The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 8Volume 2 .2 - Shimizu-san and Takoyaki

Shimizu-san and Takoyaki 2

“It’s ready.”

“Oh, it smells great!”

I was initially worried about making the Takoyaki well, but thanks to Ai-san’s guidance, I managed to make some nicely shaped takoyaki.

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“You’re good at this, Daiki-kun, probably because you cook often.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to Ai-san’s guidance.”

“Well, maybe that’s part of it.”

Ai-san grinned mischievously.

“Should we go ahead and serve it up?”

“Yes.”

Using bamboo skewers, I placed Takoyaki on everyone’s plates.

Everyone started eating it at once, adding sauce and mayonnaise.

“It’s delicious.”

“Yeah, the inside is perfect too.”

Relieved, I also put a takoyaki in my mouth. Just as everyone said, I’m glad it turned out well.

“How is it, Kei, eating Daiki-kun’s homemade cooking?”

“What’s with that way of asking?”

“Why not, just tell me what you think.”

“…Well, it’s not bad.”

Shimizu-san seemed satisfied, which put my mind at ease.

“You could be more honest, you know. You could say you wish it had been made just for you.”

“W-who would say something like that!”

“Well, whatever, let’s move on. Is Mio-chan up next?”

“No problem, but I have a question.”

“A question? Ask away, Senpai is here to help!”

“I heard that in a takoyaki, you can add ingredients other than octopus.”

“That’s right. Besides octopus, we have things like sausages and cheese prepared in the fridge.”

“There’s something I’d like to try.”

With that, Seto-san went to the fridge alone and came back holding something.

A tube labeled ‘anko’ (sweet bean paste) was gripped in her hand.

“…Wait, you’re not saying you want to try—”

“——Yes, I want to make takoyaki with anko as an ingredient.”

The kitchen fell silent for a moment.

“When did you prepare anko?”

“I bought it during yesterday’s shopping trip.”

“I did remember Mio-chan was quietly putting something in the basket yesterday, so it was that.”

“You’re supposed to like Dorayaki, not Takoyaki. Making Takoyaki with anko won’t make it dorayaki.”

“If there’s dough and there’s anko… it’s essentially dorayaki.”

“By your definition, even a large pancake or anything would be dorayaki, wouldn’t it?!”

Shimizu-san’s sharp retort shone through.

“Anyway, I’d like to give it a try. Don’t worry, if worst comes to worst, I’ll eat it all myself.”

“That’s just because you want to eat it.”

As everyone felt a sense of unease, the third challenger was decided.

***

“It’s done.”

The finished Takoyaki looked a bit misshapen but still appetizing.

“Everyone, get your plates ready.”

It seemed like everyone was slower to bring out their plates than before.

“Yousuke.”

“What is it?”

“Say ‘ahh.’ “

“What the—what are you doing all of a sudden!? You’re planning to use me as a guinea pig, aren’t you?”

“What are you talking about? This is an ‘ahh’ from a beautiful girl; You don’t have a choice.”

“Don’t call yourself a beautiful girl.”

Despite his reservations, Yousuke took a bite of the Takoyaki while glancing at me and Shimizu-san.

“…This isn’t bad, actually. It might even be better with some honey or something.”

“Really? Yousuke, do the ‘ahh.’ to me”

“Why do I have to say ‘ahh’ to you?”

“If I say ‘ahh’ to you, you have to say it back.”

“…Fine. ‘Ahh.’ “

Then Ai-san put the Takoyaki in her mouth with a smile.

“…Hmm! This is surprisingly good! It sort of feels like a Japanese-style dessert.”

“As I thought, anko is the best.”

Seto-san’s expression hadn’t changed, but she looked somewhat pleased.

“Now it’s your turn.”

“It doesn’t seem that bad, so I’ll eat it.”

“So who’s going to say ‘ahh’ first?”

“Huh?”

I feel like Ai-san just suggested something incredible.

“Why do we have to say ‘ahh’ too?”

“I see-I see. Kei, you can’t beat the friendship level between Yousuke and me.”

“Don’t think I’ll just go along with something because you provoke me.”

“Whatever, it would be impossible for Kei anyway. You don’t have the courage for it.”

Ai-san flashed a wicked grin. I think I can see where this is going.

“…Fine.”

“What? I couldn’t hear you. Say it again?”

“Alright! I’ll do the ‘ahh’!”

“Shimizu-san…”

I’m once again reminded of Shimizu-san’s lack of resistance to provocation.

“Hey, Hondō, let’s do it!”

“Uh, okay.”

Overwhelmed by Shimizu-san’s pressure, I unwittingly nodded.

It seems like there wasn’t really an option for me to refuse in the first place.

“Can I go first then?”

If one has to say ‘ahh’ and the other has to receive, it’s less embarrassing to be the one saying ‘ahh’.

“Sure, go ahead whenever.”

” ‘Ahh.’ “

Shimizu-san hesitated for a moment but then put the Takoyaki in her mouth.

“How was it, Kei? What do you think?”

“…it’s sweet.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Ai-san is grinning as she looks at Shimizu-san.

“What is it?”

“No, I was wondering if the Takoyaki was sweet or if it was something else… Ah, don’t glare at me.”

“You’re the one who gave me a reason to glare.”

“It’s Daiki-kun’s turn next.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I’m not changing the subject. Come on, Kei, can you say ‘ahh’ to Daiki-kun?”

After glancing at me, Shimizu-san seems to resign herself and sticks a toothpick into a takoyaki.

“…’Ahh.’ “

Shimizu-san brings the takoyaki closer to me.

I don’t think her red face is due to the heat from the takoyaki heat.

There’s no point in hesitating now. I boldly put the Takoyaki in my mouth.

“How is it, Daiki-kun?”

“…It’s very sweet.”

Even though I said that, I actually was so nervous that I couldn’t really taste anything.