The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 6Volume 1 .1 - Hurry up and make it♥
ROUND 6 – Hurry up and make it♥ 1
The cherry blossoms have completely fallen, and it’s the time when the young leaves are ready for the next light.
The temperature is gradually rising, and even though it’s still late April, the number of days reaching summer-like heat is increasing.
For these past two weeks or so, I haven’t been attacked by a man claiming to be a fan of Arisu Yuzuki, nor have I come across Mikami-sensei nuzzling Yuzuki’s seat.
My classmates teasing about my confessions has also settled down, and my daily life has completely regained its calm.
Every day, as usual, I prepare meals for two and then charge over to the house next door, where my neighbor, while showing signs of resistance, eventually falls.
It’s been quite peaceful days.
On a Sunday before Golden Week, I finished my homework first thing in the morning and was enjoying a relaxing holiday.
Ding- Dong-
The doorbell of my home rings.
I haven’t received any notice about ingredients arriving from Dad, and the couple in room 808 has been out since morning.
That leaves two possibilities for the identity of the person ringing the doorbell.
This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.
The brown-haired gal who’s my childhood friend or the popular idol next door.
What appeared on the monitor was the latter.
As I opened the door, I lit a small fire of caution.
The last time Yuzuki rang our doorbell, she was holding a photo book.
That day, I was confronted with her changing into a swimsuit right before my eyes, got to touch her stomach, and the atmosphere turned weird in various ways; it was quite a lot to handle.
I wish she wouldn’t underestimate the fragility of an adolescent boy.
“Good morning, is something the matter?”
Yuzuki, dressed in a plain knit top and denim pants, was fidgeting for some reason. With her hands clasped behind her back, she was clearly hiding something.
“S-Suzufumi, are you, like… dumb?”
What is this, some new kind of teasing?
“No, I mean, I was wondering if you’re good at studying?”
Peeking behind Yuzuki, I saw that she was clutching reference books and printouts.
“…Could it be that you want me to teach you?”
Hiding her face with the textbook, Yuzuki mumbled restlessly.
“…I’ll give Suzufumi the right.”
“Yes?”
“The right to a date with an idol for a day. Yes, this is a strategy to make Suzufumi fall for me as a fan. A sophisticated technique to make Suzufumi’s heart race by studying closely together at a desk…”
“Confess honestly.”
“Confess the truth.”
Caught off guard, Yuzuki hesitated for a moment but then began to mumble excuses again.
“That, I haven’t been able to attend school much, and I’ve been leaving early a lot… Technically, I’m allowed to submit assignments as a sort of relief, but despite being called a relief, they have no mercy. By that I mean the volume is not normal, like it’s absolutely impossible to finish alone…”
“Then why not get together with your friends from your class and have a study group?”
“That’s not good. I don’t want to sell myself as a dumb idol character, besides… there are kids I talk to normally when I go to school, but it feels weird to call them up on a day off. If you ask me if we’re close enough to do assignments together, it’s kind of iffy…”
Although the eyes and mouth are hidden, the ears peeking out from the textbook are dyed red.
Because of her embarrassment, she must have hesitated many times before coming to me.
Even now, she’s desperately mustering up courage.
“…Alright. By the way, about your question earlier, I was ranked twentieth in the year-end tests last year.”
Yuzuki’s expression brightens up instantly.
Seeing such a childlike expression makes me really feel that she’s younger.
“So, from now at my house…”
“Oh, sorry. I have some things I need to do at home right now. Is it okay if we do it at my place?”
A brief pause ensued.
“…what? Ah, yeah, sure?”
“Okay. Then, come on in.”
“Um, I’ll just go get a few things ready…”
“Got it. See you later then.”
Just before the door closed, she muttered to herself, ‘It’s not like there’s anything to worry about now… and probably nothing happened with Kishibe-san either…’
What’s that? Well, whatever.
——The thing is, Yuzuki probably didn’t know that the corners of my lips were turned up into a smirk.
☆☆☆
“Sorry for bothering you…”
Like a cat wary of strangers, Yuzuki shrinks her body as she enters the living room.
“Your place is kind of simple. It’s so Suzufumi.”
That’s the same for both of us. There were hardly any decorative items in Yuzuki’s room either.
“Well then, shall we get started? Here’s some oolong tea. It’s strong and delicious because I used plenty of tea leaves.”
After placing the glasses, we sat facing each other at the living room’s low table.
It seems English is the main subject.
“So, where do you want to start?”
“Um, it’s this part of the printout but… huh?”
Yuzuki looks around——That was quicker than I thought.
An unidentified sense of discomfort must have enveloped Yuzuki by now.
Whether she liked it or not, she would notice it eventually when she reached the innermost part of the room.
But it’s too late. The front door has been locked tightly with the chain in place, and I’ve subtly moved her smartphone out of reach.
Even if she tried to call for help, it wouldn’t reach anyone; the elderly couple in Room 808 left for a trip to Oita this morning.
No matter how much she screams, her voice won’t be heard by anyone.
“…Suzufumi? Why are you smiling?”
“Don’t mind me. Let’s just start with the assignment.”
As I reached for the printout, Yuzuki quickly withdrew her hand.
“…Maybe I should just go home. I think I have to do this kind of thing on my own…”
“Don’t be shy. Here, why don’t you have some oolong tea and clear your head?”
” …… “
Silence dominated the room.
The sound of the ventilation fan felt unusually loud.
“…Suzufumi, are you…”
As Yuzuki suddenly stood up, I quickly grabbed her arm.
“…how could I let you run away?”
I’m sure my reflection in the mirror must be wearing a vulgar smile.
“N-no, stop… please… let me go…!”
Tears quickly began to pool in Yuzuki’s eyes, and before long, Yuzuki let out a scream-like voice——
“——But you’re making ‘Homemade Jiro’ ramen!”
I gently let go of her hand and moved to the kitchen.
On the stove were two large pots.
In one, a massive amount of vegetables, pork bones, and back fat were boiling vigorously to extract the soup.
In the other pot, chashu pork was boiled together with green onions.
The intense smell, which the home’s ventilation fan could hardly eliminate, violently shook my brain.
“This kind of elaborate cooking can only be done on a day off. The extra-thick noodles made with strong flour, a staple of Jiro-style, also need to be prepared and rested the day before.”
Ramen Jiromaru. Commonly known as ‘Jiromaru.’ A ramen chain that enjoys fervent support from men all over the world.
Its most defining features are the overwhelming sense of volume that can’t be summed up by the word ‘mega-serving’ and the intense flavoring that’s loaded with umami seasonings, putting health second.
The toppings also include a violent lineup of garlic, back fat, and thick-cut chashu. The taste of Jiromaru ramen.
There is also a genre known as “Jiro-inspired” or “Jiro-style,” which revolves around the volume as a basis for unique adaptations.
The original Jiromaru ramen place always has long queues, and the flavor is said to be addictive, leading many to try and replicate the taste and quantity of Jiro-style ramen at home.
That’s the essence of ‘Homemade Jiro.’
“Yuzuki, it’s up to you whether to eat or not, but I don’t know if you can resist the violent visuals of homemade Jiro after you’ve finished your assignments and are completely exhausted.”
Moreover, the smell of meat and fat constantly wafts in the living room while she’s furiously working with the mechanical pencil.
No matter how much she tries to resist, her brain will inevitably submit.
The calorie demon presented as a ‘reward for finishing your assignments’ to someone whose judgment is impaired from study fatigue.
Who could overcome such a temptation?
I declared in front of Yuzuki, who sat down with her legs neatly folded——
“Now, let’s start studying.”
☆☆☆
