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/115/
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Act 4 - The Past of The Shidou Family
31-1 A Countermeasure Meeting
Two days have passed since I went to Kanon's house.
And today is the day Rei returns from her work trip.
I've already told her I've finished my errands and am back home.
To make her happy, knowing she’s excited to eat the meal I prepared after two days, I plan to put extra effort into today’s cooking.
“Mmm... this is good.” (Rintaro)
I pull my mouth away from the tasting plate and murmur that.
Today's menu is beef stew.
I tried making an authentic version based on demi-glace sauce.
That said, it’s probably simplified enough that it can’t really compare to what you’d get at a restaurant, but compared to using a pre-made beef stew roux, I’d say it’s a bit more authentic... I hope.
I mixed demi-glace sauce with tomato paste, consommé, and red wine for the sauce.
As for the ingredients, I used beef chuck, potatoes, carrots, onions, and broccoli.
After sautéing everything to cook it through, I simmered it all together in the sauce until the potatoes were tender.
I adjusted the flavor with salt and pepper, and added a little garlic, just enough to not be overpowering, which filled the air with an enticing aroma.
If I had to mention something I was particular about, it would be using butter when sautéing the ingredients.
This adds richness and makes the stew feel even more hearty.
Finally, to let the flavors meld, I left it to sit for about an hour before it was ready.
“Alright, it should be about time, huh.” (Rintaro)
I received a message from Rei saying she'd be arriving soon, so I started preparing the dishes.
The beef stew's already warmed up, ready to be served any moment.
The baguette I prepared with it was cut into thin slices for easy eating, so everything was set.
As I'm doing all this, I hear the sound of the front door opening, followed by soft footsteps approaching the living room.
“――――I’m home, Rintaro.” (Rei)
“Oh, welcome back!” (Rintaro)
Rei enters the living room and looks happy to see me.
It’s only been two days, but did she really miss me that much? What a cute girl...... but let's put that aside.
“Go wash your hands first. Dinner’s ready.” (Rintaro)
“Okay...... it smells great.” (Rei)
“The dinner’s beef stew. I guarantee the taste.” (Rintaro)
“I’m looking forward to having it. A moment, please.” (Rei)
With that, Rei heads to the washroom.
Talking with Rei always puts me at ease.
Yesterday, being alone had made me feel a bit anxious, but now, just seeing her face blew that feeling away.
I feel like I can communicate what I want to talk about after dinner just fine.
“I've washed my hands. I also gargled.” (Rei)
“Good, are you hungry?” (Rintaro)
“Of course. I’m starving.” (Rei)
“Then sit tight. I’ll get it ready right away.” (Rintaro)
I ask Rei to wait while I serve the beef stew on a plate.
Then I lightly sprinkle some parsley as a garnish and bring it over to her.
“Wow, this looks authentic.” (Rei)
“I think the flavor turned out pretty good too.” (Rintaro)
I go back to the kitchen to grab my portion of beef stew and a simple salad, then set everything on the table.
I place the sliced baguette between us, and everything is ready.
We join our hands and decide to start our meal.
""Bon appetite!"" (Rintaro, Rei)
Rei scoops some beef stew with her spoon and brings it to her mouth.
As the one who made this dish, I can’t help but observe her first bite.
As she brings the tender meat and the stew to her mouth, her eyes begin to sparkle.
"Delicious!" (Rei)
"That's great to hear." (Rintaro)
"The meat is so tender......! it’s melting in my mouth. So good!" (Rei)
With those comments, Rei becomes engrossed in her meal.
She eats with a spoon, and sometimes pairs it with a baguette.
Watching her, I can't help but feel an overwhelming joy.
"I still have plenty more if you want seconds, just let me know. Ah, and I prepared some white rice too, so if you want to――――" (Rintaro)
"I want to try with it." (Rei)
"......Right away." (Rintaro)
When it comes to food, Rei is always eager.
......I feel like I made a clever remark there.
But putting that aside, I serve her a second while warming up the rice in the microwave.
There's no reason to doubt that white rice won't go well with beef stew.
If you can eat rice with a hamburg steak, then it stands to reason that it will go well with a beef stew since they both use the same demi-glace sauce.
Of course, that's just my personal preference, so I don't mean to dismiss those who prefer baguettes.
As long as it tastes good, that's what matters.
However, I just can't wrap my head around the idea of having cream stew with white rice.
It's all white on white, after all.
――――Well, It's just my random thought, tough.
"Here you go, third and the white rice." (Rintaro)
"Thank you." (Rei)
The food I made disappears into Rei's stomach in no time.
Having already finished my own meal, I watch her with a small smile on my face.
◇◆◇
"Thanks for the meal." (Rei)
"Yes, glad you enjoyed it." (Rintaro)
While Rei takes a break after eating, I start dishwashing the dishes we had used.
This is our cherished time of relaxation.
Yet, during such an important moment, I have to bring up an out-of-place topic.
"Rei, can I talk to you for a sec?" (Rintaro)
"Hmm?" (Rei)
When I call out to her while she's looking at her phone, Rei immediately looks up at me.
She then sets her phone down on the table and turns her attention fully to me.
"Is it something serious?" (Rei)
"Well, it's kind of important." (Rintaro)
I first conveyed to Rei everything that was happening to me without holding anything back.
I had been called by the Shidou Group and pressured to get engaged to Tenguuji Yuzuka, the daughter of the head of Tenguuji Group.
I had turned it down, but Yuzuka was determined to make me her fiancé by any means necessary.
And then――――
"Our relationship might become a source of weakness......?" (Rei)
"Yeah, it's very likely." (Rintaro)
A tension runs between us.
Considering how much time we have spent together, it's almost a miracle that our relationship hasn't been discovered by the public.
Rei often disguised herself when she was out, but there had been many times I thought she was being careless.
And it's the same for me.
I didn’t think I was letting my guard down, but familiarity can be a dangerous thing, and it seemed like we were becoming less vigilant about our surroundings.
Sooner or later, we would need to tighten our guard again.
"......I'm sorry for dragging you into this hassle." (Rintaro)
"I don’t think it’s a hassle, and it’s not like it’s been decided that it will be. So, what should I do?" (Rei)
"There's nothing specific I need you to do, but I’m thinking of avoiding this apartment for a while." (Rintaro)
"Huh......?" (Rei)
Rei's expression stiffens more than usual.
It's only natural, considering I have said something so sudden.
"I’m thinking of relying on Yuzuki-sensei for a while. I don’t know how long it will be, but at least until things cool down――――" (Rintaro)
"......I don't want it." (Rei)
"Huh?" (Rintaro)
Rei suddenly stands up, and her response surprises me so much me that I freeze.
"I don’t want...... to be apart from Rintaro." (Rei)
"......" (
Rei's eyes are moist, as if she were on the verge of tears.
I've never seen her look like this before.
Covering her face, she rushes toward the entrance.
"Rei......!" (Rintaro)
"――――I'm sorry, I need to cool my head for a bit." (Rei)
With that, she leaves the room.
As for me, I'm rooted to the spot, unable to move.
It feels like my feet are glued to the floor, and all I can do is stay there until my mind processes everything.
~"(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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