The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 8Volume 1 .2 - If I Werent an Idol

ROUND 8 – If I Weren’t an Idol 2

Thanks to overexerting myself in first-period basketball in gym class, I was somehow able to switch gears and focus on the lessons.

I don’t like studying at home much, so I consciously try to concentrate as much as possible in school classes.

By the way, my friend in the seat in front of me seemed to be working hard on sleep-study.

If he could just stay awake here, he could have spent less time studying after school.

The classes went smoothly until the fourth period, and then it was lunch break.

Normally, I have lunch with the sleep-study guy, but he had been summoned by Mikami-sensei earlier.

Well, you’re bound to get scolded if you sleep until noon every day.

For many students, being alone with Mikami-sensei feels like a reward though.

Maybe even I would have been secretly happy about it a month ago if that happened to me.

By the way, Mikami-sensei seems to have purchased a local ticket three months ago for today’s live concert, which is a fan club privilege.

If she leaves work on time, she’ll just barely make it.

She joked that if the evening staff meeting drags on, she’s planning to be suddenly struck by a headache, stomachache, and back pain all at once.

“If you always work diligently, you won’t be suspected at times like this.”

This morning, when I went to pick up the class journal, Mikami-sensei boasted about it.

Well, normally I’d eat my lunch at my desk, but since I’m alone today, maybe I’ll try using the bench in the courtyard.

The sunlight shining through the leaves looks pleasant.

I put on my shoes, walked around the school building, and headed to the courtyard.

Orikita’s school is divided into the learning building and the club building, arranged like the number ‘two (二)’.

The longer horizontal line is the learning building, where the classrooms for each grade are located. The courtyard is situated between the two lines.

Though called a courtyard, it’s just trees and benches spaced evenly apart, quite far from the vending machines and the school store, so there are hardly any students during lunch break.

Today, as always, there’s not a soul in sight, and I have the place all to myself.

I unfold the navy blue napkin and am about to open my lunchbox when my smartphone in my pocket vibrates.

“…Whoa.”

The LCD screen displayed ‘Sasaki Yuzuki.’

I took three deep breaths before tapping the call button.

『…You’ve done it, Suzufumi…』

Yuzuki’s voice from the other side of the smartphone was ominous.

I had a pretty good idea why.

“Did you like the special healthy bento I made for you?”

『There is nothing healthy about it!』

I turn down the volume before putting on the wireless headphones.

『The first tier is a meat medley of tonkatsu, fried white fish, and meatballs. The second tier is a trio of heavy hitters: spaghetti salad, potato salad, and mashed pumpkin salad. The bottom tier is packed with fried rice. There’s not even a trace of healthiness in it!』

“What are you talking about? I also prepared a chopped salad with green and yellow vegetables.”

『That’s my point, it’s too much for one meal! Even the staff were dumbfounded, they said it’s bigger than a sports day bento!』

I hear the sound of chopsticks being split as she talks in an exasperated tone.

“Have you already arrived at the venue?”

『Yep, I’m in the dressing room. The other members haven’t arrived yet, so I’m alone right now.』

I see, she wants to finish eating before anyone spots her.

“You didn’t have to thank me right now. To think you’d take time out of your busy schedule to call—that’s very considerate.”

『It’s not a thank-you call! You know, it’s like those purchase bonuses, ‘the right to a one-minute phone call with your favorite idol’! It’s a fan service that allows for two-way communication with an idol who’s usually out of reach while also satisfying your desire for possessiveness!』

“Desire for possessiveness? But we always talk in person.”

This kind of casual conversation with her makes my heart feel at ease.

Despite being in different places, there’s a comforting feeling as if we’re sitting together.

“I might be the one who gave it to you, but you don’t need to worry too much about finishing everything.”

『Well, it was forced on me, right? It would be a waste to throw it away.』

The way she’s lining up excuses——she’s clearly eager to eat it.

Cute.

『Then, itadakimasu. Starting with the auspicious tonkatsu…』

Starting with meat is so typical of Yuzuki.

『Wow, it’s still crispy even though it’s already cold♥ Because it’s thinly sliced, the texture is light and it doesn’t make your mouth feel heavy.』

“When making the batter, I mix in just a little bit of vinegar. It’s said to have an effect in suppressing the production of gluten, which can cause stickiness in your mouth.”

