Kaedezaka and I went to the basement of the station building and came to the groceries section.

The store was popular enough to be featured on TV and was crowded with people.

“They’ve got a nice lineup, indeed. Hmmm .. I think I’ll have steak today.”

“I’d like a filet.”

“Why are we eating together?”

When Kaedezaka said her preference as if it were a matter of course, I halted her.

But she seemed unhappy.

“Isn’t it fine? It’s natural to want to have a meal with your future master, right?”

“Don’t proceed on the assumption that we’re already married.”

Then Kaedezaka waved one hand with her goddess-like smile.

“No, no, I mean I am the master and you are my servant.”

“…You, you really don’t like me, do you?”

“”

“Don’t get too excited.”

“I’m stressed out…”

I had forgotten that Kaedezaka was originally the kind of girl who would harass me like this.

Since our last date, she had started to show a little more cuteness, but Kaedezaka was still Kaedezaka.

“In the first place, you can’t cook. What are you going to do with the ingredients?”

“Don’t make fun of me. I can make curry.”

“Really ……”

Kaedezaka once made a vegetable stir-fry at my house, but she was such a poor cook that she couldn’t even hold a knife properly.

At that time, I supported her and was able to complete the dish, but even the simplest vegetable stir-fry was a struggle for her.

It was hard to believe that she could make curry.

When I deliberately distorted my face to show my doubt, Kaedezaka began to speak with a confident attitude.

“I don’t want to brag too much, but the curries I make are made up of a harmony of rich flavor and richness.”

“Hoo, doesn’t it sound delicious?”

“By taking extra time and effort to simmer it slowly and carefully, the mellow aroma is created, making it a supreme dish.”

“Wonderful. My expectations are rising.”

I continued, pointing to the product Kaedezaka was holding in her hand.

“By the way, I hope you don’t mean that retort-pouch curry you’re holding in your hand.”

“Modern technology is so cool.”

Kaedezaka then put the retort-pouch curry in the basket I was holding.

Maybe she really wanted to eat it since she looked so happy.

“Okay, now let’s go check out the side dish section.”

The TV featured a number of delicious-looking items, and they were certainly all intriguing delicacies.

Whoa, there’s a tonkatsu sandwich, my favorite.

I’ll buy a pack.

Then Kaedezaka brought a salad in a clear container.

“This is my favorite salad. Avocado and roast beef salad.”

“It looks really delicious. I want to eat this too.”

“Right. Please buy one for me too.”

“You are quite shameless.”

Following the retort-pouch curry, Kaedezaka also put her own salad in the basket.

Really… Her personality.

Well, Since we’re here.

I’ll buy one for Kaedezaka too.

“Sasamiya-san, ……”

“Hmm?”

“Since we’re here, would you like to have dinner together?”

“You mean at a nearby restaurant?”

“Not that… I mean, I’d like to visit your home….or something like that?”

Ah… This is headed in the wrong direction.

Even I, who had little experience in love, could tell that I would be in big trouble if I invited her to my house.

How should I respond in such a case?

Even though she confessed her feelings to me, I still haven’t sorted out my own feelings.

To begin with, this kind of thing needs to be done in order.

I don’t know if I should call her at home all of a sudden.

For now, let’s try to change the subject. ……

“Ah. No,……, I have to work tomorrow,…….”

“I didn’t say anything about staying over.”

“Gghh..”

Dang it, …….

I was too conscious and dug my grave.

On the other hand, Kaedezaka was smiling very happily.

“Ara, were you expecting something? I’m very, very sorry. Ufufu”

“No…No, not at all…”

Damn it… she is laughing…

But this is embarrassing!

Kaedezaka, perhaps unable to bear to see me like this, broached another subject.

“Speaking of which, Sasamiya-san. I just remembered something about work, my uncle has a message for you.

“Ogai-san?”

“Would you like to work with me together at Zany…”

“In other words…. Recruiting me?”

Kaedezaka nodded quietly.

“That’s how much he values you, Sasamiya-san. I think the reason he chose you from another company to assist him at this year’s Comiket was so that he could offer you a job.”

To be approached by a company as large as Zany, Inc. would normally be a pleasure to welcome with open arms.

However, I was attached to my current company.

I was indebted to Konno-san, my senior, and I could not leave Otomizu, my junior, alone.

But the fact that he entrusted Kaedezaka with a message probably meant that he would like to hear a reply in the near future.

I have an appointment to bring the report in three days’ time, on Wednesday.

I should have an answer by then. …