Chapter 4 – Dishes, Emotions, Passing By
“Doesn’t Raika-chan ever smile?”
It was something that occurred in primary school, the girl who sat in front turned around and inquired to Raika.
At first, Raika was not sure how to respond, so she just awaited the answer of the other party with her head slightly tilted.
However, the girl did not give Raika the response that she was anticipating. Not only that, she was even told the extremely cruel statement of ‘Raika-chan is so scary, I don’t like to be with her’.
However, whenever she encounters such undisguised words exclusive to children, Raika would not feel particularly hurt, but just accepted the situation indifferently. She developed the habit of reflecting on things in order from the time she was little. Hence, she was rather bad at dealing with unexpected things. There were many times when Raika would just be blankly rooted to the spot, sinking in deep thought alone.
For instance, when she saw her friend trip and cry, Raika would think:
Why is she crying? Because it hurts. It hurts because of the injury. The flowing blood is more than expected. It might not actually hurt that much at all. Perhaps she was frightened to tears as she saw herself bleeding so much. Speaking of which, teacher said that if a wound is dirtied, germs would get in from there. The so-called germs is just a common name, in truth, the term includes harmful bacteria, microorganisms and viruses. That’s what the books say.
When harmful substances enter the body, humans will get sick, and it might cause death in the worst situation. That’s what the books say as well. As she continues to cry, what will I feel if she falls sick or dies before my eyes? I never experienced such a thing, so I’m not sure.
That’s right, if I’m hurt as well, what would I do? …… I would probably stand up, clean the wound, and look for a teacher to help disinfect it. If so, why does she continue to cry, and isn’t doing such a thing? Don’t know, incomprehensible.
The mind of the young Raika was full of such thoughts.
Thus, when she realized that she does not smile, she frantically thought of a reason as well.
It was definitely not because she was unhappy, or she did not have any emotions at all.
When she ate sweet food, she would think that it was tasty, and would sometimes feel like eating some more. When she watched sad movies, she would reflect her emotions on the main character as well. However, she just did not know how to smile. It might have been a knotty problem.
And to Raika, this matter turned into an unseen worry in her heart.
After that, Raika entered college.
Although the teachers recommended her to target colleges higher in the ranking, Raika chose Tama Literary College that was closer to her house in the end. That was because she felt that the time used up to go to school and to hang out outside alone was quite meaningless.
Additionally, to Raika, she had to solve a problem more pressing to her compared with homework and jobs.
— Why do humans smile?
It was an incomprehensible question.
Can she really find the answer?
Raika, who entered the college campus in uneasiness and anticipation, felt disappointed immediately.
The numerous men surrounding her.
The invitations for dates without exception.
Parties, gatherings, clubs.
Raika once thought that she would be able to meet many different types of people after becoming a free college student with various choices, leaving her high school life that was bound with numerous schedules, but in truth, no matter who approached her, all of them would only say similar things.
At first, Raika tried to accept the invitations, but it was similar each time.
Among them, what disappointed Raika the most was the students’ smiles.
The appearance of them forcing out a smiling face even though they didn’t feel happy or interested at all made Raika feel so disgusted that she couldn’t bear it.
Very soon, Raika started to refuse invitations from the others, as she already understood that there wasn’t anything that could interest her anymore. But even so, there were still many men approaching Raika.
Furthermore, they weren’t limited to her college, but even men from other schools.
Judging from the objective facts and the responses of the others, Raika understood that her appearance could be said to be quite striking even when one speaks in a more conservative way. She understood as well that it was even easier for her breasts that underwent rapid growth from the spring when she was fifteen to become the center of attention.
However, Raika did not think that she would be in the spotlight until this extent. Even though she thought that such a situation would be resolved in due time, it wasn’t as successful as she expected. Just when Raika gradually felt tired of her college life, a strange thing occurred.
During lunch break one day, unusually, Raika was alone in the students' canteen.
Usually, there would be men that she did not know their names of gathered by her side, bluffing about boring subjects, but there wasn’t even one that day. Raika felt mystified by that, and when she was sinking into deep thought because of that, she noticed a fat, bespectacled man sitting on the same table as her, wolfing down his curry pork chop rice.
That person was Sako Shuntarou.
After noticing Raika’s gaze, Sako shouted: “I won’t give you any!”, and he covered the countless dishes before him as though he was guarding them. It seemed like the reason for the troublesome men’s absence was because of him.
Apart from that, the fact that Raika found rare was that the gazes that those men usually give her did not appear on the man before her.
“Excuse me, can you help pass the tomato sauce, Oda Raika-kun?”
Just when Raika was pondering about such matters, he suddenly spoke to her, making her realize that he was unhesitatingly looking at her. Thus, Raika passed the tomato sauce to him.
“Do you know me?”
“Well, I heard that you’re the female who is the most troubled of her aching shoulders.”
“Sexual harassment.”
After hearing that, a somewhat triumphant smile surfaced on the fat man’s oily face.
