My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 101

“Hello, Senpai!”

As evening fell, Tadokoro and Akiba arrived.

“Oh, is it ‘good evening’ now?”

“I don’t know.”

Tadokoro looked cheerful as always, but Akiba seemed to be in pain. The reason was likely the two large, bulging grocery bags he was holding.

“Oyama…Can you let us in already or take this stuff?”

“Ah, yeah, yeah.”

Since Akiba looked so pained, I took one of the bags from him. It was heavy enough to feel the weight immediately.

“I’m so glad Akiba-senpai didn’t know where your house was. In exchange for showing him the way, he ended up being a great errand boy. Oh, oops, I mean, bag carrier.”

“…Hey, Oyama. Do something about this noisy one. It’s really getting on my nerves.”

“Well, Akiba-senpai, isn’t it your fault? You’ve probably been holed up inside all summer, right? It’s good to move your body a little, so I gave you some exercise.”

“Alright, alright, fine. Just let me in already.”

Maybe he couldn’t deny the truth, or maybe he just didn’t want to waste energy standing here arguing. Akiba surrendered quickly, as if fleeing from the conversation.

“Yukina-senpai, long time no see!”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

“You’re already here, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

Tadokoro and Yukina greeted each other after a long time. It might just be my imagination, but Tadokoro seemed even more attached to Yukina now, chatting with her non-stop.

Akiba, having finished his task, sat quietly under the air conditioner, looking content.

“So, Yukina-senpai, what have you been up to during summer break?”

“I’ve been hanging out with Yuu-kun.”

“You two really get along well, don’t you? I went on a family trip for the first time in a while.”

Tadokoro opened her backpack and pulled out three boxes, handing one to each of us.

“Here’s a souvenir—manju. I guarantee they taste great.”

We each thanked her and accepted the manju.

“Well, I guess it’s time to get cooking.”

Tadokoro put on an apron over her casual clothes and headed to the kitchen.

“Senpai, can you show me where everything is?”

“Sure, sure.”

I followed her to the kitchen and showed her where the utensils and seasonings were.

“Wow, you actually have a lot of stuff here, Senpai. Do you cook?”

“Well, I live alone. Though I mostly just make simple things I find online.”

“That’s still impressive. I don’t have much of an image of guys cooking.”

“Yeah, it’s usually thought of as something girls do. But to be honest, I don’t really imagine you cooking, Tadokoro.”

If I had to guess based on appearances, Yukina seemed more domestic, while Tadokoro gave off a more carefree, sloppy vibe.

But in reality, Yukina was the messy one, while Tadokoro…probably had some serious domestic skills. Offering to cook like this must mean she’s confident.

“Hey, that’s mean! I might not look like it, but I’m pretty domestic, you know? Like I said before, my parents both work, so I handle most of the housework.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, you don’t believe me, do you? I’ll make you taste my cooking and prove it.”

“Alright, alright.”

I didn’t really doubt her. In fact, she looked quite natural in that apron. If anything, she gave off a maternal vibe.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting with high expectations.”

“Hehe, I won’t take responsibility if you’re blown away.”

Leaving the kitchen to Tadokoro, I returned to find Yukina staring at me sharply. It hurt.

“…You seem to be having fun.”

Her cheeks puffed up as she spoke, clearly sulking.

I didn’t think I was having fun…but maybe because it had been a while since I last saw her, I found Tadokoro’s teasing a bit more amusing.

“I’m not having fun at all.”

“Are you sure?”

Her gaze bore into me, making me uncomfortable.

“Yukina-senpai, why don’t you help out in the kitchen too?”

Tadokoro suddenly offered what seemed like a lifeline, though I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not. But it wasn’t helping!

“Can I join in too?”

“Of course!”

“Alright, I’ll—”

As Yukina stood up to head to the kitchen, I put a hand on her shoulder and made her sit back down.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“But I want to—”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Did she not realize what she had done earlier?

I smiled and firmly refused Yukina, who looked like she wanted to help.

“Yuu-kun…you’re kind of scary.”

“Haha, no, not at all, not at all.”

“Senpai, isn’t it fine if Yukina-senpai helps out?”

Tadokoro didn’t know what Yukina was capable of. She was the kind of person who’d end up tasting her own blood if she handled a knife.

“…Look, it’s better to keep things simple. If she accidentally cuts herself, it would be a mess. So, Tadokoro, you can handle it alone.”

“I don’t think that would happen often, though.”

“It happened during a cooking class once.”

That was a huge lie, but it was the best excuse I could come up with.

“Yuu-kun, did that really happen?”

“It did. You just don’t remember, but it definitely happened.”

“I see. Well, experience speaks, right? Got it. I don’t want to get hurt, so I’ll make it by myself.”

Yukina looked disappointed, but I hoped she would give up. I felt a bit guilty, but I’d make it up to her another time.

“Alright, it’s done!”

As we chatted, a delicious aroma filled the air, followed by Tadokoro’s cheerful voice.

She placed various dishes on the table: fried chicken, miso soup, salad, and rice. A classic homemade meal that made my mouth water.

The four of us sat down and clasped our hands together to say thanks.

Starting with the miso soup, the three of us—excluding Tadokoro—sipped it. Tadokoro seemed a bit nervous, glancing at us for our reactions.

“It’s good.”

“Really!?”

Tadokoro visibly relaxed at my casual compliment. Yukina and Akiba also chimed in with their own praise.

“Try the fried chicken next. It’s my pride and joy.”

We bit into the fried chicken. It was crispy, with the juices flowing out as we chewed. It was delicious.

I had to admit, Tadokoro’s cooking skills were impressive. She really was a domestic girl.

“So? How is it? How is it?”

“It’s delicious. This is on another level.”

“Hehe, glad you get it now.”

Tadokoro beamed with pride, clearly pleased.

“So, did your cheeks fall off from how good it was?”

“They’re still right where they belong.”

“Geez, Senpai, you’re no fun. Yukina-senpai, how about you?”

“…It’s delicious. I’ve lost…”

“Yukina-senpai…?”

Yukina looked crushed, as if defeated by Tadokoro’s effortless cooking skills.

“Ah, don’t worry about it. She just wants to be in her own world for a bit.”

“Is that so? Akiba-senpai, did I change your opinion of me?”

“My mom’s cooking is still better.”

“Wow, that’s cold. You’re really not cute at all.”

Tadokoro jabbed Akiba in the side with her elbow.

“I didn’t say it was bad.”

“Then you should have just said that from the start! Guys who aren’t honest don’t get any dates, you know?”

“You’re too honest. You should learn some manners, not just how to cook.”

As always, Tadokoro and Akiba bickered back and forth. Despite the arguing, it was their usual banter, and the atmosphere was comforting.

I loved eating with just Yukina every day. But eating with everyone like this was fun too.

Watching everyone being themselves, I couldn’t help but smile.