Do I really have a thing for female voice actors?

"Yes, they just moved in recently. Huh? Could it be that Professor Tazaki is one of them?"

"Yes, we decided on this a few days ago, and today is our first day moving in."

After a pause, Tazaki Toru continued, "I came with Ms. Tachibana that day. She happened to be free and said she wanted to come and see for me."

Ms. Takao paused for a moment, then looked enlightened: "I see."

"Well, although I feel that this explanation is a bit weak, I still don't want Ms. Takao and the others to misunderstand me and Ms. Tachibana."

Seeing that Tazaki Toru was speaking so bluntly, Ms. Takao quickly waved her hand in denial.

To be honest, that's what she really thought, but how could she say that to Toru Tazaki's face? So she just kept waving her hands.

"By the way, Ms. Takao, do you know where there is a large supermarket nearby? If so, it would be best if it had a good selection of ingredients."

"Um... I'm sorry, I don't cook, so I don't really know much about having all the ingredients."

"I see."

For some reason, Toru Tazaki wasn't surprised at all. Miss Takao didn't seem like someone who cooked every day. Perhaps she had always lived the life of a pampered young lady with a butler and servants at home.

"Does Professor Tazaki know how to cook?"

"A little bit, not very skilled."

Tazaki Toru responded humbly as always.

Ms. Takao stroked her chin and thought for a moment, then said:

"Well... if you don't mind, Mr. Tazaki, I'll take you there."

Tazaki Toru was slightly taken aback: "Is that alright?"

"Hmm! I was just thinking of getting some snacks and drinks too. When the Mujica family gets together again next time, I'll have to bring something to treat them."

Tazaki Toru thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement and thanked him.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Ms. Takao."

On the way to the supermarket, Toru Tazaki maintained a good social distance from Ms. Takao.

Perhaps because of the many lessons learned from the past, Toru Tazaki now keeps half a meter more social distance from female voice actors than before.

Fortunately, Ms. Takao had no particular interest in him; she held her phone with both hands and typed rapidly.

Tazaki Toru couldn't help but think.

Could it be that she developed those fingers that can manipulate the piano keys so skillfully through practice?

567. The first guest in the new home.

Following Ms. Takao, Tazaki Toru went to a nearby supermarket and bought some daily necessities and two days' worth of groceries.

Now that I live alone, when buying groceries, I only need to consider making enough for myself, and I no longer have to worry about Tachibana Rin's picky palate.

Ms. Takao, just as she said, bought mostly snacks and drinks.

Although Tazaki Toru didn't want to boss girls around, he still hoped she wouldn't follow Watari's example.

After that, the two returned home with their purchases, and went back to their apartment together.

Ms. Takao first asked Tazaki Toru which floor he lived on. When she learned that Tazaki Toru lived on the top floor, her mouth dropped open slightly, and she marveled at how profitable composing could be.

The rent must be exorbitant.

In fact, Toru Tazaki himself didn't know how the rent was calculated, since he wasn't renting the place.

However, there was no need to say such things to Ms. Takao.

When they parted, Ms. Takao told them her floor and room number, saying that they could come to her anytime if they encountered anything they didn't know, acting like a senior who had checked in earlier.

She clearly can't even cook.

To be honest, Toru Tazaki felt that girls should be more cautious and shouldn't casually reveal their residences.

After arriving home, Toru Tazaki began preparing dinner, the tasks seemingly no different from those on Tsukishima.

After all, back then, he bought groceries and cooked alone.

While preparing the ingredients, all he could think about was the days he spent living with those two girls.

As a result, when Tazaki Toru came to his senses, the stewed beef in the pot and the rice in the rice cooker had accidentally made enough for three people.

Tazaki Toru couldn't help but sigh softly, looking up at the magnificent night view outside the window. The luxurious scenery that almost overlooked the entire Tokyo made Tazaki Toru feel a dizzying sense of unreality.

After dinner, Toru Tazaki looked at the pot of stewed beef on the stove, which was still almost full, and thought for a long time before deciding not to waste it.

So he picked up the stainless steel pot, took the elevator down to a certain floor, and rang the doorbell of a certain room.

