Chapter 86: Premeditated
The food at this restaurant was indeed as good as the online reviews suggested, and both Kaede and Eriri ate very satisfyingly.
After finishing a plate of pizza, slice by slice, Eriri's not-so-large stomach was mostly full. Most of the cheese baked rice they ordered went into Kaede's stomach, while Eriri slowly ate small items like fries and chicken wings.
Watching Eriri nibble on a chicken wing in small bites, Kaede said with a smile, "You're eating so happily, but it doesn't look like you're full."
"Ugh..."
After swallowing the food in her mouth, Eriri said with a blush, "Don't say my appetite is as big as yours, okay? I've already eaten a lot. If I eat any more rice, I really won't be able to move."
"Then the chicken wings?"
"Chicken wings are different!"
"Alright."
Kaede didn't bother to argue. Whatever made her happy.
Meanwhile, Shirogane Miyuki, who had finished attending to several tables and tidying up the dining area, returned to the kitchen and glanced at Takasu Ryuji, who had also just returned from the dining area.
But in the end, he still couldn't bring himself to ask; it was simply too difficult to articulate.
Clenching his fist, Shirogane Miyuki felt that such matters had to be handled by himself!
An hour later, after eating and resting, Kaede called Takasu Ryuji to pay the bill, then patted him on the shoulder and said, "Keep up the good work! I just saw, it's not often you're this diligent."
"Don't make it sound like I'm usually lazy."
After grumbling, Takasu Ryuji also said with a smile, "Yeah, I'll do my best."
"But..." Kaede hesitated, looking at his friend and asking, "Did you tell Yasuko-san about this? Does she approve of you working part-time?"
If Kaede remembered correctly, Takasu Ryuji had complained before that Takasu Yasuko didn't agree to let him work part-time, only wanting him to focus on his studies. Kaede only remembered this after they finished eating.
When Kaede asked, an awkward expression appeared on Takasu Ryuji's face.
Well, it seemed he hadn't gotten permission after all.
"You, you really are something."
Kaede shook his head, glanced at Eriri who was waiting, and said to him, "Then we'll just have to leave it like this for now. If Yasuko-san finds out, remember to contact me. I'll help you talk to her. After all, I was the one who suggested you get a job to gain experience, so I can't just abandon you later."
Takasu Ryuji immediately showed a grateful expression: "Thanks, Asakura."
"We're friends, it's nothing." Waving his hand, Kaede said with a smile, "Well then, I should get going. Eriri and I are off to the aquarium. You keep up the good work."
"Yeah, you too."
"Haha, no need to say more, let's go."
After Kaede and Eriri left, Shirogane Miyuki, realizing belatedly, walked over and asked, "Your classmates left?"
"Yeah, they went to the aquarium."
"The aquarium, huh..." Shirogane Miyuki sighed with emotion. When would he be able to invite Shinomiya Kaguya to the aquarium?
It probably wouldn't be possible in the short term... "What were you talking about with Takasu just now?"
After leaving the restaurant, Eriri also asked curiously.
"I was just talking to him about his part-time job." This was nothing to hide, so Kaede said it directly, "That guy's part-time job wasn't approved by Yasuko-san, his mother. So I told him that if he gets caught, he should contact me to come to the rescue. After all, it was my idea for him to get a job for experience."
"I see."
Eriri nodded and no longer paid attention. She was well-rested now, and her attention was focused on the aquarium they were about to visit.
"Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro, huh? When was the last time I went? It must have been in middle school. I almost don't remember what fun things there are there."
Looking at Eriri, Kaede said, "Since you don't remember, let's have a good time today. That's Tokyo's best aquarium, and it's located inside a 60-story building. But before that..."
Arriving at the roadside, Kaede smiled and stretched out his hand: "Taxi!"
Today was a weekend, so there were bound to be many people out and about. To save time, Kaede opted for a taxi.
Compared to their previous outing, Kaede defined this one as a date. And Eriri tacitly agreed, so whether it was lunch or the trip to the aquarium, she didn't insist on splitting the bill. This was also her mother, Sawamura Sayuri's, intention.
'If Kaede-kun pays for things himself, Eriri, you don't need to worry about it. Just enjoy yourself today!'
Following the advice of her behind-the-scenes strategist, Eriri did nothing extra today, eating and drinking what she wanted, and having fun.
Although it was a bit uncomfortable at first, she thought about it: Kaede, as a best-selling light novel author, wasn't short on money, and she wasn't from an ordinary family either. Whether it was her allowance or her doujinshi income, she didn't need to be so meticulous about money. Today was for fun, so she wouldn't think about money.
The long-awaited aquarium trip, both Kaede and Eriri, gradually became immersed in it after arriving. After all, it was Tokyo's best aquarium. Perhaps the variety of marine life wasn't as extensive as the Kasai Rinkai Aquarium, also in Tokyo, but it was enough for the two of them to enjoy.
Whether it was the various fish, the penguin show later, or buying food inside the aquarium to eat while watching, both of them had an incredibly enjoyable time.
And time, unknowingly, had reached five in the afternoon.
Coming out of the aquarium, Eriri glanced at the sky and then at the time on her phone, saying with a hint of disappointment, "It's already five o'clock."
Kaede, standing beside her, paused, then looked at Eriri and said, "How about I take you home after dinner?"
Meeting Kaede's expectant gaze, Eriri's cheeks involuntarily flushed. After pursing her lips, she nodded, "O-okay."
After receiving an affirmative answer, Kaede let out a small sigh of relief and immediately said, "Then let's go now. I've already booked a table."
So he had planned this all along?
Eriri couldn't help but overthink, and at that moment, Kaede also spoke up, "Eriri, Western food should be fine, right?"
"Ah, y-yes, it's fine." Eriri quickly nodded, then took out her phone, "I'll send a message home first, that I won't be back for dinner."
Kaede's mood at this time was also not calm.