Chapter 2019 Old Noodle Shop

Chapter 2019 Old Noodle Shop

On our way to the restaurant, Kaoru-san continued to act like a host and a guide. Every street and road the car passed through, she would give some trivia about it.

For example, there's a bookstore well-known to be hidden from the eyes of the public that's releasing new books a week before the other large distributors. It's also a place where one can find some rare out-of-publication books. In short, Kaoru-san described it to be a secluded holy land for book lovers.

She didn't know its exact location as well but she pointed out that it should be within that particular area. We also saw some obvious geeks and nerdy individuals roaming the place.

In the future, I should try bringing Aya, Kana, Rae, Rumi, or Hifumi to look for it. I'm sure any one of them will be thrilled even if we end up not finding it in the end.

Aside from the bookstore, there's a salon that seemed to cater to a lot of celebrities -- mostly female idols and actresses.

That one was pretty conspicuous since they boastfully advertised the clients they served. Just that, the place became an appointment-based clientele so... there are more paparazzi and desperate fans loitering outside it than customers stepping inside. The security was also tight. Even if you're a pedestrian, you'll be forced to take the sidewalk on the other side of the road because they won't let you pass.

Kaoru-san said she tried bringing Yue there once but they couldn't find an open appointment time that would align with Yue's busy schedule.

Now that she's big enough in the music industry, Kaoru-san hired a team for her. Nevertheless, since that salon's reputation is sky-high, Yue was still hoping to visit it once.

For a famous landmark, Kaoru-san pointed at a huge shopping mall. She said it's a place that never runs out of events.

Yue sang there on her first solo show. She gathered a thousand spectators which provided her support for her career.

I've seen a video of it uploaded on the internet. Yue still looked nervous at that time but when she started singing, everyone in the crowd fell silent.

That video was only second after the specific video that made her popular and scouted.

Mhm. Looks like for the past year or so, Yue has been doing her best in this place.

I can only imagine the hardships she faced before she could be who she is today...

"Onoda-kun, for the past few weeks since you two reunited, Asahi has started shining even brighter than before. It's like her motivation has been renewed to a new height. I can only attribute that to you and your relationship with her. I hope you can continue supporting her."

Perhaps noticing the melancholy on my face after hearing about Yue's experiences here, Kaoru-san patted my shoulder.

Well, it's really evident that she's a little different before and after her short vacation.

In the TV shows she's being invited to, similar questions started being asked to her. And despite their projected backlash from before, Yue continued answering the same way.

That she's now more inspired because of a certain person.

Although she was refusing to name the one inspiring her, her fans -- be it those supporters or those against her having a special someone -- had started to accept that their idol, Mabushisa Asahi, would never change her mind about it.

"You're free to punch me in the face if I stop supporting her, Kaoru-san."

"C'mon Onoda-kun, I'm not that violent. Maybe a slap or two will suffice."

"No. That won't be enough to wake me up. You have to jog my head hard so that I will remember how much I love her."

"So you're saying that will only happen if you lose your memory?"

She then gestured for us to continue to the table.

I guess she didn't want to get distracted.

Following that, I heard Kaoru-san's voice as she approached them, "Mom, I told you to leave that to me! You're still sick. Come on, let me guide you back to your room."

Yep. Not only is this an old noodle shop, but this also serves as their house, I guess.

From the photos I could see plastered on the wall, they must have a loyal patronage that kept them afloat.

"No! You still haven't mastered our specialty! I can't let you serve your guests with your mediocre noodles."

"Huh? Didn't you just say earlier I already perfected it?"

"Did I?"

"Ugh "

Alright. Let's stop eavesdropping. Whatever was happening there, it looked like her mother already had a condition. It's still a surprise that Kaoru-san will be the one preparing our meals though.

Looks like either Yue, Kaoru-san, or both planned this for today.

Soon, we joined Yue on the table. Akane, Miho, and Yua took their seats while Yue, who's been itching to jump up since earlier, threw herself in my arms.

"I've been waiting for ages, Ruki. I missed you!" The girl said as she pushed her head in for a kiss.

I don't really mind kissing her right away but I noticed the sauce from the skewers still staining her. So my instinct immediately went to pulling my handkerchief and then wiping her lips with it.

Yue was dumbfounded before embarrassment ran through her face.

But before she could lower her head, I pinched both of her cheeks and replied, "I missed you too. Why do I feel like you're becoming careless"

The girl giggled comically before glancing behind her. Akane, Miho, and Yua were all smirking at her.

"Hehe... Sorry, I made a bet with them. I guess I lost."

"What bet?"

"That you will lick the sauce from my lips "

Upon saying that, Yue jumped back and scurried back to her seat, acting like she was running away from me.

What can I say though? How did I even not expect that they would be having that kind of bet and that leftover sauce was intentional?

They got me there. I forgot the existence of 'Ruki Hub'. For sure, the others were also in on that bet no matter how silly it was.

Anyway, I chased after Yue, put her on my lap, and finished what she started. I licked her lips clean again before sealing it.

Akane, Miho, and Yue were forced to watch but underneath the table, they either reached in to pinch me again or squeeze my hand. If not for the place, they'd probably try and steal me away from Yue.