Tokyo: Oreimo

“Okay.” Ling Nai pushed open the convenience store door, her ponytail swaying slightly in the breeze. “Hurry up and finish cleaning up for the female giant, then come back and cook. We can invite her to eat together.”

After saying that, she walked into the sunset without looking back.

Ryosuke stood at the door with a plastic bag from the convenience store, watching the figure in the Buffet T-shirt disappear into the apartment building, feeling somewhat dazed.

This guy.

They acted as if nothing had happened last night.

Chapter 279 If only they could get married

Takashiro Isamu sat on the sofa in his living room, holding a can of beer he had already taken three sips of. The evening news was playing on the TV, but the volume was so low that it was almost background noise.

Mieko brought out a plate of edamame from the kitchen and sat down next to him.

"You're back early today."

"Yeah, the case's closed. The team leader told us to leave early." Takashiro Yuu put the beer can on the coffee table, peeled a edamame, popped it into his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and didn't say anything.

Mieko glanced at him. "Something on your mind?"

"No, no." Takashiro Isamu quickly waved his hand, then picked up his beer and took a sip, forgetting to wipe the foam from the corner of his mouth. "It's just... how's that kid, Ayano, doing in Tokyo these days?"

"She just posted photos yesterday, taken with Aragaki at the gate of Waseda University. Didn't you see them?"

"Yes, yes, I know." Takashiro Isao peeled another edamame, this time not eating it, but just twirling it between his fingers. "I was just thinking, she's never left Chiba before, this is the first time she's living alone in another city, even though she's with Ryosuke, it's still not at home..."

Mieko chuckled softly, "You can't bear to part with her, can you?"

Takashiro Isao was silent for a while, then let out a long sigh.

"Indeed, it's a bit lonely without the children at home."

"Heh." Mieko chuckled. "They're just studying now. Once they get married, they'll have even fewer chances to see each other."

Takashiro Isamu took a swig of his drink and sighed.

Mihoko picked up her teacup, took a sip, and spoke casually.

“At that time, Ling Nai will probably have to move to her husband’s house and change her surname. It’s possible that Ryosuke will stay with us instead.”

Takashiro Isao's hands, which were peeling edamame, stopped.

He stared at the dish of edamame on the coffee table for a long time, as if he were pondering some important case. Then he put down the beans, picked up a beer can, took a big gulp, and slammed the can down on the coffee table with a thud.

"I wish they could get married."

Mihoko paused, holding her teacup, and looked up at her husband.

After saying this, Takashiro Yuu paused for a moment, then quickly waved his hand as if afraid of being misunderstood.

“I’m not talking nonsense. I’m serious. Look at Ryosuke, that kid. His character is impeccable, he’s smart, he’s steady in his work, and he takes meticulous care of Ryouna. I have complete peace of mind with Ryouna by his side.”

He started counting on his fingers.

"And think about it, if they get married, Ling Nai won't have to change her surname, since she's already surnamed Gao Cheng. Both children can stay with us, and we can help take care of their grandchildren later. The whole family can be together during holidays, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Mihoko placed the teacup back on the coffee table, a slight smile curving her lips.

"Is that what you think?"

“Of course that’s what I think!” Takashiro Isamu took another swig of his drink. “The problem is that these two kids don’t seem to be interested in that.”

“Look at them at home, they bicker and argue every other day. Ling Nai often gets angry at Liang Jie, and Liang Jie always acts like he doesn’t care. I can’t figure out if they have a good relationship or a bad relationship.”

He scratched the back of his head.

"Sometimes they seem to have a good understanding. During the time when Ling Nai was going to high school, Ryosuke tutored her every day, and the two of them would lock themselves in the room for hours. But sometimes I feel like there's something between them, I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Mieko, tell me, what are they really thinking?"

Mihoko picked up her teacup, gently stirred the tea leaves floating on top with the lid, and did not answer.

Takashiro Isamu continued rambling, "I've been a detective my whole life, and I can figure out almost any case, but I really can't understand the thoughts of these two kids."

Mieko finally spoke.

"You."

"Ok?"

"So sharp when handling cases, yet so slow to react when it comes to family matters."

Takashiro Isamu blinked, not quite understanding. "Huh?"

Mieko just smiled with her lips pursed and didn't say anything more.

She picked up her teacup, her gaze passing over the rim and landing on the family photo on the coffee table.

The photo was taken last autumn in Chiba Park. Ryosuke is standing on the far right, and Ryou is standing next to him, about a fist's distance apart.

But Ling Nai's body leaned slightly towards Liang Jie.

