Alone with Ogata Rizu
"Rizu, want a cup of tea?"
Turning on the light in the room, Shinichi walked to the locker and took out a tea cup.
"Sorry to bother you," Rizu didn't refuse, she placed school bag on the sofa and turned on the heater.
*Buzzing*
The sound of the machine working was inaudible. While waiting for the hot water kettle, Shinichi walked behind the president's desk and sat on the comfortable office chair.
"Phew…"
Leaning back in his chair, he stared at the ceiling in bewilderment.
Last week, he went to the middle school festival.
He clearly planned to go to Kei's stall to see how cute she looked in her maid outfit, but halfway there, he ran into Moeha carrying Rui.
For some reason, both girls bothered him as if they didn't want him to see Kei, his cousin acting as the main attacker, asking many difficult questions and dragging him around.
As a result, when Shinichi finally saw Kei, she had finished her work, changed back into her school uniform, and left to look for him.
Unfortunately, he felt like he had been tricked by them together.
But thanks to this, he and Rui talked a lot. Not only did they find out each other's current situations, but when Moeha went shopping alone, she honestly told him her current thoughts.
Rui couldn't hide her surprise, but she accepted it calmly.
"I've known for a long time that you would have a day like that. Who made you so soft?" After saying this, Rui gave him a meaningful smile.
"See you at Shuchi'in next year, senpai."
For some reason, Shinichi always felt like not only she but also Kei and Moeha were planning something.
It would be nice to have a good relationship with the three younger sisters, but Shinichi had a creepy feeling.
"Phew…"
Returning to the present, Shinichi glanced at his watch.
He picked up the file on the desk and planned to finish the remaining work before anyone else arrived.
Suddenly, a bowl of udon was placed on the table.
Shinichi looked up in surprise.
"Rizu, you…"
"Shinichi-san, haven't you had breakfast yet?" Rizu showed a thin smile, "Hot, clear udon soup without oil is very suitable for breakfast."
"I want to ask, where did you get the udon…" Shinichi glanced at the hot water bottle behind her without saying a word.
The water hadn't even heated up yet, and Rizu only had school bag on her, taking out freshly cooked udon…
Could she really have a special place to store udon?
Shinichi had long wondered about this question, but every time he asked Rizu, she would show her reluctance to answer with a pouty face, as if it were the most important secret in her life.
Over time, Shinichi doubted his sanity, yet quickly dismissed the doubt and began to enjoy the udon.
Rizu didn't treat him badly; she sat on the sofa with another bowl of udon and began to slurp the slender object.
For a moment, the sound of slurping noodles filled the student council room.
"...By the way, Shinichi-san."
Rizu suddenly spoke, facing away from Shinichi, she didn't see his current facial expression.
"What is it?" Shinichi wiped his mouth.
"Compared to 'I hope you can help me make miso soup for the rest of my life,' I prefer the phrase 'I hope you can help me make udon for the rest of my life.'"
Her voice was very calm, as if she were speaking casually.
Shinichi was surprised, then smiled, "Sure, I remember."
"...Also, I prefer Western-style wedding dresses to Japanese ones." Rizu stopped and added, "They seem very cumbersome to wear."
"Well, I can prepare both."
"Although my father is very annoying and always disagrees with you, I hope you can get along with him."
"Of course, it's my duty."
"I want to study psychology, but I don't know what job I want to do... My father wants me to come back and inherit the store. I don't hate it, but I still want to do something related to my interests first."
"Um, whether it's the store or a job, it doesn't matter if I'm here."
"Shinichi-san, do you prefer smart people or dumb people?"
"Of course dumb. Because if you're not dumb, you wouldn't fall in love with me, right?"
"Shinichi-san, do you prefer big-breasted or small-breasted people?"
"Of course, big-breasted. But I like Fumino's legs and waist, so I try not to look at her breasts."
"Satirical."
"I won't deny it."
"I'll tell Fumino."
"Sorry, I was wrong."
"Then, the next question…"
Rizu asked various questions nonchalantly, and Shinichi answered them casually. They talked about things that might confuse others.
After a while, Rizu put her hands together and lowered her head slightly towards the bowl.
"I'm full."
"...I'm full too."
Shinichi stood up with the empty noodle bowl, stacked it with Rizu's bowl, walked to the kettle, and started making tea.
"Shinichi-san."
Her voice came from behind again.
"May I ask why you like me?"
"Why do you still love me when there are so many taller, better, and more popular girls than me...?"
Shinichi heard this but didn't turn around.
Was her expression calm or anxious now?
Did she look firm or evasive now?
Shinichi didn't pay attention to that. He just let the hot water pour into the tea leaves and watched the white smoke billow and spoke lightly.
"Because you are Ogata Rizu."
"No one can replace Rizu, who has the body of an elementary school student but has big breasts. You're very interested in kissing. Once you like something, you don't want to let go of it, very stubborn and heartbreaking."
"There are many reasons why I like you, and I may not be able to explain them all in my lifetime."
"So, until those reasons disappear, I will always like you."
A cup of tea was ready.
Shinichi was about to drink the second cup when a pair of small hands circled his waist.
At the same time, there was a feeling of elastic pressing against his back.
"...What if one day all those reasons disappear?"
Her head gently pressed against his back, and as Rizu asked this in a low voice, her arms involuntarily tensed.
"..."
Shinichi remained silent for a moment, then slowly put down the tea cup, and covered her folded arms with his palms, letting the warmth slowly seep into her cold skin.
"Well, maybe one day."