『The white fish is crispy and fluffy♥ I also like how the chunks in the tartar sauce are nice and big.』

“I made the tartar sauce myself. Boiled eggs and pickles are coarsely mashed.”

『The meatballs here are dense, giving you that ‘eating meat~’ feeling♥ The aftertaste of black vinegar is refreshing and light.』

I don’t bother pointing out that more than a minute has passed.

More than anything, I wanted to hear more of Yuzuki’s voice.

『I also like to nibble on the salad on the second tier for a break~♥ The spaghetti salad is creamy with plenty of mayo, and the potato salad looks heavy at first glance, but it’s refreshing and well-balanced with cucumber and a strong hit of black pepper, and the mashed pumpkin is sweet enough to be a dessert♥』

I also taste each of the salads. Although the ingredients are similar, each has its own charm, and I find myself reaching for more.

『Finally, the fried rice… Yeah, the robust flavor of the diced chashu and the refreshing sensation of the green onions are in harmony. The aroma of soy sauce is refreshing as it passes through the nose♥ It goes well with the other dishes since the ingredients are simple.』

Yuzuki’s smile comes vividly to mind.

As I eat my bento, I can’t help but think about what appetizers to prepare for the post-concert celebration.

“…Ah”

The sound of the bell for the next class weaves through the gaps in the trees and reaches my ears.

I don’t want to, but it’s about time to head back to the classroom.

More than half of my bento is still left.

“Sorry. I have to go back; the afternoon classes are starting.”

『Fuguhymi hoho ho fuhyou hanhahhehe』(Suzufumi, gogo no jugyō ganbattene)

“Make sure you swallow before you talk.”

Gulp-, then I heard a particularly loud sound.

『Suzufumi, do your best in the afternoon classes.』(Suzufumi, gogo no jugyō ganbattene)

“Yuzuki, you go and increase your fanbase too.”

『Leave it to me. I’m in perfect condition.』

“…”

『 ….. 』

Even though we need to end the call, only the sound of each other’s breath resonates through the phone.

『Hey, I’ve been wondering… Suzufumi——』

A strong wind blows, and the trees rustle loudly.

『——Does Suzufumi like me?』

The bell rings once again. Afternoon classes have started.

As an idol? Or as a person of the opposite sex?

I wonder which of the two she is referring to.

But either way, my answer has always been the same from the beginning.

“…I am…”

Yet, my mouth won’t move as I want it to.

Crossing this line will undoubtedly change our relationship.

At the very least, it will place a psychological burden on Yuzuki.

『It’s okay, you don’t have to answer.』

Calm like trees swaying by a lakeside—a gentle voice comes back to me.

『You know, every day has been fun lately.』

“Was it different before?”

『Of course, it was also fun. Singing on TV shows, variety shows, voice training, dance practice, all of it. After all, I became the idol I always wanted to be. There are many hard days, but I have never once regretted becoming ‘Arisu Yuzuki’. That’s why I thought I would live my whole life as Arisu Yuzuki.』

Rika, Mikami-sensei, Hozumi, everyone calls her Arisu Yuzuki.

In fact, Yuzuki may be pleased playing the role of ‘an idol’s private life’ at school.

But currently, the person eating a volume-packed bento on the other end of the phone is not the ‘Arisu Yuzuki’ who prefers French cuisine but the ordinary ‘Sasaki Yuzuki’ who adores junk food.

『I like eating bento while talking on the phone. I like snacking after school. I like having someone explain things to me when I don’t understand my studies. I like watching okonomiyaki cooking on a hot plate. I hate pretending to be someone else at school. I was trying to make you nervous with a swimsuit, but I ended up getting nervous myself. I like the time when you come over to my house. I like the pork bowl you made for me as a gift. If I weren’t…』

I heard the sound of a deep breath being taken.

『If I weren’t an idol… I wonder if I could have said what I wanted to say next.』

The call ended, and the smartphone’s display switched back to the home screen.

No more voices could be heard from the earphones.

I let my hands hang down and looked up at the sky from the bench.

“…It’s too dazzling.”

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

The sky was clear without a single cloud. I wanted to bask in this light for a while.

——On this day, I skipped class for the first time.

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