After he’d spent a couple of hours with Chiaki and Hinami, Asahi finally decided to return home. A large portion of it had been spent third-wheeling as the couple flirted with each other. The rest had been filled by what he considered to be “pointless drivel” about romance and relationships. Even so, it’d helped Asahi loosen up and take his mind off of school obligations for a while. He didn’t dislike spending time with them at all. They were his friends, after all, so he enjoyed being in their company. And although he wasn’t the biggest fan of their plan to make him the “hottest guy” at their school, he knew they were only doing it for him. Unfortunately, their ideas on how to get a girl were far from decent.
I just can’t get on board with the idea of a “plan” to get girls in the first place—it sounds scummy, he reflected as he headed home. As he tried to get their ridiculous tactics out of his mind, he suddenly remembered that his fridge was bordering on empty. Before arriving at his house, he made a quick detour at a nearby supermarket that was having a special sale for the day. When he entered, he noticed the sizable crowd of customers. Most of them were clearly housewives, and he even spotted a few familiar faces among them. Then he spotted another type of familiar face.
What is she doing here of all places?
It was none other than The Ice Queen herself. The silky, waist-length black hair, which contrasted so starkly with her pale white skin, the graceful silhouette—she was unmistakable. She was walking around the store with a shopping basket in hand. Normally, seeing her in the neighborhood wouldn’t have stopped him in his tracks, but the fact that she was situated in front of the section for alcoholic beverages roused his curiosity.
He approached her and asked, “What are you looking for?”
He had originally planned to pass by her without saying anything, but seeing the concerned expression on her face as she surveyed the shelves compelled him to ask. Maybe he could assist her, somehow, even though he expected her to completely ignore him.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Don’t answer my question with another one.”
Although her “answer” had been unexpected, he was glad to have struck up a conversation with her again. It was more favorable than being ignored.
“Just like you, I’m here to buy some stuff. Isn’t that obvious?” he finally replied.
“I suppose you’re right,” she said with a small nod.
They lived in the same apartment complex, so unexpectedly running into each other at the nearest supermarket wouldn’t be that outlandish of a scenario.
Actually, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen her here.
He remembered how, ever since he’d figured out she didn’t cook, he’d seen her purchasing things like ready-made meals from time to time. Things were different that day, though—there was an assortment of colorful vegetables in her basket, along with some pork.
“Looks like you’re finally in the mood to cook something yourself, huh?”
“Would you kindly quit implying that I’ve never cooked in my life?”
“Sorry, my bad. Yeah, you did mention last time that you’ve made a few things.”
His blunder earned him her trademark glare. He could tell that cooking wasn’t her strong suit, nor did she have enough passion for it to care to improve. Although Asahi quickly apologized, he could still feel the coldness emanating from her. It made him uneasy—this was one of the first times he was experiencing The Ice Queen’s treatment directly. Her words were as curt and serious as ever, but she wasn’t the same as she usually was at school.
“Anyways, what are you looking for? Aren’t you a little too young to be drinking?” Asahi prodded, taking the fact that he hadn’t been outright ignored as a positive sign.
He knew that Fuyuka had to be well acquainted with the law, considering that her conduct at school was irreproachable. He just couldn’t imagine her to be the type who led a secret double life as an honor student and a devout partier. On the other hand, he couldn’t think of any other reason she would be in that particular section of the store.
After a moment of hesitation, she replied, “I’m just looking for some sake to cook with... But, by the looks of it, they might be out of stock.”
It dawned on him that she wasn’t lying. It was right then that Asahi realized that she had truly never cooked a thing in her life. If she had, she would know that cooking sake would be located in the condiments aisle of any supermarket, not the one for alcohol.
She must be in real trouble if she’s willing to open up to me about it, he observed.
“If that’s what you’re looking for, then you gotta go to the condiments aisle.”
He thought about adding in a light joke, but then realized a straight answer would probably be for the best. He wasn’t sure how Fuyuka would react to his banter, and his previous attempt had brought about less-than-desirable results.
“Thanks for the help,” she whispered as she briskly made her way over to the shelves he’d pointed out.
Damn, she looked like a tomato just then. Is it because she realized her mistake?
He assumed that was that, so he continued on his way and pondered about what he should get for himself. Apart from the usual suspects—like missing spices or products he used daily, such as milk—he had to consider his dinner for the night. He also nabbed some items and side dishes that were on sale. After about 20 minutes of browsing and grabbing what he needed, he lined up for the cashier. Buying groceries at that market was already second nature to him. As he headed over to the line, he caught a glimpse of Fuyuka already waiting in the one he’d selected.
“I’m only in this line because it’s got the fewest people, by the way,” he spoke up.
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
Was she going to actually ask me? I don't even really know why I said that, to be honest.
Judging by her furrowed eyes, she was not amused that he’d read her mind. Her basket was fuller than earlier, and he spotted a bottle of cooking sake amidst her other supplies.
“Oh, so you’re planning on making some curry, huh?”
“And how would you know that, exactly?”
“I could tell pretty much just by looking at your basket.”
“I see...”
She seemed surprised, but it was an easy guess based on the curry powder she was carrying. Combined with the fact that she also had potatoes, onions, and carrots—the usual ingredients for Japanese curry—and it didn’t take a genius to figure it out.
She was trying her hand at cooking, so something more complex than curry would’ve been out of the question. That was Asahi’s impression, at least, although he preferred to keep that comment to himself.
“Next one, please,” the cashier called out, urging Fuyuka forward and interrupting their conversation.
“Go on, Himuro. It’s your turn.”
“You don’t need to state the obvious,” she snapped at him in an angry tone and pierced him with her glare. She wasn’t in the mood that day, that was for sure.
Gotta say, it feels pretty weird to have a normal conversation with her of all people.
It would make for a good tale to tell others at school, but nobody would believe him. Plus, he wasn’t the type to gossip or run his mouth. He’d just happened to run into her at the supermarket and had a short exchange with her, nothing more and nothing less.
As he silently waited for his turn, he watched Fuyuka pay for her items.