On Sunday morning, the soft chirping of birds from her phone slowly reached Horikita Suzune's sleeping ears.
It was time to get up. Horikita Suzune woke punctually as usual, but today was somewhat different. As she turned off her alarm, she saw the message Ryuuen had sent. Her good mood for the day ended before it had even begun.
"I want Red Bean Tangyuan for breakfast, and Horikita Suzune wearing a Sukumizu."
This was not the first time Ryuuen had verbally harassed Horikita Suzune. She had no idea how many times she had called him a pervert in her heart, but it still did nothing to change the situation. After complaining, she still had to put on the Sukumizu, head to Ryuuen's dorm, and make him breakfast.
Ryuuen's tastes were broad. He liked Chinese food, Western food, and Japanese cuisine, and he often requested dishes Horikita Suzune did not know how to make. Whenever she said, "I don't know how to make that,"
she would always receive a disdainful look from Ryuuen. "Didn't you get full marks in home economics? I'm sure you'll learn soon enough."
Under such circumstances, Horikita Suzune's cooking skills improved by the day, though she was not happy about it in the slightest.
When she opened the door to Ryuuen's room—he had given her a key—Ryuuen was, as usual, venting his excess morning energy on a punching bag.
"Morning, Horikita Suzune."
"Morning."
After nothing more than a simple greeting, Horikita Suzune carried her bag into the bathroom, locked the door, and began changing into the Sukumizu.
Ryuuen slept an hour less than Horikita Suzune, and he spent that extra hour exercising. His desire to see her wear a Sukumizu had been a sudden whim. Swimming classes would be arranged next week, and Ryuuen was interested in Horikita Suzune's swimsuit. He wanted to be the first to admire it.
A Sukumizu was a relatively form-fitting garment. Made of elastic material, it clung tightly to the body's curves and displayed the graceful figure of a woman. The black Sukumizu lent Horikita Suzune an air of mystery and sensuality.
Horikita Suzune stood in the kitchen wearing the Sukumizu, its design emphasizing her slender, long-limbed figure and perfectly outlining every curve. Its tight fit made her look even more captivating and alluring, giving her a distinctive sense of style.
As she cooked, the Sukumizu seemed to become part of her, fitting perfectly with every movement. Whether she was stirring ingredients, stir-frying dishes, or arranging food on plates, it did not restrict her movements at all. Instead, it made her seem even more elegant and professional.
Its smooth surface and sleek lines gleamed faintly beneath the lights, adding a trace of mystery to the kitchen's atmosphere. Wearing the Sukumizu, the girl made Red Bean Tangyuan for Ryuuen. Even with such a simple dish, she displayed meticulous care and focus in her cooking.
Although Ryuuen had requested only Red Bean Tangyuan, Horikita Suzune would not make only that. Ryuuen exercised every morning and ate an enormous amount for breakfast. Logically, his appetite should not have been great after a workout, yet he could always consume a great deal of high-calorie food in the morning. Therefore, Horikita Suzune prepared his breakfast in portions fit for a full meal.
After finishing the Red Bean Tangyuan, Horikita Suzune took a bamboo sushi mat in hand and tightly rolled the rice and various ingredients together. Every roll took all her care and patience before it became delicious sushi.
On the other side of the kitchen, Horikita Suzune began making Tempura. With clean hands, she coated the ingredients in flour and egg wash before frying them until they were golden and crisp, enough to make anyone drool at the sight. She was in no hurry, adding the ingredients to the oil bit by bit and carefully controlling the temperature and timing to make the Tempura even more delicious.
Besides that, Horikita Suzune prepared light and flavorful Miso Soup, along with Chow Mein, Lettuce Salad, and other dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful. She focused on every dish, carefully adjusting every seasoning in pursuit of the most perfect flavor and texture.
