The Saintess Next Door is a Super Popular VTuber Whose Character was Designed by Me
Tonari ni Sunderu Seijo-sama wa Ore ga Chara-Design o Tantoushita Daininki VTuber deshita
Chapter 14 – The Saintess’ Concern
“I’m going to end the stream now for today! Please subscribe to the channel and click the like button. Okay, ready! Otsu-Uka~!”
It was around 7:30 PM.
Asumi’s stream, which had been playing as background music while I worked, was over.
[Good job. Now I’m heading over there.]
Right after the live stream ended, Asumi sent me that message. While replying to her, I finished up my work and headed to the kitchen.
(Now, I think it’s about time the rice is cooked.)
Since I set the rice cooker to finish at the end of the live stream, when I went to the kitchen, the rice cooker had just started blowing steam.
Today’s dinner consists of mixed rice (TL: takikomi gohan), a soup dish, simmered hijiki seaweed, and chilled tofu. I had already prepared them for dinner after coming home, so they were already ready.
The only thing that needed reheating was the miso soup, so I turned on the induction stove.
Just as the steam started rising, I heard the sound of the entrance door opening.
“Good evening. Ah, let me help.”
“Thanks. The plates are in that cupboard over there.”
Asumi entered the room and made her way to the kitchen. She smiled and offered to help naturally, but it made me feel a bit uneasy.
(…She is like a commuting wife.)
She was dressed in navy denim and a rib knit sweater (commonly known as a vertical sweater).
Another eye-catching detail was her clover earrings.
Although she didn’t give off a flashy impression, her skillful use of accessories made her look fashionable, giving the impression that she put a lot of effort into her appearance.
It was natural to pay attention to one’s attire when meeting others, but the fact that she was not dressed as an ordinary person gave her an air of a girlfriend.
Furthermore, although Asumi was initially treated as a customer at Iori’s place, she couldn’t stand just waiting in the dining area. So recently, she had been helping with plating and serving, which had become one of the reasons for that her aura.
Watching Asumi happily plate the dishes right next to him, it seemed like that was all she was meant to do.
“Today’s menu is Japanese cuisine, yes. I can smell the delicious aroma of miso soup.”
Iori, who had a wide repertoire, prepared dishes from different genres every day.
Since he hadn’t made Japanese cuisine in the past few days, Asumi was tickled with excitement at the sight of Japanese food after a long time.
“Well, the ingredients we had on hand leaned that way.”
“By “on hand,” you just mean shopping at the supermarket, right?”
“Ah, Mm. Well…”
“?”
It wasn’t a particularly noteworthy comment, but when Iori spoke in a mysterious manner, she couldn’t grasp the situation and tilted her head.
Although the source of the ingredients wasn’t illegal or anything, there were some special circumstances, so Iori kept it to himself.
“You’ll find out eventually.”
“What is it? Putting it on air.”
“Someday. Someday you will.”
“Well, whatever.”
Asumi pouted her cheeks in response to Iori, who didn’t want to reveal it to her.
Iori found it amusing or rather cute, and smiled wryly.
When they first met, he never imagined that Asumi was a girl he wanted to tease like this.
“Maan~, the saintess is really amazing. She’s great at plating.”
“I’m honored by your praise.”
Asumi’s skill was quite something, and she was even better at plating than Iori, who would be expected to excel in that area.
According to her, she had learned such etiquette until junior high school.
“Well then, shall we eat before it gets cold?”
“Then, Bon appĆ©tit.”
“Bon appĆ©tit.”
“This mixed rice has a really rich flavor.”
“Oh, you’re right! It turned out really well today.”
As Asumi took a bite of the mixed rice, she narrowed her eyes and expressed her impression.
Iori also brightened up with the same expression as he brought the mixed rice to his mouth.
The fluffy rice had absorbed the broth, giving it a rich and deep umami flavor. The pre-cooked ingredients such as carrots, burdock root, and chicken were also well-prepared.
It would be sufficient to simply put the ingredients into the rice cooker, but adding an extra step made a difference in the final result.
Iori, who was taught by his professional grandparents, always put in the effort to cook without cutting corners.
That was the reason why Asumi always highly praised his cooking.
“Well then, I’ll clean these up.”
“It’s just these much, can I do it?”
“No, I’d rather you sit down and relax.”
