Category: Oshi Dream Life

“Ah… um…” (Souma)

With a slightly dizzy head, I desperately searched for the right answer. However, no matter how much I wracked my brain, I couldn’t come up with a convincing reason to satisfy Mafuyu-chan. So, I raised both hands.

“Well, to put it simply, I wanted to go on a diet. You know, the meals at the Souma-kai are pretty high in calories, right? I thought of exercising to lose some weight so I ended up inviting Hiyorin-san along as well.” (Souma)

Even though I said I would explain the situation, it was impossible to tell her about Hiyorin’s weight. I still hadn’t asked Hiyorin for permission to discuss this topic with them.

Mafuyu-chan, seemingly dissatisfied with my response, maintained her icy, unyielding gaze. I moistened my lips with beer, trying to hide my nervousness. I wasn’t getting drunk at all.

“Why is it just Hiyori-san? If the Souma-kai’s menu is the cause, I think it would affect me too. Is it okay with you if I gain weight, Onii-chan?” (Mafuyu)

“Ugh… w-well, Mafuyu-chan, I actually think you could use a little more weight. You don’t need to go on a diet or anything.” (Souma)

“I knew I was getting fat…” (Hiyori)

“Huh!?” (Souma)

My statement had ignited an unexpected turn of events. When I glanced to the side, Hiyorin had fallen on the table with a mournful expression.

“N-n-no, that’s not what I meant! Hiyorin-san, you’re thin too!” (Souma)

“Hehe, this is interesting.” (Shizuka)

While I desperately tried to cheer up Hiyorin, Shizuka watched me with an amused expression and took a sip from her glass. Hey, instead of just watching, can you help me out here?

…Or rather.

I became concerned about something and shifted my gaze to Shizuka’s body. The contours of her face, the fullness of her cheeks, her upper arms, and then…

“What, hey, w-what’s with that look! I’d rather you not stare at me like that!” (Shizuka)

For some reason, Shizuka started to blush, hugging herself as if she had misunderstood something. She was cute, but that wasn’t the topic I wanted to discuss right now.

“Shizuka, are you okay? Honestly, I think you’re the one who is most likely to gain weight out of everyone here.” (Souma)

As the one responsible for cleaning Shizuka’s house, I was well aware of the kind of lifestyle she lived. I knew that she ate hamburgers three times a week, had a deep love for convenience store jumbo-sized spaghetti, and had recently developed a fondness for fruit-flavored gummy candy.

“Also, you know, you should stop drinking energy drinks when you’re not tired at all. You’re clearly having too many nutrients.” (Souma)

“Ugh…!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka seemed to be in pain and clutched her chest as if I had struck a nerve. She then finished the remaining beer in her glass with a gulp.

Junk food.

Irregular lifestyle.

Snacking.

Lack of exercise.

With the addition of alcohol, the situation becomes even more worrying. Is she going to be okay?

“No, seriously, I’m genuinely worried. There might even be a need to reconsider the Souma-kai menu.” (Souma)

We live in an era where people in their twenties can easily fall prey to lifestyle-related diseases. Since I’m in charge of the menu, it’s my responsibility to keep Shizuka healthy.

But Shizuka seemed to shrug off my concerns, casually reaching for a piece of fried chicken and savoring it with a content expression.

“Hmm, I’m not really much weight from this… I’ve always had high metabolism¹.” (Shizuka)

…A chilling silence fell over the room.

◆

Hiyorin who had been slumped on the table lifted her head and directed a sharp gaze at Shizuka. Shizuka, completely unaware, continued to happily munch on the fried chicken.

“‘High metabolism’ huh…” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin spoke with a deep, resonant voice as she slowly raised her upper body. Perhaps it was because she was a voice actress or because her emotions were running high, but her voice was quite intense.

…Come to think of it, I’ve heard before that saying “metabolism” is a taboo topic to women. For Hiyorin, who was currently struggling, that statement might have been like picking a fight.

And it seemed like Mafuyu-chan felt the same way.

“…Ah, so that’s why none of the nutrition goes to your chest. Everything makes sense now.” (Mafuyu)

“What did you say!?” (Shizuka)

Pierced by the cutting words, Shizuka raised an eyebrow and glared at Mafuyu-chan.

“…Ugh.” (Shizuka)

But Shizuka, who had been rendered speechless by Mafuyu-chan’s gaze, which was sharp enough to warrant legal regulation, turned her helpless gaze toward me as if seeking help.

“Uh, Souma-kun, I’m kind of scared of these two right now…” (Shizuka)

Shizuka gazed at me with teary eyes. Her cuteness almost made me extend a helping hand, but I knew that if I inadvertently sided with her, I’d be picking a fight with the ferocious Hiyorin and Mafuyu-chan.

There’s a saying, “If you love your child, send them on a journey²” and in this case, it seemed like Shizuka needed to embark on a long, long journey.

I believed that we’d meet again someday.

“Souma-kun…!” (Shizuka)

“Well, I think I’ll have another drink…” (Souma)

“KIYAAAAAA!!” (Shizuka)

While I deliberately averted my gaze, I caught a quick glimpse of the two of them reaching out to Shizuka with their menacing hands.

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Thanks for reading!

RIP Shizuka, she faced her ultimate demise by literally existing.

The chapter didn’t really state metabolism, but instead said ‘constitution to not get fat’. But I just simplified it down to high metabolism.

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1. Basically, if your metabolism is “high” (or fast), you will burn more calories at rest and during activity.
2. Japanese parents often say this to encourage their children to be self-sufficient. The closest English proverb would be “Spare the rod and spoil the child”

I never thought that I would be seeing this same scene outside of our apartment. I quietly picked up the laminated¹ menu and, feeling a bit out of place, watched the two intruders who had begun to argue in front of me.

“Hmm… They all look delicious… What should I drink?” (Shizuka)

“Shizuka, can’t you decide already? I want to choose too.” (Mafuyu)

“You’re still underage, aren’t you? Kids should order something like melon soda.” (Shizuka)

“Are you trying to pick a fight?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu’s finger extended toward Shizuka’s cheek. Shizuka let out a small shriek and used the menu as a shield between herself and Mafuyu. It seemed that the power balance between the two remained the same even outside.

The combination of Shizuka and Mafuyu was often the same image as “a pair that frequently argues” within Souma-kai. They didn’t seem to have a good relationship. It was common to see Shizuka provoking Mafuyu, only to be met with retaliation. They were the only pair among us who had a bad relationship. It made one wonder why were these two even out together.

