The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 7Volume 2 .6 - Suzufumi no Bāka ②
ROUND 7 – Suzufumi no Bāka ② 6
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“…But I’m still anxious whether I can convey my feelings correctly. Whether I’ll get emotional again. Maybe Ruru-san is already fed up with me…”
That’s very unlikely.
Yuzuki might not know, but Emoto-san came to the apartment and apologized to me, her rival, face to face.
The feelings she expressed for Yuzuki were unmistakably genuine.
…besides.
I didn’t plan to say it, but if it’ll give her peace of mind, maybe a spoiler is okay.
“Yuzuki. Out of yesterday’s dinner and today’s breakfast, which dish did you like the most?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Yuzuki looked momentarily puzzled but soon voiced her answer.
“…The prawn tempura. It was thick and delicious.”
“Then you’ll be fine.”
“Eh, I don’t get it.”
“That prawn was a gift from Emoto-san.”
“…What?”
Yesterday, Emoto-san brought various gifts as a sign of her regret when she came to apologize.
Imabari 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…
…and the large prawns.
Prawns are ingredients often used for celebrations and the New Year holiday, symbolizing auspicious occasions.
In a regular company, giving such a gift as an apology might seem like a joke and could even anger a business partner.
However, the letter that came with the prawns said:
『When we went to a Japanese restaurant right before our debut, I was impressed by how happily she was eating the prawn tempura from the tempura set meal… Please use this to make prawn tempura for her.』
──I remember the Japanese restaurant we went to just before our debut. It was so good.
The pre-debut dinner at the Japanese restaurant that Yuzuki had mentioned last night as one of her significant memories was also an unforgettable cherished memory for Emoto-san.
“That person still cares deeply for you, Yuzuki. And a fight or two is normal. After all, you’re sisters.”
Most likely, what Yuzuki truly can’t forgive is not Emoto-san but her own weakness.
Yuzuki, always striving to be ideal for everyone and acting accordingly, is blaming herself for showing her human, emotional side.
“Yuzuki, you should just say what you want to Emoto-san and do what you want to do. There’s no need to be overly considerate.”
“But what if we end up fighting again… After all, the whole thing started over who would take care of me…”
“I’ll be there for you. Haven’t I said it before? I am Sasaki Yuzuki’s biggest ally.”
“…I see.”
Yuzuki’s lips turned into a smile.
Yet, whether she still couldn’t shake off her anxiety or not, her expression was somewhat pained.
“Don’t worry like that. It’s not like you, Yuzuki.”
“It’s not that… Just hypothetically. If, hypothetically, Ruru-san and I make up, what will happen to you, Suzufumi?”
“What do you mean what will happen?”
“I mean… Will you stop taking care of me?”
Her slightly moist eyes were fixed on me.
Seriously, what an unexpected thing to say. I felt like I’d been underestimated.
“While I support the two of you making up, I have no intention whatsoever of giving up my role as Yuzuki’s caretaker.”
I pulled out a flat, rectangular, wrapped box from my bag and handed it to Yuzuki.
“…This, it’s a present for you.”
I could feel my cheeks heating up.
Overwhelmed by embarrassment, I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at Yuzuki’s face.
“Uh, my birthday is still a while away though…”
Yuzuki blinked in surprise.
It’s only natural for anyone to be startled when suddenly given something like this.
“No, it’s not for any special occasion. I’m giving it to you because I want to.”
It’s not about birthdays or anniversaries. I just want to do it.
Or perhaps, it could be seen as a declaration of my resolve.
Yuzuki hesitantly accepted the gift.
“…Can I open it?”
As I nodded, Yuzuki carefully peeled the tape off the wrapping paper.
When the contents were finally revealed, her eyes widened in astonishment.
“This is…”
The spoon, fork, and knife all gleam with a silver shine.
The chopsticks are custom-made with a lacquer finish. Instead of having her name engraved, there’s a moon emblem imprinted on the handle.
(TN: 月 (zuki) in 優月 (Yuzuki) means “moon”.)
The gift contained a cutlery set.
I explained in a rush.
“Well, you see, I thought about it and realized that just cooking meals isn’t enough if I’m trying to win you fall for my meals. You know, having your own personal tableware can make daily meals more enjoyable, right? Just like Yuzuki plots different approaches, I figured I should try a different method for a change…”
Even now, I was rattling off plausible excuses.
After all the lofty advice I’ve given Yuzuki, this is where I end up.
Exposing my true feelings is scary.
“…Forget what I just said.”
Even if it’s scary, I can’t just leave things unsaid.
I want to express them. I want her to know.
“Yuzuki, I don’t want anyone else to take you away from me. Not even Emoto-san. I want you to look forward to my meals the most.”
Taking a deep breath and pausing for a moment, I declare clearly.
“I want to be Yuzuki’s number one.”
This might as well be a confession.
——But even stripping away the romantic undertones, my words wouldn’t change, word for word.
“…”
Yuzuki remained still, looking down at the cutlery set.
Becoming a bit more composed, I started to regret what I had said.
Was it too much?
Expressing love while giving a present… wasn’t that just like some troublesome idol-otaku?
But it was too late for any excuses.
“…Suzufumi.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Turn around.”
“What?”
“Just turn around.”
Yuzuki’s tone is tense. It sounded as though she might be holding back anger.
As told, I turn around to face the kitchen. I hoped this wouldn’t end with her having left the room when I turned back, or worse, receiving a dropkick to the back while being called ‘creepy!’
At the very least, I braced myself not to collapse on the spot, no matter what happened, by shifting my weight onto the soles of my feet.
As it turned out, this precaution was the right move.
Suddenly, a strong impact hit my back.
Bracing for a kick, I’m surprised when Yuzuki’s arms wrap around me from both sides, clasping in front of my stomach.
Yuzuki is hugging me from behind.
“Suzufumi, you idiot.”
“…Again with that?”
“Idiot. Idiot, Idiot, Idiot. How can I refuse the meal you made in the future if you give me something like this?”
Her arms tightened around me.
Yuzuki’s warmth spread from my back throughout my body.
“So, should I take this as an admission that you’ve fallen for my meals?”
“Idiot.”
I’m headbutted. It hurts.
Slowly, her arms let go. When I turned around, Yuzuki was now hugging the gift.
The sunlight streaming through the window brightly illuminated Yuzuki.
“If I’m going to fall for someone’s meal, it’s definitely Suzufumi’s.”
Her smile transformed into a beaming grin.
Ah, even though she hasn’t said she loves me, a wave of happiness surges within me.
For me, I’m sure these words hold more value than ‘I love you.’
“I’ll make sure to face things properly with Ruru-san this time. And if it doesn’t work out, you better be there to comfort me non-stop, okay?”
“Leave it to me. I’ll put my heart into cooking and throw you a consolation party.”
——We exchanged glances and shared a laugh.
