The Warmth Before the Storm
“Yume-san, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t hurt at all. And besides, you’re the one who’s having a harder time, Yuuki-kun, so you should be more worried about yourself than about me.”
Even though Yume said that, what had just happened with Saya wouldn’t leave Yuuki’s mind.
He’d known she might do something after what happened during lunch break.
But the fact that she’d shown such clear hostility, staring not at him but at Yume, made Yuuki feel deeply apologetic and unbearably uneasy.
If she hated and resented him, that would at least make some sense.
Yuuki himself disliked Saya and was keeping his distance from her, so there was reason enough for her to hate him.
But he couldn’t understand at all why that hostility was directed toward Yume, who was only looking out for him.
They continued walking through the slightly heavy atmosphere. When the café finally came into view, they went inside, where Kyousuke welcomed them.
“Welcome back, you two. …Did something happen? Did anything go on?”
Sensing something off in Yume’s and Yuuki’s demeanor, Kyousuke’s relaxed expression tightened.
“Shinjou-san got involved with us again like usual, but she seemed a little strange this time.”
When Yume explained what had happened earlier, Kyousuke frowned.
“If she reached out toward Yuuki-kun, was she trying to take him away?”
“I think so. I knocked her hand away instinctively, but if I hadn’t been there, it wouldn’t have been strange if she’d actually taken him.”
“Thank you, Yume.”
“That’s why I walk him to and from school. It’s only natural. And also… yeah. Compared to the last time we met her, her hostility felt stronger. Or rather, the look on her face like she hated me is what really worries me.”
As she recalled that moment, Yume felt she’d gained some sense that something inside Saya had changed.
“We’ll need to be even more careful to keep Yuuki-kun safe.”
“Yeah. …Oh, right, Yuuki-kun. Tomorrow’s a day off, so why don’t you stay over at my place tonight?”
Kyousuke made the suggestion casually.
Yuuki felt happy hearing it, but at the same time, after being taken on a trip recently, having Yume walk him to and from school, and now even being invited to stay over, he felt guilty about imposing so much.
Still, he also understood that trying to refuse here would only cause more trouble.
As he struggled with how to respond, Yume stepped in front of him.
“Yuuki-kun. Wanna cook dinner together tonight?”
“Huh?”
For a moment, he wondered what she was suddenly talking about, but he quickly realized it.
She was probably being considerate in her own way.
“…Alright.”
“Yes. Let’s cook together and do something nice for Dad.”
Yume smiled happily, and Kyousuke watched her with a gentle smile.
“I’m looking forward to it. I wonder what the two of you will make.”
As he said that, Kyousuke patted Yuuki’s head.
“…Yume-san, thank you.”
“I just wanted to cook together. So I should be the one thanking you. In that case, Dad, can we close the shop a little early today?”
“Yeah. Let’s close up once the regulars head home.”
The gloomy atmosphere from earlier had warmed before they knew it.
Yuuki listened to their conversation, feeling that this warm space was, as always, comfortable to be in.
Later, when a regular customer came in, Kyousuke said proudly,
“The two of them are going to cook for me,”
and an even more heartwarming scene spread through the café.