Chapter 28

The wooden floor was covered with a thick carpet, and on the tea table made of the same material were a pot of recently brewed hot tea and several freshly washed cups.

The fabric sofa is simple and comfortable. The living room is well-lit, warm and bright. There are floor lamps and a few pots of green plants in the corners, which add a sense of life.

The three people in the room were speechless. The singing of the comedian and the laughter of the audience coming from the TV screen made the atmosphere in the living room less suffocating.

Sakaguchi Ango sat in the middle of the sofa, looking at his nose and his heart, and for a moment he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.

If the owner of the house was here, the atmosphere would never be so awkward, but the problem is that Kono Seira has gone out to buy groceries, and now he is the only one left looking after the house!

Ango, who was shot innocently, recalled what had just happened at the door.

Dazai Osamu narrowed his eyes for a moment when he saw that it was him standing in the door, and then he smiled and patted his shoulder briskly: "Ango is here too... Yeah, yes, Ango should come too."

After saying that, he walked past him and went inside, leaving Sakaguchi Ango and Nakahara Chuuya staring at each other. The two of them had little interaction with each other, let alone being familiar with each other. Nakahara Chuuya nodded to him as a greeting, and politely said "excuse me" to the people inside the house before entering, but his voice sounded so stiff.

And now... Ango Sakaguchi, feeling extremely uneasy, quietly poured himself a cup of tea and took the opportunity to take a look at the two people's conditions.

Dazai Osamu on the left took over the show, leaning back on the sofa in a very relaxed manner, with his chin on one hand while looking at the variety show on the screen, making it impossible to tell whether he was watching it seriously or not.

Nakahara Chuuya is just the opposite of him, with his hands placed neatly on his knees, his body tense, and his demeanor and posture very stiff... Wait, is he nervous about being a guest at Kouno-kun's house?

Sakaguchi Ango drank a cup of tea to ease the bitterness in his heart. He felt that he should not be on the sofa, but under it.

This sad mood continued until there was another movement from the direction of the door. The sound of the key turning the door lock was not obvious in the special effects of the variety show, but it was immediately caught by the ears of several people in the room. Dazai Osamu and Nakahara Chuuya almost straightened up and looked over. And Sakaguchi Ango almost couldn't hold back his expression and tears welled up in his eyes - he finally came back, Kouno-kun! He definitely didn't want to look after the house alone next time!

When Kono Seiji came back carrying two full bags of food, he was met with gazes that were more eager than the last.

"?"

After thinking for two seconds, he realized: "Everyone must be hungry. Sorry, wait for me a moment."

He handed Teng over and put away the key, and took the time to remind everyone that there were snacks and drinks in the refrigerator and they were free to take them.

It was indeed not very convenient to hold things with one hand. Just when Gongye Shengliang was worrying about whether he should put down the full bag before locking the door, he suddenly felt his hand lighten.

Nakahara Chuuya, who had approached him out of nowhere, took the shopping bag from him and exclaimed at the rich variety and quality of the food inside: "You bought so much, you can't finish it, right?"

"Because I think the ingredients are better when they are fresh, I went straight to the fresh market." Kono Seiyoshi was embarrassed, "and then I accidentally bought too much." He usually lives alone and eats casually. It has been a long time since he last went to a large market, so his hands are a little unfamiliar.

"Does that mean...I have to do all this myself?"

The ochre-haired young man didn't know what he was thinking about, and his face gradually turned slightly red. "So many things... There's nothing to do here, I can help you." His voice became lower as he spoke the rest of the story.

Kono Seira's original plan did not include asking guests to help with cooking, but - he couldn't help but smile at Chuuya's expectant look: "Then I'll trouble you, Chuuya."

Nakahara Chuuya's eyes lit up instantly. He didn't know what he was nervous about. After hearing the affirmative answer, he subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Then he suddenly realized that he was showing it too obviously. He quickly suppressed the arc of his lips and tried to distract himself: "What's the problem... Wait."

His brows suddenly furrowed, and he reached out to hold Gongye Shengliang's shoulders, moving closer to observe something carefully.

Gongye Shengliang subconsciously held his breath, stood still and let him approach, only blinking twice.

After about three seconds, he heard someone ask, "How did you get there and come back?"

Under the serious gaze of the other party's cobalt blue eyes, Kono Seiryoshi spoke with a hint of uncertainty, "Uh... walking?"

As expected, it's so cold outside and my hair can still be slightly wet. There is no other option except this.

Nakahara Chuuya said helplessly: "Do you really hate riding in a car, especially to such a far place?"

