Chapter 14: Like a Newlywed Couple
We left the house at 10 am and proceeded towards Kappabashi (Footnote: A district in Tokyo for products for the kitchen such as kitchen utensils.) as planned, shopping for various tableware. There were different varieties of stylish tableware to choose from, making it hard for us to select one. Not only that, but there were also a variety of equipment used in festivals, food sample stores and more. Overall, it was a really fun town just to explore. Also, what was extremely cute to observe were Hitotsuba-san’s eyes, sparkling and displaying her innocent charm filled with excitement.
After lunch, we entered an electronics store in Ikebukuro (Footnote: A commercial and entertainment district in Japan.) and bought a set of home appliances, including a refrigerator, which was surprisingly a difficult decision.
Recalling a TV program about how the shopkeepers donning glasses and with thin wrinkles seemed to be the most knowledgeable in their field, Hitotsuba-san approached a shopkeeper who fit the description and enquired him about this and that.
The clerk wasn’t bothered about us being high school students and he patiently listened to our requirements with regards to our necessity and performance. He then suggested products one by one that would suit our needs. The conversation was remarkably fascinating, and he even offered us a discount. What seemed more interesting was that the more I listened to him, the more I was convinced of buying home appliances from Hitotsuba Electronics. That’s the Hitotsuba Group for you.
Still, the conversation lasted exceedingly long, and it was past 7 pm when we were finished with the procedures and paid the bill.
Today’s shopping was mainly done by Hitotsuba-san, and I was kind of accompanying her, but of course I gave my opinion wherever necessary. While it was easy to be a simple yes-man (Footnote: Somebody who says yes to everything.), Hitotsuba-san and I were living together. It would be wrong to just leave it to her.
What should also be mentioned was that the payment was made entirely in cash in one single, huge lump. When she pulled out a bundle of cash from a thick, sealed envelope, even the enthusiastic sales clerk at the electronics store froze up. I couldn’t keep my mouth closed either.
“My father entrusted me with some of his personal funds. In return, I have to report what appliances I bought. So, can you give me your card so I can mention him your name?”
“… Yes, yes!”
The clerk handed the business card to Hitotsuba-san with his hands trembling a bit. Hitotsuba-san smiled like a goddess as she accepted it.
“Thank you very much. Thanks to you, I had a very pleasant shopping experience today. I’ll be sure to inform my father about you.”
After that, the clerk probably went on a career path that eventually could lead him to the executive level, but that’s another story.
“What do you want to do, Yuya-kun? Do you wish to have dinner at home?”
“No, I’m indeed tired today. If we were to start cooking something fancy when we arrive home, it would be too late, so why don’t we grab a bite to eat and then head home? Or if you want to eat a simple pasta or something, I can make it for you…”
To begin with, there was no food back home. Fortunately, the refrigerator would be delivered first thing tomorrow morning, so we should be able to make it at least one night this time of winter. The supermarkets would still be open, and it wouldn’t consume much time to make pasta even if we bought it at random.
“Yuya-kun, you want to make it for me? You’re tired, but you… still want to do that?”
“Of course, I would love to eat Hitotsuba-san’s homemade food, but it doesn’t have to be today. Besides, we would have plenty of opportunities to do so… in the future, wouldn’t we?”
“Yes, yes, of course! Then tomorrow I will be showing off my skills to you, Yuya-kun, so please be prepared! Now that’s decided, let’s hurry up and meet up with Miyamoto-san and head to the supermarket! I’m really looking forward to Yuya-kun’s home cooking!”
She pulled me by the hand with the biggest smile of the day, and we left the store.
I said I’d make pasta, but what exactly should I make? I wondered if Hitotsuba-san would like it. I was both excited and anxious to see what kind of look she would give me while eating my dish, but the thought that this kind of day would become a part of my daily life was enough to warm my heart.
Chapter 14: Like a Newlywed Couple
We left the house at 10 am and proceeded towards Kappabashi (Footnote: A district in Tokyo for products for the kitchen such as kitchen utensils.) as planned, shopping for various tableware. There were different varieties of stylish tableware to choose from, making it hard for us to select one. Not only that, but there were also a variety of equipment used in festivals, food sample stores and more. Overall, it was a really fun town just to explore. Also, what was extremely cute to observe were Hitotsuba-san’s eyes, sparkling and displaying her innocent charm filled with excitement.
After lunch, we entered an electronics store in Ikebukuro (Footnote: A commercial and entertainment district in Japan.) and bought a set of home appliances, including a refrigerator, which was surprisingly a difficult decision.
Recalling a TV program about how the shopkeepers donning glasses and with thin wrinkles seemed to be the most knowledgeable in their field, Hitotsuba-san approached a shopkeeper who fit the description and enquired him about this and that.
The clerk wasn’t bothered about us being high school students and he patiently listened to our requirements with regards to our necessity and performance. He then suggested products one by one that would suit our needs. The conversation was remarkably fascinating, and he even offered us a discount. What seemed more interesting was that the more I listened to him, the more I was convinced of buying home appliances from Hitotsuba Electronics. That’s the Hitotsuba Group for you.
Still, the conversation lasted exceedingly long, and it was past 7 pm when we were finished with the procedures and paid the bill.
Today’s shopping was mainly done by Hitotsuba-san, and I was kind of accompanying her, but of course I gave my opinion wherever necessary. While it was easy to be a simple yes-man (Footnote: Somebody who says yes to everything.), Hitotsuba-san and I were living together. It would be wrong to just leave it to her.
What should also be mentioned was that the payment was made entirely in cash in one single, huge lump. When she pulled out a bundle of cash from a thick, sealed envelope, even the enthusiastic sales clerk at the electronics store froze up. I couldn’t keep my mouth closed either.
“My father entrusted me with some of his personal funds. In return, I have to report what appliances I bought. So, can you give me your card so I can mention him your name?”
“… Yes, yes!”
The clerk handed the business card to Hitotsuba-san with his hands trembling a bit. Hitotsuba-san smiled like a goddess as she accepted it.
“Thank you very much. Thanks to you, I had a very pleasant shopping experience today. I’ll be sure to inform my father about you.”
After that, the clerk probably went on a career path that eventually could lead him to the executive level, but that’s another story.
“What do you want to do, Yuya-kun? Do you wish to have dinner at home?”
“No, I’m indeed tired today. If we were to start cooking something fancy when we arrive home, it would be too late, so why don’t we grab a bite to eat and then head home? Or if you want to eat a simple pasta or something, I can make it for you…”
To begin with, there was no food back home. Fortunately, the refrigerator would be delivered first thing tomorrow morning, so we should be able to make it at least one night this time of winter. The supermarkets would still be open, and it wouldn’t consume much time to make pasta even if we bought it at random.
“Yuya-kun, you want to make it for me? You’re tired, but you… still want to do that?”
“Of course, I would love to eat Hitotsuba-san’s homemade food, but it doesn’t have to be today. Besides, we would have plenty of opportunities to do so… in the future, wouldn’t we?”
“Yes, yes, of course! Then tomorrow I will be showing off my skills to you, Yuya-kun, so please be prepared! Now that’s decided, let’s hurry up and meet up with Miyamoto-san and head to the supermarket! I’m really looking forward to Yuya-kun’s home cooking!”
She pulled me by the hand with the biggest smile of the day, and we left the store.
I said I’d make pasta, but what exactly should I make? I wondered if Hitotsuba-san would like it. I was both excited and anxious to see what kind of look she would give me while eating my dish, but the thought that this kind of day would become a part of my daily life was enough to warm my heart.
