Shinchan: The Cooking God in here!

"Then it's settled! After school today, we'll go to Shin-chan's house and play together!"

Kazama, acting as the captain of the Kasukabe Defense Force, decisively announced the day's activities.

"Shin-chan, do you know what new dish Asuka is going to make?" Nene was so curious she could barely eat her lunch. She looked at Shin-chan with bright, eager eyes.

The others were just as excited, all staring at Shin-chan, waiting to hear the answer.

Feeling a bit shy under their intense gazes, Shin-chan squirmed before replying, "The new dish Asuka-san is making is called... spicy crayfish. She said it's perfect for summer and tastes best with ice-cold beer or iced drinks."

Though Shin-chan's description was simple, Kazama and the others couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

Kazama: "That sounds delicious..."

Nene and Masao exchanged nervous glances. "But... spicy crayfish sounds really spicy. What if we can't handle it?"

Shin-chan hesitated. "Yeah, I don't do well with spicy food either... but... I still really want to try Asuka's new dish!"

Just as the five kids, all struggling with their low spice tolerance, were feeling conflicted, their teacher, Yoshinaga Midori, who had been eavesdropping, could no longer control her own reaction.

Listen! Listen!

Spicy crayfish paired with ice-cold beer?!

That's one of summer's greatest pleasures!

Wilting under the sweltering heat, Yoshinaga Midori suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to visit Shin-chan's house to taste this so-called spicy crayfish.

But… what excuse could she use?

Yoshinaga Midori hesitated. She wasn't exactly strangers with Shin-chan's mother, but they weren't particularly close either. Just showing up at someone's house for a meal…

No, no, that wouldn't do!

Just as she was racking her brain for a solution, Shin-chan dropped another bombshell.

"Oh yeah, last night Asuka-sama mentioned she was thinking of opening a mobile food stand nearby."

"A mobile food stall? You mean the kind where customers can sit and eat?"

Shin-chan, mouth full of tuna, nodded. "I think so."

"But why would Asuka-sama suddenly want to open a mobile food stand? With her cooking skills, she could work in any restaurant."

"I don't know..." Shin-chan admitted. "But Asuka-sama said the spicy crayfish she's making today is going to be the main dish at the food stand."

"Wow! So this is a trial dish for the stand?" Nene exclaimed. "That means when we go over, we can taste it and give our opinions!"

Nene's words suddenly sparked an idea in Yoshinaga Midori's mind.

Yes! Since the Nohara family's young lady was planning to sell this dish, she would need taste-testers to provide feedback before launching it.

She wasn't just being nosy—she was helping!

The more she thought about it, the more justified her visit seemed!

Feeling motivated, she turned to Shin-chan with a grin. "Shin-chan, I just heard that your Asuka-sama is planning to open a mobile snack stand. Is that true?"

"Of course, it is! Why, are you curious too, Little Green?"

"No, no, no!" Yoshinaga Midori waved her hands hastily before shifting to a more persuasive tone. "I just wanted to ask… could I come to your house this afternoon to taste the food?"

"Huh?!"

The five members of the Kasukabe Defense Force turned to her, their expressions skeptical.

Feeling awkward under their scrutiny, she quickly added, "What's wrong? Didn't you just say that before selling food, it's best to have more people try it and give feedback? Besides, I'm the administrator of the Kasukabe Defense Force. If you don't bring me along, I won't lend you the teacher's apartment as your secret base next time!"

In the end, Yoshinaga Midori half-threatened, half-negotiated her way into their plans.

After Shin-chan agreed, she checked her wristwatch and realized lunch break was almost over. "Alright, everyone, hurry up and finish eating. After lunch, follow me to the office and report to your mothers that you'll be going to Shin-chan's house this afternoon. And you, Shin-chan, make sure to count how many people are coming so your mother isn't caught off guard."

"Okay, okay, Little Green, you're so naggy!"

Ding-ling-ling! Ding-ling-ling!

The landline phone at the Nohara household rang.

Mitsy, who was helping Asuka clean the crayfish in the kitchen, quickly got up. She removed her gloves and said, "Asuka, keep going. I'll get the phone."

She walked to the entrance and picked up the receiver. "Hello? Oh, Shin-chan! Why are you calling at this time? Is something wrong?"

"What? You said Mr. Yoshinaga and the Kasukabe Defense Force kids are coming over after school?"

"Oh, alright. Don't worry, your sister Asuka and I bought plenty of crayfish today. There'll be more than enough."

"Yes, okay, okay, I'll prepare in advance. You be good at kindergarten, alright? Okay, I'm hanging up now."

Mitsy set down the phone and returned to the kitchen.

As she slipped on her gloves, she said to Asuka, "That was Shin-chan. He said he's bringing Kazama, the others, and Mr. Yoshinaga over after school for dinner. Good thing we bought extra crayfish."

"Shin-chan, huh?" Asuka deftly handled the crayfish in her hands. "Having more people over is great. We can have them taste-test the dish and give us feedback."

"True!" Mitsy nodded, then hesitated. "But Shin-chan and his friends can't handle spicy food. And isn't spicy crayfish very spicy?"

Asuka chuckled. "Don't worry, Mitsy. 'Spicy crayfish' is just a general term. There are actually different flavors—spicy, sauce-flavored, and garlic. The kids can have the milder sauce-flavored and garlic versions, while we adults can enjoy the classic spicy one."

Relieved, Mitsy smiled. "That's perfect. Let's get started, then!"

...

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