Chapter 58

Synopsis
Taka and Hayato stay over at the Morinomiya Estate for a night and taste Saikawa's outstanding dishes for the first time. However, Taka hates vegetables, especially carrots and green peppers. Saikawa resolves to make a vegetable dish that Taka enjoys.

Long Summary
Ryuuichi and Kotaro go grocery shopping with Saikawa. Kotaro tries to push the shopping cart, but he is too short. Seeing that Kotaro is depressed, Saikawa suggests that Ryuu hold Kotaro up as he pushes the cart from behind Ryuu. Ryuu says that this way of pushing the cart is too weird, so they compromise with Saikawa pushing the cart and Kotaro holding onto the leg of the cart. Ryuu says that he will go to the dairy section while Saikawa picks out vegetables. Kotaro eagerly runs towards the dairy when Ryuu hears a voice telling someone to stop running. Suddenly, Kotaro and Taka bump into each other. Taka immediately starts crying as Hayato runs up to him, telling him to apologize before crying. Hayato apologizes to Saikawa for causing him trouble as he picks up Taka while Saikawa also apologizes for his carelessness as he picks up Kotaro. Ryuu asks if Hayato is also here for groceries, to which Hayato explains that Shizuka will not be home tonight. Ryuu is surprised to hear that Hayato can cook, but Hayato quickly denies this as he looks towards the instant noodle bowls in the shopping cart. Saikawa then steps in, causing Ryuu and Hayato to flinch. He invites Hayato and Taka over for dinner. During dinner, Saikawa presents several gourmet dishes. The Kamitani family only has one plate full of fried food, so Hayato asks if it is Christmas or New Year's everyday in this house. Ryuu says that Saikawa is overdoing it today. Taka immediately begins eating when Hayato hits him for not saying "itadakimasu" first. Before he begins eating, Hayato wishes that he could have instant noodles instead since junk food is tasty. He takes a bite and is surprised by the nice flavor. Without hesitation, Saikawa gives him a second serving, happy that Hayato enjoys the food. Taka asks Saikawa for another serving as well, but Hayato tells him that he needs to finish his vegetables first. Hayato looks around, saying that he does not like carrots or peppers. Hayato glares at him, stunning Taka. Kotaro is also downcast as he slowly chews his green peppers. Taka pushes away his plate and jumps off his chair. He drags Kotaro away, wanting to play with him. Ryuu and Hayato call after them, and Hayato calls him an idiot before eating the broccoli. Ryuu stares at him, saying that even though Hayato says those things, he still finishes his food for him. Hayato explains that it would be more troublesome to get him to finish his food. He also says that he would feel bad if they did not finish the food that Saikawa had cooked for them. Saikawa puts on his coat and prepares to leave, claiming that he lacks culinary training, but Ryuu holds him back. Later, Hayato calls out to Taka, telling him that it is time to go back home. Taka hugs Kotaro, saying that he wishes to stay at Kotaro's house. He points out that it is unfair that Kirin is the only one who had the opportunity to stay at Kotaro's house. Saikawa asks them to stay over so that he can face the challenge of preparing a tasty vegetable dish once more. Saikawa holds Taka's hand as he tells him to look forward to tomorrow's breakfast. As they get ready for bed, Hayato comments that Ryuu's room is rather unsettling. The next morning, Saikawa, who is wearing a grass hat and towel around his neck, invites them to harvest today's vegetables for the breakfast. He says that his grandmother used to say that there is nothing more delicious than a dish from self-harvested ingredients. The group walks to a plot of land, where they are greeted by a sleepy Usaida. Usaida had introduced Saikawa to a farmer named Rakuda. Rakuda tells them to take whatever they like and offers them a carton of tomatoes. He helps Taka pick a pepper, who proudly shows the big pepper to his brother. Rakuda says that freshly picked vegetables are delicious, and Taka is rather excited to eat the green pepper he picked. At home, Saikawa shows them that cutting peppers horizontally makes them softer and easier to eat, even when raw. He presents a green pepper salad made with the pepper that Taka picked. Taka happily takes a bite, but spits it out and throws his fork, saying that it is still bitter. Saikawa asks Kotaro for the pepper he picked so he can prepare it, but Kotaro tearfully shakes his head, refusing to eat the pepper he had picked. Saikawa is crushed to see that he has been defeated in the second round of the challenge. Taka clings onto Hayato as he exclaims that he wishes to return home. Before Hayato and Taka leave, Saikawa promises to prepare Taka a vegetable dish that he will like. Saikawa brings several vegetable dishes to the daycare center in hopes of getting Taka to eat his vegetables. He makes cute vegetable canes that Kotaro and Kirin are eager to try. He puts on a puppet show with a carrot and pepper hand puppet made by Usaida to convince Taka to eat them. Takuma and Kazuma happily eat the vegetables that Saikawa makes, and even the mothers compliment his cooking. Saikawa holds out a spoon with roasted vegetables to Taka, who slaps the spoon away, causing his mother to scold him. Taka hides behind Ryuu and yells at Saikawa, saying that he hates vegetables and Saikawa for bringing them. He claims that Saikawa is bullying him since he knows that Taka hates vegetables and yet he continues to bring them. Ryuu tries to console Taka, saying that Saikawa is not trying to bully him. Saikawa says that he must apologize if Taka feels as though he is being bullied. He sincerely apologizes to Taka, telling him that he only wished for him to enjoy eating different varieties of foods, but he has used the wrong methods. He tells Taka not to worry as he will not bring anymore food. Saikawa stands up, saying that he must return to work. The other children call out to Saikawa, saying that they love his food, and Saikawa thanks them. As Saikawa is leaving, Taka pulls on his leg, telling him that he likes the burgers that Saikawa makes. Saikawa kneels, telling Taka that the next time he comes over for dinner, he will make lots of special burgers just for Taka. Saikawa turns his promise into a reality and makes Taka burgers when Taka and Hayato come over to have dinner again. Taka happily says that Saikawa's burgers are yummy, and Saikawa offers them all seconds. He announces that these burgers are special veggie burgers, and admits that he was worried that Taka would not like them. Taka drops his fork in betrayal and shock. He trembles and cries, saying that he hates Saikawa the most. Saikawa apologizes but then asks Taka if he will be having seconds, to which Taka affirms. Saikawa tells them that he had informed them of the ingredients because there is no point in eating vegetables if they did not know they were vegetables. He also says that the side dish has mushrooms, but there is no need to rush since they can slowly get used to vegetables through this method. Thus, Saikawa's challenge continues.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Umi Mamizuka
 * Shizuka Kamitani