“But you won’t mind that, right? Cold beauty.”
That person was right. That made Raika interested in the fat man before her eyes, while a thought surfaced in her mind at the same time: if she became friends with that man, other men might not trouble her anymore.
Just like that, Sako Shuntarou and Oda Raika met each other, and thus the Road Observation Research Society was born.
The contents of their activities were to ‘observe humans’, and that included the question that Raika kept having— Why do humans smile?
The club was formed just to locate the answer of these questions.
“It feels like…… I’m being stared at.”
I, who was walking in the campus, kept feeling the stares of people on me.
At first, I was thinking that it was just my imagination, but it didn’t seem to be so.
When a group chatting on a bench saw me approaching from the entrance, they very obviously changed topics, while the students who passed by my side turned around for a look without exception. Even a couple that I just met turned back especially to check me out.
What’s wrong with this?
There was a reasonable question in my mind, and at the same time, I immediately thought of a few possibilities.
Firstly, the situation with the highest possibility, Sako-senpai did something yet again. Even though I wasn’t willing to think so, a certain action that caused my appearance and name to be spread through the whole school might have already happened.
The next possibility that I thought of would probably be Raika-san.
As you can see, I am in the same club as a striking beauty, and can chat with her as I like. This can definitely arouse attention. There might already be rumors…… Like we’re dating, for instance…… regarding Raika-san and I.
If that were to be so, it won’t be so bad to be noticed by the others, and besides, there’s the possibility of turning this into a fact as well, as the situation of a pure rumor unknowingly turning into reality might actually happen.
…… Probably. In any case, I was so optimistic that morning that such a thought surfaced, and I excitedly headed towards the teacher’s office to hand in my report.
“Phew…… It’s finally over!”
Thus, almost all of my reports were handed in.
What’s left was to pray that the lecturers teaching various subjects would be willing to stamp down the seal of ‘Fine, I’ll give you the credits’ after reading my reports. In any case, I will only find out the results after New Year.
Leaving the teacher’s office, I walked leisurely in the campus.
Just like before, I could still feel stares on me, but fortunately, it was the time for make up classes, so there weren’t too many students, so I wasn’t too mindful of them, however…… In truth, the so-called make up classes were just classes to make up for the teaching days for reasons like ‘to allow lecturers to arrange for classes more easily’. Do you understand an explanation like this?
In simpler terms, most of the make up classes would be squeezed in the winter break.
As my aim had already been achieved, I was starting to think of going home just like that or to fill my stomach by buying a cheap lunch at the canteen. Just at that moment, I suddenly felt a bone-chilling cold.
Or should I say that it was an exceptionally sharp gaze? In any case, it felt quite unusual.
On the pavement where almost no one was walking on, I looked around, searching for the source of the gaze.
“Ah…… Found it.”
That person was hiding behind the automatic vendor by the canteen. There was a rubbish bin exclusively for empty cans, and Raika-san was just squatting there, holding the cover of a rubbish bin from goodness knows where while staring unblinkingly at me through the round hole that one throws rubbish through.
I think about it every time, it’s really hard for one to distinguish if Raika-san disguises herself seriously or jokingly.
I really wished that there is a benchmark for me to choose if I should do a tsukkomi on her, or to pretend to fall for her disguise.
In any case, there wasn’t a choice for me to ignore her in my heart.
“Err…… Raika-san, what are you doing here?”
“…………”
Raika-san did not reply. So does that mean that she’s actually seriously trying to hide?
If so, I would have to think of something to deal with this……
“Hmm……”
After cracking my head thinking, I bought a can of drink from the automatic vendor, and tried to throw the can into the rubbish bin cover on Raika-san’s head, in slight surrender. Of course, I just lightly placed it inside.
Thud! The can of beverage that slid into it stopped after hitting her head.
“………….”
“……. Hot.”
The canned drink containing lukewarm drink pressed closely onto her exposed forehead, and seemed to be rather hot.
As she couldn’t continue her façade because of the heat, Raika-san shifted away the rubbish bin cover on her head and stood up.
“Yuuta, good morning.”
“Good morning, senpai……”
Although it was already noon, thinking of it as a workplace greeting did sound reasonable. Though I can’t say what type of workplace that is.
As for the people who turned around to look at me when they passed by, they gave an amazed shout of ‘Ohhhh!’ together as well. So it’s indeed because of Raika-san that I was taken notice of? That’s fine as well, it’s okay as long as it’s not Sako-senpai’s conspiracy.
“Raika-san, do you have class today as well?”
“No.”
“If so, do you have any reports to hand in?”
“None as well.”
“So are you here for the set lunch A of the canteen?”
“That’s too oily, I don’t like it.”
All of my guesses missed the mark.
“I just……”
Raika-san spoke in a low tone.
“I thought of going out for a walk, and arrived here before I knew it.”
Speaking of which, I recall that the place Raika-san is staying at seems to be quite near to the college. However, nobody knows where her house is. I heard that a few brave, determined men tried to stalk Raika-san before I enrolled, but nobody could find out where she lives.
