—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Matsuda-kun, you can sit next to me.”
Following Miyuki’s guidance, I nervously sat down and looked at the dining table.
A feast was spread out on the table. The main dish was… sukiyaki?
Seeing how it had just started to boil, it seemed they turned on the induction stove as soon as I arrived at the house.
There was also mackerel braised in miso.
The side dishes were mostly home-style dishes like spinach and lotus root. But they had been beautifully served, making it clear that a lot of care had gone into the preparation.
Miyuki must have told his family…
That I don’t eat properly.
So they went ahead and prepared this for me.
When everyone was seated, Wataru, who sat at the head of the table, spoke,
“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to you, the man who has saved my dear Miyuki’s life, for joining us here tonight.”
The atmosphere suddenly turned serious.
Replying with a simple ‘No, it’s nothing’ wouldn’t be appropriate.
So I slightly bowed my upper body while looking at Wataru.
“I’m the one who should thank you for inviting me.”
This bow was known as ‘eshaku’, the lightest greeting in ojigi, the Japanese way of bowing.
Since I greeted them several times at the entrance, this should be enough to please them now.
As expected, smiles bloomed on the faces of Miyuki’s family, including Wataru.
Since I had come all the way here, I figured earning some proper points with them before leaving couldn’t hurt.
“It would be boring to drag on with words, so shall we eat now?”
At Wataru’s words, Midori, Miyuki, and Kana said the customary ‘itadakimasu’ in unison.
I spoke in a plain voice, without any hint of exaggeration, timed with the end of their words.
“Itadakimasu.”
“Oh, that’s a nice voice…”
Kana blurted out in admiration without realizing it.
Wataru, who glanced at her with a stern look, turned to me and smiled brightly.
“Please eat to your heart’s content.”
“Yes, sir.”
What would be the dining etiquette in Miyuki’s house?
I had a rough idea from playing Doki Doki Academy, but since this was my first time eating sukiyaki, I’d have to figure it out as I went.
Of course, you hold the rice bowl while eating.
When scooping sukiyaki, each person fills their own bowl as much as they want.
Apparently, you don’t just dip the beef in the sukiyaki into the raw egg yolk right after picking it up; you’re supposed to let it drain first.
When eating the side dishes, you pick up a little bit of the garnish like onions together.
I let Midori refill my water every time I emptied my glass.
If I were to take the initiative to fill my own water glass, it could come across as meddling, and Midori might feel burdened; instead, I should only accept what I’m given like a guest.
The look on my face and the fact that I kept on eating from the side dish served as my unspoken praise for the meal.
I could see the corners of Midori’s mouth arc into a smile.
“Is the food to your liking?”
I quietly chewed and swallowed the food in my mouth before answering.
“Yes. It’s so good it makes me want to live here.”
Miyuki’s family, including Midori, let out a light but sincere laugh.
Perhaps because I had made a reasonably good impression with them the last time we ate together at the beach, they were accepting my compliment mixed with humor well.
“Well, feel free to come over whenever you’re hungry. Oh, and peel the fish skin before eating. It’s soft, so it might be a little greasy.”
A nice assist from Midori.
I immediately used my chopsticks to peel the skin off the mackerel.
“Yes, ma’am.”
With those words, the conversation began to flow.
“Matsuda, do you drink alcohol by any chance?”
At Wataru’s question, I politely nodded.
“Yes.”
“Do you like it?”
“To be honest, I do. Although I don’t drink much these days.”
Now it was Miyuki’s lips’ turn to twitch.
Judging by the way she was doing that even without food in her mouth, she probably wanted to mention something about my past.
Pretending to fix my clothes, I lowered my hand and secretly poked Miyuki around the hip.
Startled, Miyuki quickly regained her composure, smiled playfully, and gave me a small nod.
Looks like she understood my gesture telling her not to do it.
Unaware of our silent exchange, Wataru resumed his question.
“Then would you like to have a drink before you go today?”
“Honey, Matsuda-kun drove here today, remember?”
At Midori’s scolding, Wataru realized his mistake and said,
“Ah, that’s right…”
Considering he offered me to drink with him, Wataru must have a pretty good impression of me.
Although it was mentally taxing to be constantly aware of my behavior, it seems to be paying off.
I could see myself coming here often in the future.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Ahem… Matsuda-kun. Have some fruit.”
As I was sitting on the living room sofa, chatting with Wataru, I turned my head at the sound of Miyuki’s voice from behind.
“Fruit? Sure, I’ll have some…”
But my surprise cut my reply short.
