Chapter 9 – Sauteed White Fish, Genovese Style
The store In the showcase that Aoi claimed as their work, there were sparkling items displayed on a velvet fabric of azure hue.
“So beautiful.”
Aoi brought me to was truly luxurious, and I was taken aback.
“This is my creation,” Aoi said.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Right? Do you want it?”
I glanced at the price and felt my heart might leap out of my chest at Aoi’s words.
An approaching staff member, with an incredibly salesy smile, seemed about to approach.
“I don’t need it!”
“Are you sure about that? You seem upset!”
“No, I don’t mean that. Just looking at it is enough.”
“Why not?”
Can I really say that I’m shocked by the price?
“I really want to try Aoi’s cooking soon.”
Trying to change the subject, I knew it was a bit strained, but I conveyed that I was hungry.
“…You seem kinda lewd.”
“Why would you say that? It’s not true! I’m just saying I’m starving!”
“…Sigh… Let’s buy some alcohol and go back.”
Aoi gave up, put his arm around my shoulder, and we left the store.
Purchasing white wine, rosé wine, and rosé champagne that caught my interest, I was led to an apartment so large and spacious that I couldn’t even begin to guess how much it cost.
Aoi is wealthy.
“I bet you’re popular…”
“Huh? What’s up?”
“You’re never short on female company, right?”
“I’ve been burdened by female company.”
Ah, so he is only been with demanding women. Tough luck.
“And it’s easy to bring someone to this room, right?”
“The women who come into this house are experiencing life for the first time.”
“Huh? Why’s that?”
“Because they dare to mess up my oasis of a kitchen, I don’t offer them anything.”
“Oh, they were trying to show off their feminine skills and failed?”
Aoi sighed and then said.
“Not exactly a failure… at least according to them. To me, it was a huge failure in taste… for everyone.”
“So, I don’t need to step into the kitchen? I can help with cleanup if needed.”
“There’s a dishwasher, so all you have to do is carry the dishes.”
“Huh? Is this heaven?”
“Hahaha.”
Aoi genuinely smiled, radiating happiness.
I couldn’t help but smile along.
“Welcome to my castle.”
“Are you playing the prince?”
“No, I’m playing the lord!”
“Haha… Silly lord?”
“You hurt me!”
“S-Sorry! I blurted it out without thinking!”
Aoi playfully tapped my head in response to my wry smile.
“Let’s eat. I’ll prepare something quickly, so just have a seat.”
“Okay!”
Honestly, the heavens do grant multiple blessings to those who are already blessed.
Before me, the rugged and handsome guy was elegantly enjoying the sautéed white fish, Genovese style.
I also took a slow bite of the white fish.
“Is it delicious?”
“Everything is delicious… Aoi, is there anything you’re not good at?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, you seem to be good at everything.”
“I have my dislikes too! I definitely fall asleep during romantic movies, I can’t stand having my kitchen messed up, and I dislike the smell of makeup and perfume.”
“I wear makeup too. So, does that mean we can’t even kiss?”
“…Are you even interested?”
“…Not at this moment.”
Aoi downed the champagne in their glass.
“Don’t be so cautious. I’m not thinking about doing anything right now!”
“…Aoi, don’t drink too much.”
“…Yeah, I know. When you are around me, I tend to mess up my pace.”
Aoi chuckled wryly.
“Do you want some water or not??”
“May I have it?”
“Sure, wait a sec.”
While Aoi got some water, I took a bite of the white fish.
It’s so delicious.
Aoi would make a good wife.
As I thought that, something descended from above.
Looking up, Aoi was standing behind me, lowering a necklace in front of me.
“I’m doing it.”
“Huh?”
“This is a prototype, so it’s different from what you’d find in a store. Please don’t worry and accept it.”
“…I’m curious.”
“Should I have taken you to the store?”
The necklace swaying before me had a design with silver leaves sprouting from a blue stone, making it look cute.
“Kyanite, while not a very expensive stone itself, has the effect of enhancing inspiration. Wouldn’t that be good for your work?”
Aoi slowly put the necklace around my neck.
“Is it too childish for you?”
“…But I like it.”
“…”
“Out of all the creations of yours I’ve seen, this one might be my favorite.”
Aoi let out a soft sigh.
“Fall for me.”
“I like you… probably…”
“Probably, huh? Well then, compared to those two guys who were there the other day, how about me?”
“I love Aoi!”
“…Huh?”
I finished the remaining champagne.
“Compared to those two, I really, really, really, really love you, Aoi!”
Aoi looked quite surprised.
“I thought those guys were quite handsome, you know?”
“Even if they have good looks, I hate those bumbling brothers! They’re annoying. Like, today, when I said I was going to Aoi’s house, they kept bothering me not to go because they thought you would eat me! Aoi would never do something like that, right? Right?”
“…Wait, did I just get nailed?”
“Did I hit the nail on the head?”
“You definitely did!”
Somehow, I smiled at the somewhat dejected Aoi.
“After we finish eating, I should leave.”
“You should stay the night.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t worry, the guest room has a lock. I want to talk with you more than anything else.”
Hey, are you trying to give me a heart attack from cuteness?
“…Is this a well-practiced approach?”
“It’s my first time using this approach!”
Aoi grinned.
What should I do?
Aoi poured champagne into my glass, then handed it to me.
I drank it all in one go.
Yes, it’s needless to say that I got completely tipsy.