Chapter 138

He has always believed that a person's room reflects their inner character, so he is quite interested in this aspect.

Unlike any room he had ever seen before, Hoshino Ai's room had a very distinctive style—or rather, all the people he had ever met were quite individualistic, both in a good and bad way.

Compared to other people's rooms, hers wasn't very big. After all, someone who could say she hoped for a raise as soon as possible couldn't possibly have that much spare money to live in a large house.

Although it has a basic bathroom, toilet, kitchen, and balcony, the layout is relatively compact, with only essential furniture such as a bed, table, and wardrobe in the middle.

The empty spaces on the table and bedside table were filled with many small ornaments, with a rather eclectic style and taste. They probably weren't bought by her, but rather gifts from fans that she couldn't bear to throw away.

Besides these, there were also several bags of snacks like potato chips and cookies... Wow, that's quite rare; it was the first time he'd ever seen these in a girl's room.

The overall style is very simple, or rather, there is no style at all. It's just a typical office worker's room, but it's fairly clean.

A faint citrus Aromatherapy wafted in the air, but the smell was cheap and cheap, like a product you used to buy online for 9.9 RMB.

Don't ask him how he knew, because he bought it back then too.

He quickly surveyed the place and got a basic impression of it. Although it wasn't large, it would be enough for one person.

He didn't ask why he didn't share an apartment with his teammates, because even disregarding factors like others living in his house, not getting along well, or having roommates... if he had the choice, he would still choose to live alone.

Sharing an apartment with someone is quite a mentally taxing thing; no one is ever comfortable living alone, even if it costs more money.

"Please make yourself at home. I'll go change my clothes first." After informing him, Hoshino Ai walked to the wardrobe and took out a set of her everyday clothes.

She was just about to change her clothes when she stopped, frozen in place, unsure what to do.

"What's wrong?" Sakurakoji Talent noticed her predicament and took the initiative to ask.

"Um... I want to take a shower first. You see, I was rehearsing earlier." She chuckled awkwardly, unsure where to look, her eyes unconsciously rubbing the clothes she had just taken out.

Only now did she remember that she had worked up a sweat during rehearsal. Changing clothes immediately would be uncomfortable, but taking a shower... She glanced at Sakurakoji Talent beside her, feeling incredibly embarrassed.

Not only did she bring someone of the opposite sex home, but she also took a shower in front of him. Isn't that a bit too bold and extreme?!

"Oh, then you go ahead and wash up. Don't worry about me. I'll just play on my phone for a bit."

Sakurakoji Talent nodded in acknowledgment, then sat down on the bed and took out his phone to open a game.

Perhaps influenced by his all-night gaming sessions with Alte last time, he's become interested in other mobile games besides rhythm games these past few days, and has even spent a considerable amount of money on lucky draws and skins.

Genshin Impact, activate!

Seeing that he was completely engrossed in playing the game, Hoshino Ai was stunned and stood there blankly, unsure whether she should go in.

After hesitating for a while, she gritted her teeth, puffed out her cheeks, and with a determined expression, she encouraged herself before quietly walking into the bathroom with her clothes in her arms.

Soon, the sound of rushing water came from inside, blending with the background music of the Sakurakoji Talent Game exploration interface.

Half an hour later,

After drying her hair and changing into casual clothes, Hoshino Ai walked out of the bathroom and saw Sakurakoji Talent still sitting there, playing on his phone without moving. She breathed a sigh of relief.

But at the same time, I felt a sense of frustration and disappointment. Did I really have absolutely no charm? Couldn't I even manage to elicit a slightly awkward or uncomfortable reaction from him?

That makes sense; after all, he's so good-looking, ordinary girls probably wouldn't interest him, right?

She suppressed her strange and complicated feelings and walked towards him.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Talent."

"Won't--"

Upon hearing her voice, Sakurakoji Talent raised his head again, and after taking in her figure, a look of amazement flashed in his eyes.

Her already exceptionally pretty face, moistened by the moisture, gained an even more alluring charm, and her waist-length purple hair, quite rare to see on the street, further enhanced this impression.

Her petite and delicate body, just standing there, exudes an irresistible charm that draws people in. This has nothing to do with her age; perhaps it's a natural talent?

