Crossing over, and then being blocked by a rich JK.

Chapter 516 The Place She Wanted to Go
What brings the most peace of mind is often the everyday routine that provides a sense of security.

For Watanabe Yu, the phrase "everything as usual" refers to his school days, which was his most comfortable and easy time. After the banquet incident, his life returned to normal.

In the mundane routine of going back and forth between three points, time flew by and it was already the end of December, with only a week left until the final exams of the second semester.

"Speaking of which, this semester is almost over."

The Watanabe family home, inside the kitchen.

Ryoko Hamabe tied on an apron, went to the sink to wash her hands, then turned back to the cutting board and picked up a knife to process the cucumbers.

Although it's no longer summer, this sweet and sour dish is quite popular with Ayana and Yuki. The most important thing is that they said they wanted to eat it today, so she just made it for them.

"Yeah, I didn't even realize it was happening before time just 'biu'ed away."

Yu Watanabe leaned against the kitchen wall, her gaze falling on Ryoko's face as she chopped vegetables. A strand of short hair fell across her forehead, obscuring her profile and adding to her everyday, relatable appearance.

To be honest, when he first met Ryoko, he really felt like a movie heroine had come to life; she was so beautiful it was almost unreal.

Especially with that aloof and unapproachable aura, she has even more of the air of an ice queen, just like Higuchi Enka.

"A 'biu' sound?"

Ryoko Hamabe paused for a moment, and her voice became more amused.

Someone is... kind of cute.

She truly hadn't expected that he would use onomatopoeia to describe something.

That's pretty childish.

"Aha." Watanabe Yu nodded, then rolled up his sleeves and went to the sink to help. There were quite a few vegetables to wash and prepare tonight. "By the way, what's for fruit tonight?"

It's quite interesting, really. Ever since they moved, everyone from Ryoko to Ayana, and even himself, has developed a habit of eating fruit.

You can eat less rice every day, but you must eat fruit.

In a sense, their intake of fruits and vegetables can be considered adequate.

“Your favorite North American cherries, cantaloupe, pears, and cherry tomatoes that aren’t in season.”

Ryoko Hamabe's hands moved without the slightest hesitation, slicing the cucumber into even, even aesthetically pleasing, pieces.

“I do like it.” Watanabe Yu chuckled. “I’m planning to cook another dish later; I’m craving something spicy.”

He hadn't been in the kitchen for almost half a month, and he was afraid that if he didn't go in again, his cooking skills would become rusty.

Perhaps this is a habit of men in Sichuan and Chongqing?

I need to treat myself to something in the kitchen every now and then.

"I'll do it." Ryoko Hamabe put down the cleaver and brushed a strand of black hair from her forehead with her dry palm. "Why should the head of the household go into the kitchen? Just like what our teacher said in our Chinese class, 'A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen.'"

She felt that since You had already taken on the financial burden of the family, they should take on the remaining household chores. How could she expect You to earn money and do housework at the same time?
She didn't have the nerve to let Yu do that, and even if Yu insisted that housework should be done by everyone, she wouldn't give in easily.

"..." Watanabe Yu was silent for a moment, then asked in return, "When I'm alone, don't I cook for myself too?"

If he were to get tripped up by all these twists and turns, he would have starved to death when he first transmigrated here.

Food is especially expensive in Tokyo. If he eats out every day, the allowance his family gives him, plus his part-time job wages, won't be enough.

Even eating half-price bento boxes every few days would be difficult.

"That was before."

Ryoko Hamabe put the sliced ​​cucumber into a plate for later use, and then took out the marinated beef from a bowl next to her.

"The past is the past, and the present is the present?"

Watanabe asked with a smile.

"Hmm." Ryoko Hamabe nodded matter-of-factly. "I talked to my aunt, and she said that I'm sometimes too soft. I should be firmer when I need to be, instead of letting you lead me by the nose with just a few words."

When her aunt first brought it up, she didn't really think much of it, but now that she's thought about it carefully, she realizes that it's true. Sometimes she really does listen to him too much.

Especially on matters she was unwilling to compromise on in the first place.

