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

Chapter 541 'Goal Achieved'

After following Risa Yasuhara to their location, Risa and Ayana Amamiya went to wait there, while Yu Watanabe and Shizukako Yasuhara went to the 'kitchen' together.

However, although it's called a 'kitchen,' it's actually more like a campsite kitchen. Apart from having a roof for shelter, its facilities are indeed somewhat lacking compared to an indoor kitchen.

However, the stove here was exactly to his liking.

This is a standard large gas stove, which means that stir-frying food over high heat will make it especially fragrant and flavorful.

This is what is commonly known as having a wok hei (the smoky aroma imparted by a wok).

"Wow, this seasoning is quite complete."

Arriving at the stove, Watanabe Yu checked the seasonings, making sure each one was the same, and then turned on the tap to wash the cutting board.

The receptionist said that the tools here had been disinfected and cleaned, but he still felt more at ease washing them himself.

Incidentally, next to the seasonings, there was also a standard can of rapeseed oil.

—This was something he had told Risa Yasuhara in advance, and she had the restaurant prepare it.

High-end restaurants like these tend to use more expensive olive oil, while they won't provide you with more down-to-earth rapeseed oil unless you specifically ask.

But then again, he doesn't know if it's just his imagination, but he always felt that the rapeseed oil in Japan didn't taste that good.

This is especially true when compared to his hometown before he traveled through time.

"Come to think of it, this is the first time we've ever chatted like this, isn't it?"

Seeing that Watanabe Yu had already started preparing for cooking, Yasuhara Shizukako also started a conversation.

She knew he could cook.
—Risa's side bombards her with photos every few days, and no matter how hard she tries not to see them, she's forced to.

But no matter how many times she saw him, she was still somewhat surprised.

Theoretically speaking, the kitchen is mostly managed by women. Men like Watanabe Yu who are good at cooking are rare, let alone Watanabe Yu who is still a high school student.

Is this what geniuses are all about?
"Yes."

Watanabe Yu nodded slightly and picked up the beef that they had processed and wrapped in plastic wrap.

After removing the plastic wrap, he picked up a washed cleaver and began slicing the beautifully presented beef.

"I've been wanting to find an opportunity to talk to you for a while, but the timing has never been quite right, so it's been delayed until now."

As she spoke, Shizukako Yasuhara unwrapped the plastic wrap from the vegetables beside her.

This was her first time at this restaurant. Her daughter had told her that the food was very fresh, and now that she saw it, it seemed to be true.

Although she goes to supermarkets and shopping streets to buy groceries much less often than before, she hasn't lost the common sense about life she accumulated in the past.

The two large bags of vegetables they ordered were of very good quality and very fresh; they were clearly premium vegetables.

Compared to similar vegetables of relatively ordinary quality, they are priced 40% to 60% higher.

In the past, when she and her husband were being "tested" at home, they would buy a mix of good and ordinary items, and sometimes they would even buy discounted items.

Looking back now, those days are quite memorable, as two young people who were temporarily penniless slowly made a living.

"Actually, you only need to say it."

Watanabe Yu's hands didn't stop moving.

For him, this was already very late. He usually ate much earlier, and his stomach was already protesting. If he didn't hurry up, he was afraid he would really be starving soon.

Of course, the most crucial point is that he didn't find anything to eat before leaving the house.

The young lady had eaten half a box of cherries, so she wasn't hungry at all when she arrived here.

I'd estimate she could get a reservation at a time when the food is already prepared.

“I wouldn’t do that kind of thing.” Shizukako Yasuhara shook her head, turned around and turned on the tap in the sink to wash the vegetables. “How has Risa’s work been going lately?”

If she could, she wouldn't want to ask Watanabe Yu.

The daughter is right there in front of you, why not ask her instead of her student? Isn't that just a prank?

Unfortunately, whenever she asked her daughter about work, her daughter always reported good news and never mentioned the bad. Whenever she did speak, it was always about how things were going smoothly; she would never talk about the stressful situations caused by her students.
—As for how she knew she was in a terrible predicament, she called the principal to ask.

