[31] Actually, I'm Pretty Confident in My Cooking Skills

Chapter 31: Actually, I'm Pretty Confident in My Cooking Skills

"Working part-time at a sports store really is a dull job."

"…I shouldn't have invited you here."

"Ah, I didn't mean to blame you, President. Please don't take it to heart."

"I'm the one who should be worried! Don't you understand the concept of selling?!"

Shirogane shouted angrily into Ronan's ear.

This store didn't have many customers to begin with, and the three small groups that did show up were all driven away by Ronan's antics.

At this rate, even Shirogane, who introduced the blond boy in the first place, might not be able to continue working there.

"Well… luckily I can switch to a different place soon. I just feel bad for the owner of this shop."

"Isn't your part-time job location fixed, President?"

"I usually change jobs every now and then," Shirogane explained. "It's a way to gain more social experience. Although moving from place to place is inconvenient for store managers trying to schedule shifts, it's one of the perks of part-time work—if you want a change, you can make one."

"Impressive as always, President. You're so thoughtful."

"Well, of course…"

Shirogane realized that Ronan seemed to believe whatever he said, whether true or not. Having a treasurer in the student council who trusted him this much was rare indeed.

"So where are you planning to go after work?"

"It's almost evening. I'll go to the supermarket to pick up some groceries, then head home to cook," Shirogane replied. "My dad will be home late, so I'm making dinner myself today."

"Oh, I see. Can I come over to your place, President?"

"Eh? My place?" Shirogane was a bit taken aback.

"Yeah, I haven't had dinner yet, and I usually just make do with a red bean bun… But don't be fooled by how I look. I'm actually good at cooking, so I could cook something at your place."

"…"

"Is it inconvenient?"

"Not really. If you want to come, you're welcome," Shirogane said with a wry smile. "But you might find it not quite what you're expecting."

"You're exaggerating."

...

After browsing the supermarket for about an hour, the two of them decided to head to Shirogane's place together.

Since Shirogane had ridden his bike for over ten kilometers to get to the part-time job location, and given that the store was a sports equipment market, Ronan went ahead and bought a bicycle for himself out of his own pocket.

Shirogane honestly couldn't understand Ronan's behavior up until now. He constantly made surprising moves—like spending three times his part-time wages just to commute, or buying a bicycle just so they could ride together. These were the kind of things only Ronan would do.

In Shirogane's bike basket was a plastic bag filled with discounted or inherently cheap items like bean sprouts.

As for Ronan, his bike basket contained a huge plastic bag.

Despite Shirogane offering to buy all the groceries this time, Ronan still purchased a bunch of items himself. Shirogane had no idea what was inside.

They parked their bikes at the foot of a shabby, old apartment building. Shirogane took out his keys and led the way upstairs.

"President…"

"What is it?"

"Do you normally live here?"

"Scared?"

"Not really."

Ronan eyed the severely aged two-story building in front of him. It looked as if a gust of wind might bring it down. There was even a faint musty smell outside.

But in truth, it wasn't a big deal. Ronan had lived in field tents back in the Middle East a few years ago, so this was just a "well, at least it's a roof over my head" situation for him.

The iron staircase creaked loudly as they climbed. At the door of one room, Shirogane stopped and inserted his key into the lock.

"The place is a bit small, but the rent is only fifty thousand yen, which is considered pretty cheap for Tokyo. And there's no key money required."

"That's true."

Ronan knew how expensive Tokyo rent could get. Honestly, finding a place for fifty thousand yen was already a great deal.

Click.

The door opened. Ronan said, "Excuse me for intruding," and stepped in after Shirogane.

As for the interior, it felt rather cramped and stifling—barely thirty square meters, if that.

When Ronan entered, he immediately spotted a young girl with silver-white hair seated at the table in the living room.

The girl heard them come in but didn't say a word. She merely glanced back with an indifferent expression—until her eyes landed on Ronan. Then, she looked visibly shocked.

"Big brother, did you just bring a girl home?"

Ronan: "Huh?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Shirogane quickly interjected. "This is a guy. My schoolmate."

Ronan instinctively touched his own face in disbelief.

"Did she just call me a 'girl'? That can't be right… There's no way someone could mistake my rugged, manly visage for a girl's."

Shirogane sighed. "Kei just didn't get a good look, that's all. Don't worry about it."

Ronan then took a closer look at the girl.

Her long, silver-white hair framed a cute yet slightly cold face. There was a hint of sharpness in her gaze that reminded him of Shirogane.

"President, is that your sister?" Ronan asked tentatively.

"Yes, this is my younger sister, Shirogane Kei," Shirogane introduced her.

"Nice to meet you, President's sister. I'm the President's lackey…"

"Don't put it like that!" Shirogane cut him off, flustered. Then, turning to Kei, he awkwardly explained, "He's a transfer student at Shuchiin, Yao Ronan. He's currently the student council's treasurer."

"Oh, hi." Kei greeted him blandly before turning away and ignoring them.

"…President, do you and your sister not get along?"

"She's just in her rebellious phase."

"Got it."

Ronan didn't pay it much mind. He glanced at the kitchen's location and walked over, setting the plastic bag down to the side.

"Huh? Ronan, are you planning to cook?"

"Well, I can't just freeload after coming to your place. I need to do something," Ronan said with a smile. "Didn't I tell you already? I'm pretty good at cooking."

"Well, thanks for that."

"It's no problem. Oh, by the way…"

Ronan grabbed an apron hanging nearby and put it on, then pointed at the plastic bag sitting outside the kitchen.

"President, could you grab the fish for me?"

"Fish? You actually bought something like that?"

Shirogane didn't think much of it. He opened the bag, rummaged around, and pulled out a neatly packaged tray of bright red fish fillets.

But the moment he caught sight of the price tag, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"One, two, three, four, five, six… six zeros? What on earth did you buy?!"

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