Mafuyu cast a cold glance at Shizuka, who was proudly flipping through the menu to taunt her. You’d think another battle was about to erupt, but Shizuka seemed to have realized that her behavior was rather childish this time. Instead of retorting, she let out a frustrated “grr” and returned to scrutinizing the menu, her cheeks slightly flushed. If it was going to embarrass her that much, she shouldn’t have done it in the first place.

“I guess I’ll start with a beer… but that’s bitter… hmm…” (Shizuka)

Shizuka flipped through the menu repeatedly, emitting a frustrated groan. It was evident from her behavior that she wasn’t accustomed to the izakaya settings. Those who were familiar with izakayas all had their own “go-to” drink for the first round.

“What will Hiyorin-san have?” (Souma)

Since Shizuka seemed like she would take a while, I decided to address Hiyorin, who was shrinking beside me with a hint of anxiety. Hiyorin trembled at my words and timidly turned her gaze towards me.

“Souma-kun, um, you see—” (Hiyori)

“Hiyorin-san, it’s okay.” (Souma)

“Eh…?” (Hiyori)

I deliberately interrupted Hiyorin’s words. I had a feeling that if I let her voice her concerns, Hiyorin might be overwhelmed by anxiety.

…This was my first date with Hiyorin. I just hoped we could end it on a good note.

“…Hiyorin-san, can you trust me?” (Souma)

“Trust…?” (Hiyori)

“If, by any chance, you feel like you’ll start getting over the top, I’ll definitely help stop you. So… Hiyorin-san, don’t worry too much and just order what you want the most.” (Souma)

“What I want the most…” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin glanced at the menu Shizuka held, then her gaze quickly fell. Shizuka was exchanging bewildered glances between me and Hiyorin. Make up your mind and choose a drink already.

Hiyorin took a small deep breath and then, with a determined expression, raised her face.

“I… I’ll have a beer.” (Hiyori)

As she said this and directed a modest smile at me, I couldn’t help but be captivated by Hiyorin.

◆

“Puha~! Drinking outside is something else!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka exclaimed as she slammed her beer mug onto the table and sprayed foam from the corner of her mouth. Mafuyu, while looking at Shizuka with disdain, also seemed somewhat envious.

And as for Hiyorin…

” *Gulp, gulp* Puh! Hehe, it’s delicious!” (Hiyori)

A large glass was lifted towards the sky. Hiyorin, who had previously shown a reserved attitude, now tilted the glass and gulped down the beer with great enthusiasm.

…Her drinking pace left me feeling uneasy. Although I had confidently said I’d stop her, could I really control Hiyorin in her drunken state?

No, I had to. Hiyorin in a drunken state was hardly fit for public places.

“Hiyorin-san, you sure can handle your drinks well!” (Shizuka)

“Hehe, Shizuka-chan, you’re no slouch either.” (Hiyori)

“Hiyorin-san, what will you have next? Please recommend something.” (Shizuka)

The drunk pair promptly began discussing their second round. Shizuka started seeking advice from Hiyorin, who was well-versed in alcohol. Hiyorin, with a happy expression, looked at the menu, eyeing her next target.

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Thanks for reading!

I never really bought or drank alcohol before but isn’t it quite expensive? Even if this place is supposed to be budget-friendly, I’m sure it costs a bit. Well, not that money is ever gonna be a problem for the two of them.

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1. Laminated is that plastic cover thing that protects paper.

[Shizuka’s PoV]

“Nugigigigi…”

“Calm down, Shizuka. Exposing ourselves now would ruin everything.” (Mafuyu)

Just as I was about to leap out, Mafuyu’s slender fingers gripped my shoulder. With an unexpectedly strong force, she pulled me back into the shadow and the two of them soon disappeared from sight.

“To catch a big fish, you first have to let it swim, and when it gets tired, reel it in quickly. Otherwise, it will just snap the line.” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu offered an unexpectedly down-to-earth analogy while scolding me. While she spoke, her gaze remained clearly fixed on the backs of the two of them across the shelf.

“Fishing…? Mafuyu, do you fish?” (Shizuka)

“No, I saw it on MeTube.” (Mafuyu)

“Eapu¹, huh?” (Shizuka)

“Being an Eapu is fine. Anyways, be quiet, Shizuka. There are too many people here.” (Mafuyu)

As she said something that sounded like a line from a drama, Mafuyu seemed to be straining her ears towards the two of them who had finished paying. Urgh, it’s hard to hear… What are they talking about?

Putting aside the younger girl next to me who somehow gives off an aura of an expert hitman, I trembled as I heard snippets of conversation between Souma-kun and Hiyorin.

“…Boyfriend… you mean…!?” (Souma)

“Ahaha… it just… happened… was it bad…?” (Hiyori)

“It’s not like that…! But… bother…” (Souma)

Though it was fragmented and hard to understand, they seemed to be getting worked up about something. Souma-kun was waving his hands in a flustered manner, making a “no thanks” gesture. I wonder if he’s refusing something.

…What are you fumbling about? Even though I’m your oshi too, you never get this flustered.

“Ouchhh!!!?” (Shizuka)

I unintentionally let out a breath I had been holding as pain ran through my body like a needle was stabbing me. I quickly checked the source of the pain and found Mafuyu’s slender fingers trembling as they had dug into my shoulder.

Wow, I didn’t know someone’s fingers could dig in this deep.

…That’s not the point!

What on earth did I say to deserve this!?

“It hurts, it hurts! Mafuyu, let go!” (Shizuka)

“…A creature trying to deceive my onii-chan…” (Mafuyu)

“You’re not listening at all!” (Shizuka)

Mafuyu had a face devoid of life, almost like a demon. In that expression devoid of any emotion, only her eyes retained a sharpness akin to a blade. That gaze, which might even lead to an arrest for illegal possession of a weapon, seemed to be directed at Hiyorin, as she started muttering “Hasekura Hiyori…” out of her mouth.

…No, no, this is too scary.

I somehow managed to pry Mafuyu’s hand loose and desperately held onto her shoulder as she attempted to intrude on them. Despite being dragged along, I somehow succeeded in stopping Mafuyu. I had a feeling that if I let Mafuyu loose right now, things would get really bad. I’m probably the only one who can save this world.

◆

[Souma’s PoV]

…I don’t get it.

I don’t understand anything about Hiyorin anymore.

She suddenly holds my hand, wants us to wear matching clothes, and introduces me as her boyfriend.

…She must definitely like me. Hiyorin and I have mutual feelings, right?

Jokes aside, I’m not that conceited².

I used to think that drunk Hiyorin was bad for my heart, but I’ve realized that normal Hiyorin is even worse, especially on this date.

Being drunk is bad for my heart, and being normal is also bad for my heart. In other words, there is no easy way out. Maybe this is natural as she is my oshi after all, but as someone who spends my everyday life with her, I was concerned about the strain on my heart over time.

