ODL – Chapter 7 – Home Appliances Are Amazing These Days [Shizuka PoV]

[Shizuka’s PoV]

“……Why am I like this, mouuu.” (Shizuka)

My heart feels flustered and restless.

Currently, my world is separated by a single wall. Leaning against the entrance of the door, I unintentionally let out a sweet voice.

I know the reason why my heart feels so flustered.

Well, it’s not like I have completely confirmed it yet… but it seems like I have already reached the point of deciding whether to acknowledge it or not.

“I’ve become all deredere¹…” (Shizuka)

The one thing firmly burned into my mind is… Souma-kun’s relaxed expression.

I don’t know about his Oshi voice actor or whatever, but what about me? Our conversation got cut short earlier, but now I feel like an idiot for being the only one hung up about it.

…I was happy when he told me I was his “Oshi”.

“………Ah.” (Shizuka)

Though I told myself I would put this thought on hold, it seems like my heart already understood my feelings.

“Hahhh~ I’m really easy, aren’t I?” (Shizuka)

After all, all he did was just help me with the unpacking.

Even middle schoolers would be amazed at how easy I am. Am I like the heroine of a romantic comedy who falls in love just because someone picked up an eraser or something?

“………” (Shizuka)

It’s only been two days since we met, so would it be too weird to say I like him?

Am I rushing things?

However, with the appearance of a formidable rival, my maiden alarm is flashing bright red. If I space out, Souma-kun might stop looking towards me. I don’t want that.

“……Fuuu” (Shizuka)

No wait, calm down, me.

I still haven’t confirmed if I like him yet.

Or have I?

Just thinking about Souma-kun makes my heart race.

And every time I receive his reply from Rime, I feel like cheeks loosened up.

Ahh, just knowing that Souma-kun lives next door makes me want to jump with excitement!

But I still haven’t confirmed that I like him.

That’s right. Yep, that’s how it is.

It’s not like I have been told that people in the city are cold but unexpectedly, I was treated kindly, and it tickled my maiden heart.²

……*yoshi, yoshi*³ Calm down, it’s okay. The fluttering in my chest is starting to settle down. My face is still warm, but the pleasant haze that was clouding my mind seems to be clearing. What happened to me? I was acting a bit strange, huh?

“………?” (Shizuka)

*Ponnn*

I received a notification on Rime.

As a VTuber, I have many acquaintances who are more than friends but less than close friends, so my phone is quite noisy. But, for the past two days, I have been messaging Souma-kun so much that I thought Rime = Souma-kun.

For some reason, I suppressed my jumping heart and looked at the message.

“(I’m sorry about earlier! I got a bit too excited, but I want you to know that Ette-sama is also my Oshi!)” (Souma)

“……Hau” (Shizuka)

AHHHHHHH———Mouu!

I am not happy about receiving this message!

My heart is not fluttering at this!

I haven’t forgotten how you pushed me aside earlier. Don’t think that just because you send me a Rime message that it will fix my mood. There needs to be a punishment, yep. I was planning to buy some household appliances anyway. We can legally go out together. It’s a punishment. It’s not like I want to do this.

“(I was really hurt. As punishment, you must accompany me for shopping)” (Shizuka)

After pressing the send button, I impatiently waited for the reply.

Soon enough, a reply arrives.

“………Ehe” (Shizuka)

…What should I do? Just hearing the sound of the Rime message makes me happy.

You better take responsibility for this, seriously.

◆

[Souma PoV]
[1 week after they met; on the shopping day]

“So, what are we going to buy?” (Souma)

“Hmm, I think a must-have item is a microwave. I didn’t realize it when I was at my parents’ house, but it’s essential, isn’t it?” (Shizuka)

“Well, yeah. I’m actually surprised you managed to live without a microwave for a whole week.” (Souma)

As I opened the door, I was greeted with a Shizuka in a healthy outfit of a shoulder-revealing, see-through summer knit top paired with jeans. Her not-so-large chest was emphasized by the slightly tight-fitting knit, which made me feel like it was an unhealthy situation I couldn’t ignore. It would be too much of a struggle for daily life if I started lusting after my neighbor.

