V2Ch27: After the Four-Color Cooking Contest

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Translator: Soafp

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“The results of the cooking competition will now be announced!”

Shion stood in front of the dining table, lined with numerous dishes, raising her voice. The excitement was so high that it felt as if a drumroll could be heard in the background.

“The winner is… Shion!”

And with that, she announced the victor’s name.

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

Yakumo-kun and I applauded in praise.

Though it was supposed to be a four-color goddess cooking competition event, for some reason, the winner turned out to be my stepsister, Shion Nijitani.

Let me explain how it all came to this.

After eavesdropping on Aoyama and Shirase’s conversation from the closet, I was too stunned to move for a while. When I finally recovered and stepped out of the closet—

Hell had unfolded before me.

The goddesses were wearing pained expressions, glaring at something that could barely be called food. Ingredients and objects were scattered everywhere, making the scene look like a crime scene at first glance.

I asked Yakumo-kun, who was nearby, to explain the situation.

It turns out that this cooking contest was a sudden event. Shirase had organized it on her own, with no preparation or anything.

Even if you’re suddenly told to cook, it’s difficult to do so. The summoned goddesses hadn’t been briefed on the event, but driven purely by their desire not to lose to the others, they all participated.

The cooking contest, which started off in chaos, had more problems than just that. There was the conversation with Shirase as well.

After that discussion, the goddesses apparently became… strange.

They were visibly shaken, their minds elsewhere. They lacked focus, injuring their fingers or accidentally dropping plates, with mishaps occurring one after another.

Given the circumstances, it seemed like Shirase, the organizer, would have an overwhelming advantage. But it turned out she was just completely incompetent.

She kept tripping over nothing, dropping knives, and generally making a mess of things. On top of that, she had no cooking experience whatsoever. What she managed to complete was barely recognizable as food.

…To think she thought a cooking competition would be a good idea in this state.

Apparently, even though she lives alone, she doesn’t cook for herself and just buys her meals every day.

‘This cooking competition is doomed to be a complete disaster.’

As I witnessed the horror unfolding before me, that was my immediate thought. But then, Shion stepped in.

And with that, the nightmare ended.

Due to family circumstances, Shion had been cooking since she was young. Her skills were considerable. Even now, she often helps my mother in the kitchen, honing her abilities every day.

The goddesses, after tasting Shion’s cooking, widened their eyes and conceded defeat.

“As expected. Congratulations.”

“I can’t argue with that. I surrender.”

“No objections…”

“It was such a crushing defeat that I can’t even feel frustrated.”

One after another, the goddesses raised their hands in defeat, and the contest ended with everyone enjoying Shion’s cooking. The atmosphere wasn’t exactly harmonious, but it wasn’t too bad either.

And thus, the four-color cooking contest ended in a draw.

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As the goddesses left one by one, Shirase, who was the last to remain, came to visit my room.

Yakumo-kun was helping Shion clean up in the kitchen. Shirase, seeing that scene, didn't say anything.

“I will now report to you.”

“…Go ahead.”

Unaware that I had overheard the conversation from inside the closet, Shirase kindly explained everything that had been discussed.

Her report was completely straightforward. I wished she could’ve blended in a little kindness, but she truly told it like it was. It felt like she was rubbing salt into my wounds, but there was no malice in her words.

Incidentally, I didn't mention that I had been hiding in the closet. It felt too embarrassing, like I had been secretly eavesdropping on a private conversation.

“This clears everything up, doesn't it?”

“…Yeah.”

“They all hate who you used to be. To the point that they would erase your existence.”

She didn't need to tell me that. Of course, I knew. That's why they attacked me.

The one thing I don't understand is Aoyama.

She hasn't forgotten about me, but why did she lie?”

“However, all of the goddesses now hold strong feelings for you. Akazawa has romantic feelings, Kuromine has deep trust, and Aoyama has a strong sense of friendship. Even if not all of them have romantic feelings, they undeniably have positive emotions toward you.”

“…”

For the past two years, I've been working hard.

My appearance has changed enough that I can confidently say so myself. As for what’s inside, I can’t tell, but maybe that has drastically changed too.

“What should I do—?”

“If I may give my opinion, I don't think anything good will come of your secret being exposed. I got that feeling after talking to them. Shota Nijitani is highly regarded, after all.”

She's right.

If someone they liked turned out to be someone they hated so much they wanted to erase them from existence… What would happen if they found out?

The answer is unknown.

But just as Shirase said, it wouldn't lead to anything good. Given how proud they are, they might explode with rage.

“…The second semester is going to be chaotic.”

Shirase suddenly muttered.

“Chaotic?”

“There's the biggest event of the school year.”

“The cultural festival?”

“Yes. Not just the goddesses, but also their factions will start moving to make their favorite goddess stand out. Every year, people recommend their favorites, or the people they like, as goddesses. But this year, it's going to be a particularly big deal. Last year, for the first time in history, four goddesses tied for the top. The factions will work hard this time.”

Factions, huh? I remember they were like support groups or fan clubs for the goddesses.

“They were quiet during the first semester, but it will be different in the second. They'll be rushing to gather votes. Also, they'll be considering how to deal with you, given how close you are to the goddesses.”

“What do you mean?”

“They'll definitely try to recruit you. Getting you on their side will not only help them get votes, but also allow them to counter the other factions.”

I see. It's already known that the goddesses don't get along.

Their factions might also have bad relations. Bringing me in would provoke the others—it's probably something like that.

“I have a proposal. Shota, join my faction.”

“Wha—!?”

That caught me off guard.

“You don't have to support me or vote for me in the Tenka Contest.”

“…?”

“Use me as a shield. It's to protect you from being recruited. If there's anyone who can protect you from the goddesses, it's another goddess. As atonement for that time, I'll protect you this time.”

I blinked at Shirase's proposal.

Indeed, if I joined Shirase's side from the start, I might be able to avoid being hassled by the other goddesses or their faction-like groups.

But that's not an easy decision to make.

“…Let me think about it.”

“Of course, take your time.”

With that, the conversation ended.

“Well, I'll be taking my leave now. Yakumo will walk me home, so don't worry.”

“Ah, wait a second.”

I called out to Shirase as she was about to leave and pulled a bag from the closet, handing it to her.

“What's this?”

“I heard it's your birthday. So, uh… it's a present. Happy birthday!”

Shirase looked surprised for a moment, then bowed her head.

“Th-thank you.”

“I didn't really know what to get, so like Yakumo-kun, I just bought something with good reviews online. If you don't want it, feel free to throw it away.”

“No, I'll treasure it!”

With a childlike smile that matched her appearance, Shirase hugged the bag tightly.

And so, all the summer events ended peacefully.