According to the rumors, they would lose sign of Raika-san halfway through. I heard that strange speculations that Raika-san was actually the descendant of ninjas even appeared for some time.
However, they were just rumors in the end.
She might just invite us directly to her house if us members of Roary request that of her. It’s just that I can’t mention the request of ‘Please take me to your house’ without any special reason.
Just like that, the private life of the number one beauty in the college is still a mystery up till now.
“Since I saw Yuuta after that, I thought of tailing you.”
“So you tailed me for awhile…… Is it possible that senpai had been following me ever since I exited the lecturer’s office?”
“That’s right.”
“Um…… You should’ve at least greeted me.”
Even when I said that to her, Raika-san just said in satisfaction: “It was quite fun.”
I don’t think that me in my pathetic ‘Master, please spare me some credits!’ mode while I repeatedly bowed down would be a happy scene. But if so, the biggest reason for me being in the limelight is now revealed. Since Raika-san kept following me, it would be stranger if I didn’t arouse other people’s attention.
If not for myself feeling light-headed because of happiness, I should have noticed her immediately as well…… Speaking of which, since I could see Raika-san’s rare appearance of evident happiness, let’s forget about such a trivial matter.
Seeing Raika-san starting to drink the canned juice that I dropped into the bin, I bought a can of coffee and sat by her side as well. The wind was quite chilly, so the lukewarm beverage made me feel exceptionally warm.
“Is that good?”
“Not bad, though a bit sweet.”
After Raika-san finished speaking, she started to drink in small sips again. The canned juice that Hanamura-senpai, the captain of the Rugby Club, is so fond of doesn’t seem to have caught Raika-san’s fancy.
“Raika-san, what do you usually do in the holidays?”
“Many things.”
“You live just nearby, right? Do you walk over here?”
“Speed walking.”
How is it? The conversation that would make people question if it was really a conversation. If this is a party, it definitely won’t continue. However, it seemed like even such an empty conversation could make Raika-san happy, while I can experience happiness unknown to the others by conversing with Raika-san alone like this.
My reports have almost been completely finished, and added with the fact that I could speak to Raika-san, what a happy day.
“Raika-san, is it possible that……. You’re really free right now?”
“Quite.”
Raika-san said without even thinking. It seems like I'm just a person for her to whittle off time with.
That made me feel somewhat lonesome, but just at that moment, Raika-san spoke without any prior notice:
“Christmas, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Ah…… Y- Yeah! It’s the first time I’m celebrating Christmas with so many people, so I’m super looking forward to it!”
Unusually, Raika-san took the initiative to provide a topic, reinvigorating my spirits.
However, Raika-san spoke again after that:
“Hina-chan’s Christmas party, I’m looking forward to it.”
Is that so? So the main point is Hina, huh……
“Sora-chan’s concert as well. I’m looking forward to it.”
Well, Sora-chan hasn’t lifted the ban for us to attend…… It seems like Raika-san’s main focus isn’t the parties, but my nieces. It made me quite embarrassed for my previous excitement.
“To me, half of the Christmas party is expectation, but the other half would be pressure……”
“……?”
Raika-san looked at me in puzzlement.
“Actually, I just couldn’t decide on what Christmas presents I should pick……”
I tried to say that, and secretly hoped that Raika-san would discuss that with me.
“Oh.”
Eh? What a cold reaction!
“S- Senpai…… What do you think Sora-chan and the others would be happiest with”
“Don’t know.”
What a direct way of ignoring me. But that’s true, if I, as a member of the family, don’t know as well…...
“So you’re pressured because of this?”
“Nnn, ah, not only that…… I accidentally lied to Hina, saying that I’d prepare a super sumptuous bento for her Christmas party.
“Can Yuuta cook……?”
“Uuu……. Well……”
I explained the situation to Raika-san. After failing once, I am currently undergoing a hellish special training with Oba-san but I still have college to mind as well. Besides, Oba-san has a job as well, so I can’t just learn whenever I like to. She only comes over to our house when she helps out with the cooking, so the chances for that are unexpectedly low.
After hearing my explanation, Raika-san sank into deep thought.
“I’ll teach you then, teaching you some not-too-hard dishes that children like as well.”
“Eh……”
“I’ll teach you how to cook.”
“Raika-san wants to teach me……? Seriously!?”
Raika-san nodded slightly. The so-called fortune that is out of one’s expectation probably refers to things like this.
Although I haven’t checked out my horoscope today, this is most probably my luckiest day in December.
After standing up, Raika-san faced me expressionlessly.
“I’m feeling bored anyway.”
…… That’s true. Thinking that I actually anticipated for an instant that senpai would say something sweet made me feel embarrassed. Uuu.
After shaving off its skin, carrots have to be shredded to cubical shape whenever possible.
