socalfunplaces Page 40
Page 40
When he's not busy, he'll draw with Shoko and teach her to speak.
"Let's let Shoko come over to play after she's discharged from the hospital."
Aoba's tone lightened as she recalled the daily life she spent with Shoko.
"Hmm... I'll pass it on to Shoko."
Nishimiya Yaeko paused for a moment, then nodded silently.
The two exchanged only a few pleasantries before the wife took her leave.
For her, even coming to thank Aoba required taking leave from work.
She devoted everything to her family.
And there are many people like her on this street.
Aoba watched silently.
We can only offer help where we can.
……
It was around six in the afternoon.
All the shops on Aonosuke Street are open.
The house and its surroundings were thoroughly cleaned in preparation for welcoming guests.
The sign in front of the izakaya still says "Closed".
There is still some time before the store officially opens.
Inside the brightly lit shop, Aoba is stirring a large pot.
The rich aroma spread from the pot to every nook and cranny of the small shop.
The red braising liquid in the pot simmered and bubbled under the low heat.
咕噜 咕噜
One blister after another burst.
The smoke from the pot rose up into the sky and turned into an invisible breeze.
Standing by the pot, Qingye held a large ladle.
Stir it every now and then.
His face showed a serious expression.
Under the warm yellow light, the earnest young man exuded a tranquility befitting autumn.
The shop was exceptionally quiet.
The only sound was the sizzling of the boiling brine.
"Boom boom boom!"
There was a knock on the door.
Aoba looked out the door through the curtain.
The blurry, stiff lines made it impossible to discern who was standing at the door.
I could only roughly tell that the other person was a girl.
Aoba let out a soft sigh, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
Only one person would come here before he opened for business.
He put down the pot and spoon in his hand.
He left from the back.
Arriving at the door.
Because the business has not officially started yet, the door is still locked.
"Aoba-kun, open the door~~~"
Hearing the girl's slightly coquettish voice, Qingye casually responded.
The door lock is just a brass chain lock.
Just fold it up and it will open.
Aoba almost bumped into the girl's head as soon as he opened the door.
"so..."
"Kasumigaoka-kun, didn't I tell you to be careful and not to rush?"
Aoba's expression carried a hint of helplessness and gentleness.
The girl's outfit today is still the same basic set.
The school uniforms at Toyonosaki Academy are quite beautiful, perfectly showcasing the youthful spirit of the girls.
In addition, there's the girl's own attire.
Black tights, white headband, and a white coat over her clothes.
really.
A pretty girl looks good in anything.
When Kasumigaoka looked at Aoba, her beautiful eyes, like those of a fine vintage wine, sparkled with a few glimmers of light.
"Really."
"Didn't Aoba-kun say he'd tell me the answer if I came over tonight?"
The slightly raised corners of his mouth showed a hint of anger and joy.
It was supposed to be a question, but it sounded like a playful argument between lovers.
"It's just an answer, is it that important?"
Aoba flicked the forehead of Asaka no Oka with a helpless expression, then turned and walked towards the kitchen.
His words were like a gentle spring breeze.
It silently invaded the girl's heart.
Fortunately, Aoba had already turned around and didn't see Kasumigaoka's face.
"oops!"
"It's important... no, it smells so good!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to emphasize this.
As soon as I entered the shop, I was drawn in by a rich aroma.
"I made some new braised dishes today, you've never tried them before."
Aoba was already standing by the pot.
This is the last batch for today; it will be ready soon.
"Eh!?"
New cuisine! !
The girl's attention was immediately diverted to the new dish.
Like a little girl seeing a doll, she quickly raised her hand.
"I want to eat!!"
Do you eat spicy food?
"No."
After finishing speaking, Kasumigaoka sat down at one side of the round table.
She doesn't like sitting in the middle.
It was too conspicuous, and because of the curtains, you couldn't see anything in the kitchen.
It's better to stay on the side.
Through the curtain, one can clearly see Aoba's every move in the kitchen.
This is a secret of the little shop that only she knows.
They received a reply from Kasumigaoka.
Aoba also took some duck parts, kelp, and lotus root from the pot.
This is the non-spicy version.
She placed it on a small plate and put it in front of Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"You are the first customer to arrive today, so the first serving is free for you to try."
"Huh? Is there only the first one?"
"Then what else do you want?"
"The store manager said those things to me last night, so why wasn't there any discount?"
"What did I say?"
"Hmph! The shop manager knows himself that if he lets the girls say everything, he won't get a girlfriend."
The girl's coquettishness left Aoba feeling quite helpless.
but.
Every day I can see Kasumigaoka's energetic side in the store.
Even he felt full of energy.
Chapter 30 The Izakaya is open for business!