The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 6Volume 2 .3 - Ill Show You the Hidden Side of Arisu Yuzuki!
ROUND 6 – I’ll Show You the Hidden Side of Arisu Yuzuki! 3
As I was brewing tea in a teapot, Yuzuki sat down opposite me at the table.
She took a sip of tea filled in the teacup and let out an ‘Ahh’ sigh.
“I’m surprised you found this place on such short notice. It must have been expensive, right?”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit tactless to ask about the price?”
Besides, with Yuzuki’s income from her nearly non-stop work, she could easily afford to stay at a much more luxurious ryokan.
“Yuzuki, you said it before, right? ‘Sometimes I wish I could relax at a ryokan while sipping hot tea or something…’ ” (TN: v2c2p3)
“…You remembered.”
“Yeah.”
During a visit to the wildlife park, Yuzuki told me that she hadn’t been able to participate in a single school trip since junior high school.
That’s why I chose a room that felt ‘just like a school trip’—a Japanese-style room.
In fact, Yuzuki seemed quite relaxed when she sprawled out in the school’s traditional etiquette room.
So I decided to hold an impromptu school trip for Yuzuki, who rarely had the chance to join school events.
That’s the best I could do for her right now.
“I brought cards and some board games, so maybe we can play if we have time later.”
“Really? I’ve always wanted to try board games!”
Yuzuki’s face blossomed into a smile as she clutched a folded cushion tightly.
I think we had promised to play board games ‘sometime when we had the chance’, around just before Golden Week.
By realizing this school trip, Yuzuki could fully enjoy the Japanese-style room.
I’m quite proud of myself for choosing such a good accommodation. There’s a large communal bath too, so it’s perfect for resting both body and mind.
But there’s another reason I chose this hotel.
“Make sure to check out the outside of the Japanese-style room too. There’s something interesting over here.”
As I led Yuzuki back towards the entrance of the Japanese-style room, I pointed to a space on the opposite side of the bath and washroom.
Yuzuki, who had been engrossed in the Japanese-style room, finally noticed it and her eyes widened in surprise.
“What, there’s a kitchen in the hotel?”
The hotel’s most distinctive feature wasn’t its interior or location.
Located outside the sliding doors and to the left of the entrance was a kitchen space as splendid as one you’d find in a home.
It was fully equipped with cooking utensils, and the dishware was also extensive.
It seems they have a full range of the latest products from a dinnerware manufacturer in partnership with the hotel.
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“Hotels with kitchens aren’t that rare if you look for them. They’re similar to condominiums or weekly apartments.”
While I like my familiar home kitchen, there’s something curious about wanting to use a different kitchen once in a while—perhaps it’s the nature of someone who loves to cook.
“Yuzuki, I want you to relax with the Japanese-style room, the hot springs, and the food I make.”
“Fufu, bringing an idol to a hotel and trying to do this and that—”
“…It’s just a change of location from an apartment to a hotel.”
I tried not to think about it too much, but I couldn’t help being a little conscious of her.
“I’ll just pretend it’s like that. Your real aim is to win me over with food, right? I can see right through you, Suzufumi. I know that the bag you brought is filled with ingredients.”
“Don’t worry. The concept is still a school trip. It won’t be the usual parade of meat and grease.”
“So it’s just a fun sleepover, then?”
Yuzuki looked up at me with hopeful eyes while sipping her tea.
“…Yeah, I’m sure you’ll have fun.”
I smirked to myself.
Today’s dinner will be something Yuzuki will never forget.
☆ ☆ ☆
Yuzuki seemed to be in high spirits, as she had already changed into a yukata by herself in the washroom.
It was a classic white yukata with a half-coat draped over it.
The slightly oversized yukata size was adorable.
After an intense session of board games, we welcomed dinner time a bit early.
Even the usually cheerful Yuzuki was showing signs of wariness at the table.
“Don’t look so scared. I won’t serve anything weird.”
“I don’t know about that. Suzufumi, you can be mean sometimes, you know.”
That’s unfair.
I’ve always tried to be sincere with Yuzuki.
“Well, I can guess what kind of meal it will be. A Japanese-style meal fitting for an inn, right?”
Yuzuki brushed back her hair and gave me a smug look.
The idea of that isn’t bad. However, it would be boring to offer just Japanese cuisine.
This time, I intend to ensure Yuzuki thoroughly enjoys her school trip.
“The first item is… this.”
What I placed on the table were four colors of anko (sweet bean paste): white, black, pink, yellow, along with a spatula and bamboo skewers.
Faced with such unexpected ingredients, Yuzuki seemed to doubt her eyes.
“When you think of a Japanese school trip, you think of Kyoto, and when you think of a school trip to Kyoto, making Japanese sweet (wagashi) is a must. What we’re about to start is… a Japanese sweets-making class!”
“Japanese sweets-making… class?”
Even after my declaration, Yuzuki was still puzzled.
“Eh, we’re doing it here? And, Suzufumi, you can even make Japanese sweets?”
“Hmph, who do you think I am? Since we’re here, I wanted you to enjoy not just eating but also the fun of making it.”
The Japanese sweet I chose this time is a ‘nerikiri’ modeled after cherry blossoms.
It’s made by wrapping sweet bean paste in white and peach-colored dough and then shaping the petals with a spatula and bamboo skewers.
Finally, it is completed by placing a small amount of yellow bean paste in the center to represent the stamen and pistil.
“I’ll show you how it’s done first, then you give it a try.”
“O-Okay…”
With a slightly perplexed Yuzuki beside me, I began making the Japanese sweet.
It seems that even the popular idol who has participated in various location shoots for variety shows is new to Japanese sweets making.
She tries to learn the steps and techniques by intently observing my hands from up close.
It’s somewhat embarrassing to be watched by her so intently.
