The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 2Volume .4 - Ugh...

ROUND 2 – “Ugh…” 4

“Speaking of Red-crowned cranes, they’re often depicted in hanging scrolls and folding screens. The classic image of one perched on a pine tree, though technically, they can’t actually perch on tree trunks due to the shape of their feet. There’s also a theory that the crane in ‘The Grateful Crane (鶴の恩返し)’ might actually be a stork. The basis for this is…”

Even for Yuzuki, who was known for her quick comprehension, it seemed to be too much information to take in.

Spirals practically appeared in her eyes.

“Emoto-san. Let’s leave the explanations for now and just take a walk around first?”

“That’s true. Let’s focus on observing for the first round. It’ll be easier to absorb the information that way.”

There’s going to be a second round?

It looks like it’s going to be a long day.

“Come on Yuzuki, let’s go to the next area. Hold my hand so we don’t get separated, okay?”

“Uh, but it’s not that crowded…”

“I want to hold hands with Yuzuki. Come on.”

Emoto-san took Yuzuki’s hand cheerfully. Yuzuki didn’t seem to mind either.

Suddenly, Emoto-san turned to me.

“Mamori-san, are you having fun?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

“Then it was worth bringing you along.”

She showed a bright smile and turned back to Yuzuki walking beside her.

Emoto-san’s smile was as charming as Yuzuki’s.

Today, I’m not just ‘the man with a flower on both hands.’ I’m literally spending my time with two popular idols who captivate people all over Japan right now.

Before long, Yuzuki found the corner for the Japanese squirrels and rushed off—letting go of Emoto-san’s hand and leaving Emoto-san and me behind.

“…Emoto-san, why do you take care of Yuzuki?”

Now that I had begun to understand her a little, I felt compelled to ask.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Emoto-san answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“It’s the same as with Mamori-san. I do it because I love it. I can do anything if it’s for Yuzuki.”

“…I see.”

With that response, there was no room for argument.

Although our methods and principles might differ, our affection for Yuzuki were the same.

☆ ☆ ☆

After making a thorough two rounds of the zoo, the three of us were strolling through the garden on the premises.

A forest path paved with cobblestones, lined with evenly spaced stone lanterns, and a single-story building standing across the pond—it felt as if we were visiting a tourist spot.

Listening to the murmuring of the stream, I could feel my heart being purified.

We decided to take a break at a wooden gazebo on the edge of the garden.

With walls on three sides except for the front, it was secluded from view and perfect for a rest.

“Ah, walking around has made me hungry…”

Yuzuki’s casual remark caused both Emoto-san’s and my eyes to gleam simultaneously.

” “Yuzuki, let’s have lunch!!” “

Emoto-san and I spoke at the same time.

From Yuzuki’s right, I took out a lunch box, and from her left, Emoto-san took out a lunch bag.

On Yuzuki’s lap, a lunch box wrapped in a napkin and a lunch bag collided fiercely.

“Oh my, Mamori-san. Despite my repeated requests for you to come empty-handed.”

Emoto-san smiled with the haughtiness of a villainous noblewoman.

“Emoto-san, I’m willing to accept your forfeit even now, you know?”

I, on the other hand, did not lose my devilish smile.

For me, the main event of the day wasn’t the zoo tour.

It was the lunch showdown.

During last night’s phone call, Emoto-san had mentioned she would bring lunch.

However, I couldn’t let this precious opportunity to impress her slip by, so I also offered to bring a lunch box.

As a result of our unwillingness to concede to each other, Yuzuki now had two different lunch options before her.

After all, Yuzuki isn’t exclusively Emoto-san’s, right?

If she tries to monopolize Yuzuki with her ‘older sister’ authority, then I’ll just have to NTR her—or rather, MTR her from the sidelines. (TN: Idk what mtr is.)

“I started making this bento at seven this morning for today’s lunch. Could you please not interfere?”

“Well, I started at six-thirty, so shouldn’t you let me go first?”

“To go even further, I had started preparations the night before!”

“I didn’t just prepare; I bought a new frying pan just for today’s meal!”

Before we knew it, we had both stood up and were glaring at each other.

Like gunslingers in a Western movie waiting for the right moment to draw, we quietly eyed each other.

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After a few seconds of silence, we simultaneously turned our gazes towards Yuzuki.

” “Yuzuki!!” “

“Y-yes..!?”

Startled by her name being called out of the blue, Yuzuki straightened up.

“Eat our bentos and judge which one is superior. I’ll teach Emoto-san the taste of defeat.”

“Yuzuki, let’s show him the bond between us sisters, shall we?”

Unable to withstand our pressure, Yuzuki awkwardly nodded her head.

“Mamori-san, how about we decide on a penalty? The loser retires from being Yuzuki’s caretaker.”

“It wouldn’t be interesting without something like that. I accept!”

“…Huhuhuhu.”

“…Hehehehe.”

“Ahahahahaha!”

“Fuhahahahaha!”

We burst into loud laughter as if to flaunt our own abilities.

Winning begins with spirit. I’ll ignore the fact that Yuzuki is the only one with a frightened look in her eyes for now.

The judging criteria are simple and clear: which dish can make Yuzuki happier?

“Well then, I’ll go first…”

“I’ll take the lead! Here you go!”

Pushing aside my lunch box, Emoto-san began to take out the contents of her lunch bag.

Well, that’s fine. True champions always make a late entrance.

Do your best as my opening act.