“Suihara-san, the food is ready. You can wash your hands and eat now,”
Kazuya placed the dishes and called out.
Suihara Chizuru put on her slippers, got up, and walked towards the sink. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt like this ungentlemanly neighbor had a mischievous glint in his eye.
Kido Kazuya untied his apron and placed the dishes on the table, which was only as high as a coffee table.
“Suihara-san, do you have an appetite?”
Suihara Chizuru instinctively shook her head.
Kido Kazuya said: “Perfect, I only made white porridge for you. Eat it while it’s hot.”
“Thank you.”
Suihara Chizuru finished speaking and realized she had been tricked.
“Great, I was wondering what to do if you had an appetite. I only bought enough fried chicken for one person when I went out earlier.”
Kido Kazuya took out the packaging bag and prepared his dinner.
“Also, Suihara-san, you’re sick. I didn’t know what else to prepare besides white porridge.” Kazuya continued, “Remember how you were managing your figure the last time we had dinner together? It was really hard for you.”
The golden-colored fried chicken in Kazuya’s mouth produced a crispy sound with each bite.
Although the white porridge wasn’t truly white and had minced meat and salt added, it had flavor.
However, she was drinking porridge while Kido Kazuya was eating chicken. He even bit into it so deliciously right in front of her.
“Hmph.”
Suihara Chizuru rolled her eyes at Kido Kazuya.
My stomach is growling…
You said that just to prevent me from stealing your chicken, didn’t you? You’re such a cheapskate and ungentlemanly.
“Itadakimasu!”
Suihara Chizuru, after her usual pre-meal declaration, began eating.
“Crunck”
“Crunck”
…
Suihara Chizuru picked up the small spoon and ate spoonful after spoonful. The savory porridge, which wasn’t bad, now seemed to lack flavor. Her gaze uncontrollably drifted towards Kazuya’s fried chicken cutlet. It was golden, crispy, and she wanted it.
Her mouth watered uncontrollably.
…
“Want to try some? I got it from the place with the longest line. It’s pretty good, in my opinion,” Kido Kazuya said.
Suihara Chizuru wanted to refuse as she looked at the piece of fried chicken that Kido Kazuya pushed towards her, but the aroma of the fried chicken made it impossible to say no.
“Thank you.” Suihara Chizuru took a bite. It was full of crispy texture and fluffy meat.
“The fried chicken is delicious.”
Her beautiful eyes curved slightly into a crescent moon, she was very satisfied with the taste.
“If you like it, eat some more. It’s rare for patients to have a good appetite. I happened to buy an extra one.” Kido Kazuya saw that Suihara Chizuru’s fever had subsided a lot and smiled slightly.
Suihara Chizuru, who had only planned to try a little bit, picked up another piece of fried chicken. After all, she hadn’t had enough…
“Okay.”
Suihara Chizuru realized that Kido Kazuya was treating her like a child.
Don’t children always have times when they don’t want to eat properly? In those situations, parents usually eat deliciously in front of their children to entice them.
“Thanks.” Suihara Chizuru decided to deal with the fact that she had been tricked coolly. She would just pretend it didn’t happen.
...
Since she was at home, Suihara Chizuru wanted to relax a little.
She took off her glasses and let her hair down, her previously suppressed beauty reappeared.
Suihara Chizuru simply tidied up a little and it was like she had become a different person. Kazuya stared at her with a little bit of amazement.
Her delicate and beautiful face, her white and bright skin, her long hair that flowed like a waterfall, she was kneeling beside the table, her slender curves and fair thighs, in terms of looks, she was the ideal girlfriend for most people.
Even Kido Kazuya, who was looking at Suihara Chizuru now, was very fond of her appearance. If she weren’t a rented girlfriend, she wouldn’t be out of the question as one of his desired girlfriends.
“Kido-san, what’s wrong?”
Suihara Chizuru noticed Kazuya spacing out.
“Nothing, keep eating.”
He couldn’t possibly say that he was staring at her.
Suihara Chizuru picked up the meat porridge on the table, scooped up a spoonful with a spoon, and blew on it gently at her lips. The fragrant warmth of the porridge, along with the faint scent of the girl, drifted to Kido Kazuya’s nose. It was a pleasant scent.
Looking at the bits of green onions sprinkled on the white porridge, Suihara Chizuru felt a warmth in her heart. It had been a long time since anyone had cooked for her specifically. It was delicious, warm, and comforting.
Each step Suihara Chizuru took as she ate was rhythmic and unhurried, there was a unique flavor in her heart, just watching her made Kazuya feel like it was an enjoyment.
When they were both finished, Kazuya took the initiative to clean up the kitchen. At that time, Suihara Chizuru spoke.
“Thank you, Kido! Also, your cooking is great. It tastes really good.”
Kido Kazuya’s footsteps stopped, he didn’t turn around: “You don’t have to thank me. Also, I don’t know how to cook at all.”
“What do you mean?” Suihara Chizuru savored the porridge she had just eaten. It did taste good.
“Sorry, I can’t cook anything except for one-pot dishes.”
Kido Kazuya was that type of person, the legendary kind who didn’t catch the new century’s trend of men who can cook.
Is there any rule that says boys have to know how to cook? Can’t you just look forward to the beautiful hope of being fed by your parents during your studies and by your wife after you graduate?
......
The next morning.
Kido Kazuya woke up on time and went for his usual run in the park.
Because it had rained recently, the air was quite fresh, and there was still moist, undried water vapor on the track. However, it was a slow run, so as long as he didn’t step in puddles, there was no problem.
“Good morning.”
Kido Kazuya started to run, and he met the big bow blue-eyed beauty again.
“Good morning, it’s been a while.”
She saw that Kido Kazuya was finally back to exercise after two days, and when she saw him, her smile appeared naturally.
This time, Kousaka Ruka didn’t wait until Kido Kazuya was finished running before talking to him. Instead, she ran with him, forcing him to slow down and wait for her.
“Did you have something to do yesterday and the day before? Why didn’t I see you come running.”
Kido Kazuya heard a trace of concern in Kousaka Ruka’s words.
“Yes, I went to the beach in Shimoda with my university classmates.” Kazuya recalled the excessive contact he had with Nanami Mami at the beach. It seemed like he had kissed her twice, but he didn’t dislike the feeling.
“By the way, I brought some souvenirs back. Do you want one?” Kazuya remembered the gifts he had prepared for his family and the fairy girl, but he had also prepared some extras.
“Really, can I have one? Also, what is it?” Kousaka Ruka’s big blue eyes were filled with curiosity.
“It’s just a doll charm, nothing expensive.”
Kazuya scratched his head.
There is a fishing port called Inada in the Izu Peninsula, where there are doll charms. Each charm has a different symbolic meaning.
For example, straw and mice symbolize abundance of children and prosperity, while peaches symbolize warding off evil spirits.
There is a custom in Inada to make these decorations out of cloth for girls on their first Hinamatsuri after they are born.
This is the origin of the charms.
“Woof, woof, woof.”
There was a barking sound from a small white dog beside them. Seeing Kazuya and the others jogging, it started to run with them. However, it suddenly appeared, causing Kousaka Ruka to squeak in fright.