It is said that it is a tradition for Tokyoites to give their neighbors soba noodles or similar items after moving, but I wonder if Tazaki Toru ever gives them stewed beef.

Furthermore, he and Ms. Takao were not exactly neighbors; they merely lived in the same upscale apartment building.

When the doorbell rang, Toru Tazaki waited at the door for a short while before the girl opened the door.

The first thing that caught the eye was a head of short, golden hair, which made Tazaki Toru swallow back the words he was about to call out Takao-san's name and quickly change his mind.

"Ms. Sasaki... uh, good evening."

"Eh? Professor Tazaki? Um... Good evening."

As for why Ms. Sasaki was there, Toru Tazaki didn't delve into it. The atmosphere within Mujica was already excellent, and it wasn't unusual for them to get together privately.

"I heard from Nong-chan that Ms. Tazaki just moved here?"

"Well, today is the first day. I accidentally made a little too much dinner, so I thought I'd bring some for Ms. Takao. I didn't expect Ms. Sasaki to be here too. Have you eaten yet?"

"Hmm, not yet, we're discussing what to eat tonight."

After saying that, the girl in front of him sniffed lightly, her eyes sparkling.

"Did Teacher Tazaki make this himself?"

"Ah."

"Wow, that's amazing! It smells so good!"

"If you don't mind, please eat with Ms. Takao."

"Huh?! Is that okay? Thank you!"

Ms. Sasaki showed a surprised expression. She rarely declined and was able to accept other people's kindness openly, and then respond with a confident and bright smile.

Tazaki Toru doesn't dislike this trait.

"Then I'll go back first."

"Well……"

Actually, what Sasaki Riko wanted to say was, "Would you like to come in and sit down?"

But when she realized that she wasn't the owner of the house, she didn't try to persuade him to stay. Instead, she thanked him respectfully and said goodbye.

The door closed again.

Ms. Takao came out of the bedroom and saw Sasaki Riko carrying a large pot, the air filled with the aroma of meat. She asked, "Has anyone been here?"

"Yes, it's Mr. Tazaki."

Ms. Takao looked surprised, but her gaze was immediately drawn to the pot containing stewed beef.

While at the supermarket, she messaged Sasaki Riko, asking if she wanted to come over, and casually mentioned Tazaki Toru.

Not long after, Sasaki Riko appeared in front of her house.

……

……

After returning to his apartment, Tazaki Toru walked through the living room without even glancing at the dazzling Tokyo night view outside the window, and went straight to the recording studio, immersing himself in his creative work.

After an unknown amount of time, the screen next to me flickered slightly, indicating that someone had rung the doorbell.

It was already 9 p.m., and the image of Tachibana Rin's troublesome face immediately popped into Tazaki Toru's mind.

Only Tachibana Rin has ever visited his house in person, and considering Tachibana Rin's personality—she even dares to barge into his bedroom—she will still come even though they've moved to a new house.

Although Tazaki Toru said "it's best not to" in a grand manner, when the moment came, his body betrayed him, and he walked out of the recording studio to open the door.

However, it was not Tachibana Rin who came to visit.

Instead, it was a short girl with blonde hair, who was none other than Ms. Sasaki whom we had met before.

Upon seeing Tazaki Toru, she immediately showed a joyful expression.

"Miss Sasaki?"

"Ah... Good evening, Professor Tazaki. I just rushed to buy some gifts to celebrate your housewarming."

"I didn't know what Tazaki-sensei's preferences were, so I just bought it randomly. I hope you'll accept it."

Tazaki Toru stared in surprise at the gift box the girl handed him; it was a very simple set of bowls and plates.

"Thank you, Ms. Sasaki."

"You're welcome."

It's always a joyful thing to be remembered.

Logically speaking, it's getting late, and now that we've finished talking, it's time to say goodbye and leave.

But her gaze passed through Tazaki Toru, and she curiously glanced into the house twice before standing still, showing no sign of wanting to leave.

Tazaki Toru hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked:

"How about... we come in and have a cup of tea?"

Sasaki Riko blinked twice and clasped her hands together.

"Huh? Is that okay? Great! Sorry to bother you!"

Tazaki Toru was suddenly stunned.

She wasn't polite at all.