"It's alright. Everyone in the class is quite well-behaved and attentive in class. After all, we're about to move on to the next grade."

Watanabe Yu stopped cutting the beef, then turned to look at Yasuhara Shizukako with a wry smile.

"But isn't it a bit outrageous of you to ask me about the current situation of this student, Risa?"

Shouldn't we just ask the person involved directly?

To subtly inquire about his background.

Moreover, his answer only reflects what he has seen; the actual situation should be determined by the opinions of the parties involved.

Most importantly, Risa selectively conceals certain things. If he were to let something slip, wouldn't he become a 'traitor'?
Even if he did it unintentionally.

"Ask her?" Shizukako Yasuhara shook her head. "She always reports good news and hides bad news on these kinds of issues. Yes, I can understand her thinking, but I don't think it's necessary. Her father and I can cover for her for many more years."

Thanks to years of proper care, she is in good health, and so is her husband.

Conservatively speaking, Risa can live the life she wants for another twenty years.

However, if possible, she hopes that in fifteen years, Risa can return home and take over the family business, so that she and her husband can have more free time.

Moreover, she and her husband can help her out, so that she won't be rushed into things or appear clueless in front of her subordinates.

"Risa-nee doesn't want you to worry."

Watanabe Yu chimed in, then looked away and continued slicing the beef. The sharp cleaver precisely cut through the beef's texture, producing a soft cutting sound.

To be honest, while the cleavers here are sharp enough for ordinary kitchen knives, they're still not as good as the ones at his house.

According to Ryoko, the most valuable item in her kitchen is not any of the high-tech gadgets, but the kitchen knife.

He didn't know the exact amount.

He asked her many times, but Ryoko never said anything. She only said that she bought it with her own money and that nothing else mattered.

"You know, the most annoying thing in the world is teaching people to learn."

He shook his head and added this sentence.

Otherwise, why is the whole world like that?

When there's no homework help, mother and child are loving and filial; when homework help is involved, chaos ensues.

"It makes me worry that she only selectively reports good news."

Yasuhara Shizukako replied.

Which adult doesn't know that life is mostly unsatisfactory? If everything went smoothly, it wouldn't be life.

It's a science fiction film!

“Then this is a communication problem.” Watanabe paused. “In my opinion, many problems can be solved through communication. Most of the conflicts in the world that do not involve personal interests stem from inadequate communication.”

Especially communication that involves identity.

In a sense, first-time parents should indeed receive professional training, including but not limited to how to communicate with their children, how to teach them, and how to be a role model for them.

Some people are quick learners who learn from their parents, summarize their own experiences, and eventually develop a system that suits them. Others are less quick learners who simply copy their parents' methods and end up becoming the very kind of person they used to hate.

"You mean that effective communication can solve at least 80% of the problems?"

Shizuka turned off the tap, put the washed vegetables into the basket, then turned her head and looked at him meaningfully.

“Theoretically speaking,” Watanabe Yu noticed her slightly scrutinizing gaze, but he didn’t seem uncomfortable and answered in a normal tone and expression, “If we insist on getting to the bottom of things, then it’s true that we can’t solve all the problems.”

Perhaps because of Risa, he wasn't afraid of Shizuka Yasuhara at all. He even felt that her feigned anger was a bit fake.

It's obvious they haven't read the book "An Actor Prepares".

"You're quite interesting. I said at least 80%, you said all of it."

Shizukako Yasuhara laughed; she naturally understood what the little guy meant.

If she admits that what she said was the whole truth, then she is the one who is stubborn and narrow-minded; if she doesn't admit it, she can only endure his sarcastic remarks.

"Because I've seen a lot of people like that."

Watanabe Yu put the sliced ​​beef into a plate for later use.

"They always think that as long as they do it this way, they can solve all the problems. But that's exactly the problem. When you try to solve all the problems in one way, you often can't solve them because you're too utilitarian."

Haste makes waste, and this applies not only to career but also to family life.

Any change takes time, especially academic performance. It's unrealistic to expect a beating to make a child score 60 this time and 80 next time.

It would take at least a semester of effort.

"Did Risa send you to persuade me?"

