Ch.28

Ch.28 Lunch Break. As Expected of Mahiro's Wifey Qualities.

"Mmm... Yaaaaaaaaawn... Mmm. This place is..."

"You're finally awake." (TL: Insert Skyrim intro)

"Good morning, Mahiro-chan."

"Hmm...? Miho and Mizuki? ...Why am I...?"

When I woke up, Miho and Mizuki were standing in front of me, both with bright smiles.

Perhaps because I just woke up, my mind feels foggy, and I'm kind of spaced out.

I sit up, rub my eyes vigorously with both hands, and look around...

"... Mu? Classroom?"

I am in the classroom.

I am pretty sure I was on the field though...

So, after I finished running, I lay down on the grass and got sleepy and fell asleep... wait, huh? Why am I in the classroom?

Moreover, I was sleeping on the desk.

I do not know where they got it from, but they even brought a futon here...

"You slept on the grass the whole time after you finished running."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously, Mahiro-chan. You looked like you were sleeping very peacefully."

"...Why did no one wake me up?"

"Matsuoka-sensei said, 'Well, she's probably just tired because of her "TSF syndrome." Let her sleep. It'll be lunchtime soon anyway!' and he let you sleep."

"...As expected of Teacher Matsuoka. A teacher who puts the students first."

Despite everything, he is also known as the most lenient teacher when it comes to his students.

"...But, I see. 'Tis already lunchtime. In that case, let us have lunch."

"Yes."

"We already finished preparing."

"That was quick."

"Well, it's already been five minutes since lunch break started."

What, I have already used up five minutes?

"Well, let us eat right away noja. Although, since I made this bento box myself, I already know what is inside."

'Tis a little disappointing that there would be no sense of excitement, but... I guess 'tis a good thing overall, considering I can put in my favorite stuff.

That was the kind of thing I was thinking when,

"""!!?"""

"Mu, what are you guys surprised for? Is it that surprising that I made lunch?"

When I mentioned lunch, my classmates around me reacted with a strangely surprised expression.

"N-no, but it's Ouka, you know? That Ouka, who's always sleeping all the time?"

"There's no way that lazy guy Ouka can cook..."

"""Yep, yep."""

"You guys are being rude, you know?"

Are all guys supposed to be this rude?

...Well, it is what it is.

"Here, Miho, Mizuki, your lunch."

"Thank you."

"Thank you so much! Mahiro-chan's home cooking...!"

"Do not expect too much in terms of taste. I can only cook home-style meals noja."

I can make elaborate things, but I rarely go to that extent.

If you ask me if I am good at it, I would say 'tis not something I am particularly good at.

Well, it seems like those kinds of opportunities will increase in the future though.

"...Now that I've been living at Mahiro's house, I've realized that your personality and skills really don't match up."

"What Is it ja? Are you really that surprised that I can cook?"

"Of course I'm surprised. Because last year, you left all your home economics classes to other people."

"Because 'twas too much of a hassle ja. I only do the bare minimum. I mean, 'tis not anything to brag about, is it? If you live alone, you'll naturally pick up cooking skills. As a matter of fact, if you live alone and cannot cook, you will have a lot of financial difficulties."

"""Ugh..."""

Hmm, it seems like a few of my classmates around me were groaning just now...

Surely there are no people who live alone and cannot cook, right? (TL: ...)

...Well, if you think about it normally, there might indeed be some people. After all, cooking is a hassle.

And this is especially true if they have club activities.

Fumu, if I think about it that way, my comments might have been rather harsh.

"Well, that was an insensitive comment from me. 'Tis not a problem if you cannot cook. These days, instant meals and bento boxes are of a high standard. Besides, 'tis actually cheaper to buy them if you are only eating one serving."

"""That follow-up only makes it sting even more...!"""

Mu? Did I perhaps say something I should not have?

"...Well, if a lazy little girl indirectly tells you something like, 'It's normal to be able to cook when you live alone,' that's bound to hit home. Especially for girls."

"That's right. Mahiro-chan is quite lazy after all."

"What is it ja? Is what I said really that strange?"