After waiting for a while without getting any further information, Takashiro Isamu picked up the beer can again and said, "You women always like to say only half of what you mean."

Mihoko stood up, picked up the empty edamame dish, and walked towards the kitchen. As she passed her husband, she gently patted his shoulder.

You'll find out later.

......

As the aroma of oyakodon wafted from the kitchen, Ling Nai was sitting cross-legged on the sofa in the living room, flipping through the latest JUMP magazine she had bought from the convenience store.

She turned a page but didn't get into it.

I turned the page again, but still couldn't get into it.

The sound of spatulas clattering and Ryosuke chopping scallions came from the kitchen.

Ling Nai placed the book face down on her lap and turned her head to look towards the kitchen.

With his back to her, Ryosuke was wearing the dark blue apron that Mieko had packed in her suitcase during the move, adding seasonings to the pot. His movements were slow, but each step was smooth, and he didn't hesitate about how much or when to add it.

Since when did watching him cook become so natural?

"That's about it." Ryosuke turned off the heat, picked up the frying pan, and poured the golden egg mixture and chicken evenly over the three bowls of rice that had been prepared.

Three bowls.

Ling Nai's gaze lingered on the third bowl for a moment.

"I'll go call the Giantess."

Ling Nai got up from the sofa, put on her slippers, walked to the entrance, and opened the door.

The motion-activated light in the stairwell was on. She walked down half a floor and stopped in front of the door on the second floor, knocking three times.

The door opened.

Saori changed into a set of loungewear, her long hair still damp from not being completely dried, draped over her shoulders. When she saw Ling Nai standing at the door, she raised an eyebrow.

"The food is ready. That guy told me to call you up to eat." Ling Nai crossed her arms, her tone neither warm nor cold.

"Okay, I'll change my shoes and come right away."

The two entered the apartment on the third floor one after the other.

As Saori took off her shoes in the entryway, she glanced at the two pairs of indoor slippers placed side by side on the shoe rack. One pair was dark gray, and the other was pink, both with their toes pointing outwards, arranged neatly.

Ling Nai had already returned to the living room and sat down at the dining table.

Ryosuke placed three bowls of oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) on the table, and then ladled a bowl of miso soup in front of Saori.

"Please use it."

Saori took the chopsticks and looked at the oyakodon bowl in front of her. The egg was cooked to perfection, the semi-solid golden color coating the chicken thigh meat and onions, and the steam rising up carried the sweet and salty aroma of the sauce.

She picked up a piece of chicken and put it in her mouth, pausing for a moment as she chewed.

"good to eat."

Ryosuke sat down opposite her and picked up his chopsticks.

Ling Nai had already started eating, her chopsticks moving rapidly, her cheeks bulging, and she mumbled, "There wasn't enough onion today."

"There's only half left in the fridge," Ryosuke said.

"Then write more items on the grocery shopping list next time."

"You write it."

"I'll write whatever I want."

Saori watched the two bicker back and forth, and the corners of her mouth curved up. She picked up the miso soup and took a sip. The soup base was made with kelp and bonito flakes, not instant powder, and the taste was very authentic.

"Does Shi Yuze usually cook?" she asked.

“We divide the housework: he’s in charge of cooking and cleaning, and I’m in charge of sorting the trash and doing laundry,” Ling Nai answered quickly, as if reciting a pre-established legal provision.

"We agreed on three rules before we moved in."

"Three rules?" Saori looked at Ryosuke with interest.

Ryosuke lowered his head and ate his rice, not responding.

Ling Nai put down her chopsticks and started counting on her fingers, "Second rule: you must report if you work all night on a manuscript, and you are not allowed to fall asleep on the sofa in the living room. Third rule: you are not allowed to bring girls home casually."

She paused here, pointing the tip of her chopsticks towards Saori, "You're an exception; I approved it today."

Chapter 280 Medusa

Saori paused for a moment, then laughed, "That's truly an honor."

"Hmph." Ling Nai picked up her chopsticks again, poked a piece of chicken, and stuffed it into her mouth.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was much calmer than Ryosuke had expected.

He had expected tonight's dinner to be a fierce and turbulent battleground, but Ling Nai not only didn't speak sarcastically to Saori, but also offered her a way out, albeit not exactly a way out, in her earlier mention of "exceptions."

Saori glanced at Ryosuke, who was focused on picking up food with his chopsticks, his face expressionless.

It seems something really did happen last night, but it doesn't matter. Saori looked away, picked up her bowl and continued drinking her soup. Anyway, she's moved downstairs now, so she can observe things slowly.

Halfway through her meal, Saori put down her chopsticks.