CH 5

As I stew the curry, I look at Otosaki, who has her eyes on the TV.

On the screen, a live performance by MilleSta is playing. The program itself seemed to be a pre-recorded music program, and the live performance itself seemed to have been used to introduce the girls.

"I knew it, the arm swing should have been a little wider at this point......." (Rei)

"That's a lot of detail......, I honestly can't even tell, you know?" (Rintaro)

"I won't be able to tell by just imagining it in the head. But when I look at it, I'll get a different impression." (Rei)

"Is that how it is?" (Rintaro)

I usually can't tell what she's thinking, but the very now she's having the face of a professional.

It's a strange feeling to think that the face I had been looking at through the screen is now right there.

"Here it is, it's ready. The curry and rice you requested." (Rintaro)

"!? I've been waiting for!" (Rei)

I put the curry on the rice that I cooked properly today and serve it to Otosaki.

The curry I made this time is a mixture of dashi stock and a little bit of soy sauce, giving it a slightly more Japanese-style finish.

I've tasted it and it's good for my palate, but I wonder how it'll be for hers.

"Delicious.......! It's too good that I'm surprised." (Rei)

"Your reaction is really pleasing to the cook." (Rintaro)

There's no doubt in my mind that I'm being flattered as she gave her impressions with a twinkle in her eyes.

I then try a mouthful of it myself, along with some rice, and it's indeed good. I've made the same dish once before, but this is tasted even better than I did then.

I'm really glad about my own growth.

"I'd like to second." (Rei)

"I knew you'd say that, but where is all this food disappearing into your thin body?" (Rintaro)

"You need more food to endure the rigorous lessons. And just this is not even enough." (Rei)

"Hee...... looks like it's worthwhile." (Rintaro)

When I hand her a refill, Otosaki begins to eat happily again.

Seeing her, I gradually become calm and decide to ask her what I've always wondered.

"Say, isn't this a little strange after all?" (Rintaro)

"What?" (Rei)

"The fact that you want to eat this common food. I don't mean to be sarcastic or anything, but you can get better food than this, can't you?" (Rintaro)

This offer is just too good for me. 500,000 yen a month just for cooking food for an idol and letting her stay at my place. It's almost like a scam.

In fact, I'm suspecting it now. The money is still on my desk and I haven't even touched it yet.

Now is the end of such a euphoric mood. We need to talk about the future――

"It's been a long time since I've eaten something homemade by someone......." (Rei)

"Eh?" (Rintaro)

"My family is a little wealthy, but my father and mother were busy and rarely home. That's why the housekeeper always cooked our meals. But for some reason......the meals, which were supposed to be warm, weren't warm at all." (Rei)

But――

Otosaki is silent for a moment, but soon opens her mouth again.

"Shidou's food was warmer than anything I've ever eaten. It made me very happy, and......I think I will never be able to forget it for sure." (Rei)

"...... It's not that big of a deal, though." (Rintaro)

I see, she's "in the same boat" as me, isn't she?

Anyway, it seems that her words aren't a lie. If it's an idol's acting, I can only praise her.

"I get it. I'm sorry for doubting you." (Rintaro)

"You doubted me?" (Rei)

"The offer was too good to be true. A nationally popular idol comes to my place and pays me just to feed her and sleepover, it supposed to be I the one who shall pay." (Rintaro)

"I pay for things I think are valuable and worthwhile. It's only just natural." (Rei)

"That may be so, but you have to realize that...... you are worth a h*ll of a lot more than just your appearance." (Rintaro)

"...... Is that what it is?" (Rei)

She looks down at herself with a puzzled expression, as if she can't understand my words.

"Do you like my body too, Shidou?" (Rei)

"Buuffff――" (Rintaro)

I hurriedly hold my mouth and try not to spurt out the water I've just taken.

Instead, the water runs into my trachea and I choked, but that doesn't matter anymore.

"W-what are you talking about⁉" (Rintaro)

"Everyone was staring at my body. I really want them to appreciate my singing and dancing. But is it also important to look good?" (Rei)

――I don't know how to respond.

Well, there's no need to do anything for this person's appearance. So let's just give her my honest opinion.

"That's right. If you weren't looking good, you wouldn't have been able to debut as an idol in the first place." (Rintaro)

"...... I see. I heard the obvious. Sorry." (Rei)

"I don't mind, but......there's a reason for that, isn't there." (Rintaro)

"I'm afraid of the way people at school and work are looking at me lately. Maybe it's just my imagination, but......" (Rei)

It's hard to say this directly to her, but I'm sure she's not imagining what she's feeling.

To be honest, men are definitely erotically looking at her. Otosaki was a middle school student when she made her debut, but after entering high school, her body suddenly became more feminine. In fact, she has become too feminine.

I've never been particularly interested in idols, but even I think so, and there's no doubt about it.

"I have a feeling that you lack crisis management skills. Really, you should be really cautious about your life." (Rintaro)

"Cautious for what?" (Rei)

"I'm talking about men. Men are beasts, you know? It's too late when you're assaulted." (Rintaro)

"Shidou, are you a beast?" (Rei)

How many times does this person have to annoy me before she's satisfied?

Even so, I can't just nod off here.

"I'm not going to attack you, you're my precious money-mine――no, I mean, my employer, and also I don't want to be a criminal yet." (Rintaro)

"A money-mine, that's terrible.  But I feel safe." (Rei)

"Money is a source of security. There's nothing wrong with that." (Rintaro)

There is nothing scarier than free stuff, and when it comes to things that cost money, that buys a lot of peace of mind.

As long as I'm receiving money from her, I'm not going to betray her.

Well, even if I don't receive money from her, I won't do such a thing as a human being.

"Otosaki is really a pure girl, isn't she?" (Rintaro)

"You think so?" (Rei)

"Yeah. That's probably part of the reason why you're so popular." (Rintaro)

The entertainment industry is often said to be a place of deep darkness. I hope she doesn't suffer from that darkness someday――but it's not something I can do anything about, and from her point of view, it's probably none of my business.

I don't want to interrupt her without knowing her well.

"Ah, by the way, what about the toiletry? I only have men's shampoo here, you know?" (Rintaro)

"Don't worry, I've brought it." (Rei)

Then, from her bag, Otosaki takes out a pouch that is written "The Sleepover Sets" there. Inside are single-use shampoo, body wash, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.

"You're ready perfectly to stay over, aren't you......?" (Rintaro)

"Yup. I've intended to do since the beginning." (Rei)

"Didn't anyone tell you that your action often misleads men?" (Rintaro)

"I've heard that from the other members. How did you know?" (Rei)

"There's something wrong with you, really." (Rintaro)

I've heard that many geniuses are weirdos, and I'm sure Otosaki is one of them.

If I'm a girl, I'll refuse to stay at a boy's place who is not my lover. Moreover, alone. Furthermore, we haven't known each other for a long time.

I'm not complaining, because I get paid for her weirdness, but I'm sure I'll have to worry about her all the time.

"Shidou-kun." (Rei)

"What is it?" (Rintaro)

"From now on, I'll be in your care." (Rei)

"......Yeah, I'll be in your care as well. You can call me Rintaro from now on. You're my employer after all, you know." (Rintaro)

"Okay. Then you can call me Rei." (Rei)

"Did you hear what I said......? We're talking about you being my employer and me being your employee." (Rintaro)

"Then...... An order? Call each other by name, get to know each other better." (Rei)

"What are you, an elementary schooler?" (Rintaro)

I may have taken it too easy. Now that I have received the money, Otosaki's words are absolute. I can't go against her from now on.

――I have a bad premonition, just a little.