaha remained expressionless.

Sure enough, striking the bullseye when others aren't looking is the most practical move.

She's made up her mind; Nakano Nino wants to wear black stockings for Fushimi Makoto to see.

But she didn't press the matter further.

Just then, Yukino came out carrying two books, Utaha immediately said, "If Nino is still hesitating, why not try wearing stockings like Yukinoshita?"

Yukino frowned. "Don't drag me into your business."

She overheard the two men talking about black stockings inside the house.

This is so boring.

Nakano Nino didn't pay attention to the topic; she had already worn stockings before.

On the contrary, the kind of thin black stockings that Utaha wore, which vaguely revealed her fair skin, was something that Nakano Nino had never actually worn.

Once Yukino sat down, Utaha's urge to pick a fight began to stir.

Perhaps it's just like what Fushimi Makoto once joked with her, "Beautiful girls with long, straight black hair are attracted to each other."

"Senior, I sensed something rude in your eyes. If you have something to say, please just say it. I haven't started reading yet, so I can chat with you."

Yukino's calm eyes swept over, and she noticed Utaha's emotional change almost immediately.

Nakano Nino blinked. Was this the war between top-performing girls that Ichika had mentioned before?

She was itching to watch the drama unfold.

Utaha calmly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled knowingly, "It's nothing. I just suddenly remembered that I've never seen the complete form of a catgirl before."

She was referring to Yukino's catgirl outfit.

So far, she has only ever seen Yukino and looking adorable.

Yukino's lips curled into a cold laugh, "Is that so? Then I've seen far more than you, senpai, like that rope bondage that I still can't accept."

A decisive goal.

Utaha: "!!!"

She blushed instantly.

She felt ashamed whenever she thought about her rather perverse XP.

Nakano Nino to the side, stared in surprise, mouth agape. What were they talking about?

What catgirl?

What kind of rope art?

I hate encrypted calls!

Chapter 312 I Can Feel the Taste

In contrast to the heated exchange between Yukino and Utaha in the living room, Fushimi Makoto in the kitchen fell silent.

He didn't encounter any problems while cooking; on the contrary, his culinary skills were already top-notch, and making mala tang was a piece of cake for him.

The problem is that he now has the reward from Nakano Yotsuba's quest—the [Diligence Aura].

These past few days, when he was making bento boxes for Eriri Spencer Sawamura, the [Diligence Aura] did indeed work, but it only worked on things like "super delicious tonkatsu rice" and "delightful curry beef brisket"—a series of normal dishes.

But today is different.

As he swiftly and efficiently prepared the spicy hot pot, the system's text description completely stunned him.

[Seven-Times-a-Night Spicy Hot Pot: This is an incredibly delicious food, perfectly balanced between spicy and savory, made with fresh ingredients. After eating it, you'll unleash all your passion for the person you love most, and for a short period, your physical abilities will be enhanced, allowing you to reach the level of seven times.]

[Note: This food is very high in calories. If you are someone who is very strict about managing your figure, please consider carefully before trying it.]

Fushimi Makoto's only thought right now is: My dead memories are attacking me.

What ancient internet meme is this?

Keep in mind that this meme was already ancient back before he time-traveled.

When he first heard about this meme, he didn't bother to verify its authenticity. He just heard from others that a guy treated a girl to a meal of spicy hot pot, and that's how he achieved that feat that amazed his fellow men...

Back then, whenever anyone heard this story, whether true or false, they would exclaim, "Wow, that's terrifying!"

Fushimi Makoto silently approached the kitchen door and glanced at the three beautiful girls sitting on opposite sides of the living room.

If I let them eat this spicy hot pot, my shop will be in big trouble!

Although Fushimi Makoto once extended an invitation to a free-for-all, a free-for-all shouldn't be so chaotic as to have no rules.

Yukino and Utaha?

He did think that way.

But now that these two beautiful girls with long, straight black hair are together, he's definitely the one who'll explode.

As for Nakano Nino?

Her combat power was too low. Compared to those two women with long, straight black hair whose physical abilities were constantly improving, they might fight to the point of obliterating the Great Dao, Nakano Nino could only stand by and cheer.

We currently have enough raw materials at home, but we're running out of meat.

Fushimi Makoto thought for a moment and decided to go out and buy some meat to make a spicy hot pot instead.

As he took off his apron and came out, the three beautiful girls in the living room immediately looked up and glanced at him almost simultaneously.

"Is dinner ready?" Nakano Nino stood up, seemingly ready to help set the table.

Yukino, however, seemed to sense something and asked with a puzzled tone, "Are you going out?"

"Okay, I'll go out and buy some more groceries. Please wait a moment." Fushimi Makoto didn't offer any further explanation.

"He needs to buy groceries again? Is he planning to cook us a big meal today?" Utaha said, somewhat amused.

She had glanced at Fushimi Makoto's bag of groceries a few times on her way here; it should have been enough for four people.

Unless Fushimi Makoto plans to start a competitive eating contest, there's absolutely no need to buy any more food.

"Perhaps there weren't enough side dishes." Nakano Nino culinary skills are extremely high, made her speculation from a professional perspective.

Yukino also had this idea, but she hadn't expressed her opinion yet; the aroma wafting from the kitchen was whetting her appetite.

Fragrance.

It smells really good.

It also has a distinctly pungent spiciness.

She wasn't worried that the food would be too spicy for her to eat; Fushimi Makoto has always been very good at these kinds of details.

So she was simply tempted by the idea of eating.

It just so happened that it was dinnertime, and all three of them were still hungry. Now, with that mouthwatering aroma wafting over, Utaha and Yukino lost all interest in reading.

"Just smelling this is making me restless." Utaha subconsciously stood up, muttering softly, "I'll go take a look."

"I'm going too." Nakano Nino quickly followed.

Yukino n't move.

She had the best self-control of the three; although she was a little hungry and her appetite was completely whetted, she was still able to sit still.