Chapter 6 – Strawberry Tart
After enjoying the delicious sea bream rice, when I looked at Aoi, she smiled mischievously.
“This person is seriously drunk,” I thought.
“What would you like next?” asked the chef.
“Hmm… I’ll have dessert, please. I got a bit carried away with the Tai-meshi,” I replied.
“Alright,” said the chef.
He brought out a fruit tart topped with plenty of strawberries. The strawberries were sparkling like jewels.
“They look so beautiful,” I remarked.
“I know, right?” Aoi chuckled.
Aoi received the fruit tart the chef served.
The palm-sized tart got me excited.
“Let’s dig in!” I said.
“Well… how is it?” Aoi asked.
“…” I was speechless.
I really love the sweets Aoi makes!
“You like it?” Aoi asked.
“Love it!” I exclaimed.
“!”
“I really love the sweets you make, Aoi.”
“…Sweets, huh…” he muttered
Aoi slumped a bit.
“Thank you, Aoi. You always treat me to such delicious food,” I said gratefully.
“And what about me?” Aoi asked.
“Huh?”
“Do you like me?”
“…This is only our third time meeting today.”
“Even after three times, I love you,” Aoi confessed.
He was confessing to me at a sushi restaurant, and he seemed to be nicely tipsy. I shouldn’t take this too seriously, I know that much.
“You’re quite used to this kind of thing,” I said.
“This is the first time I’ve said something like this,” Aoi replied.
“Well, say it when you’re not drunk. Then I’ll consider it,” I teased.
“Your response is quite well-practiced,” she said.
“I’ve been approached by drunks before, so I’m used to it,” I replied.
Aoi gazed at my face for a while, then turned to the chef.
“Clam soup and tea,” he requested.
A collaboration of liquids.
“Sure thing. Today, the lady wins,” the chef said.
“Huh?”
“Clam soup is good for reducing intoxication. It seems Mr. Kawakami has realized he’s had too much to drink,” the chef explained.
Aoi looked embarrassed and tried to hide it from me.
Despite this wild appearance, he’s so cute.
“I like people who can admit their faults,” I said.
Aoi smiled at my words.
“Just keep liking me as I am,” he said.
“I’ll consider that as time goes on. Please treat me again without hesitation.” I replied.
“Next time, I’ll cook for you. Will you eat it?” Aoi asked.
“Of course! I’d love to try something other than the sweets you make!” I replied.
Aoi happily messed up my hair as she laughed.
I wonder if there’s a way to do something about this situation.
After the meal, I hailed a taxi and got a ride home.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful treat today,” I said.
“…Don’t you usually say something like, ‘Would you like some tea?'” Aoi responded.
“I told you, I won’t invite someone I’ve only met three times to my single-person household,” I explained.
“I see. I like that about you,” Aoi said.
“Drunkard!” I thought.
“I’d say the same even if I wasn’t drunk. I love you, Kawakami.”
What a drunkard! My heart’s going to explode!
“I have to go to work early tomorrow, so I should get some sleep. Until next time,” I said.
“Once again, a well-practiced line,” Aoi replied.
“It’s the first time someone has escorted me all the way to my doorstep.”
“You’ve never been dropped off at your doorstep before?” I asked.
Aoi smiled awkwardly and said, “I haven’t.”
“I’ll invite you again,” Aoi said.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Are you free tomorrow night?” Aoi asked.
“Can you message me tomorrow? Drunkards tend to forget things,” I teased.
“I get it. I won’t forget!” Aoi said.
I smiled at him, and Aoi reluctantly left.
Honestly, I had a great time.
But that doesn’t mean I’ll invite him into my home.
He’s drunk after all.
Once I got home, I took a bath, freshened up, and relieved my fatigue After getting out of the bath, I received a message from my brother.
“Heard you went on a date with an amazing guy! Good luck!” he wrote.
“Amazing guy? Who are you talking about?” I replied.
“You didn’t even look at the business card of your matchmaking partner?” my brother asked.
“I don’t remember being given any business card,” I replied.
“He’s a famous jewelry designer, right?” my brother continued.
“Oh, really? All I know is he’s a wild and handsome guy who’s good at cooking,” I replied.
In my brother’s last message, he wrote something interesting.
“Glad my sister is marrying a man.”
Wait, is he implying that Aoi is my future husband?
…I can’t deny it.
The thought of Aoi as my husband… Sorry, I couldn’t help but imagine him wearing a frilly white apron, welcoming me home.
Even though he’s a wild and handsome guy, it might suit him a bit?
I burst out laughing while holding my stomach. Please forgive me for that.