A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"It seems Wakaba-san really likes cucumbers."

"Yeah...I like it very much."

Ruoye Mu nodded first, then after a slight hesitation, he asked in a slightly unconfident tone:

"...What about Chihaya-san? Do you like cucumbers?"

"Yeah, I like cucumbers too!"

Chihaya Tetsu also gave a thumbs up.

"But compared to Wakaba-san, who knows the entire cultivation process by heart, I'm probably only interested in the final fruit."

"That's right. After all, Chihaya-san is not a picky eater..."

Thinking back to how Chihaya Tetsuya always had a great appetite no matter what he ate, a smile involuntarily appeared on Wakaba Mu's face.

"Although I've already planted quite a few in the Moon Forest, how about planting a few at home..."

Wakaba Mu really wanted to see what kind of expression Chihaya Tetsuya would have after eating the cucumbers he grew.

On the other hand, compared to the cucumber, Chihaya Tetsuya was extremely surprised by what Wakaba Mutsu just said -

"I see, Wakaba-san has already started to think of that apartment as 'home'."

"..."

After hearing this, Ruoye Mu also showed a dazed expression.

Because he was so focused on imagining the cucumber, Ruoye Mu himself didn't even realize what he had just said.

So... until recently she had only considered that ordinary apartment as a temporary residence, but... now she had begun to consider it her home.

It must be because life here is too comfortable.

Your opinions and ideas will no longer be unilaterally ignored, and you can be with everything you like without restraint.

Favorite music, favorite potted plants, and favorite...

……

"Ooh, this variety of cucumber looks completely different from the one just now!"

Chihaya Tetsuya picked up another variety of cucumber seeds and looked at the picture on the package with great surprise.

"This looks very mini, completely different from what we usually eat!"

"..."

really weird.

Whether it was in the music store or here, she had clearly chosen places that she would like, but this person who was supposed to be accommodating her unilaterally...actually acted happier than her.

Is it because I happened to choose a place that he is also interested in?

...That's not the case.

Wakaba Mu knew very well that if it weren't for him, Chihaya Tetsu would never go to the music store, let alone come to the flower shop to accompany her to look at cucumber seeds.

Just like until a few minutes ago, he didn't even know that cucumbers could be grown in pots, and he knew nothing about other crops and flowers...

So, the happiness he showed at this moment was his acting to deceive himself?

This is even more impossible.

As for how bad Chihaya Tetsuya was at lying, she had already experienced it countless times during their daily interactions over the past few months.

In other words, whether it was the look of appreciation and enjoyment he gave her in the music store, or his current enthusiastic attitude towards the things he liked, all of them were immediate and real feedback.

Thinking of this, Ruo Yemu suddenly felt his heart filled with unprecedented emotion and joy.

For Wakaba Mu, who had always been just an "attachment" to Xiangzi and the band and had never actively revealed her preferences to anyone, the feeling of having her favorite things accepted by others was really refreshing. Especially when the other person was the "hero" she had always respected and admired, who had saved everyone she cared about...

……

So... since her preferences have been recognized to such an extent, then it shouldn't be a problem for her to continue to show more of herself... right?

With the anticipation of his first attempt and the trepidation of not knowing the answer, Ruoye Mu said to the man who was carefully reading the cucumber seed package:

"Chihaya...sir."

"kindness?"

"Next... I want to go to a chocolate shop. Is that okay?"

"Of course! Ah, but my understanding of chocolate is limited to the ones Aine gave me on Valentine's Day, so I probably can't be of much help..."

That reply without any hesitation, just as Ruo Yemu had thought, shattered all her worries and timidity in her heart.

He would really be as curious and respectful as she imagined about everything she liked.

if it is like this……

"This, I want to try growing it at home."

Under Chihaya Tetsuya's surprised gaze, Wakaba Mutsu took the bag of seeds from his hand on his own initiative.

"Although I'm not sure if I can raise it successfully, once it matures, I'll be the first to give it to Mr. Chihaya to try."

"……kindness."

Facing this girl who suddenly mustered up courage, Chihaya Tetsuya responded with his usual smile.

"I will look forward to that day."

Cucumber, an annual climbing herb.

It seems that for a long time to come, this emerald green and slender vine will not easily leave this solid and reliable support.

23

Chapter 23: Perhaps it is more than just courage that breaks out of the ground.

"Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, raw chocolate... I didn't know there were so many different kinds of chocolate."

"Depending on the origin of the cocoa beans and the different processes used, there are even more small categories under these major categories..."

Ruoye Mu stopped in front of the dark chocolate counter and said:

"Didn't Aine introduce me when she gave you chocolate?"

"She just repeatedly emphasized to me that the chocolates she gave me were all unique and special. As for the types of chocolates...she didn't elaborate."

Chihaya Tetsuya thought about it briefly and replied:

"That's probably because she knows my personality very well. I'm sure I'll like any kind of chocolate."

"……real?"

As Wakaba Mutsu said this, he looked at the dark chocolate in front of him that was marked as 99%.