On the other hand, potatoes have to be cut to bite-size. Apart from that, one absolutely must not forget to rinse them slightly with water. Onions must be shredded along its fiber, while shredding them would mean what it suggests to be, having to cut them to shreds as thin as a thread.
When handling potatoes, Oba-san wouldn’t shave off the skin too quickly, but instead rinses them carefully, cutting them to larger pieces before popping them into the pan. After finishing the preparations, she would pour salad oil into the pan, frying the carrots and potatoes slightly after that. As it’s easy for them to get charred during this moment, more care must be taken.
After heating up the surface of the veggies slightly, we add the soup, seasoning, miso, soy sauce, salt, onion and meat. Putting the meat in before the soup gets hot is the key.
After that, the pot has to be covered and cooked for ten minutes, allowing the dish to cool off with the fire turned off after that.
After teaching Sora how to make stewed meat with potato, Oba-san ended with a : ‘Look, isn’t this easy?’
“So that’s all?”
“Nnn, you just have to allow it to cool and its taste to seep in.”
Sora finally heaved a sigh in relief after hearing Oba-san say that.
Sora already improved a lot compared with the time when she was nervous even when she was holding a kitchen knife, but when she was cooking in front of Oba-san, it still made her rather tense. Apart from Oba-san’s stern personality that gives people pressure, having a person looking at her at a side made her somewhat excited as well. That might be the sense of ease when a mature lady is by her side.
“…… The taste…… doesn’t seem to be too bad.”
Oba-san spoke after tasting the dish slightly.
“Really?”
“Although it would be a bit too light for a man’s taste, stewing it once more to adjust its taste would be fine.”
“T- Thank you, Oba-san!”
Sora struggled to suppress her impulse of wanting to jump up in happiness.
After all, all of her efforts would go to waste if she was scolded ‘That’s so improper of you!’ in the end.
“Speaking of which, in such a short time, you have learned quite quickly.”
Oba-san smiled at Sora after saying that.
“Ah…..”
That instant, an inexplicable sense of nostalgia welled up in Sora’s heart.
—I remember now…… It’s Yuri-san.
The warmth that she kept feeling when Oba-san was teaching her to cook was the feeling forgotten by Sora in this period of time, a feeling similar to that of her stepmother.
“Well then, it’s about time for me to go back. Remember not to stew the stewed meat with potato for too long.
“O- Okay. Thank you very much for today.”
Sora hurriedly bowed, while Oba-san quickly collected her belongings and left immediately.
In the end, Sora was the only one left.
Miu had already went out in the morning to play, so she wasn’t at home, while Hina went over to Shiori’s house.
“He’s still not back huh……”
Sora spaced out, lying on the sofa while staring outside the window. She really wished for Yuuta to try her cooking earlier, and really hoped that he would praise it with words like ‘So tasty!’ or ‘You’re so awesome!’ or the like.
“Why won’t Onii-chan come back earlier…… Idiot.”
Some time passed after that.
Sora widened her eyes slightly. It seemed like she fell asleep for some time.
The stewed meat with potato should have been nicely stewed, and it is currently suitable for tasting.
“I’m back.”
Just at that moment, Yuuta’s voice appeared at the best moment.
“……! He’s back!”
Sora ran over to the entrance in excitement.
“Onii-chan, welcome home! Listen, I just—“
In an instant, Sora-chan froze as she reached the entrance.
For some reason, Yuuta returned along with Raika.
“Good afternoon, Sora-chan.”
“Ah, nnn, good afternoon……”
Facing the unexpected guest, Sora did not know how to respond.
Just when Sora was feeling flustered, Yuuta spoke words that made her feel taken aback.
“I’m going out after leaving my things to buy something with Raika-san.”
“Buy things……?”
“Yep, we’re going to buy some ingredients as Raika-san is going to teach me how to cook after this.”
Sora froze yet again.
How can this be…… And at this moment as well?
I made the perfect stewed meat with potato after so much effort, but you don’t even have the time to try it?
Dissatisfaction and anger surged from her heart, causing Sora to almost feel like venting all of her emotions on Yuuta right on the spot.
However, Sora tried hard to hold it in.
“I- Is that so. Then be careful on the road.”
“Nnn. I think I won’t return too late, but do remember to close the doors and windows well.”
Leaving those words, Yuuta went out with Raika yet again.
After the door of the entrance was closed, about a minute passed.
“Idiot Onii-chan!”
Sora shouted at the entrance.
As I left the house, I suddenly felt as though someone was calling me, and thus turned around to look.
“Yuuta, what’s wrong?”
“Hmm……? Did you hear anything just now?”
“Nope.”
Raika-san shook her head.
“Am I just thinking too much……?”
I left my stuff at home, and departed with Raika-san after informing Sora-chan that I was going out. Although going back and forth on this road was somewhat troublesome, I still thought that it would be better to tell Sora-chan about it. That’s right, let’s make a great dinner tonight, giving them a huge surprise.
