CFD – Chapter 19 – Evaluation from Amane

“Yotsuka-kun.” (Azami)

On the way home after school on Friday, I heard Azami’s voice from behind. When I turned around, she was standing there.

“Do you have time after this?” (Azami)

“I don’t have any particular plans.” (Yotsuka)

Although I usually train at the riverbank as part of my daily routine, it’s not a fixed plan that I can’t change. Since Azami specifically asked, she must have something important to discuss. That takes priority.

Azami walked up next to me, and we naturally started walking home together.

“I am actually planning to go shopping later, and since I ran into Yotsuka-kun, I thought it might be nice to go out together for a change. Plus, I have something I want to discuss. It might end up inconveniencing you, though.” (Azami)

“…Sure, that sounds good. Let’s go.” (Yotsuka)

Isn’t this a date? Why all of a sudden? I was taken aback by the suddenness of it all, but I did not want to show my confusion or embarrassment. I hid my unease and nodded in agreement.

“I’m glad. Thank you. Is there anywhere else you want to go, Yotsuka-kun?” (Azami)

“Well, not really…” (Yotsuka)

“In that case, I’ll go home first and change, then I’ll come to pick you up, alright?” (Azami)

“Should I come to pick you up instead?” (Yotsuka)

“No, it’ll probably take me longer to get ready, so I think I might end up making you wait.” (Azami)

Azami shook her head in response to my suggestion.

Compared to me, who simply changed out of my school uniform into one of my few casual outfits and stuffed my wallet and phone into my pockets, it was indeed likely that she would take more time. I’m not well-versed in the process of getting ready as a woman, after all.

“Where are we specifically going?” (Yotsuka)

“It’s going to be a bit of a trip, but I was thinking of going around the area of ―― to look at clothes, cosmetics, and such. Is that okay?” (Azami)

“It’s okay… but if we go now, we might end up coming back pretty late, right?” (Yotsuka)

“I think so. So if it seems too hard, you can refuse.” (Azami)

“I guess it might be a bit hard. I’ll just let Amane know first.” (Yotsuka)

“I see. I’ll treat you to dinner then.” (Azami)

“Thank you… I’ll at least carry the bags for you.” (Yotsuka)

“Thank you.” (Azami)

For a moment, I wanted to refuse her treat to dinner, but I remembered the number of donations on her live stream yesterday and kept quiet. She is definitely making more money than me. Treating me to a meal wouldn’t be a big deal for her, and it would be more troublesome to insist on paying.

“Does Amane-chan take care of dinner at Yotsuka-kun’s house?” (Azami)

“Right now, yeah. When my dad was alive, my mom handled the cooking. After my dad passed away and until Amane entered high school, I took care of it.” (Yotsuka)

“So, Yotsuka-kun can cook too?” (Azami)

“I’m not that skilled, though. As soon as the entrance exams were over, Amane wanted to replace me.” (Yotsuka)

“Is Amane-chan good at cooking?” (Azami)

“She’s pretty good, I think.” (Yotsuka)

“That’s nice. Having a cute little sister who’s good at cooking.” (Azami)

“If only our tastes in food matched as well, then everything would be perfect.” (Yotsuka)

“They don’t match?” (Azami)

“Amane’s cooking is on the healthier side.” (Yotsuka)

“Ah, I see.” (Azami)

I have made requests for a bit more meat and oil in the dishes before, but they were rejected because it was said that it would make me gain weight. So, I have resigned myself to a vegetable-heavy diet. Now I realize that I should have understood the power dynamics involved in being in charge of cooking and firmly held onto that authority. The decision of what to cook lies with the one in charge of the kitchen.

“What about Azami’s place?” (Yotsuka)

“It’s the complete opposite. No one knows how to cook. I hardly ever see anyone using the kitchen properly.” (Azami)

“Oh, really? Then how do you manage meals?” (Yotsuka)

Yeah, it’s a bit surprising. I had imagined Azami to be quite adept at cooking. It’s hard to imagine a household where nobody cooks.

“We rely on supermarket foods, convenience store bentos, food delivery, and eating out.” (Azami)

“…That sounds challenging.” (Yotsuka)

“We have enough money, though. Both my parents work tirelessly, and recently I have been earning a lot too. It’s been like this ever since I can remember, with just money left on the table, and I have to always have dinner by myself.” (Azami)

“I didn’t know about your family situation until now.”(Yotsuka)

“Ah, but recently I sometimes eat together with Hikari-chan, so it’s not as lonely as it used to be.” (Azami)

“I see. How was Hikari-san’s cooking?” (Yotsuka)

“No good. We actually tried cooking together for a live stream once, but it was a disaster for both of us. Well, in a way, it made the live stream more entertaining, so it worked out somewhat.” (Azami)

While we were talking, we arrived at my house.