After all, when she was still young, she almost attracted the attention of her mother's boyfriend—that person should just be shot.

She wore a white off-the-shoulder blouse with straps and navy blue trousers, which was a decent casual outfit for going out later.

Her exposed shoulders, after being bathed in hot water, were fair and rosy, and her smooth, glossy skin made one want to lean in and kiss her.

Hoshino Ai looked even more radiant than usual at that moment.

The scent of her Body Wash and shampoo lingered around his nose, and her adorable actions of tiptoeing and twirling her hair to ease her embarrassment stirred a unique feeling within him.

Image: "Post-Bath Outfit", Location: "Images/1760713017-100446961-113982217. jpg"

Such a beautiful scene of a woman emerging from her bath is truly stunning.

No wonder so many people like it; Sakurakoji Talent inwardly acknowledges their ideas.

So he didn't hold back his praise, "You look great today, love."

Without waiting for her reply, he continued, "Then let's go. Time is precious; we still have a lot to do."

"Huh?!"

At first, she was pleased and surprised by his unexpected praise, but then she was caught off guard by his decisive action. She hurriedly followed him, crying, "Wait for me, Mr. Talent!"

"How does it taste?"

On a pedestrian street a kilometer from the apartment, a man and a woman wearing large, dark sunglasses and dowdy wide-brimmed hats sat on seats shaded by parasols, talking to each other.

The two were none other than Sakurakoji Talent and Hoshino Ai; an hour had passed since they left the apartment.

After leaving the apartment, they went to the nearest shopping location, which was here.

For the entire hour, they walked non-stop, shuttling between all sorts of shops, from clothing stores to jewelry stores. They didn't buy much, but they had a great time looking around.

The sunglasses and hats they wore were also bought along the way.

There was no way around it; the two of them were just too good-looking. If they didn't try to hide it, the stares from those around them would really interfere with their normal shopping trip.

So even with Sakurakoji Talent's aesthetic genius, they deliberately chose these two tasteless individuals to cover their faces and hair as much as possible.

"It's delicious!" Hoshino Ai replied happily, scooping spoonful by spoonful of her extra-large cup of Häagen-Dazs.

Normally, even if she wanted to splurge a little, she wouldn't be willing to buy so much at once.

This one drink alone cost several thousand yen. Needless to say, it was Sakurakoji Talent's treat.

Although he thought it was just so-so, and the flavor was a bit stronger than regular ice cream, it was only worth two or three hundred yen at most. But for the same amount, it was sold for several times more expensive, which was simply outrageous!

But seeing the smile on her face, he could only sigh and reluctantly admit that it was worth the price.

"Even better than the desserts I make?" He was still unconvinced, his dark brows furrowing.

He simply couldn't believe it. The ingredients he used alone were more expensive than this. Even if you brought in a master chef specializing in state banquets, you couldn't possibly go this far!

"Hmm... I don't think so?" Hoshino Ai savored the taste of both, and answered with a smile.

"But I can buy this whenever I want to eat it, and I'll never forget how delicious it was the first time I tasted it!"

Originally feeling frustrated, Sakurakoji Talent was rendered speechless by her reply. His lips moved, but he couldn't express a thousand words, and his chest was filled with an inexplicable emotion.

He had a feeling that he knew what this feeling was called, but he didn't think he was that kind of person.

A long time,

"... If you want to eat this in the future, just send me a message anytime, and I'll make it for you."

"Real?!"

"Yes, I promise you."

"Ata! Talent!" Hoshino Ai cheered loudly, holding up a spoon.

Sakurakoji Talent rested his chin on his hand, pursed his lips in satisfaction, and observed her heartfelt expression, a strange sense of contentment welling up within him.

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Chapter 178 The First Kiss is Gone

"That reduces the number of things to do by two. Now, let's go and finish the third thing."

After patiently waiting for her to use the wooden-handled spoon to sweep the contents back and forth three times to make sure she had eaten everything clean, and finally putting down the cup, Sakurakoji Talent finally revealed the next task.

"Huh? What's that?" Hoshino Ai was confused, completely forgetting what she had said earlier.