“Hmm, it’s not good if I just rely on you too much.”
After finishing eating and taking a break, Iori tried to pick up the plates, but Asumi stood up and stopped him.
But since he relied on the dishwasher, he was fine on his own.
So, Iori ask her to sit down, but Asumi made a clearly dissatisfied face.
“By the way, now that the tests are over and things have calmed down, I can help with other things too.”
“Hmm.”
“I’ve been getting more work recently, but it’s not a problem yet.”
When Iori declined, she took a deep breath and said,
“I want to help with anything, even household chores, if it’s for Sensei’s illustrations.”
She started saying that.
Since she specifically called him “Sensei,” it must be a significant expression of her willingness.
“This time I’ll be of help to you, Tokisaka-san. Is it no good?”
Asumi said while looking at him intently.
It must be something significant for Asumi, who usually didn’t get involved with others, to make such an offer.
Before the concern of the pure and innocent saintess, Iori was unable to say no.
“Ugh… I understand, I’m counting on you.”
When Iori gave in, Asumi smiled.
There was no turning back anymore, needless to say.
“So, what can I help?”
“Then, can I ask you to boil a bath for me?
“Leave it to me.”
When he pointed to the bathroom, Asumi rolled up her sleeves with enthusiasm so she entered the washroom.
Watching Asumi like that with a troubled smile, Iori tried to start washing the dishes in the sink, but he quickly noticed something.
“Oh, shoot!”
As soon as he raised his voice, Iori immediately headed for the washroom.
Fortunately, he caught up, but Asumi was already reaching for the washroom door.
Without enough time to call her out, Asumi opened the door, and an incident occurred.
“KYAA!”
Asumi, who opened the washroom door, screamed in surprise. The cause was probably the underwear and clothes that jumped into her field of vision.
And they were not just ordinary clothes, but women’s clothes, including bunny costumes and school swimsuits.
Although Iori had recently bought them as reference materials, from Asumi’s perspective, she would undoubtedly be surprised if there were things that shouldn’t be there.
There was no way not to be shocked by such a shocking sight.
Asumi slipped and almost fell backward, but Iori managed to catch and hold her
Shortly after that, they were enveloped in the sweet scent emanating from Asumi’s hair and clothes.
“Why… why is there such things?”
“Those are material references for works.”
Due to being held, Asumi, who was right in front of Iori’s eyes, blushed and questioned Iori.
“…I-I see. I thought it was your girlfriend’s or something.”
“I’ve told you before that I have none, right? At that confession time.”
“Ah, right. I remember now.”
As Iori explained, her upset, or rather her pursuing question, quietly subsided.
Apparently she was convinced.
“More importantly, why is this happening? We just cleaned up recently, didn’t we?”
“It’s like the saying, ‘When you don’t see someone for three days, you’ll be amazed by their growth.'”
“That’s about personal growth. You haven’t grown at all… sigh. I get it now. I’ll wash the clothes too.”
“Sorry.”
Being busy might be a sin in itself.
Due to the quantity and time constraints, they were left untouched.
Combined with the fact that he tended to accumulate laundry, the clothes were piled up in the basket.
Asumi, unable to bear it, offered to help with a half-hearted sigh of exasperation.
“Ah, and please let me go already. I’m fine now.”
“Sorry!”
Since he was still holding her, they remained in close contact.
While blushing, Asumi pushed Iori’s chest.
Iori also felt that it wouldn’t be good for him as a man to stay in this position, so he quickly let go of Asumi and apologized.
“…But thank you. It’s thanks to you that I didn’t get hurt.”
“No, it’s my fault. I messed up. I’m really sorry for asking you to do the laundry.”
It was not necessary for her to thank him since it was Iori’s fault, but when they separated, Asumi bowed her head.
It was a saint-like behavior.
Then, as if taking care of a small child, Asumi murmured and began to tidy up the costumes.
“Ah, I’ll wash the underwear later.”
“Naturally you’ll have to. But really, where did the versatile Kankitsu-sensei go?”
“It’s not good to show off.”
“Geez.”
He couldn’t let Asumi wash his underwear.
As he collected them, she scolded him along the way.
“Well, thankfully you were still cool that moment when you held me though.”
However, in a voice that no one else could hear, Asumi muttered with a slightly flushed cheek.
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