Instead of responding to his question, Shizukako Yasuhara suddenly asked him this question.

“That was the case at the beginning, but I don’t think it was persuasion, nor could I persuade them.”

Watanabe Yu picked up the fresh shrimp from the side and continued to process them.

"You have seen and experienced far more than I have. In other words, your ideas and perspectives are definitely more mature than mine. Can a top student with a perfect score be persuaded by an ordinary student with an 80% score?"

He was quite clear-headed on this point.

Or rather, after clarifying his own advantages and those of Shizuka Yasuhara, he had no further plans in that regard.

"Who knows? Even the best students can make mistakes sometimes."

Shizuka Yasuhara put down her plan to wash the fruits and vegetables, and instead began to seriously examine Yu Watanabe, who was holding the fresh shrimp. Her feelings for him were growing stronger.

Unfortunately, what you can't do, you just can't do.

Watanabe Yu remained unfazed; he was always like this when it came to things he had no hope for, and he wouldn't naively believe that he was the special one.

Or rather, even if it is truly a "special" case, the other party must have that kind of intention.

After all, whether something is 'special' or not is never just a matter for one party, but rather affects both parties.

"Don't you have any expectations in this regard?"

Shizuka Yasuhara was so angry she laughed.

"I don't expect it."

Watanabe Yu's hand paused slightly, then he gave the three words very seriously.

"It seems that Risa has entrusted herself to the wrong person after all."

Shizukako Yasuhara shook her head; she knew perfectly well that he wasn't that kind of person.

However, in order to get the answer she wants, she will definitely have to goad her a little.

"maybe."

Watanabe Yu was unfazed by her provocation.

He lowered his eyes and carefully examined the half-processed shrimp. The quality of the shrimp at this restaurant was somewhat beyond his expectations.

—It's almost ridiculously good.

There was absolutely no cutting corners or using inferior materials.

Maybe this is what quality and service means when you pay enough? No, there's no service here at all; you have to do everything yourself!

However, the quality is indeed excellent.

"Aren't you going to argue your point?"

Seeing his expression, Shizukako Yasuhara stopped trying to provoke him and a hint of surprise appeared between her brows.

Shouldn't boys of this age be most eager to prove their uniqueness?

How can he be so 'patient'?
What am I arguing about?

Watanabe Yu smiled and asked a question in return.

How do you plan to convince me?

Instead of dwelling on those useless words, Shizukako Yasuhara got straight to the point.

She was afraid that if she continued to talk about this topic, she would end up rambling on for ages.

"I plan to have a casual chat with you, find out your attitude towards Risa's dating situation, and then share Risa's attitude as well as my own shallow thoughts on this matter."

Watanabe Yu didn't hide anything and told the whole story at once.

Will this work?

Shizuka Yasuhara turned on the tap, but didn't rush to get the fruits and vegetables.

"Whether it's useful or not depends on you?" Watanabe Yu turned his head and met her gaze, then smiled sassily, "This isn't just my business, and the choice is yours. At most, I can only express my thoughts."

This is, after all, a family matter, and as an outsider, he can't forcefully interfere.

"That's a clever answer."

Shizukako Yasuhara smiled and shook her head, then took the fruits and vegetables and began to wash them carefully.

"So you and Risa really talked?" Watanabe Yu paused deliberately. "I mean, put aside your parental authority and listen to Risa's thoughts as an equal."

"Never."

"Why don't we try it later? Maybe things will turn out differently than you expect."

Do you think this will be useful?

Shizuka Yasuhara turned off the tap again and then turned her head away.

This time, however, her expression was serious and solemn, as if she were taking it very seriously.

How will you know if you don't try?

Watanabe Yu's tone remained unchanged, even though he knew that Yasuhara Shizukako's tone was completely different this time.

"..."

After he finished speaking, the two fell into a brief silence.

Just as Watanabe was heating the oil in the pan, a response suddenly came from behind him.

I'll try it later.

Ah.

Watanabe Yu let out a soft snort, a hint of relief appearing on his face as if he had achieved his goal.

Purpose achieved!

Now it's up to Risa.

His role as support will most likely remain just that—support.

(End of this chapter)