(Yume’s Point of View) Warmth
I stand beside Yuuki-kun, cooking together with him.
When I think that maybe, in the distant future, we might be standing in the kitchen like this, cooking together, I feel embarrassed and happy at the same time. I can’t bring myself to show Yuuki-kun my face right now, so I look down and focus on the cooking.
I know it’s wrong to be thinking about things like this when Yuuki-kun is going through such a hard time, but I just can’t help it.
Lately, nothing but bad things have been happening, so I need to stay on my guard too.
“Yuuki-kun, are you done with the prep for the pork cutlets?”
“Yes, I’m mostly finished.”
“Thank you. I’m almost done on my end too, so you can go ahead and fry those first if you want.”
“Got it.”
Somehow managing to distract myself, we keep cooking together, and a few dozen minutes later, the food is finished.
What we made today is katsu curry.
My dad likes curry, and Yuuki-kun is here today. On top of that, considering what we had in the fridge, curry was just right.
After saying itadakimasu, I watch my dad bring the food to his mouth. Or rather, I’m watching Yuuki-kun watching him.
Maybe he’s worried about whether my dad will say it tastes good.
There’s no need to worry. If it’s something Yuuki-kun made, my dad would probably happily eat it even if it were mud.
“It’s delicious. Thank you, Yuuki-kun.”
Just as I’d expected, my dad looks really happy and eats with clear enjoyment. Maybe feeling relieved after seeing that, Yuuki-kun finally starts eating too.
Watching Yuuki-kun chew his food makes me feel at ease, and only then do I finally start eating as well.
Without bringing up Shinjou Saya at all, we finish our meal while chatting casually about other things and sharing ordinary, everyday conversation.
This small happiness is what I love more than anything.
“Oh, Yuuki-kun. I’ve already filled the bath, so you can go in first.”
“Thank you very much. But I at least want to wash the dishes, so please go in later.”
“Is that okay? You cooked for us, so I’ll wash them, you know?”
“No. Please let me do it.”
“Alright. Thank you, Yuuki-kun.”
“Yes.”
My dad nods without hesitation and leaves the living room.
He probably agreed to ease Yuuki-kun’s anxiety about feeling like he’s imposing too much on us.
I’d do the same.
Since Yuuki-kun is standing at the sink washing the dishes, I step up and stand beside him.
“I’ll dry them. I cooked together with you too.”
“…Alright.”
Lately, Yuuki-kun has probably come to understand that I won’t back down in moments like this. On top of that, since the trip, it’s obvious that he’s been relying on me more.
That makes me happier than I can put into words.
The two of us work quietly without much conversation, and then Yuuki-kun suddenly speaks.
“Yume-san.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Thank you. For everything.”
Hearing that, I almost drop the plate, but I somehow manage to catch it just in time.
“Eh, ah. Yeah. You’re welcome.”
He said it during the trip too, but no matter how many times he says it, I feel like I want to jump for joy and let it all out. And when he says it so casually like this, it makes my heart skip a beat.
“And also, um, please be careful.”
“Huh?”
“That person will probably try to harm not just me, but you too, Yume-san.”
The person he means without saying it is, of course, Shinjou Saya.
“Yeah, I understand. Thank you.”
“No. You always do so much for me.”
I wish days like this could go on forever.