How To Melt the Ice Lady - Chapter 8
Translator: Lilo
Editor: Arya
Chapter 8: One Last Meddling
There were a few other minor points that needed attention on how to do the dishes, but I didn’t say anything and watched over her from behind.
After a while, Fuyuka doing the dishes had a sense of inexperience that anyone who was even slightly familiar with cooking could see at a glance.
It’s hard to imagine, given her reputation as a flawless person, but could it be that the “Ice Lady” can’t cook?
There were a number of factors that brought the suspicion closer to confirmation.
She, who was supposed to be living alone, but not used to doing the dishes.
The sound of a cute little belly bug buzzing over and over.
And finally, the gossip that she always ate lunch in the school cafeteria.
As for the rumors, I thought that she was just being a lady and letting her money do the talking.
There was nothing strange about not having a bento at all.
However, if we reverse our way of thinking, we can think of it as not being able to make it.
“You don’t have to hide it. It’s not uncommon for girls nowadays to not be able to cook.”
“…It’s not that I can’t.”
Just as Fuyuka said that she had no prejudice against men cooking, Asahi had no stupid prejudice based on gender.
In fact, if you were to tell me that the “Ice Lady” can’t cook, I’d be like, so what?
However, Fuyuka seemed to have a lot of pride and fell silent without giving a clear response.
She didn’t seem to stop doing the dishes, and was busy removing the stains in silence by herself.
The way she did it was very forceful and dangerous, and as an experienced person, I was worried that she might hurt herself.
“I knew I should have―”
“I’ll do it. Kagami-san, go there and continue your studies.”
Not allowed to even make a suggestion, Fuyuka insisted with an aggressive tone, pointing to the living room and urging him to move.
She was determined that she would not give up her position, and I didn’t feel like she would listen to anything more I had to say.
‘Being disciplined also has a limit, you know…?’
In front of Fuyuka, who was struggling to clean off the stubborn stains of the dishes, Asahi smiled bitterly.
Once you owe someone, that relationship would continue whether you liked it or not.
Perhaps Fuyuka was worried about that.
Otherwise, there would be no explanation for this situation.
To return to becoming the “Ice Lady” once again.
In order to break the relationship with Asahi, with whom she had gotten involved in an unwanted manner.
Hence, going to an opposite sex’s house to take care of my studies and doing the dishes with those awkward hands of hers.
“I don’t care if you cook for yourself or not. However, you should eat well. If you don’t, your body will suffer the consequences.”
“…What is that?”
“One last meddling.”
At this point, it didn’t matter what she thought of me.
Literally, the last meddling.
Arrogantly, nosy, and one-sided. And yet, he speaks from a place of concern born out of their brief interaction.
“It will be a problem if you collapse again. So, eat your meals. That’s all… Well, that’s just something my grandpa told me.”
I’ve made my point.
Afterwards, I felt a little hot in my cheeks, thinking that I had been a little too cold, but this relationship would be gone by tomorrow anyway. I guess there’s no need to worry about it.
I will be given a few remaining problems to solve, and then lasty, I will just lead her to the door at the end of the day.
After a short pause, Asahi glanced sideways at the kitchen.
Just then, I saw Fuyuka coming toward me after finishing the dishes.
“…You’re right. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She always kept her distance from everyone, never spoke to anyone beyond what was necessary, and always kept a straight face. A lady that was as cold as ice.
And that “Ice Lady” had a faint smile on her face.
‘…What’s with that face?’
I saw Fuyuka’s smile for the first time.
Was it because of the gap between her usual self, or simply because of her beauty?
“…Do I have something on my face?”
“No, I just thought that you can also make that kind of face.”
When I expressed my honest opinion, Fuyuka’s face flushed for a moment, but she immediately returned to her usual straight face.
Only the color of her cheeks, which could not keep up with the speed of the change, was still faintly red.
“…Even I laugh at times, too.”
“Heh…I didn’t know that. I thought you kept a straight face all year round.”
“What do you think I am…?”
He sighed deeply, as if to say, “My bad,” and stopped himself from answering the question of the “Ice Lady.”
Right now, the image that I had formed from rumors no longer applies to the girl in front of me.
If you get involved with her for a little while by some mysterious connection, she can have a normal conversation, make some expressions, and sometimes even smile.
The smile that was burned into my mind had a special value that made me feel a little disappointed about the “end” that I had simply dismissed without feeling any particular emotion.