Chapter 130

“It’s the top left folder. See it?” “Yeah.” I heard her double-tap the trackpad as I left the room to get some tea. Just like with Mana, I was too embarrassed to sit with her as she watched it. I was afraid of what she’d say. “Like me…,” I repeated aloud. I liked her as a friend, obviously. I’d felt the same from her, or possibly more, and then she’d confessed to me, confirming it. But the things she said and did on the surface weren’t the whole story. …Wait, when did I start thinking like that? I mulled this over as I poured two glasses of barley tea and grabbed a bag of snacks before heading back up to my room. Torigoe was still watching the short film. She was pretty focused on it and didn’t even notice my return. What would she say? I was more curious about her reaction than Mana’s, since she’d helped me out with the screenplay. Then I heard the sound from the last scene. After watching and rewatching it so many times, I could recognize it immediately just from the audio. The film ended, and Torigoe kept staring at the screen. After a while, she pursed her lips. “What did you think…?” I asked timidly. Finally realizing I was there, she turned her back to me. I heard her sniffle and saw her touch her face with her hand. “Torigoe?” “Oh, sorry, it’s just…” There was nothing in the movie to cry about—no dying lover, no letter from a dead mother, nothing. But the very first time I watched the whole thing…I cried, too. I’d figured I was simply too invested in it as its creator, but maybe that wasn’t it. “Now I know why you said you wanted me to star in it,” she said. “Right?” So she’d finally understood. “When I read the screenplay, I thought Hiina would do just fine, and we adjusted it for her, but I might’ve been a good fit, too.” She sniffled again before turning to look at me. “I doubt I’d do very well once I was in front of the camera, though.” Dismissing her own comment with a self-deprecating one-liner was very like Torigoe. “What did you think of the film itself?” I asked. “It hit hard.” “R-really?!” Just hearing her say it was okay would have been a win. “Whoo! I did it!” I shouted to the heavens, feeling rewarded for all my effort. “Please, you exaggerate.” Torigoe smiled and closed the laptop. I handed her a glass of tea and opened the bag of snacks, then I asked for her detailed thoughts. She shared all sorts of comments: “Didn’t think that scene would turn out like that.” “I liked the look on her face.” “You really nailed the vibes here.” She praised the film openly. “You may have a chance at winning the contest,” she said at last. “Please don’t give me hope.” If she kept flattering me like that, I might convince myself it was possible. As we chatted, the tea and snacks disappeared. “You did your homework, put your all into the festival short, and finished your own film…,” she said. “While I wasn’t looking, you turned into a real hard worker.” “You make it sound like I was a slob before.” I thought the same, though. Looking back, I really used my time efficiently. I grabbed the laptop and stuck in a USB drive to copy the file so I could give it to Fushimi the following day. Somehow, it was already almost one o’clock. “Torigoe, what about lunch?” “I was thinking of going back home. You?” “If we’re not doing anything, I’ll either stop by a restaurant or pick up something at the convenience store.” I was planning to do just that after seeing her off at the station. “In that case, if you’d like…” “Yeah?” She glanced down and flushed as I waited for her to continue. “…W-want me to m-make you lunch?” “That sounds nice, but wouldn’t it be a lot of work?” Torigoe shook her head. “I’m not as good as ManaMana, but I help out a lot back home.” “Sounds like I don’t need to worry, then. What were you thinking of making?” “If you don’t mind me using whatever you have lying around…” “That should be fine.” The fact that she didn’t need to buy anything made it clear she knew what she was doing. We headed to the kitchen and took a look in the fridge. “Wow. As expected of ManaMana. So orderly,” she said, impressed. “So? Think you can manage?” “I can make some quick fried rice, if that’s all right.” “I would be overjoyed.” Torigoe grinned. “Okay, then. Just wait, I’ll be done in a jiffy.” I did as she