“That’s not exactly leading by the nose.” Watanabe Yu’s lips twitched. “Besides, this sounds a bit like you’re asking for too much.”

It gave him the feeling that a girl with a monthly salary of 6,000 was looking for a boyfriend with a monthly salary of 7,000.

"what?"

Ryoko Hamabe was stunned, somewhat confused by Yu Watanabe's meaning.

"It's nothing, I was just saying that our conversation just now was a bit like something out of a science fiction movie."

Watanabe Yu didn't explain, but put the washed vegetables in a small basket, rinsed them, and handed them to Hamabe Ryoko.

"no?"

She doesn't understand science fiction anymore.

"Whatever." Watanabe paused for a moment, then gave her a look that signaled him to step aside. "I'll do it."

The beef was already marinated and cut; he really wanted to do the rest himself.

It gives you that exhilarating feeling that all the preparations are already done, and all you have to do is focus on the most exciting part.

"No way." Ryoko Hamabe refused without even thinking. "I said I'll take care of the cooking. If you think the taste is off, just tell me and I'll cook it to your liking."

Most of the dishes she makes now are to his liking, with only a small portion made according to Ayana and Yuki's tastes.

"Not negotiable?"

Watanabe Yu looked at her.

"Not negotiable."

Ryoko Hamabe shook her head, her attitude resolute.

"..."

No, girl, most people don't like cooking, so why is it that everyone in their family is scrambling to cook in the kitchen?
Isn't this a bit beyond the scope of the curriculum?
"alright."

After about twenty seconds of silence, Watanabe Yu gave up on staring at Ryoko and chose to compromise.

However, he didn't completely give in. Instead, he started washing the fruit and preparing to cut the cantaloupe.

"Speaking of which, have you ever thought about helping Ayana in the future?"

He picked up the washed cantaloupe and went to another cutting board, where he changed the subject.

He was afraid that if they continued talking about this topic, he would actually laugh out loud in anger.

So, the Yamato Nadeshiko is by my side, huh?

"what do you mean?"

As she spoke, Ryoko Hamabe poured oil into the pan and then turned on the stove.

She used to be a little afraid of the hot oil splashing out, but after experiencing it many times, she got used to it.

"Let's go to the company's side too."

Yu Watanabe's answer was concise and to the point.

Why would you suddenly ask that?

Ryoko Hamabe stared at the hot oil in the pan, her voice tinged with doubt.

She is a very traditional person; if she can take care of housework at home, she definitely doesn't want to go out to work.

Of course, if her family needs her to go out to work, she can do it, and she is confident that she can do it well.

“Ayana said that you performed very well at the banquet, and that you seemed quite adept at it.” Watanabe paused for a moment, “So I asked you this.”

Even if someone teaches you, the fact that you can perform this well on your first try proves that you have talent.

“It’s not difficult.” Ryoko Hamabe pouted, listening to the sizzling sound of hot oil in the pot, then added a little peppercorn and waited. “But I’m not really interested in this kind of thing.”

"Really not?" "Really not."

"So what are your plans?"

Watanabe Yu looked away in disbelief.

“I…” Ryoko Hamabe looked at the bubbling hot oil in the pot and the Sichuan peppercorns that were completely fragrant. She then picked up the spatula, stirred it a couple of times, and then took the peppercorns out. “I plan to finish university and then become a full-time housewife.”

"It's not impossible, but wouldn't you like to find something to do?"

Watanabe Yu doesn't have the idea of ​​keeping the person he likes by his side. He always felt that everyone should have their own hobbies and their own lives, instead of trying to revolve around him all the time.

"for example?"

Ryoko Hamabe picked up the chopped scallions, ginger, garlic, chopped white parts of scallions, and dried chili peppers that she had prepared beforehand and poured them into the pot. The sizzling sound immediately reached its maximum, and puffs of smoke rose up.

However, thanks to the range hood's sufficient power and its high setting, the fumes didn't spread around the kitchen, and because she covered her mouth and nose early on, she wasn't choked.

“For example, opening a flower shop.” Watanabe Yu carefully considered his words. “Don’t all girls want to open a flower shop when they are financially independent? Aunt Naoko opened a flower shop, although she has recently started to work on opening a chain.”

