I Joined the Sentai Heroes Who Were Beautiful Girls Other Than Me but the Heroines Were All Yanderangers

30. Uguisu and Home Cooking 3

“Huh?”

“It’s just a simple, hastily prepared dish, so there’s nothing for you to help with. But since it’s just the two of us, could you stand over there and watch me?”

I had expected her to ask me to wash the dishes, so I was taken aback by the surprisingly low-level request, but for the time being, I observed Uguisu-san’s hands as she resumed cooking as instructed. My suspicion that she would put something strange in the food turned out to be a false accusation. Uguisu-san proceeded with her cooking very skillfully and naturally.

“You’re very skilled.”

Since the job of just standing and watching was tantamount to being declared non-essential, I decided to give her my thoughts after she added the rice to the pan.

“I’ve been living alone for three years now, so I’ve gotten used to making simple things.”

“Do you always cook for yourself?”

“When I have hero work and come home late, I make something ahead of time. But I usually make something every day.”

That’s amazing. If I started living alone, I’d probably end up living on convenience store food and frozen dinners.

“Since Sora-san is going to eat it, I really wanted to make something more elaborate, but I’m only confident in home cooking.”

“No, no, I actually prefer that kind of thing!”

I ended up giving her a strange compliment.

“…Is that so? I’m glad to hear that.”

While we were talking, she finished making a dry curry with plenty of ingredients. Tempted by the spicy aroma, I tried to carry the carefully arranged plate, but Uguisu-san stopped me.

“Excuse me, just a little longer.”

With that, Uguisu-san put butter in the bread and poured in beaten eggs.

“This is an omelet.”

With incredible dexterity, a thin, bright yellow egg was spread over the dry curry in a dome shape. I see, an omelet with dry curry inside. I love both curry and omelets, so I’m really happy about this.

“It’s finished. Is green tea okay for you to drink?”

The plate with the curry omelet on it was lime green and light blue, just like the place mat. She placed a slightly larger light blue plate on the side where I would be sitting.

“Thank you for waiting.”

She handed me a glass cup filled with green tea. The two ice cubes in the clear blue liquid like the sky made a refreshing clinking sound.

“Itadakimasu!”

“Fufu, enjoy your meal.”

When I scooped up the right side of the omelet with a large spoon, the curry that had been trapped inside the egg appeared, steaming hot. As I took a bite, I noticed Uguisu-san’s gaze from across the table.

“Um”

While Uguisu-san still hadn’t touched her spoon, she watched me eat the omelet with a cheerful expression.

“Oh, it’s delicious”

I didn’t mean to flatter her, but I can’t do food reviews, and when I’m being watched, I get nervous and can’t find the words.

“This is the first time I’ve had an omelet with dry curry inside. It’s delicious.”

After swallowing everything I had in my mouth, I added that, and Uguisu-san started eating her own with satisfaction.

“I’m glad you like it. Next time, I’ll make something that Sora-san likes.”

My favorite food is cold soba noodles, but I can’t say that or I’ll embarrass her. Or rather, is there going to be a next time? I was worried that I might have gotten her angry when I chased her out of the room, but she doesn’t seem angry at all.

If that’s the case, then maybe it’s okay to talk about something a little more personal, since she seems to be in a good mood.

“Um, I talked to the Doctor, but…”

Uguisu-san was being bullied by the other members, and the Doctor was turning a blind eye to it, so I heard. I was going to talk to the Doctor about it, but then he showed me something undeniable, like a premonition, and as a result, I’m now less likely to believe Uguisu-san’s words. But of course, I can’t say that to her.

“Apparently, the Doctor didn’t really understand about favoritism or bullying…”

Don’t you think you’re mistaken? I wanted to say, but that would be a ‘denial’. Even if I knew it was a lie, confronting her with it wouldn’t make everything better. If Uguisu-san was in a mental state where she felt she had to lie, then pressing her on it could be the final blow.

“He said he’d compile a history of our assignments and check to see if the workload is being fairly distributed.”

My job is to make it so that Uguisu-san can stop lying naturally. There’s no point in feeling good about myself for confronting her with evidence and playing detective. The best thing to do is to subtly suggest the possibility that her lie will be discovered and let Uguisu-san reconsider it herself. Even if it’s just paranoia, her eyes might be opened if she gathers objective information from multiple sources. It’s not like there’s going to be any immediate damage, so it’s a problem that can be solved slowly.

“…Is that right?”

Uguisu-san’s right hand, which is holding the spoon, stiffens, as if she’s a little embarrassed. If possible, I’d like this anxious expression to be because she feels guilty towards me. As long as Uguisu-san trusts me and thinks of me as an ally, she’ll at least avoid a situation where she’s hated by me and isolated. I don’t believe everything the Doctor said about “the heroes being in love with me”, but I’m somewhat aware that I can be a source of support for her.

“But if there’s anything that’s worrying you, please talk to me. I might not be reliable, but I’m worried about Uguisu-san, and I want to be on your side.”

It’s a bit cheesy, but it’s a good line. I’m starting to think that I’m becoming a playboy, or rather, a yandere maker.

“Do you say that to the other girls too?”

I wasn’t becoming one. Uguisu-san smiled gently and gave me a ridiculous retort.