The Correct Japanese Terms of Homestay Seems to Be Marriage - Chapter 9

Served with Homemade Cooking

“Hmm hmm hmmm~♪ Hmm hmm hmm~♪”

A cheerful hum could be heard coming from the kitchen.

While sitting on the living room sofa and watching TV, Keitaro glanced at Sophia’s back as she busied herself with cooking in her white apron.

Suddenly,

(It feels like newlywed life… What am I thinking, idiot…)

Random thoughts began to pop up.

To shut out those inappropriate thoughts, Keitaro violently shook his head from side to side. He felt like banging his head against the wall like a woodpecker, but he wisely decided against it.

(…Never thought the day would come when I’d eat Sophia’s homemade cooking. Everything looks delicious…)

Several dishes were already lined up on the dining table, each one tantalizing Keitaro’s appetite. His stomach was growling.

The luxury of having someone cook for you without lifting a finger. Despite feeling a tinge of guilt, Keitaro eagerly awaited the completion of Sophia’s cooking.

“Keitaro, it will be ready soon.”

“Alright, let me serve the rice.”

“Please do.”

Taking that as his cue, Keitaro rose from the sofa and headed towards the rice cooker, scooping rice into two bowls.

He then placed them on the dining table. They sat next to each other. Naturally, the opposite seats were empty, but for some reason, this arrangement had been made. Sophia wanted it this way, and Keitaro had no particular reason to object.

“Sorry for the wait. The last dish is the classic meat and potatoes.” (tln : nikujaga)

With a gentle clunk, Sophia placed the last dish on the table. The freshly made meat and potatoes dish emitted a wonderful aroma.

Keitaro could feel his empty stomach spring into action.

“This looks amazing. A perfect lineup of Japanese classics. Exactly, this is how it should be.”

Besides the meat and potatoes, there was miso soup, a mixed dish of komatsuna and carrots, and grilled salted mackerel. It’s the very definition of classic dishes, and Keitaro couldn’t help but voice his approval.

“I made it with lots of love, so please eat a lot.”

Sophia sat down right next to Keitaro, her cheeks slightly flushed. They were so close their shoulders almost touched. If Keitaro had been left-handed, eating would have been quite a challenge.

“I see, then it must be delicious. Let’s eat.”

Hearing this, Keitaro devoutly brought his hands together, offering earnest thanks to nature and the saintly Sophia.

“I’m a bit nervous now.”

Ignoring the fidgety Sophia, Keitaro picked up the bowl of miso soup and first enjoyed its aroma.

Even to the culinarily clueless Keitaro, one sniff was enough to understand the exquisite balance of miso, dashi, and ingredients—a standout masterpiece.

The tantalizing smell made his stomach growl louder.

“…The smell is great. The balance between miso, dashi, and ingredients is perfect, I can tell just from the smell. Now…”

He brought the bowl to his lips.

The moment the flavors of miso and dashi spread through his mouth was soft and mellow, making Keitaro unconsciously let out a deep sigh.

The flavor wasn’t lingering too long on the tongue, not interfering with other dishes. But to say it was bland would be wrong; it was a meticulously calculated blend.

It was perfection topped with sincerity.

“…Delicious. Simply delicious. Anything else would be an understatement.”

“Ehehe, I’m glad it suits your taste.”

This miso soup was now Keitaro’s home. It had become an essential flavor in his life in an instant.

He wanted to express his gratitude to Sophia, but words seemed inadequate to describe the taste. Even attempting to felt inappropriate.

“If I had to say something, it’s a comforting taste. The kind I want to eat every day… That kind of flavor.”

Keitaro managed to find the words, though it was more an emotional expression than a description of the taste itself.

“So, does that mean… you want me to make miso soup every day for you?”

“Yeah, not just for me, I think anyone would want it. If you could drink this every day, your life would be happy.”

“…Hau, …”

Keitaro was essentially proposing without realizing it. He was simply in awe of Sophia’s culinary skills.

Next, Keitaro reached for the mixed dish of komatsuna and carrots.

“Whoa… Vegetables can taste this good? Komatsuna, you’re not just a leaf…”

The vibrant colors, the fragrant aroma of sesame oil, the moment he chewed, the bounty of the earth spread throughout his mouth.

Vegetables could be this delicious. Keitaro couldn’t hide his surprise.

Next to enter Keitaro’s mouth was the grilled salted mackerel.

“Delicious… The grilling and the amount of salt are perfect. Too perfect, almost scary.”

The skin was crispy, yet the flesh was tender and flaked off easily in the mouth, a texture from a different league.

This must be the work of a professional with decades of experience, Keitaro thought.

The last dish, the meat and potatoes,

“…I’m about to cry.”

Brought tears to his eyes.

Home-style cooking often means stewed dishes, and meat and potatoes are at the top, in Keitaro’s opinion.

His whole body was enveloped in warmth and happiness. It was bliss.

“Did I get the seasoning wrong?!”

“No. It’s so touching, I’m on the verge of tears.”

In response to the frantic Sophia, Keitaro slowly shook his head and clearly expressed his feelings.

“Sophia, you’re really amazing…”

“Ah… I’m just glad you like it…”

Overwhelmed with various emotions welling up inside him, Keitaro couldn’t help but hug Sophia tightly as he put down his chopsticks.

“It’s the best… Too delicious…”

In Sophia’s ear, Keitaro let out a sigh of admiration. The tone of his voice clearly showed how deeply moved he was.

“I don’t think I can be satisfied with anyone else’s cooking anymore.”

This was essentially a proposal.

Though the person himself was unaware, Sophia wrapped her arms around Keitaro’s back,

“…It’s okay. I just want you to be satisfied with mine’s only…”

She whispered back sweetly.