Since Raika-san is here, there won’t be a problem. Probably. If I can ask senpai to help choose the three sisters’ Christmas present along the way, all of my recent worries would be immediately solved.
Sora lied down on the sofa.
Her cheeks puffed up to twice their original size obviously showed her displeasure.
“We’re back!”
“Back~”
Even when her sisters returned, Sora was still unmoved.
“Eh? What a nice smell…… Um, what’s wrong, Onee-chan?”
“Uuu~”
“Erm…… I don’t know what ‘Uuu~’ means.”
“…… Onii-chan……”
“What’s wrong with Oji-san? Is it possible that you argued with him again?”
“We didn’t argue~”
Sora buried her face in the cushion and shook her head.
“He left! Out to buy something with Raika-san!”
With her jaw agape in surprise, Miu suddenly caught hold of her sister’s shoulders.
“Then what are you doing here!? Onee-chan!”
“M- Miu……?”
“You’ll have to give chase! Hurry!”
Miu’s eyes sparkled with the radiance of anticipation and curiosity.
Raika-san and I headed directly towards the Ikebukuro station from the house. Although it was a weekday, there were still quite a lot of pedestrians before the station. Raika-san’s walking pace was even quicker than I had imagined, being completely unaffected by the passing pedestrians, walking quickly through the crowd.
In any case, I couldn’t just hold senpai’s hand like a child afraid to get lost, so I could only try hard to chase her. Not long after that, Raika-san walked into a department store and immediately walked in the direction of a food court at the basement.
There were things that wouldn’t usually be sold at other places displayed in the supermarket located at the basement of the department store, but the prices of those were especially expensive, so it was a place mostly unrelated to a normal citizen like me.
However, Raika-san unhesitatingly walked towards her target merchandise at the high class supermarket, looking as though she was quite used to this.
“Raika-san, what are you planning to buy over here?”
“Mnn, this.”
After saying that, she pointed at a rack with spices arranged on it. The spices on the rack were in a transparent glass bottle that would usually be seen only in science labs, arranged densely on the rack.
“Is…… this it?”
Raika-san ignored my speechless response, and continued to place bottles of spices into her shopping basket.
“To our next destination.”
After she finished taking the spices, she headed towards another place with other ingredients.
Although there was only an extremely terrible premonition in my heart, I could only continue to follow her.
Just at that moment, at a position not far away—
“I found Oji-san!”
“Found him~”
Miu and Hina said while poking their heads from behind the rack, and it could be clearly seen from their expressions that they were enjoying the situation. At the same time, the only person who had unease on her face was……
“Say, let’s not continue.”
Behind her sisters, Sora looked quite troubled.
“Onee-chan, seriously, do you really think it’s fine for us to leave Oji-san like this?”
“Like this?”
Hina imitated Miu by pouting while speaking.
“But following behind them is really too……”
Sora couldn’t push away the guilt in her heart.
“Ah! It seems like they’re leaving! Let’s go, Hina!”
“Loger!”
“Hey! Wait for me!”
Sora could only follow her sisters who were completely absorbed in the role of a detective.
After we finished buying the ingredients, Raika-san spoke: “We need utensils.”
Since it already reached this state, I can only go along until the end. I continued to follow her while harboring such thoughts.
As before, senpai walked rather quickly, and I nearly lost her quite a few times, but I still struggled to follow. I really don’t know what I’m here for.
Even though we were just here to buy ingredients, from goodness knows when, I felt so tired as though I was going for an adventure in a forest, or even climbing a snowy mountain. And the location that I reached wasn’t a destination of gold, but a home electronics store.
“Um…… Raika-san, why do I feel like we’re getting further and further away from normal dishes……”
“Does Yuuta own a spices grinder at home?”
“Spices grinder…...? No, I don’t think we have something like that…… Speaking of which, we need to use such a thing!?”
Just when I was saying that, Raika-san already picked one up and walked towards the cashier.
At the same time, the three detective sisters were staying nearby as well.
They closely tailed Yuuta, who was behind Raika.
“What do they want to buy……?”
From the moment they entered the home electronics store, the three of them already started to feel puzzled, and they really didn’t know what Raika and Yuuta were there for. Not long after that, Raika bought a machine that could be hugged with one’s hands.
“What is that…… Say, Miu, what do you think that is…… Oi! What are you doing!?”
“Ah~ So good~”
Sora turned around and found Miu lying on a massage chair.
“Wa~ This is so great~”
“Nee-tan! Nee-tan! Hina too! Hina too!”
“It’s too early for you!”
“Nee-tan is sly~”
Hina forcefully tugged on Miu’s sleeve, but Miu already became one with the massage chair, and it felt like she wouldn’t move even with a jack.
“Miu! How long are you going to lie there for!”
“Eh~ Just a little more……”
“Just ignore that, Onii-chan and Raika-san are leaving!”
After forcing her sister away from the massage chair, Sora continued to shadow them.
After that, Raika-san arrived at the area selling liquor.
She bought a bottle of wine that I never once saw in my life and left quickly.
