The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 1Volume 2 .5 - From Now On, I Will Be Yuzukis Caretaker!

ROUND 1 – From Now On, I Will Be Yuzuki’s Caretaker! 5

“…So to summarize the story, you started having meals together regularly after caring for Yuzuki when she fainted from hunger?”

“Well, that’s pretty much it.”

Just earlier, I explained the general situation and various things to Emoto-san.

That we are neighbors, that I’ve been cooking meals for Yuzuki, and that we are definitely not dating.

A new idol appeared before me.

Her true identity was Emoto Ruru, the leader of the five-member girl idol group 【Spotlights】.

A 17-year-old high school senior, she is affectionately known by the fans as ‘Rurupyon.’

Born in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. She stands 159 centimeters tall with type A blood.

Her image color is green.

Her favorite foods are shabu-shabu and anko (preferring koshian).

Emoto Ruru was pictured on the far left in the group’s promotional photo on the official site.

Her loose side-tail of black hair draped over her right shoulder, her sharp eyes, and her somewhat ephemeral smile.

The idol displayed on the smartphone screen and the woman before me was indeed the same person.

Having removed her black summer coat, Emoto-san was dressed in a composed outfit of a pure white off-the-shoulder blouse and a high-waisted skirt.

Her demeanor seemed mature for a 17-year-old, believable even if she were said to be a university student.

“Please enjoy it, though it’s just simple tea.”

At the square table, Yuzuki and Emoto-san sat facing each other.

After placing a mug of green tea in front of Emoto-san, I took a seat on an empty cushion.

To my right was Yuzuki, and to my left was Emoto-san.

Within my field of vision were two popular idols.

“I understand your relationship with Yuzuki. However, no matter how much you claim not to be dating, it’s hard to overlook the fact that you’re frequently entering the home of an active idol.”

Emoto-san glared at me sharply, and the peaceful atmosphere she had when hugging Yuzuki earlier was nowhere to be felt.

“Moreover, if what Mamori-san says is true, I have a question for you.”

Emoto-san pointed her finger decisively.

“Is the food you prepare truly the best for Yuzuki?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Pork bowls, Milanese Doria, yakisoba, ramen, and today’s hamburger with fries… Frankly, they hardly seem healthy.”

Ouch. That hit a sore spot.

“But, well, fries are technically vegetables…”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing.”

The air around Emoto-san seemed to freeze instantly, so I hurriedly shut my mouth.

“…Even so, it’s surely better than a diet of nothing but chocolate bars and protein, right? I want Yuzuki to experience more of the joy of food…”

“That doesn’t mean you should interfere with Yuzuki’s stoic routine.”

Emoto-san’s gaze was stern.

Her good looks only intensified the sharpness of her eyes.

“Yuzuki, it’s not good for you either. Eating hamburgers and fries so late at night could upset your stomach and affect tomorrow’s dance practice.”

When Emoto-san turned her gaze forward, Yuzuki shrank like a scolded kitten.

“But it looked so delicious…”

“Ugh… Mamori-san! Please don’t make Yuzuki pull such a face!”

A meteor-sized stray bullet came flying my way. It seemed Emoto-san was very lenient with Yuzuki.

Honestly, the current situation was not favorable.

The reason we had been able to engage in our food-fall battles up to today was precisely because there had been no interference from others.

I was well aware that this battle deviated from societal norms.

Yuzuki, who had been awkwardly silent until then, spoke to Emoto-san as if to escape the silence.

“Um, Emoto-senpai…”

“That habit is showing again. You revert to your old way of calling me when you’re flustered.”

“…Ruru-san.”

When Yuzuki corrected herself, Emoto-san made a pleased “Mmhm” sound.

“Yuzuki, you mentioned you might move last month, right? Did you cancel those plans at the last minute because of Mamori-san’s influence?”

“It’s not that…”

I’m not trying to lecture you. As your ‘sister (Ane)’, I’m just worried about you.”

“Sister?”

When I echoed her words, Emoto-san eagerly began to speak.

“Just like a real sister, I’ve been looking after Yuzuki since before she entered junior high school. If it’s the bond between us that counts, our bond is as strong as that of real siblings!”

With full confidence, Emoto-san puffed out her chest.

I see. If she’s close enough to Yuzuki to call herself a ‘sister,’ then it’s natural that she would know the code for the apartment’s auto-lock.

“First of all, it’s a big no-no to get personally involved with fans, right? You never know what kind of trouble you could get into.”

“Suzufumi isn’t… just a fan of mine. He’s a neighbor who looks after me. In fact, Suzufumi has helped me out many times…”

“That’s not the point. It’s too late if something dangerous happens to you.”

Emoto-san’s tone makes it painfully clear that she’s concerned about Yuzuki’s well-being.

Since she’s not completely wrong, it’s hard for me to strongly object.

However, I wouldn’t have started this food-fall battle in the first place if I were the type to back down so easily.

“Emoto-san, please don’t be too hard on Yuzuki. Ultimately, it all started because I offered to cook…!”

For now, it’s crucial to calm the situation. We can’t let our holy war end in such an unfinished state.