Obviously, I can just order takeout for delivery, or at least I can send someone else to prepare it. It was the same in our previous relationship. I always took care of everything by myself, and I would never complain to others no matter how tired or busy I was. I don't know whether to say I am stubborn or stupid.

The stubborn fool smiled at him with a crooked look in his eyes: "We finally have a meal together, so of course I have to prepare the best."

“…”

Nakahara Chuuya felt something in his heart suddenly tighten, and then, bang, bang, the sound became louder and louder, and he seemed to hear the beating heartbeat coming from deep in his heart.

The question that had puzzled him for a long time seemed to have finally been answered.

...What? Nakahara Chuuya laughed. It turns out he is also a fool.

At this distance, he only needed to glance at the other person to see the emotions in his eyes. He took a deep breath, raised his hand and pressed down hard on the heart that was beating faster and faster in his chest: "You..."

“Ahem, ahem!”

Nakahara Chuuya: “…”

His breath was stuck in his chest, and his expression almost looked like he was going crazy.

This is the second time! This is the second time!! Don’t tell him that the person who interrupted him was that bastard Dazai again——!

Kouno Seiryo had no idea what was going on. He looked in the direction of the voice and saw Sakaguchi Ango smiling awkwardly but politely: "Since there are so many ingredients, why don't we help too? What do you think, Dazai-kun?"

Another member of "us" stretched and slowly stood up from the sofa.

"That's true." Dazai Osamu spoke softly, with a teasing tone at the end, but there was no joy in his eyes.

"Otherwise, what if someone gets carried away and blows up the kitchen?"

--

The marbled beef loin is sliced ​​thinly, the tenderloin is marinated and ready for use, the vegetables and fruits are laid out on a plate, and the tofu, kelp, mushrooms and other side dishes are also available. It takes some time to make the soup, so it is better to fry the matsutake while eating.

As for the rest…

After the sashimi was mashed into a paste, the cross patterns on the mushrooms were cut into curse symbols, and the lobster jumped onto the range hood waving pliers - the few people who were writing to help and reading to cause trouble were politely asked to leave the kitchen by Kono Seiyoshi.

"It's a pity that no one is watching TV in the living room," he said politely, "I'm enough here by myself, you guys go and have some rest."

The two cats, one black and one red, knowing they were in the wrong, put down their chopping boards and knives dejectedly.

The only adult of physical age present carefully picked up the lobster by its tail and threw it into the pot, then heaved a sigh of relief.

"This is really... thank you for your hard work." Sakaguchi Ango took the tissue handed to him by Kono Seiryoshi and wiped the sweat from his head. He was still nervous, no matter whether he was dealing with the lively lobster or the two childish kids who were secretly competing with each other in the kitchen.

He still looked towards the living room with some concern, and was relieved to see that Dazai Osamu and Nakahara Chuuya were indeed staying still and not fighting. He also asked the question he had asked before: "By the way, are there only three of us coming to eat?"

It’s not that Ango Sakaguchi has any objection to the lineup, but for the concept of a “dinner party”, such a small number of people seems too lonely.

Hearing this, Kono Seira, who was racking his brains over how to save the chopped sea bream sashimi, paused and slowly put down the knife.

He also felt very sorry about this, and his expression was a little disappointed: "Mr. Oda's child caught a cold and fell ill last night, and he had to stay there to take care of him, so he couldn't come."

In fact, he also invited members of the Mafia team who had been on a business trip with him before. Everyone had happily agreed, but they did not expect that they were suddenly assigned an emergency mission yesterday that could not be solved in a short time, and the result was that the whole team was wiped out.

It’s too miserable that we have to work overtime even on holidays. Kono Seiryoshi sighed and shed tears of empathy.

"There's nothing we can do about it. It's really easy to catch a cold in the recent weather." Sakaguchi Ango nodded, then remembered something, his eyes showing a hint of worry and caution: "You should also remember to wear more clothes, and be careful not to get a fever and faint again." He still remembered their first meeting, which could be called a udon.

"I'm not a child..." Gong Ye Shengliang protested weakly.

During the chat, Sakaguchi Ango cleaned up the mess on the chopping board. His eyes inadvertently swept across the food that was gradually taking shape in Kono Seiryoshi's hands. He stood there in shock for a long while, and when he spoke, his voice was floating: "This... is too exquisite?!"

The exquisite tableware should be found in collection cabinets rather than on dining tables. Simple ingredients become works of art after adding a few ingredients. Hassun, anatomy, cherry trout, almond tofu, it looks just like what you would find in a restaurant outside, no, it looks just like something from a food show!

