Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

Page 196

……

Togawa Akee cut a small piece of the salmon on the plate and put it into her mouth along with the plump rice, shredded seaweed and sesame seeds.

After soaking and stir-frying, the rice grains seem to emit a warm and lustrous luster, which is completely different from their counterparts in convenience stores.

The tender salmon, which retains a lot of fat during the cooking process, is intertwined with the crispy side dishes to create a layered taste.

After swallowing it, she drank another spoonful of rich clam miso soup. Akie realized that it had been a long time since she had enjoyed such delicious food, and it was made by someone.

Because of this, her mood became particularly heavy.

Because Miao Meng's kindness made her full of doubts, she couldn't accept it with peace of mind.

She thought of Xiangzi.

If we look at it from a purely bystander's perspective, Xiangzi's firm rejection of Su Shi's kindness was undoubtedly an unwise move that hurt himself and made things difficult for others.

However, the so-called bystander's perspective means knowing nothing about the subjective feelings of the parties involved.

I think Xiangzi must have some concerns that he cannot tell others and are difficult to resolve.

"How about it, my cooking skills are pretty good, right?" Miao Meng asked excitedly, looking forward to Qiu Hui's answer.

"…It's delicious. Meow Meng put a lot of effort into making it." Qiu Hui nodded slowly.

She raised the corners of her mouth, making the expression one would have when enjoying delicious food.

Use this joyful smile to hide your true thoughts and feelings at the moment.

"Thank you for the compliment! If you think it's too greasy, you can also enjoy it with the boiled bamboo shoots and salad here!"

Miao Meng greeted Qiu Hui warmly, with a look of genuine joy on her face.

She was trying hard to take care of my feelings and hope to make me happy.

In return, I should try to act happier.

Therefore, Qiu Hui expressed her love for food unscrupulously at the dinner table, and suppressed the doubts in her heart at the moment.

But even though he suppressed it on the surface, he was still thinking about it in his heart.

Why is Miao Meng so enthusiastic about me?

Is it really just because I look like one of her old classmates? Is she hiding some unspoken reason?

Moreover, the "invitation to share the apartment" reminded Qiu Hui of an experience she had in the past.

Based on this past memory, after many judgments and speculations, she also thought of another fact.

Why hasn't Miss Meow Meng asked me my real name or told me her real name yet?

At this moment, Qiu Hui realized that this idea had slipped to the edge of danger.

If things go any further, things might get to the point where I won't be able to continue playing dumb.

"What's wrong? Are you worried about something?"

Miao Meng noticed that Qiu Hui's expression seemed a little strange, so she asked with concern.

"It's okay." Qiu Hui smiled and shook her head, "I just ate a piece of bamboo shoot, and it tasted very bitter."

"Bitter?" Meow Meng's attention was successfully diverted, "Why is it bitter? Strange..."

She picked up a piece of bamboo shoot herself and chewed it thoughtfully.

"It seems like there is a little bit... but it's not that serious, right?" she said to herself.

Looking at Miao Meng who actually started to care about the taste of food, Qiu Hui couldn't help but smile.

She was reluctant to tell me her real name, she must have her own reasons.

As for why this is the case... If I think about it, I'm afraid I can't keep playing dumb. So, it's better not to think about it for now.

Qiu Hui thought of Nagasaki Suyo.

People get hurt when their well-intentioned efforts are rejected.

If possible, Qiu Hui doesn't want anyone to be hurt, especially those who are kind to her.

and so……

Chapter 41: Love and Being Loved

"Thank you for the hospitality."

After finishing the food in front of her, Qiu Hui thanked him while folding the tableware in front of her, then stood up holding the bottom plate.

"Let me help wash the dishes too." Qiu Hui said with a smile.

Miao Meng's first reaction seemed to be to stop him. After all, it was not polite to let guests wash the dishes.

But she didn't do it in the end. She just smiled brightly and said, "Thank you!"

Qiu Hui nodded and walked into the kitchen carrying the tableware she had used.

She actually hates boring and tedious work like washing dishes. She doesn't like to cook and would rather eat fast food from convenience stores all day, not because she thinks cooking is troublesome, but because she simply hates the aftermath.

However, after accepting Miao Meng's overly thoughtful hospitality, she felt that she had to do something, otherwise she would feel guilty.

Moreover, if my identity is not a "guest" but a "roommate", then washing my own dishes is a matter of course.

Qiu Hui turned on the faucet, grabbed the dishcloth, and began to fight the fish oil and rice grains stuck to the bottom of the bowl.