While I was lost in thought, the sky gradually turned dusk. We have probably gone to various places even after buying our running attire, but due to extreme nervousness and trying to ponder Hiyorin’s intentions, I didn’t remember much. However, I distinctly recall being unusually conscious of the people around us on the train ride back. I hadn’t realized that going out with a celebrity would be so tiring.

With all that in mind, Hiyorin and I walked the path from the nearest station to the apartment building under the reddening sky.

…And it was at that moment.

“Ah.” (Both)

Right around the point where we turned from the station onto the main road, Hiyorin suddenly stopped. Following her gaze, I noticed that there was a celebratory wreath³ hanging in front of a nearby shop.

It had red lettering that read “Congratulations on the Grand Opening”, and I could hear bustling sounds from inside the shop.

“I remember they were doing construction here. It turns out that it’s a shop, huh?” (Hiyori)

“Yeah, I wonder what kind of shop it is.” (Souma)

As we approached the store, it seemed that the newly opened establishment was an izakaya⁴ chain. The brand-new interior was bustling with numerous customers, and waitstaff in pristine, wrinkle-free shirts scurried around with jugs in hand.

“An izakaya… It’s quite convenient that it opened up here.” (Souma)

It’s a good location, close to the station, and there aren’t many izakayas in this area. I might consider using it sometime.

“Yeah… that’s true…” (Hiyori)

I had assumed that Hiyorin would be quite excited about this, but surprisingly, her expression was rather gloomy. She gazed into the inside of the restaurant with an envious look.

As I tried to imagine the reason for her demeanor, it didn’t take long for me to figure it out.

My mouth moved before my thoughts could catch up.

“Hiyorin, how about having a drink since we’re here?” (Souma)

“Eh, but I…” (Hiyori)

“It’s okay. Come on, let’s go.” (Souma)

“Ah…!” (Hiyori)

I took Hiyorin’s hand and walked through the curtain into the restaurant. Hiyorin seemed troubled, but she didn’t pull her hand away from mine.

“(I usually avoid drinking in public… because I might cause trouble…)” (Hiyori)

I recalled Hiyorin saying that before. Her self-deprecating expression from back then made it clear how she truly felt.

“Welcome! How many people?” (Waitress)

The waitress, noticing our presence, approached us with a tray in hand.

“Two peo…” (Souma)

“Four people!” (Shizuka)

“Huh…?” (Souma)

Upon hearing a familiar voice, I turned around.

“Onii-chan, what a coincidence.” (Mafuyu)

For some reason, Shizuka and Mafuyu were there.

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Thanks for reading!

Good job Shizuka. You probably managed to stop a murder case from happening. Who knows what Mafuyu would have done back there.

Also there was an illustration on the group heading back with Souma carrying Hiyorin, so I’m assuming that illustration is for the upcoming portion.

And yes, the chapter title contained the brackets. Idk if this is a coding function reference that I’m not getting.

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1. This is a bit complicated. ‘Eapu’ means someone pretending to have experience in something even though they never done it. It is also the short form of ‘Air Player’. which in this case, the meaning of “Air” has same meaning of “Air guitar”‘s “Air”.
2. Conceited means to be excessively proud/confident about yourself. And also, this is me after reading this line: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ 
3. Wreath is that ring of flower thing that you see in new stores, weddings, graves, etc. If it’s a new shop, it usually contains a letter congratulating them. Idk about others.
4. Izakaya is a type of Japanese bar in which a variety of small, typically inexpensive, dishes and snacks are served to accompany the alcoholic drinks. It is directly translated as “dine-in sake shop”.

After finishing shopping for Hiyorin’s clothes, we arrived at the men’s section. The floor contained a wide range of brands, from well-known ones to emerging brands I had never heard of.

I had already decided on what to buy, but as soon as we arrived, Hiyorin made a suggestion.

“Souma-kun, I’ll choose your clothes for you.” (Hiyori) 

With that said, I ended up being led around by Hiyorin. Although, Hiyorin didn’t seem to be aimlessly wandering around, rather, it appears that she is looking for something specific.

“Oh!” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin suddenly rushed over and picked up something. It was just a regular sports hoodie. It seemed that she was searching for this, but the hoodie didn’t look particularly special to me. Even after I held it in my hand, my impression remained the same. I hadn’t heard of the brand either. Maybe it was some brand that quietly became trendy among voice actors?

“Hmm, I wonder if the size is okay,” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin pushed the yellow hoodie she was holding onto me and carefully inspected the shoulder line while checking the sleeves and hem with a serious expression. It was as if she had nestled into my chest, and my heart began to itch. A sweet fragrance wafted from her silky hair, and for some reason, a random thought popped into my head that if I were an insect, I would probably stick to Hiyorin.

“…Yeah, it looks good. Let’s go with this one.” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin placed the hoodie in the basket she was carrying. I hastily interjected. Yellow wasn’t a color I particularly liked.

“Um, I was thinking maybe the light blue one instead—” (Souma)

“Did you say something?” (Hiyori)

“Oh, no, it’s nothing…” (Souma)

Overwhelmed by Hiyorin’s intimidating yet compelling smile directed at me, I quickly backed down. I didn’t understand why she was so insistent on yellow, but I figured it must be the color that she preferred. If my oshi voice actress was picking out clothes for me, I didn’t have the heart to argue.

“Alright, we still need some innerwear… Souma-kun, you don’t have any, right?” (Hiyori)

“Yes, that’s right. I was planning to buy some.” (Souma)

“Got it. Then shall we go?” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin started walking with a cheerful demeanor, lightly shaking the basket she was holding. I was relieved to see her in such high spirits. I had been worried that maybe she was finding our time together boring because we weren’t having any engaging conversations.

By the way, I had intended to carry the basket myself, but Hiyorin adamantly refused. Maybe she felt embarrassed because it contained women’s clothing. Even though we were often quite close, I guess it’s better to think of normal Hiyorin and drunk Hiyorin as two different people.

…

Unable to gaze at Hiyorin’s back, my eyes wandered aimlessly to the swaying basket. At the very top of it, of course, was the yellow hoodie that was placed inside. Below that were Hiyorin’s sports wear which we decided on. And beneath that, was Hiyorin’s lemon yellow hoodie that she had initially chosen. It formed a color combination like a tiger’s stripes, with yellow sandwiched between black.

“Hmm…?” (Souma)

…Something felt off.

The absence of any variety felt oddly unsettling. I found the color scheme to resemble that of a tiger because the two yellows appeared to be of the same hue. But that couldn’t be right. Yellow, in all likelihood, came in various shades. Yet, the two pieces in the basket seemed to be exactly the same color.

As if they were the same thing.

