Episode 38: Bonus - Waiting Time

I ended up half-forcing Takizawa to stay over.

But I wanted to eat with Takizawa.
Today was one of those days.

Up until now, eating alone had always been easier.

Even when eating with friends, I find myself worrying about things like listening to them properly or fitting in. It’s not exactly painful, but I don’t particularly enjoy it either.

　But on days I invited Takizawa over for dinner, I didn’t have to be careful at all. I wasn’t doing anything special, yet my heart felt warm and fuzzy.

Today, after talking with Takizawa’s sister and getting all emotional, being alone felt a bit hard to bear.

Would Takizawa come?

Honestly, the chances were about fifty-fifty.

I thought she’d come if she felt like it.

　Believing in that possibility, I resolved to cook a menu that would please Takizawa.

First, the absolute essential dish is meat and potato stew.
Actually, I happened to make it yesterday, so I just need to reheat it.

Also, Takizawa seems to like meat dishes, so I thought about making something like ginger pork. It would be a shame if she disliked ginger, but somehow I feel she’ll eat it.

I recalled the times I’d eaten together with Takizawa.

　It struck me how many memories there actually were, and yet I felt a pang of frustration at our current relationship – neither friends nor anything else.

Takizawa seemed to dislike vegetables, so I deliberately planned dishes combining meat with them, and prepared some side dishes and simmered dishes too.

As I worked silently on the preparations, the doorbell rang.

No courier was due today.

A smile touched my lips.

　I hurried to the front door.

A girl with black hair that suits her well says she only came to eat dinner, but no matter the reason, I’m just happy that she came to see me.

I calmed myself, trying not to let my grin show, and opened my mouth.

“Come in.”

I wonder what new side of Takizawa I’ll get to know today.

My heart kept racing.