Chapter 140: Guests Arrive
Although it was right next door to his own home, this was Takasu Ryuji's first time stepping inside.
Walking through the ground floor lobby, Takasu Ryuji remarked with a sigh, "Sure enough, these apartments aren't cheap, are they?"
Kaede nodded: "That's right. It's a bit more expensive than typical apartment buildings, but the corresponding services and security are better. Besides the electronic lock downstairs, there are also security guards working 24 hours a day. Since Eriri and I are living here together, security was definitely a consideration."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, that's really impressive."
Following Kaede into the elevator, Takasu Ryuji said, "I wonder when I'll be able to earn enough money for a place here."
"If you work hard, it's definitely possible." Kaede said with a smile, "As long as Takasu gets into a good university in the future, making money is just a matter of time. Of course, if you're willing to tough it out and study medicine or law, your future achievements would be even more limitless."
"Uh... that seems a bit difficult."
Although he said that, Takasu Ryuji genuinely started considering the feasibility in his heart. After all, if he managed to get accepted, he wouldn't have to worry about future employment or income. Both doctors and lawyers belonged to the elite class in this country.
Kaede saw that Takasu Ryuji was tempted, so he said, "But before that, you should focus on raising your grades. That's the most crucial thing."
"You hit the nail on the head. With my current grades, it's not looking good."
Scratching his cheek, Takasu Ryuji laughed: "Looks like I'll have to study even harder from now on."
Soon, the elevator arrived at the sixth floor.
Opening the door and ushering Takasu Ryuji in, Eriri, hearing the commotion, also came out of her room.
"Ah, Takasu-san is already here. Good morning."
"Good morning, Sawamura-san." Takasu Ryuji said with a smile. "Asakura asked me to come help, so I arrived early."
"I see. In that case, we'll be relying on you later."
After thanking him, Eriri helped Kaede bring the vegetables to the kitchen area, then said, "Kaede-kun, I've finished tidying the room. Is there anything else you need me to do?"
"Hmm... Not for the moment."
Kaede thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Eriri, you should rest now. We'll handle the preparation of the ingredients. You can come back when we need your help."
"Alright, then I'll go play some games."
Eriri nodded happily, went to sit on the living room sofa, and turned on the console to start playing.
Patting Takasu Ryuji, who was observing the living room, Kaede said, "What do you think? Want me to show you around? A few minutes won't hurt the cooking, and the meat hasn't finished marinating yet."
"Sounds good."
So, Kaede began showing Takasu Ryuji around, looking at the living room balcony and then heading to the shared workspace he and Eriri used.
"This is where Eriri and I work on our manga. Besides the essential computers, there's also a sofa for resting. And this cabinet holds all of Eriri's and my collections. Of course, we still left some at our respective homes; we didn't bring everything over."
"That's still a lot!"
Looking at the figures and Gundam models in the cabinet, Takasu Ryuji said, grinning, "Can't compare, can't compare."
"It's just personal hobbies. There's nothing to compare. To people who don't like them, they're worthless," Kaede said with a smile.
"Hmm... While that's true, just seeing this many displayed together is pretty impressive."
Suddenly remembering something, Takasu Ryuji glanced at the workspace door, leaned in, nudged Kaede with his elbow, and said in a low voice with a playful smile, "I wanted to say this after I got your call yesterday
A
Cohabiting! You're something else, Asakura!"
"Uh... well, it's not bad."
"Hoh hoh?" Takasu Ryuji, having spent a long time hanging out with Kaede and Kitamura, had occasionally learned to stir up trouble. He continued, "I'm not talking nonsense here. You're both still high school students, and yet both sets of parents agreed to let you live together? What if someone gets pregnant one day?"
"Emmm~~~"
Kaede hadn't expected Takasu Ryuji to be so nosy. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Do you remember the day you called me for help?"
"I remember. Why?"
"Didn't I say that day that I was originally supposed to be at a dinner party and came over temporarily?" Kaede said, spreading his hands and smiling. "That day was already planned with Eriri and her parents. I've been to her house many times, and I'm familiar with her parents. This move was naturally the result of discussions between both sets of parents. As for what you said about getting pregnant... Although I don't intend to do that, if an accident really happens, then we'll just register the marriage."
Hearing Kaede say that, Takasu Ryuji could only silently give him a thumbs-up.
Emerging from the workspace, the two of them headed to the kitchen and started tinkering.
Seeing the huge slab of pork ribs Kaede pulled out of the fridge, Takasu Ryuji gasped: "It's that big? What are you planning to do with it?"
"I'm going to roast this entire piece in the oven, but I'm not particularly skilled with sauces. Are you?"
"Hmm..." Rubbing his chin, Takasu Ryuji felt a sense of challenge and said, "When I worked part-time at the restaurant, I learned a few ways to make their sauces, but I haven't actually made them myself yet. How about I make one and you taste it?"
"Sounds good. If you need any seasonings, we have everything here."
Kaede's array of seasonings was far more complete than what Takasu Ryuji had at home, instantly exciting Takasu Ryuji, who loved cooking, and he prepared to show off his skills.
With the barbecue sauce entrusted to Takasu Ryuji, Kaede began preparing the vegetables.
While the two of them were busy, Eriri, after playing games for a while, glanced over, then picked up her phone and sent a message to her mother to confirm the steps and ingredients for the cream stew, just in case she messed up when it was time to cook.
Soon, the time reached 9:20, and the first batch of guests arrived.
Opening the door, Eriri looked at the three members of the Art Club standing outside and said with a smile, "Welcome, please come in quickly!"
"Excuse us!" x3
Changing into slippers and walking inside, Usami looked at the spacious living room in surprise and said, "Although I noticed it when we first arrived, this place really is beautiful!"
Uchimaki Subaru nodded: "That's right, the living room is very spacious, and the decor is great too."
The President, however, stated a crushing truth: "This place isn't cheap, is it?"
Eriri smiled and scratched her cheek: "It certainly wasn't cheap, but we really liked the apartment, so we chose to live here anyway."
Kaede and Takasu Ryuji, who were busy in the kitchen, saw the three newcomers, paused their work temporarily, and walked over.