I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 25: Aira's Unexpected Side and Embarrassment

“Huh!?”

“Why did you suddenly say ‘Huh?’, Senpai?”

Ryoma and Aira had gone to a buffet restaurant in front of the mall.

It was Ryoma who had suggested a family restaurant, but Aira shook her head and simply said, “I want a buffet.”

At the buffet restaurant, the course prices changed by 500 yen depending on whether it was a weekday or weekend.

They had chosen the 2000 yen, 100-minute course.

Though it was a bit pricey for Ryoma, given the contract they had, the decision-making power was in Aira’s hands.

And so, they arrived at the buffet restaurant.

“Buffets are the best! I can take all the things I like!”

Ryoma was stunned by the unbelievable sight in front of him.

A large serving of curry. A big plate of mushroom rice and miso soup.

Six huge pieces of fried chicken and six pieces of teriyaki chicken on a large plate, enough that he might not be able to finish it in one bite.

Additionally, there was a large plate divided into two: one half with gratin, the other with pizza.

A large plate of butter soy sauce pasta.

A massive plate of salad with a Japanese-style dressing.

“You’re kidding, right…?” 

This was not Ryoma’s food.

A total of seven plates. All of them were Aira’s choices.

“Oh, I made sure to be considerate, you know? I took extra of the things that others could get too.”

“That’s… not what I meant…”

“That’s not it?”

“…Aira, I get that it’s an all-you-can-eat place, but that doesn’t mean it’s an all-you-can-leave place. I understand the argument that you’re paying for it and should have the freedom to take what you want, but the restaurant still suffers economically, and especially emotionally, from food waste. Maybe we should think about it a bit more?”

Ryoma figured that Aira had probably just grabbed way too much because she didn’t want to have to get up and go back for more, without considering how much she could actually eat.

These days, some buffet places charged extra if you left food behind. While this restaurant didn’t have such a rule, it would still be considerate to not leave food uneaten.

“I don’t like wasting food either, you know?”

“Huh? So, can you actually eat all that?”

Gratin and salad might be manageable, but everything else was pretty heavy food. If she got too full, they’d likely end up on the top of the list of things she wouldn’t want to eat.

“I took all this because I’m going to eat it. After I finish this, I’m going for dessert too.”

“Dessert!? Your stomach is going to burst…”

“Aira’s stomach digests pretty quickly, you know. Didn’t I tell you that?”

“Pretty quickly? That’s not the level we’re talking about…”

Ryoma had only brought one large plate for now, still at the beginning of the meal. The difference between him and Aira was obvious.

“Just now, there was a customer who looked at your plate four times.”

“Senpai’s surprised too, right? A high school girl who eats like this.”

“Ah, yeah… I can’t believe you don’t gain weight. You have a body that seems to challenge every possible direction.”

“You mean, I could get fat? But didn’t you feel how soft my chest was?”

Aira smiled as she placed her hand on her large chest.

“Stop. We’re eating.”

“You haven’t even started yet! And it’s not like it’s a dirty topic!”

“It’s disturbing.”

“That’s rude!”

Ryoma couldn’t agree with her comment about how soft her chest was. He couldn’t show his unease when Aira had hugged him earlier. It was his pride as the older one that kept him from admitting it.

“Well, now I understand why you didn’t want to go to the family restaurant. In the end, this place is cheaper, right?”

“That’s part of it, but also, it’s lunchtime, right? If we suddenly ordered six or seven dishes at a family restaurant during a busy time, the place would get packed, and other people would have to wait. Since I knew that, I chose a self-serve place.”

—An argument that made perfect sense.

“…Aira, are you lying about your age?”

“I look like a high school girl, right?”

Her thoughtful consideration was something Ryoma wouldn’t expect based on her appearance. Even as a university student, he couldn’t think that far ahead. The fact that she said it so casually impressed him.

They say you shouldn’t judge people by their looks, and this was a perfect example of why.

“Anyway, let’s eat quickly. I don’t want to run out of time.”

“Alright, alright.”

“Ah… I messed up. I forgot my chopsticks. I’ll go get them!”

Instead of asking Ryoma to get them for her, Aira decided to go get them herself, which was typical of her.

“I already got your chopsticks. Just the chopsticks, though.”

Ryoma had finished taking his food first and noticed that Aira hadn’t grabbed any chopsticks, so he had already gone ahead and taken them for her.

“You’re such a good big brother. If you’d brought spoons and forks too, I’d be even more impressed.”

“If I knew you were gonna eat like this, I would’ve brought them.”

“Thanks for the chopsticks, though. I think I’ll eat so much better with these.”

“It’s all the same, though…”

Ryoma didn’t pick up on Aira’s true feelings, but he could tell it was a genuine thank you. Aira smiled, showing her sharp canine teeth, and went to get a spoon and fork.