For male college students, meeting up with a girl on a holiday would be a situation to drool over, but for us, there was no special feeling about it. That’s because the place we opened the door to was our designated meeting spot. Whether it’s fortunate or unfortunate to have a beautiful girl living next door, it’s undoubtedly fortunate. There’s no need to think twice about it.

Even so, when you casually invited me, I thought we were just going to buy some small items. I never expected it to be home appliances. I was willing to help carry the stuff, but I think a microwave might require delivery, so I might be excused from that duty.

“Hey.” (Souma)

“Hmm?” (Shizuka)

“I’m not really knowledgeable about home appliances and stuff. I don’t think I’ll be of much help even if I go with you.” (Souma)

Although, I am looking forward to going out with Shizuka.

That being said, just tagging along without any specific role assigned makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Being a bag carrier or having a designated task makes me feel more at ease. Without that, this feels like a date or something. I will try my best not to be conscious of that kind of thing.

“……Mou~” (Shizuka)

Upon hearing my words, Shizuka puffs up her cheeks and glares at me with squinted eyes.

“What’s the matter? Do you dislike going out with me, Souma-kun?” (Shizuka)

“Well, no… it’s not like that…” (Souma)

It really isn’t like that. The evidence is that I put on some hair wax which I don’t normally use when i go university. If I were to go all excited like, “Yay, I’m looking forward to it!”, it feels like a virgin response. Well, I am a virgin, but still…

“By the way, this is a punishment, okay? Souma-kun, just follow me silently. Got it?” (Shizuka)

“Got it. Understood.” (Souma)

“Alright, then let’s go!” (Shizuka)

With Shizuka energetically leading the way, I followed her, occasionally pressing my tongue against the back of my cheek.

◆

“I don’t know which one to buy! There are so many options!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka is holding her head in both hands while at the microwave corner of the electronics store.

I have heard of the expression “holding one’s head,” but this might be the first time I have actually witnessed it in real life. In the one week that I have known Shizuka, I found out that her straightforward body language is one of her distinctive traits. It’s quite different from the elegant impression she gives as Ette-sama.

“Well, Shizuka, what kind of features do you want in your microwave?” (Souma)

Nowadays, home appliances have evolved so much that microwaves do more than just heating things up.

They can bake bread, steam fish, warm up food evenly using sensors, suggest recipes with artificial intelligence, and other functions. The high-end ones can apparently cook meat using just steam. It’s quite impressive how far they’ve come.

When I was living alone, which was about two years ago, microwaves were already like that. So, they might have evolved even more. In any case, you should carefully consider and choose your home appliances. Never decide based on looks alone. This onii-san⁴ can guarantee that.

“Features? Isn’t a microwave just for heating up food?” (Shizuka)

Shizuka turned her face towards me, looking surprised.

“No, it’s not just that. To be honest, we can even say that the times have come where you can cook everything with just a microwave.” (Souma)

“I see. Well, for me, as long as it can heat up food, it’s fine.” (Shizuka)

With that, Shizuka turned back to the microwaves.

It was evident that Shizuka didn’t pay much attention to home appliances. As she slowly walked past various microwaves, her gaze wandered around constantly, showing that she wasn’t thoroughly checking their performance.

“Hmm, I guess this one will do.” (Shizuka)

“Which one?” (Souma)

“This one. This tiny one.” (Shizuka)

When I caught up with Shizuka, who had somehow made her way to the corner of the microwave section, she was pointing at a small, single-function microwave that looked like something a disinterested college freshman would buy. It was priced at only 6,000 yen. It was June, so it was probably leftover stock from some kind of new student support set or something.