“…… Nnn, we’re done.”
“I- Is that so……”
It seems like she finished buying the ingredients.
From what I had seen along the way, I was worried that Raika-san was going to make dishes that would require a lot of effort, but I disregarded that for the moment.
Compared with that, there was an even more pressing matter that I had to ask senpai of.
“Raika-san, before going back to cook…… Can you accompany me to buy presents?”
“…………”
Raika-san looked at me with her clear eyes that was like a glass ornament.
That made me feel a sense of pressure.
“Yes. But I don’t think it will help.”
“Eh?”
After saying that, Raika-san quickly weaved through the supermarket.
“Things that middle and primary school students might like are in this area.”
Raika-san brought me to an area selling popular accessories. There were many brands that I never even heard of over there, and also glittering ornaments that I never saw before.
“Hmm…… Which would be better……?”
“Don’t know. I said this before.”
Raika-san made a true poker face.
“I seem to be different with other people, so it’s no use if you ask me.”
……? Raika-san seemed unusually impatient.
Or perhaps, Raika-san…… actually feels troubled? Or angry?
“…… Well then, what does Raika-san like?”
The item that she pointed at was a cute brooch, like the cute things that primary school students would use.
But isn’t it a bit too cute…… Even if I let Sora-chan or Miu-chan use it, it’s just too…… However, it does feel quite suited for Hina.
“T- This?”
“I know that it doesn’t suit me looking from an objective perspective, so you don’t need to mind.”
Raika-san spoke while maintaining her poker face, and walked away as though she wanted to forget about the brooch.
“The three sisters are very thoughtful, so they’ll be okay with it as long as it’s chosen by Yuuta.”
Such a formal conclusion made me feel as though senpai was refusing for me to ask for her opinion once more.
The detective squad of the three sisters could not hear Raika and Yuuta’s conversation, so they were quite anxious.
“T- Their atmosphere seems to be quite okay, Onee-chan!”
“R- Really? And they never did buy anything after so long!”
The eldest sister’s tense emotion was completely exposed, and her tightly clenched hands were both red.
“Hina is thirsy~”
Hina, who started to feel bored, announced in displeasure.
“Onee-chan will buy orange juice for you later, so please wait for a moment more!”
“Wa! Owange juice!”
Seeing the two starting to move again, the three sisters gave chase as well.
Raika-san stopped before a display window. At the corner of her gaze were mannequins wearing the newest clothes this season. Perhaps there are clothes that senpai likes among them?
“Raika-san……?”
“Ah, sorry, it’s nothing.”
After saying that, she turned around and left…… But not two steps after that, senpai turned around to look at the window as though she couldn’t resist the temptation.
“Um…… Do you want to go in for a look?”
“…… Can I?”
“Of course. Besides, you like it, right?”
Like a child, Raika-san nodded.
“Well then, let’s go in for a look. Although I’m like this right now, if you don’t mind……”
As I was holding so much, I looked like a country bumpkin unrelated with fashionable clothes no matter how people look at me.
“Well then, let us enter.”
Raika-san entered the shop looking rather happy, though she still wore a poker face.
The three sisters were still tailing them.
They thought that the two had already finished buying their things, but they entered a boutique for some reason.
“Oh, so Raika-san buys clothes at places like this, how surprising. Ah, but from the size of her breasts, she can probably buy clothes only at shops like this.”
Miu muttered thoughtfully.
However, Sora heard next to nothing of Miu’s voice.
— What’s with this…… It feels super annoying.
However, Sora did not know the reason. Why was she so displeased?
They just entered to look at the clothes……
“But, it’s just like…… they’re on a date.”
“……!?”
Miu’s words made Sora waver.
A date.
A boy and a girl buying things, watching movies, and having fun together.
That moment, a certain emotion started to boil in Sora’s heart.
“What, what…… Onii-chan……”
Sora struggled to suppress the word ‘Idiot’ that nearly slipped out of her mouth, and kept glaring at Yuuta as though she was using her gaze to kill her target as he wore a silly smile on his face.
“Guwagh!?”
A sudden chill came on my back.
“What is it?”
“No! Nothing!”
I spoke to Raika-san behind the curtains.
What happened just now?
I had a feeling like I was targeted by a carnivorous beast. But in any case, it’s impossible for carnivorous beasts to appear in the center of Tokyo like this. Whatever, I’m now facing a critical moment.
Although I’m not sure what sort of critical moment it is, but…… It’s just a critical moment anyway!
Being able to go to a boutique with a girl that one likes, waiting outside while she enters the changing room to change, how can this be described in any way other than a critical moment?
Even when I was holding a pile of mystifying spices and ingredients, even if Raika-san doesn’t feel like this as well……!
But hasn’t this turned into an undeniable date?
No, this is a date.
Nnn, date, it’s just like this. That’s what I say!
“Whoaa……. Date…… A date, huh……”
After speaking out the facts, apart from the sense of realism, a strange sense of accomplishment surged in my heart as well.
