[TSSIM] Chapter 403: Chika's Sneaky Move

"…Why did things suddenly turn out like this?"

Kaguya blushed deeper the more she thought about it, unable to resist burying her face in Chika's chest.

"Kaguya-san, seriously…" Chika chuckled, gently stroking her friend's head. "You've done everything already, why get shy now?"

"It's because of you!" Kaguya abruptly sat up, speaking irritably. "Suddenly mentioning his weird hobbies! How could it not be sudden!"

"Ehehehe…" Chika giggled mischievously.

As Kaguya saw Chika's expression, she suddenly realized something was suspicious.

"Wait, could it be… you did it on purpose?!" Kaguya said incredulously. "You intentionally said that then made him prove he's not what you said?"

Upon hearing that, Chika's gaze shifted as if she wanted to whistle but couldn't.

"..."

Kaguya eyed Chika with suspicious eyes.

"Could it be… Even if he hadn't spoken to Herthaka, are you still planning to insist and find an excuse? Come to think of it… when I saw you three, you were also some distance ahead of them, not together…"

As Kaguya thought and spoke more, she became increasingly astonished over time. At the same time, as Chika silently listened, she broke out in a cold sweat, her eyes darting around nervously.

Seeing Chika's behavior, Kaguya was convinced by her speculations.

"It seems like everyone was kept in the dark…"

===

"..."

Ai silently removed her earpiece before muttering to herself.

"As expected... Fujiwara Chika will completely mess up all my plans. I can never guess what her next move will be... She's so sneaky and unpredictable..."

"But Chika wouldn't do anything to harm Kaguya, right?" Homura chimed in while busy cooking, not even looking back.

"That's right..." Ai nodded. "But she might interfere with the protective measures I've set up. If she recklessly creates an opportunity for someone to harm Kaguya-sama..."

"You're overly protective, Ai."

Homura shook his head.

"While the Shinomiya family has its enemies, no one foolish enough would ever harm Kaguya."

"In other words, if there really is someone willing to harm Kaguya at any cost, all of your protective measures would be useless. But does such a person even exist? Is the head of the Shinomiya family a fool to give such an opportunity?"

If the head of the Shinomiya family were indeed a fool, could the family maintain its current status? No, this family would have been wiped out ages ago.

Ai admitted that Homura's reasoning made sense, but she had always been like this and couldn't easily change her mind.

"At the very least, I can guarantee that if Kaguya is in danger, I'll rush to her aid immediately." Homura said calmly, turning his head. "By the way, Ai, what flavor do you want? Tonkotsu or seafood?"

Upon hearing his question, Ai was speechless.

'Isn't this topic changing too abruptly?!'

After sighing, she answered.

"I'll have the seafood one."

"Gotcha!"

And so, fifteen minutes later.

"Here you go." Homura presented a large bowl to Ai. "Since the small bowl seemed too small, I used a big one instead."

Ai looked at the size of the bowl, twitching her mouth slightly at its sheer enormity, which was practically bigger than her head.

"I've also kept a bowl of tonkotsu ramen for you. Dig in!" Homura patted her shoulder with a smile before walking away with a huge tray.

Once he was gone, Ai glanced at the side dish that he had made for her.

"Fried shrimp tempura and... octopus sausage?"

She understood the first but struggled with the second, but in the end, she didn't care since it really looked delicious!

"...Mmm, it smells so good... His cooking skills could outshine the Shinomiya family's chefs easily. This skill alone could win over any girl's heart..."

Ai murmured before diving into her meal without hesitation.

===

"I'm back~ Open the door for me girls?" Homura, carrying a huge tray, called out.

Step Step Step

Click

Before long, Chika came to open the door for him, but the moment the door opened, Homura heard her muttering, "Huh? I thought it would hurt since it's my first time... Didn't expect it not to..."

'Hmm... forget it.'

After a moment's thought, Homura decided not to respond to that.

"Wow~! So much food?!" Chika exclaimed as she saw the dishes on the tray.

"I prepared two servings of soup, so there's extra." Homura said as he entered the room.

'Hou? Behind the headboard, huh? By the way... Ai should have heard that very clearly, right?' Homura subtly smirked as he noticed the device Ai used to listen secretly.

Since the small round table in Kaguya's room almost couldn't fit, Homura simply placed the tray on top of it.

Sniff Sniff 

Chika began sniffing the dishes.

"This one is tonkotsu soup!"

"Let me smell this one again... Mm! Seafood soup!"

"Heh, you really are something." Homura chuckled and shook his head.

"Ah, I just realized the side dishes are just as good as the ones at the restaurant!" Chika continued.

"As good as theirs?" Homura raised an eyebrow. "Even if my equipment and ingredients can't match a professional ramen shop, mine definitely won't taste worse than theirs."

He could guarantee this much; the flavor alone could compensate for that slight disadvantage.

"Why aren't the soup and noodles together?" Kaguya asked curiously, noticing the ramen noodles and soup were separated.

"That's the best part, Kaguya-chan!" Chika explained happily. "We get to enjoy different flavors in one meal! Double the happiness!"

Kaguya nodded in understanding.

"Kaguya-chan?" Homura asked in confusion. "You suddenly changed how you address her?"

"Well, we've gotten closer, haven't we!" Chika smiled cheerfully, glancing at Kaguya who nodded.

'Ah, that explains it...' Homura nodded, then spoke up. "Yosh, let's eat before it gets cold."

Clap!

""Itadakimasu!"" (x3)

After clapping their hands and praying, the three of them took their bowls of ramen.

"Huh? This rich flavor, is it dashi broth?" Chika was slightly surprised. "Does Kaguya-chan's family have ready-made dashi broth?"

"Why are you looking at me?" Kaguya couldn't help but shake her head. "How would I know!"

"A pressure cooker is quite handy, y'know..." Homura chuckled softly.

"Oh, impressive!" Chika exclaimed.

"Huh?" Kaguya's mouth twitched. "What now?"

"Octopus sausage!" Chika answered with a happy smile.

"Come to think of it... I don't think we have that at home..." Kaguya also seemed puzzled.

"Umu... these sausages are actually a bit luxurious since I made them with ham." Homura revealed the truth.

"..." Chika fell silent for a while before agreeing. "Indeed, it's quite luxurious... Well, it's understandable since Kaguya-chan's family doesn't usually get common ingredients like sausages..."

Kaguya: "..."

"But this sausage is really delicious too..." Chika's smile was particularly heartwarming.

Click

"Huh? Homura-kun, did you just take a picture?"

Not just Chika, Kaguya was also drawn to the sound of the camera and looked at Homura with an inquiring gaze.

Homura handed over his phone.

"Yeah, it's that smile of yours that's so beautiful..."

Upon seeing her own smiling face on Homura's phone, Chika blushed slightly.

"Can I see the other photos?" Kaguya asked him.

"Sure, take a look."

Getting curious, Chika couldn't help but join Kaguya in looking at the photos on Homura's phone.