My Tokyo Celebrity Girlfriend Is Love-Struck, What Should I Do? - Chapter 31

Ugly Meow Maru

In the company of Kimura, it felt like a tall wall stood beside her, blocking out all the chaotic things.

Feeling the warmth in the palm of his hand, it didn’t take long for Asuka to fall into a deep sleep.

Kimura gently tucked Asuka’s hand into the covers and adjusted the blanket.

Under the soft light, Asuka’s fair skin had a rosy tint, her long eyelashes casting a tranquil glow in the beam of light.

Kimura got up and turned off the living room light, leaving only a dim lamp in the kitchen.

He placed the dishes on the table into the microwave, gently reheating the slightly cooled food. Steam rose again, giving warmth to the dishes.

There was rice, grilled fish, miso soup, tempura, and two cold side dishes.

Asuka had really put a lot of effort into preparing dinner for him.

For some reason…

Kimura couldn’t help but recall the scene from the middle of their sophomore year, after confirming their relationship, when Asuka insisted on making a heartfelt bento for him.

The result was a picture of a burnt chicken cutlet and two tough fried eggs.

That time, Asuka’s heart, eager to make a loving bento, must have suffered a considerable blow.

Despite Asuka’s repeated attempts to stop him, Kimura still picked out one of the fried eggs and put it in his lunchbox for lunch.

During work, he proudly showed off his girlfriend’s fried egg to the others around him.

Well, at least…

That meal was thoroughly enjoyable for Kimura, perhaps due to the envious glances of the single colleagues around him?

However, after that time, Asuka never cooked again.

Maybe it was for the sake of her boyfriend’s well-being, or perhaps she realized her cooking was indeed too risky…

It felt like the latter.

Lost in his thoughts, Kimura unknowingly devoured the food on the table.

He tossed the utensils into the sink and rolled up his sleeves to start cleaning.

Originally, he thought he would never get to eat Asuka’s cooking again.

But now, not only did he get to eat it again, but he also experienced the joy of coming home to a warm meal and a lovely girlfriend.

After cleaning the utensils and kitchenware, Kimura heated another pot of hot water.

Then, carrying the kettle, he placed it on the coffee table alongside a cup.

“The sofa is occupied…”

After finishing everything and getting ready to rest, Kimura instinctively headed towards the sofa. 

However, when he saw Asuka wrapped in a blanket, occupying his “bed,” he couldn’t help but pause. 

The nest was taken, nowhere to sleep…

After contemplating for a moment, Kimura spread out the tatami mat in front of the sofa and took out a blanket to cover it. 

He turned off the kitchen light, and the rented room instantly fell into darkness.

Guided by moonlight, Kimura felt his way back to his makeshift bed, turning to look at Asuka peacefully sleeping under the moonlight.

“Oyasumi.” (1)

Slipping into the blanket on the tatami mat, the chilly bedding briefly kept Kimura awake. 

However, shortly after, the fatigue from the busy day rushed to his brain, and his eyelids closed heavily.

……

Thud.

Moonlight illuminated the rented room as a dark figure tumbled from the sofa, clumsily lifting the blanket and sliding into the tatami mat.

“Huh?”

Kimura, still drowsy, opened his eyes, only to find an additional figure in his arms. 

Asuka nestled against Kimura’s chest like a little cat, her cute face buried in his sleep shirt.

A pair of chilly and soft feet rested on his instep.

The fragrance of jasmine lingered around his nose.

Before he could fully comprehend the situation, a soft voice echoed from the blanket.

“Oyasumi, Hayata-chan…”

……

Early in the morning, the sound of clattering dishes woke Asuka. The bright dawn light danced on her face as her drowsy eyes slowly opened.

Supporting herself with her hands, a pair of slender and fair arms rested on the blanket. The pink hot water bag on her stomach had fallen to the side.

Asuka sat blankly for a moment before turning to look behind her.

In the golden-hued rays, Kimura, wearing an apron and rolling up his sleeves, was carrying utensils from the kitchen island to the table.

Hayata-chan woke up earlier than her.

A wave of drowsiness hit, and Asuka, with a rosy pout, yawned. She gently rubbed her eyes.

“Ohayo, Hayata-chan!”

Kimura put down what he was holding and turned to look at Asuka sitting on the tatami mat.

With the blanket partially covering the girl’s body, her delicate little face displayed a misty look just waking up. 

Her black hair flowed down her shoulders, emitting a warm glow in the sunlight.

“Still in pain?” Kimura took off his apron.

“Mm,” Asuka nodded but added, “It’s much better now.”

“I’ve heated water in the kitchen. I’ll change the water in the hot water bag in a moment.”

“Okay…”

Asuka reached for the hot water bag on the floor with a cat pattern, pursing her lips.

Such an ugly cat…

Nevertheless, Asuka happily hugged the hot water bag to her chest.

“Asuka, it’s about time for breakfast.”

“Yes!”

Asuka’s gleaming feet slipped into slippers as she walked to the table, placing the hot water bag on it.

“Hayata-chan, I’ll leave Ugly Meow Maru to you.”

“Ugly Meow Maru?”

Kimura, just emerging from the kitchen, asked in confusion.

Asuka, who had entered the bathroom, peeked out from the door frame, her eyes curved.

“How about that name for the hot water bag?”

“Naming a hot water bag?” Kimura chuckled, picking up the hot water bag from the table.

But when he saw the swollen and comical cat head again…

“Well, indeed… It’s quite fitting…”

“Right, right!”

Without continuing the conversation,Kimura walked towards the kitchen, still holding the hot water bag. 

Regardless, he had picked this hot water bag from many options.

Indeed, he hadn’t expected that the originally cute cat pattern would turn out to be so… cute-ugly after being filled with water!

He headed to the kitchen with the hot water bag.

Seeing that Kimura didn’t continue the conversation, Asuka pouted and went into the bathroom to freshen up.

When Asuka came out again, the hot water bag was already placed on her seat.

“Mmm, feels so comfortable.”

Asuka placed the hot water bottle on her lap, pressing it against her lower abdomen.

“Itadakimasu!” Asuka clasped her hands together in front of her.

On the table was a bowl of steaming rice porridge, a few fried eggs, and a plate of pickled vegetables. 

In front of Asuka, there was also a bowl of peeled yuzu.

Originally intended as an apology for Asuka, the yuzu was left untouched last night. 

Instead, this morning, Kimura peeled the fruit and offered it to Asuka.

Asuka noticed the yuzu on the table, and a gentle smile appeared on her rosy lips, bringing warmth to her cheeks.

“Oh, by the way, Asuka, you don’t have to go for the shoot today,” Kimura spoke up.

“Huh? Why… I won’t affect the filming,” Asuka said.

“It’s not about that.”

Kimura scooped a bowl of porridge and placed it in front of Asuka.

“After finishing the scenes with Wataya Izumi and Kamiya Toru today, Koike-sensei called me to the office. It’s probably about some matters regarding the project, so I decided to push back some shooting plans. It’s a good opportunity for you to rest at home.”

“Really?” Asuka’s eyes shimmered as she looked at him.

“Why would I lie to you, Asuka?” Kimura chuckled.

“Oh~”

“Wait for me to come back.”

“Mm.”

TL Notes:

1. Oyasumi: good night