Miki hadn't eaten before her training, mainly because she was afraid of throwing up midway through.
When she returned home, her mother, Yumi, wasn't there.
Because Miki came home early today, Yumi wasn't home at this time to cook.
Miki knew how to cook, but Yumi didn't know that.
Even if she did know, she would only think, 'Oh, it's Miki, then it's fine,' and wouldn't find it strange or remarkable.
Chiri, on the other hand, thought it was amazing.
She circled Miki in the kitchen, her face full of wonder.
"Sugoi!"
"What do you usually eat?" Miki asked, then instructed, "Bring that stool over."
"Okay," Chiri responded, moving the small stool behind Miki.
Miki stood on the stool, tiptoeing to stir-fry.
So, that's why Miki didn't cook.
"Rice balls, dumplings, stewed meat, tempura, fish..." Counting her diet, Chiri, who couldn't remember anything more for a moment, said, "I eat everything."
Better than Naruto, who drank expired milk.
"What don't you like to eat?" Miki asked, "Can you handle spicy food?"
"If it's not too spicy," Chiri said with a troubled expression.
"It's not spicy," Miki said, tossing a handful of chili peppers into the wok.
As it stir-fried, a pungent spicy aroma filled the air.
Chiri opened her mouth, wanting to speak but holding back, saying nothing more.
After the spicy aroma emerged, Miki immediately threw a plump, white ingredient into the wok.
Chiri's eyelids twitched, and she couldn't help but raise her voice, asking in alarm, "What did you just throw in there!?!"
"Hmm?" Miki turned her head, looking at Chiri, and said, "Is there a problem?"
"How could there not be a problem!" Chiri almost shrieked, saying, "It's alive!! Bugs!"
"There are no vegetables at home," Miki said, "so I'm just making something simple. Don't worry, it's all high-quality protein."
There really were no vegetables at home; Yumi would bring them when she came back.
"It's not 'just making something simple' at all!" Chiri shrieked, her defenses broken, saying, "Can't you make something normal, something a person can eat!?!"
"Stop complaining, or do you want to leave?" Miki replied.
Chiri shut her mouth.
She stomped her foot in frustration and ran to the living room to stay there.
She really didn't have the courage to see what else Miki could come up with.
However, at least there was rice to eat.
At worst, she could just eat rice with soy sauce.
Before long, Miki brought the dishes to the living room one after another.
Chiri sat stiffly, unable to speak as she looked at the table full of dishes.
"Let's eat," Miki said, taking off her apron and sitting down. After serving two bowls of rice, she reached out and patted her mask.
With a click, the mask's mouth part sprang open, revealing Miki's small mouth.
Chiri, however, wasn't in the mood to notice such things, her eyes fixed on the dishes on the table.
After a long moment, she picked up her chopsticks, repeatedly trying to reach for a dish, but then pulling her hand back, lacking the courage.
Finally, she pointed her chopsticks and asked, "What is this?"
"Garlic Ant Eggs," Miki said, picking up a spoon, scooping a full spoonful, and putting it in her bowl.
Miki had plenty of ant eggs; they were a secret product from her lab, with guaranteed quality.
After boiling, adding salt, chili, green onions, and minced garlic, and mixing well, they were ready to eat.
The method was simple and delicious.
The eggs, the size of soybeans, were as white as pearls and looked sparkling and beautiful.
"..." Chiri was silent for a moment, then asked again, "And this... what is this...?"
"Spicy Stir-fried Tree Worms," Miki said, "These things are abundant in the forest. They are tree worms that live by burrowing and feeding on tree sap, which is a very nutritious physiologically active liquid from trees."
Chewing on the ant eggs, Miki continued.
"These little things are very picky eaters; they don't even look at ordinary trees. They eat and drink well, have no natural enemies, and each one grows very plump and delicious. Oh, and these things naturally contain a bit of alcohol content; they're natural beer."
Because of this, there were many of them, and they were one of the important feeds for Miki's insect swarm.
Miki usually boiled them, mashed them, and stored them as pellets.
"They smell very good," Miki said, picking up a piece with her chopsticks and putting it in her mouth.
The stir-fried worms were a beautiful reddish color.
Chiri swallowed, then asked, "What about this one? It's still alive!"
"Cold Mixed Silkworm Moths."
A plate of silkworm moths slowly moved in the seasoning; although they couldn't fly, some stubbornly crawled out of the plate.
The scene was quite peculiar.
"These things are very delicious, not fishy or greasy, and can be eaten without cooking."
"Considering your taste, I added some seasoning."
"What about this one?" Chiri asked, pointing to the last dish.
It didn't look like an insect; the surface was quite normal.
Small, milky-white, round pellets piled high in two small cups.
"Sweet Yogurt Jelly," Miki said, "My usual snack, the kind you've seen me eat in class."
"Typical of you," Chiri said.
And she called this 'just making something simple'? What would it be like if she didn't 'just make something simple'?
After thinking for a moment, Chiri didn't ask.
Looking at Miki, who was eating with great relish, Chiri hesitated for a long time before finally picking up her chopsticks.
She chose the ant eggs, which seemed the most acceptable.
Carefully, she picked up one and put it in her mouth.
Since she was already here, she might as well try it, right?
Then her eyes narrowed.
It was really good!
Chiri began to eat her meal with gusto.
Miki didn't tease Chiri.
This made Chiri eat even more confidently.
After the meal, Miki cleared the dishes, and Chiri lay on the tatami, rubbing her round little belly.
The summer night breeze blew through the house, and the wind chimes under the eaves gently tinkled.
The wind was cool.
Cicadas chirped outside, one after another, making one feel sleepy.
Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
When Miki came out after washing the dishes, she saw Chiri's peaceful sleeping face.
She didn't know what she was dreaming about, but a sweet smile appeared on her face.
What a child.
Miki found a thin blanket and covered Chiri with it, then sat under the eaves with a glass of juice, looking at the scenery.
Time was peaceful.
"Summer is coming to an end, isn't it?"
She took a gentle sip of juice, the scene as serene as a painting.
The next day, the two went to school together, saving Chiri the trouble of taking a long detour to wait for Miki.
When they arrived just on time, the class was already used to it.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung over the classroom.
Almost everyone's face was solemn.
The reason was that the summer vacation was about to begin.
The bad news was that exam results had to be taken home for their parents to see.
Although some people's results weren't seen by family members.
But that didn't stop them from feeling that life was difficult.
Right, Jiraiya.
Miki glanced at the white-haired boy with a long face.
This guy hadn't kept up with the cultural lessons this semester at all.
Tsunade, on the other hand, looked eager to try.
Exams were no problem for her; she had no worries about getting good grades.
Noticing Miki's gaze immediately, Tsunade gave her a challenging look.
It was mainly because Miki felt uncomfortable being stared at by her, which was why she looked over.
Tsunade's eyes were full of impatience.
Clearly, she had her ultimate move ready.
What a child.
Miki sighed.
"Good luck with the exam, Miki," Chiri whispered in her ear, "Don't lose to Tsunade."
"Why don't you do it yourself, compete with Senju?"
"No," Chiri shook her head, "It's too much trouble to be hated by Tsunade, after all, she's a Hime."
"Sly one," Miki chuckled softly.
The two separated and took their respective seats.
On one side of the classroom, Hyuga Hitomi, with her Byakugan open, constantly scanned the three.
Who should she choose?
My opponent.
Anyway, all three were monsters, so choosing anyone was the same.
Either win or lose.
Hyuga Hitomi pursed her lips nervously.
It was time to prove the results of her efforts.
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