Chapter 82

"People who like cucumbers will love them, and people who don't will hate them, especially in mixed foods like hamburgers and salads, where just a touch makes the flavor very noticeable."

"So-so, that's it." Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded with satisfaction at his understanding. "If I had to say, I quite like pickles."

"Has he turned into an old man again...?"

"Don't be prejudiced against food! Didn't you say you don't dislike anything?"

"Even so..." Sakurakoji Talent's expression was subtle, "Even so, from a societal perspective, that's how it is."

"Well, I do like crisp, refreshing, and appetizing pickles."

"That's settled then, don't say anything unnecessary." Hiratsuka Shizuka pouted her red lips, her soft, round lips trembling.

Is this talking about tomatoes and pickles? It must be talking about tomatoes and pickles, right?

"Speaking of pickles, a neighbor who lives nearby recently gave me a lot of mackerel produced in Okayama. Do you want some?" Sakurakoji Talent suddenly thought of this, and the image of the white-haired copycat who lived in the same apartment flashed in his mind.

"I think it tastes pretty good. If you want some, I can send you some later."

"Really? Then I'll trouble you!" Hiratsuka Shizuka readily agreed, picked up a piece of char siu from her bowl, and handed it to him.

"Here, as a thank you, here's a piece of char siu pork."

"Thanks, here's a free dried bamboo shoot for you." Sakurakoji Talent picked up a free side dish for her.

"Phew, thanks!"

She simply put the dried bamboo shoots that were served into her mouth and ate them without complaining that he had given her this. It seems that she doesn't dislike these crisp vegetables.

"Speaking of which, you said you can eat anything, right? How about you try my Ramen?"

"Hmm--okay, I'll ask the waiter for a bowl." He was about to raise his hand to call for a waiter.

"That's too much trouble. Just eat it directly. Don't worry, I don't mind your drool."

Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand, stopping him.

"But I hope that next time you ask, you'll think about whether I'll find you repulsive..."

"What did you say?" The voice was a little cold.

"No, there's nothing there. Then I'll gladly accept your offer." He dipped his chopsticks into the large bowl she pushed towards him, Kokoro examining the broth.

"Hmm, it's alright. It has a unique flavor compared to the richer, more savory broth here. You should try this one too." After taking a sip, he pointed to the thick, white broth in front of him and said.

"Then I'll try it too... Oh, that familiar rich and savory flavor, how should I put it, it reminds me of my younger days."

"You're still very young, okay? Don't keep saying those middle-aged lines."

"... Thanks."

Unexpectedly, he said that. Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes widened slightly, a little embarrassed, and then she changed the subject.

"Oh, right! You said you might come to Chiba next time, right? I'll try to recommend some more and better Ramen shops to you when I have time!"

"I'm not bragging, but back in my student days I ruled over almost every good Ramen shop in Chiba!"

"Can't you just send me the address?" Sakurakoji Talent continued eating noodles one after another, occasionally closing his eyes to block out the rising steam.

Click!

The crisp, abrupt sound interrupted his movements, causing him to freeze in place.

Looking up in the direction of the sound, I saw that the wooden chopsticks in her hand had broken into four pieces.

"The chopsticks at this shop are really bad quality; they break so easily." Hiratsuka Shizuka frowned, staring at the chopsticks in her hand, and complained before looking at the person next to her.

"Don't you think so?"

"..."

Are solid wood chopsticks really that easy to break? Sakurakoji Talent stared intently at the broken surface.

He had to admit that Hiratsuka Shizuka's claim that she was the strongest person in Hanamigawa Ward back then... might not have been an exaggeration.

"You agree... I suddenly feel that eating noodles alone is too lonely. Please come with me next time."

"Mmm, look forward to it!" She flashed a bright smile.

After beckoning the waiter and requesting a new pair of chopsticks, the two continued their quiet meal as if nothing had happened.

A few minutes later, Sakurakoji Talent broke the silence.

"Since you've treated me, I can't just sit back and do nothing. As a way of repaying you, I'll treat you to even better Ramen next time."

"Hello~ Where are you from?" She quickly averted her slightly embarrassed gaze and looked to the side.

I made it myself.

"..." There was a pause for a second, then, "I see, it's definitely worth looking forward to."

"Right?" Sakurakoji Talent chuckled lightly.

"... I have a feeling that you're more suited to be a stay-at-home dad than a career woman. Did you allocate your skill points to the wrong person?" she complained.

"That would be nice, but I'll be very busy in the foreseeable Mirai and probably won't have time to be that leisurely."

"Nobody's forcing you to get married now, you're just too old, aren't you?" Hiratsuka Shizuka shook her head.

"Age aside—even if I were to be a stay-at-home husband, I'd first need to find a wealthy woman who likes me and is willing to be like that. That's the biggest problem."

"With your looks and qualifications, why are you worried about this? You must have no shortage of girls of all types around you, right?" Hiratsuka Shizuka teased with a playful smile.

"For example?"

"For example..." Unexpectedly, he actually asked the question. Hiratsuka Shizuka seemed a little flustered, her eyes darting around, before finally coming up with an answer.

"Take Hoshika for example! She's a complete failure at home who can't even cook, but she's also a wealthy young woman with considerable assets. Doesn't that fit the bill perfectly?!"

