Episode 16

Source

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093076684326416/episodes/16818093076728303384

“I’m off.”

Chisato muttered to herself as she looked towards the entrance, which was empty as usual. Chisato’s voice echoed hollowly in the inorganic hallway with no furniture.

The greeting, which was never returned, made her feel down every day, but her current state of mind was different from before.

Once a month, she has dinner with her family.

To be honest, now that she is a college student, she feels a little embarrassed to have dinner with her family, but Chisato likes the time they spend talking to each other to make up for the time they have spent apart.

It was also thanks to Takeru and the others for preparing that place for them.

Chisato thought of her as she passed by Shiota Diner. She stops and looks at the kitchen door of Shiota’s Diner, expecting Takeru to pop in, but that doesn’t happen, and she waits for a while before walking on again.

She has been acting strange lately.

She finds herself thinking about him during breaks from her studies, while taking a bath, before going to bed, and at any other time that she can think of. She keeps imagining what he is doing and what he is thinking, and feeling a little guilty. She kept repeating such a thing.

“Chisato.”

When she reached the school gate, a male voice suddenly called out to her. Chisato imagines the man she had been thinking about earlier and turns around in a flash.

“Oops, sorry, did I startle you?”

However, what was there was not him, but Yasaka with a wry smile on his face.

“What, it’s you……”

She had mixed feelings of relief and disappointment.

Yasaka raised his eyebrows in surprise at Chisato’s disappointed tone.

“Yeah? Who did you mistake me for?”

‘……No, it’s nothing.’

Yasaka looked at her strangely for a moment, but he proceeded with his story without paying any particular attention to it.

“I heard you made up with your parents?”

Chisato frowned at Yasaka’s words.

Chisato almost opened her mouth to ask who in the world told him this, but without thinking, it must have been Sato.

Chisato sighs and replies lazily.

“We’re not even fighting to begin with. We just didn’t talk.”

Hearing Chisato’s words, Yasaka looks troubled and smiles bitterly.

[Haha, it’s much better than a fight] Yasaka says, then lowers his eyes and continues speaking. [But that’s good. It was a problem that I couldn’t do anything about…I’m not a match for Takeru kun.]

“……..I don’t remember asking you to solve the problem.”

“Including that. You relied on Takeru kun, not me. That’s right, everyone chooses him…”

She doesn’t need to ask him who [everyone] is referring to.　

“I feel sorry for you. But as her boyfriend, I wish you would have stopped Sato senpai’s outburst.”

When Chisato said this, Yasaka laughed.

[Please don’t think ill of Akari. Akari suspected that Chisato was interested in me. Because Akari started dating me, you started talking to Takeru kun, Akari’s childhood friend. She seemed to be thinking that maybe you were plotting something.”

“…Well, that’s what I thought. Sato senpai was being aggressive towards me.”

Apparently, Sato mistakenly thought that Chisato liked Yasaka and had a grudge against Sato for starting a relationship with Yasaka. Therefore, she seemed to have assumed that she was planning to get back at her by stealing Taleru, Sato’s childhood friend.

Yasaka laughed bitterly and continued.

“I explained to her that my relationship with Chisato was nothing like that, but she’s not convinced at all.”

Chisato snickered at Yasaka’s words.

“I can’t accept that. Deep down in Sato senpai’s mind, she must have had a strong desire to keep girls away from Takeru.”

Although she would not say it in front of Yasaka, Sato must like Takeru no matter how it appears. It was obvious from the way that she had feelings of jealousy towards Chisato, who had suddenly become closer to Takeru.

“She was just wanting to protect Takeru from the vicious woman who came to him because she was angry that she lost the man she loved. In other words, it doesn’t matter what I think about you, she just wanted to get me away from Takeru.”

Chisato’s words were preceded by Yasaka’s attempt to open his mouth to defend Sato, so she added a few more words [Of course, this is a deep psychological issue, so I don’t know what Sato senpai herself thought]. 

Chisato also does not believe that Sato has been maliciously blaming her for the bad intentions.

As proof of this, she did not tell Takeru about the relationship between Chisato and Yasaka.

Perhaps somewhere in her heart, she herself knew that Chisato was not trying to get back at her.

It was probably an outburst caused by her love for Takeru, which she was unaware of.

“But now that Sato senpai has realized her feelings for Takeru……what are you gonna do now? She’s still dating you, right?”

When she asked that, Yasaka had a complicated look on his face.

“……Actually, Akari broke up with me just the other day.”

“Fufufu, that’s fast……ah.”

After Chisato laughs teasingly at Yasaka, she realizes something and her expression stiffens.

She thought that Sato would confess to Takeru if she broke up with Yasaka.

And since Takeru had always liked Sato, there was no way he would refuse her confession.

Chisato takes out her smartphone and searches for Takeru’s name in the message application. However, she cannot find Takeru’s account.

