10th Meal

Clumsy Girl and Curry Rice

As it turns out, Asahi-parents san’s made the correct decision.

“Wash the potatoes thoroughly, then peel them with a knife and remove the sprouts…”

“Onii-san! There are no sprouts left on my potatoes!”

“Eh? You’re so bad at peeling! Why’s there hardly anything to eat left!?”

—During the preparation stage, the total size of the potatoes is reduced by half.

“After scraping the carrot skin with a peeler, cut it into fan-shaped slices like this.”

“I see! I understand! Ouch…! My fingers…!?”

“Asahi-san!!?”

—She shaved her own index finger’s skin with the peeler. (Tired: Awts sakit)

“Because onions dissolve easily while cooking, it’s best to cut them a little larger…”

“Oooh…Why’s this making me cry…!?”

“Sorry, but I can’t help you with that either…!”

—We both shed tears as we chopped the onions.

“All that’s left is to fry the chicken, starting with the onions, and when the chicken is lightly browned, add water and cook it.”

“I see! I get it now…! Hot…!? Ah, My hand’s covered in oil–ugh!?”

“Asahi-san!!?”

—The oil splashing from the pan hit the back of her hand, and that’s why she reflexively raised it and hit the corner of the cupboard door, which had been left open.

…I think I understand why her parents are so worried about her, seeing the high school girl who is so wounded that it is hard to believe she is just making a simple curry. If I let this girl cook by herself, she might get seriously injured sooner or later…

“Umm, Onii-san…Maybe I’m just really clumsy…?”

“Yeah, I think you’re undeniably clumsy.”

Asahi-san, who’s pouting on the floor, looks at me with tears in her eyes when I told her so without gaslighting it.

“I’m sure you don’t think so, right!? I’m sure Onii-san thinks I’m quite dexterous! Right!?”

“No, I think you’re undeniably clumsy.”

“B-But I haven’t made curry since elementary school forest trip and junior high school camp! This is only the third time I’ve made it!”

“No, I don’t think normal people would be this worn-out even if it was their first time.”

“That’s too much…! That makes me sound far more clumsy than most people…!”

“Yeah, I think you are far more clumsy.”

By the way, the first time I made curry was about six months ago, and I don’t remember struggling with it. Even if there is, it’s just the onions that made me cry.

“Uwuuuh…Then, what about my last three years…? I thought I had become dexterous because I could live alone until today….”

(How are you going to be dexterous if you only eat convenience store bento boxes and prepared foods…?)

It’s more like it’s the ultimate life of a clumsy person, isn’t it? I’m not going to say it out loud, though, because she would be seriously depressed.

“I mean, Asahi-san, have you been living alone since your junior high school?”

“Yes, since the spring of my freshman year of junior high school. My parents’ house is quite far from Utatane so…”

“I see…”

—In other words, this girl has been eating like that for the past three years.

From the looks of it, she seems to be in perfect health…but, if she continues to live the same way she has been living, she will probably break down someday.

(If I looked closely, her body is also quite thin…Well, it’s probably from here genes…)

“….? Umm, Onii-san? Is something wrong?”

“Eh? Y-Yeah, sorry, it’s nothing.”

Asahi-san looks up curiously at my gaze. I should stop, because It’s perverted behavior to stare at a high school girl’s body, no matter how worried I am.

I cleared my throat as if to cover my mistake and continued.

“All right, let’s continue. Don’t worry, even if you’re a little clumsy, you’ll get better at it as you go along.”

“…! Y-Yes! I’m looking forward to working with you!”

“Yeah, But all that’s left to do is to lye and cook it.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the high school girl who was smiling brightly. Then think as I watch from the side as she carefully scoops up the lye, albeit poorly

(I think it would be best for her if she could learn to cook properly. I’ll check out something easier to make next time…If there is a next time, that is.)

I thought but kept in mind that I would buy a recipe book on my way home from college tomorrow…

“Gyaa!? T-The curry splashed on my uniform!”

…And some aprons too, I guess.