Chapter 2: Mrs. Watanabe

"Uh... I’m fine..."

The woman’s voice was very gentle, and Kitahara could feel the deep concern in it.

After giving a vague response, Kitahara frantically searched the original owner’s memories for information about this woman. After a moment, he finally found it.

He quickly asked:

"Mrs. Watanabe, what brings you here? ...Is something the matter?"

"Oh, it’s like this. I haven’t seen you come out for two days, and I was worried about your health, so I took the liberty of coming to check. Sorry to disturb you!

Kitahara-kun, you look very haggard. Is it because writing is too tiring? Please take care of your health!"

Even though she was the one showing concern for someone else, the gentle woman still bowed and apologized, mainly because she was afraid of disturbing the writer in front of her.

She was Kitahara Chiki’s neighbor, a widow.

There had been no movement from next door for the past two days, which made her very worried. She was concerned that something might have happened to this outstanding young man.

It was not good to bother others rashly. She had also hesitated for a long time and done a lot of mental preparation before coming over.

Seeing that Kitahara Chiki was fine, just a bit weak, she felt much relieved and was ready to leave.

"Kitahara-kun, don’t always shut yourself in your room. Go out and take walks from time to time. Perhaps that will bring you inspiration. Also, remember to eat on time. Your health is important too! I’ll be going now. Bye-bye."

The woman actually quite liked this young man in front of her. He was educated, usually very modest and polite, and his profession was that of a respected writer.

It was just that he was somewhat solitary in personality, and no one took care of him in daily life.

It made her unconsciously want to show concern for this big boy.

Thinking that she should frequently remind him to take care of his health in the future, she turned to leave, when suddenly she heard a voice behind her.

"Chotto matte, Mrs. Watanabe, could I trouble you with something?"

"Huh? What is it?" The woman stopped and asked, puzzled.

"Could you make me some food? I’m very hungry right now!"

Kitahara made what seemed like a somewhat excessive request.

The reason he used the word "excessive" to describe it was because the original owner and Mrs. Watanabe were not very close—at most nodding acquaintances who greeted each other when they met.

Moreover, people in big cities like Tokyo maintained a strong sense of distance and would not easily trouble others.

Making a request like "make some food" was clearly inappropriate given the current relationship between the two.

But Kitahara did it anyway.

It wasn’t that he absolutely had to have Mrs. Watanabe’s help—his body could still hold on for the time being. The reason he did this was because he wanted to create more interactions with this widow.

Such a well-proportioned, full-figured, gentle and lovely neighbor lady—it was only reasonable to ask her for help more often, right?

"Make some food? Kitahara-kun wants me to cook you a meal? ...I suppose I could, but I’m still at work. I can’t leave the convenience store for too long."

Mrs. Watanabe said with some difficulty.

She did find Kitahara’s request for cooking quite sudden, but she didn’t think too much of it. Perhaps this young man was really hungry.

It was just that she had left her work post to come here and couldn’t stay long. She felt very guilty about this. It was the first time Kitahara-kun had asked her for help, yet she could only refuse.

"Please, madam, I haven’t eaten for two days!" Kitahara pleaded again, extremely weak.

"Nani? Kitahara-kun, you haven’t eaten for two days? That could kill you! There’s no time to cook. I’ll go to the convenience store where I work and get you a bento. It’ll be quick!"

Mrs. Watanabe became instantly anxious upon hearing this, and after speaking, she ran out.

Not long after—just a few minutes—Mrs. Watanabe hurriedly returned, holding a bento box and a bottle of milk.

"Kitahara-kun, you really don’t take care of your body. How could you starve yourself for so long? Come eat quickly. The bento has already been heated."

Mrs. Watanabe helped Kitahara to the dining table, opened the bento box for him, unscrewed the milk bottle cap, and went to the kitchen to get utensils.

"Drink some milk first. Eat slowly. If you eat too fast, your stomach will hurt."

"Yeah, thank you so much, Mrs. Watanabe. If not for you, I might really have starved to death today."

Kitahara said sincerely as he ate.

"You’re welcome. Neighbors should help each other. But Kitahara-kun, you must never do this again. Don’t ruin your health."

Seeing Kitahara eating so heartily, Mrs. Watanabe unconsciously swallowed.

The bento she had bought for Kitahara was a medium-priced teriyaki chicken bento. Compared to the cheaper vegetable bento and pork cutlet bento, this one tasted better and was easier to digest.

Because of this, she had hesitated for a few seconds when choosing.

Because her current life was very tight. The convenience store wages could barely cover the basic expenses for her and her daughter. She hadn’t eaten this kind of chicken cutlet bento in a long time either.

Kitahara was truly hungry and focused on devouring his food. As for the neighbor lady’s concern, he only nodded to show he understood.

Seeing this, Mrs. Watanabe prepared to take her leave:

"Kitahara-kun, take your time eating. I’ll go back to work now."

"Okay, Mrs. Watanabe, take care. Thank you again for today!" Kitahara waved in gratitude.

"Kitahara-kun, could you not call me Mrs. Watanabe from now on? My late husband passed away over a year ago, and that form of address... My name is Hayami Rina."

Mrs. Watanabe had already reached the door when she suddenly stopped and spoke.

Kitahara was stunned for a second: "Then I’ll call you Rina-nee!"

"Isn’t that perhaps a bit too intimate? Hayami-san or Rina-san would both be fine." Hayami Rina felt it was somewhat inappropriate.

"No no no, Rina-nee is just fine. It’s settled then. Take care, Rina-nee."

...

Watching Hayami Rina close the door and leave, a smile appeared on Kitahara’s face.

Pear-shaped... Rina?

He couldn’t wait to summon the system:

"System Bro, add Hayami Rina as my girlfriend!"