"You girls didn't plan to invite me to your rooms one by one, did you?"
Fortunately, the person inviting him this time was Eriri. It was impossible for any peach-colored erotic events to occur with her. Otherwise, Jhin would really start to think they were intentionally increasing the intensity of his life according to some plan.
"Don't tell me you're already preparing for the next convention's doujinshi so soon?"
"It's not a new doujinshi, but it is somewhat related to doujinshi." Eriri observed her surroundings vigilantly. Discussing this kind of topic in the hallway early in the morning could easily expose her identity. It was better to end this conversation quickly. "Anyway, come to my room in a bit."
"Sure. What are you planning to eat for breakfast?"
"Bread and milk, I guess. Speaking of which, didn't the fridge run out of ingredients? Did you go out to buy groceries this morning?"
"Yeah, I bought a little. I'm planning to go shopping for ingredients ahead of time with Amane later."
"I'm going back to my bedroom. Don't forget to come over later."
"I'm planning to make noodles. Are you sure you still want to go back and eat bread?"
Eriri's footsteps paused. The thought of returning to her room to prepare overpowered the idea of staying to eat noodles. She refused the invitation to eat noodles with considerable difficulty. "N-No need."
She actually refused to eat my noodles... just what is this important matter?
Since Jhin couldn't figure it out, he couldn't be bothered to think about it. After simmering chicken soup for Yumiko and Michiru Matsushima and watching them finish it, he realized he hadn't eaten anything himself during that whole time. Hurrying to cook some noodles to fill his stomach was the priority.
Speaking of noodles, in his past life, Jhin had eaten many different types. The variety of noodles from different regions made him salivate just thinking about them. For example, the famous Dandan noodles and Hot Dry Noodles usually used alkaline noodles—thin, long noodles that were chewy and resistant to overcooking.
Oil Spill Noodles, on the other hand, used wide and chewy noodles. Topped with chili oil, minced garlic, vinegar, and other condiments, then splashed with three pours of hot oil, the fragrance would instantly overflow.
Unable to make the exact same noodles for Oil Spill Noodles, Jhin later found a lazy method. It was a type of noodle he stumbled upon while eating Malatang, called Goose Intestine Noodles.
It was made of wheat, but because its overall shape resembled duck intestines, it was called Goose Intestine Noodles. It possessed both width and chewiness, causing Jhin to instantly realize he could use a trick and substitute it for Oil Spill Noodles.
For a week after that, Jhin ate a bowl of Oil Spill Noodles made from Goose Intestine Noodles every single day.
Recalling the myriad noodle types in his hometown, numerous as the stars, Jhin drooled with craving. Here in Japan, the types of noodles one could buy in the supermarket were just those same few varieties over and over again: Udon, Ramen, Soba, and Somen.
The noodles he went out to buy this morning were Somen. This stuff was exactly the same as fine dried noodles; there wasn't a single difference. After boiling them, he would place the noodles into a seasoned broth, fry an egg, sprinkle some chopped green onions, and breakfast would be done just like that.
Jhin stood in the kitchen holding his bowl, slurping the noodles loudly. He hadn't expected Kasumigaoka Utaha to walk in at this time.
"Good morning, Jhin-san."
"Morning." Jhin buried his head in his bowl, slurping noodles, not even turning his head to glance at the beautiful legs clad in black silk beneath her skirt behind him.
"Just now, I heard Sawamura-san invite you to her room. That mysterious and secretive look of hers piqued my interest. I wonder if I could go with you later?"
Jhin almost choked on his noodles. He looked back at Kasumigaoka Utaha. Her arms were crossed over her chest, highlighting her fine figure. She leaned lazily against the door frame with a faint smile that wasn't quite a smile, clearly intending to stir up trouble.
Whatever happens is not my call. I suggest you go ask Eriri if she agrees.
"Then I'll go with you to Sawamura-san's room later to ask."
"Suit yourself." Jhin shrugged indifferently and continued eating his noodles. Unseen by Kasumigaoka Utaha, his Substitute — The World — reached through his pants pocket, opened his phone, and sent a message to Eriri.
Jhin: "Kasumigaoka-san seems to have heard what you said just now and plans to follow me to your room. Remember to pack up your drawing tools."
Eriri wanted to ask Jhin why she had to put away her drawing tools, but halfway through typing, she suddenly realized.
Jhin doesn't know that Kasumigaoka Utaha is aware that I am a doujin artist, that's why he said that.
Deleting the words in the input box, Eriri reorganized her message.
Eriri: "I got it. I'll go tidy up right now."
Jhin: "I'll find another time to come to your room later then."
Eriri: "No need. Just come with her; it's no big problem."
Jhin: "Is that so? I understand."
Eriri knew clearly why Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to get involved. It was nothing more than the same old reason: to remind her not to get too close to Jhin. However, this time she had serious business to discuss with him, so she didn't care if Utaha got involved.
After finishing breakfast, Jhin washed the bowl clean and placed it in the draining basket. He pulled out a sheet of kitchen paper to dry his hands, then spoke to Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had been leaning against the door frame monitoring him to prevent his escape.
"Let's go then, Kasumigaoka-san."
Scum-kun actually has absolutely no intention of notifying Sawamura-san?
Kasumigaoka Utaha paused slightly. She hadn't expected Jhin to take her to Eriri's room without any hesitation. Despite the surprise in her heart, her expression didn't change in the slightest. She followed behind Jhin, maintaining that cold, aloof appearance tinged with a bit of laziness.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Eriri, Kasumigaoka-san and I are here."
"Come in!"
Eriri walked toward Jhin holding a questionnaire, then stuffed it into his hands. "Recently, many fans have been asking about you under the updates on my account. I selected some questions from them. You answer these, and then I'll post them to the account. It'll save them from asking back and forth under my updates every day."
Jhin was aware that Kasumigaoka Utaha knew about Eriri's identity as a doujin artist, but he had to pretend he didn't know. Meanwhile, Eriri wanted to take this opportunity to let Jhin know about the matter. Kasumigaoka Utaha, seeing Eriri's unconcealed actions, worried it might drag out her own identity as a light novel author, so she chose to pretend she didn't understand.
The three of them sat down, each harboring their own thoughts.
Jhin was the first to speak. "Eriri, there's no rush for this matter. I think I should help you review your English first."
In Eriri's ears, these words transformed into this meaning: Kasumigaoka-san is still here; don't expose your identity. Let's talk about this later.
"Indeed, what could be more important than studying? Sawamura-san's English exam results were very unsatisfactory again this time, weren't they?" Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to remind Eriri not to break the truce of them knowing each other's professions, winking at her repeatedly.
Eriri didn't understand the true meaning of her actions. Their relationship hadn't reached the level where they could understand each other just by eye contact. In her view, Kasumigaoka Utaha was completely mocking her.
I know your doujinshi sell very well; no need to show off. You should worry about your own English grades instead.
____
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