“Wait, Suzufumi isn’t to blame. It’s my own fault for not resisting the meals!”

Yuzuki passionately argued with her hand on her chest. There was no hesitation in her eyes as she gazed at Emoto-san.

“Wait, I’m far more to blame. If I had made Yuzuki’s eating habits more independent, there would be no need for me to fuss over her…”

“If I had been more captivating as an idol, Suzufumi would have fallen for me as a fan long ago…”

“No, it’s me who…”

“No, no, it’s me who…”

Before we knew it, we had left Emoto-san out of the conversation, each of us insisting on our own shortcomings.

“Both of you, enough!”

Emoto-san’s voice crackled sharply, and Yuzuki and I immediately fell silent.

“I’m seriously thinking about this, but the two of you’re just fooling around?”

“No, we’re not playing around…”

Emoto-san’s eyebrows twitched. perhaps she had taken it as an excuse.

I braced myself, expecting another outburst.

“Mamori-san, I’ll be straightforward.”

“Yes, what is it?”

A cold sweat ran down my back.

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“Please stop looking after Yuzuki immediately——”

“I refuse.”

My response came out before I could even think.

Emoto-san’s eyes widened in surprise at my immediate refusal.

“…You won’t?”

“Yes, I won’t. This is something I cannot compromise on.”

Emoto-san let out a deep sigh.

“If you’re going to be that stubborn…. it seems I have no choice but to take drastic measures.”

It seems the negotiations have broken down. If she reports this to the agency, there’s nothing I can do.

Should I just run away with Yuzuki?

But where would we go?

Perhaps there’s no other way out of this but to convince Emoto-san.

While I was lost in thought, Emoto-san stood up with vigor.

And then, she declared loudly.

“From now on, I will be Yuzuki’s caretaker!”

” “...Huh?” “

Yuzuki and I were both dumbfounded.

“Um, what do you mean by that…”

“Mamori-san, you want Yuzuki to eat properly every day, right?”

“Uh, yes, well…”

“Then I will take on that role. I will improve Yuzuki’s diet with the healthy meals I make!”

Hold on, hold on. This conversation is going off on a tangent.

“Of course, I will take care of everything else too. Managing sleep schedules, mental training, transportation to and from venues… You won’t have any role left!”

This conversation was supposed to be about meals, but now it’s expanded to include all sorts of care.

However, Emoto-san’s expression is dead serious.

Good grief, are all entertainers this eccentric?

In fact, even I keep my caretaking within the bounds of common sense.

At most, I help clean the room twice a week, manage the household budget, list the stock status of consumables and update the bottom price information from local supermarkets and online shopping sites, suggest insurance plans suitable for different life stages…

That’s about it. 

Emoto-san’s extraordinary thinking is something a regular person like me can’t comprehend.

“Anyway, your role is over, Mamori-san. Thank you for your hard work.”

With a sense of superiority oozing from her face, Emoto-san crossed her arms and leaned back with a smug expression.

…She’s been saying whatever she wants for a while now.

Whether she’s the leader or the sister, I won’t let someone else take care of Yuzuki now.

I glanced at Yuzuki, who was looking at me with anxious eyes.

Then I stood up and glared at Emoto-san.

“Maybe you should separate work from personal life? I am Sasaki Yuzuki’s neighbor. If you interfere with our private relationship, it would be a nuisance to Yuzuki too!”

“I have been associated with Yuzuki since we moved to Tokyo. I take pride in the sisterly bond we’ve developed for over three years. It’s a different level compared to you, who’s only had a few months of contact!”

“Trying to one-up someone over the length of your relationship, aren’t you being a bit petty?”

We were like fighters at a press conference, leaning in and clashing with our arguments.

At a loss for what to do, Yuzuki could only look back and forth between me and Emoto-san.

“Both of you, wait! Let’s calm down for a moment──”

“Yuzuki. As your ‘sister’, I cannot turn my back on this fight.”

“Yuzuki, you need to watch closely. Until either me or Emoto-san falls.”

Ignoring Yuzuki’s flustered attempts to intervene, Emoto-san and I locked gazes fiercely.

“I will make Yuzuki healthy with ‘moral meals’ (health-conscious meals).”

“I will make Yuzuki fall with ‘immoral meals’ (guilty pleasure meals). “

The gong for a new match rings out.

Thus, the battle over Yuzuki between an idol and a high school boy began.

***

TN: Based on the colored illustration above, I think they’re gonna use those two terms a lot in volume 2.

I did use ‘Guilty Pleasure Meals’ for this word (背徳メシ (haitoku meshi)) in the title , but I’m gonna use ‘Immoral Meal/Food’ vs. ‘Moral Meal/Food’ instead of ‘Guilty Pleasure Meals’ vs. ‘Health-Conscious Meals’ for vol 2 cause it sounds better in a dialogue.

背徳メシ (Haitoku Meshi), 道徳メシ (Doutoku Meshi)

背徳 (Haitoku): Immoral

道徳 (Doutoku): Moral

メシ (Meshi): Rice/Food