"That's not what I meant... but, well, you know. It's just that our pride as a girl was hurt."

"Muu...?"

I still do not quite understand women.

Even though I am one of them now.

"Anyway, let us eat."

"Speaking of which, Mahiro, isn't your lunchbox a little small?"

"Ah, this? In this form, I cannot eat that much. My stomach has shrunk noja. Well, even if that was not the case, I am a light eater from the beginning."

"Is that so?"

"Umu. You know that hamburger steak set that you get at typical family restaurants? Half the amount of rice in that is just the right amount for me."

"She's eating less than me..."

"I'm also eating a little more than that."

I see.

It seems my understanding that I do not eat that much, even when I was a man, is correct after all.

Well, I do not have any problems with eating small portions, so I was not too worried about it.

Well, time to eat.

When I opened the lunchbox, I found the food and rice I had packed inside.

My lunchbox contained a little amount of white rice, one meatball, one mini hamburger, a slightly larger portion of salad, and some cherry tomatoes.

By the way, I increased the amount of side dishes and rice in Miho and Mizuki's lunchboxes, and also added a mini gratin.

"Mahiro, is this frozen food?"

"Some of them are, what of it?"

"Some of them?"

"Yes. Of the dishes in that box, only the gratin is frozen. Everything else is homemade by me."

""Eh!?""

"Mu? What's wrong? You both sound surprised."

Did I say something that surprising?

I only mentioned that I cooked a meal.

"M-Mahiro, who's usually so lazy, actually made a bento box...?"

"Mahiro-chan, are you feeling under the weather right now?!"

"Hold on a second. Why do I have to be told all that just because I made a normal lunch? Hey, do not try to take my temperature. Miho, do not try to bring me to the infirmary!"

"But that's not like you, with how lazy you usually are..."

"I had the impression that Mahiro-chan would just go with something simple..."

"...I understand very well what you all think of me. But, you see, I can cook like a normal person noja. And, well...you know ja. I, too, w-would like to make a proper bento box for the person I marry and have them enjoy it, you know..."

""Huaa!""

With my face red and a me feeling little shy, I stammered as I leaned forward, and both of them are clutching their chests.

At the same time,

"""Gah!"""

Something fell over.

Mu? Did I say something strange...?

"Wow, the destructive power of that little girl's expression is insane..."

"Wife... You're saying that lazy Ouka has this much of wifey qualities...!"

"Damn, that's definitely something that would make anyone fall in love, regardless of gender...!"

"W-what should I do? Mahiro-chan's words, actions, and expression just now have really made my heart flutter."

"She's so much cuter than when she was Ouka-kun!"

"Actually, I want to pet those fluffy ears and tail!"

Ears and a tail?

Now that she mentioned it, I can hear sounds more clearly, and smells are stronger than usual.

...Ah.

"Did I forget to turn off my ability?"

No wonder it sounds a little louder than usual.

Also, perhaps because 'tis after gym class, the smell of deodorant and wet wipes is quite strong. Is it that Sea Breeze stuff?

I have never really paid attention to it before, so I only know the name, but... Fumu. So this is what it smells like noja.

...It might be a little unpleasant.

Is it because I am currently a wolf?

"Mu? Are you two alright?"

"...H-hey, don't suddenly say things that are so cute I could die...I thought I was going to die just now."

"A little girl... Saying that newlywed wife's lines, with a shy smile like that... I feel like I'm about to ascend to heaveeeeeen~~~~~~~..."

It seems that the way I spoke earlier was the cause.

"...I am starting to feel a little embarrassed..."

"No, no! There's nothing to be embarrassed about at all! Your expression was so cute, and your words were so adorable! To be honest, if we weren't here, I'd be attacking you right now!"

"What an outrageous thing to say!"

She just casually said something really outrageous though?!

"A-attack?"

"But if it's such a cute little girl... You'd attack, right? Yep." (TL: I'd like to disagree)

"That's just normal, just normal."

Wow, that is some escapism alright.

"There's no way our beautiful ojou-sama we all admired could be a pervert."

That is what they seem to be thinking, judging by their expressions.

Hmph... I thought the same thing at first...

