The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 6Volume 2 .1 - Ill Show You the Hidden Side of Arisu Yuzuki!
ROUND 6 – I’ll Show You the Hidden Side of Arisu Yuzuki! 1
The next day, Saturday afternoon, I step out onto the balcony to bring in the clothes hanging on the hangers.
With less than a week left in June, the daytime temperatures are steadily rising.
It’s convenient that shirts and underwear are dry by lunchtime if you hang them out in the morning. The futon that had been exposed to the sun next to the laundry was also filling up with sleep-inducing warmth.
Looking down at the neighborhood park, I could see elementary school kids playing soccer in their short sleeves.
Summer vacation will arrive in a month. I’m sure that the park will soon become lively every day with families and children gathering.
While I’m out on the balcony, I also harvest and thin out the vegetable plants in my home garden.
After that, I ironed, cleaned the bath, and cleaned up the room——I worked through the household chores in that order.
Since I finish my homework in the morning, I’m free for the rest of the time before evening.
The neighbor in room 810 left for work in the morning.
By the way, the other neighbors in room 808, a middle-aged couple, told me in the elevator this morning that they were off to a hot spring trip in Tochigi from today.
They told me their dream was to visit hot springs in all forty-seven prefectures together.
For lunch, I had instant bag noodles. It might be the first time I’ve eaten dried noodles this year.
Of course, just noodles would be lonely, so I added ham, bean sprouts, lard, and so on.
It was a very quiet holiday. It was so calm that it even felt a bit empty.
I didn’t realize that just reducing the ‘cooking’ part of daily chores could leave me with so much free time.
“…”
A minor incident occurred yesterday at lunchtime.
Well, it wasn’t something big enough to call an incident. Just a simple accident.
A common mistake that could happen anywhere. Yuzuki might have laughed it off if I had managed to follow up properly.
“…Yuzuki was really mad, huh.”
It was the first time I had seen Yuzuki so blatantly angry. Even when I was explaining away the suspicion of a dubious party, she was in a bad mood, but she didn’t reject me outright.
It wouldn’t have escalated so much if it had just been about dropping the onigirazu.
It seemed like Yuzuki’s built-up frustration exploded due to the falling accident.
Emoto-san had indeed been a bit too interfering with her life lately.
Not just with daily meals, but she was trying to get deeply involved in school life and private matters as well.
Maybe she went too far, but I couldn’t see her as the villain.
Regardless of the outcome, she truly wished for Yuzuki’s success as an idol from the bottom of her heart.
Her actions in the traditional etiquette room were just a bit overzealous.
I’m worried about Yuzuki, but I’m also concerned about Emoto-san.
When she left the traditional etiquette room, she looked as if it was the end of the world.
I wonder if those two are working together today?
I hope they make up soon.
As I’m thinking about this, the doorbell to my room rings. Who could it be?
I peek at the monitor, and my eyes widen.
“…Emoto-san?”
I quickly leave the living room and open the front door.
“What’s wrong? Yuzuki isn’t here if you’re looking for her.”
In her uniform, Emoto-san looked so fragile, as if she would crumble with a mere touch.
There was none of the usual sharpness in her eyes. When our eyes met, she looked away for a moment but then faced me again.
“…I am really sorry for what happened yesterday.”
It was a clean apology, she bowed deeply at a perfect ninety degrees.
“I was only thinking of myself and neglected to apologize to you, Mamori-san. I should have apologized first and foremost at that moment, but I put it off until today. I am ashamed of my immaturity.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not angry at all.”
I knew it yesterday, but I fully understood that Emoto-san had no ill intentions. She must be more hurt than someone like me.
“Also, here is a token of my apology.”
She handed me an oversized paper bag she had been carrying.
“I am well aware that quality should come before quantity in such cases, but please forgive me for not being able to compromise on either. Inside are Imabari-made face towels, drip coffee used in five-star hotel room services, an assortment of detergents, lotion tissues, financiers from a famous Western confectionery shop, and…”
“I-I get it! Your feelings have come across loud and clear!”
It’s unlikely even wedding gifts or midyear gifts would have such variety.
Had she been running around a department store from yesterday to today?
“Has Yuzuki said anything since then?”
Fidgeting while wriggling her fingers, Emoto-san asked.
“No… rather, she didn’t come home yesterday.”
“…I knew it, that’s because she’s avoiding me.”
Lately, Emoto-san had been visiting the apartment every day without fail to take care of Yuzuki.
Her guess was probably correct.
“Aren’t you going to meet her at work?”
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
“We had group activities yesterday, but there was no chance to talk just the two of us. The next time we can meet for work is a week from now. I can’t get through to her on the phone, and she’s not replying to messages… I just hope she hasn’t gotten into any trouble…”
Even in this situation, Emoto-san was worried about Yuzuki’s well-being.
“Mamori-san, you didn’t ask where Yuzuki might be staying?”
“Well… I haven’t been in touch with her since we parted at the traditional etiquette room.”
As I touched my right cheek while responding, Emoto-san’s shoulders slumped down as if she were possessed by a spirit.
(TN: Chapter 3, Suzu’s right cheek twitches when he’s keeping a secret, so I can always tell when he’s planning a surprise—)
If this situation continued for a week, Emoto-san’s mental state would undoubtedly collapse.
“For now, the situation won’t change unless I apologize, so I’ll visit Yuzuki’s room again soon. Well then, I’ll be off now.”
Until the door closed, Emoto-san kept her head deeply bowed.
