The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 9Volume 2 .3 - Lets Eat It Together ♥

ROUND 9 – Let’s Eat It Together ♥ 3

“I’ll cut the pork loin into cubes that fit the width of her mouth, season with salt and pepper, then heat it in a microwave-safe dish. For fragrance, I’ll add a few drops of sesame oil. Yuzuki’s family apparently uses sesame oil as a secret ingredient in their pork miso soup. I’ll also score some emotional points with the ‘Proust effect’ of recalling past memories through smell. The probability of Yuzuki being happy is now 94%.”

(TN: Prous Effect, Autobiographical memories activated by the senses, particularly smell and taste.)

Minutes later, a rich aroma of pork and sesame oil wafts through the living room as Emoto-san opens the microwave.

Yuzuki’s cheeks relax ever so slightly.

“Next, I’ll cut shimeji mushrooms, eryngii mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms into bite-sized pieces and saute them in the remaining fat on the microwave-safe dish. For seasoning, I’ll use soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar. I’ll also sprinkle some cornstarch to thicken the sauce. According to my data, Yuzuki ate ankake (thick sauce) dishes five times this month. In contrast, she only had it once or twice in April and May, but the number spiked in June. Perhaps she’s starting to miss the taste of the ankake dishes she had in the colder seasons. The probability of Yuzuki being happy is now 96%!”

Sizzle, simmer, bubble. (sfx)

The sound of the sauce boiling was stimulating the appetite.

Yuzuki wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, already in battle mode.

“All that’s left is to pour the special mushroom sauce over the plated pork loin. On the side of the meat, let’s add a watercress salad as an accompaniment. I remember how Yuzuki ate watercress so deliciously during a location shoot at a Yamanashi farm. The probability of Yuzuki being pleased is now 99%!!!”

After wiping the edge of the round plate clean, the meal was placed on the low table.

“Here it is, Yuzuki’s special battle menu, 『Steamed Pork with Mushroom Sauce』!”

The meat was cooked in the microwave to cut calories without using extra oil, and the oil that flowed out was utilized in the sauce to capture all the flavors.

It’s a menu characteristic of Emoto-san, balancing healthiness with satisfaction.

“I have arrived at this ultimate dish after over the three years spent with Yuzuki and through the battles with Mamori-san! The probability of Yuzuki being pleased is… 150%!”

Emoto-san wore a triumphant smile as she saw Yuzuki captivated by the dish.

“Come on, eat it while it’s hot!”

The diced pork loin was generously covered with mushroom sauce. The amber sauce, a mix of soy sauce and fat, shone like a jewel.

“…Itadakimasu.”

After putting her hands together, Yuzuki took a bite with her chopsticks.

“..Amazing. The meat is light, but the moment you bite into it, the juices gush out…”

“I’ve kept the cooking time to a minimum to prevent the meat’s moisture from escaping. The key is to not take it out of the microwave immediately and let it finish cooking with the residual heat.”

“Since the main ingredient in the sauce is mushrooms, there’s no guilt at all. It’s healthy, yet the mushrooms are so juicy that they don’t lose out to the pork.”

True to her words, Yuzuki’s expression while savoring the mushrooms was as radiant as when she was eating meat.

“The watercress is perfect for cleansing the palate. It’s refreshing, yet it transforms into a side dish once you mix it with the sauce. When eaten with the meat, it can also serve as a topping…”

Although there was still some tension in her face, she was much more relaxed compared to the beginning and savored her meal with relish.

“Yuzuki, you’ve been really into pork these past few months, haven’t you?”

Yuzuki’s eyes widened at Emoto-san’s remark.

“…Did you analyze that too?”

“There’s no need for analysis. Lately, your mood lifts instantly whenever you find pork dishes in the catering or gifts. I wonder whose influence that is.”

Emoto-san glanced my way.

Pork dishes remind me of the first menu I ever served to Yuzuki.

It seems Emoto-san sees through everything.

Having put down her chopsticks, Yuzuki clasped her hands on her lap.

Her face not only showed embarrassment but also a faint happiness at being noticed for her change in taste.

It seems Emoto-san’s sincerity had reached its destination.

Although we were in the midst of a battle, now was the only time.

“Come on, Yuzuki, don’t you have something you want to say?”

With a gentle pat on the back, Yuzuki straightened her back.

The tension between them tensed up once again.

“I…”

As if bracing for judgment, Emoto-san bit her lip.

“I hate Ruru-san’s patronizing nature.”

Hate.

That one word was enough to twist Emoto-san’s face with anguish.

“I hate that you put aside your own matters to make time for me. I hate that you always promote other members while neglecting your own popularity. I hate that you won’t let me pay when we eat out together… But”

What dwelled in Yuzuki’s eyes was not aversion or disappointment but trust.

“I love that you always care about me no matter how busy you are. I love that you find ways to make foods I dislike taste good for me. I love that you remember even our smallest memories. I should have realized long ago that Ruru-san always holds me dear…”

Yuzuki bowed deeply in front of Emoto-san.

“I’m sorry for my bad attitude the other day.”

Then, she pulled out a plastic food container from behind.

“I made this as an apology… Will you accept it?”

Yuzuki placed the container on the table while looking more nervous than ever.

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“This is…”

Beneath the lid, cherry blossoms were in bloom.

It’s a wagashi cherry blossom boasting a beauty that rivaled the real thing.

“I practiced many times to make this for you, Emoto-san.”

The practice paid off, and the result is a professional-looking product that is incomparable to the one we tried at the hotel.

By the way, the anko inside was also Emoto-san’s favorite food according to her official profile.