Volume 1 - CH 21

the twenty-first day of confinement.

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by Kaepinned

“What is your favourite dish?”

While eating pasta for lunch, Konata suddenly asks such a question.

“I guess Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

I answered immediately.

I knew the question about what I wanted to eat today was coming.

But my mischievousness got the better of me and I gave such a teasing answer.

To be honest, I feel that I’m getting a little bit tired of her cooking.

It’s been a while since she started cooking here, so she doesn’t have a lot of repertoire.

But more than that, I want to see her various expressions.

“…..I’ll go and order some.”

“No, I was just jok──…”

Before I could finish my 『talk』, Konata quickly becomes expressionless and stands up from her seat.

Even though we are in the middle of eating, this person does not come straight back to the room.

She is clearly in a bad mood.

Does she take it as a sign that I am dissatisfied with her cooking?

I didn’t mean it that way at all.

‘I’ve done something unnecessary ……’

With regret, I quickly finish my meal.

Facing the drawing tablet, I am trying to work on the manga, but I can’t get much done.

I did some muscle training for a change, picked up the rubbish in the room by hand and time passes so fast while  I am distracting myself.

PinPon!!

The sound of a doorbell reaches my ears as I repeatedly draw and erase lines.

I feel my body tremble.

‘I wondered who it is….It can’t be that right?’

I think for a moment and a conclusion pops into my head.

It must be the delivery person that comes after she ordered what I asked earlier..

Eventually, as you may imagine, the door opens.

“Supper.”

Konata says in a cold tone.

Gan!! and the tray is placed on the floor forcefully.

There, as ordered, is a set of fried chicken and fries.

As an added bonus, the supplement toppings that I no longer miss are back.

“……….”

Konata leaves the room once and returns with another tray.

As usual, she sits in front of me.

But I sense a definite protest in the way her body is turned sideways.

I take a bite of the fried chicken.

It’s quite tasty. It’s my favourite food, so it’s no surprise.

This straightforward, mouth-watering junk food is something that is not easy to replicate at home.

But if I look too happy, I would feel sorry for Konata, so I am trying my best to keep a blank expression on my face.

“─ ─ Yes, yes. This, this is the taste.”

I want to get her in a good mood somehow, but since I’m the one who asked for it, I can’t say it’s not good, so I end up with such a subtle impression.

I’m speaking like a Coke that’s run out of carbonation.

“………….”

Then she turns another 90 degrees and turns her back completely.

“Ah, ahー but, you know, it tastes good sometimes, but it’s no match for someone’s hearty home-cooked meal.”

I mutter so with a deliberate tone.

“You don’t have to say so.”

She says sulkily.

However, her body rotates 90 degrees again and returns to a sideways position.

‘Does she need another push?’

“No, no, I’m serious. I’d like to have a home-cooked meal from you tomorrow. You know, like curry, fried rice…”

Having said that, I will make a list of some menus that seem relatively easy to prepare even for a novice cook.

“I hear that packed food is good these days.”

[TL: Author uses ‘retort’ packed]

I stuff a mouthful of fries into my mouth and my cheeks puff up like a squirrel.

I do this deliberately, as Konata’s eating manners are usually quite refined.

“Sorry. It was just meant to be a joke. I don’t have any complaints about your food.”

I confess so honestly.

“─ ─ I’ll forgive you if you draw me.”

Konata turns to face me and sips her drink from a paper cup through a straw before saying it.

“Thank goodness. But wouldn’t it be the same as usual if I just draw you this way?”

It is no longer my routine to sketch her.

“Then, um, how about colouring it?”

I take a bite of  a piece of the fried chicken, look up and say.

“Unn. That’s a good idea.”

I nod.

“I would prefer to be nude but…”

“…..That’s impossible.”

I think for a moment and then say it.

It is expected, I have not yet reached a state of selflessness that would allow me to draw nude drawings without impure thoughts.

If I don’t have the mental strength not to erect on a nudist beach, I am not qualified to draw naked JKs. It is quite unfortunate.

“Is that so…”

Her lips pout a little regretfully.

The drawing I do after dinner is better than usual.

I’m sorry for Konata but it is a good stimulus for me to see a different expression from her usual one.