The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 1Volume .4 - Ill Make You My Fan!

ROUND 1 – I’ll Make You My Fan! 4

“That’s really embarrassing…”

Sasaki-san apologized to me while munching on a high-protein tofu bar across the low table.

When I checked the fridge while putting away the pork, the most nutritious food available seemed to be this tofu bar. The only other things inside were water, tea, and zero-calorie jelly.

The shared living and kitchen space of the Sasaki household was very simple. There was just a table and some cushions placed around, and even the rugs and curtains were utterly plain. The kitchen area barely had a complete set of dishes. In short, it lacked a sense of being lived in.

If a family were living here, their individual tastes and interests would be more apparent.

“I live alone.”

Sensing my question, Sasaki-san spoke up.

“My father is acquainted with the owner of this apartment building, so we’ve been able to make various arrangements. At first, we moved to Tokyo together and lived together, but my father was transferred back to our hometown at the beginning of this year. Now he lives there with my mother.”

This apartment seemed far too big for a girl like her to live alone.

“Was it okay for Sasaki-san not to come back to your hometown?”

“Yes. My father seemed worried, but I wanted to continue working here.”

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“Working?”

Sasaki-san stares at me intently as if sizing me up.

Eventually, she says, ‘…it would be dishonest to hide it after I’ve received help’, and starts searching for something on her smartphone, then turns the LCD screen towards me.

On the screen, there are five girls.

They are dressed in midriff-baring separate-type outfits, each striking a signature pose. The smile of the girl in the center with her hand on her chest looks familiar to me.

It’s the same smile I had seen just a short while ago when I came for a moving-in greeting.

Below the girl in the center, it read, 【Arisu Yuzuki (15)】.

“You were an idol…?”

“We’re still in the process of making our promotion, though.”

Her idol smile was so natural that it was hard to believe she was just starting out.

“No wonder, I thought you were much more put-together than me.”

“That’s not true. Mamori-san, you are quite put together yourself.”

“No, no, no”

“Not at all, not at all.”

A battle of humility had begun.

From experience, I knew that unless I forcefully put an end to it, it would just keep making the other person feel obliged to be considerate indefinitely.

“…At this point, shouldn’t we both stop using honorifics? It seems like there’s only a year difference between us.”

At my suggestion, Sasaki-san hesitated with an upward glance, then opened her mouth slightly.

“…That’s true. Nice to meet you again, Mamori-kun.”

Arisu Yuzuki, her real name being Sasaki Yuzuki, shyly pulled her mug closer.

I recognized the group name that had appeared on my smartphone screen earlier.

【Spotlights】

It’s been about a year since their five-member girl idol group songs and choreography started frequently buzzing on social media.

Come to think of it, I might have seen this quintet on music shows or variety programs once or twice.

So this was the source of that deja vu.

“The reason you were so hungry you could faint was to maintain your figure?”

“Well, something like that. I have a body type that gains weight easily, so if I’m not careful, I puff up right away.”

Saying this, Sasaki-san pinches her upper arm.

“Still, I think pushing yourself to that extent is surely going too far.”

“If I gain a little weight, I need to resize my costumes, and of course I also want to look cute. You see, photos and videos are something that stays in everyone’s hands forever.”

Regardless of gender, height and body structure change significantly during the growth period.

Just because your weight has increased doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve ‘gotten fat’.

“But don’t you think you’re way too thin? You just got some pork, so how about making a light dish…”

“No way. Pork belly is full of fat and calories.”

Although the tone is playful, I sense a clear intention to refuse.

“Quality fats are actually nutritious, you know? A certain amount is used up by the basal metabolism rate.”

“That’s not the point. Daily carelessness can show up in your weight.”

“It’s a limited edition. Are you really sure you don’t want it?”

“No, I don’t need it. I’m full from eating tofu bars!”

What an obvious lie. Does she think I haven’t noticed her glaring resentfully at the paper bag this whole time?

“Can’t be helped. Then I’ll take back the pork belly.”

“…What?”

Like a child abandoned by their parents, Sasaki-san suddenly looks downcast.

When she makes that face, it makes me seem like the bad guy.

She doesn’t want to eat it, but she also doesn’t want it to be taken away.

In that case, I want to choose to bring joy to Sasaki-san, even if it’s just for a moment.

Since appetite is called one of the three basic human desires, it’s not something that can be solved with just sheer willpower.

“I’ve decided. I will cook it.”

I clenched my right hand and stood up.

“I-I’m telling you I won’t eat it!”

Any further argument is pointless.

Ignoring Sasaki-san, I move to the kitchen.

Perhaps realizing my determination, a scream pierced my back.

“I’m the idol Arisu Yuzuki. I absolutely won’t eat fatty pork belly!”

I can understand her point. However, leaving it in the refrigerator will only waste the food.

If she can neither go forward nor back, then let me be the one to cast aside that hesitation.

Besides——

I don’t want to see anyone collapse again.

☆☆☆