The fragrance of rice, seaweed, and soy sauce filled her kitchen, evoking a rich Japanese atmosphere. With nimble fingers, Horikita Suzune handled every ingredient with delicate precision, bringing out the essence and charm of Japanese cuisine.
In the end, Horikita Suzune laid out a whole table of dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful.
"Delicious," Ryuuen commented as he sat at the table.
"You haven't even eaten yet. How hypocritical." Horikita Suzune did not accept Ryuuen's praise. Sitting across from him, she took a bowl of Red Bean Tangyuan. Unlike Ryuuen, she had to maintain her figure and did not eat much in the morning. One bowl was enough for her.
"I wasn't talking about the food. I was talking about you." Ryuuen picked up his chopsticks and began eating as well.
"I know I'm beautiful, but please put away that lustful look in your eyes." Horikita Suzune rolled her eyes. Ryuuen's words were truly stupid and disgusting. Even though she had heard plenty of them already, they still affected her appetite now, leaving her unable to eat.
"Hahahaha!" Ryuuen was delighted by Horikita Suzune's disgusted expression. A good day started with teasing Horikita Suzune.
The reason Horikita Suzune could tolerate Ryuuen was partly because of their previous contract, and partly because Ryuuen only talked big. He had never laid a hand on her in his room. Though if one had to say it, Ryuuen's gaze had probably examined Horikita Suzune from head to toe long ago. Still, it was only appreciation.
Ryuuen's interest in Horikita Suzune as a person far exceeded his interest in her body. He was very curious to see what she would become under his kind of training.
After wiping out the entire breakfast spread, Ryuuen changed clothes while Horikita Suzune washed the dishes in the kitchen.
Leaning against the kitchen doorway, Ryuuen teased, "Horikita Suzune, if it weren't for that awkward personality of yours, you'd definitely make a good wife and mother."
"Thank you, but rather than becoming a good wife and mother, I'd rather become an outstanding career woman." Horikita Suzune chatted with Ryuuen as she washed the dishes. Although their relationship was not good—or so Horikita Suzune believed—they could at least hold a basic conversation. Or rather, Ryuuen was the person she spoke to most at this school, though most of the time he was teasing her.
"So you didn't deny having an awkward personality."
"I have enough self-awareness for that. Don't you, Ryuuen-sensei? Want me to tell you what kind of person you are?"
"No need. It would just be a bunch of derogatory words."
"Looks like you have some self-awareness after all."
Horikita Suzune finished washing the dishes and could finally leave, but Ryuuen blocked the kitchen doorway. "Tell me one of my strengths, and I'll let you go."
"None." Horikita Suzune answered without hesitation. Though she wore only her sailor uniform, she did not feel embarrassed standing beside Ryuuen. Instead, she confidently showed off her figure.
"How coldhearted. How about this? I'll name one of your strengths first, then you name one of mine. How does that sound?" Looking down at Horikita Suzune's thin lips from above, Ryuuen also wanted to know what strengths she saw in him.
"Fine." Horikita Suzune knew that if she did not agree, he would pester her for a while longer. Ryuuen never gave up until he got what he wanted.
"Beautiful." The word left Ryuuen's mouth immediately.
"Shallow." Horikita Suzune's brow twitched, but the slight curve of her lips exposed the joy in her heart. Being praised was always pleasant. Even Horikita Suzune wanted recognition; she had always chased after her brother's footsteps to gain his approval.
"Shallow isn't one of my strengths. Pick another." Ryuuen was dissatisfied with Horikita Suzune's answer.
"Lustful."
"Lustful?" Ryuuen's face was full of question marks. "Being lustful is a strength?"
"Yes." Horikita Suzune answered with complete certainty.
Realizing that Horikita Suzune was deliberately messing with him, Ryuuen did not pursue the matter. He merely smiled helplessly and let her pass.
"For lunch, I want fish."
"Still in the Sukumizu?"
"Still in the Sukumizu."
"Pervert."
"Being a pervert is a strength too."
Before you continue