“Ah…….”

She remembered that she hadn’t even exchanged contact information with Takeru yet.

Calm down, somehow she must get in touch with Takeru sooner than Sato confesses her feelings.

What should I do, what should I do, what should I do……

Chisato, unable to come up with any good ideas, wandered around with her head in her hands, pacing back and forth from left to right for no reason.

Then, seeing Chisato acting suspiciously with her phone in one hand, Yasaka erupted.

“Pfft…hahahahaha ! Are you, by any chance, trying to contact Takeru kun  because you think Akari will confess to him?”

Chisato stared at Yasaka, who was rolling with laughter, with a dumbfounded expression on her face for a while, and then glared at him with all her might.

Chisato stared at him for a moment with a stunned expression, then glared at him with all her might.

“…Did you lie?”

It’s something he could have done if he had a mean side.

When Yasaka saw Chisato’s expression, he straightened his back in panic, coughed, and waved his hands to the side, denying Chisato’s words.

[No, no, no, I’m not lying. It’s true that we broke up] Yasaka then looked into the distance as if recalling a memory and continued to speak. [But I begged her not to break up with me. That’s pathetic. I managed to put it on hold. She gave me various conditions though…]

“Oh, that’s good. …..”

Chisei was a little worried about the word [condition], but now she was more relieved and relaxed her shoulders.

Perhaps wondering about Chisato’s state of affairs, Yasaka looked into Chisato’s face with interest.

“What’s the matter with you? I’ve never seen you so distraught. It’s so out of character.”

Chisato analyzed her feelings when she was told that.

Even she was surprised that her body moved before she could think. The thought of Takeru and Sato starting a relationship drove her into a state of agitation, and all she could think about was how she could stop it.

She doesn’t even know why she did that. Was it because if they started going out, he might not be able to make her lunch anymore? Because she would have no friends to eat lunch with? Or is it because…….　　

Chisato shakes her head from side to side as if to deny the thought that came to mind and glares at Yasaka, who is grinning and looking at her happily.

“You’re the same. I never thought you would be so devoted to Sato senpai.”

Even Yasaka would never have asked her not to break up with him. He should have always been the one swinging.

Yasaka grimaced as if she had been hit in a painful spot, then laughed as if to ridicule herself.

“Haha, I guess that’s true. Honestly, I was surprised that I was this clingy.”

“….I’m gonna return those words exactly as you said them.”

Yasaka, with a surprised expression on his face, fell silent as if considering the meaning of Chisato’s words for a moment, and then let out the loudest laugh of the day.

——

“Good morning !”

When Tekru opened the front door and saw Akari full of energy, Takeru was puzzled.

“Haa….Akari, how many times have I told you not to come to my house…”

I was about to say that, but Akari gave me a sharp salute and continued speaking.

“It’s fine ! I’ve got permission !”

Takeru couldn’t understand what she meant, and he tilted his head.

“Yeah? Who gave you permission for what?”　

“Like I said, I got permission to come to Ken’s house for breakfast every morning ! I explained it to Yasaka senpai and he said I could go !”

I see, so she got permission from her boyfriend, Yasaka, to go to another man’s house. If that’s the case, I have nothing to say. I can also prepare breakfast for Akari just like I did before…….

“How is that possible ! !”

At Takeru’s loud voice, Akari tightly shut her eyes and covered her ears.

“What is it all of a sudden? Your voice is so loud.”

“No, it can be louder ! Did you explain it to Yasaka-senpai properly !? Even if Yasaka had said yes, it would only be out of the kindness of his heart, and he would definitely not like it !”

To Takeru’s words, Akari replies with a disgusted look on her face and a fluttering wave of her hand.

“We’ve talked about that too.”

“There’s no point in telling random lies. I’m exchanging contact information with Yasaka senpai. Wait a minute, I’ll check with him now.”

While saying this, when he opened his smartphone to check on Yasaka’s message, he noticed that he had already received a message from Yasaka.

[I found out why Akari hasn’t been well lately. It seems it was due to the fact that she and Takeru kun became estranged. I know you’ve been thinking about me and keeping her away, but please don’t worry about me and treat Akari the same way you’ve always treated her.]

…..Yasaka senpai, you are too open-minded.

It’s not easy to prioritize the other person’s feelings over your own.

Up until now, he has been concerned about Akari’s boyfriend, Yasaka, and has refused to allow Akari to come to his house, but if Yasaka says he doesn’t mind, he should let Akari in.

As Takeru ponders how he should respond, Akari peeks into Takeru’s phone and makes a surprised sound.

“Eh? When did you and Yasaka senpai become friends enough to exchange contact information?”

“Hey, don’t peek into people’s phones without permission. Well, things have been a little bit complicated.”

Takeru answered vaguely while adjusting the angle of his phone screen so that Akari could not see the message from Yasaka. There was no need to mention that Yasaka had asked for advice about Akari.