"At least this one isn't something everyone can accept... Do you want to give it a try?"

"sure."

Chihaya Tetsu, who had no idea about the purity of dark chocolate, agreed readily.

And then, when Ruoye Mu picked up the dark chocolate for tasting with a fork, her movements suddenly froze in mid-air.

Because she suddenly realized that Chihaya Tetsuya didn't seem to be ready to take the fork from her hand at this time, but directly put his face close to her, as if wanting her to feed him directly——

Eh? Is this really okay? Is it really okay for her to do this to Chihaya-san? Wouldn't it be too ambiguous?

But, isn't this behavior also a sign of complete trust in oneself and a close relationship? It's a bit heartening...

"……what."

On the other side, seeing Wakaba Mutsu's sudden pause, Chihaya Tetsuya immediately realized that his behavior might not be appropriate, so he straightened up again and reached out to take the fork. But at the same time, Wakaba Mutsu, who had already prepared himself mentally, had already extended the fork.

“Huh?”*2.

The two people, whose actions were completely mismatched, looked at each other at first, and then Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help laughing first.

"I don't know whether it's a tacit understanding or not."

"Well……"

Wakaba Mutsu felt a little regretful for missing the opportunity to feed because of a moment of shyness. However, just as she was struggling with what to do next, Chihaya Tetsuya bent down again and took advantage of Wakaba Mutsu's moment of distraction to eat the chocolate on the fork in one gulp.

"Ah, this... is indeed not a taste that everyone can accept."

The overwhelming bitterness and subsequent acid reflux caused Chihaya Tetsuya's eyes to widen slightly. However, after chewing and savoring the food carefully, the rich flavor from the cocoa beans made him nod his head.

"But I can't say it's that bad..."

"..."

In contrast to his own flustered reaction, Chihaya Tetsuya's reactions remained perfectly natural from beginning to end. But come to think of it, it was just a simple chocolate tasting; any gesture wouldn't have made much of a difference. It was her overly concerned attitude that made her act suspicious.

Keep calm. Keep calm. It's just a chocolate tasting. There's no need to be so shaken.

"It's a rare opportunity, Ruoye-san should come and try it too."

Before Ruo Yemu could completely get rid of the previous thought, Chihaya Tetsuya's next move once again made her brainstorm.

He first picked up another plastic fork next to the tasting counter, and then put it directly to Wakaba Mu's mouth.

"Come on, Wakaba-san, ah——"

"Eh……"

Ah, he said it, that important line that must never be said, which would take up an entire storyboard in a girl's comic!

Eh? According to Xiangzi, this guy should be very clear about his identity, position, and appeal to girls, right? Why would he still do something like this so easily?

This is really outrageous! If Xiangzi saw this, he would definitely get a lecture at night... In this situation, Xiangzi alone is not enough, he should let the more mature Chuhua teach him!

Wakaba Mutsu believes from the bottom of his heart that the cognitive enhancement training that Chihaya Tetsuya is currently receiving is far from enough.

Then, with these critical thoughts in mind, Wakaba Mu did not continue his back-and-forth "tango" with Chihaya Tetsuya this time. Instead, he slowly moved forward and carefully bit off the dark chocolate that had been specially cut into small cubes on the plastic fork with his teeth.

"!!!"

Unlike Chihaya Tetsuya's weak reaction, when the dark chocolate touched the tip of his tongue, Wakaba Mu immediately covered his mouth, and his originally calm expression was instantly replaced by bitterness.

“It’s really hard…”

"Well, it tastes like Chinese medicine when you first take it."

Chihaya Tetsuya nodded in agreement.

"But if you chew it a little, the bitterness will become less and less, and then you will feel the original taste of chocolate."

"..."

Wakaba Mutsu tried hard to avoid the bitter taste that had completely filled his mouth, while looking back at Chihaya Tetsuya's expression of anticipation...

In the end, the reason this person did this so easily was simply because he really wanted to try the flavor of this chocolate. Just like what he had done at the music store and the flower shop... this person naturally began to enjoy it in his own way.

Still no compromise, still no disguise.

Somehow, Ruo Yemu suddenly felt that his mood became more relaxed than ever before.

When you are with this person, no matter what she says or does, this person seems willing to listen, understand, and be passionate about it.

The bitterness in the mouth finally subsided, and the original taste of chocolate described by Chihaya Tetsuya also quietly appeared.

If this is the person, he would surely be willing to accept her shortcomings and patiently wait for her to show her true self, right?

……

"But even so... 99% is still too much. Let's take a look at this 78%."

Wakaba Mu moved to the counter next to him.

"It's not too bitter, and not too high in calories. It's perfect as a snack for Chuhua and Ai."

"Hey, so Wakaba-san came to the chocolate shop just for them!"

Chihaya Tetsuya was quite surprised by this.

And Wakaba Mu nodded and replied:

"Because they've been on a very strict diet lately to keep in shape, I thought... I'd buy some snacks like this that would satisfy their cravings without causing any psychological burden."

"……I see."