Extra's Descent

87  A Week Off [1]

Yet again, Brandon was never picky about his food.

The only time he would inwardly complain would be when it was Belle's cooking.

But recently, Belle improved. Which is why Brandon could now indulge in her food everyday.

But today… Belle wasn't here.

Surprisingly, Rachel was.

And her food?

"..."

"Eat up."

A smile was plastered on Rachel's face, as if she didn't think there was anything wrong with her cooking.

"The egg will go cold."

"This is…"

Brandon poked the 'egg' with his fork. As soon as it did, a strange crunch sound rang in the air and the food started crumbling.

"...An egg?"

"Yup, it's called charcoal egg."

Smiling, Rachel poked the egg with a fork. Extending her hand, she motioned to feed Brandon.

"Now open up."

"..."

"Hm?"

She cocked her head.

"What's wrong?"

"...I'll feed mys—Ungk!"

Before Brandon could finish his words, Rachel shoved the food in his mouth.

Munch. Munch~

It was at that moment that it became apparent to Brandon that Rachel knew nothing about cooking.

'Charcoal egg my ass.'

It was just a burnt egg.

Swallowing, Brandon turned to look at Rachel. Frowning, he pursed his lips.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

"Huh?"

Brandon stood up as Rachel decided to play dumb.

"H-haa, set aside, I'll handle breakfast—Uh?"

Before he could leave, he felt a small tug behind his shirt.

Looking back, Rachel looked at him with a warm smile.

"You're looking a lot better today..."

She looked away and silently muttered, but it was to no avail as Brandon was able to hear it.

"...I'm glad."

At her words, Brandon was taken aback.

'I see…'

Noticing a small hair strand covering Rachel's face, Brandon brushed it behind her ear.

"....!"

Rachel blinked her eyes repeatedly and looked away.

"Ukeh!"

She let out a strange sound as Brandon's fist softly smacked her head.

Holding onto the top of her head, Rachel slowly looked at Brandon with a pout.

"What was that—"

"Thanks."

Rachel's eyes widened, but instantly fixed to a smile and nodded.

Brandon didn't need to say it. Rachel had already understood what Brandon was thanking her for.

Massaging his shoulders, Brandon started heating up the pan.

Truth be told, Brandon was pretty decent at cooking.

His experiences in his past life carried on, adding to the cook books he had read in this world.

***

"So good… I didn't know you were good at cooking."

"I'm not…"

Brandon shrugged.

"...I'm just not bad at it."

He quickly glanced at the 'charcoal egg', then back to Rachel, who looked at him with a frown.

Pursing her lips, Rachel sighed.

"Okay, okay."

As if she had something to say, the words wouldn't leave her mouth.

"Uh, hey…"

"Hm?"

"Do you… Uh…"

Rachel's eyes darted around. Her gaze eventually landed on Brandon.

"Want to go out?"

"Hm?"

Cocking his head, Brandon had to clarify.

"Outside?"

"...Uh, yeah?"

Rachel cocked her head as well with an expression that seemed to say, 'What did you think I meant?'

Since his speculation was confirmed, Brandon inquired.

"Why?"

"During the trip, my favorite outfit got torn. Can you accompany me to the mall?"

"Uh…"

Brandon pondered as he pinched his chin.

Looking at Rachel, his mouth parted open.

"What about Amy, or Claire?"

"I've already asked them. They declined."

"I see."

Nodding, Brandon eventually relented.

"Give me twenty minutes, I need to shower first."

"Sure."

While Brandon was showering in his room, Rachel thoroughly prepared inside her own room.

"This…"

Holding onto a bunch of cloth hangers, Rachel pondered on which outfit to wear.

"Hm…"

"This?"

"No."

"Ah, this…"

"No…"

In the end, she decided to go for a maroon turtleneck, a short black skirt, black heels, and a black beret to top it off.

"Ah, almost forgot." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Opening her drawer, she grabbed a luxurious golden bag.

It was a luxury brand. Given to her by Amy on her 16th birthday.

Looking at the mirror one last time, Rachel nodded.

She could definitely say that her outfit quite highlighted her charms.

Leaving her apartment, it seemed like Brandon wasn't finished yet.

"..."

Entering his apartment, Brandon wasn't in the living room either.

"..."

Rachel frowned.

'What's taking him so long?"

Rachel had prepared for at least forty minutes, and yet despite that, Brandon wasn't even done.

Thus, Rachel decided to go to his room.

"....Uh?"

The door was slightly open.

Surely, Brandon had at least finished preparing since he left the door open.

Creak—

Pushing the door, it slightly opened.

As the door slowly opened even more, what met her sight was…

"..."

"..."

Slam—!

Rachel instantly slammed the door shut.

With her hands on her face, her face flushed beet red.

22:22

'He had a towel…'

'...He had a towel.'

"He. Had. A. Towel…!"

Rachel immediately left his apartment and went back to her own.

Her face continued flushing red, and the image of Brandon's bare upper body wouldn't leave her mind.

***

"..."

Brandon was taken aback.

He didn't expect Rachel to barge into his room.

In the first place, why did she–

Brtt…

Cutting him off was his phone that was placed on the table. It vibrated.

Walking towards it, he extended his arms and opened his phone.

[Rachel Asami]

—Please hurry up.

—You've been at it for more than an hour already.

"Uh?"

What did she mean more than an hour?

As to what Brandon could remember, he had only showered for fifteen minutes.

There was no way an hour had…. passed…

Looking around, lots of outfits were spread all over the bed.

"Ah, that's right."

Before Rachel barged in his room and saw him 'naked', he had been pondering the entire time on what outfit to wear.

Ever since Belle had approved his outfit during the trip, he had been conscious about what he wore recently.

And now that he was about to go to a public mall, he had to be in his best form.

"Ah."

That was when an idea struck him.

If he didn't know what to wear…

Then he just needed to wear something similar to Rachel's.

"Let's see."

Pinching his chin, he grabbed a black shirt. For his pants, he wore a black one as well. And to top it off, he wore a maroon blazer.

Looking at the mirror, Brandon nodded to himself.

"Perfect."

It looked almost just like Rachel's outfit. But for Brandon's case it was the male variant.

***

Creak—

Stepping outside of her apartment, Brandon stepped out of his at the same time.

Noticing, Brandon waved his hand.

"Yo."

"..."

Rachel's eyes widened.

"You."

"Uh?"

This…

Is he stupid?

"Nothing."

Rachel immediately looked away.

Click– Click—!

And immediately sprinted.

"Oy!"

Brandon chased her. But Rachel continued without looking back.

Was Brandon that dense?

Or did he do it on purpose?

'He definitely saw my outfit when I entered his room.'

The two of them were currently wearing matching outfits.

But,

Pursing her lips, Rachel softly muttered to herself. As silent as she could so Brandon—who was still chasing her, wouldn't hear.

"It's not his color, but...

Her lips curled up into a smile.

"...He looks good."