Chapter 51 Grilled Meat
Jojoen is the name of a chain yakiniku restaurant, very famous in Tokyo. There are several branches in Shinjuku, where Kaede lives.
As a chain yakiniku restaurant, Jojoen focuses on high-quality environment and ingredients. While not the most high-end, its prices are mid-to-high for a chain restaurant. If you don't order premium ingredients like Wagyu, eating there isn't too expensive, but if you do, the price will skyrocket.
Kaede had been there a few times with his family. The environment was indeed very good, and the food was exquisite, but a large portion of the cost was actually for the ambiance and service.
To draw a comparison, it's a bit like Haidilao in China, but Haidilao is significantly cheaper, even when considering the difference in consumption levels between the two places.
If he were treating someone or just going with Eriri, Kaede wouldn't mind going there. But for a gathering with classmates like today, considering everyone's spending power, a more ordinary but delicious restaurant would suffice.
Unable to go to Jojoen today, Eriri, though not overly disappointed, still whispered, "I was hoping to try my luck. A few times before, when I went to yakiniku with my parents, I met several voice actors eating there, and I even have photos!"
"That lucky? And several times?" Kaede looked at Eriri in surprise.
As a mid-to-high-end chain yakiniku restaurant, many famous people from various circles go there. Many voice actors, who consider yakiniku a staple, might just appear at the table next to you or in the next private room. Besides voice actors, some celebrities and even idol group members also go there for meals.
"I've only met one person once, when Sakurai Takahiro and a few non-voice actor friends went for a meal. I didn't take a photo, but I got an autograph."
As soon as "Koko" was mentioned, the famous scene immediately flashed through Eriri's mind, but she didn't say it out loud due to the presence of others.
Covering her mouth with a smile, she said, "I've met Ogura Yui, Hayami Saori, and Tomatsu Haruka."
It must be said that Eriri's luck was indeed good, but looking at her, she must have gone many times to encounter them.
The yakiniku restaurant wasn't very far; it took about ten minutes of walking to get there.
Kaede had been there before and had the restaurant's reservation number, so he had booked a table in advance, eliminating the need to worry about queuing.
Upon entering, the seating arrangement was similar to their study session. After they sat down, the owner handed them two menus.
This yakiniku restaurant was quite affordable, with nothing ridiculously expensive, so ordering didn't come with any psychological burden. After everyone ordered a few items, they also asked for some cola and juice, then began to wait.
Stretching, Kitamura Yusaku said with a smile, "This is my first time participating in a study session like this, and it feels great. The efficiency is also good. Should we continue to hold them during the next few days of vacation?"
Takasu Ryuji was the first to agree: "I was planning to review thoroughly during my free time these next few days. I don't intend to fail my first exam after entering high school."
Uchimaki Subaru thought for a moment and then said, "Hmm... it's quite boring at home, so studying together isn't bad."
Then, the three of them looked at the one boy and two girls opposite them.
Kaede also agreed, saying, "I have no objections, but as long as it's not consecutive. Every other day would be good. It's a rare holiday, so it's not good to be cooped up studying all the time. Proper relaxation is necessary."
When Kaede said that, Eriri also breathed a sigh of relief. If all six remaining days were spent studying, Eriri would truly have no time to play games, which would undoubtedly be a disaster for her.
"That's right, every other day."
Hearing Eriri say the same, Usami Mizuki also nodded: "Tomorrow I might have to go out with my mom, so we'll decide on the specific time for the day after tomorrow."
After settling the vacation plans for the next few days, various ingredients were brought out plate by plate, and the grill gradually heated up, ready for today's yakiniku feast.
Beef tongue, marinated beef slices, pork belly, pork loin—the aroma that filled the grill made Eriri, who had still been thinking about Jojoen, start to drool.
When multiple people eat yakiniku together, there are usually one or two main grillers. This time was no exception; the grilling responsibility mainly fell to Kaede and Takasu Ryuji.
Kaede was skilled from practice, while Takasu Ryuji had perfected his homemaking skills, and cooking was no exception; grilling was easy for him.
The two held tongs, and after distributing the first grilled beef tongue, they began to flip the other meats.
Kaede picked up a large piece of pork belly, cut it into strips with grilling scissors, and then distributed the meat to Eriri and Usami Mizuki.
The two girls thanked him, then quickly grabbed some lettuce, wrapped the meat, and happily ate it.
After Eriri finished what was in her hands, she looked at Kaede and asked, "Let me help you grill for a bit, or else the meat in your bowl will get cold."
"Can you do it?"
"Of course! It's not like I've never had yakiniku!" Eriri confidently took the tools from Kaede's hand, carefully picked up a few slices of beef, and placed them on the grill.
Seeing Eriri's practiced movements, he felt much more at ease and began to eat the grilled meat in his own bowl.
The two then took turns grilling, ensuring both of them could eat their fill, and Eriri also got to satisfy her craving for grilling.
Watching Kaede eat the food she personally grilled, Eriri felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction, and her cheeks flushed unconsciously. Fortunately, due to the heat from the grill, everyone was eating with flushed faces, so it wouldn't be noticed.
Although it wasn't a high-end yakiniku restaurant, a large part of eating yakiniku is about the atmosphere. Today's yakiniku meal could be said to have left everyone thoroughly satisfied.
Eating and chatting, sharing interesting things from their respective classes, two hours passed quickly.
After paying their separate bills, today's activities came to an end.
Takasu Ryuji and Kitamura Yusaku were going the same way, so they walked together. Usami Mizuki and Uchimaki Subaru both needed to take the train, so they also left together, leaving only Kaede and Eriri.
Looking at Eriri beside him, Kaede asked, "I need to get my bicycle. What about you? Are you calling your family to pick you up?"
Eriri shook her head and said, "No need, I can just take the bus home. It's only a few stops."
Kaede thought for a moment, checked the time, and with a rare, slightly nervous look, said to Eriri, "How about I give you a ride home on my bike?"
"...Eh?"
Eriri was startled for a moment, and her heart inexplicably began to race.