Chapter 122: Kawasaki's Bento!
Although Saki found working as a maid embarrassing, the generous salary and almost nonexistent workload eventually convinced her to accept the job.
After settling several details with Kawasaki Saki, Luke left the bar and reunited downstairs with the others, who had been waiting for some time.
At Yukino's request, Yui and Saika had both dressed in what they considered more mature outfits.
However, it did not seem to have helped much.
Luke glanced at Saika's sportswear and whatever style Yui was attempting, then silently reached that conclusion.
"What's wrong?"
Yui noticed his slightly furrowed brow.
"Was Kawasaki-san difficult to deal with?"
"No. The problem has already been solved."
Luke shook his head.
"Solved?"
Yukino looked at him in surprise, wondering what had happened during the short time he was upstairs.
"Yes."
Luke nodded while looking at Yukino, who wore a white summer outfit and resembled a blooming flower beneath the lights.
Yukino's clothing was elegant and matched his image of an adult perfectly.
Just as he had once thought—Yukino looked like an adult, while Hiratsuka Shizuka looked like a child.
"Then why are you frowning?"
Yui patted him.
"Oh. The cola was too expensive. It cost ¥800, though the nuts were pretty good."
Since they had reached an agreement and Luke had paid a deposit, Saki had decided not to treat him after all.
In her words, "As an employee, I'm not buying my employer a drink."
Therefore, he had paid for the cola himself.
"Ah! It was that expensive?!"
Yui looked shocked.
"Then the wages there must be really high."
"I don't know. I never asked about her salary."
Watching the two drift into casual conversation, Yukino sighed and hurriedly interrupted.
"Why was Kawasaki-san working outside all night to earn money? More importantly… how did you resolve it?"
Luke stopped speaking with Yui and looked toward Yukino.
"It was because of tuition. Kawasaki Taishi began attending cram school after entering his third year of middle school…"
"I see. She was trying to pay her younger brother's tuition…"
Yui spoke with understanding.
Luke immediately corrected her.
"That wasn't it. Kawasaki also intends to continue her education. Taishi's expenses were already covered."
"I see… Of course. Her brother isn't the only one who needs tuition."
Yukino nodded, apparently understanding the reason.
Sobu High was focused on university admissions, and more than half its students planned to continue into higher education.
By their second year, it was time to start preparing for university, which required a considerable amount of money.
"So she wanted to attend university without burdening her family?"
Saika now understood Saki's reason for working.
Yukino turned back toward Luke.
"Then how did you solve it?"
"I introduced her to an easy job."
Luke answered vaguely.
He did not want to announce that he had hired Saki as a maid.
Although it was a mutually beneficial arrangement that solved her tuition problem without interfering with her rest, Luke would also be keeping half the money.
"Tell us~!"
The curious Yui tugged at his clothes, blinking her large eyes like an inquisitive child.
Luke had only one response for her.
"Don't ask questions you don't need answered."
...
"So how exactly did you solve Kawasaki Saki-san's problem?"
During lunch, Yui asked the same question again.
She had gathered with her friends to eat, while Luke had reluctantly joined after Yumiko dragged him over.
Luke ignored the question and silently stared at the bento that had appeared on the desk.
The potato-like pieces had already cooled, yet they still released a delicious fragrance.
Avoiding Yumiko's narrowed eyes, he raised his head toward the tall girl standing nearby.
Kawasaki Saki.
Her presence was precisely why Yui had asked the question again.
"Try the taro first."
Saki spoke without caring about the surrounding gazes.
Their earlier conversation had established that her duties included helping with daily affairs whenever possible.
Lunch should fall under that category.
With that thought, she had prepared dishes she was confident in: sweet simmered taro and vegetable tamagoyaki.
'So it's taro?'
It certainly looked more appetizing than bread or rice balls.
Luke picked up his chopsticks and prepared to take a piece.
"Urgh—!"
Before he could eat it, someone stepped firmly on his foot.
The chopsticks holding the glossy taro froze in midair.
Luke shifted his gaze toward Yumiko and unsurprisingly met her python-like stare.
Her expression practically declared, 'Eat that, and I'll kill you.'
For now, he decided to resist the temptation of good food and placed the taro back down.
