Chapter 147: Unaware of One's Blessings
Putting Takasu Ryuji's matter aside, the couple's dinner set was a very good experience overall, and the price was reasonable.
After eating, the two were not in a hurry to go back. They strolled around the vicinity for a while, each bought a cup of milk tea, and then slowly took the train home.
Previously, to prevent Takasu Ryuji from continuously calling, Kaede had directly turned off his phone. He didn't have to worry about his family not finding him; if there was anything important, they could contact Eriri.
After turning it on, he indeed saw Takasu Ryuji's message, asking him to come over to his house if he had time.
Showing the message to Eriri, Kaede shrugged and said, "I told you, what big deal could it be? Even if that guy accidentally bumps into someone outside, the result will only be others voluntarily handing over their wallets. No need to worry."
Although saying this was a bit crude, it was so perfectly fitting for Takasu Ryuji's situation that Eriri couldn't help but laugh.
"Puhaha~~ Your analogy is so vivid! But since Takasu-san is looking for you, Kaede-kun, you should go over."
"Eriri, do you want to come along? You haven't been to the Takasu Family Home, have you?"
"Hehe, I won't go."
Holding the unfinished milk tea in her hand, Eriri said, "After I eat, I'll play some games, and wait for Kaede-kun to come back and continue drawing manga."
"Alright, then I'll go and come back early."
After kissing Eriri's lips, which now tasted of milk tea, Kaede then went to the Takasu Family Home next door.
He rang the doorbell, and after a short while, Takasu Ryuji came to open the door.
Looking at Kaede standing at the door, Takasu Ryuji asked, "Why did you hang up on me earlier? Then you even turned off your phone."
"Nonsense, Eriri and I were out for dinner, how could I answer your call? And your calls are always the same old story. I didn't want to hear your pleas while we were having our romantic time, it's a bit of a mood killer."
"No, compared to that, I think what you just said is more of a mood killer. I just ate and feel a bit like throwing up."
After complaining, Takasu Ryuji also knew that his call was indeed ill-timed, but Kaede was indeed his good friend, and he came over directly after returning.
"Come in quickly."
Upon entering, Kaede looked at one of the two pairs of shoes in the entranceway and pondered, "Hmm... these shoes look familiar, could it be...?"
Takasu Ryuji nodded with a resigned smile, saying, "Hehe, it's exactly what you're thinking."
Sure enough, upon entering the living room of the Takasu Family Home, Kaede saw Oosaka Taiga sitting there playing a game.
Oosaka Taiga, vigorously rubbing the controller, heard the movement, turned her head to look at Kaede who had entered, and greeted him, "You actually came?"
Then she immediately turned her attention back to the TV screen.
After sitting down and taking a cup of mugicha handed by Takasu Ryuji, Kaede gestured with his eyes towards the girl playing the game and said, "That's it? That's it? You actually stooped to asking for help because of a mere Oosaka Taiga?"
"What do you mean 'a mere'?! I'll kick you!" Oosaka Taiga glared defiantly at Kaede, but because the game was at a critical moment, she immediately turned back.
"What do you mean 'that's it'? Isn't this a big problem? My daily life has been completely disrupted!"
Seeing Kaede's nonchalant demeanor, Takasu Ryuji immediately clutched his head and said, "Today I finally had a day off. I just came back after buying groceries, and this guy was already in my house!"
"Hmm?"
This was somewhat interesting. Kaede looked at Oosaka Taiga and asked, "Oosaka, how did you get in? Have you learned to knock?"
"Who would learn that kind of skill? I just came in normally!" After a pause, Oosaka Taiga said, "I just came in through the balcony. My house is right opposite, I just jumped over."
"..."
Kaede was silent for a moment, then looked at Takasu Ryuji and said, "Don't you lock your doors and windows when you go out?"
"Who knew someone would come in through my balcony?! I just closed them, and I was only out for less than fifteen minutes! Not to mention, there's nothing valuable in my house!"
Takasu Ryuji retorted, "Not only won't this guy leave, she even freeloaded a dinner at my place and pulled Yasuko out as a shield."
"Hey! Don't talk nonsense, I paid for the meal!"
Just as her life ran out and it was game over, Oosaka Taiga turned around and said discontentedly, "Besides, Yasuko already said I could come over to eat anytime, not to mention I already paid for the meal. Is a guy really going to be so petty? Sigh, someone like you will definitely never find a girlfriend."
Takasu Ryuji felt a stab in his chest and was speechless.
Clutching his chest, he took several deep breaths before saying, "If you want to freeload meals, isn't it more convenient to go to Asakura's place? You both live in the same building!"
"Hey, hey, hey, don't drag me into this!" Kaede didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
However, fortunately, Oosaka Taiga didn't fall for it and directly said, "I'm not going there. If I go, I'll just be eating dog food, it's no fun at all."
Kaede breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement, "Exactly, exactly. And Eriri and I went out for dinner today, so coming over would be useless. Also, Takasu's cooking skills are much better than Eriri's and mine; his food is super delicious. Coming here is much better than my place, right, Oosaka?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Oosaka Taiga nodded repeatedly, savoring the dinner she just had, and said, "It just had a bit too little meat, a bit stingy."
"Who knew you would come over to freeload a meal?!"
Takasu Ryuji realized that calling Kaede over wouldn't solve the problem at all. Moreover, with Oosaka Taiga's usual combat strength displayed at school, it would be very difficult to kick her out.
With slumped shoulders, he seemed to have resigned himself, saying, "First, let's be clear, if you want to freeload meals, pay for your share, since my family isn't well-off. Also, if you come in the future, don't use the balcony, use the front door normally!"
Seeing that she had a place to eat in the future, Oosaka Taiga happily stood on tiptoes and patted Takasu Ryuji's shoulder: "Don't worry, don't worry, you won't be short on money. The front door, I know!"
Looking at the gloomy Takasu Ryuji, and then at the smiling Oosaka Taiga, Kaede couldn't help but wonder if Oosaka Taiga hadn't fallen for Kitamura yet.
Well, given the current development, things are getting interesting!
Seeing that it wasn't a big deal at all, Kaede didn't stay long. Eriri was waiting for him at home, so he prepared to take his leave.
Takasu Ryuji walked him to the door and said, "Sigh, Asakura, what do you think I should do about this?"
"What do you mean, 'what should you do'? Isn't this great?"
This Takasu Ryuji fellow really didn't know how good he had it.
Patting Takasu Ryuji on the shoulder, Kaede said with emotion, "You just gained someone else who is willing to interact with you. Shouldn't you be happy about that? Besides, you can use this opportunity to really think things over."
"Think? Think about what?"
Kaede spread his hands. "It must be understood intuitively, not spoken aloud. Go figure it out yourself."
After speaking, he waved goodbye and walked toward the apartment building next door, leaving a bewildered Takasu Ryuji behind.