Chapter 147

Chapter Forty-One: Initiate Action

Ash, acting as a guide, was chatting with Kentaro, Ai’s father, about Ai Aida. From her strengths to her weaknesses, their conversation was going quite well, though Ai was sweating profusely on the side with an awkward smile about to be forced.

“Dad, why are you chatting so happily with Mr. Ash about me?”

Given that family members are undoubtedly the most important people for these girls, he naturally worries that they might be hurt if confronted by the Selfish Organization due to lacking power.

But now, her father was seeming quite delighted chatting with Ash, whose merits or faults were ambiguous.

For even Ai, despite her strong mental resilience, was finding her thoughts in disarray, unsure how to handle this situation.

“Ah, Mana must be having a tough time.”

Looking at Ai’s distress, Arisu sipped her black tea delicately.

Indeed, what Ash said wasn’t entirely wrong as he did approach them under some sort of “guidance,” albeit guidance of questionable nature, which the girls clearly don’t endorse.

So, to outsiders, what Ash says and what the girls actually think differ significantly.

Imagining herself as Mana… well, she would likely feel quite happy, after all, being acknowledged by family means acknowledging someone you care about.

“Mr. Ash…”

Rikka, equally befuddled, could only offer Ai a pained smile. If it were Mr. Ash speaking with her parents, who knows what expression she’d make?

Makoto remained detached from the conversation since her family didn’t reside on Earth, thus avoiding such concerns.

“Makoto, despite those odd remarks from Ash before, do you not have a brother?” Rikka nudged Makoto gently.

“I don’t have siblings; if I had a brother named Ichiro, I’d definitely want to teach him a lesson!”

She punctuated her statement swinging a tiny fist, brimming with anticipation.

“So,Mana really has gone through a lot.”

Through brief exchanges, Ash managed to create an image of a hardworking young man, successfully convincing Kentaro that befriending the gentlemanly Mr. Ash was the right choice for Ai.

As Kentaro spoke, Mana’s face contorted further, her lips twitching uneasily.

“Not a problem, it’s only natural.”

Taking a sip of water beside her glass, Ash began forming a picture of a warm family based on his conversation with Kentaro.

Hardworking parents, kind-hearted, content, always smiling, diligently raising their offspring. No wonder they brought up Ai as an excellent girl.

They cared for their daughter but not suffocatingly so; they supported her desires whenever they surfaced. It could not be more different from the often strained relationship between fathers and sons commonly seen.

Yet, all this had nothing to do with her.

Ash took another sip of water.

“Oh, sorry. Sorry for chatting so much; the food will go cold. Guests should eat while hot!”

With a somewhat apologetic Kentaro backing away a few steps to make room, he thought it a privilege for his daughter to receive guidance from this skilled young man.

In the watchful eyes of both Ai and Kentaro, Ash deftly sliced through the golden omelet wrap on top of the omurice, revealing perfectly cooked, plump rice inside. The golden omelet combined beautifully with the slightly glistening white rice, accentuated by red tomato sauce, making one drool just looking at it.

Picking up a bite of steaming rice, he wrapped it in the omelet that looked mouthwateringly delicious, slowly chewing.

“How is it?”

Kentaro watched eagerly. As a chef, getting recognition from a customer was his goal.

However, Ash simply ate one bite and put down his chopsticks.

Kentaro’s heart sank.

“Guest, what’s wrong? Is there something wrong with the omurice?”

As a chef who inherited skills from his岳父, Kentaro had years of experience with countless picky customers, all of whom praised his restaurant. Even a TV program had featured his establishment, indicating its fame.

Whether for the legacy or respect for a chef, he could not allow his work to fail to satisfy customers! As both a chef’s pride and a father, he must ensure this guest, Ai’s friend, enjoyed the meal!

But Ash’s request exceeded his expectations.

“Bring me the condiments.”

“What?”

“I said, bring all your condiments.”

A few minutes later, facing a table full of condiment bottles arranged as per his request, Ash initiated a move akin to a “final humiliation” for a chef.

“Is—possibly?”

Seeing Ash’s unforgiving handling, Rikka paled, remembering his similarly ruthless treatment of her dishes.

Not good, if her chef father, Mana’s father, saw—

But it was too late. Ash grabbed a bottle of salad dressing, turned it upside down, and mercilessly squeezed all contents atop the omurice.

“Wait, Mr. Ash!”

The girls tried to warn, but the food’s flavor would be ruined by this haphazard seasoning.

Then Ai saw Ash’s next move, completely shocked.

Letting go of the flattened dressing, his hands reached for ketchup, mixing it recklessly, followed by pepper, peanut butter, and mustard, a haphazard combination guaranteed to send any chef’s blood pressure through the roof.

After splattering the bowl with a jar of miso, the entire dish transformed into an unappealing dark mess, prompting Rikka, Arisu, and others to retreat in disgust.

Poor Kentaro was already passed out, rolling his eyes and frothing at the mouth halfway through.

“Dad!”

Ignoring Ai’s desperate attempt to wake him up, Ash took a mouthful from the concoction, finally showing a change in expression.

“Mm, tastes rather good.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

Clean plate in hand, Ash wiped his mouth with a napkin and left amidst the girls’ suspicious stares.

“Mr. Ash…”

Facing Ai’s resentful look, Ash clasped his hands together in a pause gesture.

“I’m not here to find you all today. If something needs to be discussed, let’s do it tomorrow.”

Ai couldn’t help but mutter, despite her usual large-heartedness.

“Really, Mr. Ash is way too strange… If you ever marry, how will your wife know what to pack for you?”

“Okay, okay, settle down, Mana,”

Makoto and Rikka comforted Ai, Arisu watched Ash stroll away, pockets in hands with a faint glimmer in her eyes.

“Whew, nice meal. Let’s go again next time.”

Feeling a bit too full from the excessive seasoning, Ash mused, imagining something helpful for digestion.

Just then, a long, luxury black car pulled up alongside him, matching his pace.

Ash felt it might finally come to aid his digestion.

“Hey, isn’t that the lady?”

“Even if I’m not seeking you today, looks like someone wants to find me.”

Gazing at the window’s glow, emitting a soft yellow light, Ash greeted the girl without even an arm’s reach.

Hearing Ash’s rather impolite greeting, Arisu kept her cheery expression.

“My full name is Yotsuba Arisu. You can call me Arisu like Mana does.”

“And you’re here just as friends? Or do you have ulterior motives?”

“Heh. Actually, I’d love to be friends with you, like Mana does.”

Though Ash had encountered numerous smiling men, each giving off a deceptive air, today’s Yotsuba Arisu, even smiling, seemed different.

Her earnest smile was perhaps more terrifying than a mere pretender.

“Why?”

I remember we hardly know each other.

“Mr. Ash, may I ask for a favor?”

Not directly answering, Arisu posed a question.

“Are you willing to leave the Selfish Organization and join our side?”