Because the one holding out the fruit plate with a huge grin on her face wasn’t Miyuki, but Kana.
She had imitated Miyuki’s voice like at Isshiki Beach.
Is it that fun to tease me?
Quickly regaining my composure, I got up from the sofa and took the plate.
“Thank you, Hanazawa-san.”
“Were you surprised?”
“A little. But why are you doing this…?”
“It’s fun, isn’t it? You’re quite fun to tease, Matsuda-kun.”
That mischievous side of hers is what makes me want to do her too.
Taking on two sisters with the same voice at the same time… I might lose my mind.
“Kana. You’re always playing that prank, aren’t you? You’d do that to Tetsuya-kun too…”
At Wataru’s scolding, Kana gave a beaming smile.
“But Tetsuya-kun’s reaction is boring. He’s so shy that he doesn’t know what to do.”
“Then isn’t Tetsuya-kun’s reaction much better than Matsuda-kun’s?”
“Matsuda-kun’s reaction is more fun.”
“Why do you think so?”
The father and daughter suddenly started a discussion in front of the person in question.
As I was listening to their conversation while refreshing my mouth with an orange, Miyuki, who had approached at some point, pulled my sleeve, and I quietly left the sofa.
After leading me to a small garden, Miyuki asked,
“Is my house too noisy for you?”
“No, I like that it’s lively.”
“That’s a relief. I was thinking about going for a walk to help with digestion, but…”
Miyuki trailed off at the end.
She seemed anxious that Tetsuya, who lived in the same neighborhood, might spot us.
If you were that worried, you should have told me to park my car somewhere else.
Or you could have just told me to walk here in the first place.
You keep trying to hide me from Tetsuya, but won’t that make the pain he’ll feel later even greater?
Of course, I like that you’re doing this.
“I’m fine, really.”
“Are you not full? You ate so much…”
“What do you mean? Do you think I don’t have room for more? Are you underestimating me?”
At the light joke, Miyuki chuckled and changed the subject.
“Are you going back right away?”
“Well, I don’t want to overstay my welcome… Maybe I should go meet with Takashi.”
“Absolutely not him.”
Quite firm, aren’t you?
“Why? He’s been reflecting on his actions.”
“He curses way more than the old you, Matsuda-kun. That’s why I can’t stand him.”
“Then how about my other friends…?”
“That’s not good either. Many of your friends are a bad influence on you, you know?”
“Whoa, what’s up with all the restrictions? Are you my guardian or something? Should I start calling you ‘Mom?’”
“You did write my name in the guardian section at the hospital, didn’t you? And it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve called me ‘Mom,’ don’t you think?”
So you were aware of it.
I thought you just let it slide because our relationship hadn’t officially developed back then… but this was unexpected.
Or maybe you’ve just suddenly remembered about this and became sensitive now that we’ve grown so close.
Either way, Miyuki’s reaction was a good thing.
But when you put it like that, I don’t know what to say.
Scratching the back of my head as if embarrassed, I looked outside the fence and confronted Miyuki.
“Then what should I do? Meditate or something?”
“Stay here. You can stay here for a while longer.”
I slowly turned my head and stared at Miyuki.
Because there was a hint of shyness in her tone.
Was my gaze too much for her?
She lowered her eyes and said softly,
“I don’t mean anything else… Just stay here and go out for a walk with me…”
This was the first time Miyuki had taken the initiative to ask me to do something with her.
Moreover, she only said “with me.”
She had completely left out Tetsuya, whom she always tried to include.
And without any hesitation, at that.
Why so forward all of a sudden?
It felt unfamiliar, but it also made my heart race like crazy.
After watching her for a moment, I asked,
“Where are we going?”
“Just… anywhere… Wherever you want, Matsuda-kun…”
Then let’s go to a love hotel.
“Should we go inside and think about it for now?”
“Alright…”
Judging from the situation, it didn’t seem like Miyuki would invite me to her room.
In that case, I should be the one making the first move, as usual.
“Can we think about it in your room?”
“My room…?”
Miyuki’s eyes opened up wide.
It seemed that a lot was going through her head.
After pondering for a while, her answer was…
“It’ll be hot in there, though…”
Not bad.
Let’s push a little further.
“I want to see it, though.”
“There’s nothing much to see there…”
It’s cute how she’s fidgeting with her fingers.
“But I still want to go.”
When I said that with a brazen expression, Miyuki let out a flustered scoff.
She shook her head as if admitting that it was no use trying to dissuade me, the words of consent suddenly fell from her lips.
