CH 50

Act 2 - Summer Break

13-4

Talking to myself, I immerse myself in mining.

I have just been diving into a dungeon with some friends, but my skill is still a little low.

It's been a long time since I've played a web game, and although it's fun, I feel like I'm a blank compared to the hardcore players.

I casually look at the doll I had placed by my desk.

It is a cute doll that is a deformed version of Rinka. She is dressed in an idol costume. The doll has big, clear eyes and a bright, innocent smile. She looks like Mizuki Rinka, but her atmosphere is more that of Rin.

Before returning home, Rinka said to me, "I know you will miss me when we are apart, so I will give you my doll. This will help you bear the loneliness of not having your wife around."

Today was a terribly tiring day.

Suffering from the unique malaise of tiredness from swimming, I managed to make it home.

I still have things to do.

Suppressing the urge to sleep, I take a shower and head for the kitchen. Of course, I have to prepare Rei's dinner.

Thanks to the shower, I have woken to some extent, so I proceed with my routine tasks.

As I'm doing so, I hear Rei's footsteps coming from the front door. Before I knew it, it seemed that a lot of time had passed.

A few days ago, Rei, who had been having intense dance lessons for a new song, had asked me for something filling for dinner.

In my mind, a filling dish is Chinese food. I thought about making a stamina rice bowl with lots of garlic, but since it was reasonably easy to make, I decided to save it for a time when I had less time.

"I'm glad you told me what you wanted to eat. It saves me time when I'm trying to come up with a menu." (Rintaro)

"Then, I can make more requests?" (Rei)

"Yea, bring it on." (Rintaro)

I realized this when I started cooking for someone else, but it is hard enough to ask for requests and get "Anything is fine" in return.

In my case, Rei is relatively honest about what she wants to eat, which helps me out, but if this were a wife with an indifferent husband, it would be quite stressful. Of course, there are those who are happy to be allowed to cook as they please, but I think they are in the minority.

"Welcome home." (Rintaro)

"I'm home." (Rei)

After the usual exchange, Rei heads off to the bathroom.

In the meantime, I reheat the food, put it on the dishes, and prepare it so that it will be ready to eat as soon as she comes up.

So far, it has become a routine.

While I'm immersed in a sense of satisfaction looking at the dishes on the table, Rei, who has finished drying her hair, comes out of the bathroom.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. What's for dinner today?" (Rei)

"It's a Chinese set of Pepper Steak and Mapo Tofu with red pepper paste. You said you wanted to eat it the other day." (Rintaro) (PTW/N: 青椒肉絲 (chinjaoroosu)= Chinese stir-fry containing green peppers and meat; 麻婆豆腐 (Mabodoufu)= Mapo tofu, Sichuan style bean curd.)

"You remembered?" (Rei)

"Of course." (Rintaro)

A few days ago, Rei, who had been having intense dance lessons for a new song, had asked me for something filling for dinner.

In my mind, a filling dish is Chinese food. I thought about making a stamina rice bowl with lots of garlic, but since it was reasonably easy to make, I decided to save it for a time when I had less time.

"I'm glad you told me what you wanted to eat. It saves me time when I'm trying to come up with a menu." (Rintaro)

"Then, I can make more requests?" (Rei)

"Yea, bring it on." (Rintaro)

I realized this when I started cooking for someone else, but it is hard enough to ask for requests and get "Anything is fine" in return.

In my case, Rei is relatively honest about what she wants to eat, which helps me out, but if this were a wife with an indifferent husband, it would be quite stressful. Of course, there are those who are happy to be allowed to cook as they please, but I think they are in the minority.

"For now, let's start with the food in front of us. Eat it before it gets cold." (Rintaro)

"Mm, Bon appétit." (Rei)

The pepper steak is seasoned with oyster sauce, and the mapo tofu is cooked in a rather authentic way with a seasoning called Tianmian sauce (PTW/N: sweet bean sauce) and Doubanjiang paste (PTW/N: broad bean chili paste).

I was convinced that the dish was well done when I tasted it, but when I paired it with white rice, I couldn't stop my chopsticks.

"Rintaro, refill please." (Rei)

"Oh, you've broken your fastest record." (Rintaro)

The first serving of white rice vanished at a speed that made one wonder if a vacuum cleaner is attached to her body.