Although the employees looked at me with an expression that was like they saw something disgusting, the current me will never take such gazes to heart.
After all, I’m on a date right now.
Just when I was thinking so, Raika-san opened the curtains of the changing room and walked out.
The clothes that senpai was wearing was the same as before.
“Eh? Didn’t you change?”
“Couldn’t get in.”
Raika-san spoke in slight displeasure.
“Couldn’t get in means……”
“My breasts couldn’t get in.”
“B- Breasts……!?”
The employee and I couldn’t help but glance at Raika-san’s overly well-endowed breasts. After that, we raised our heads and exchanged gazes. The female employee probably had the same thoughts as I.
“Please give me a larger size.”
After Raika-san said that, the employee spoke in a slightly cracked voice: “Y- Yes! Please wait for a moment!”, and ran to the back.
“Indeed, there aren’t any that suit me.”
“It’s hard on senpai as well….. Um…… In many aspects.”
In slight impatience, Raika-san held her breasts that long exceeded the standard size of a Japanese.
Even if they’re not men, it was a scene that would make people stop and stare.
If possible, I really wish senpai would be more self-aware.
Not long after that, the employee who ran over to the back of the shop came back while holding a pile of clothes.
It seemed like she brought all of the clothes that Raika-san might be able to wear.
Raika-san picked out two that she liked and showed them to me.
“Which one is better?”
“Y- You’re asking for my opinion!?”
Raika-san nodded.
What a headache, which should I choose?
There were too little factors to judge from. However, If I am unable to reply now, I might be treated as an indecisive man who lacks determination.
…… Ah!? Perhaps Raika-san is testing me exactly for this?
“I think this one is—“
“Nnn, then let’s pick this one.”
Raika-san took the one that I didn't choose and returned to the changing room.
Why do I feel like my love had just met a crisis? Can someone give me better taste!
However, my question seemed to be unfounded in the end.
I saw senpai wave at me from the dressing room.
“How is it?”
Raika-san asked in front of me after she finished changing.
She looked extremely beautiful, as though it was specially made for her.
…… However, isn’t the chest part a bit too open!
Besides, even if I wanted to look away, I still couldn’t help but see a certain white thing exposed from Raika-san’s original clothes folded neatly on the chair…… I think I’m going to have a nosebleed.
After seeing my expression, Raika-san’s poker face seemed to look more satisfied.
“Nnn, I know Yuuta’s interests now. It’s as I expected.”
In the current me, exceptionally embarrassed emotions continued to well up in my heart…… How regretful.
And of course, the three sisters witnessed the instant Yuuta made the choice of his life and failed as well.
Including the looks of Yuuta’s silly laugh due to him being unable to stand up to beauty.
“What……”
Sora gritted her teeth in anger.
“Onee-chan, didn’t you say just now that we shouldn’t follow them?”
“Yeah~”
“Shut up! I’m monitoring Onii-chan so that he won’t do anything silly to Raika-san!”
Facing her sister’s explanation that lacked conviction, Miu could only brush it away by shrugging.
When she has an unfrank elder sister, being the younger sister is quite hard as well.
“Ack……”
Just at that moment, a harsh cry that did not match her appearance came from Miu.
Because at the corner of her gaze……. She saw the persistent man who proclaimed himself to be a star scout.
“I found you! I wanted to see you so much!”
“I just refused you last time!”
“Please don’t say that, really, just listen to me for just a moment!”
“Noooo—! Don’t come over~”
Simlar to the last time, the star scout (self-proclaimed) that did not know when to stop at all, approached Miu with a smile on his face that shone with the sheen of oil.
“Wait a minute! What are you planning to do to my sister!”
“Ah, the elder sister? Ohhh! Even the sister is extremely…… Okay! If so, the three of you can come together!”
“Don’t decide things by yourself!”
Because of the commotion, the pedestrians nearby approached.
Of course, Yuuta and Raika were no exception……
“Miu-chan……? Wait a sec, why is everyone over here!?”
“Oji-san! This person is just too tiresome! Hurry up and think of a way!”
“So you’re their relative!? Just at the right moment!”
“Ehhhhhhh!? Wait a sec, what sort of situation is this!?”
Seeing the sweaty man pestering him without giving up made Yuuta wail piteously.
“We were just too unlucky……”
When we were on the slope back home, I sighed. No matter how I refused the man who proclaimed himself to be a star scout, he continued to pester me by saying: ‘I’ll think of a way!’. In the end, I understood that he completely didn’t plan to hear our answer, or I should say he couldn’t hear it at all, so we slipped away as soon as we found a chance.
And just because we ran away with all our might, all of our energy and power had been sapped.
“That guy was quite stubborn.”
“It can’t be dismissed as stubbornness anymore. He was still planning to keep chasing! Good thing he couldn’t move anymore halfway through.”
As Sora-chan said, if that person’s weight is more standard, he might really have chased us to our house.
