Chapter 5 – Nakamura Wataru: The Ambiguity of Being a Teacher of Idol Voice Actress (1)
As usual, I was doing the dishes after dinner alongside Haruka.
While watching Aoi's video, Haruka's expression seemed somewhat dark, but now she was humming a tune while wiping the plate I handed her.
"Ugh, it's out of reach. Can you put this away?"
Haruka reached for the upper shelf, and her ample chest asserted itself from beneath her apron.
"Your hands are wet; leave that alone,"
The sight of Haruka in her school uniform apron, our shoulders brushing in the not-so-small kitchen, had become an everyday scene.
But when did Haruka and Aoi start acting distant?
It wasn't just six months ago when Aoi debuted and stopped coming for dinner. It felt longer than that.
Afterward, the two of them hardly spoke.
Even our three-person chat group, which used to buzz with trivial conversations, had its last message posted three months ago.
I glanced at Haruka's face, standing right next to me.
"What's wrong?"
She tilted her head cutely, her ponytail swaying before she stepped into the kitchen.
I had asked about Aoi before, but she always evaded the question.
The same happened when I asked Aoi directly.
Asking again probably wouldn't change anything.
"Could it be that you've noticed my cuteness?"
"No way. Saying you're not cute would be a stretch. Only a few netizens claim that,"
"You sometimes say embarrassing things, Wataru."
"It's not just me; everyone says that. It's not my personal opinion,"
"Oh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"What's with you?"
"No big deal, right?"
Don't smirk like that; it's embarrassing.
"We're going to study together, right?"
"Huh? You're avoiding the question?"
"I won't tell you."
"Sorry, sorry. Nice to meet you, Sensei."
Haruka removed her apron and untied her ponytail, returning to the dining table.
I prepared hot milk for both of us and sat next to her.
"Can't we take a break from studying today? You must be tired."
"No way. I never know when work might come up, so I have to study whenever I can."
"You're really dedicated."
"Hehe, I want to get into the advanced class. Oh..."
Haruka covered her mouth as if she'd said too much.
"Is that so? It's the first time I've heard that."
"Well, you know. We don't know how long I can continue voice acting. So, I have to study hard. Besides, my parents allowed me to pursue voice acting as long as I maintain good grades."
"If that's the case, count me in."
My childhood friend was truly remarkable.
While I struggled with studies alone, Haruka balanced work and education.
As for Aoi, she earned more than most salarymen.
To stand alongside them, I needed to work harder.
I hoped our relationship could return to how it used to be.
If there's something I can do for them, I will do it.
It's definitely me.
Yes, I want to be that person.
+×+×+
On weekends, Haruka comes over to study.
Her Saturdays usually consist of dance and singing lessons at the agency in the morning, followed by studying if she doesn’t have work in the afternoon.
The scent of soap lingers around her as she wears casual room attire, her thighs exposed.
“Good job. You’ve improved on the problem you couldn’t solve last week,”
“Hehe, it’s because I have a great teacher. Here, your reward.”
Haruka handed me a Pocky stick.
“Shouldn’t you be the one receiving the reward?”
“Think so? Well then, here.”
Haruka looked into my eyes as she opened her mouth.
I reluctantly offered her the Pocky stick.
Her cute nibbling, like a small animal, would surely make fans swoon.
“Will you eat mine too?”
Unable to resist Haruka’s puffed-up cheeks, I also took a bite of the Pocky.
“Hmm? You’re blushing. There, I win!”
“Since when did this become a competition?”
Even though we’ve been together since childhood, I’m still a teenage boy.
Of course, I get embarrassed. Cut me some slack.
“By the way, someone’s moving into the neighboring apartment. The moving company was bustling,”
Haruka said, pointing with her pen.
“Is that the direction of Haruka’s place?”
“Oh, no, it’s this way.”
She corrected herself, pointing to the opposite side.
“Heh, got it. It’s been vacant since last month.”
This clean apartment, conveniently close to the station, seems popular even among ordinary people due to its affordable price.
It wouldn’t be surprising if they found a tenant quickly.
“Hopefully, the new neighbor won’t cause any trouble.”
“Don’t say scary things.”
At times like this, living alone feels a bit lonely.
As we playfully studied, dinner time crept up on us.
“I’ll start preparing dinner.”
“I’ll help.”
I stopped Haruka from getting up.
“Please review today’s lesson. Haruka, juggling work and studying already leaves you with less time than others.”
“Sorry, I always inconvenience you.”
“Instead of ‘sorry,’ how about saying ‘thank you’? After all, I’m number one fan of Hyuuga Haruka as voice actress. Let me handle this.”
“Are you showing off your seniority?”
“Fine, got it. We’ll go over problems while eating. Make sure to review properly.”
“Ah, sorry. I might not be able to taste the food properly.”
Today’s menu is teriyaki chicken breast.
Considering her diet concerns, I opted for a high-protein, low-fat dish.
I marinated it earlier in the morning, so now it’s just a simple cooking process—perfect to avoid keeping Haruka waiting.
“It looks delicious!”
Haruka, done with her study materials, carried the plate of food.
Just then, the intercom buzzed.
On the monitor was... Aoi?