"She'll definitely welcome a capable and handsome younger man like you!"

(Mindful monologue: Ichiji Hoshika, pointing to herself: Huh? Me?)

Sakurakoji Talent felt intense contempt for her behavior of betraying her best friend without hesitation as a shield, but her examples didn't seem to end there.

"Thinking about it carefully, Hino also fits this description very well. I think she wouldn't mind, and she seems quite interested in you too."

"Liang's family seems to be well-off, Rakuna's seems to be too..."

"Judging from this, it seems like you're surrounded by people who fit the criteria."

Hiratsuka Shizuka narrowed her eyes dangerously, scrutinizing his exceptionally handsome profile.

But Sakurakoji Talent remained completely unfazed; this simple predicament with a difficulty level of E was nothing to him, given his extensive experience.

He was confident that he could easily break the deadlock and turn the tide with just one sentence.

"And you, Teacher Shizuka, are you one of them too?"

"Huh? Watashi?"

Sure enough, Hiratsuka Shizuka's composed expression crumbled instantly, and her gaze began to wander aimlessly again.

She put herself into the situation, and in just a second, she realized that she seemed to fit the criteria very well, almost exactly like Ichiji Hoshika.

If a guy who's good at housework, good-looking, and has a compatible personality were to confess his feelings to her, she really wouldn't be confident she could handle it, especially if it were him...

Thinking of this, her cheeks flushed instantly.

This person is incredibly weak when it comes to matters of the heart... Her weakness is so obvious, Sakurakoji Talent looked at her pitifully.

"Anyway, let's not talk about that for now. I've finished eating. Have you finished?" He put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Oh, I've finished eating too!" Hiratsuka Shizuka quickly replied.

"Then let's go, thank you for your hospitality."

After Hiratsuka Shizuka paid the bill, the two walked out of the store.

A cool evening breeze brought Hiratsuka Shizuka back to her senses after her feverish head flared up, and she asked with considerable composure:

"What's next? How do you plan to get back?"

At this time, Starry was almost off work, so there was naturally no need for her to go back.

"I'm fine with anything, but how did Teacher Shizuka come about?"

"You drove here... Okay, I'll take you home."

"May I?"

"Since you've asked that, how can I say no? You cunning little devil!"

Sakurakoji Talent smiled, showing no embarrassment at having her thoughts read.

He knew Hiratsuka Shizuka had driven there, and Hiratsuka Shizuka knew that Sakurakoji Talent knew she had driven there. He also knew that Hiratsuka Shizuka knew...

In short, given this situation, out of normal courtesy and the moral responsibility of an "adult," could Hiratsuka Shizuka bear to let him take the train home as usual?

Of course not.

Although he was used to it.

"Come with me, the car is parked over there," Hiratsuka Shizuka called out, leading the way.

She casually pulled a cigarette case from her pocket, lit a thin cigarette, and exhaled a puff of smoke contentedly in the evening breeze filled with the aromas of various foods.

"Hey, there are people around here. Is it really okay to smoke in front of me?"

"What does it matter? You're not a student!" Hiratsuka Shizuka said nonchalantly, resting her cigarette on her arm. "Well, even if you were, I wouldn't care."

"What about the self-respect and morality of educators?"

"That kind of stuff was thrown into the trash along with the textbooks long ago, after the qualification exams ended."

"Your statement... truly makes one feel sorry for your students."

"My students are all very respectful and grateful to me! Don't worry."

"He must have been subdued by your beating, right?"

"..."

"..."

The two exchanged barbs, their words laced with barbs, and soon arrived at her car—a bright red Aston Martin V12 Vantage.

Although he already knew about it, Sakurakoji Talent was still genuinely shocked to see this car model, which is the epitome of romance for many men, with his own eyes.

Even he himself doesn't own a sports car to this day—because he's never taken a driving test.

"You wouldn't mean to say this, would you?"

"What, is that not allowed?" Hiratsuka Shizuka lowered her car key, which bore the brand logo.

"If all else fails, let's turn ourselves in," Sakurakoji Talent sighed. "Just how much money have you embezzled to be using this as a car, a mere ordinary teacher?"

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies - Chapter 115: Why am I getting another treat?

"I don't know if I'll live to see you get out, but rest assured, for the sake of our relationship, I will try my best to find the best lawyer to defend you."

Sakurakoji Talent's words were eloquent and forceful, as if he could already see her tragic later life.

"Stop spouting this nonsense!" Hiratsuka Shizuka crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow in displeasure. "Even if an ordinary teacher wanted to be corrupt, where would they get the opportunity to embezzle so many positions?"

"And what is this?"

"Tsk, can't I just buy it with my own money?"

"Rich woman?"

"... I guess so."

With a solemn expression, Sakurakoji Talent walked to her side. Under her questioning gaze, he knelt down and suddenly hugged her slender, soft waist, shouting loudly:

"Rich Lady Sister, I'm hungry! Food!"

His sudden outburst drew curious and astonished glances from a group of people on the street, leaving Hiratsuka Shizuka flustered. She blushed and tried to push his head, which was covered in white hair, away.

"Hey! Let go of me! You brat!"

"..."