Akari then looked miffed and took a step back to distance herself.

“Hmm, I mean,……Ken, do you have any thoughts about Yasaka senpai?”

“Any thoughts? Hmm…he’s a perfect person…something like that? ”

He is good-looking, smart, athletic, and has a kind personality that puts his lover before himself. If you think about it carefully, there really isn’t a single flaw. As a man, I feel jealous.

However, Akari seemed to be dissatisfied with Takeru’s answer and leaned forward to glare at him.

[That’s not what I meant !] Akari says strongly, and then looks Takeru up and down, as if she’s not sure whether to say it or not. [Because, you know, he’s…my boyfriend, you know?]

Akari’s boyfriend….not long ago, those words would have weighed heavily on Takeru’s mind.

But now, strangely enough, he was able to accept it easily. Was it that time had solved the problem? Or was it because of her, who had flashed in my mind for a moment when he heard those words?

Takeru put his hand on Akaris head and told her with a smile what he couldn’t say a few months ago.

“Congratulations, Akari. You’ve found a good boyfriend.”

There was no lie in those words. Finally, he was able to celebrate his friend’s happiness from the bottom of his heart. Takeru felt as if something that had been stuck in his heart for a long time had been lifted.

It took several months of hard work to convey these words, but for some reason, Akari looked unconvinced and said, […Hmm, thanks !], then pushed Takeru aside and went inside the house. 

Takeru reflexively reaches out to stop her, but then remembers the message from Yasaka earlier and withdraws his hand. Takeru’s rejection of Akari and the fact that he is making her feel depressed may be making Yasaka even more worried. That’s what I thought.

“Well, I missed breakfast without Akari, too.”

Takeru muttered to himself, and as usual, he put her shoes away, which were strewn all over the place.

He looked up to see Akari’s hand on the doorknob leading to the living room, only to turn her head and stare at Takeru. Akari’s eyes widened and the corners of her mouth turned up in a happy smile. She was half surprised and half happy.

It seemed that she had heard what he had just muttered.

Akari quickly approached Takeru and asked him a question with her bright eyes.

“Eh? What is it? Did you miss me?”

“Oh, shut up ! You don’t have to come back, just get inside !”

When Takeru said that, Akari laughed happily and ran toward the living room again.

Then, just before the door, she spun around and with a big smile on her face, she continued her words in high spirits.

“Ken, you don’t seem to have noticed it yet, but you’re definitely going to regret it if you see it the same way as me…and that you should’ve realized it sooner ! …If you regret it, please let me know as soon as possible, and I’ll prepare a lot of things by then !”

Leaving such a mysterious declaration and Takeru tilting his head, unable to understand the meaning, Akari entered the living room with a cheerful greeting.

“Hello.”

In the late afternoon, Takeru calls out to Chisato, who is sitting elegantly reading a book on a bench in the old school building, a place he is already familiar with.

When Chisato notices Takeru, she closes her book as usual and shifts to the side to make room for Takeru to sit down.

When Takeru sits down, his shoulders, which are touching hers, make him a little nervous. He wonders if Chisato has noticed how close they have been lately. From the outside, it would be the distance of a couple. However, the space she makes is mind-numbingly small, so he has no choice but to touch her.

Since pointing it out might make them move away from each other, Takeru pretends not to notice.

“Hello, what is it?”

Takeru replies with what has already become a common phrase as he hands over the bento.

“Today is karaage. The one closest to the rice is salt flavored, and the one farther away is soy sauce flavored.”

The main course is four pieces of karaage, a salad of lettuce and cherry tomatoes, and a fried egg.

Chisato opens her lunch box and immediately puts the salt-and-soy fried chicken in her mouth. Since it is a deep-fried bento, it is not as crispy as freshly fried, and more flour is used than potato starch to seal in the texture and umami of the tender chicken thigh and skin. Chisatp chews with a light nod and brings the rice to his mouth along with it.

Chisatp then moves on to the soy-sauce flavored karaage.

Instantly, Chisato’s cheeks relax and flowers fly over her head.

One, two….nine.

Takeru immediately took out a notepad and hurriedly wrote down the information.

[Chisato san: Karaage (salt and pepper): not bad, but subtle. Zero flowers, sixty-five points.  Karaage (soy sauce): I like this one better. Nine flowers, ninety points.]

The soy sauce flavor seemed to be more to her liking than the salt-and-pepper flavor. It may be because he mixed sweet tastes such as mirin (sweet cooking rice wine) with it.

After writing the memo, while analyzing it, Chisato noticed Takeru moving suspiciously and snatched it away.

Takeru reached for it in a panic, but Chisato read the note while reaching away from Takeru so that he could not reach it, and frowned.

“Takeru, did you do this often? And this score…..do you think you can read people’s minds?”