“Shizuka, this one can only heat up food. There’s no wattage adjustment either.” (Souma)

“It’s okay. I don’t need more functions. I might just end up not using them and waste them since I have no intention of cooking.” (Shizuka)

“Huh? You don’t cook?” (Souma)

Saying this might be a stereotype, but I had thought that Shizuka was good at cooking. She gives off a modern and stylish vibe, and I had an impression that she might create visually appealing dishes and post them on social media.

“Well, not that I don’t want to… but I can’t cook. You know, I lived with my family until now.” (Shizuka)

“Even if you lived with your family, many people can still cook. I cooked even when I was living with my family.” (Souma)

“Really?! Wait… Souma-kun, can you cook?” (Shizuka)

“Well, I can manage just like an average person. I cook for myself every day..” (Souma)

“………” (Shizuka)

The conversation abruptly fell into an awkward silence, and as I looked at Shizuka with suspicion, she was staring at me with slightly flushed eyes.

“…What’s wrong?” (Souma)

“Uh?! Sorry, it’s nothing, it’s nothing!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka turned her face back to the microwaves, her cheeks reddened.

“Anyway, I’m going with this microwave. Wait here for a moment, I’ll buy it.”

Saying that, Shizuka went off to look for a store clerk.

What was that?

◆

“…So, you know, my mom keeps nagging me. She says if I’m living alone, I should learn all the household chores.” (Shizuka)

“That’s a pretty normal opinion.” (Souma)

“But you see, in Tokyo, there’s Uber Eats, and even before that, there are convenience stores and supermarkets with prepared foods, right? I don’t think it’s necessary to be able to cook.” (Shizuka)

“Household chores aren’t just about cooking, you know.” (Souma)

The evening sky began to tint with red.

Both of us were on our way back, each carrying shopping bags in our hands.

…In the end, we hopped from one miscellaneous goods store to another, and Shizuka bought a plethora of items. I can understand that feeling of getting too excited and buying too much for your first solo living experience. But I also know that most of those things would probably be covered in dust within three days.

“Shizuka, are you doing your laundry properly? It’s dangerous to let it pile up during this time of year.” (Souma)

“Ugh…” (Shizuka)

In response to my casual question, Shizuka makes a groaning gesture while holding her chest.

Wait… Does that mean she hasn’t been doing it?

“You’re not telling me you haven’t done it a single time since moving in, right?” (Souma)

“Ahaha, ahahahaha…” (Shizuka)

Shizuka looked up at the sky, distracting her from reality. The sky had turned a beautiful crimson color. It’s an unusual but pleasant sky during the rainy season.

“Shizuka, this isn’t a laughing matter. Can you imagine how much bacteria would be breeding in your underwear from a week ago? Just thinking about it… Urgh.” (Souma)

I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of countless bacteria multiplying and covering the clothes.

“Hey! Don’t imagine a maiden’s underwear! You pervert (Ecchi, Hentai)!” (Shizuka)

“Maiden’s underwear won’t be covered in bacteria. But seriously, I might actually come over to your place today.” (Souma)

“What?! Why!?” (Shizuka)

Shizuka clearly showed her rejection to my suggestion. Her straightforward emotional expression was one of Shizuka’s characteristics.

“Either way, you can’t set up the microwave by yourself, right? They said it will be delivered in the evening. I will go check if there’s anything else problematic while I’m there.” (Souma)

“Nononono, why do I have to have you check my place, Souma-kun?” (Shizuka)

“I don’t want a biohazard outbreak coming from next door. I mean, imagine if there’s a foul smell.” (Souma)

“That’s harsh?! It’s not that bad!” (Shizuka)

“The bacteria are going rogue in your laundry basket, you know.” (Souma)

While we were having this conversation, we arrived at our apartment complex—a quite luxurious one, to be precise.

Ignoring Shizuka’s attempts to prevent me from entering, I elegantly stepped into the elevator, and eventually, she reluctantly followed suit. We arrived at Shizuka’s apartment door, and as I stared at her, she nervously told me not to be shocked and slowly opened the door.

…… “Don’t be shocked”? What on earth is going on?