asked and waited in the dining room. I watched TV, glancing now and then at Torigoe. She was quite skilled. She only had to ask me where to find the spices and plates. She knew how to do everything else. Soon, I could smell the oil and hear the pleasant sounds of rice cooking. “I’m home!” came Mana’s voice from the entryway. My sister was supposed to finish school in the morning, too. She must have stopped somewhere on her way home. “Welcome back!” I replied; I had to—she’d keep repeating herself until I did. “Bubby, did you invite someone over?” “Torigoe.” “Wow, Shizu’s here?” Mana peeked into the kitchen and saw Torigoe holding a ladle. “Sh-Shizu’s brazenly trying to score brownie points?!” Brownies? She’s making fried rice. “Welcome home, ManaMana,” said Torigoe. “Thanks. I mean—! Why the heck are you making lunch?!” Mana’s expression turned sharp. “Not…for brownie points,” Torigoe said, looking away. “Why else?!” “Mana. Why’re you getting so mad?” I cut in. “Is it because we used what was in the fridge? You said I could grab anything.” “That’s not it!” Then what? Mana hurled her bag down and walked up to Torigoe. “I made enough for you, too,” said the other girl. “No, Shizu. I’m in charge of my bubby’s stomach. This is unfair. Cooking is my territory.” That’s the problem? “Well, I’m sure you’re the better cook, but…,” Torigoe began. O-oh? Where is this going? “Isn’t your cooking a little too elaborate and well-balanced?” “So what?” Mana shot back. “That’s how a little sister’s cooking should be. It’s the best you can get.” “Takamori likes junkier food, too, you know.” “…!” W-wow, I can’t believe it. Torigoe’s overwhelming Mana. Naturally, I liked to eat proper meals, but I also enjoyed quick, well-spiced food. Mana tended to make more of the former. “Y-you think you know my bubby’s preferences better than me?” Mana crossed her arms defiantly. She had the air of a stubborn old man defending his family noodle shop. “You’re too absorbed in technique. Just because you have the skills, you’ve let it go to your head.” “I—I have not!” Mana puffed out her cheeks. Not only had Torigoe encroached into Mana’s territory, but she was managing to stem the backlash and push in even further. Feeling she’d won the round, Torigoe served three plates of fried rice. “Shizuuu. I know how you feel, really. But there are some things that are off-limits. I thought we had a pact.” “Give it up, Mana,” I said. “The food’s already done.” We all sat at the table, placed our hands together, and gave our thanks for the food. I scooped up a spoonful of fried rice and took a bite. The egg was mixed in well, and it was scrumptiously seasoned, with added salt from the bacon I’d let Torigoe use. She’d even added lettuce as an accent. “S-so?” Torigoe asked, nervously. “Now you’re asking me for comments, huh? It’s good,” I said. “Glad to hear it,” she replied before taking a bite herself. Mana was chewing away while snorting and smiling victoriously. “It’s good, but that’s all it is.” “Don’t say that.” Mana ignored me and continued. “I could have made two more dishes in the same amount of time.” Mana’s smirk was overbearing, but Torigoe paid her no mind. “Whatever.” “I am my bubby’s chef.” I had an officially appointed chef now? “It’s just lunch,” said Torigoe. “Normal is fine.” She had a point. It wasn’t like I wanted to eat something super elaborate for lunch. I’d rather just get something in my stomach and move on. Still, it seemed this was a matter of pride for Mana. “If you want to curry favor with my bubby, you’ll have to defeat me first.” “You’re like an annoying mother-in-law, ManaMana.” Mana nearly blew her top at being called a mother-in-law by someone older than she was. “Cool it, Torigoe,” I said. “You’re not helping.” “You sure you’re not just forcing Takamori to eat whatever you want to cook?” she went on. “I don’t wanna hear it from someone whose fried rice is just average.” “Stop arguing! Mealtime should be fun, guys.” I’d had enough of their petty bickering. After my outburst, the two of them continued eating in silence. Mana must have seen the very act of Torigoe cooking in our house as a declaration of war. And since they were so close, Torigoe responded in kind… And now they’d both clammed up. It was getting awkward.