It's not just words, actions like this are enough to bring joy to the cook. I prepare another bowl of rice for her, smiling at my own simplicity.

There is not much noise during our meal.

There is hardly any conversation until we finish eating, because Rei keeps on eating at a level where she cannot even utter a word to begin with.

The refill itself is on its fourth bowl, and the platter of pepper steak and mapo tofu is almost completely emptied.

It's about time, huh――――just when I think so, she puts down her chopsticks.

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there."

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Today was a terribly tiring day.

Suffering from the unique malaise of tiredness from swimming, I managed to make it home.

I still have things to do.

Suppressing the urge to sleep, I take a shower and head for the kitchen. Of course, I have to prepare Rei's dinner.

Thanks to the shower, I have woken to some extent, so I proceed with my routine tasks.

As I'm doing so, I hear Rei's footsteps coming from the front door. Before I knew it, it seemed that a lot of time had passed.

"Thank you for the food." (Rei)

"Oui, glad you enjoyed it." (Rintaro) (PTW/N: Yukihira Rintaro)

It was only recently that I had come to better understand the capacities of Rei's stomach.

I take the completely empty plates and bowls and take them to the sink.

Before I start washing the dishes, I tossed her some ice cream that I had bought for dessert, which was a little expensive. Even after eating so much, I was told that sweets are something that people can't get enough of.

After deftly finishing the dishwashing, I wipe my hands and return to the couch. I put the coffee I have brewed in front of her and sit down.

The TV, which I have left on, is filled with the sound of celebrities laughing.　

The time is a little after twenty o'clock. Right around the primetime variety shows are about to start.

"......Do you ever go on these shows?" (Rintaro)

"Sometimes I do. Sometimes, like before the release of a new song." (Rei)

"Aah, for promotional purposes, huh." (Rintaro)

"I don't have a good impression when you put it that way, but that's what it is." (Rei)

It's just a casual conversation. I find comfort in such exchanges.

I wonder if it is possible to be calm when watching a variety show, but I sip my coffee without worrying about such a thing.

"......did something happen?" (Rei)

"......What makes you think so?" (Rintaro)

"Because we are closer than usual." (Rei)

The first serving of white rice vanished at a speed that made one wonder if a vacuum cleaner is attached to her body.

It's not just words, actions like this are enough to bring joy to the cook. I prepare another bowl of rice for her, smiling at my own simplicity.

There is not much noise during our meal.

There is hardly any conversation until we finish eating, because Rei keeps on eating at a level where she cannot even utter a word to begin with.

The refill itself is on its fourth bowl, and the platter of pepper steak and mapo tofu is almost completely emptied.

It's about time, huh――――just when I think so, she puts down her chopsticks.

When Rei says that to me, I gasp.

The distance that should have been between me and Rei is now narrower than usual. I immediately felt the heat rising to my face.

Oh no, I'm extremely embarrassed.

I try to quickly move away, but for some reason, Rei grabs my hand.

"L-let go of me......! I'm going to get some cold water!" (Rintaro)

"No, you'll catch a cold." (Rei)

"What I'm going to get now is not a sound argument!" (Rintaro)

I desperately try to shake off Rei's hand. But thinking about it calmly, it will be a disaster if she gets injured as a result of my outburst.

――――Yeah, it seems my head is cooler than I thought.

"Phew...... I get it. Let me sit down properly first." (Rintaro)

"Mm." (Rei)

I sit back down on the couch, and her hand releases my hand.

"Did something happen, with Kakihara-kun and the others?" (Rei)

"No, it's not like something happened......" (Rintaro)

Rei is quite stubborn. If we've come this far, perhaps it would be better to stop trying to deceive her and just tell her everything as it is. Even if it's Kakihara's private life, it's a way to get back at him for all the trouble he's put me through.

"Can you swear you won't tell anyone?" (Rintaro)

"If Rintaro says I should, then I will." (Rei)

"Then, I'll tell you." (Rintaro)

I explain to Rei, recalling what happened today.

It was only recently that I had come to better understand the capacities of Rei's stomach.

I take the completely empty plates and bowls and take them to the sink.

Before I start washing the dishes, I tossed her some ice cream that I had bought for dessert, which was a little expensive. Even after eating so much, I was told that sweets are something that people can't get enough of.

