Chapter 75: Fruit Emperor and Her Companion
Kaede didn't actually want things to be this way, as the current situation, surrounded by people, was far too unromantic.
He braced one hand against the wall next to Eriri, creating some space to prevent the people behind him from pressing against her. Kaede looked helplessly at Eriri and said, "Next time we go out, let's just take a taxi. It's better to spend a little more. The moment I turn 18, I'm going to buy a car immediately."
Hearing Kaede's complaint, Eriri couldn't help but laugh, looking up at him and saying, "You really can't stand it."
"It's fine if I'm alone, but being squeezed together when I'm out with a girl is definitely not ideal, right?"
Kaede smiled and said, "Anyway, I barely spend my manuscript fees. Getting a driver's license won't be difficult when the time comes. If there's an easy and convenient option, why wouldn't I choose it?"
"That's true. Unless I go out alone, when I go out with my family, we always take a private car." Eriri strongly agreed with Kaede's idea, but then said somewhat dejectedly, "But I feel like getting a license will be really hard. Why do you think it'll be easy? When I watch my mom drive, with the steering wheel, the accelerator, the brake, and everything, I feel like I wouldn't be able to handle it all."
Kaede looked at Eriri in surprise and said, "In that case, I think you shouldn't get a driver's license in the future, Eriri. I feel like it would be dangerous. Hmm... if you really want to test your aptitude, maybe you could buy a dedicated racing game peripheral and try it out?"
"Let's forget it. The only racing game I really play is Mario Kart."
As they spoke, Eriri and Kaede exchanged glances, and both couldn't help but laugh.
Just then, the train arrived at a stop.
However, hardly anyone got off the train. Instead, even more people squeezed on, making the space inside the carriage increasingly cramped.
Eriri saw that Kaede was forced to move even closer to her. If she looked up slightly, she felt like she could sense Kaede's breath and his close-range gaze.
Since there was nowhere to hide, Eriri finally just made small talk: "I just realized, you're quite tall."
"You just realized... seriously?"
Eriri nodded, looked at Kaede, and said, "I don't usually pay much attention, but now the dist— the distance is too close, so I noticed."
Kaede also noticed Eriri's shyness, and since the area was crowded, he felt a little awkward. He could only look around and whisper, "It can't be helped. It's not my fault that the average height in this country isn't very high. Just look at the height of everyone in the carriage right now."
Although Kaede's current height hadn't reached the anticipated 180 cm, as long as he stood straight, he was essentially among the tallest people in the carriage, towering over everyone else.
It wasn't that there were no tall people in this country, but relatively speaking, those around the average height were more numerous.
Kaede continued, "I estimate I should reach 180 cm by the end of the year, since I'm still growing."
"180 cm, huh... My dad is only about 187 cm, but he's British." Eriri sighed and said, "I benefited from that too. I'm already the same height as my mother, and it seems I might grow a bit more."
As Eriri spoke, she secretly compared her height to Kaede's, thinking that she needed to drink more milk when she got home. The height difference couldn't be too large.
Finally, the two endured until the next stop, their destination, and quickly got out of the carriage.
After leaving the station, Kaede led Eriri all the way to Homura.
Pushing the door open and stepping inside, just like last time, they saw Kosaka Yukiho helping her family mind the shop at the counter.
"Yukiho, are you back from school?"
"Ah, Kaede-nii! Good afternoon!" Seeing Kaede arrive, Kosaka Yukiho happily greeted him, "Yes, school's out!"
Then, she saw Eriri, who was following Kaede and looking curious, and immediately exclaimed, "A g— a girl?! Kaede-nii, you're walking with a girl?"
"..."
The smile on Kaede's face completely vanished. He walked over, reached out to tap Kosaka Yukiho's head, and said irritably, "Do you have to be so surprised? I brought you customers."
"Hehehe, I'm sorry."
Clutching her head, Kosaka Yukiho gave an awkward grin.
Kaede finally introduced Eriri: "This is my classmate, Sawamura Spencer Eriri. She happened to be free after school, so I brought her over to take a look."
Yukiho immediately bowed politely. "Hello, I'm Kosaka Yukiho, the second daughter of Homura. Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you."
Eriri had already heard from Asakura that he was familiar with this shop, so she wasn't surprised; once inside, her attention was captured by the exquisite wagashi displayed in the glass cases.
Seeing that, Yukiho hurried over. "Eriri-senpai, these are some new creations Dad just developed!"
Watching Yukiho slip seamlessly into sales mode, Asakura chuckled and followed her gaze—sure enough, plenty of new items.
"By the way, Yukiho, where's your sister? Not home yet?"
"Onee-chan?" Yukiho answered without thinking. "School's definitely over, and she doesn't do clubs. If she's still out, she's probably off playing with Kotori-san and Umi-san."
Speak of the devil—Honoka's voice rang from the doorway: "Dad's come up with tons of new flavors! Let's all try them!"
Three girls walked in, laughing and chatting.
Spotting them, Asakura greeted the tea-haired girl in front. "Yo, long time no see, Honoka."
"!!!"
Startled to see Asakura in the shop, Honoka froze, then leapt high and flung herself at him.
"Kaede-nii! You haven't visited in forever!"
Asakura flinched at the impact and caught her with a helpless look. "I was here not long ago—you were just sleeping in. Now get down; I've got a friend with me, and don't let Umi and Kotori laugh at you."
"Hehehe, it's been ages!"
Once Honoka was back on her feet, Asakura turned to the other two. "Kotori, Umi, long time no see."
Minami Kotori, her flaxen hair swaying, beamed. "Long time no see, senpai!"
The blue-haired girl bowed shyly. "Good afternoon, senpai."
Umi's still the same—so easily embarrassed.
After exchanging greetings, Asakura noticed Eriri, who'd been silent, step to his side.