Hosting Guests
After enjoying dessert made by Miharu at Mafuyu's house, Ren returned home.
Then, news about Fumino surfaced.
Furuhashi Fumino: [Sorry, I'm busy right now and didn't see your message.]
Furuhashi Fumino: [Kamikawa, will you be home tomorrow afternoon? If you're home, I'll come to your place tomorrow noon.]
Kamikawa Ren: [I'll be home tomorrow afternoon, you can come over.]
Furuhashi Fumino: [Okay.]
After confirming that, Fumino took the initiative to end the conversation.
Setting aside his phone, Ren began to anticipate the gift she would give him tomorrow.
Although Fumino would gladly accept anything she gave him, it didn't stop him from looking forward to it.
Just as he was about to go to the kitchen to practice making meat buns, the door opened, and Asumi entered carrying two bags and keys.
"Kouhai-kun, you're home this evening. Rare indeed."
Asumi set her bags on the ground, looked at Ren standing in the middle of the room, and joked with a smile.
"Um."
Seeing her enter, Ren postponed his training plans for the time being.
"What did you buy?"
He asked curiously while helping her carry the bags to the kitchen.
"Some ingredients, snacks, juice, and such."
Asumi knelt down, opened the bags, and introduced them simply.
"When I came, I found the supermarket having a discount, so I bought some items to complement your home."
"How much, I'll reimburse you."
With that, Ren took out wallet.
"No, this can be considered my thank you for cooking for you. Besides, I'm responsible for cooking for you, so I'm also responsible for replenishing the ingredients." Asumi declined.
"Don't you lack money?"
Ren remembered what she had said before.
"The reason I lack money is because I have to pay for tutoring classes. Now that you're giving me lessons, this money can naturally be saved." Asumi explained with a smile, "Besides, I usually have part-time jobs and such, so I won't be short of money for now."
"That's really not possible. It's not impossible for you to consider these items I bought as part of the tutoring fee I'm giving you."
"Okay."
Ren accepted her statement.
Moreover, Itsuki and the others began giving snacks and other things as a thank you to him for providing tutoring.
"Here, Coke."
Seeing he had put away his wallet, Asumi took out a bottle of Coke from the bag and handed it to him.
"Thank you."
Unconsciously, Ren expressed his gratitude.
"Actually, I've noticed a very serious issue in your family since early on."
Opening the fridge and putting the items she had just bought into the bag, Asumi chatted with him.
"What's the issue?"
After opening the Coke and taking a sip, Ren asked very cautiously.
"How do I say it? I just feel your house is very messy? I can't say that. I just feel your home's supplies are very scarce."
Asumi couldn't think of an appropriate adjective to describe it.
"Don't I still have a lot of stuff at home?"
Ren didn't feel what she said.
"But Kouhai-kun, you don't even have tea or drinks at home to entertain guests, let alone snacks." Asumi complained.
As she said this, Ren also realized this problem.
Before, when he visited other people's homes, they did have items like drinks at home.
Even Gabriel's family had Coke they bought for him.
But there was no other way to address this.
Especially because before the summer vacation arrived, he basically stayed at Gabriel's house, only returning to his own house when he could shower and change clothes.
Moreover, usually no one came to his house as a guest, so in this case, his house couldn't possibly store any food.
"So, I bought drinks and snacks for your house. When someone comes to your house, I can use them to entertain them."
Considering Ren's popularity, Asumi used the term "them".
"Oh."
Ren noticed this.
"You can also eat these, but don't leave them there all the time." Asumi specifically asked, "Of course, some of the snacks are mine, please don't eat them all. Leave some for me."
"I will."
Ren agreed.
"It's okay."
In response, Asumi concentrated on putting the items in the kitchen according to category, and then explained to him.
"Um."
After writing down the instructions she spoke, Ren opened the fridge he had just closed.
Seeing the fridge full, he tilted his head slightly.
Compared to the empty fridge before, the current fridge seemed better.
"What's wrong? What do you want to eat?"
After putting away items, Asumi noticed Ren standing in front of the refrigerator.
"Nothing." Ren shook his head.
"Then what do you want to eat tonight?"
After finding apron, Asumi continued to ask while putting it on.
"Anything is fine."
"Seriously, that's your answer again. That just makes trouble for me." After complaining, Asumi, who had put on apron, started shooing him away, "Hurry out, I'll make you dinner."
"Yes."
Ren left the kitchen.
...
The next day, in the afternoon.
Rhythmic knocks were heard on the door.
After Ren heard this, he immediately went to the door.
Opening the door, Fumino appeared before him holding a gift box in her hands.
"Good day, Kamikawa." Fumino greeted with a smile.
"Good day."
Making space for the door, Ren replied.
"Excuse me."
After saying this, Fumino entered.
"What would you like to drink?"
After closing the door and remembering the instructions given to him by Asumi yesterday evening, Ren asked her.
"Anything is fine."
Fumino came to the dining table and sat down, carefully placing gift on the table.
"Here, orange juice."
After coming out of the kitchen, Ren placed a cup of orange juice in front of her.
"Thank you."
After sipping it, Fumino smiled and thanked him.