After deftly finishing the dishwashing, I wipe my hands and return to the couch. I put the coffee I have brewed in front of her and sit down.

The TV, which I have left on, is filled with the sound of celebrities laughing.　

The time is a little after twenty o'clock. Right around the primetime variety shows are about to start.

"......Do you ever go on these shows?" (Rintaro)

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there."

"Sometimes I do. Sometimes, like before the release of a new song." (Rei)

"Aah, for promotional purposes, huh." (Rintaro)

"I don't have a good impression when you put it that way, but that's what it is." (Rei)

It's just a casual conversation. I find comfort in such exchanges.

I wonder if it is possible to be calm when watching a variety show, but I sip my coffee without worrying about such a thing.

That I was trying to support Kakihara's love life. That I had successfully taken them on a waterslide. And that he finally took a step forward.

[Next time...... that...... Why don't we come back here, just the two of us?]

These were the words of invitation from Kakihara's mouth as he gathered up his courage.

I had heard Nikaido's reply to this on the spot.

[It's definitely more fun if we all go together. Why don't we ask them when we get together later?]

"――――Because, you know. I want to ask you, a woman, is she......?" (Rintaro)

"Mm, probably has no romantic interest."

"......I guess." (Rintaro)

In a roundabout way, Nikaido refused the date invitation.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, there's me who thought that somehow Kakihara's love life was going to work out.

Considering the depth of time they have spent together, I had really hoped that she might be hiding her feelings for Kakihara somehow, or rather that she might be hiding them.

It seems that my wish was fleeting and dissipated.

"That Kakihara, he was so incredibly depressed...... I didn't know what to say to him anymore." (Rintaro)

"That's...... a bit unfortunate. Even though we weren't close friends, I could easily understand how Kakihara-kun felt." (Rei)

"You were aware of it too......?" (Rintaro)

"He would often invite me to join him when we would do things together as a group. We didn't spend a lot of time together, but he was very easy to understand, you know?" (Rei)

I see. Kakihara, you're probably the only one who thinks nobody knows.

Why am I at this place right now?

I have been thinking about that since a while ago.

Spread out in front of me are happy people with their bare skin exposed and a vast, crystal-clear swimming pool.

Basking in the painful summer sun, I'm already beginning to regret my decision to come here.

"Whaddya think? Yuusuke! Rintaro! My well-trained body beauty!" (Ryuuji)

"Yes, yes. It's embarrassing, so please calm down, Ryuuji." (Yuusuke)

Standing by the pool with me are Doumoto Ryuuji and Kakihara Yuusuke, classmates of mine.

Today is the day they invited me to the pool.

I got to come to this huge facility with numerous swimming pools after I finished showing off my swimsuit to Rei.

"Doumoto-ku――――no, Ryuuji-kun is in the judo club, right? I guess they train in different ways." (Rintaro)

"For a homecoming club member, Rintaro is pretty solid too. Why don't you join the judo club?" (Ryuuji)

"Well, I'm not very good at competitive sports." (Rintaro)

I softly decline an invitation from Doumoto, who has been posing there frequently since a while ago.

It's not that I don't want to join because it's judo or anything like that.

I have a part-time job under Yuzuki-sensei, and now I have to take care of Rei in addition to that. There are a lot of reasons why I can't participate in club activities.

"I understand that Rintaro is supporting Kakihara's love. But that doesn't explain why Rintaro was acting strange just now." (Rei)

"...... I'll spare you the details." (Rintaro)

After saying this, I reach into my pocket and tap my smartphone.

Shown in it is a message from "Nikaido Azusa" that had arrived just a few minutes ago.

[Thank you for coming despite my sudden invitation. If it's all right with you, Shidou-kun, why don't the two of us go together next time......?]

It was only recently that I had come to better understand the capacities of Rei's stomach.

I take the completely empty plates and bowls and take them to the sink.

Before I start washing the dishes, I tossed her some ice cream that I had bought for dessert, which was a little expensive. Even after eating so much, I was told that sweets are something that people can't get enough of.

After deftly finishing the dishwashing, I wipe my hands and return to the couch. I put the coffee I have brewed in front of her and sit down.

The TV, which I have left on, is filled with the sound of celebrities laughing.　