◆

“…Seriously?” (Souma)

I bit down on the words that came out of my mouth.

For better or worse, the unease I felt had hit the mark. The young woman at the cash register was looking at the two hoodies and had a warm smile on her face.

“Matching! Are you two a couple?” (Cashier)

At the register, the two yellow hoodies were almost identical in design except for the presence/absence of chest bulges. Because of this, we were mistaken for a couple. I felt awkward and let my gaze fall on a sign next to the register that said, “One bag for 3 yen.” I couldn’t bring myself to look at the cashier or Hiyorin’s face. Being mistaken for a couple was something neither of us would find amusing.

However, shocking words came from Hiyorin’s mouth.

“Yes, we are. We plan to go running together.” (Hiyori)

“!?” (Souma)

“That’s nice; it’s lovely.” (Cashier)

“Hehe, thank you.” (Hiyori)

After hearing words I couldn’t ignore, I unintentionally raised my head to look at Hiyorin’s face. Hiyorin had placed her credit card on the counter with a calm expression. Seeing this, I hurriedly took out my wallet.

“Hiyorin-san, the money—” (Souma)

I tried taking out the bill, Hiyorin gently shook her head, using her hand to stop me, and wore a serene expression filled with an adult’s composure, as if she were dating a younger boyfriend.

“Let your onee-chan handle this. It’s a thank-you for always taking care of me.” (Hiyori)

“Well, but…” (Souma)

I couldn’t easily back down, and my hand wandered aimlessly in the air while holding the cash. I knew that it was polite to let her treat me if she wanted to, but today’s bill had completely exceeded the limit of what I considered acceptable. After all, it wasn’t just hoodies that we bought. Taking into account the innerwear and running shoes, the total had long exceeded five digits.

“Will you be paying with a card?” (Cashier)

“Yes, please.” (Hiyori)

“I’ll take your card.” (Cashier)

The exchange proceeded smoothly, but all I could do was awkwardly clutch my cash and watch. My body doesn’t seem to know what to do as I find myself unable to hand the money to Hiyorin or put it back in my wallet. As I stood there, Hiyorin turned her gaze towards me and spoke.

“It’s just that… I’m constantly showing you my embarrassing side, right? So, can you let me show off a bit occasionally? You’re even keeping me company even though you don’t have to. I can’t bear to make you pay because of my selfishness.” (Hiyori)

“…I understand.” (Souma)

Certainly, if the roles were reversed, I’d probably want to treat her as well. Of course, I felt guilty for accepting her generosity, but I could understand that it was better for me to yield in this situation.

“In that case… Thank you, Hiyorin-san.” (Souma)

“Mmm. But in return, you have to accompany me properly, okay?” (Hiyori)

I nodded. When I slowly raised my head, I noticed that the cashier’s cheeks had turned red.

…Embarrassing, but not in the way she probably imagined!

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Thanks for reading!

I wonder if Shizuka and Mafuyu are gonna go buy the same matching hoodie lol. Imagine the cashier’s reaction when two other girls buy the same thing soon after.

I think the conversation towards the end was supposed to be a bit more suggestive of “accompanying in bed”, hence the cashier’s reaction. I think there is a better way to phrase it to achieve this but I just can’t think of it.

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1. Not sure if I translated this correctly, but ‘a drop of water on a hot stone’ means something bound to fail due to inadequate effort, or something like that. I’m guessing in this context it means that despite the situation being over, he still feels weak… I think. Idk english is hard.

We ended up going to the third floor, where all the fitness and sports-related stores were.

The first thing that surprised me was the atmosphere. The spacious floor was filled with trendy brands that I, an ordinary university student, had never even heard of. Various colorful sportswear and shoes were displayed at storefronts. I didn’t know that sportswear could be this stylish.

“Well, let’s see, what should I buy? Running shoes, clothes… If I’m going to exercise in my room, I’ll need some indoor ones as well.” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin murmured as she looked at the floor map. Further back, I could see that there were golf or tennis items. Rows of short skirts for women lined up, and the mischievous little devil residing in my mind pictured my oshi dressed up in them.

“Well… let’s just look around for now.” (Souma)

Hiyorin’s healthy legs, extending elegantly from the white skirt, were more than enough to shatter my rationality. I shook my head, trying to expel the little devil from my mind. If I continued like this, I would be completely exhausted before we finished we even finished a single floor.

I decided to storm into a nearby store to refresh my mood, and Hiyorin followed suit.

“!?” (Souma)

What awaited us were a variety of women’s sports underwear. The mischievous devil that was in my mind had evolved into a formidable foe, and of course, I couldn’t let Hiyorin know about this.

We hastily slipped out of the store. Why on earth was there a lingerie shop on the sports floor!?

“Sorry! I wasn’t paying attention!” (Souma)

“Ah, ahaha… It’s okay, everyone makes mistakes, right? L-Let’s just go to another store, shall we?” (Hiyori)

My face must have been red, and Hiyorin’s face was also flushed. We awkwardly moved towards another store.

◆

“How about this one? I think it’s cute and perfect for summer.” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin held up a lemon-yellow zip-up hoodie and layered it over her body, then turned to face me.

“Well… um, excuse me for a moment.” (Souma)

First, I decided to touch it to confirm the material. The surface felt smooth, and it was quite different from the hoodies I usually saw Shizuka wear. This one seemed designed specifically for sports, and according to the tag, it was excellent at absorbing sweat.

Yeah, it seemed pretty good. The washing instructions were straightforward too.

“I think it’s a good choice. It seems to have good functionality as well.” (Souma)

As I let go of the hoodie and expressed my opinion, Hiyorin directed a dissatisfied look my way.

“Souma-kun… you can’t do that, you know? When a woman asks for your opinion on clothing, you should answer based on whether it’s cute or not.” (Hiyori)

She once again placed the hoodie against her body, this time looking at me with an expectant gaze.

“Well, um… you’re right.” (Souma)

I know. It was probably what she wanted to ask from me in the first place. But right now, it was a high hurdle to look directly at Hiyorin.

Because… the hoodie was resting on her chest. When you try to look at the hoodie, you inevitably end up staring at her chest. Please, realize that I’m trying my best not to do that.

Hiyorin, you’re a very dangerous presence for young men, you know.

“How does it look…? Maybe it doesn’t suit me…?” (Hiyori)

“Uh…” (Souma)

Unable to bear Hiyorin’s sad voice, I found myself looking at the hoodie. It was unlike Shizuka or Mafuyu’s outfits; the hoodie was sticking out unnaturally in a certain area. In my mind, the devil started to dance. Stop it, don’t imagine Hiyorin’s chest without permission!