Having someone bring her chopsticks. Having someone prepare things for her.

It was something any high school student would experience. It was close to being a normal, everyday thing. But for Aira, it was different.

Since her parents were always busy with work and never home, Aira was used to being alone, preparing meals on her own.

Getting chopsticks brought to her. Experiencing something that everyone else took for granted—this was the first time Aira had experienced it in three years.

Some people might think, “Is that really such a big deal?” But for Aira, it was truly a heartwarming moment.

＊＊＊＊

(She’s seriously going to eat all this…)

About 30 minutes later, Aira’s four large plates were all empty. Yet, her pace didn’t slow down at all. It felt like watching a food fight unfold right in front of Ryoma.

“…You really eat so deliciously.”

Despite still being in awe, Ryoma felt good watching Aira happily devour her food. It was a side of her he had never seen before, and it was truly heartwarming.

“…You’re the first person, other than my parents, to see me eat like this.”

“First?”

“Yeah. It’s nice, you know? Not having to hide it. It’s way more relaxing.”

“Don’t you eat like this at school lunch too?”

“Yeah, but I usually tone it down to match my friends. I don’t get too full, so I don’t get sleepy during afternoon classes.”

“I don’t think it’s something you need to hide that much. Sure, people would be surprised, but it’s not a big deal.”

“I figured you’d say that. Oh, I mean, if it’s my onii-chan, he’d probably say that…”

Aira stopped eating her salad and wiped her mouth with a tissue, her eyes softening into a smile.

“You say that say that, but honestly, people would freak out if they saw me eating this much at school.”

“…Well, I guess if it’s the first time meeting you, they’d be shocked.”

“Wow, you could’ve at least disagreed with me. You should know when to read the room.”

“Just giving a shallow response would only make you sad, Aira. What’s important is figuring out how to solve it.”

“…Stop trying to act so mature, you idiot.”

“Don’t say things like that so happily. And one more thing, I’m twenty now. I’m an adult.”

At 20, Ryoma was already an adult, in his second year of university. He was four years older than Aira.

“Well, it’s already solved, so I guess it’s fine even if you just pretend, right?”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not! …Really, I just don’t want to be judged by you. As long as my onii-chan doesn’t think I’m weird, I’m good.”

“…”

“…It’s so hot in here! The heater’s too much!”

“Why are you saying it and then getting embarrassed?”

“I’m not embarrassed! You’re completely misunderstanding!”

Aira flailed her hands and fanned her face. Ryoma couldn’t help but think that this might be the least convincing response he had ever heard.

Ten minutes later, when Aira had calmed down, Ryoma decided to express what had been on his mind.

As her senior and as her older brother.

“Aira, you can keep eating, but listen for a second.”

Aira, still munching, gave a single nod.

“This is just my opinion, but I don’t think there’s any reason to hide the fact that you’re a big eater.”

With food still in her mouth, Aira tilted her head and gestured, asking, “Why?”

“I cook at home, but my sister’s a small eater… Well, that can’t really be helped. But because of that, I kind of wish there was someone like you who would enjoy my cooking as much as you do.”

Aira stopped chewing and looked at him quietly.

“I know you’re not trying to hide it from just me, but I want the people who make food at school and those who see how you eat to know that they can get energy from it, just like I do.”

Aira swallowed her food and then took a sip of her drink without saying anything.

“Sure, there might be people who are put off by it, but that’s no different than how not everyone will like you. I’m sure your friends will understand. You’re not doing anything wrong.”

“…”

“So, don’t push yourself too hard. If you reach your limit, it’ll be a disaster.”

Ryoma had briefly thought about patting Aira’s head, but quickly dismissed the idea. Instead, he managed to smile at her despite the awkwardness.

When Aira said, “It’s really nice! Not hiding it makes things feel way easier,” her relieved expression spoke volumes about the struggle of trying to limit herself to fit in with others.

It wasn’t just about that, either. Aira had likely been enduring a lot more than she let on regarding her home life. She was a patient person, but it wouldn’t be surprising if one day she reached a breaking point.

Having gotten closer to her, Ryoma felt a strong desire to make things better for her, which was why he found himself doing things like this.

“…You’re being way too meddlesome…”

“It’s only natural for me as your brother. You’re my important little sister… though I sound all embarrassed saying that, don’t I!?”

“Yes, you do! Ugh, you’re so annoying! Idiot!”

Aira suddenly stood up, grabbed her scarf, and covered her face as she muttered more complaints, flustered.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“To the restroom!”

She shouted as she rushed off to the bathroom.

“Wait, is this… bad?”

Ryoma had no idea what had upset her. Scratching his cheek, he looked confused, then took a sip of water.

If he had seen Aira’s ears turn as red as ripe strawberries, he would have easily guessed that this wasn’t as serious as it seemed.