“Sigh… it cannot be helped. Since she was a child, Shiina has studied fine arts and painting, so she lacks some common sense. She is a little different from ordinary people.” Chihiro Sengoku lazily brushed off Sorata’s questioning.
“Is this just a little different? You are both her teacher and guardian. I think you should bear the main responsibility.” Sorata did not retreat.
“This meeting is boring. Hearing you say that gives me a headache.” Mitaka Jin pushed up his glasses and spread his hands at Sorata.
“Think about it. I only come back to stay once or twice a week. I simply do not have the time.”
“And you expect Misaki to take care of someone? That is even more impossible. I am her childhood friend. You have lived here long enough to know what kind of person she is.”
“As for counting on Chihiro Sensei, she is busy every day going to matchmaking events, trying every possible way to get herself married. You want her to stay single forever by taking on extra baggage?”
After Jin’s speech, though they had just been ridiculed, Chihiro and Misaki both nodded quickly, their expressions clearly saying do not count on us.
As for the other resident of Sakurasou, the shut in Akasaka Ryuunosuke, he was even less dependable.
Sorata had lived here for half a year and had never once seen him step outside his room.
“Do not make it sound so tragic. When a problem appears, there is always a solution, right? For example, Senpai Jin could take on more of the daily chores.” Sorata refused to give in.
“Impossible. On Monday I have Asami senpai from the Drama Department. Tuesday is Noriko the nurse. Wednesday is the girl from the flower shop. I might not even come back on weekends. How would I have time?” Jin counted on his fingers, looking troubled.
“You really are busy. But if you keep this up, I feel like you are in serious danger.” Sorata shook his head, speechless.
He did admire this so called Humanoid Self Propelled Cannon Chief, but he truly wondered which day someone would stab him.
“I have not done anything wrong. What danger could there be?” Jin replied, a little stiffly.
At that moment, a dialog box popped up on the laptop sitting on the table.
It was a message from Akasaka Ryuunosuke, sent from his room.
“I thought this meeting was about something important. I did not expect it to be such a boring issue. Do not disturb me with this kind of thing again.”
As soon as the message appeared, the avatar in the lower right corner turned gray.
He had gone offline.
“Exactly. What is there to discuss? In Sakurasou, only you, Kanda, have the time and are the most suitable. That settles it.”
“From now on, Shiina is your responsibility. I am full. I will go upstairs to exercise and digest.” Holding a beer bottle, Chihiro waved and returned to her room.
“I agree. Leave it to Sorata. Bye.” Jin picked up his phone and headed out as well.
It was Tuesday.
He was spending the night at Noriko the nurse’s place.
Watching Jin’s back disappear, Misaki’s eyes dimmed slightly. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
The next second, she bounced back to her usual energetic self and leaped to her feet.
“Meeting adjourned. I still have tons of animation cuts to redo. Everyone, do your best. Do your best.”
In an instant, only Sorata and Shiina remained in the living room.
Shiina sat quietly, as if she had not fully understood what had just happened.
“…Even though I expected this, do I really look that reliable?” Sorata rubbed his chin.
“Could it be that I am actually a good person at heart?”
“Sorata.”
“Mm.”
“Please take care of me from now on.”
Shiina looked at him and gave a small bow.
“Actually, you should say, please take care of me for the rest of my life.”
Looking at the blank faced girl in front of him, Sorata reached out and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her smooth long hair into a mess.
“Sorata is mean.”
Her tone was calm, almost devoid of emotion.
“That mean has no conviction at all. You should frown a little, raise your voice, and put some anger in your eyes.”
…
By seven thirty the next morning, Sorata had already prepared breakfast: golden fried fish fillets, rice, fried tofu, and miso soup.
It was supposed to be Shiina’s turn today.
But if they relied on her, no one would be eating.
Besides, Sorata was picky about food.
It was better to cook for himself.
“You look like a househusband already. I did not expect you to adapt to your new identity so quickly.” Chihiro grabbed a can of beer from the fridge, took a plate, and helped herself to a portion from the counter.
“What else should I do? Throw a tantrum like a kid?”
As he spoke, Misaki came flying down the stairs with her usual boundless energy.
“Wow, Kohai, you are amazing.”
She reached out and picked up a piece of fried fish with her hand.
“Eh? You did not make a bento today, Kohai?”
“There were not enough ingredients. Last night’s meal already used up this week’s grocery budget. Senpai, remember to go shopping after school. It is your turn today.” This story is hosted at novelping.com.
Meat was expensive in Sakura nation.
Because Sorata had indulged himself last night, the all meat menu had wiped out the weekly budget in one go.
For someone like Misaki, that amount of money meant nothing.
“Ah… I have to eat at the cafeteria again today. I was looking forward to what kind of delicious bento you would make.” Misaki sighed.
“It is your fault for not buying more yesterday. If the money was not enough, you could have paid first.”
“You think I am like you? I am broke.” Sorata shook his head.
The reality of it still gave him a slight headache.
He was just an ordinary high school student from Fukuoka.
The monthly allowance from home was barely enough to cover basic living expenses.
If he wanted to eat better, he had no spare money.
I need to find a way to earn some money.
A thoughtful look crossed Sorata’s eyes.
As for Misaki, do not be fooled by the fact that she was only a third year art student.
In the past two years, she had sold the copyrights to several hit animations.
Her assets were enough for her to retire immediately.
She was undeniably rich.
“Right, I forgot you have no money, Kohai.” Misaki nodded, completely unconcerned about how damaging her words might sound.
Fortunately, Sorata was not an ordinary teenager and did not take offense.
“Since you put it so naturally, I suppose I really should earn some money and prove myself.”
“You two eat first. I will go wake Shiina.”
Sorata untied his apron, wiped his hands, and headed upstairs.
“When did Kanda become this reliable? Or did it only happen in the past two days? Could it be because of love…”
“Damned youth…”
Watching his steady back as he left, Chihiro Sengoku narrowed her eyes, her expression tinged with displeasure.