“I think it suits you…” (Souma)

“Really? That’s great. Then, shall we go with this one?” (Hiyori)

As Hiyorin happily put the hoodie back in its place, I took a deep breath, making sure not to get caught.

“…Phew.” (Souma)

The phrase “a drop of water on a hot stone¹” came to mind. The part of me that my reason couldn’t control was relentlessly making my head hot. When did I become so weak in the presence of women? I felt like I wasn’t myself, but there was no doubt that I was still Tendou Souma.

“Alright, let’s go look for bottoms next.” (Hiyori)

“Yeah… let’s do that.” (Souma)

Somehow, my whole body feels itchy again. My blood must be rushing into my head rapidly.

I don’t care if it’s Shizuka or Mafuyu, someone, please help me.

I was so distressed that I found myself looking for a non-existent pair. I never thought a date with my oshi could be this exhausting. No, of course, it’s fun and enjoyable, but there’s an equal amount of mental fatigue.

When I went shopping with Shizuka for household appliances, it wasn’t like this… The reason for that was clear, but I felt bad putting it into words. Where the nutrients go in the human body is something we can’t control.

---

Thanks for reading!

Bruh so it’s just her chest that is causing him distress. Well, ask and you shall receive cause those two are just waiting to make an appearance.

Also, I swear that this is the title of the chapter. I guess the imaginary Shizuka in MC’s head decided to name this chapter after what he said at the end.

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1. Not sure if I translated this correctly, but ‘a drop of water on a hot stone’ means something bound to fail due to inadequate effort, or something like that. I’m guessing in this context it means that despite the situation being over, he still feels weak… I think. Idk english is hard.

As Hiyorin led me into the department store, the cool air swiftly dispelled the rising heat in my body. 

“Ah… it’s cooling. I feel alive again.” (Hiyori)

“Yes, indeed…” (Souma)

We probably took the train and traveled past several stations, but my memory of this journey was almost nonexistent. The fact that I was holding hands while walking with my oshi didn’t really seem to register in my brain. 

Since it was a holiday afternoon, the department store was quite crowded. For some inexplicable reason, I started to hallucinate that everyone here was staring at us, even though they weren’t. I couldn’t help but worry that someone might have noticed Hiyorin. With that thought, holding hands with her suddenly became quite scary.

I’m scared, my whole body is itchy, and it feels like my heart is about to give out.

If I continue holding hands with Hiyorin, my body might not be able to handle it. Being near your oshi was like a powerful drug that could have adverse effects on the human body if not monitored carefully.

“Uh, I… I’m going to the restroom for a bit!” (Souma)

I quickly let go of Hiyorin’s hand and rushed to the restroom to escape. When I checked my face in the mirror, I could clearly see signs of fatigue. My face showed signs of exhaustion, yet my mouth was unnaturally upturned. I looked like an awkward clown. Was I really grinning like that?

“Phew…” (Souma)

Isn’t this technically… a date with Hiyorin?

Well, it’s not officially a date, and going out together as a man and a woman doesn’t necessarily mean that it was one. But if we hold hands, it’s surely a date, isn’t it? 

“Ah… I’m getting nervous…” (Souma)

Considering how much time I spent with Hiyorin up until now, I thought I wouldn’t be nervous at all.

I have carried her in my arms before. I have seen her sleeping face. There were even moments when her chest and thighs were pressed against me when I carried her on my back.

And yet… just going out together is making me so nervous.

Come to think of it, drunk Hiyorin and I talk almost every day, but normal Hiyorin and I haven’t interacted that much. It’s safe to say that I haven’t really deepened my connection with the Hiyorin that I have known for the past few years.

“I have to make sure I don’t say something weird later…” (Souma)

Taking a deep breath, I returned to Hiyorin.

◆

[Shizuka’s PoV]

“Urgh! It’s so hot; I feel like I’m about to turn into a steamed bun!” (Shizuka)

As I got off the train, a scorching heatwave of despair hit me. The heat was making my head spin, and I blurted out something stupid.

Despite my stupid words, it wasn’t actually that hot. Thanks to the ice queen next to me, who kept cutting through my words with a sharp knife, my heart remained cool.

“In Shizuka’s case, wouldn’t you turn into a bug instead?” (Mafuyu)

“Hey, what do you mean by that? Why should I be the one flipping over by the side of the road in the summer heat?¹” (Shizuka)

“Why don’t you try flipping over there? I think it suits you.” (Mafuyu)

See? Just being next to Mafuyu makes you feel like the temperature has dropped by at least 10°C. If this was Pokemon, she would surely be an ice-type.

“Nugiii… Someday I’ll get back at you…” (Shizuka)

I glared at Mafuyu, but she didn’t pay any attention to me at all. My gaze pierced through her and disappeared into the sky. As if to counterattack, the sun entered my vision and blinded me in return.

“Eek!” (Shizuka)

“What are you doing, Shizuka? We need to go before we lose sight of onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

“Wait, my eyes hurt a bit…” (Shizuka)

I rubbed my eyes vigorously, and a dim purple squiggly light glowed in the darkness. My eyes are definitely in bad shape…

“Haa… what are you doing?” (Mafuyu)

“Whoa!” (Shizuka)

Suddenly, my hand was grabbed. A cool sensation enveloped my palm and pulled me forward. When I opened my eyes, Mafuyu was holding my hand and effortlessly navigating through the crowd. Without telling her that my vision had recovered, I stared intently at Mafuyu’s slender fingers.

…I feel that Mafuyu doesn’t really hate me. Despite everything, she tends to go along with these kind of things. Even now, she’s choosing routes to make sure I don’t bump into anyone. Her words are sharp, but she doesn’t say anything that would really hurt me. It’s like she trusts me enough to think I can handle this much.

Could it be that Mafuyu is… a tsundere?

“Heh, you’re quite cute.” (Shizuka)

“Have you gone crazy?” (Mafuyu)

“Maybe, who knows?” (Shizuka)

“If you’re better, walk on your own already.” (Mafuyu)

I raised my gaze, and in the distance, I could see Souma-kun and Hiyorin walking together. Their distance was just right, neither too close nor too far.

…But how long are those two going to hold hands?

---

Thanks for reading!

Mafuyu is tsundere + yandere? What do you even call this kind of hybrid?

P.S. I can’t confirm this, but I saw a post somewhere talking about how the author confirmed on Twitter that there will be a vol 3, which is most likely a Mafuyu-focused one.

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1. This conversation made no sense to me, so I just kept it uneditted.

Cute. Beautiful. I think it suits you. It’s stylish.

The moment I saw Hiyorin standing at the entrance, various words raced through my mind. I had the urge to say those words, but ultimately, the words that came out of my mouth were something completely different. If I could say those words here, I’d be what they call a “riajuu¹“.

