The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 1Volume .1 - Ill Make You My Fan!

ROUND 1 – I’ll Make You My Fan! 

The microwave was much heavier than I had imagined.

I rubbed my overworked hands as I got on the elevator and got off on the eighth floor. Then a middle-aged lady caught sight of me and blossomed into a smile when I walked down the communal hallway.

“Thank you for going out of your way to carry it down for me.”

White hair filled most of her head, but her smile was youthful. The lady in front of me is our so-called neighbor.

I had just run into her a few minutes ago in the apartment building’s communal hallway as she was trying to carry a cracked microwave.

She explained, ‘My husband and I were doing an out-of-season spring cleaning when he suddenly hurts his back’ when I asked her why she was handling such a heavy microwave alone.

That’s where a high school boy with lots of energy, me, offered to take on the role of porter.

“Was it just the ventilation fan cleaning and the light bulbs replacement left to do?”

Rolling up the sleeves of her parka, the lady thrust her palm forward in a flustered manner.

“Oh no, that’s not necessary. That side isn’t in a hurry, so don’t worry about it. Weren’t you on your way to go out somewhere?”

“No-no, please let me do it. It will take a while for your husband’s back to recover.”

“B-but…”

“I have plenty of time because I’m on spring break. Besides, we still haven’t greeted your husband when we move in yet.”

Eventually, the lady lowered the ends of her eyebrows eventually and conceded defeat. Then she let me into the house.

Well-well, there’s dust accumulating in the corner of the hallway, and the floor wax is starting to peel off. Might as well help with cleaning the house while I’m at it.

The shine on the leather shoes lined up at the entrance has also faded a little.

Did they have any shoe polish at home?

If the husband can move his body, I might even offer to do some partner stretches.

Ah, I can’t contain my excitement. My palms are slightly sweaty with anticipation.

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I swallow hard.

Now, the battle begins.

By the time all the work was done, the sky had completely tinted red.

“It’s not much of a thank-you, but here you go.”

At the entrance, the lady handed me a plastic bag. It’s crammed full of bright orange carrots when I peeked inside.

“Wow, thank you so much. I was actually thinking of buying some today.”

“They were sent from a relative who is a farmer. They might have an odd appearance, but the taste is good.”

“This is a big help. Ah, do you like sweets? I could make a tart and bring it over tomorrow if there’s this much. We could also go over the details of your husband’s back pain improvement plan and then…”

“I-t’s fine, it’s really fine. You should be spending your own time, okay?”

“Don’t be so reserved.”

“I can’t take any more of a young person’s time. Please consider it a request from an old person and listen to me.”

Though I felt reluctant to leave, I decided it was my duty as a junior to show respect to my senior in life and accepted it.

Then I returned to the room next door after a bit of light conversation.

Orikita Residence

Our family moved into this apartment building the other day. The room we live in is number 809 on the eighth floor.

After bringing in the laundry, I looked down from the balcony to see moving trucks still coming and going even in the evening.

It’s early April and spring break is almost over.

Shifting my gaze to the nearby park, I saw cherry tree branches adorned with petals swaying in rhythm with the wind.

Soon, I’ll be a second-year high school student.

I’m not particularly anxious about moving up a grade since I’m attending the same school even after the move. Rather, my current concern is greeting my other set of neighbors.

By the other set of neighbors, I don’t mean the lady. She lives in room 808, next to the elevator.

The one I’m concerned about is on the opposite side, at the far end of the floor—room 810.

It seems that my other next-door neighbor has an irregular lifestyle; they hardly ever come home during the hours I’m awake.

Because of this, I haven’t had the chance to greet them until today.

Ideally, the three members of my family including my parents should visit and greet them together, but their vacation ended yesterday. That’s why it’s up to me, their son, to make the visit alone.

Today was a rare day for me because I heard sounds of life from next door during the daytime, so it seemed that the neighbor was at home.

That’s when I decided to make my move, and just as I opened the front door, I encountered the lady.

I stepped out of my room again and stood in front of room 810 next door.

In my right hand is a white paper bag. Inside is what you’d call a gift, wrapped in a silver-colored cooling pack.

Ah, I’m nervous. Their gender and age are complete mysteries.

Since they live in an apartment, could it be that they’re like the residents of room 808, belonging to the mature age group?

I gather my courage and ring the doorbell.

To avoid causing any unnecessary anxiety to the person inside, I stand directly in front of the door monitor while gripping the strings of the paper bag with both hands.

My outfit is nothing but simple a hoodie and jeans, but I’m sure it will not cause any discomfort.

『...Yes?』

A gentle voice reaches me through the monitor.

It was a woman’s voice.

“I’ve recently moved into room 809 next door. I thought I should come by and say hello.”

『 … 』

There is no response. It’s not that she can’t hear me; she’s probably wondering whether she should respond to me or not.

Well, it’s rare to meet face-to-face for greetings these days. But still, we’ll be neighbors over the coming years, perhaps decades.

I want to take the appropriate steps.

***

TL: Hiraeth