Chapter 154: Seriously, Are You Just Not Going to Care?!
Back in the living room, Eriri began preparing lunch. This time, she didn't even let Kaede participate in the chopping, intending to handle everything herself.
"Eriri, are you sure you're okay?"
Watching Eriri place the washed vegetables on the cutting board and hold the kitchen knife, Kaede couldn't help but feel nervous. "How about I do it instead?"
"It's fine!"
Eriri smiled confidently. "I just can't chop fast; it's not like I don't know how to use a knife! Mom taught me seriously many times, and I remember how to use it. I won't forget!"
"Really?"
"Of course. Go sit down and rest. I'm making you a feast today!"
Utaha, on the other side, asked with a smile, "So this isn't a treat for me?"
"Hmph, isn't that obvious?"
Eriri gave a tsundere reply, then fell silent and started chopping vegetables seriously.
After observing her and confirming that Eriri's movements were fine, just a bit slow, Kaede finally relaxed and sat on the sofa with Utaha, chatting over tea.
However, his habit of turning his head to look at Eriri every now and then made Utaha laugh, and she teased him, "Asakura-kun, you really can't let go of Eriri, can you?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Kaede said matter-of-factly. "Forget Eriri, Senpai, don't tell me you haven't seen other people cut their hands during home economics class at school."
"Hmm... I certainly have seen that."
These days, while there are boys and girls who can cook, they are still the minority, especially those who were spoiled—they truly don't know how to cook at all.
Even for Utaha herself, making instant noodles with an egg might not be a problem, but anything else, even a simple egg-fried rice, once the oil was hot in the pan, she would completely panic. She would stand far away, not daring to get close.
Glancing at Eriri, who was slowly but orderly chopping vegetables, Utaha couldn't help but sigh, "I really didn't expect that the blonde tsundere I first met would now be cooking at home. How long has it been?"
Kaede shrugged, "The length of time can't be used to judge a person's change. Sometimes a person's change happens in an instant. But honestly, I'm very touched that Eriri specifically went to learn to cook."
Their voices were very low at this time, and the TV was on, so there was no need to worry about Eriri hearing them. If that girl heard them, she might get shy and cut her hand, which wouldn't be good.
"I can tell your relationship is really good now."
"I should say that from the beginning of our relationship until now, it has always been good."
These words made Utaha feel a pang of envy, but fortunately, she didn't forget the main business. She picked up the small notebook she had set aside and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, do you mind if I collect some material? Don't worry, it's just about everyday interactions between couples, nothing private."
"Has Senior's light novel already reached these plot points?"
Shaking her head, Utaha explained, "Not yet, but since I'm here, I can't leave without any harvest, right? I asked Eriri before, but now she's preparing lunch, so asking Asakura-kun should be fine too."
"Alright, as long as it's not too private of a question, it's fine."
Seeing Kaede agree, Utaha immediately thought of a question and was about to ask it when Kaede's phone rang.
Seeing that the call on his phone was from his mother, Kaede said apologetically, "Sorry, it's a call from home. I'll take it first."
With that, he pressed answer: "Mom, what's up?"
On the other end of the phone, Kaede heard the sound of a car.
"Mom, are you outside? You're not coming over, are you?"
"No!" Asakura Reiko, sitting in the car, said with a smile, "Kaede and Eriri, are you at home?"
"Yes, we're preparing lunch. You're really not coming? We bought a lot of groceries, it's fine if you come."
"Don't worry, we're really not." Asakura Reiko shook her head and said, "I called to tell you that your dad used his annual leave, and the two of us are planning to go abroad for half a month. We're already on our way to the airport. For these days, you and Eriri don't need to come to our place. If anything happens, go find Sayuri."
"Uh... travel?"
"Yes, didn't we talk about it before? That we would travel if we had time. Kiichi's company isn't very busy lately, and he hasn't had a break in a while, so we're taking this time to rest and relax."
Kaede nodded blankly, not expecting his parents to be so decisive and already on their way: "Okay, then you two be careful. Where are you going this time?"
"Those places in Europe and America aren't very interesting, so this time we're still going to China. We've tentatively decided to go to Kunming for a few days, then maybe Jilin or Sichuan. Anyway, language isn't a problem for us. Oh, by the way, do you need us to bring any souvenirs?"
Kaede said with a smile, "No need, just have fun."
After hanging up the phone, Eriri asked, "Kaede-kun, was that Uncle and Auntie's call?"
"Yes." Turning his head, Kaede smiled helplessly, "They're going on a trip and are already on their way to the airport. It really caught me off guard."
"Oh! That's really something, but it also fits Aunt Reiko's personality, very decisive."
Eriri smiled and continued to process the ingredients in her hand.
Utaha listened and said with a surprised look, "I was just about to ask about that. I didn't expect Asakura-kun's parents to really not care much about you and Eriri's affairs, just running off to travel."
"They really don't care."
Spreading his hands, Kaede said with a smile, "I'm quite lucky. My parents are very open-minded, and I can talk to them about many things. When I wanted to write light novels, they didn't object; instead, they encouraged me to try more. It's the same with dating. And honestly, they're more anxious about that than I am, probably because they feel there's nothing else to worry about."
Utaha listened to Kaede's narration, nodding and jotting down some notes in her small notebook.
"So, the next question."
Looking at Kaede, Utaha's pen tip lightly tapped the paper as she asked, "As a boy, when dating or going on a date, what aspects do you think are essential to do?"
Indeed, everything has to be close to reality, drawing material from real events.
Facing Utaha, whose eyes revealed curiosity, Kaede had no choice but to start thinking.