Chapter 109: Is That It? Is That It?
Ten minutes later, Kaede brought Eriri to the restaurant where Takasu Ryuji worked.
Upon entering, he didn't see Takasu Ryuji first, but rather Shirogane Miyuki, who was also working today.
"Long time no see, Shirogane-senpai."
"Oh, it's you two!" Shirogane Miyuki said with a smile upon seeing them, "Welcome, Asakura-san, Sawamura-san. Come on, there are still seats in the restaurant, I'll take you over."
Saying that, he led the two towards the inside of the restaurant.
As they walked, Kaede also asked, "Senpai, where's Takasu?"
"Takasu, that guy." Shirogane Miyuki smiled and said, "Let me seat you first, there are people you know here too."
"...Huh?"
Kaede and Eriri exchanged glances, a little puzzled.
However, very quickly, they saw Kitamura Yusaku occupying a table by himself, and at the next table, Kushieda Minori and Oosaka Taiga.
"What a coincidence, good afternoon Kushieda-san, and Palmtop Tiger."
"Don't call me Palmtop Tiger! You, I'll kick you!" Oosaka Taiga glared at Kaede, but because Kushieda Minori immediately fed her a piece of fried chicken, she instantly became docile.
After comforting her, Kushieda Minori smiled and said, "Good afternoon, Asakura-san, and Sawamura-san."
Seeing the things they were carrying, Kushieda Minori asked, "Are you two on a date today?"
The fact that Kaede and Eriri were dating was pretty much common knowledge at school, so it wasn't surprising that Kushieda Minori knew.
"Yes, we're out shopping and buying some things for the weekend."
At this moment, Kitamura Yusaku couldn't hold back and spoke up, "Hey, hey, hey, Asakura, I'm here too! You clearly saw me just now, why didn't you say hello?!"
"Hmm?"
After looking at Kitamura Yusaku again, Kaede finally showed a perfunctory smile and said, "Oh, it's Kitamura, what a coincidence, what a coincidence. Hmm... Shirogane-senpai, could you find another seat for Eriri and me? Or should we share a table with Kushieda-san and Oosaka-san?"
"Asakura, you guy!"
Seeing this scene, Shirogane Miyuki couldn't help but laugh: "Hahaha, you guys really have a good relationship. Asakura-san, just sit down, I'll get you the menus."
Since Shirogane Miyuki said so, Kaede picked up Kitamura Yusaku, who hadn't ordered anything yet, and made him sit opposite, while he and Eriri sat on the sofa seat and put their things down.
"You're really not polite."
Kitamura Yusaku said helplessly, "You get a girlfriend and you forget about your friend."
"Nonsense, are you more important than Eriri?" Kaede answered without hesitation, which instantly chilled Kitamura Yusaku's heart. Kushieda Minori and Oosaka Taiga on the side couldn't help but laugh.
Kushieda Minori finally managed to suppress her laughter and said, looking at Kaede and Eriri, "Sawamura-san is really lucky to have found such a good boyfriend in Asakura-san."
Eriri blushed, extremely reluctant to answer the question, but after glancing at Kaede beside her, she could only nod shyly.
Indeed, she was very lucky.
Soon, Shirogane Miyuki brought the menus. Kaede handed one to Kitamura Yusaku and said, "You came here today, you definitely intended to cause trouble, didn't you? You made Eriri and me come here too, so you're treating us today."
"Uh... Ah haha, alright, alright, I'll treat, it's just one meal anyway."
Kitamura Yusaku gave an awkward laugh and could only agree.
Although Kitamura Yusaku had previously known where Takasu Ryuji worked, he hadn't intended to casually bother him. But today, he was nearby buying things and happened to see Kushieda Minori and Oosaka Taiga come to this restaurant, so he had a sudden idea to join in the fun.
As a result, Takasu Ryuji immediately called for help, summoning Kaede. What could he do? Running away was definitely not an option, so he simply sat down and waited for them to arrive.
A meal, he already knew, was unavoidable.
Following the principle of not saving money for Kitamura Yusaku, this guy who liked to cause trouble, Kaede ordered many things Eriri liked, and which were not cheap, before handing the menu to Shirogane Miyuki.
"I'm done ordering. Kitamura, you should order quickly too. By the way, Senpai, you still haven't told me where Takasu is?"
After noting down the orders, Shirogane Miyuki smiled and said, "Takasu is helping in the kitchen. One person in the kitchen took a temporary leave today, so Takasu helps out when it's busy. He's very good and highly valued by the manager."
"That's right!"
Kushieda Minori on the side also spoke up, gesturing to the fries on their table and saying, "Our fries were also prepared by Takasu-san, a special extra-large version!"
"Is that allowed?"
Looking at Shirogane Miyuki, he nodded and said, "The manager knew they were Takasu's classmates, so of course he agreed. Extra fries are just an internal discount, very common. We'll get you some later too, after all, we have to thank Kitamura-san for his great support today."
"Uh... Ah haha~~~"
Kitamura Yusaku also smiled wryly as he ordered what he wanted, watching Shirogane Miyuki leave.
"Oh dear, I came all this way, only saw Takasu for a moment, and ended up getting fleeced quite a bit by you guys."
Drinking the iced water that was served, Kaede looked at Kitamura Yusaku opposite him with a calm expression and said, "Kitamura, you're still too young. Why didn't you think to discuss it with me beforehand? This way, if we came together, Takasu wouldn't have been able to call for help, would he?"
"...You really are terrible, Asakura."
"How can you say that's terrible? We three are good friends, Kitamura! Good friends, don't they like to see each other make fools of themselves? But you didn't call me today, and now that I know, you can only blame yourself for not being fully prepared!"
Good friends?
Is that it? Is that it?
"It's truly you, Asakura, once again correcting my perception of good friends." Kitamura Yusaku exhaled and pushed up his glasses, saying, "Don't worry, I won't give you such an opportunity again. The same trick won't beat me twice."
"Are you a Saint Seiya?"
After muttering, Kaede leaned back and looked at the other two: "Kushieda-san, are you not working today?"
"No!"
Kushieda Minori smiled and said, "The owner of the family restaurant where I work is going back to his hometown, so he gave all of us a few days off. So Oosaka and I came out to play!"
Oosaka Taiga, who was eating nearby, also said, "Minori is always working, it's a good thing she's off today, otherwise I'd have to go there to eat again."
"That's why I said I'd come to Oosaka's house to cook for you."
"It's still better to go out, it's boring at home."
Kaede and Eriri exchanged glances, and their hands, which were below the table, now intertwined.
(T/N: Lewd)
After waiting for about ten minutes, they finally saw Takasu Ryuji come out.