“Fine… Wait for me on the second floor for a moment…”
“Why? To make the bed?”
“N-No…? Didn’t I say I made it as soon as I got up…?”
I saw your shoulders twitch, so I know that’s a lie, Miyuki.
Looks like I hit the bullseye.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Following Miyuki’s directions, I headed to the second-floor bathroom and took out a chewable oral cleaner from my pocket, popping it into my mouth.
As I closed my lips tightly and chewed vigorously, the solid cleaner turned into a liquid and stung my tongue.
After thoroughly cleaning the inside of my mouth, I left the bathroom.
Then I went to the front of Miyuki’s room door, knocked twice, and immediately grabbed the doorknob and pushed.
*creak*
The door opened smoothly.
Miyuki, who was arranging the bed cover, turned around, and nearly jumped out of her skin when she noticed me.
“M-Matsuda-kun…! You shouldn’t open the door until I tell you to come in, what are you doing…?!”
“My bad. Should I close it again and ask?”
“… Forget it. You’re such an idiot… Just come in.”
I entered with a slow gait and quietly closed the door.
*tap* *tap*
Then I heard something hitting the middle of the door.
It was definitely the Maneki Neko necklace that Tetsuya had bought.
I’ll have her get rid of it later and replace it with a new one.
Those star stickers on the ceiling… the ones Miyuki stuck with Tetsuya when she was young, I’ll have to replace them all too.
Not just that. I’ll change everything in this room that holds memories of Tetsuya.
Fired up with determination, I looked around the room.
The scent of plums wafted over.
Did she spray air freshener while I was washing my mouth in the bathroom? The smell was a little strong.
The bookshelf built into her desk was densely packed with various books…
And a notebook and a pencil case were neatly placed on the desk itself.
It was exactly the same scenery I had expected. Typical Miyuki.
“Don’t just stand there… Umm… Sit down over there…”
At Miyuki’s words pointing to the desk, I crossed the center of the room and quietly pulled out the chair and sat down.
Then Miyuki, who sat demurely on the bed, asked,
“It’s a little cramped, isn’t it…?”
It was cramped, but I liked this room.
The bed was also a single-size, so it seems perfect for holding you tight as we sleep together.
“It’s cozy and nice. Did you make the bed?”
“I-I told you I made it as soon as I got up…?”
“Then why were you just arranging the cover?”
“That’s… because it was just wrinkled…”
“Sure, let’s say that. What time did you wake up today?”
“A-Around eleven…”
“Sleeping in late, aren’t we?”
“Can’t I do that on the weekend? It can happen sometimes…!”
“Hey, I’m not telling you off or anything, don’t get so mad at me.”
Miyuki’s lips pouted.
She was glaring at me and mumbling something, perhaps offended by my cheeky attitude.
I wanted to pinch those fluffy-looking cheeks and stretch them out.
Ignoring her gaze, I noticed the notebook on the desk and called out to Miyuki as if I had remembered something.
“Hey, Miyuki.”
“What…!”
“You did something interesting at school the other day, didn’t you?”
“Something interesting…?”
“You were playing around with your notebook. Drawing on it and stuff.”
“… What are you… Ah…!!”
She was puzzled at first, then her eyes widened.
Her face turned red instantly, all the way to her ears, and she tried to hold her sobbing voice as she denied my allegations.
“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about…”
“Really? Then what was that gasp just now? By the way, you draw really well. Is that you and me by any chance?”
“I d-don’t know… what you’re t-talking about… D-did you snoop at someone else’s notebook…? You shouldn’t do that… It’s a bad thing to do…”
She started fanning herself with her hand, unable to keep her eyes still, as if trying her hardest to change the subject.
Let’s let it slide here. I can tease her about it again next time.
The atmosphere in the room seemed to have calmed down a little.
Miyuki’s seemed a little different than usual as well.
Was she also vaguely aware of it?
That something important might happen today?
‘Alright.’
From now on, I shouldn’t act too nonchalant.
If I did that, Miyuki might misunderstand.
She might think that I’m acting like this because I only saw her as a friend.
Of course, given our experiences together, Miyuki wouldn’t jump to such a drastic conclusion.
Still, showing this side of me to Miyuki while maintaining an appropriate level of tension seemed like the right course of action.
Even if we don’t kiss today, I’ll settle for a peck on the lips.
That was the sole thought on my mind when I asked her to see her room, and when I diligently washed my mouth in the bathroom…
If I were to leave Miyuki’s house just like that, the frustration would definitely keep me up all night.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