"The ingredients for the hot pot are ready now. I want to prepare some side dishes." Kono Seira adorned the sashimi with herb leaves and said casually, "As for Japanese cuisine, I happen to know a little bit."

——Who made his superior, Yun Que Gong Ya, eat irregularly and have such a picky taste?

When he first met the Vongola family, he was still a minor who could not even guarantee his own life. That year, Namimori Town was not peaceful. Mafia from all over the world were eyeing the young Vongola heir, and assassinations and kidnappings against the people around the Tenth Generation continued. After the house where he was sheltered was destroyed by bombing, he moved into the Sawada family by accident. In order to repay them, he began to learn how to do housework from Nana's mother, who was as gentle and tolerant as the Tenth Generation.

He only started to study Japanese cuisine after he became Senior Hibari's secretary. As for other types of cooking, his skills were just average. Anyway, the standard for living alone was to not starve to death.

Sakaguchi Ango: “…No, this doesn’t seem like I only know a little bit!”

"It's not that exaggerated."

Kono Seiryoshi opened the window to get the mustard sauce, but found nothing. He then carefully searched the refrigerator but still found nothing. Only then did he remember that he had not used this thing since he came here.

"Is there anything missing?" The reliable adult Ango Sakaguchi noticed his behavior and took the initiative to say, "I drove here, I'll go buy it."

Kono Seiryoshi searched the corners of the kitchen again and sheepishly read out the names of several other seasonings. "That's all. Thank you, Ango."

Sakaguchi Ango wrote down the list, waved his hand to indicate that it was not a big deal, turned around and went back to the living room to get the jacket containing the car keys.

However, just as he took two steps forward, the voices in the living room suddenly paused.

Sakaguchi Ango: “…”

This tingling feeling on his scalp seemed so familiar, as if he had experienced it once less than an hour ago.

While the kitchen was busy, the two people in the living room were naturally busy. Nakahara Chuuya and Dazai Osamu had nothing to say to each other, and the TV was playing a commercial at this time. The latter sighed heavily and took out the game console directly from his coat pocket.

Nakahara Chuuya let out a light sigh and couldn't help but look towards the kitchen again.

From the angle of the sofa, I could just catch a glimpse of the backs of the people in the kitchen. One of the slender figures was wearing a beige apron with a loose bow tied behind her waist. Usually, when I saw Kono Seiji at work, he was always wearing a strict and neat black uniform. This homely outfit was surprisingly suitable for him.

Nakahara Chuuya found that his heartbeat, which had just been suppressed, was beginning to speed up again.

"Chuya."

Dazai Osamu, who seemed to have been playing games with his head down, suddenly called out his name in a calm voice. Nakahara Chuuya's heart sank slightly, and the slight joy in his expression was immediately hidden.

As expected, Dazai Osamu, who was sitting across from the sofa, had a dark look in his eyes, and he didn't look like he was addicted to the game at all.

"Although it's usually annoying enough, but as expected..." He suddenly laughed softly, but it was scary no matter how you listened to it, "It's especially annoying today."

"I'll return this to you," Nakahara Chuuya retorted without any weakness, sneer, "Why don't you jump into the river? If you can't find a place, I can tie you to the back of a motorcycle and drag you to Tokyo Bay. It's free."

Dazai Osamu's eyes flashed with something, and he said in a subtle tone: "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. The weather has been too cold recently, and I have no intention of going into the water." He paused, raised his eyebrows with a smile, "But I can try other ways to die, such as eating all the dishes made by Mu - or something like that."

"Huh?! Are you looking for a beating?!"

Sakaguchi Ango, who came out to get his coat, happened to see this tense scene.

He glanced vaguely at Gongye Shengliang, who was still busy in the kitchen without knowing anything, and sighed heavily in his heart again, and couldn't help but worry about his future.

Sakaguchi Ango pretended to be calm and took the coat from the hanger. Just as he was about to go out to buy something while keeping a low profile, he saw Dazai Osamu's eyes suddenly light up.

Sakaguchi Ango: “…” It’s over.

"Hey, Ango, are you going out?"

"I'm missing a few seasonings. I was just about to go buy some." Sakaguchi Ango pushed his glasses and said openly, knowing he couldn't avoid it, "Do you guys need to take anything? I'll buy some for you as well."

"Don't bother," Dazai Osamu held him back with his hand, smiled and said, "I'll go with you."

Sakaguchi Ango: "...???"