“Good morning, Hiyorin-san.”  (Souma)

“Good morning, Souma-kun. It’s a nice day to go out, isn’t it?”  (Hiyori)

Wearing a pure white top and an emerald green long skirt, Hiyorin, with her cool yet distinctly feminine black sandals, smiled at me as she said that. We only just met and my heart is already pounding loudly… I can’t believe I’m about to go out with this person now…

Even though I see Hiyorin in her casual clothes every day, just the thought that I’m about to go out with this person makes her everyday attire look like a luxurious dress. It’s amazing how the human brain interprets things.

“Hiyorin-san, you wearing sunglasses, huh? It’s kind of surprising.”  (Souma)

“Haha… I don’t usually wear them, you know? But today, since I’m going out with Souma-kun… just in case, you know?”  (Hiyori)

“Ah…”  (Souma)

Upon hearing that, I was taken aback.

“Um… Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this?”  (Souma)

Hiyorin is an up-and-coming idol voice actress who has been gaining a lot of popularity lately. If we were to get caught walking together by a weekly magazine or something, it would surely become a big problem. It might even affect Hiyorin’s future work.

However, Hiyorin paid no heed to my concerns and tilted her head with a nonchalant expression.

“Hmm? What do you mean?”  (Hiyori)

“I’m talking about going out with me. It would be a big problem if we got caught by the press, right…?”  (Souma)

“Hmm, well…”  (Hiyori)

Hiyorin started walking towards the elevator so I quickly followed her. Hiyorin pressed the elevator button and then turned to me, pinching the edge of her sunglasses with both hands.

“…It wouldn’t really matter, right? I mean, you wouldn’t even recognize me.”  (Hiyori)

I do recognize you, you’re my oshi after all… is what I wanted to say, but I guess she wasn’t exactly wrong. When I looked at Hiyorin’s entire figure with a neutral mindset, I realized that perhaps only acquaintances would recognize her as the voice actress Yasumi Hiyori. To everyone else, she probably just looked like a stylish and attractive older sister.

“That might be true, but…”  (Souma)

But considering how dire the consequences are for getting caught, I couldn’t quite bring myself to feel at ease. People who end up in tabloids² probably all think, “There’s no way I would get caught.”

“Ah!?”  (Souma)

With the cool touch of her hand, all those unpleasant thoughts vanished.

“Don’t worry about the details. If I keep worrying about stuff like that, I won’t be able to do anything. Let’s just have fun today, okay?”  (Hiyori)

Hiyorin… she was holding my hand. My body was rapidly heating up. Wait, is this real?

Hiyorin isn’t drunk right now. She wasn’t in her usual alcohol-induced state. The normal Hiyorin was holding my hand of her own accord.

“Wait a mi—!?”  (Souma)

“Alright, let’s go!”  (Hiyori)

Faced with this incomprehensible reality, my thoughts were in complete disarray.

I was dragged by Hiyorin into the elevator that had just arrived.

◆

[Shizuka PoV]

“(…Bzzz, bzzzzz… This is Agent RS. Agent MM, do you read me? Repeating… This is Agent RS. Agent MM, do you read me.)”  (Shizuka)

“(What’s with this ‘Agent MM’? And you’re just making the ‘bzzz’ sound with your mouth.)”  (Mafuyu)

“(Transceivers make a ‘bzz’ sound too, you know. Anyways, are you ready?)”  (Shizuka)

“(Been ready for a while. What about you?)”  (Mafuyu)

“(I’m good too. I just peeked out the door, and it looks like it’s time to go… Ah!!)”  (Shizuka)

“(Shizuka , don’t be so loud.)”  (Mafuyu)

“(It’s not Shizuka! it’s Agent RS! But more importantly, Mafuyu, Hiyorin is up to something incredible!)”  (Shizuka)

“(Wasn’t I supposed to be Agent MM? So, what happened on with Hiyori-san?)”  (Mafuyu)

“(You see… Hiyorin was holding Souma-kun’s hand really tightly!)”  (Shizuka)

“(Wha!?)”  (Mafuyu)

“(I know right?! Mafuyu, we have to chase them!)”  (Shizuka)

When I ended the Rime call and stepped out into the entrance, Mafuyu appeared at the same time. Her face was pale, devoid of any vitality.

“I can’t forgive her… Onii-chan’s hands are only meant for me!”  (Mafuyu)

“W-Well, I also want to hold it…”  (Shizuka)

I timidly raised my hand, and Mafuyu shot me a dagger-like glare. Actually, it felt like something had physically pierced me. My stomach was hurting for some reason.

“Did you say something?”  (Mafuyu)

“N-No… Nothing…”  (Shizuka)

This girl is supposed to be younger than me, right…?

What’s with this intensity…?

---

Thanks for reading!

I thought they had actual transceivers until Shizuka hung up the Rime call lmao. I was initially impressed that she went and bought a set just to roleplay this segment but I guess not.

P.S. MM = Minase Mafuyu, RS = Rinjou Shizuka

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1. Riajuu means normie. And if you don’t know what normie means, here is a google search: It is a slang to describe a person who has or is living their life in the real world to the fullest, typically with a healthy social life, making friends, falling in love etc.
2. Tabloid is a type of newspaper that has smaller pages, many pictures, and short reports: The tabloids often attract readers with sensational headlines.

[Hiyorin’s PoV]

I wish I could just get drunk and forget.

But yesterday’s beer didn’t seem to be enough to take away my memory.

Even after I woke up, I remembered yesterday’s disgrace vividly. I could still recall the coldness of the floor against my cheek when I tumbled onto the ground.

“…Why did I do something like that?” (Hiyori)

While burying my face in my bed, my self-loathing kicks in… How many times have I done this already?

How much trouble have I already caused to Souma-kun? Even yesterday’s menu, I’m sure he made it because of me. If I keep relying on his kindness, I’ll definitely be hated someday. That future is probably not too far away.

“(Hiyorin’s my oshi after all. I want to be there to help you whenever you’re going through a tough time.)” (Imaginary Souma)

…As long as he said that, things are still okay. I still have time to change myself. Starting from tomorrow, no… Starting from today, I need to change.

“Alright!” (Hiyori)

I got up from the bed and took out all the beer from the fridge.

Souma-kun, Shizuka-chan, would you like some beer?

◆

[Souma’s PoV]

“Alright, I’m opening it now… Huh, Hiyorin?” (Souma)

As I was preparing breakfast, our home, which had become a hotspot for unauthorized entries, had its doorbell rang. When I opened the door, Hiyorin was standing unsteadily, holding a cardboard box. I hurriedly took it from her and listened to her explanation, and it seemed to contain beer. She mentioned she wanted to seal away the beer for a while.

