When I Started Doing Housework For The Cool Beauty In My Class, She Began Asking Me About The Dinner Menu Every Day. - Chapter 3: An Additional Work.

An Additional Work.

After about three hours of cleaning, washing, and a thorough effort, I was finally able to make the place clean.

Since this was essentially my first part-time job, I came in with the intention of giving it my all, but… it turned out to be much more physically demanding than I had imagined, and now I’m completely exhausted.

However, the sense of accomplishment was immense, and perhaps because the situation was so dire to begin with, the transformation from before to after was so striking that I couldn’t help but feel moved.

“Wow… I can actually see the floor! There’s space to walk on!”

Fujisaki was clearly moved and walking around on the now clean floor.

When I was cleaning, even walking was a struggle. Just moving a little would cause me to trip over something or accidentally bump into Fujisaki, spilling the laundry I had just collected—there was a lot of chaos. But now, at least for a while, she won’t have to worry about tripping, I hope.

I mean, she won’t, right? If things return to how they were a few hours later, I’ll be on the verge of tears from the wasted effort.

But still, this was unexpectedly manageable.

Typically, in home cleaning services, the person would use their own cleaning supplies, but since this was not a formal part-time job, I wasn’t sure if she’d have the right tools. As I progressed, though, I was able to find everything I needed, so that was a relief.

Personally, I kind of enjoyed the process. Using the items I found to clean the floor felt almost like a game, and the moment I got my hands on a vacuum cleaner, it felt like I had an unfair advantage—such a satisfying feeling.

Now, with that done, what should I do?

Normally, in a standard home cleaning service, the work hours and tasks would be specified, but since this isn’t a formal part-time job, my working hours and duties weren’t set in stone, so if she needed more help, I’d be happy to offer.

“Is there anything else I can do?”

“Eh, you’ve already made the place so much better, I don’t know how to thank you. But, you know… dinner’s almost ready, so if you’d like, would you stay and eat?”

“…To be honest, I’m here to work, so you don’t have to feel too bad about it.”

Even though the task was a bit tough, I’d managed to finish it, and it was within my capacity, so there was no need for Fujisaki to feel guilty.

“Well… then, if I ask you to eat with me as part of the job, would you stay?”

She said this with a proud, almost cheeky look on her face, as though she had just outsmarted me.

It was cute, but also a little surprising. Normally, in formal cleaning services, requests like these are probably not allowed, but in this case, it was possible because it wasn’t an official part-time job.

It wasn’t hard to understand why she’d want someone to eat with her—living alone, she probably ate by herself most of the time.

And if I’m being honest, I was a bit curious about her eating habits. The kitchen was in pretty bad shape, and judging from the trash, it didn’t seem like she was eating well.

But, that wasn’t really my concern. Since I was already here, though, it didn’t hurt to join her for a meal.

“If that’s the case, I’ll accept your offer.”

“Yay! Since you’ve already made the kitchen sparkling clean, I’ll put extra effort into cooking, so look forward to it!”

“Alright. By the way… do you have the ingredients?”

It’s fine to be invited to share a meal. I’m also looking forward to Fujisaki putting her best effort into cooking.

But what exactly will she make?

I haven’t opened someone else’s fridge without permission, so this is just a guess, but judging from what I saw of Fujisaki’s eating habits while cleaning, unless she’s recently been out shopping for groceries, I can’t expect much from what’s in her fridge.

“Well… um, there’s plenty of jelly drinks and Calorie Mate…?”

Even if you tilt your head like that, it doesn’t help much.

From the state of the kitchen, I already had a hunch, but it looks like there’s nothing worthwhile in the fridge either.

So, what exactly does Fujisaki intend to cook for me?

“How about Calorie Mate jelly drink stew…? Is that delicious, I wonder? Oh, and if I add some supplements, the nutritional value will…”

“…I’m leaving.”

“Ah~! Just kidding, joking! I’ll go out and get some ingredients!”

Well, it’s fine.

Grocery shopping is part of housework too. There are people who ask for that kind of service in addition to cleaning and laundry.

But I can’t let her make something out of jelly drinks and Calorie Mate, no matter how inventive, so shopping is definitely necessary.

As someone who lives alone, I actually enjoy shopping and I’m quite good at it, so it won’t be a hassle.

“Should I go shopping? Just give me the list, and I’ll get it.”

“Well, since it’s a special occasion, maybe we should go together?”

“Alright.”

***

So, here I am, shopping with Fujisaki at the nearby supermarket. As I walk beside her pushing the cart, I can’t help but feel a bit embarrassed. The realization that it’s just the two of us, a girl and me, finally hits me.

It’s not exactly a good thing that I’m short on money, but thanks to that, I ended up with this part-time housework job opportunity.

Normally, I would spend summer vacation either alone or with my guy friends, so it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to interact with a girl from my class.

And who would’ve thought that it would be Fujisaki Kanon…

Shopping with her. And now, being treated to her homemade cooking. When I really think about it, this is quite an event that’s happening.

“Hey, Shirayanagi-kun?”

“Uh-h. What’s up?”

“Is there anything you’d like to eat? Since we’re at it, I thought I’d ask for a request.”

“Ah, no need to worry about that. I’m happy with whatever you want to make, Fujisaki.”

“Well, would something like Calorie Mate steak be alright?”

“…That’s not okay. Don’t try to grill something dry like that.”

“Then please give me a proper request~. ‘Anything is fine’ is the most troublesome answer, you know?”

Right, I see. Since that’s how Fujisaki usually eats, if I leave the decision to her, the main ingredient will probably end up being something like that.

Actually, isn’t this exactly why we came shopping in the first place…?

But it’s a rare opportunity, so I’ll go with it.

For a guy, being able to taste a beautiful classmate’s homemade cooking is a dreamlike chance. I’m not sure if something like this will ever happen again.

Since Fujisaki is asking, maybe I should make a request after all.

“Well, then… How about asking for something simple like omurice?”

“Sure, leave it to me! Omurice, huh? It’s been a while since I had it too. Alright, I’ll need to buy eggs and ketchup.”

“What about the rice?”

“Ah, right. If I cook rice after we get back, it might get late. Is that okay with you, Shirayanagi-kun?”

“It’s fine. Since I’m here, it’s a great deal to buy the heavy stuff.”

Rice, an essential part of a healthy diet.

From the way Fujisaki phrased it, it’s clear that there is no rice stock at her house right now.

If I were to refuse to join her for the meal or if I requested a different menu that didn’t require rice, this rare opportunity for Fujisaki to buy rice would disappear.

Since Fujisaki is eager and it’s the perfect time with a guy like me around to help, I definitely want her to buy it.

Well, it’s not like I’m secretly hoping that the longer it takes for the food to be ready, the more time I’ll get to spend with Fujisaki or anything… not really, just a tiny bit.

“Well then, I guess I’ll take you up on that offer. Sorry for making you carry the heavy stuff.”

“Well, it’s part of the housework service. Shopping is a legitimate job, so feel free to make use of me however you like.”

“Thanks! First, we’ll need to get eggs.”

With that, Fujisaki, humming a tune, pushes the cart ahead of me, and I walk beside her to keep up.

It’s still the peak of summer, so the store should be air-conditioned, but… I feel unusually hot, probably because I’m so aware of everything and nervous.