Miura Yumiko did not mistake the true target of her anger.
She immediately turned her fierce gaze toward Kawasaki Saki and demanded, "Why did you bring him taro?"
Saki showed no fear and coldly answered, "That doesn't seem to concern you. Why should I explain myself?"
"Hah?"
Yumiko looked thoroughly irritated.
"How does it not concern me? I'm eating with my friends, and you suddenly appeared here. What are you doing?"
"Heh. As far as I remember, we're standing inside a Sobu High classroom."
"This school isn't funded by the Miura family either, so why would my presence here be a problem?"
Saki refused to retreat.
"You…"
Yumiko slapped the desk and stood, glaring at Saki.
Saki stared directly back at her.
"Ehehe… Don't argue. We're all classmates."
Yui hurriedly tried to mediate.
For some inexplicable reason, those two were completely incompatible.
Luke quickly pulled down Yumiko, who looked ready to transform into a Super Saiyan.
"I helped her with something during a Service Club activity. This is only a thank-you gift."
He signaled toward Yui.
Yui hurriedly nodded in agreement.
"Yes! That's what happened!"
"Oh."
After receiving an explanation, Yumiko's anger faded slightly. She sat down again, though she still looked doubtful.
"You two can taste it first. I'm going to speak with Kawasaki."
Luke stood.
"I'm not eating anything she made."
Yumiko tossed her fluffy blonde hair and refused even to look at the bento.
"Then Yuigahama can eat it."
"Eh?"
Luke led Saki out of the classroom.
Although Saki did not understand why Yumiko had become angry, she turned toward him and asked, "Did I cause trouble for you?"
"It's fine. I only needed to explain."
Luke then warned her, "You don't need to work for me at school. It would be troublesome if the other students noticed."
"But I'm receiving such a high salary. Doing almost nothing makes me feel uncomfortable."
Saki spoke quietly.
"I thought I should at least help with some things during ordinary days…"
"Don't worry. I'll call you whenever I need something."
Ignoring Saki's awkward expression, Luke continued.
"Also, don't forget to visit me on Saturday."
The [Maid Fund Card] required her to wear a maid outfit, so Luke had already arranged for Saki to visit his house and activate its conditions.
"Okay."
Saki nodded.
When Luke returned to the classroom, Yui was pestering Yumiko.
"Just try it. Kawasaki-san's cooking is really delicious!"
"I'm not eating it~"
Yumiko snorted.
"How is it? Does it taste good?"
Luke asked Yui, who had already eaten part of the entire bento.
"It's delicious. Kawasaki-san must be really good at cooking~"
"Really?"
Curious, Luke picked up a piece of taro and a slice of tamagoyaki, tasting them one after the other.
Mm.
Just as Yui had said, they were genuinely delicious.
"Want to try some?"
Luke picked up a piece of tamagoyaki and offered it to Yumiko.
"Who would eat something like that?"
Yumiko muttered while looking at her phone.
Luke glanced at Yui.
She was not watching, and many classmates had left after Yumiko and Saki's earlier argument.
Seizing the opportunity, Luke quickly pinched Yumiko's cheeks.
"Mmm~"
Yumiko's eyes widened as her lips were forced slightly apart.
A fragrant piece of tamagoyaki was immediately placed into her mouth.
"Wh-what are you doing…?"
Yumiko kicked his shin and glared at him.
"What happened?"
Yui turned around in confusion, having no idea what had occurred.
"Nothing. Try the tamagoyaki too."
"I already did. It was really delicious."
Yui nodded, then raised her eyebrows thoughtfully.
"Speaking of which, I want to try making my own bento."
"After the exams, I'll ask Yukinon to help train me in cooking."
"Urgh—"
Hearing that, Luke's scalp tingled as he recalled the hellish cookies Yui had made before.
He hurriedly ate another piece of vegetable tamagoyaki to suppress the imaginary bitterness rising in his mouth.
"…Is Yukinoshita good at cooking?"
Yumiko casually asked after hearing Yui.
"Of course! Yukinon is amazing at almost everything except physical activity."
Yui answered confidently.
"I see~"
Yumiko swallowed the tamagoyaki and casually nodded while staring at the bento on the desk.
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