The Princess’s Boudoir and a Culinary Surprise

A grand, floor-length mirror, its gilded frame intricately carved, leaned beside a wardrobe painted with a sprawling black rose garden, a motif so vast it resembled a mural. On the mahogany dressing table, a piece that blended antique charm with lavish elegance, an array of iridescent cosmetics glittered. A pristine white, down-filled sofa encircled a modest yet charming silver round table. Adorning the slightly rustic wall hung a scroll painting, which the Protagonist believed to be the work of a renowned master. And finally, the white silk princess bed, a sanctuary she fondly referred to as her personal heaven, completed the scene.

This was my room.

Over the past year, this room had gradually transformed, taking on the distinct air of a noble young lady’s boudoir.

And rightly so, for after all her earnest efforts to change, the Protagonist would surely weep if any trace of a boy’s presence remained.

The morning sun, carrying a distinct coolness, streamed in uninvited, illuminating a few charming little birds perched on the open European-style wooden casement window.

Their heads bobbed inquisitively; were they perhaps here to watch a show?

‘You are truly fortunate,’ she mused, ‘for such an unseemly sight is certainly not meant for public eyes.’

“Ahhh~ Mmm-ah~ Ah~ Ahhh~ Mmm-ah~ Mmm-yih~ Yih-ahhh~~”

Her cries were intermittent yet ceaseless, rising and falling.

Pinioned beneath the Protagonist, Leidi lay completely nude, her tender, pale body flushed crimson as she uttered seductive moans.

Though, the Protagonist mused, she herself bore half the responsibility for this predicament.

“What exactly are you trying to achieve, making such noises?” the Protagonist teased, a smile playing on her lips. “If there were a man here, your virtue would surely be compromised~”

“It’s all your fault! Ah-mm~~”

Until her task was complete, the Protagonist had no intention of ceasing her ministrations.

‘This one,’ she thought, ‘is just an ordinary girl in front of me, a delicate girl too weak to resist even someone as slender as myself.’

‘How utterly adorable~’

“If you don’t properly fit your breasts into the cups, all sorts of trouble will arise~” the Protagonist remarked, maintaining her smile as her hands continued their work.

“I told you—ah-mm~ Don’t~ pinch~ don’t rub! Ah~” Leidi protested intermittently, yet she remained utterly at the Protagonist’s mercy.

“Don’t be so difficult,” the Protagonist chuckled, pressing on. “If you weren’t so adamantly against wearing a bra yourself, would I really need to go to such lengths?”

‘Perhaps,’ she mused, ‘I’m actually enjoying this too?’

Completely nude, Leidi arched her back, her hands and feet firmly pinned by the Protagonist’s grappling technique as she was ridden and pressed onto the bed. She was being forcibly dressed in a bra, in a posture so undignified it bordered on obscene.

“Ah~ where did that gentle Leidi from last night go?”

“Don’t speak as if I slept with you last night.”

The Protagonist offered a wry, somewhat regretful smile.

‘Indeed, it seems I’ll have to teach her more about speaking appropriately in the future.’

‘Let’s continue, continue~’

****

“Don’t tell me I’ll have to be pinned beneath you and have my way with every single day—”

Leidi, now in her uniform, sat wearily before the dressing mirror, grumbling.

“Didn’t I tell you?” the Protagonist responded. “If only you’d be willing to put it on yourself~”

The Protagonist’s hands carefully tended to Leidi’s beautiful, light chestnut hair, noting its incredible smoothness, like fine silk.

“You should try to understand me,” Leidi pleaded. “Aside from the two months I was bedridden, I’ve only truly been a girl for four days, strictly speaking…”

“No pouting now~” the Protagonist replied, offering a smile that clearly conveyed, ‘You have no choice.’

‘I must seem like a strict older sister right now.’

“Mmm-wha—” Leidi’s small lips subtly pouted.

‘Is she actually sulking?’

‘This is just like a little girl! She has no self-awareness. Perhaps you’re even more suited to being a girl than I am?’

Seeing her like this, the Protagonist decided to share some good news.

“This morning, the school has Home Economics class,” the Protagonist casually offered, baiting her hook.

“Hmm? What kind of class is that?”

‘The fish is circling the bait.’

“It’s a course designed to cultivate students’ life skills, including simple gardening, sewing, housework, and—” The Protagonist paused, lowering her comb.

“Cooking.”

“Really?!!!” Leidi’s eyes lit up, and she turned to the Protagonist, her face beaming with excitement.

‘All traces of her previous gloom had completely vanished.’

‘The fish willingly took the bait~’

“Mhm.” The Protagonist nodded, beginning to reel in her catch.

“What’s more, once you’ve completed the teacher’s required tasks, you can use the remaining ingredients to create whatever you wish!”

“Oh yeah!!!” Leidi was already dancing with joy.

