A Very Popular Idol Classmate Has Taken a Liking to Me, A Person Who Doesn't Want to Work for My Whole Life
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.Daininki Idol na Classmate ni Natsukareta, Isshou Hatarakitakunai Ore
Src: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2496gr/85/
Act 3 - The School Festival
21-3
Several days have passed since I witnessed Rei being confessed to.
Today, exactly one week before the cultural festival, I stand before a few of my classmates in the home economics room.
"So, Shidou-kun, can you teach us how to make transparent warabimochi?" (Azusa)
"Yeah, I'll give it a try, but I can't guarantee it'll be easy to understand." (Rintaro)
I give a feigned modest smile in response to Nikaido and look down at the ingredients in front of me.
Potato starch, mineral water, sugar, ice, soybean flour, and brown sugar syrup.
With these ingredients, we have everything we need.
"First, put the potato starch, sugar, and water in a pot in the specified amounts and mix them over low heat." (Rintaro)
I'm demonstrating my instructions, putting the ingredients into the pot and setting the stove to low heat.
"After stirring over low heat for a while, the mixture will gradually become transparent, at which point you don't need to heat it anymore. Place it on a damp cloth and continue stirring for a while." (Rintaro)
Being careful not to get burned, I stir the mixture, and the gooey liquid gradually transforms into a solid.
Once it reaches that stage, the final steps are easy.
"Cut the solidified mixture into bite-sized pieces, place them on paper plates, sprinkle soybean flour over them, and drizzle brown sugar syrup on top. That's how you complete the transparent warabimochi-like dessert." (Rintaro)
""WHOA...""
The students in charge of the kitchen, including Nikaido, express their amazement.
It's tasting time, each of them picking up the paper plates with warabimochi and eating them with toothpicks.
"It's delicious!" (Azusa)
"Great...... Well, the cooking itself is quite simple, so I don't think it's too difficult a task to do. Just be cautious with the heat. Low heat is sufficient, so try to minimize the risk of accidents by not turning up the heat too high." (Rintaro)
"You're right. As long as we're careful with that, it doesn't seem too difficult." (Azusa)
With Nikaido seeming satisfied and convinced, I let out a sigh of relief.
While we have other snacks planned for the actual day of the festival, this transparent warabimochi will likely be the main attraction due to its novelty.
With this, I have been able to contribute to the class to some extent.
"Now, let's make sure to prepare it ourselves the day before and double-check everything. Can you all go back to your respective tasks for today?" (Azusa)
At Nikaido's call, the classmates who have gathered here return to their preparations.
I remain in the kitchen, as there are still dishes to be cleaned up. So I pour the soap onto a sponge and begin washing the pot.
"Shidou-kun, you're really amazing, aren't you?" (Azusa)
"Huh?" (Rintaro)
When I'm focused on doing the dishes, I'm unexpectedly addressed by Nikaido, who has stayed behind for some reason. I can't help but look up.
"Your cooking skills and your kindness... Just having you around makes me feel so safe." (Azusa)
"Haha, you're giving me too much credit." (Rintaro)
"No, I'm not!" (Azusa)
Nikaido strongly denies my words, nervously fidgeting with her fingertips in front of her navel.
It gives off an impression of her being embarrassed or shy.
"...Hey, Shidou-kun. If you're okay." (Azusa)
"Hmm?" (Rintaro)
"Would you like to spend time together at the campfire during the closing party?" (Azusa)
――――Honestly, I have anticipated this topic to come up.
In fact, our school's post-festival closing party includes not only the stage performances but also a campfire held in the center of the schoolyard.
Though it's called a campfire, it's not like we're going to dance folk dances or anything.
Teachers bring snacks, and around the campfire, we can also enjoy the stage performances, so everyone spends the evening as they please.
"Ah, I heard you're going to be on stage, so it's fine afterward, but..." (Azusa)
I lower my gaze to think for a moment.
If I were to decline, it would surely hurt her feelings. Even though I have little experience in romance, I understand that much.
"......Sorry, there's someone who I want to spend time with." (Rintaro)
Even so, I have an answer already predetermined.
"I see. No, it's okay. I just thought I'd ask." (Azusa)
"Thanks for asking me. I appreciate it." (Rintaro)
"Okay... If there's another chance, maybe you can invite me." (Azusa)
"Sure, I'll keep that in mind." (Rintaro)
Nikaido seems somewhat shocked, hesitating about what to do, and eventually chooses to leave the scene.
Maybe it would have been better to start with this from the beginning.
I've been lying and evading quite a bit.
While I thought I was being tossed around by them, from Nikaido's perspective, it was the opposite.
I was the one who was tossing her around.
Finally realizing this, I feel a pang of guilt.
The only saving grace is that we hadn't had a clear conversation about our relationship.
"Nikaido-san!" (Rintaro)
"Huh?" (Azusa)
I call out to her as she's about to leave the classroom.
Surprised, she turns toward me.
"Take care of Yuusuke-kun, okay?" (Rintaro)
"......? Y-yes, got it." (Azusa)
With a final tilt of her head, she leaves the classroom.
(That was unnecessary meddling...)
I understand that my actions are somewhat intrusive.
However, it just slips out.
I just hope she'll take a look at what Yuusuke is doing, even if it's just a little.
From her perspective, I think she doesn't have any obligation to do that, but I can't help but want his efforts to be rewarded.
"......Now then." (Rintaro)
Here's where the problem arises.
I had mentioned that I already had someone I wanted to invite, but to be honest, I hadn't decided on anyone at all.
Refusing without a reason like "I don't want to spend the cultural festival with you" would be difficult, and it would leave too much of an aftermath, making it terrifying.
I somehow thought I would spend time with Kashihara and Doumoto after the performance, and if they had someone else to spend time with, I thought I would naturally be with Yukio――――.
However, the way I phrased it earlier clearly sounded like I wanted to invite a girl.
Being seen with a boy would only lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.
"The worst-case scenario would be dressing up Yukio as a girl... No, that's not good." (Rintaro)
Using Yukio like that won't be fair to him, and I don't want to be misunderstood as having an interest in cross-dressed Inaba Yukio.
So, what should I do?
(......I can't think of anyone but Rei.)
I hold my head in my hands with my wet hands after finishing washing the dishes.
If I have to spend special time with someone of the opposite sex, Rei will be the one.
That's my honest feeling.
But that will be difficult too.
To avoid being seen together by others, I deliberately turned down Rei's invitation.
I have to think of something clever...
"......Hmm?"
When I'm about to return to my classroom for the time being, my smartphone in my uniform pocket vibrates.
Looking at the screen, I get a message from the Line group created by Kakihara and Doumoto.
[Let's meet in front of the station tomorrow at 13.00! Don't forget to bring your instrument, okay!]
The one who sent it is Doumoto.
Since I have already read it, I immediately reply with "Got it".
Tomorrow is finally the first rehearsal.
Hmm, I have too many things to think about and now, my stomach is starting to hurt......
~"(This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~)"~
[End of Chapter]
Cya~!
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