He suspected that he had heard it wrong, and spoke with difficulty and incomprehension: "Are you sure, Dazai-kun, you want to go out with me?" In order to prevent the other party from not noticing, he deliberately added emphasis. The effect must have been very funny, because Nakahara Chuuya couldn't help but look at him in surprise several times.

Dazai Osamu ignored her and opened the door briskly, "Let's go."

Sakaguchi Ango nodded stiffly to Nakahara Chuuya and followed him out with a headache.

Nakahara Chuuya, who witnessed the whole process, has not yet come to his senses - Dazai that guy was just provoking him so shamelessly, why did he suddenly leave? Has this blue mackerel finally become self-aware?

Wait, Sakaguchi and Dazai are gone, so aren’t he and Kono the only ones left?

Isn't this just... being alone together?

As soon as this word came out, Nakahara Chuuya's breathing could not help but stagnate for a moment. His eyes looked to the other side uncontrollably, and the figure of Kono Seiryo was mostly blocked by the half-open refrigerator door, and he could not be seen here. Nakahara Chuuya clenched and unclenched his fingers, and a secret expectation rose in his heart.

He made up his mind, stood up and walked towards that direction.

"That's right," a furry head suddenly popped out of the door, and Dazai Osamu's annoying smile appeared in front of him again, "Chuuya, if you do it too obviously, you will be disliked."

Nakahara Chuuya almost stumbled.

This bastard——! Get out of here——!

--

After turning the car key half a circle, Sakaguchi Ango still found it unbelievable. Before the car started, he couldn't help but stop and look at the black-haired boy next to him.

"Is it really okay for you to come out with me?" Sakaguchi Ango hinted wildly, "Leaving them alone together?"

Dazai Osamu didn't expect him to say this suddenly. He widened his eyes slightly and then said happily: "Ango, are you so gossipy?"

Sakaguchi Ango: “…”

Who do you think I am doing this for?

"Don't worry," Dazai Osamu rested his chin on one hand, his eyes fixed on the trees outside the car window, and said nonchalantly but firmly, "Chuuya won't dare to do anything."

Before leaving, he deliberately left a message. If Chuuya heard the hidden meaning in his words, then of course he would be fine. But if he understood it, he would still go against him...

It will just be rejected anyway.

And he did need to buy something when he came out.

Dazai Osamu raised the corners of his lips, as if he had thought of what would happen next, and his iris-colored eyes narrowed in a good mood.

Sakaguchi Ango noticed the change in his mood and felt that he sighed more times in one day than in a whole week at work. He seemed to be concentrating on driving, but he was muttering to himself in a worried manner:

Nakahara Chuuya won't do anything, but that doesn't mean Kouno-kun will do nothing either.

How could Dazai-kun, who is so smart in everything, be so stupid in this regard?

--

The aroma of miso soup wafted out. Kimino Seiryoshi scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, tasted it, and then covered the pot again.

The light mist quickly dissipated, and when he turned around, he saw the auburn-haired boy standing quietly outside the kitchen, staring at him eagerly, "...Chuuya? Are you bored of waiting?"

Nakahara Chuuya seemed to be afraid of being misunderstood, and immediately denied: "No!" It would be better to say that he liked this feeling very much, it was very homely. Although he had not experienced it yet, his heart was warmed just by thinking of this word.

"I just... wanted to come and see you." As soon as he said this, he felt his face burning, and Dazai Osamu's harsh "admonition" before he left rang in his ears at an inopportune time.

Nakahara Chuuya felt that he seemed to have grasped something, but it was fleeting, leaving only a trace of doubt.

In panic, he could only look away, not daring to look at Kono Seiryoshi's reaction.

"... Let me try again." After holding it in for a long while, he raised his finger randomly and pointed at the chopped sashimi on the plate, gritting his teeth and saying, "It was a mistake just now. It's all because of that Dazai guy who kept making trouble."

Gongye Shengliang was slightly stunned.

The boy opposite him seemed to be angry with someone, or simply refused to admit defeat, his blue eyes were bright and his face was full of energy. Without the title of "Gravity User of the Port Mafia" that frightened the enemy, Chuuya was now just an ordinary 17-year-old boy, with the spirit of a young man that had not yet been worn away.

...However, Kimino Seiryoshi thought that if it were Chuuya, this sentiment would never disappear.

A smile appeared on his face, but unlike before, there was a yearning in his eyes that he himself hadn't even noticed.

"Can you open the sea urchin for me? I can try making nigiri sushi with it."

Almost immediately, "No problem!" the unhappiness in the ochre-haired boy's voice disappeared instantly.