Maybe Miao Meng also realized this, so she didn't stop me.

Besides, if she really... for some reason knew me better than she seemed, she would not stop me for reasons of hospitality or anything like that.

There was only one sink, so two people couldn't wash dishes at the same time. Miao Meng put her dishes on the side of the sink and picked up the tablecloth.

"Borrow some water."

Miao Meng stretched out her slender and round arms, wet the tablecloth under the faucet, washed it, and wrung it dry. Then she returned to the restaurant and started wiping the table.

She didn't say much, and Qiu Hui didn't intend to say anything more.

Let's let this temporary tacit understanding continue for a while longer.

After finishing the aftermath of dinner, Miao Meng took Qiu Hui on a tour.

There were three rooms, each of which was almost the same size as Qiu Hui's current room. The decoration style was far from luxurious and exquisite, but it was pleasing to the eye.

Qiu Hui paid special attention to the guest room. There were cupboards, a wardrobe with a dressing mirror, a large desk, a single bed that could accommodate a person to roll carefully on, and after removing the floor space occupied by these furniture, there was still a lot of space.

Stroking the soft mattress on the single bed, Qiu Hui thought that perhaps an average high school student should live in a room like this, with other family members living outside the door.

Miao Meng's workroom also left a deep impression on her. In addition to computers, there are also many professional equipment and decorative ornaments.

"This room often appears in videos, right?" Qiu Hui asked.

"That's it!" Miao Meng nodded.

As for the bathroom, what Qiu Hui cared about most was the large bathtub inside, which could easily accommodate two people.

"...What a big bathtub." She exclaimed, "Does Miss Meow Meng also have the habit of taking a bath?"

"Indeed, I really like taking a bath!" Miao Meng laughed, "Showering is just to clean the body, but taking a bath is enjoyable!"

Miao Meng said this while showing a somewhat ambiguous smile.

Qiu Hui turned her face away in a bit of embarrassment. She wasn't sure if they both had the same idea at the same time.

Putting aside some off-site factors, after taking a look around, Qiu Hui was quite satisfied with this place.

“So, roughly how much will I have to pay in rent?” she asked.

"Well... after all, you're just renting a room... How about, just one third of the rent I'm paying now?" Miao Meng gave a somewhat random number.

After Qiu Hui found out the situation, she compared the two and found that if she shared a house with Miao Meng, the rent she would have to pay would even be slightly lower than if she rented a house on her own.

"What about the water and electricity bills?" she asked, "and the property management fees, etc?"

"Let's split the cost equally," Miao Meng suggested.

"Okay. Then..."

After pondering for a moment, Qiu Hui finally made a decision.

"…When will the contract be signed?"

"Contract?" Miao Meng was stunned.

"It's a contract." Qiu Hui said, "A contract for renting a house."

Miao Meng opened her eyes wide, with a hint of nervousness in her brows.

"Ah... well, I still need to talk to the landlord..."

Looking at Miao Meng's nervous expression, Qiu Hui had almost come to a conclusion in her mind.

"...Forget it. I believe in Miss Meow Meng's credit." She said with a smile, "We can just make a private contract. I pay, and then Miss Meow Meng lets me in, is that it?"

Miao Meng breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, no problem!"

As expected, Qiu Hui thought.

If she were to sign a formal contract, her real name would be exposed.

Whatever the reason, it was certain that she didn't want me to know her real name.

As for what that reason is...

Qiu Hui decided not to delve into it further for now.

……

After nightfall.

Chihaya Aine was soaking in the bathtub, with only her head exposed, staring at the bubbles floating in front of her in a trance.

The warm water in the bathtub opened her pores, and the heat, along with the effect of the bath additive, penetrated into her body, allowing her mind to relax slightly along with her body.

She tied her hair up and leaned on the edge of the bathtub.

The water temperature and the steaming water vapor made her feel dazed, and she had the urge to take deep breaths.

Not good. If I take a bath for too long, I will pass out...

After a while, Aine raised her body with her hands, her skin turned pink due to the accelerated blood circulation.

Get out of the bathtub, drain the water, dry your body, and blow-dry your hair.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Aine realized that her expression seemed particularly stiff for some reason.

Her cheeks were flushed with the sickly color that was normal after getting out of a warm bath.

But Aine thought it seemed morbid.

If I say that being normal will be considered abnormal by me...

…That means I’m abnormal now, right?

Aiyin changed into her pajamas in silence, walked out of the bathroom, and fell headfirst onto the sofa.

Senior, I don’t plan to continue being a support musician.