But when I actually looked into it, it turned out that Mizuki was an incorrigible lo〇con and a terrible pervert who would go full offense on lo〇s ja...

"...Anyway! Let us eat quickly. We are running out of time."

"That's true. Well then, Itadakimasu."

"Itadakimasu!"

Sigh, I am already tired.

◇◆◇

And so, the day ended without incident (?), and just as I was about to head home...

"We are calling a student. Ouka Mahiro-chan from class 2-3. Please come to the library immediately. I repeat. Ouka Mahiro-chan from class 2-3. Please come to the library immediately."

I received a summon.

Or rather...

"Why the chan suffix?!"

"""Because you're a little girl."""

Damn it! The whole class said it at the same time...!

"I suppose it's because you're the committee president, but go ahead. We'll just heading home first."

"But then, wouldn't that be dangerous if Mahiro-chan is going home late alone?"

"...I used to be a man, you know? And with my 'beast transformation' ability, I can do anything. You saw it, right? In physical education class."

"...That's true. I believe you can also transform into a cat, right?"

"Yes. In the worst-case scenario, I can use night vision to get back, so rest assured."

Actually, there are times when I just want to go home alone.

"...But I'm still worried, so let's assign a bodyguard."

"Mu?"

"Oh, hello, is this Otou-sama? Yes, it's me. Mahiro-chan will be late coming home today because of a committee meeting, so I'd like to arrange for a bodyguard... Oh, there's always one? I see! Thank you! Well then."

"Hey, wait a minute! Eh, what? I had a bodyguard?!"

"That seems to be the case. It appears to be attached to Mahiro-chan, or rather, to Miho-san as well?"

"Why!?"

Before I knew it, I had bodyguards assigned to me!

And not just me, but Miho too?!

Where on earth are they? Where are they?!

As I looked around, I saw something outside the classroom window. A little further on, among the trees... I noticed a man in black clothes.

U-uwaa... They are in a really crazy place...

I feel like it would understandable if people think they are some kind of pervert.

"If you ask me why, it's to minimize the risk to almost zero... Besides, our marriage will eventually become public knowledge. Furthermore, there's always the possibility of a kidnapping targeting the company. In effect, the two of you have become Otou-sama's daughter-in-laws, so if you were to be kidnapped, the Uishi Group would also have to take action."

"...Am I perhaps in a rather important position?"

"...Is that the case for me too?"

"That's right. In effect, the two of you are in a position close to the chairman of the Uishi Group."

……What the hell.

So, does that mean there is no guarantee that kidnapping incidents will not occur in the future?

This is such a hassle...

...Well, I have already agreed to the marriage, so I suppose 'tis too late now.

"I understand that much. Well, if you are going to protect us on your own, I am fine with that."

"That's good to hear. The bodyguards were all very enthusiastic."

"Really?"

"Yes. they said something like, 'Let's go everyone! We'll protect the Ojou's wife and that wife's other husband even if it costs us our life! Anyone who gets in the way of these lesbian couplex2 will be beaten half to death!'"

"Even your bodyguards are crazy?!"

I cannot believe it, but are they a yuri fan? They really are a yuri fan!?

But,

"Am I really being recognized as the wife?! And you two being recognized as the husbands?!"

"That's obvious, isn't it?"

They affirmed it with a big smile.

"Damn it!"

So that fact cannot be changed after all...!

"Actually, shouldn't you just go to the library already?"

"...That is true ja. I guess there is no other choice. Well then, I will be going now. Oh, and could you do some shopping for me while you are at it?"

"Okay."

"Helping our wife with her shopping is also a husband's duty!"

"...Ah, yes, yes. I understand, so please take care of the items written on this memo. It lists the ingredients for tonight's dinner, detergent, bleach, shampoo, and conditioner, so please do that."

""... You really are the wife.""

"Shut yer mouths! Just get on with it noja!"

"Okay, okay. Well then, good luck, President Mahiro."

"Good luck, Mahiro-chan!"

Miho left first, teasingly, while Mizuki left after, seemingly offering genuine support.

"Sigh... well, I guess I will go to the library now."

This is such a hassle, I wish I would not have to.

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