“Also… I’m sorry about yesterday. Or, well, not just yesterday but the day before as well…” (Hiyori)

“Don’t worry about it. I enjoy drinking with my oshi. And… I’ve already gotten used to it.” (Souma)

“Hahaha…” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin’s face contorted, and she let out a dry laugh. Even with her contorted expression, she looked cute, and I couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty. By talking to the normal Hiyorin, I once again realized that she still had that gem-like face…

“Well, I’ll gladly accept the beer.” (Souma)

For now, I was relieved that Hiyorin seemed to be in better spirits. I had been worried about what to do if she continued to feel down just like yesterday.

I let go of the door and placed the cardboard box in the hallway. As I turned to lock the door, Hiyorin was still standing there. I wondered if she had something else on her mind.

“What’s the matter?” (Souma)

“Well, I have a little request…” (Hiyori)

“A request? What is it?” (Souma)

There’s basically no reason to refuse a request from my ‘oshi’.

“…You mentioned yesterday that you’d help with my diet, right? I mean, I was thinking that I might slack off if I do it alone, so I was wondering if we could do it together…” (Hiyori)

“A diet, huh? Alright, but… what exactly are we going to do?” (Souma)

“I haven’t decided yet. I was thinking of doing things like morning runs and maybe playing some Ringfit Adventure¹.” (Hiyori)

“I see…” (Souma)

Ringfit Adventure is something that has been getting popular recently. I believe Ette-sama also played it on a livestream once. However, this is a single-player game, so I can’t assist with that. But if it’s morning runs, I can join her. It sounds refreshing and could be beneficial for me too.

…However, there was one issue here.

“Of course, I’d love to help. But the thing is, I don’t have any running attire. I’ll need to buy some. Is it okay to start doing it together after I get it?” (Souma)

In response to my words, Hiyorin’s face lit up.

“Oh, I was actually planning to go buy some myself. How about… we go shopping together?” (Hiyori)

“Oh, in that case, we should.” (Souma)

I nodded without putting in much thought. It’s possible that my genes are wired to make me nod in agreement when Hiyorin asks for a favor.

“Yes, are you free this Saturday?” (Hiyori)

“I’m available on that day. It’s okay.” (Souma)

“Great. So, I’ll see you on Saturday…?” (Hiyori)

With a cheerful smile, Hiyorin left, closing the door behind her. Once I was alone, I contemplated the situation.

◆

[Shizuka’s PoV]

“….Oh, this is…” (Shizuka)

There was someone watching the two of them, and that someone was me.

I had opened the door, intending to go to the convenience store, but I quickly hid at my entrance when I saw Souma-kun and Hiyorin talking. However, my curiosity got the best of me, so I opened the door just a bit and listened in on them. It seemed like they were planning to go out on Saturday.

“Well, I guess I have to tail them, right?” (Shizuka)

I quickly pulled my smartphone out of my pocket and opened Rime. From the Souma-kai room, I searched for a certain name and sent her a private message.

“(Mafuyu, do me a favor and hang out with me on Saturday. Also, approve my friend request already.)” (Shizuka)

Does she know how troublesome it is to switch from the group chat to the individual chat every time?

Mafuyu, who has pretty good time management, was still awake (while I was about to go to sleep), and she quickly read the message. A reply followed not long after.

“(Who is this?)” (Mafuyu)

This girl is really asking for it.

---

Thanks for reading!

This weight-loss arc is gonna be quite something. Well, there isn’t really much weight to lose in the first place.

Also, apparently sending Mafuyu a friend request is the same as sending someone you know a Facebook friend request.

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1. Not sure if I got this correct. Raw said “Wakka fitto” when I googled I only found this game made by Nintendo, so I’m assuming it’s this. This is a nintendo switch game that has a giant ring which you exercise with…? Idk honestly.

“Hiyorin-san, you’re banned from drinking beer for a while.” (Souma)

“Wha…what?” (Hiyori)

*Clang*

The empty glass falls from Hiyorin’s hand onto the table.

“Hiyorin-san, you do want to lose weight, right? You can’t do that if you’re drinking beer.” (Souma)

“Ugh.” (Hiyori)

It seemed that Hiyorin herself understood this deep down, as she moaned while slumping over the table. As she set the fallen glass upright, I continued talking.

“Sake isn’t good either. If you want to drink, go for shochu or whiskey.” (Souma)

Actually, I wanted her to reduce her overall alcohol intake. However, demanding such a drastic change out of nowhere might not be sustainable in the long run. The key to consistency is to start with what you can do and slowly build from there.

“I guess I can’t keep going on like this… I’m not that young anymore…” (Hiyori)

“Well, I think you’re quite young.” (Souma)

According to her profile, Hiyorin is 26 years old. While she may be older than everyone in Souma-kai, she’s still undeniably a young person by most standards.

“Anyways, I’m already… an old lady…” (Hiyori)

She mumbled while resting her forehead on the table. Today, Hiyorin seemed to be in more of a negative mood, this is probably worsened by the effects of alcohol. 

“Actually, I don’t think you’re overweight at all. In fact, you look great…” (Souma)

I wanted to compliment her to boost her self-morale, but it came out a bit strangely. Maybe I was a bit drunk myself.

“…Really?” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin tilted her head and peered at my face as if searching for my true intentions. Strangely, her eyes were red and puffy. Had she been crying all this time?

“Well, uh… I did buy your photobook, after all…” (Souma)

“!?” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin leaned back dramatically, and her cheeks, already red from alcohol, turned even redder. She tumbled down from her chair, then huddled on the floor, pressing her face with both hands.

“…You’re kidding, right? It’s so embarrassing…” (Hiyori)

“Wha… What’s embarrassing about it?! You looked absolutely beautiful!” (Souma)

Hiyorin’s strange behavior made me anxious, and I felt like I had said something odd again.

By the way, I had sealed away Hiyorin’s photobook, thinking, “Since we’ve become neighbors, it would be bad if I looked at it.” However, I couldn’t resist and peeked at it recently. 

The photobook, titled “Secret Journey”, featured Hiyorin frolicking¹ on foreign beaches in swimsuits, relaxing in light clothing on a hotel bed, and enjoying local cuisine with a smile on her face. In short, it was an incredibly alluring… I mean… nice photobook.

“Stop, don’t saaaay thattt…” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin, who was huddled on the wooden floor, cried out and rolled to her side while clutching her knees. She rolled in such a way that her backside was facing me, so I quickly averted my gaze. She was way too defenseless.

