Chapter 161: Beef Udon and Sisterly Secrets
“Hmphhh…” I groaned, stretching my body lazily on the bed. My back cracked like an old man’s joints, and I rolled over, grabbing my phone.
12 p.m.
Still early—well, at least for me. After last night’s chaotic party, this counted as a miracle. I yawned and rubbed my eyes, staring at the ceiling for a moment. For once, I didn’t have to rush to work, didn’t have to worry about pouring sake for rowdy customers or listening to the old man’s lectures about “customer service.”
Three whole days off. My brain almost short-circuited at the thought.
“This is paradise…” I muttered dramatically as I rolled out of bed, stumbling into the kitchen like a zombie who just found purpose in life.
I boiled some noodles for a quick meal, then sat with my phone in hand while eating. It felt weird—no responsibilities, no stress. Just me, my noodles, and my phone.
I scrolled absentmindedly until a thought hit me. Keiko.
Shouldn’t I use this precious break for something good? Like… a date? A proper one where I wasn’t half-dead from work or distracted by chaos? I grinned to myself as I typed out a message.
> “Could you have a leave between the next 3 days? Since… I have days off.”
I hovered my thumb over the send button for a second. My inner monologue started nagging: If she says no, you’ll spend these three days lying in bed like a potato. A sad, lonely potato.
I hit send.
“Ding!”
Oh? That was fast.
Her reply popped up:
> “I think I could have one tomorrow.”
I almost jumped out of my chair. Tomorrow? Yes! Yes, yes, yes! This was fate smiling at me for once. I typed back,
> “Great. I’ll plan what to do tomorrow. Love you.”
And then I froze.
Wait. Did I just type “Love you”?
…Ah crap.
I sat there, staring at my phone like it had personally betrayed me. My cheeks heated up. But then the devilish side of me grinned. Nah, let’s leave it. Imagine her face when she sees it. Shy Keiko, caught off guard—priceless.
I leaned back in my chair, feeling like I’d just pulled off the greatest prank in history.
The rest of the afternoon I spent researching date spots and scribbling down plans like some kind of desperate wedding planner. Zoo? Too childish. Aquarium? Too cliché. Café hopping? Possible. Movie? …Depends if she falls asleep on my shoulder or not.
Just as I was debating between two cafés with ridiculous dessert menus, I heard the front door open.
“I’m home.”
It was Rin’s voice.
“Welcome home,” I called out.
A moment later, Rin peeked into the room with a weirdly surprised expression.
“Dad? You’re not at work?”
I smirked. “Got free days off until I work at the bar again.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Ahh… right… so it was that day already.”
She muttered it under her breath, like she’d been expecting this day with dread. Huh. Suspicious.
“You want some lunch? Or maybe a snack? I’ll make it for you,” I offered, standing up.
Rin hesitated. Her pride always made her act like she didn’t need me, but I saw her glance at the kitchen like a hungry cat. Finally, she gave a small nod.
“…It’s been a long time since I had your miso udon.”
I chuckled. “Sure. You want beef or chicken?”
“Beef.”
I opened the fridge, grabbing ingredients, but noticed her shifting in place. Her fingers were fidgeting—always a telltale sign she had something to say.
“Do you have something to say?” I asked, eyebrow raised.
She bit her lip. “…Uhmm. May I invite Chiyori?”
Ah, so that’s why she was acting shy. Rin, embarrassed over inviting her girlfriend, like I was some scary landlord.
“Of course. It’s been a long time since I met her too,” I said casually.
Her face lit up, her usual cool facade cracking instantly. “I’ll call her right away!” She dashed to her room like lightning.
I laughed under my breath. Rin, Rin. No matter how much you try to act like an adult, you’re still just a kid sometimes.
“Oh! Hey Rin!” I shouted. “What does Chiyori like? Beef or chicken?”
No answer.
I frowned. Huh. Maybe she didn’t hear me? I padded down the hall toward her room, preparing to knock. But then—voices.
“—Yes, you know my dad—I mean, my sister’s beef udon was reaalllyyy amazing. No restaurant beats it! Yes, I’ll wait for you.”
I froze, my hand hovering mid-air.
My eyebrow twitched as I leaned closer to the door, listening carefully.
So that’s how it is, huh? Rin really does love my cooking, bragging about it to her friends with that much pride—yet in front of me, she always keeps up that cool, indifferent act.
I couldn’t help but chuckle, the corners of my lips curling as a warm feeling spread through my chest.
“Well, beef it is,” I muttered under my breath, suppressing a laugh.
As I walked back to the kitchen, I shook my head with a sigh. Rin, you little rascal.
I started preparing the beef udon, humming to myself. The sizzling beef filled the kitchen with a delicious aroma.
As I stirred the pot, I imagined Rin’s face when she and Chiyori slurped the noodles, trying to hide how much they loved it. I couldn’t stop the soft grin tugging at my lips.
“This is the good stuff,” I muttered. “Peaceful days off, cooking for the brat, planning dates… life’s not too bad.”
By the time Rin’s footsteps echoed down the hall again, I had two steaming bowls of beef udon ready. She poked her head in, eyes bright.
“Chiyori’s on her way," Rin said. I nodded, taking a seat beside her, and together we waited for Chiyori.
Days like this, simple, funny, and quietly heartwarming, were the kind I wished I could hold on to forever.