The Saintess Next Door is a Super Popular VTuber Whose Character was Designed by Me
Tonari ni Sunderu Seijo-sama wa Ore ga Chara-Design o Tantoushita Daininki VTuber deshita
Chapter 4 – Saintess and Hamburg Steak
“Is there anything you can’t eat? Allergies?”
“No, I don’t have any particular likes, dislikes, or allergies.”
Once it was decided to serve dinner to Asumi, Iori immediately started working quickly and efficiently. He was very familiar with the way he prepared the ingredients for one more serving while listening to her requests, and it was clear that he cooks for himself on a regular basis.
Asumi, who was sitting behind the counter, looked at him with admiration. Even for Asumi, who usually cooks for herself, it must be a big deal.
With a man and a woman both in this space, Iori felt as if he was somewhat of a househusband.
“That helps.”
“Um, can I help you?”
“I’m fine. You’ve been busy lately, so just relax.”
“I’ll take your word for it then.”
Asumi tried to stand up once, but when Iori showed some concern for her, she sat back down reluctantly.
It was probably because Iori felt bad about leaving the job to her. Since she is his guest, he asked her to sit down as a way of thanking her and showing his appreciation for her hard work.
“So, about the meeting, when should we schedule the next collab stream? You’ve got quite an accumulation of projects you’ve said you’d do since last year.”
“My schedule is pretty full until the day after tomorrow, so anytime after that day would be fine.”
“Then, let’s invite Reina or someone to come over next week and have a consultation session.”
“I understand. I’ll let her know.”
Iori began his meeting with Asumi while holding a kitchen knife.
The meeting was going to be long since they had not yet had a full-fledged meeting since the beginning of the New Year, but if they could digest it during the cooking time, it would be just fine.
For now, the schedule for the end of the month or so was being finalized.
“Ah, by the way, have you heard anything from Yoyo-san?”
“From Yoyo-san? I haven’t heard anything?”
“I guess he’s forgotten about this.”
“She’s a very busy person, after all. Well, sometimes she’s a bit loose, though.”
Yoyo was a VTuber who belonged to the same agency as Hyouka, and her full name was Mahiru Yoyo, and she was one of the veteran members, having been active for almost four years.
Her channel already had over 1.2 million subscribers, and like Asumi, she was known for her skill in organizing and moderating competitions.
Through his connection with Asumi, Iori has also performed with him on several occasions. Especially since he is often invited as a guest for events and projects, Iori guessed that it was probably an invitation of that kind.
“I’ll tell her. Actually, later this month, as a New Year’s project, I’m going to hold a quiz-like comedy contest with all of the PROGRESS’ members.”
(TLN: 大喜利 (oogiri), quiz-like (TV) comedy segment in which participants improvise one-liners based on a given theme)
“I see, this year it’s going to be a comedy contest.”
“Yes. Yoyo-san and I will assist in organizing the event, but I’m thinking of asking an outsider to create a theme for the event.”
“So that’s where I come in.”
“Yes, Yoyo-san was supposed to contact the members’ Mama at the beginning of the year.”
As he guessed, it was a request to appear at an event.
Since it was customary to discuss such matters early, Asumi, who was in charge of managing the progress of the event, must have confirmed the request.
It was essential to keep track of the progress and the participants. In fact, since Iori had not been contacted, she had done her job well. After all, she must have some skills as an organizer. He heard that she has been invited to join committees and student councils at school, and he caught a glimpse of why.
“Would you accept?”
“Okay, I’ll accept it. I’ll go for the sensitive ones. Maybe something political or about Suu-sama, who has gone up in flames.”
Iori responded to Asumi’s request with friendly banter, as he tossed the patty to remove the air from it.
“Absolutely don’t do that. Well, I’ll censor it.”
“I’m just kidding. So what’s the deadline?”
“In about ten days, if possible.”
“Got it.”
Asumi conducted the meeting, while Iori skillfully cooked the dishes as they worked out the details of the meeting.
“Alright, I’ve done. Let’s end the discussion for now. Help me put them on the table.”
“Yes, these are…… These look much more delicious than it looks in the picture.”
An hour and a half and a bit after he started cooking, dinner was ready. Iori passed the dishes from the counter to Asumi.
The dishes were all carefully arranged, and of course, they all looked delicious. A plump hamburg steak was served with a variety of garnishes, corn soup was garnished with chopped parsley, and a bright red, green, and yellow salad was on the menu for the dinner.
Asumi’s turquoise-colored eyes widened as she looked at the results, and she let out an exclamation of amazement, impressed by the dishes.
“Shall we eat?”
“Yes, Bon appétit.”
After the dishes were served, Iori also took a seat and sat across from Asumi. The two of them folded their hands and picked up chopsticks.
Asumi must have come from a good upbringing. She was elegant in all her movements, and brought a piece of hamburg steak to her small mouth, tasting it quietly.
Judging from the way she handled the chopsticks so well, she probably never made a sound when she used a fork or knife.
Iori felt a certain charm for Asumi, who was so mature in her manners, yet still showed glimpses of childishness.
The steamy hamburg steak from inside made her cheeks relax, and the way she lowered the corner of her eyes was very adorable.
Not long after that, Asumi’s expression broke and she expressed her impressions of the dish to Iori.
“……Ah, this hamburg steak is very delicious.”
“Glad to hear it.”
It seemed to have suited Asumi’s palate. After giving him a short impression, she went on to another dish.
From the look of her, it seemed to be well received, which was a relief. Iori’s mouth naturally loosened up.
“The carrots are very sweet and I like them very much, is there any secret something?”
“That’s just a commercial frozen product. It’s surprisingly good, isn’t it?”
“You can’t underestimate the commercial grade, can you?”
“Frozen food is the best, after all. They last longer and don’t lose much of their flavor. Fresh ones are probably better, though.”
The thing that Asumi liked the most was the carrot glacé that accompanied the hamburg steak.
The carrots themselves were frozen, but the glacé was a dish that was handed down from his grandfather, and it was the dish he was most confident about on today’s menu.
“I wonder why it has so much warmth.”
“I wonder why.”
Asumi put another carrot in her mouth and tilted her head, smiling. The gesture and expression are strangely beautiful, and he thought he could understand why she was called as a Saintess.
He had recognized Asumi as a beautiful girl, but he had never had a romantic interest in her. Until now, he had only thought that there was such a beautiful girl, but nothing more nothing less.
But today’s Asumi, with her genuine smile, was adorable, and he was startled by her.
“The soup, hamburg steak, and carrots. All of them taste very satisfying.”
“Well, whatever it is, if it delights you, there’s nothing better than that.”
Asumi gave a gentle smile as if she had become a different person, and her usual curtness seemed to have been a lie.
The way she ate was appropriate for her age, and her daily lack of thought drastically decreased.
She ate in such a way, repeatedly saying how delicious and tasty the dishes were, so there was nothing that made him happier.
Looking at Asumi, Iori thanked his grandfather and grandmother for teaching him how to cook.
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