To be honest, it's rare to see someone like Aunt Shangzi whose flower shop's business keeps getting better and better; it's really unbelievable.

"I don't have any thoughts on that." Ryoko Hamabe picked up a spatula and started stirring the ingredients in the pan. "If I had to choose, I personally prefer a clothing store to a flower shop?"

"why?"

Watanabe Yu was a little curious and tilted his head.

"Because clothing stores deal with people more frequently."

While stirring the ingredients, Ryoko Hamabe carefully observed the situation inside the pot.

Do you enjoy communicating with people?

This was the only solution he could think of.

"No, it's the feeling of persuading people to buy my products. Besides, as the boss, I can make any fussy customers leave."

After confirming that all the ingredients were fragrant, Ryoko Hamabe picked up a cup and poured the contents into the pot.

The water instantly covered the bottom of the pot.

"That really helps relieve stress."

Upon hearing this, Watanabe Yu nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, the impact of some things cannot be resolved in a year or two.

"By the way, after the final exams, the next semester will be the final sprint stage."

After adding the chili oil and seasonings, Hamabe Ryoko paused for a moment, then turned to Watanabe Yu and asked, "So, during this ten-day holiday, should we go on a trip? Just the two of us."

She does have selfish moments, but most of the time, she doesn't want to make everyone unhappy because of it, so she always endures it.

"Sure," Watanabe Yu nodded. Going out for two or three days was no problem. "Where do you want to go?"

He never really had a clear idea of ​​where to travel.

He always finds out where he wants to go first, but when it comes up on the spot like this, he really doesn't have a specific goal in mind.

"Isn't there a resort that's been really popular lately?"

Ryoko Hamabe blinked.

She wanted to go there to have fun.

To be precise, it's a resort town with hot springs and all-inclusive tourism services, including but not limited to several beautiful scenic spots.

However, after a month, there are actually quite a few attractions to see.

But it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that she went with him, not whether she saw anything after they got there.

"Then let's go there?"

Watanabe Yu raised an eyebrow.

He really liked the practice of drawing the target before shooting the arrow.

At least it saves us the trouble of figuring out where to go.

"Really?"

Ryoko Hamabe was somewhat uncertain.

Because she was also aware that her request was actually quite 'excessive,' at least in the eyes of Ayana and Yuki.

“It’s really possible.” Watanabe Yu nodded. “I’ll talk to Ayana and Yuki.”

Having spent so much time together, he knew very well what Ryoko was worried about.

However, he knew even better that Ryoko's concerns were indeed valid.

Don't be fooled by Ayana and the others' friendly demeanor; they get jealous quite often, and naturally, he becomes the 'sacrifice' for their jealousy.

He has run out of ammunition and food several times already.

"Then I'll leave it to You."

Ryoko Hamabe breathed a sigh of relief and then poured the marinated beef into the pot.

Since You said so, she felt relieved.

She couldn't guarantee anything else, but she could definitely guarantee Yu's place in Ayana's heart.

Ayana's level of concern for Haru is such that Haru is currently the most important person to her.

As for why it's "now," it's because there will definitely be a second little one in the future.

"Little things."

Watanabe gazed at the sliced ​​cantaloupe and couldn't resist picking up a piece to eat.

“And Yuki.”

Ryoko Hamabe didn't tease him about his 'cheating' behavior, but instead gave him a reminder.

"When does Yu plan to take the final step?"

This was a question she was extremely concerned about.

This was a question that Yuki had wanted to ask for a while, but found it difficult to bring up due to her modesty and shyness.

"..."

"..."

After he finished speaking, the kitchen fell silent, with only the continuous sound of the gas stove whirring.

"I do not know."

After a silence of three and a third minutes, Watanabe Yu reluctantly uttered those words.

He really hadn't thought it through.

and so.

"let it go."

He paused.

"But you've reminded me that I should go record and release a new song."

He hasn't released a new song in almost two months since his last one.

"...Then I'll leave it to you."

Upon hearing this, Ryoko Hamabe opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, but in the end, all her words were reduced to this one sentence.

(End of this chapter)