Volume 2 Chapter 11 Secrets Exposed
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
If I use the kitchen without the landlord’s permission, they might get mad. So, if I’m going to do it, I have to make sure I don’t leave any traces. That means I need to ventilate the area well.
(I turned the fan up to the max, so it’s really loud.)
I brought everything I needed to cook back to Risa-san’s tower apartment. It’s the friend of the common people──making a bean sprout rice bowl.
The range hood above the stove has several settings, so I set it to the highest power.
(This should be fine. Risa-san won’t find out.)
As the final touch, I wiped the sink with a towel, making sure there wasn’t a single drop of water left. I cooked a big batch of rice, and if I separate it into portions and freeze it, I won’t have to cook for a while.
This is wisdom I gained from 3 years of living alone and cooking for myself.
* * *
’Sorry. I can’t have dinner with Shuu today.’
The next day, while on my break at work, I checked my phone and saw a message from Risa-san. She shouldn’t be on duty today, but does that mean she’s coming home even later than usual?
I looked at the time the message was sent. She had already worked over 30 hours. Risa-san’s job is really tough.
If it’s just me, I can open a can of mackerel. I have sugar and soy sauce, so I can buy some ginger paste on my way home.
(I use it more than Risa-san does.)
I found out the brand of the system kitchen in the house, so I looked up the manual online on my phone. I figured out how to use the microwave and the dishwasher.
To keep my food budget in check, I’m steadily learning the essential cooking skills I need in this new environment.
(I guess she still hasn’t come back.)
The sensor turned on the entrance light, but there was no sign of anyone. I put my phone, keys, and school bag in my room.
Then I took a shower, changed from my uniform into my home clothes, and went to the kitchen with the ginger paste.
While I defrosted the rice in the microwave, I opened the can of mackerel, tossed it into a pot, turned on the heat, and seasoned it with sugar, soy sauce, and ginger.
(Yup, this is looking good.)
I didn’t bring any dishes, and there aren’t any in the house, so I ate the rice directly from the pot with one hand. Of course, the ventilation fan was on max.
I had to clean up before Risa-san got home, so I had to eat quickly.
”Shuu? You’re back. Welcome home!”
”Huh…? Risa-san!?”
The wall in the living room moved, and Risa-san, who I thought hadn’t come home yet, peeked out from a hidden staircase.
”I thought you were going to be late today.”
”Nope. I came back earlier than usual and was sleeping in my room until now.”
So that message didn’t mean she was coming home late! That’s confusing.
”Oh, I see. Thanks for your hard work.”
”Yeah, thanks. Are you eating right now?”
With physical evidence and me standing in the kitchen, I had no choice but to admit it.
”Yeah. Sorry for using the kitchen without asking.”
”Did you make this food?”
”Yeah, I did.”
Risa-san came into the kitchen, looking really interested. But I didn’t make anything that special.
”Looks good. It seems tasty.”
”…Want to try it?”
”Is it okay!?”
I wondered if it was alright to offer her this cheap meal that only cost about 100 yen. Well, if she wants to eat it, I guess it’s fine.
”I only have these chopsticks. No disposable ones…”
”Ugh, none.”
”Then, do you want to use mine?”
I handed her my chopsticks.
”Um, what about a plate?”
”I don’t have one. Is there one here?”
I asked Risa-san instead.
”Ugh… no. Should I buy one?”
”But if you buy one, where will you put it?”
”……”
Silence filled the room. It was awkward. But it was true. I guessed all the storage space was filled with rotten stuff.
”How much space do you need for dishes and cooking tools?”
”I don’t know? But we don’t have to change the living situation that much…”
”We have to! We can’t change it unless Shuu is here.”
For some reason, instead of being scolded for using the kitchen without permission, we ended up starting to optimize the cooking environment.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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