Perhaps Takeru’s score was right on target, Chisato looked at Takeru a little weirdly.

“Oh no, haha….this is my personal scoring.”

Takeru smiled bitterly.

I don’t want to say that Chisato san’s facial expressions are easy to read. Maybe in the future I’ll be more careful and hide my expressions. If that happens, I won’t be able to keep score.

“What about my name at the beginning of the note?”

Oh, no. She had found evidence that would make it impossible for me to escape.

As Takeru desperately tried to come up with an excuse, Chisatp asked him a question

“What’s with the flower? It says zero or nine…..”

“Ah, no, I-I wonder? A sensory indicator…..? You know…..like five stars?

“Then why not just nine stars……and why the flowers?”

　

Because it’s flying above your head, I can’t say that.

Finally, I’ve been cornered. I can’t think of any excuses.

Chisatp looked at Takeru, who was rolling his eyes, with an exasperated look, then heaved a sigh and placed the note on Takeru’s lap.

“Well, that’s fine. That’s how much thought you put into the contents of my lunch box. It’s good that you’re so dedicated to your work.”

It seems that Takeru’s motivation was such that she was willing to give up further pursuit of the matter.

Takeu looked at Chisato smiling as before and breathed a sigh of relief, then turned her attention back to her own bento.

After finishing her bento, Chisato opened her mouth as if she had just remembered.

“Come to think of it, the taste of the omelet has changed since the first time I had it, hasn’t it?”

Chisatp told me, and I noticed. Come to think of it, I used to season it with salt to suit Akari’s taste, but now I make it sweeter with sugar.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, it does. I thought Chisato san might like it sweeter. Perhaps…..you don’t like the seasoning now?　Do you prefer the salty taste before…?”

When he asked Chisato that with trepidation, she smiled happily, looked directly into Takeru’s eyes, and opened her mouth.

“No, I like it.”

At that moment, Takeru’s CPU snapped.

“Eh….ah….um.”

Not knowing what to say, he lets out an inarticulate voice

Contrary to his blank mind, his face turns bright red and heated.

I know, I just lost the subject. She’s just talking about omelet.

However, the happy smile that slightly stained her cheeks and the seriousness that could be seen in the depths of her eyes made it a word with tremendous destructive power.

Chisato looked at Takeru’s suddenly suspicious behavior with a blank expression on her face, then quickly realized the mistake she had made and hurriedly added.

“I-I mean, I like the seasoning now, okay? I’m talking about the omelet.”

“I know, I know.”

Takeru couldn’t face her and turned away.

Chisatp, who seemed to have had an epiphany, pulled her shoulders up and followed up with a teasing look.

“Hm? I wonder if Takeru can tell me what  you thought I was talking about? What else could I be talking about besides omelet?”

U……I can’t say that I heard that you like me.

When I caught a glimpse of Chisato san’s expression from the side, she had a wicked grin on his face and seemed to be in bully mode.

I’m always getting beat up all the time and it’s a little frustrating,……so I’m going to try to fight back a little.

Thinking so, Takeru grabbed Chisato’s shoulders and looked straight into her eyes.

“…Huh…w-what’s all of a sudden?”

Despite Chisato’s surprise, Takeru continues speaking without hesitation.

“I liked it too !”

Chisato’s eyes rolled back in her head and her mouth dropped open. This is a rare look on Chisato’s face.

Chisato remained motionless for a few seconds, and when Takeru began to worry that he had failed, his face turned red like an instantaneous water heater, and his eyes swam.

He could literally feel her agitation in his hands as her shoulders stiffened in his grip.

“What…what are you suddenly…suddenly, even if you say such a thing…..”

Tkeru put his face close to Chisato’s ear, and she let out a short scream.

Then, he whispered softly into her ear.

“The sweet omelet is better.”

As Takeru said this, he felt Chisato’s shoulders relax.

Takeru let go of her shoulders and burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach.

“I’ve never seen Chisato san so distraught. Hahahaha.”

As Takeru was laughing, Chisato’s hand reached out and grabbed Takeru’s chest.

Chisato was staring at Takeru.

“Aha…..ha…..”

Takeru’s laughter was drawn back when he saw the look on Chisato’s face.

When he sees Chisato about to open her mouth, Takeru braces himself for a barrage of abuse.

“Me too, I love it !”

He didn’t expect her to hit him back further.

Takeru’s heart rumbled like it was going to explode, and his face was so hot that it looked like it was going to catch fire.

In fact, even Chisato herself, who was pursuing him, turned red in the face. How much does Chisato hate to lose, going that far to fight back?

This game is really not good. This kind of thing should be done between lovers, not between friends.

It was my own fault for doing it back, but next time I will advise Chisato san to stop this kind of bad behavior.

While I was thinking that, I also wished that someday it would be me who would be told that, and not just the omelet.

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