“I don’t want to remember it… It’s just that the manager and others got too excited, and it somehow became much more extreme than intended… It wasn’t supposed to end up like that…” (Hiyori)

When Hiyorin drank alcohol, she tended to become more vocal, but today she seemed to be even more drunk. It’s not often that she gets this out of hand…

Hiyorin promptly tucked her head into her loungewear like a turtle and spoke in a notably softer tone.

“…But you know… I’m not the same person I was back then… *sigh*…” (Hiyori)

I found myself without a single card to play against the completely curled-up 26-year-old Hiyorin. However, I had a feeling that it would be a good idea to comfort her. Trusting my instincts, I approached Hiyorin.

“Don’t worry, you’ll surely get back in shape soon. Let’s work on the diet together, okay?” (Souma)

“…You’d do it with me?” (Hiyori)

“Of course. Hiyorin’s my oshi after all. I want to be there to help you whenever you’re going through a tough time.” (Souma)

“…*Sniff*… Thank you, Souma-kun…” (Hiyori)

“Don’t mention it. Shall we call it a night for today?” (Souma)

“…Yeah.” (Hiyori)

“Alright, here, I’ll give you a hand.” (Souma)

I moved over and lifted the curled-up Hiyorin. I couldn’t help but notice that I was holding her in various places, but I decided not to dwell on it. If I were to constantly worry about stuff like this, I wouldn’t be fit to be Hiyorin’s drinking companion.

Using the spare key, I entered her house and made my way to the bedroom. I gently placed Hiyorin on the bed, and she rolled onto her side and came to a stop against the wall.

“Make sure to brush your teeth before bed, okay? Well then… good night.” (Souma)

“Good night…” (Hiyori)

I closed the bedroom door behind me and let out a deep sigh. After settling the matter, the various sensations from before flooded my consciousness. It sure is tough being a 20-year-old man.

“…You’re too kind, Souma-kun…” (Hiyori)

I thought I heard something from beyond the door. It might have been sleep talk.

---

Thanks for reading!

Well, I mean 26 years old is quite young… it’s just that being surrounded by younger people doesn’t really make you feel any better.

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1. Frolicking means play or move about in a cheerful and lively way. But it can also mean in a slightly erotic way…?

Ever since Hiyorin mentioned she might have gained weight the other day, I have been contemplating how the dinner menu should be.

Until now, I had mainly relied on supermarket flyers to find affordable ingredients and had been preparing dishes based on what I or someone else wanted to eat. As a result, I tended to neglect the concept of a balanced diet. Of course, I tried to cover it to some extent with side dishes and soups, but it’s not like you can supplement only the nutrients you want. As a result, excessive nutrients were present.

More specifically, fats and carbohydrates. These two were usually the culprits behind gaining weight.

“I should have thought about it from the start…” (Souma)

It’s not an exaggeration to say that my thoughtlessness has made Hiyorin anxious. As someone making the meals, this was something I should have considered from the start. On top of that, Hiyorin is an idol voice actress, so she must pay extra attention to her figure.

Anyways, since Shizuka occasionally requests fairly high-calorie dishes, the menu at Souma-kai is excessive in terms of calories. If this continues, we will all be heading towards becoming a big plump. That’s something we absolutely must avoid. After all, obesity can be the root cause of various other health problems.

From now on, I’ll focus on healthy menus. However, it’s a fact that healthy ingredients are often more expensive. Lately, there’s been an incredible health-conscious trend, with advertisements for complete-nutrition meals and healthy frozen meals popping up almost every day.

“If that’s the case…” (Souma)

I spread out the supermarket flyer on the table and squinted my eyes. I needed to find some hidden gems in there. If the quality of the menu were to decline for the sake of health, I’m sure everyone would not stay silent about it. I decided to try asking Shizuka.

“(What would you say if I told you that from today onwards, dinner will consist of just broccoli and chicken?)” (Souma)

The response came back quickly.

“(Are you telling me to go crazy? Also, I’m in the mood for Mapo Tofu today.)” (Shizuka)

“(I’ll think about it.)” (Souma)

Mapo Tofu, huh… Looks like it’s another dish that could lead to gaining weight.

At first glance, it might not seem like a dish that would make you gain weight, especially with tofu as an ingredient. However, Mapo Tofu uses a lot of oil and includes meat. On top of that, you won’t get much in the way of vegetables, making it unsuitable for a diet.

With a little care, even a dish like Mapo Tofu can be made without any issues, using only the oil from the ground meat. However, there’s also a part of me that wants to go all out with a healthy menu on the first day.

“Ah…” (Souma)

But then I found a shining treasure within the flyer and couldn’t help but silently celebrate.

◆

“Souma-kun, I thought I requested Mapo Tofu.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka voiced her dissatisfaction as she looked at the menu on the dining table. Mafuyu-chan and Hiyorin, on the other hand, seemed to be waiting for our conversation to conclude without any change in their usual demeanor.

…Am I allowed to tell them about Hiyorin’s worries? Maybe I should just come up with a plausible excuse for now.

“When I went to the supermarket, the tofu had suddenly become a hundred million yen per block¹. Well, never mind that, give this a try.” (Souma)

The treasure menu I found… was none other than the king of diets, Salad Chicken.

By slicing the salad chicken into bite-sized pieces and serving it with a special sauce based on soy sauce and green onions… it turned into a Japanese-style salad chicken steak. I tried it earlier, and it turned out quite well. Shizuka should like it too.

“Well then… itadakimasu.” (Shizuka)

With no other choice, Shizuka extended her chopsticks to the salad chicken, seemingly ignoring my obvious lie.

“──!?” (Shizuka)

Shizuka, with a surprised expression, grabbed another piece of salad chicken and chomped it down with a mix of white rice.

“Souma-kun! This is incredibly delicious!” (Shizuka)

“I like it too. It’s healthy.” (Mafuyu)

“It seems like it would go great with alcohol.” (Hiyori)

The salad chicken steak seemed to be a hit with everyone, and I felt relieved. It was worth rushing to prepare the green onions.

“The crunchiness of this green onion is quite amazing, isn’t it~” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin placed her hand on her cheek and wore a blissful expression. She then reached for a nearby glass and drank the perfectly poured beer.

…Couldn’t that also be one of the reasons for gaining weight?

I wanted to bring up the topic, but it wasn’t something to discuss in front of everyone. I decided to wait until Souma-kai was over. I would probably get invited to have a second round with Hiyorin later.

---

Thanks for reading!

A pretty food-intensive chapter, which means I have no idea what I’m translating. 

You know, when I see the word onions, I think of the sphere-shaped thing, but apparently, green onions are the leaf part of it or something?

Apparently, drinking alcohol can lead to weight gain. But then again, almost everything can lead to weight gain somehow.

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1. Wow very realistic excuse.e