Shinchan: The Cooking God in here!

In the early morning, the melodious sound of birds woke Asuka from her sleep.

She opened her eyes and looked around the room in a daze.

Downstairs, Mitsy Nohara had already washed up and was preparing breakfast.

The clattering of pots and pans, combined with the rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the rich aroma of home-cooked food, filled the air with warmth and comfort.

"Time to get up."

Asuka remembered that when she bought the dog house yesterday, she had promised Hiroshi Nohara that she would prepare a lunch box for him.

So she quickly got up, dressed, straightened the sheets, and folded the quilt. She was already quite accustomed to these morning routines.

After finishing in no time, she made her way downstairs to the first floor.

Mitsy, still in her pajamas, peeked out from the kitchen with a spatula in hand. Seeing Asuka washing up, she smiled unconsciously.

"Asuka, you're up! I'm making the scallion oil noodles you taught me. I also made a pot of kelp soup and some grilled fish. Once you're done washing up, you can eat. Oh, and after breakfast, let's head to the seafood store next to the convenience store to buy some crayfish. We'll prep them in advance and make spicy crayfish for dinner when the whole family is together. As for lunch, since it's just the two of us at home, something simple like curry rice should be fine. How about it? Let me tell you, my curry—"

Asuka, holding a toothbrush, listened to Mitsy's chatter while brushing her teeth.

She stared blankly at Mitsy, her hand moving mechanically as she brushed.

The words Mitsy spoke were so ordinary, yet they carried an inexplicable warmth, filling Asuka's heart with peace.

"Oh no! I got so caught up talking that I forgot to turn off the heat under the kelp soup! Asuka, finish brushing your teeth—I need to get back to the kitchen!" Mitsy exclaimed before rushing off, spatula still in hand.

...

After Mitsy returned to the kitchen, Asuka quickly finished washing up and followed her inside.

She took a few meat patties from the refrigerator. Seeing Mitsy's puzzled look, she explained, "When I bought the dog house at the department store yesterday, I promised Hiroshi that I would make a bento for him and bring it to the office. So…"

"Oh! My husband is such a handful!" Mitsy huffed before turning to Asuka with a smile. "You don't have to prepare lunch for him every day, you know. There are plenty of places to eat near his office. You shouldn't trouble yourself!"

Asuka placed the meat patties on a plate and put them in the microwave to defrost.

"It's no trouble. You and Hiroshi have helped me so much these past few days. Making a lunchbox is the least I can do."

"Well… since you insist, I'll leave it to you."

As they prepared breakfast and the lunchbox, a comfortable silence settled between them, filled only with the sound of cooking.

By the time they were almost done, Hiroshi and Shinchan finally woke up.

Today, the father and son duo seemed particularly energetic. They wasted no time getting ready, quite unlike their usual sluggish, reluctant selves.

"Dad, Shinchan, breakfast is ready!"

Mitsy placed the freshly prepared dishes on the table, and Hiroshi and Shinchan hurried over, taking their seats eagerly.

Seeing the delicious breakfast and the packed lunchbox on the side, they exchanged excited glances. And tonight, there would be spicy crayfish!

Since Asuka moved in, every meal had become something to look forward to.

"I'm digging in!"

...

"Phew, we finally got rid of that little troublemaker!"

Mitsy patted her shoulders wearily after putting Shinchan on the kindergarten bus.

She turned to Asuka with a smile. "But ever since you came, Shinchan hasn't missed the school bus once. Before, I had to ride my bike and take him to school every morning. The several-hundred-meter-long Haohan Slope really wore me out…"

Asuka listened to Mitsy's complaints with a smile. The two walked to the door, about to enter, when Shiro suddenly ran over, his food bowl in his mouth, looking pitiful.

"Woo woo~"

Asuka: …

Mitsy: …

They exchanged glances before both looking at the hungry, listless Shiro.

"Looks like we forgot to prepare dog food for Shiro…"

...

At noon, Hiroshi Nohara, who had been anticipating this moment for hours, did not get up to go out for lunch as usual.

Instead, he sat at his desk, pretending to be indifferent as he took out the lunchbox Asuka had prepared for him in the morning.

He placed it on the table but didn't open it immediately.

Noticing this, his coworker Kawaguchi, his usual lunch companion, approached in curiosity. Seeing the lunchbox, he raised an eyebrow.

"Eh? Team leader, did Mitsy make you a love-filled bento?"

"Hey, we've been married for years—stop calling it a 'love-filled' bento!" Hiroshi huffed, flustered. "Besides, Mitsy didn't make this one…"

"Not Mitsy?" Kawaguchi was taken aback. Then, after a brief moment of thought, his expression changed drastically. "Team leader… are you cheating on Mitsy?!"

His voice was a little too loud, drawing the attention of several colleagues.

"Shh!"

Hiroshi panicked, quickly pulling Kawaguchi aside. In a hushed voice, he explained that Asuka was temporarily staying at his house and had simply made the bento as a gesture of thanks.

"Oh, I see now." Kawaguchi nodded in understanding. Then, after a brief pause, he gave Hiroshi a mischievous look. "Team leader, you're telling me that every night when you come home, a beautiful girl greets you with a gentle 'You're back~'? That must feel amazing!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Hiroshi smacked him on the head. "I see Asuka as a little sister! Besides, her cooking is what's truly amazing!"

"Cooking?" Kawaguchi glanced at the unopened lunchbox on Hiroshi's desk, his curiosity piqued.

Completely unaware, Hiroshi closed his eyes and began boasting.

"I'm not exaggerating—my whole family eagerly awaits Asuka's cooking every day. If I had to choose between the finest restaurant and one of Asuka's homemade meals, I wouldn't hesitate to go with hers. Even if she made something as risky as fugu hotpot, I'd trust her cooking skills without question!"

As Hiroshi continued praising Asuka's culinary talents, Kawaguchi, unable to resist, stealthily reached out and opened the lunchbox on the table…

...

If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chaps, you can follow me on Patreon! 🚀✨

Pat reon. com (slash) LordMerlin