Chapter 174: White Album 2?
(T/N: I'm back, guys! Thesis defended! đ I can finally focus on updating for a while now. Well⊠mostly. My thesis has been defended, so I just need to do a few minor revisions.
Hmm? Did I already mention my thesis was defended? Oh wellâMY THESIS IS DEFENDED! đ)
==========================
Watching Oosaka Taiga enthusiastically play the game with Eriri, Kaede asked, "Oosaka, have you been coming over to Takasu's place often recently?"
"Yes."
Staring intently at the television screen, Oosaka Taiga said, "It's so boring at home. Minori is either working part-time or at club practice, and I don't want to go out in this heat, so I came here. Although the environment is a bit lacking, it's still much better than staying at home."
"Hmm~~" Kaede rested his chin in his hand and said, "Haven't you thought about finding something to do?"
"Ah!!!"
Having lost to Eriri, Oosaka Taiga put down the controller in frustration and looked at Kaede, saying, "Find something to do? Are you suggesting I become a light novel author like you?"
"That was just an example. Wouldn't finding something you enjoy doing be meaningful? Of course, it's too late to talk about this now, as summer vacation is almost over."
Listening to Kaede, Oosaka Taiga leaned back onto the tatami mat, musing, "Something I like, huh? I really don't seem to have anything. Ugh, it's so hard to think of!"
Just then, scooping out the chicken pieces that had been fried for the first time, Takasu Ryuji looked at Oosaka Taiga and said, "You are just too lazy. You don't even have one thing you want to do. Your life is meaningless."
"Hmph, you talk as if your life is so meaningful."
Turning her head to glance at Takasu Ryuji, Oosaka Taiga retorted without backing down.
However, the current Takasu Ryuji was no longer the person he used to be. Not only did he have two good friends, Kaede and Kitamura Yusaku, but he also met a reliable senior like Shirogane Miyuki at his part-time job, who gave him many useful suggestions.
Looking proudly at Oosaka Taiga, Takasu Ryuji said, "I think my life is quite meaningful. At least, besides working part-time, I've been studying hard. Now Yasuko also has a stable job and doesn't have to work as hard as before. My goal for the future is to get into a good university!"
Oosaka Taiga's academic performance had always been poor. Hearing Takasu Ryuji's statement, she was unwilling to continue the conversation on that topic and could only mutter, "Hmph, just don't turn into a bookworm."
Takasu Ryuji hadn't heard her, but Kaede and Eriri, who were sitting nearby, heard her perfectly clearly.
Exchanging glances, Eriri whispered, "Kaede-kun, the way Taiga is acting, I have a feeling that if she keeps spending time with Takasu, problems are going to arise."
In response, Kaede wore an expression of someone ready to watch the drama unfold and laughed, "Isn't that interesting? I'd really like to see what kind of thoughts Takasu will eventually have. Eriri, what do you think? Will it turn into a plot like White Album 2?"
"... I just hope it doesn't turn into a School Days plot."
After making that retort, Eriri couldn't help but feel curious herself.
She couldn't help it. Having spent so much time with Kaede, Eriri's perspective on certain matters was gradually aligning with his, especially when it came to enjoying dramaâshe had truly mastered Kaede's techniques.
Well, enough talk. Time to wait for dinner, and wait for the drama later.
At half past five, Takasu Yasuko returned home from work.
Dressed in a proper office uniform, Takasu Yasuko saw three guests as soon as she entered and happily said, "Oh, you're all here! You haven't been waiting long, have you? I rushed back right after work."
Coming in and setting down her handbag, Takasu Yasuko pulled Oosaka Taiga into a hug and said with a smile, "Taiga, when did you come over today?"
"Ugh... around 4 o'clock."
Although stunned by Takasu Yasuko's ample bosom, Oosaka Taiga was unusually not annoyed. After emerging from Takasu Yasuko's embrace, she looked at Kaede and said, "I didn't expect you could find such a good job for Yasuko."
"Just luck."
Kaede spread his hands and said, "I couldn't really recommend her for any other job. It just so happened that someone at the Bunko resigned, and surprisingly, they couldn't find anyone for the receptionist position, so I just introduced Auntie Yasuko to them."
Carrying two dishes, Takasu Ryuji walked over, set them down, and said, "We really do need to thank you properly, Asakura. Mom won't have to work so hard anymore. I feel like the luckiest thing that happened to me after entering high school was becoming friends with you, Asakura."
"Uh... that's a bit cheesy."
Kaede exaggeratedly rubbed his arm and said with a laugh, "It was a small thing, just good timing. Besides, you're cooking for us yourself, aren't you? If you really want to thank me, the best thing would be for those emergency calls asking for my help to stop."
"... Don't mention that, it's actually a bit embarrassing."
Laughing awkwardly, Takasu Ryuji looked at Oosaka Taiga, who was trying to sneak a bite, and immediately slapped her outstretched hand, saying irritably, "Dinner hasn't started yet, stop touching things!"
"Hey! Don't be so stingy!" Oosaka Taiga withdrew her hand and glared at Takasu Ryuji in dissatisfaction. "Fried chicken tastes best when it's hot right after cooking!"
"You still have to wait until we start eating!" Takasu Ryuji didn't back down at all. He stood up and said, "If you want to eat quickly, come and help me carry the dishes. Don't just show up expecting free food and doing nothing!"
Having no choice, Oosaka Taiga immediately stood up to refute the accusation that she was freeloading, and followed Takasu Ryuji to carry the dishes.
As for Kaede and Eriri, they washed their hands and prepared to wait for dinner.
Takasu Ryuji's cooking skills were excellent, far better than both Kaede and Eriri. After working at the restaurant for a while, his good performance led the kitchen chef to teach him many new techniques.
By the end of the meal, even Kaede, who was usually quite restrained, was stuffed today.
After a satisfying meal, Kaede, with a toothpick in his mouth, leaned back on the tatami mats and said comfortably, "I finally understand why Oosaka likes to come to your house for free meals. You don't mind two more mouths, do you?"
Takasu Ryuji nearly spat out a mouthful of tea. After coughing for a while, he said, "No, are you trying to work me to death? Always cooking for five people?"
"Hahahaha~~ Just kidding."
Waving his hand, Kaede picked up the prepared tea on the table and took a sip.
Takasu Ryuji looked at him and smiled wryly, shaking his head. "Still, I don't mind you guys occasionally coming for a meal. It makes things lively."
"Hehe, forget it. I think Oosaka alone is lively enough. Eriri and I will stick to our two-person world."
Kaede said, smiling as he glanced at Oosaka Taiga, who was lying on the tatami mats, burping from being full. The Palmtop Tiger was overstuffed and daydreaming, completely oblivious to their conversation.
After some thought, Kaede beckoned to Takasu Ryuji, and the two went outside the apartment.