Chapter 521: Pair Skating Ticket
Although Hachiman managed to reassure Yukino, he still chose not to go to her apartment.
After bidding the girl farewell, he headed toward his own home.
As he passed the supermarket near his house, Hachiman stopped.
Since Komachi had just finished her exams today, he thought it might be a good idea to cook something nice to reward her.
With that in mind, Hachiman entered the supermarket.
He picked up a shopping basket at the entrance and headed toward the ingredients section.
As he passed the beverage aisle, he spotted a familiar figure.
Long, sakura-pink hair flowed over her shoulders, her bangs cut evenly across her forehead, and two braids framed her face. Her bright blue eyes were focused as she browsed the shelves.
It was none other than his teacher and neighbor, Mafuyu Kirisu.
Seeing Mafuyu, Hachiman greeted her with a smile, "Good afternoon, Kirisu-sensei."
"Oh, it's you, Hikigaya-kun. Good afternoon."
Hearing someone call her name, Mafuyu turned her head. Upon realizing it was Hachiman, a smile appeared on her face.
It wasn't just her face; even her heart felt a small surge of joy.
"Is Kirisu-sensei out shopping for something?" Hachiman asked with a smile as he glanced at the basket in her hand.
"Just picking up some fruits and drinks. You know I'm not very good at cooking," Mafuyu replied, sounding a little embarrassed.
Hachiman nodded in understanding, having some knowledge of Mafuyu's cooking skills.
They were about on par with Yui's—barely edible after some practice.
With that in mind, Hachiman smiled and extended an invitation. "In that case, why don't you come over to my place for dinner tonight, Kirisu-sensei?"
"No, no, I couldn't possibly trouble you like that," Mafuyu quickly waved her hands in refusal.
"Once I'm done here, I'll just grab some ramen."
Even though Hachiman had already cooked for her several times, Mafuyu still maintained the dignity of a teacher—one who couldn't just accept a meal offer outright without first declining.
As expected, after Mafuyu's initial refusal, Hachiman wasn't bothered and extended the invitation again.
"It's no trouble at all. Komachi just finished her entrance exams today, so I'm planning to make something nice to celebrate. You should come too, as a thank-you for helping tutor her recently."
"Is that so…"
Hearing that, Mafuyu hesitated.
If it's for that reason, then it wouldn't be considered just mooching a meal, right? After all, she had helped tutor Komachi many times, so accepting a meal in return seemed perfectly reasonable.
"That's right, exactly," Mafuyu reassured herself in her mind. "I'm just accepting the reward I deserve. It definitely isn't because Hikigaya-kun's cooking is too delicious."
Comforting herself with that thought, Mafuyu eventually nodded in agreement.
"Then I'll be in your care, Hikigaya-kun."
"It's really no trouble at all."
Seeing her agree, Hachiman smiled and shrugged. "By the way, Kirisu-sensei, would you like to help me pick out the ingredients?"
Shopping for ingredients together?
Mafuyu thought for a moment and then nodded. Since she was going to be eating sharing a meal, it only made sense to help out a little.
The two of them headed to the ingredients section and browsed the various items on the shelves. Hachiman then asked, "Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat, Kirisu-sensei? Feel free to let me know."
"Eh? Something I want to eat..."
Mafuyu thought for a moment before replying, somewhat embarrassed, "Sweet and sour pork."
Although she had eaten Hachiman's sweet and sour ribs a few times before, they were just too delicious, and she couldn't help but crave them again each time. Since today was a celebratory dinner, surely, as one of the "key contributors," it wouldn't be a problem for her to request a dish, right?
"Sweet and sour pork? No problem."
Hachiman agreed without hesitation. After all, he wanted to spoil Komachi today, so the meal had to be plentiful. Besides, Komachi also loved sweet and sour pork.
After putting a box of pork into the basket, the two continued selecting other ingredients.
Potatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, pork, shrimp, tofu...
As they strolled through the ingredients section, Hachiman and Mafuyu occasionally picked up items and discussed what dishes they could make.
To outsiders, they might have looked like a newlywed couple planning dinner together.
"Alright, I think we have enough for now," Hachiman said, looking at the ingredients in the basket.
Mafuyu didn't object and nodded in agreement.
In Japan, people generally value the freshness of ingredients, so it's uncommon to buy large quantities in one go.
Most of the groceries purchased would be consumed within two or three days.
When they reached the checkout counter, there were already a few people in line. Since it was nearing dinnertime, it wasn't surprising that many people were buying groceries.
As the line moved forward, it was soon their turn. Hachiman handed over the items from the basket to the cashier, who began scanning each one with a smile.
"Your total is 2,150 yen," the cashier said.
"Alright, no problem."
Hachiman wasn't surprised by the amount. In Japan, fresh vegetables are quite expensive, so even buying just a little can quickly add up. Surprisingly, meat is often cheaper in comparison.
But Hachiman wasn't bothered by the cost.