“Hehe……”
Just at that moment, I felt as though Raika-san’s mouth curled somewhat. Of course, it was just a change of a few millimeters, but well, I could feel it from the atmosphere.
“Raika-san, did you smile just now?”
When I turned around, she was still wearing an unchanging poker face.
“Eh? Did I make a mistake?”
“…… You were mistaken, I can’t smile at all.”
“That’s impossible, aren’t you always smiling?”
After I said that, Raika-san showed an expression that felt as though she was surprised from the bottom of her heart. Very unusually, changes measured in centimeters appeared on her brows and mouth.
“Um, it’s true, although it’s not so obvious as the others, but……. You are always smiling. Or perhaps I should say that you look to me like you’re smiling……”
Why do I feel less confident the more I say?
But it’s unmistakable, Raika-san smiled just now as well.
“I……. Smiled…….”
Did I say anything that I shouldn’t? Raika-san stood rooted to her original spot, and sank into deep thought.
“Oi-tan! Hina is hungy~”
“Huh……. Nn, that’s true, it’s already time for dinner after all…… Hmm?”
Eh? I felt like I forgot about something important as well…… No, I must have thought too much.
In any case, I only want to go back home and lie on my sofa right now.
“Well then, let’s start.”
As soon as we returned, Raika-san spoke.
“Start what……?”
“Have you forgotten?”
“…… Ah.”
I remembered. That’s right, I asked Raika-san here to teach me cooking.
“Raika-san, so what are we going to cook?”
“Something simple that even children would like, curry.”
Raika-san spoke without hesitating.
What? I thought that we were going to make something troublesome since she bought so much……
That’s true. To a beginner, something like curry is the easiest dish to master. Speaking of which, curry and stewed rice just needs the powder, so it’s rather hard to fail at making it, so it can count as common dishes in our household as well.
“Well then, what should I do……”
Just when I was asking in slight disappointment, Raika-san took out a bottle containing large amounts of spices and placed it on the table in the kitchen.
“Erm…… Raika-san?”
I asked while looking at Raika-san with an uneasy premonition surfacing in my heart.
“Well then, let’s start from making the spice.”
“The super traditional type!? We aren’t using curry powder!?”
But of course. Raika-san declared with her unchanging poker face.
“I don’t know how to make that type.”
In the end, it was two hours after that before we could eat our dinner with an empty stomach.
Before I realized it, the pointer on the clock on the wall had already moved to the ten o’ clock position.
Although it was quite time-consuming, fortunately, the traditional Indian curry was quite outstanding in taste.
However, instead of saying that I, who helped out at a side, provided assistance, I might have made trouble even more, so that might be a part that I need to reflect on. In any case, Raika-san’s original curry and Sora-chan’s stewed meat with potato made us all stuffed.
“It was just too tasty~”
Lying on the sofa, Miu spoke while caressing her stomach like a pregnant woman.
Judging from her tone, she seemed to be quite satisfied.
“Stomach so full~”
Hina lied down to copy Miu-chan by caressing her stomach as well.
“Really? That’s great.”
Looking somewhat intoxicated, Raika-san sat between the both of them.
“Raika-chan, touch my belly~”
Hearing Hina’s comments, Raika-san nodded furiously and started to stroke Hina’s abdomen.
“Ah, it seems to be quite comfortable.”
After hearing Miu-chan say so in admiration, Raika-san gave her the thumbs up and stroked Miu-chan’s stomach with her other hand. The two of them really seemed to be quite happy, while Raika-san looked even more delighted.
“Yuuta, really, give them to me.”
It’s here, I really didn’t hear it for quite a long time……. However, no means no.
“Huh~ I want to eat Raika-san’s cooking every day.”
“Hina too~”
“That’s right! Raika-san, why don't you be Oji-san’s bride?”
“W- What are you blabbering about!? Miu!”
“If so, you can be together with Hina forever!”
“Being together with Hina-chan forever……. How tempting.”
“W- Wait a minute, Raika-san, don’t treat it like it’s real!”
Although I felt like I was only teased by them, I still couldn’t suppress my tension.
“So? Does Raika-san like Oji-san?”
“L- Let’s not talk about this anymore!”
“I don’t dislike him.”
She gave a rather vague answer.
How should I see such an answer as?
“…………”
Just at that moment, I noticed Sora-chan, who was being displeased at a side.
“What’s wrong? Are you unhappy with anything?”
“…… It’s nothing!”
As Sora-chan forcefully moved her face away, she seemed to be quite angry.
Sora left the living room as though she was running away. Although she felt somewhat bad for Raika as she used up her own time to help out for dinner, Sora just couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“Sheesh…… Even though I made some as well……”
Her stewed meat and potato that she struggled to make was a dish that even Oba-san praised.
However, the pot was almost untouched.
“I’m angry now. On Christmas…… Wait and see! I’ll definitely cook something up that’s more delicious than Onii-chan’s!”
At a place where no one could see, Sora secretly resolved to herself.
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