“Well then, see you later.” (Yotsuka)

After saying that, we parted ways.

Upon entering the house, I climbed the stairs and entered my own room. I took off my school uniform and carefully selected the clothes to wear for going out. Although I say carefully, the situation was such that there were not many choices, with only three tops and two bottoms.

Without much thought, I selected a pair and put it on.

I put my wallet and smartphone in my pocket and relaxed in the living room, waiting for Azami to arrive.

Then, even before the doorbell rang, I heard the sound of the front door opening. It seemed like Amane had returned.

“I’m home.” (Amane)

“Welcome back. I’m going out for a bit today so I don’t need dinner.” (Yotsuka)

“Really? That’s unusual. Where are you going?” (Amane)

“Shopping.” (Yotsuka)

“Oh, I see… Wait, could it be a date?” (Amane)

Suddenly, Amane seemed to realize something and accurately guessed the truth.

How did she know? I have never gone out on a date before.

Amane stood at the entrance of the living room, observing me intently.

“Well, something like that.” (Yotsuka)

I answered while trying not to appear too confident and to avoid looking uncool.

“I see, that’s good for you.” (Amane)

I could not help but feel that Amane’s tone of voice was slightly cold.

I placed my bag on the sofa and went to the kitchen to get some water.

“What kind of person is the other party?” (Amane)

There was a short pause, and then I heard Amane’s voice from the kitchen.

“Azami-san.” (Yotsuka)

“Hmm… Azami-senpai, huh?” (Amane)

“Is something wrong?” (Yotsuka)

Amane’s voice sounded a bit restrained.

“I was wondering what it would be like if she was Onii-chan’s partner.” (Amane)

“No, she just asked me to accompany her for shopping.” (Yotsuka)

“But that’s basically a date. You don’t invite someone without any intention, right?” (Amane)

“Is that so? After the incident in the dungeon, we have had more opportunities to talk, so I think it’s just following that flow.” (Yotsuka)

“What about you, Onii-chan? Is someone like Azami-senpai your type?” (Amane)

Amane returned to the living room and took a seat beside me.

“I don’t think there are many men who dislike her. She’s beautiful and has a good personality.” (Yotsuka)

“Looks like that kind is also your type, Onii-chan” (Amane)

“…How does she look like from Amane’s perspective?” (Yotsuka)

Curious about Amane’s perspective, I asked her about her thoughts on Azami, expecting there might be something more to it from a same-gender point of view.

“I do think she’s a nice person. But she can be a bit calculative, you know? Like she’s really aiming to appeal to guys. I am starting to wonder if that’s the kind of person you prefer, big brother…” (Amane)

“Is that so?” (Yotsuka)

“If she wasn’t like that, she wouldn’t gather such a large number of viewers, right? Don’t you feel anything when you see her posting pictures of herself every day in cute outfits on Shouter and FictionGram¹?” (Amane)

“Well, not really…” (Yotsuka)

“She seems to have an incredibly strong desire for approval to me.” (Amane)

So, Onii-chan is also watching her closely huh? She accidentally muttered that out loud.

“I mean, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you start considering the possibility of someone close to you getting involved with such guys, it’s natural to have concerns, right?” (Amane)

“Well, if they could establish a proper relationship, that would be great. Maybe you’re overthinking it just because they invited you for shopping.” (Yotsuka)

“Yeah, maybe. Personally, I wouldn’t invite a guy I’m not interested in, but Azami-senpai might be the type of person who doesn’t worry about such things.” (Amane)

“No matter what the case might be…” (Amane) 

“I’m relieved, at least. When I heard about the date, I thought some bad girl approached my Onii-chan once she found out he is a lower-level explorer. But with Azami-senpai, it should be fine. At least it’s not for money, I suppose.” (Amane)

“You were worried about that? Well, I haven’t received any special attention from girls since then. Everything seems normal.” (Yotsuka)

“Is it because it’s difficult for them to approach openly at school? Or did Onii-chan do something to make the girls in his class dislike him?” (Amane)

“I don’t think I did anything like that.” (Yotsuka)

“Funn~ Well, I hope things go well with Azami-senpai.” (Amane)

“It would be nice if that happens.” (Yotsuka)

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TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Well, I don’t think it’s that unusual for girls to post pictures of themselves in new clothes on Instagram and stuff. Of course, if it is suggestive then it’s a different story. Although, Amane did totally nail the desire for approval part.

Btw after this week, I will be on school holiday for about 2 weeks, so more free time to translate. I am also planning on picking up a new series, well kinda. Of course I haven’t forgotten about Goblin lady. I will tell you more about it soon.

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Footnote:

1. FictionGram = Instagram