Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

After carefully washing all the ingredients, Kanade peeled and diced the potatoes, submerging them in cold water to prevent discoloration.

Next, he prepped the carrots and added them to the pot along with the potatoes, bringing everything to a gentle boil. Once the water bubbled, he added curry blocks, adjusting the consistency with more water as needed.

Finally, he tossed in pre-prepared beef, letting the flavors of the curry and meat meld together over medium heat.

Simmering, reducing, plating alongside freshly cooked rice—within an hour, a steaming plate of beef curry rice was ready, tempting enough to make the neighborhood kids cry with envy.

For added flair, Kanade considered garnishing the dish with a sprinkle of pepper and cumin or placing two umeboshi plums atop the rice—a touch that would add both visual appeal and appetite-whetting tanginess.

Ding-dong…

The sharp sound of the doorbell pulled Kanade from his thoughts.

Could it really have drawn in the kids from next door? he wondered, amused.

Opening the door, he found none other than Shiina Mahiru—the Angel herself—standing primly on the threshold, holding a steaming pot of miso soup.

The aroma wafted over him, rich and inviting. Knowing Mahiru's culinary prowess, Kanade was certain it would taste heavenly.

"This is…?"

"You didn't make soup again, did you? Drinking coffee all the time is bad for your health, so I… I thought…"

Her usual scolding tone trailed off into a mumble, her voice growing softer.

"J-Just let me in already. My arms are getting tired," she said, flustered.

"Oh, sorry, come in," Kanade apologized, stepping aside to let her enter.

"What's with the sudden visit? Decided to drop by for no reason?" Kanade asked curiously.

Since ending things with Kaguya, Kanade no longer avoided interactions with other girls for fear of sending the wrong signals. He welcomed closeness with friends like Mahiru, even if only as friends.

However, he was hesitant to initiate anything, wary of misunderstandings or rekindling misplaced emotions.

Mahiru hesitated. She had spotted Kanade earlier that afternoon, chatting and laughing with another girl in the supermarket. He hadn't noticed her watching from a distance.

She had felt a pang of jealousy.

Why does that girl get to talk to him so freely? Mahiru thought. I want that, too. I want to shop with him, walk home together, hear him share funny stories, see him smile at me…

These were once things she had taken for granted, but now they felt out of reach.

If she didn't act soon, she feared she might lose him forever.

The days without him had been agonizing. Mahiru had realized she couldn't lie to herself any longer—she liked Kanade.

She liked his silly, dorky smiles, his over-the-top bravado, and even the way he sometimes tried to impress her.

But words weren't enough. She needed to show him her feelings, just as he had once shown her his.

"I… I just wanted to spend time with you. Is that… not okay?" Mahiru asked, her cheeks flushed red, her gaze unsteady.

She had said it.

For the first time, she had openly expressed her feelings to him. Now, her heart pounded with anxiety as she waited for his reaction.

Kanade blinked, stunned for a moment, before giving her a gentle smile.

"Of course. Let's spend time together."

"Mm," Mahiru exhaled in relief.

Today, Kanade seemed to be in a good mood, even agreeing to her selfish request. If he had coldly rejected her as he sometimes did in the past, it would have crushed her.

"So, what's on the menu today?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"Beef curry. Want to try some?"

"W-Well, if you insist…" Mahiru's voice wavered, though her heart leapt with joy.

One reason she had brought the miso soup was to share dinner with him. She had even skipped lunch to save room.

Sure, it would be embarrassing if her stomach growled, but if it earned Kanade's affection, it was worth the sacrifice.

She knew Kanade was a disciplined person who cooked proper meals, but she still wanted to taste his cooking for herself.

If it was delicious, that would be wonderful. If not, she wouldn't waste a single bite.

Even if Kanade had lied about eating well, she didn't mind. She would scold him while cooking for him herself. She didn't find it troublesome—in fact, she'd gladly do it for a lifetime.

"If it's bad, I'll be sure to give you an earful."

"No problem. I welcome the critique, Master."

"Master?"

"Yep. I learned from watching you, after all."

"Huh? But I don't remember teaching you how to cook…"

"That's why it's called stealing techniques. I've been secretly observing you."

"Unbelievable! You learned just by watching?" Mahiru gasped, covering her mouth.

"Not exactly. I made plenty of mistakes at first, but over time, I got the hang of it," Kanade admitted with a sheepish smile.

He wasn't naturally talented like Kaguya, who excelled at everything. His skills were born from a desire to show his love for the girl he cared about, driving him to keep trying.

The learning process had been grueling, but the thought of the reward—a heartfelt connection—kept him motivated.

"Then I'll have to judge your cooking thoroughly! If it's not up to par, there's no way I'll let you 'graduate'!" Mahiru said, feigning haughtiness.

This new discovery—Kanade learning to cook for her—deepened their bond, and Mahiru couldn't help feeling elated.

"Yes, Master," Kanade said with a playful nod.

Mahiru loved indulging in playful role-playing, and Kanade was more than happy to oblige. If it eased her loneliness, then all the better.

In Kanade's eyes, Mahiru's visit wasn't just about dinner. She was likely feeling lonely and seeking solace from him, her only friend.

Mahiru craved love, and Kanade understood that well.

She yearned for love, feared love, and feared losing it even more once she had it.

This contradiction made Kanade's heart ache. Even if she saw him only as a temporary balm for her loneliness, he didn't mind—as long as he could help.

After all, that was why he was here.

Notes-Read advances chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished uploading the whole series in patreon, a total of 274 chapters you can find it in the collections, thanks for supporting me and special thanks to all the patrons for joining