‘Time to reel it in!’

‘This was a bountiful harvest, a catch of magnificent proportions!!!’

“Leidi, quickly, help me with my makeup. We need to head to school right away.”

‘Oh, wow? Is that vibrant smile so powerful it could burn away the sun?’

“With your mouth stretched so wide in a smile, I can’t apply makeup,” the Protagonist playfully chided, noting Leidi’s utterly innocent expression.

The Protagonist smiled, gently encouraging Leidi to calm down. ‘It seems today’s makeup should be particularly exquisite,’ she thought. ‘Paired with that smile, Leidi will undoubtedly be the most dazzling of all.’

‘Speaking of which, she truly does love to cook.’

****

On the car ride to Kyoto, Leidi, seated beside the Protagonist, maintained a constant, gentle smile. No, while it was indeed lovely, it was perhaps bordering on a foolish grin.

‘Isn’t she looking out the window today? She must be incredibly excited.’

‘Indeed, my charm truly can’t compare to cooking, can it? Next time, I’ll have the head maid teach her some specialty dishes; she’s sure to be delighted.’

‘Right, should I install televisions or something in this car too? Last night, I saw her looking at the limousine’s interior decor with such novelty.’

‘However… this is supposed to be a regular car for concealing our identity… I’ll discuss it with the driver later and see if we can manage some minimal modifications.’

[After getting out of the car]

“……”

Looking at Leidi, the Protagonist asked with a hint of concern.

“Your face isn’t cramping up, is it?”

‘Her expression was still exactly the same as before… Surely it hadn’t frozen like that?’

“No, not at all~” Leidi replied, her smile radiant.

‘If smiling could earn money, she might just become the world’s richest person doing it…’

As they drew closer to the school, the number of students on the road steadily increased, almost as if they were deliberately waiting for them.

Yet, unlike yesterday, Leidi today was not shy or timid under the gaze of others, clinging to the Protagonist like a small bird.

She walked tall and graceful, her head held high, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

The Leidi of this moment was a captivating enchantress, seemingly oblivious to all around her.

‘My apologies~’

‘To all of you casting gazes of admiration and envy upon her, know that today, her eyes are not for you.’

‘As for those scoundrels with their lewd stares, give up; she has no interest in you.’

Entering the campus, the Protagonist looked up. Indeed, just as she had surmised, many—no, a great many students—were already crowded by the windows, eagerly awaiting her princess.

“[JP] Wow~ The sister is so beautiful too.”

“[JP] Right? Right? You all owe me a meal!”

‘Hoh?! That boy did a good job of spreading the word, but I won’t be giving you a reward.’

“[JP] As expected of the Black Princess’s sister~ Ah~ I’m getting wet again~”

“[JP] Ah, I’m in love too~”

“[JP] I want to embrace both sisters!”

‘Hey, hey, this is a school! Watch yourselves, girls!’

‘However, you’re quite impressive, managing to charm both boys and girls just like me.’

With a triumphant air, the Protagonist led Leidi through the students’ watchful gazes, helping her discard the love letters overflowing from her shoe locker.

They then arrived at their classroom.

****

Pushing open the classroom door.

“[JP] Good morning, everyone~”

Leidi, radiating vibrant energy, greeted everyone with a dazzling smile.

“[JP] Woah!!!”

“[JP] Iya!!!”

“[JP] Oh-woo!!!”

The entire class went wild! That smile, combined with such an adorable “Good morning,” truly possessed an undeniable charm…

However…

The Protagonist’s smile froze perfectly in place…

‘You scared me! Don’t suddenly speak Japanese!’ The Protagonist subtly pinched Leidi’s bottom.

‘I’ll just find some random excuse to cover for it later.’

No sooner had Leidi settled into her seat than the girls surrounded her.

“[JP] Leidi-chan! Did you teach bye-chan those words just now? So cute!”

“[JP] Bye-chan feels so different today! Did you do something?”

‘Heh heh~’

The Protagonist stood, flashing a rather charming smile at everyone.

“[JP] Everyone, you can really look forward to Home Economics today! My sister’s cooking is five-star quality!”

“[JP] Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The boys went wild first. ‘They’re so easy to deal with… I don’t even need to explain.’

“[JP] Eh! Bye-chan is really good at cooking?!”

“[JP] Chinese food?! I really want to try it!”

“[JP] Ah—it’s only the third and fourth periods, but knowing this now, the wait is unbearable!”

‘It seems I don’t need to explain to the girls either…’

“[JP] Yes! Please look forward to it!”

Leidi, still wearing a smile bright enough to outshine the sun, fluently spoke in Japanese again…

“……”

‘I pinched you for nothing just now!!!’

****

During the first two periods, everyone was indeed distracted, whispering amongst themselves. The teacher could only silently endure the frustration.