"You'll find out when you come with me."

Without giving a direct answer, he got up and walked into the shopping mall next door.

"Ah, a sack!" Hoshino Ai slammed her hand on the table and stood up. She was about to leave when she remembered the trash on the table. She threw it into a nearby trash can and then jogged after it.

"What? It's about cooking? You could have just told me!" Hoshino Ai complained with a pout on the way to the supermarket after buying groceries.

"It's clearly your fault for having a bad memory and forgetting about this, okay?" Sakurakoji Talent retorted, mocking her for her poor memory.

"Well... I just have a really bad memory." She made a sour face, looking aggrieved.

"Alright, alright, it's my fault, okay?" He looked at her helplessly and apologized. "But having a bad memory has its advantages; at least you're cute being silly, aren't you?"

"I'm ignoring you!"

Hoshino Ai glared at him and quickened her pace, running towards the apartment.

"Wait! The food will spoil!"

Watching her walk away, one foot up and one foot down, Sakurakoji Talent, oblivious to any romantic gestures, shouted to stop her.

"Then may I ask one more time, how does it taste?"

A little past noon, the two sat on the floor on either side of a small table in Hoshino Ai's room. Facing the Small Table, which was so small that there was no place to put even a rice bowl, Sakurakoji Talent asked again.

Unfortunately, her room was too small to fit a proper dining table, so she had to make do with what she had here.

Not to mention the dining table, even the "kitchen" consisted of only a counter, with a passageway next to it. It was a standard small apartment, about the same size as Inoseri Nina's original room.

Because Hoshino Ai doesn't usually cook, he bought the rice and seasonings fresh out of the store.

This made him glad that he had come over to check before leaving; otherwise, if he had come over after buying everything, he would have been left staring blankly at the empty kitchen.

The low table was only big enough to barely hold a few plates, so they had to hold the bowls of rice in their hands.

"Mr. Talent ...are you perhaps the head chef of a luxury hotel?" Facing a table laden with delicacies, Hoshino Ai acted as if she were the second racehorse in history to achieve an undefeated Triple Crown.

"Although I think my skills are pretty good, they're not," he shook his head.

Even if he is the head chef, he's just the head chef of that small town of Starry; he's nothing like a luxury hotel chef.

"But, but! You're clearly good at making desserts and cooking too! Wouldn't it be strange if you weren't?" Hoshino Ai retorted unwillingly.

"What kind of logic is that... Fine, so what's the flavor anyway?"

"I've never eaten such delicious food in my entire life!" Hoshino Ai's eyes sparkled as she stared at the luxurious dish in front of her, which seemed to be shimmering with gold.

She was completely captivated after just one casual bite.

The freshness of the ingredients and the complex yet harmonious seasonings, perfectly balanced by just the right amount of heat, burst forth on her tongue in an instant, allowing her taste buds, parched for over a decade, to greedily absorb the rich flavors.

I never knew cooking could taste like this! And I never knew eating was just about filling your stomach!

Before meeting Sakurakoji Talent, she thought Häagen-Dazs was the most delicious food; but after eating his desserts, she felt that Häagen-Dazs was nothing special.

The food in front of me now is... no, no, this is a completely different realm from desserts, so we can't comment on them together! Both are delicious!

"That's good. Eat as much as you like, you can eat it all."

"Mmm!" she said without any politeness, or rather, with such delicious food in front of her, she couldn't bring herself to be polite.

The diners' heartfelt joy was the greatest praise for the chef. Overwhelmed with pride, he couldn't help but complain, recalling what had just happened. "Seriously, you wanted to cook for yourself, so why did I do all the cooking from start to finish?"

He only bought the groceries because she said she wanted to cook at home, but why is he the only one who ends up doing all the work?

Even during the shopping process, he did all the picking and choosing. When he asked her what she wanted to eat or if she had any dietary restrictions, she would simply say that she didn't dislike anything and that she was generally okay with anything.

Hoshino Ai put down her chopsticks, chuckled, and scratched her head, feigning ignorance. "Haha, because I've never cooked before, so I don't know how!"

"Then why do you still want to cook? We don't even have all the necessary kitchen utensils here!"