Chapter 366: Something is Wrong
After checking out and carrying two bags out of the supermarket, Kaede thought for a moment and decided to take the train back instead of the bus he took on the way there.
On the weekend streets, since it was already May, the weather was warm, and if there were cherry blossom trees along the road, one could still see blooming cherry blossoms.
Strolling leisurely, just as he was about to reach the entrance of the train station, Kaede saw a familiar figure in the distance.
He immediately hid behind a roadside vending machine and began to observe in secret.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's indeed Uchimaki."
In his line of sight, Uchimaki Subaru was looking at his watch, seemingly waiting for something.
His attire didn't look like something he just threw on; it seemed carefully chosen.
He hadn't dressed so seriously in the previous times they went out, including the gathering at his house yesterday.
"Hmm... something's up."
He checked the time; there was no rush, so Kaede simply stayed there and observed.
Although he would be seen as a strange person by many passersby, Kaede's curiosity had been piqued, and he couldn't care less about that now.
And after waiting for about six or seven minutes, Kaede finally got his answer.
"It's Usami after all!"
The person Uchimaki Subaru was waiting for was, as Kaede had initially guessed, Usami Mizuki.
Usami Mizuki, dressed in a girlish sundress, ran up to Uchimaki Subaru with a beaming smile and greeted him.
Uchimaki Subaru also smiled and said something to her, and then the two walked into the station to take the train.
"Hiss!!!"
Kaede gasped, immediately emerged from behind the vending machine, and quickly followed them.
After entering the station, Kaede saw the two talking as they went through the ticket gate into a different passage than his, and he didn't know where they were going on the other train.
"But one thing is certain: these two are up to something, absolutely something.
With their outfits and the atmosphere today, they must be on a date, right? They absolutely must be!"
Pulling out his phone, Kaede quickly snapped a photo of their backs, then he also went through the ticket gate and hurried home.
He took the train all the way back, returned to the apartment, opened the door, and entered.
Just as he put his things down, Kaede heard the bedroom door open; Eriri was awake.
Then, Eriri's voice came through.
"Kaede-kun... where are you?"
"In the kitchen!"
Hearing Kaede's reply, Eriri didn't pay attention to the living room.
As soon as she came out, she turned and came to the kitchen, seeing Kaede putting things away.
With half-closed eyes, she walked over and hugged Kaede from behind.
"Ugh... Did you go out to buy things...?"
"Yes, I went to the supermarket, otherwise we wouldn't have any vegetables or seasonings today."
"Hehe, I can just eat meat."
"That's a nice thought."
After putting away the meat and closing the refrigerator door, Kaede turned around, picked up Eriri, who was still in her pajamas, and sat down on the living room sofa.
"Still not fully awake?"
With her head resting on Kaede's shoulder, Eriri mumbled with her eyes closed, "Mmm... so sleepy... but I'm hungry, so I finally got up.
Did you kiss me when you got up, Kaede-kun? I felt it."
"Oh, right, so you knew."
"Hehe, I felt it vaguely in my sleep, but I quickly fell back asleep."
Hugging Kaede, Eriri shifted her body to get more comfortable and continued, "But sleeping alone wrapped in a blanket doesn't feel good.
This is much more comfortable.
It's all your fault, Kaede-kun."
"Alright, alright, it's my fault."
Kaede smiled and kissed Eriri's forehead, then asked, "Why are you so clingy right now?
If you're still sleepy, shall I join you in bed for a bit longer?
Today is the weekend, so it's okay if you want to be a bit more spoiled."
"Hehe, no need, this is fine."
Rubbing her face against Kaede's chin, Eriri returned the gesture by kissing Kaede on the lips: "Energy replenished, I'm awake! Kaede-kun, let me down first.
I need to wash up; my hair is still a mess."
"No rush, let me tell you something."
Holding Eriri, who wanted to get down, Kaede said, "After I finished shopping and came out of the supermarket, I saw someone.
Guess who it was?"
"Huh?"
Eriri tilted her head in confusion: "How am I supposed to guess? There are so many people we know.
Just tell me, just tell me!"
"It was Uchimaki; I saw him."
"Oh, it's just seeing Uchimaki? It's pretty normal for him to be out too, right?"
"Not just that, he was waiting for someone at the station."
"Huh?" Eriri froze for a moment.
Her now-awake little brain started working, and combined with Kaede's personality of not speaking idly, she immediately pinpointed the problem.
"He wasn't waiting for Mizuki, was he?"
"Exactly, he was waiting for Usami."
Kaede nodded affirmingly, "I waited for a few minutes nearby, and then Usami, dressed beautifully, came out.
Then the two went to take the train.
It wasn't on the same line as mine, so I don't know where they were going.
But I reckon these two are definitely on a date."
"Mhm, mhm, it must be!"
Eriri also nodded repeatedly, saying seriously, "Oh, you Mizuki! I gave you all sorts of advice before, and now, without a word, you've secretly started going out with Uchimaki everywhere.
Kaede-kun, how far do you think these two have progressed?"
"I really don't know.
Anyway, when I saw them and followed them to the station entrance, they weren't holding hands, but the atmosphere of their conversation was very good."
Saying this, Kaede even showed Eriri the photo he took.
Tapping her chin with her finger, Eriri said thoughtfully, "I wonder if they're at the stage where it's just a matter of breaking the ice.
But never mind that, I'll let Mizuki off the hook today; I won't call and bother her while she's on a date.
But tomorrow at school, I absolutely have to interrogate her properly! Kaede-kun, I'm going to wash up, and also, I'm hungry! What are we having for lunch?"
"I'm making pizza, do you want some?"
"Yes! Lots of meat!"
"Chicken and shrimp pizza, but I'll put green peppers in it!"
"Ugh... can you not put them in?"
"If I don't put them in, then stir-fried green peppers tonight.
Choose one?"
Upon hearing this, Eriri puffed out her cheeks, continuously rubbing Kaede's cheeks, and said indignantly, "Hmph, and here I came to find you as soon as I woke up.
Kaede-kun isn't cute at all!"
"Oh? Is that so? Not cute?" Kaede also placed his hands on Eriri's cheeks, gently rubbing them, and said, "Then does Eriri like it?"
With her cheeks puffed out, Eriri smiled and said, "Hehe, I like it."