Chapter 5

In the kitchen, my other roommate, Clara Holloway, was busy cooking.

I was a little surprised. She was tall and skinny, yet she could eat two plates of pasta. I couldn't resist teasing her.

"Wow, I'm so jealous. You eat so much and never gain weight!"

Clara frowned and gave me a helpless smile. "I don't have a choice. Brynlee wants me to cook for her."

The grin on my face vanished in an instant.

"She gave you a notice too, didn't she?"

Clara looked confused. I almost told her about the ridiculous dinner request I'd gotten, but then I remembered we weren't that close yet. Complaining about someone behind their back might make me look petty.

So, I showed a smile and waved it off. "Oh... nothing. Forget it."

She didn't seem fully convinced but didn't push the issue. Carrying three dishes and a bowl of soup, she headed for the living room.

Watching her walk away, I shook my head. "I really hope I'm overthinking this."

As I washed the dishes, I overheard Brynlee's unmistakable voice once again.

"Ugh, the meat isn't tender! Do you even know how to cook? If you don't, learn!

"And didn't I say I don't eat basil? Are you deaf? Seriously, if you can't even handle something so simple, what good are you?

"This pasta isn't soft either. My stomach can't handle cheap food."

The moment she finished speaking, Clara let out a sharp, cold laugh.

"Oh? Is that so?"

I nearly choked, trying to hold back a laugh.

I thought, "Life was dull, but watching a toad critique humans? Priceless."

What I didn't expect was that by noon the next day, Clara would show up at my door, holding something I knew all too well, a fresh copy of the infamous dinner request notice.

She stood there, looking downright betrayed.

"So... this is what you wanted to tell me last night?"