The time is a little after twenty o'clock. Right around the primetime variety shows are about to start.

"......Do you ever go on these shows?" (Rintaro)

"Sometimes I do. Sometimes, like before the release of a new song." (Rei)

"Aah, for promotional purposes, huh." (Rintaro)

"I don't have a good impression when you put it that way, but that's what it is." (Rei)

It's just a casual conversation. I find comfort in such exchanges.

I wonder if it is possible to be calm when watching a variety show, but I sip my coffee without worrying about such a thing.

What was sent to me was such a message.

I don't want to act like I'm exposing myself, but I can't show the screen. I just told Rei in a few words that I had received an invitation from Nikaido to hang out alone with her.

"That is......." (Rei)

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"Well, that's probably what she meant." (Rintaro)

"I knew it, Nikaido-san, she really likes Rintaro." (Rei)

"What do you mean by "I knew it"?" (Rintaro)

"I can tell by looking at her." (Rei)

"......is that so." (Rintaro)

Women are scary.

"What are you going to do about it?" (Rei)

"Hmm? Ah, I'm going to turn her down. I've put it on hold because I'm checking my schedule." (Rintaro)

"Why?" (Rei)

"Why, you ask...... Because Nikaido's free day just happens to be the day I'm going to the hotel you invited me to. I had an appointment first, and you are my number one priority." (Rintaro)

Even if Rei's came later, my life is with her. So I'm really sorry to say that, in whatever way, I would have refused Nikaido's invitation.

So, there is no way that I would deliberately take such a disruptive action as closing the distance between myself and her.

"But well, it's not Nikaido's fault, and I kept wondering how I could say no――――eh, why are you grinning?" (Rintaro)

Next to me, who keeps thinking so hard of ways to turn her down without hurting her as much as possible, Rei is turning up the corners of her mouth somewhat happily.

"I'm number one...... I'm Rintaro's number one priority." (Rei)

"What's wrong with you...... you look a little creepy." (Rintaro)

"Never mind, please continue?" (Rei)

"Huuh......?" (Rintaro)

Although I am puzzled, I am convinced because this is Otosaki Rei who I'm dealing with.

This kind of eccentricity is also a part of her charm.

I have a bad feeling about this, and I turn my gaze toward Nikaido who called me.

With a rather embarrassed expression on her face, she was nervously fidgeting her hands.

"Does this, suit me......?" (Azusa)

"A-aah! Yes, it suits you very well. The fluttering frills are so cute." (Rintaro)

"!! I'm so glad...... I had no idea what Shidou-kun liked, so I was really worried." (Azusa)

Stop it, you idiot. Don't say that here. Kakihara's looking at me with a terrible look on his face.

"Hey you guys! Let's have a race in that pool over there!" (Doumoto)

Doumoto, you seriously are not paying attention to the surrounding, huh.

"Okay! The one who loses buys yakisoba from the food stall!" (Honoka)

"Oh! Sounds nice! Let's do!" (Doumoto)

Why, I don't want to do it.

The two guys who are motivated don't care about the rest of us and head for the 25-meter pool.

The three of us were awkwardly left behind, but if this is going to happen, I should go join Doumoto and Kakihara, even if I don't want to.  I'm sure Nikaido, who is not very good at sports, will stay here, so I can leave her alone with Kakihara.

"......In the end, I have just pushed around, and eventually, the relationship became more complicated....... I wondered if this was the kind of youth I had longed for, and I felt a little down. It seemed painful and bitter. I totally didn't know what was so fun about it." (Rintaro)

In the world of anime and TV dramas, youth drama is a group drama of running, sweating, and weeping. As a high school student, I had always wanted to experience something like that at least once, but apparently, I was not cut out for it.

The cause of all the blurring lies in the collapse of a single ideal.

If this is what youth is all about, then this world is in terrible taste.

"I was like, what's with you all." (Rintaro)

"...... Then, let's enjoy the youth with me." (Rei)

"Huh?" (Rintaro)

I was so taken aback by her sudden and crazy suggestion, that I let out a dumbstruck voice.

As if to further push me, Rei leans forward and stares me in the eye.

"Let's make unforgettable memories together at the beach during our next vacation." (Rei)

I can only nod in agreement, overwhelmed by Rei's powerful words.