I looked around Jessica's room, which could be called a secret paradise for a man. While checking the books lined up on the bookshelf, I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant scent that filled the space.
"…Ethan. I'm coming in."
After knocking, I heard her voice and the door was opened. The tray that had previously been in the hallway was brought into the room, and the steamy cups, sugar, etc. were placed on the table.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
After placing the tray to the side and closing the door, she sat down on the cushion, and we faced each other. Noticing that I hadn't touched my coffee, Jessica began to tend to it.
"Would you like something in it?"
"Then just sugar, please."
"At my house, we have sugar cubes. How many do you want?"
"Just one, please."
"Understood… Here you go."
"Thank you."
I sipped the coffee she offered me. A leisurely time passed as the two of us chatted for a while.
***
As I was enjoying the conversation, somehow unable to bring myself to start studying, I suddenly noticed that the hour and minute hands of the clock had reached their highest point. Then, suddenly, Jessica began to fidget.
"…E-Ethan?"
"Hmm?"
"Is it okay if I cook for lunch?"
"…Of course. I'm happy to be able to eat Jessica's home cooking."
"M-Mou… Don't expect too much."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"Huu… W-Wait a bit, okay?"
"Yes."
"It doesn't take much time because it's already prepared."
"Okay, I'll be waiting."
"Well then…"
She got up and left the room with the tray. I was thinking as I saw her off that since she was treating me to a home-cooked meal, of course, she must be confident in her skills.
I can't imagine the possibility of her being a terrible cook.
***
"…Sorry I made you wait."
After another knock, the door opened and she revealed herself. She brought a larger tray into the room and laid out the homemade dishes on the table.
The main dish is a normal home-style omelette rice. Afterwards, it was salad and corn potage with a focus on leafy vegetables.
After placing the glass of water on the table, Jessica sat across from me.
"Is this all done by Jessica?"
"Yes, that's right."
"That's amazing. It looks very delicious."
"Thank you... Now, I'm going to draw a picture on the omelet rice."
"…So there's such a service."
"Of course."
She smiled mischievously as she held a bottle of ketchup in her hand. Then, leaning forward slightly, she drew something with ketchup on the omelette placed in front of me.
Watching silently, I could tell what the picture was about halfway through. It was a staple for couples, a heart mark.
"This fits the best."
Jessica, who finished drawing, was very satisfied. Since we started dating, she has shown her cuteness many times that I didn't know before.
"Then, shall we eat?"
"Let's eat."
"…Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
"Please enjoy."
After clasping my hands together and praying, I reached for my food. I decided to start with the main dish, the omelet rice.
I spooned it into my mouth from the edge so as not to break the heart mark drawn in the centre. I wondered if Jessica was still concerned about how it tasted, as she nervously observed me.
"Nom… Mmm…"
"How is it?"
"It's… It's delicious! It's exactly the taste I like!"
"I-I see, I'm glad~"
"Haha! Were you that worried?"
"Well, I am a girl… How is the corn potage?"
Visibly relieved, she also asked for impressions of the corn potage. In response, I put the corn potage in my mouth.
"…Hmm, this tastes reassuringly gentle. Delicious."
"Yay~ It was pretty hard to make, you know?"
"Is that so?"
"Yes, but I'm glad I did my best…"
"Then I have to show my gratitude. Thank you."
"You're welcome..."
I enjoyed lunch with Jessica, who is in a good mood and has a big smile on her face. The boys at our school would be envious if they knew.
***
Finally, with the tea that was served after lunch, we started studying for the test. That said, we two have monopolized the 1st and 2nd place so far.
The study session is not that intense. It is a somewhat laid-back session, with the occasional conversation.
"...I think I'll lose to Ethan this time too."
"Hmm… For the time being, I want the two of us to occupy the top ranks."
"Given the results so far, I think it will be fine."
"Well, if we don't let our guard down, we won't be overtaken by a third person."
While looking at textbooks and notebooks, I enjoyed the conversation with Jessica. While we were concentrating on our study date, a lot of time passed unnoticed.
"…It's already this late."
"Would you like to take a break soon?"
"That's right. Let's refresh once."
"Yeah. Which would you like, coffee or tea?"
"Coffee then."
"Understood... Then I'll prepare it on the first floor."
"Okay. I'll use the restroom in the meantime."
Both of us got up at the same time and left the room. I went to the bathroom while watching Jessica go down the stairs.
"This is the bathroom that Jessica uses, huh… Her family uses it too, though."
For a moment, I felt weird, but then I thought of her father and brother in my brain and dismissed the thought. I don't know why, but I've been feeling like a pervert since I came to this house.
"Is this the magical power of her house…"
While saying stupid things, I finished my business and returned to the room. After I waited for a while, Jessica also came back to the room.
"…Thank you for waiting."
"No, it's fine."
"Here, this is the cake Ethan brought, please enjoy."
"…Is it okay for me to have it?"
"Yes, it's from that trendy shop, right?"
"Ah, yes."
She handed me a plate with two kinds of cakes on it and a cup of hot coffee, probably because the cake was not that big. As we were both facing each other and replenishing our sugar, she spoke to me.
"…Ethan?"
"What is it?"
"What are you going to take next year?"
"Science class or humanities class, you mean?"
"That's right. We have to decide by the beginning of the year."
Normally it would be something to worry about, but I have already decided for various reasons.
"I've already decided which one to choose."
"Is that so…?"
"What about Jessica?"
"I've also decided, for the time being."
"Well then, let's write it in a notebook and show it to each other at the same time."
"O-Okay."
We both write our desired course for the coming year without the other person being able to see it. After confirming that we had finished writing, we faced each other across the table.
"Then… How should we show each other?"
"…Then, let's do a countdown."
"Countdown?"
"Count three, two, one, zero, and show each other at zero."
"Okay, let's start."
"Yes… Three."
"Two."
""One.""
""Zero!""
At the same time, we turned over the notebook that was lying face down in front of us on the table. There, the word 'humanities' was written on both notebooks.
"Oh… S-Same…"
"It seems so… Well, there are more people who want to study humanities."
"Muu… This is where you say we get along, don't you think?"
"Jessica and I get along well."
"You're late!"
While saying that, she seems to be in a good mood because we're taking the same course. The reason I chose the humanities class was because the performing arts program is a humanities class.
Well, there is no need to be honest about this. Some things are better kept hidden.
"I hope we can be in the same class for another year…"
"…If the school finds out that we're dating, it's likely that our class will be separated."
"Huu…"
"Well, there are more students in the liberal arts classes to begin with, so the chances are low."
"Huuuu…"
At our school, it seems normal to have two science classes and four humanities classes. The odds of being in the same class are really low.
Jessica starts to worry about whether it would be better to take the gamble and hide the fact that we started dating to be in the same class next year, or if it would be better to give up on that idea and openly maintain a good relationship at school without hiding our relationship.
While looking at her like that, I thought to myself that I would love to be in the same class with other cute celebrity girls other than Emily.