‘Sorry, Teacher,’ she thought, ‘though it won’t be digested, everyone’s minds have now wandered to their stomachs~’

Glancing back at the “culprit,” Leidi still wore that dazzling smile, radiating an aura that clearly declared, ‘Please leave it to me!’

‘Okay! You’d better perform well later!’

****

“Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop!”

A rhythmic, crisp sound filled the air as Leidi, wearing a white apron and a beaming smile, processed cabbage, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and pork on the cutting board with astonishing speed and precision.

She washed, peeled, and meticulously removed inedible parts from the ingredients. Her rapid preparation left the teacher utterly amazed.

Today, the teacher was instructing them on how to make hamburger patties. After Leidi simply inquired about the method (with the Protagonist pretending to ask on her behalf), she sprang into action with remarkable swiftness.

She placed the chopped ingredients into a large bowl, added appropriate amounts of breadcrumbs, black pepper, cornstarch, and salt, and finally cracked an egg into the mixture.

After rapidly mixing everything thoroughly, she divided the meat mixture into several equal portions to form patties. Although the Protagonist wasn’t sure why she patted the meat during the process, she presumed Leidi had her reasons.

Next, she poured oil into a pan, heated it, and began frying the patties.

She flipped the patties in the oil at precisely the right moment, prompting the teacher to clap and cheer from the sidelines.

Afterwards, she added a small amount of water, covered the pan, and let the patties braise.

Two or three minutes later, the perfectly cooked hamburger patties were plated!

Just as the Protagonist thought she was finished, Leidi used the pan drippings, along with ketchup and soy sauce, to create a sauce, which she then drizzled over the plated patties! Finally, she sprinkled a few shredded cabbage strands for garnish, completing a dish of homemade deliciousness, perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

“Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!”

The teacher enthusiastically clapped from behind them.

“[JP] This doesn’t even need grading! Full marks! Leidi-san, your sister is incredible!”

“[JP] Saying that will make her very happy.”

Looking over, the Protagonist saw Leidi with her hands on her hips, her face indeed radiating pride.

Their group had finished the teacher’s assigned task remarkably early, and the other students stared at Leidi in astonishment, likely not having expected her to be so skilled.

“[JP] So?” The Protagonist cast a confirming glance at the teacher.

“[JP] Go for it!!!”

The teacher replied with fervent enthusiasm. ‘She probably wants to see Leidi’s other culinary talents too, doesn’t she?! Maybe even learn a trick or two~’

With the teacher’s approval, Leidi’s eyes lit up again as she boldly resumed her work at the stove. “Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop! Dop!” the sounds resonated once more.

The next dish was about to begin!!!

****

“[JP] Hoo-hoo-chi! (So delicious!)”

‘Takagi, try to be more refined…’

“[JP] Moo! Moo!”

“[JP] Huyo! Hoo!”

‘Akia and Ami, what are you two even saying…’

“[JP] Is bye-chan a chef?!”

‘Not a chef, but better than one!’

The girls, it seemed, were full of praise~’

“[JP] So well done, a perfect wife!”

“……”

“……”

‘Are you asking for a beating?! Believe it or not, I’ll take back your plate!’

‘Your spoon! And your chopsticks!’

As soon as the teacher announced that everyone could sample each other’s work, the classmates swarmed around them like mice after a famine.

Compared to other students who had only completed one “hamburger patty” dish, or hadn’t even finished that, Leidi had prepared four additional dishes. Braised pork, candied fruit and vegetable fritters, bell pepper and egg, and a meat paste soup—each perfect in color, aroma, and taste. It would have been strange if everyone hadn’t gathered around.

Constantly handing out plates and bowls to her classmates, Leidi smiled joyfully, like a tireless child.

“[JP] Everyone, please eat it all; don’t waste any.”

The Protagonist smiled at the boys, but her smile contained a subtle pressure: ‘Everyone must eat it all.’ If anything was left, she worried, Leidi would surely eat it herself, even if it meant stuffing herself.

“[JP] Don’t worry! I can eat three more bowls of rice! This braised pork is too delicious!”

Yamada, without thinking, replied to the Protagonist…

‘Why did you answer…? Are you actually so emotionally unintelligent that it’s infinitely negative?! Also, that’s braised pork, not ‘fast roast meat’…’ [TL Note: The original Chinese for ‘braised pork’ (红烧肉) was slightly misheard by Yamada as ‘fast roast meat’ (烧肉块) which is a common mistake when spoken quickly, hence the Protagonist’s internal correction.]

Poke~ Poke~

“Hmm?”

“You haven’t eaten anything yet, you know. Try some, I think what I made is pretty good~”

The Protagonist turned her head to see Leidi, smiling like an angel, holding out a plate to her.

“Mhm.” The Protagonist smiled, taking the plate.

‘Eh? Is my portion a bit larger?’