The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 8Volume 2 .4 - Im Glad Yuzukis Neighbor Is You

ROUND 8 – I’m Glad Yuzuki’s Neighbor Is You 4

“Yuzuki had made a complete recovery the next day. I don’t know the details of what happened that night. But since she also stopped her plans to move around that time, surely you must have done something, right?”

“…Well, yes.”

“I couldn’t be of any help while Mamori-san was running around for Yuzuki’s sake… Despite proudly calling myself her ‘older sister’, I was nothing but useless. I realize now that my harsh attitude towards you was simply because I didn’t want to lose Yuzuki. I was tying down her actions and treating what she cherished carelessly. I’m quite the toxic sister, aren’t I?”

Emoto-san emptied her mug and stood up.

“I’m leaving. Thank you for the tea.”

“What will you do now?”

“Nothing changes. I’ll just continue to support Yuzuki from the sidelines as she aims for greater heights as an idol. Even if she doesn’t hold me dear, that’s the least I can do to make amends and my way of loving her.”

“But what about the feelings you’re carrying, Emoto-san?”

Pretending not to see your true feelings is just too empty.

“I’ve been doing just that for the past three years. There’s no problem.”

She showed a smile that was so fragile and weak.

It was clear she was lying to herself and forcing a facade.

“Don’t worry. I won’t appear before you anymore. I’m retiring from being Yuzuki’s caretaker and leaving it to you.”

──From Now On, I Will Be Yuzuki’s Caretaker!

Don’t be ridiculous. After all that declaration, she’s going to end things like this?

I grabbed Emoto-san’s arm as she tried to flee from the living room.

“…Mamori-san, please let go.”

Idols are people who are terrible at hiding their true feelings when there are no cameras around.

Ignoring the pain won’t change the fact that there’s a limit to how much she can bear.

“I refuse. If someone sees you leaving with tears in your eyes, it’ll start strange rumors. I’ve only been living in this apartment for three months, you know.”

Of course, that’s just an excuse, a convenient way to keep her here for a little longer.

I stood up and headed to the kitchen.

“Aren’t you hungry? I’ll make something light.”

During tough times, a break with a hot meal is essential.

Eating has a mysterious way of lightening one’s mood.

What I prepared was a miso soup with ginger and wheat gluten.

The ginger warms the body from the inside, and the easily digestible gluten provides a quick sense of satisfaction.

I hoped this comforting soup would help her feel a bit better, both physically and emotionally.

Emoto-san lifted the bowl with both hands and quietly sipped.

“…It’s warm.”

She took a breath and seemed to calm down a bit.

“I can quickly prepare some microwaved rice and pickles if you’d like. You want that?”

“No, that’s a bit too much… Besides, I have my own rice.”

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Emoto-san took a lunch bag out of her bag.

However, after placing it on the table, she just stared at it, showing no sign of taking out the contents.

“That, are you not going to eat it?”

“…I think I’m not going to eat it.”

The reason she doesn’t want to touch this bento is probably because it’s not meant for her. I’m sure it was intended for Yuzuki to eat.

The shape of an ice pack is visible on the side of the lunch bag. However, by the time Yuzuki returns, there might be concerns about hygiene.

“…If it’s alright, could you give it to me?”

“Huh?”

“Actually, I’ve been hungry for a while. And to be honest, I was a bit hesitant to eat alone, so I was thinking of inviting Emoto-san to eat as well… that was the plan, you see.”

At this point, any reason will do.

If I can prevent her homemade bento from ending up in the trash, that’s enough.

Emoto-san gave me a suspicious look at my lame excuse, but she eventually offered me the bento after a while.

“…Consider it thanks for your hospitality.”

It seems we’re both trying to come up with excuses, however forced they may be.

I took the oval bento box out of the lunch bag and opened the lid.

“Wow…”

The lineup includes mixed grain rice, a Spanish omelet, chickpea and purple cabbage coleslaw, and teriyaki chicken.

It looks like an office lunch plate.

“The bento at the zoo was also colorful, wasn’t it?”

“Meals should be enjoyed with the eyes as well…”

Emoto-san said while scratching her cheek with her fingertip, looking a bit embarrassed.

First, the Spanish omelet. I cut a bite-sized piece with chopsticks and took a bite.

“Wow, it’s so fluffy. I see… you’ve added a generous amount of milk. The potatoes must be May Queen. That’s why the texture is so smooth…”

“…you can tell?”

Her voice perks up just a bit.

This wasn’t because Emoto-san was easy to please, but rather because chefs quickly warm up to someone who notices the details they care about.

“Oh, the coleslaw is well-drained, giving it a satisfying crunchy texture. The simple taste of chickpeas is comforting.”

“The cabbage has been soaked in saltwater, so the moisture is evenly removed. To enhance the crunchiness, I’ve sliced it thinly along the veins.”

“The lemon juice and parsley add a nice accent, making it satisfying even with a light flavor. This sweetness isn’t from sugar… could it be sushi vinegar?”

“Spot on! You’re sharp to notice that!”

Having regained their vitality, Emoto-san’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“The teriyaki chicken is also delicious. You’ve thinly pounded the breast meat, rolled it with shiso leaves, and stir-fried it in teriyaki sauce. The balance between the richness of the sauce and the refreshing taste of shiso is perfect. Just when my mouth starts to feel a bit sweet, the mixed grain rice resets it.”

“Hehe, that’s right. I’ve calculated everything—the variety of flavors, the texture, the volume! I wouldn’t just push meat, oil, and white rice like Mamori-san!”

It seems Emoto-san’s pride has fully recovered.

I really want to learn this quick ability to switch your own mood.