The Issue of Why I'm Frequently Mentioned in Conversations Among S-Class Beauties ~Please Stop Fabricating Things I Have No Memory Of~ (Dropped) - Chapter 14: Shopping with the S-Class Beauty

Chapter 14: Shopping with the S-Class Beauty

Haruya and Yuna made their way to a supermarket on the first floor of a department store.

As they looked around, they noticed that the supermarket was frequented by homemakers, elderly people, and families with young children, all of whom seemed to be very domestic. Haruya and Yuna, both high school students, seemed to be only one of the few pairs of a boy and a girl in it.

When Haruya looked at Yuna’s hand, she was holding a shopping basket from the supermarket. Although it was still empty, using a basket meant she was planning to do some shopping.

As Haruya had predicted, Yuna said without hesitation.

“…I’ll buy you a drink, but before that I want to buy a few more things, can you wait?”

“No problem at all.”

Yuna twirled her hair with her finger, and Haruya could only manage a forced smile. The discomfort was still present between them.

Yuna walked ahead with the basket in one hand, and Haruya followed behind her with quick steps.

(…It’s kind of awkward. I think her cool demeanor is one of the causes, but still, it’s awkward.)

Sara had a clumsy and cheerful personality, so the awkwardness that typically comes with his first meeting instantly dissapeared, but Yuna was different.

Her composed and cool demeanor made it difficult to get close to her. Therefore, it was natural for Haruya, who didn’t know how to close the distance, to feel awkward.

Both of them remained silent as they first went to the vegetable corner. It was unclear whether Yuna was buying ingredients for tonight’s dinner or for stocking up, but she put radishes, carrots, and potatoes into the shopping basket.

(…I guess it’s not good to stay silent.)

Although she didn’t say it out loud, judging from her distant attitude, Haruya felt like he should start a conversation with her. Just as she was putting ingredients into the basket, Haruya made up his mind.

“If you don’t mind, I can carry it for you.”

“…I’m fine.”

Haruya was quickly rejected within a few seconds. Perhaps Yuna had resistance to receiving “favors” again. Even though he knew that, the awkwardness between them increased. However, because he had spoken up lightly once, the tension seemed to have dissipated. Haruya took a deep breath and continued.

“So, you’re helping with shopping or something?”

“Well, no, I live alone.”

“You live alone?”

“Yes, well, I guess it’s surprising since many people usually live with their families.”

Yuna solemnly nodded and paid no attention to Haruya as she looked at the groceries and picked them up, judging the quality of vegetables and the freshness of the ingredients. Her domestic appearance made Haruya feel like she was truly a homemaker.

“Well, I also live by myself, so I guess we’re kinda same…”

“Oh, I see.”

“Living alone can be quite tough, right?”

Haruya seems to be keenly aware of this, and his words carry a certain weight.

“If you live alone, do you also need to buy something?”

“I’m usually a light eater, so I’m fine. Besides, I always keep cup ramen and frozen food on hand.”

“…That’s unhealthy, you know.”

Yuna, with her usually sharp blue eyes narrowed even further, reproached Haruya. It was an undeniable truth.

“Ah, ahaha…”

Of course, Haruya himself had been aware multiple times that his eating habits were not good. He had attempted to cook for himself a few times, but it always became too bothersome in the long run, and so he ended up quitting after three days.

“…”

As Haruya forced a smile, Yuna stared at him with a penetrating gaze, making him feel guilty. So he changed the subject.

“By the way, about the ‘shoujo manga’ from earlier, do you have any other shoujo manga you like?”

“…”

Yuna’s eyes widened in surprise at Haruya’s words, as if she had been anticipating this moment but also caught off guard. 

Haruya recognized the sudden change in Yuna’s demeanor – she closed her mouth and her eyes grew wide, giving him a sense of urgency, wondering if he had touched upon a sensitive topic. However, Yuna twirled her black hair with her index finger and exuded a cool air as she spoke.

“…The Prince Next Door…”

“Eh, you’re reading The Prince Next Door?”

“Well, um…”

“In the beginning, the scene where the prince cares for the heroine is so thrilling, right?”

The Prince Next Door was a shoujo manga that Haruya particularly liked. Since he didn’t have many people to talk to about it, he couldn’t contain his excitement and raised his voice.

Yuna tightly pressed her lips together and shook her head, her cheeks blushing slightly, as she whispered in a small voice, “I know.”

For some reason, Haruya felt a sense of camaraderie with Yuna and his excitement grew.

(…I feel like I can have a good conversation with her.)

♦︎♢♦︎

(…I really want to talk to this man, but it’s embarrassing…)

(This guy seems kind and caring, but it’s not good to open up too much, right?)

In the midst of these conflicting thoughts, Yuna continued to put ingredients into her shopping basket, struggling with her inner conflict.