As he reached into his wallet to pay, he suddenly remembered something. He turned and took the basket from Mafuyu's hands as well.
"Please add these to the total," he said.
"Sure."
The cashier took Mafuyu's basket and began scanning the items.
Seeing that Hachiman was about to pay for her groceries too, Mafuyu quickly waved her hands in protest, "Eh? Hikigaya-kun, that's not necessary. I can pay for mine."
"It's fine, I got it," Hachiman said with a smile.
Just as Mafuyu was about to say something more, the cashier interrupted, "Your total, including these, is 3,170 yen."
"Thank you," Hachiman replied, taking out his wallet and paying the bill.
In Japan, fruit tends to be even more expensive than vegetables. Things like apples and pears are often sold individually, with each costing around 80-90 yen. And there are even pricier items like luxury watermelons and grapes.
Generally, Japanese people don't like to trouble others, so when Mafuyu saw that the cashier had already calculated the total, she bit her lip and decided not to say anything further.
"1,020 yen, huh?" Mafuyu silently calculated the cost of the items she bought, planning to pay Hachiman back later.
After handing over the neatly packed bags, the cashier smiled and spoke again.
"Our supermarket is currently running a promotion. For purchases over 3,000 yen, you get a chance to enter a lottery! The grand prize is a refrigerator."
As she spoke, she pulled out a raffle box from under the counter and motioned for Hachiman and Mafuyu to participate.
Surprised by the lottery, Hachiman glanced at Mafuyu and decided to let her do the honors.
"You do it."
"Eh, me?" Mafuyu blinked, hesitating at first. But after glancing at the line of customers behind them, she bit her lip and nodded.
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
Mafuyu stepped forward and placed her hand into the raffle box, feeling around for a moment before pulling out a slip of paper.
The cashier opened the paper and exclaimed with excitement, "Congratulations, miss, you've won!"
"Huh?"
Though the way the cashier phrased it felt a bit strange, Mafuyu was nonetheless surprised that she had actually won.
"It's a pair skating ticket for the sports arena."
The cashier smiled as she handed over the prize.
"Congratulations, you can go skating with this gentleman."
Mafuyu stood there in shock, the realization that she'd won a pair skating ticket sinking in. She didn't even register the cashier's comment until Hachiman nudged her, prompting her to quickly accept the prize.
"Ah, th-thank you."
As she held the skating ticket in her hand, Mafuyu's emotions became mixed.
Hachiman, oblivious to Mafuyu's inner thoughts, picked up the grocery bags and walked out of the supermarket, heading back toward home.
Mafuyu followed behind him, but her mind wandered during the short walk.
Luckily, the supermarket wasn't far from Hachiman's house, and soon enough, they arrived at the entrance.
Hachiman pulled out his keys, unlocked the door, and called out as he stepped inside.
"I'm back!"
"Welcome home, Onii-chan," Komachi's cheerful voice rang from the living room.
However, when the little girl saw Mafuyu standing beside him, her face lit up with excitement.
"Oh, Mafuyu-neesan! Good afternoon!"
Komachi was always quick to address others affectionately, and calling Mafuyu "neesan" was no exception.
Hearing Komachi's greeting, Mafuyu snapped out of her thoughts and smiled warmly in return.
"Good afternoon, Komachi."
Mafuyu had a genuine fondness for Komachi's cheerful and energetic personality.
At that moment, Hachiman spoke up, "I invited Kirisu-sensei to dinner tonight as a way to thank her for all the tutoring she did for you recently."
Komachi nodded eagerly. "Yes, we definitely need to thank Mafuyu-neesan properly."
Hachiman chuckled, "Alright, I'll start cooking then. Komachi, could you grab a pair of slippers for Kirisu-sensei?"
"Got it!" Komachi replied enthusiastically, as she hurried to find slippers for their guest.
Hachiman changed into his slippers and carried the groceries into the living room.
As she thought to herself, I wonder if Onii-chan's 'all-inclusive' plan also includes Mafuyu-neesan, Komachi handed a pair of slippers to Mafuyu.
"Here, Mafuyu-neesan, you can wear these."
"Thank you, Komachi," Mafuyu replied with a nod and a warm smile.
...
Not long after, dinner was ready.
The table was filled with dishes like a stir-fried dish of potatoes, eggplant, and peppers, yakitori, sweet and sour pork, tempura, and tonkatsu. Since Hachiman was treating Komachi, the meal was especially abundant.
Taking off his apron and stepping out of the kitchen, Hachiman called out to the two in the living room.
"You two should go wash your hands; dinner's ready."
"Okay~~!"
As if they had been waiting for this moment all along, Komachi and Mafuyu quickly rushed to wash their hands.
Once the food was served, the three of them gathered around the table and raised their glasses of juice.
"To celebrate Komachi's successful exam completion, let's toast!"
"Cheers!"
Clink!
The crisp sound of the glasses clinking together marked the official start of their celebratory dinner.
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