Mari and her mother are both two-faced idiots. The former only started getting involved with Seki again when it looked like he had an interest in someone other (better) than herself. And her mother, who betrayed and cheated on her father, is lecturing Mari about how men will betray and cheat on her.
I'd say let Aka cook, but so much of this plot revolves around a character who is only ever a blank slate or a tedious hypocrite.