When I Started Doing Housework For The Cool Beauty In My Class, She Began Asking Me About The Dinner Menu Every Day. - Chapter 9: Conclusion Of An Agreement.

Conclusion Of An Agreement.

I was momentarily taken aback by Fujisaki’s serious tone, feeling a bit overwhelmed. However, the thought of being “hired” by her only brought one thing to mind at this moment—housekeeping. But, I realized that I needed to hear more before jumping to conclusions.

“Uh… can you tell me a bit more about it?” I asked.

“Ah, right… yeah, I guess saying only the conclusion out of nowhere was a bit much, huh? Uh, let me think about where to start,” she said, clearly flustered.

“Well, I’m not the one to ask where to start. I don’t know anything, so just go ahead and tell me from the beginning,” I said.

Fujisaki seemed pretty panicked. Honestly, there was no need for her to act so flustered—I’d listen, so she could just take it one step at a time.

“Well, first, remember when I asked you to help with cleaning before?” she began.

“Yeah, that was a lot of work,” I replied.

“Sorry about that. Afterward, my mom asked how it went, and I showed her the room you made shine through a video call. She was really impressed and praised you,” she explained.

“Ah, that’s good to hear,” I responded.

“Yeah, and then my mom and I started thinking… if we could just hire someone for this kind of thing, it might be a better solution.”

“Well, I guess your mom can’t always come over to help,” I replied.

Housekeeping services do seem like a convenient option for situations like these. It might even make sense to hire someone to clean based on the state of Fujisaki’s room.

“So, I decided to give a housekeeping service a try, just to see how it works. I made a request near the end of the summer break,” she said.

“Ah, I see. So that’s why it’s unexpectedly clean?” I asked.

“Yeah, I was curious about how the service worked, and I thought it’d be helpful to try it out before deciding whether to keep using it.”

“That’s definitely smart—seeing the service firsthand before committing is important,” I agreed.

“Yeah, and after using it, I realized… I really want to ask you again,” she said, her words a little more direct.

“Wait a second… you were watching how the service worked, right?” I said, a little confused.

“Well, I did see how they did it, but honestly, I didn’t feel the same way. After seeing someone I don’t know handling my stuff, like my underwear… it made me uncomfortable. That’s why…”

Why is that?

Since they were being touched by a man, you should at least feel the same way when it was my turn…

“I also had them make me some food… but compared to your omurice, it felt a bit lacking.”

Well, the people they send vary.

Generally, I think they can handle the job, but their skills in cleaning and cooking are all over the place.

I heard that you can request a specific person to be sent, but that would likely come with an extra charge… So, in terms of using it for cooking, it seems like it has a bit of a gamble factor.

“Also… the pushy sales tactics for regular contracts were really persistent.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Well, you get that with these kinds of services.

They’ll try to sell you a regular contract.

They probably have some sort of quota to meet, so I can understand it to some extent.

“Considering all that, I still want to ask you, Shirayagi-kun.”

“…I get the picture.”

It was expected that Fujisaki wanted to hire me. I understand how she got to that point.

But still… I’m not actually working part-time for a housekeeping service. I’m just an ordinary high school student.

“Of course, I’m not saying you will do it for free. I researched the going rates. My mom gave me money to pay for housekeeping services, so I’m fine paying you whatever you ask.”

“Hey, don’t just say that so casually.”

“Uwaaah… but if it’s too outrageous, I might not be able to pay, so could you ease up a bit?”

“I haven’t even agreed to take it on yet.”

“Is that… not okay?”

Don’t look at me like that with those big eyes…

When a girl sits like that and looks at me with teary eyes, I can’t help but feel like I’m doing something wrong.

“Okay, let’s say I agree to this. If I’m going to be like any other general housekeeping service, how would you want me to help, Fujisaki?”

“Um… I guess cooking? Your omurice is really delicious, and I’ve been thinking about wanting to eat it again. I can handle the cleaning myself, but if it gets bad, I’d request that as well.”

“Cooking, huh? How often?”

“…That’s the thing. The going rate should be around 4,000 yen per hour… so if I were to ask for five times a week, that’s about 80,000 yen a month… and that’s a bit tight.”

“What? You were planning to use it that often?”

“…Well, I just want to eat the food you make, Shirayagi-kun.”

I was surprised.

I didn’t expect that you felt that way about me…

I thought you’d want me to cook just once or twice a week, maybe making dinner for that day and some leftovers for the next. But… even though I’ve only cooked for Fujisaki once, it seems I’ve already made quite an impression.

But… it doesn’t feel bad.

Fujisaki really praised the omurice I made the other day, saying it was delicious as she ate it.

Since I live alone, it’s become normal for me to eat by myself. It had been a while since I cooked for someone else, so hearing that it tasted good was refreshing… and I was genuinely happy.

The meal with Fujisaki, while lively, was warm… and really fun.

“…Do you really want to eat my food that badly?”

“I do. Now that I’ve tasted something that good… I can’t go back to drinking jelly drinks or eating calorie mate.”

Fujisaki has a somewhat sorrowful expression on her face.

She can no longer be satisfied with the nutritional supplements that used to be her staple food.

My cooking did that to her.

“If that’s the case… you want to eat it?”

“I do, but if it’s too often, I won’t be able to pay, so… maybe once or twice a week?”

“If you could eat it every day, would you?”

“Of course.”

She answered immediately.

Fujisaki is serious about this.

Her feelings hit me. It’s honestly touching, and I’m happy. I may be a bit easy, but when she says it like that, it makes me want to respond.

To reciprocate those feelings… maybe this is the right compromise.

“You will cover the food and utilities. And, I’ll eat the food I make too. If you’re okay with that… I can cook for you at your place after school.”

“Eh… really? Oh, what about the money?”

“It’s fine. As long as you cover the food and utilities, it’ll save me on my food expenses, and I’ll get to hear your thoughts on the food I make. It’s a win-win trade.”

Yes, this is a trade.

It’s not the same as the housekeeper service Fujisaki was imagining, but a mutual exchange of benefits.

This way, Fujisaki can eat my cooking every day.

I’ll cook at her house and share the meal… but I’m the one cooking, so does that sound weird?

Well, I’ll also get to enjoy a meal with her, and with her covering the food and utilities, I’ll be benefiting from that.

More than anything, if Fujisaki enjoys the food I make, that’s reward enough.

So, there won’t be any direct money exchanged, but… it’s an exchange that benefits both of us.

“After school… every day?”

“If you want to eat it, then yes.”

“I’ll eat it! I want to eat it! I want to eat it every day!”

“Then, is the contract settled… like this?”

I extend my hand in front of Fujisaki, who blinks in surprise.

Her small hand overlaps with mine… and by shaking hands, this agreement is made.

“Then, starting from today’s lunch… do you have any requests?”

“Omurice! The most delicious one ever!”

Haha, she really loves omurice, doesn’t she?

Alright, I’ll make sure to put extra effort into this request… and make it even better.