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It was the next morning. Asahi’s parents had risen from bed very early to start the elaborate process of preparing the osechi. Asahi was deeply grateful and happy... to a certain extent, at least.
In a wholly unforeseen twist of events, the two parents who’d come knocking at the door in the middle of the night were keenly interested in the girl who was in their son’s apartment.
We were together until super late. It was a pain trying to explain the whole deal to them.
The clock had moved well past 1:00AM by the time his parents had finished bombarding Asahi with all manners of thorough, inquisitive questions. Fuyuka, not used to staying up so late, had fallen asleep on the spot. She’d been subsequently permitted to retire much earlier on one condition—that she promised to return again around noon.
Asahi and Fuyuka sat next to each other, a pair of strained smiles painted on their faces. Still, Asahi noted a slight change in the girl.
She’s more loosened up, from what I can tell. Must be because she was invited here again by my parents.
“The osechi will be ready in a jiffy!” Kazuaki’s bright, hearty voice boomed from the kitchen.
“Sorry to come and ruin the romantic mood you two had,” Toko, who was sitting right in front of the two, said dryly.
“Come on, we literally explained everything to you guys. It’s not like that,” Asahi objected.
“Really? Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t you telling me that you’ve spent so much time together that you’re practically roommates?”
“Nope. Nobody said anything like that.”
“I-It really isn’t like that!” Fuyuka added.
“I’m sorry, what?!” Kazuaki chimed in.
“You’re not part of this conversation. Focus on cooking,” Toko commanded.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The living room—which was too spacious for one person living on their own—was perfect for accommodating four people at once. Unfortunately for Kazuaki, he was currently separated from the others because the kitchen was so far away. Some would argue that it served him right, what with the annoying, abrasive racket he’d caused the night before.
Man, it’s been real rough ever since they rang that damned interphone, Asahi whined to himself.
“I never would’ve expected Fuyuka to be your neighbor. Not in a hundred years,” Toko said, her mouth upturned ever so slightly. Kazuaki also nodded vigorously in agreement while casually handling the frying pan. “So tell me, Fuyuka. Asahi has been teaching you how to cook?”
“Y-Yes! I owe him quite a lot!” Fuyuka answered.
“I see, that’s nice. I worried if he even had the makings of a teacher. He’s usually blunt and comes off as cold.”
“I’m sitting right here, you know,” Asahi objected.
“I’m only telling the truth.”
“Well, can’t say you’re wrong.”
Naturally, he was the one who was the most aware of his own nature. I mean, I was raised by an equally cold and blunt parent, so it’s obvious I’d turn out the same... though it scares me to think I could’ve had my dad’s wild personality.
“If you have any complaints about Asahi, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll make sure he works on them. Okay?”
“O-Oh, no, he’s been nothing but an amazing teacher. But you are right when you said he’s blunt...”
“You too, Fuyuka?” Asahi groaned.
Although little could be done about his monotone pitch and usual phrasing, he always did his best to pick his words carefully around her. Given how she’d sided with his mother, though, it didn’t seem that his consideration had mattered.
I might be a good teacher, but I still have places where I can improve, huh?
“His kind heart makes up for everything, though,” Fuyuka added after a pause, her head hung down in embarrassment.
“Hmm. I get it now,” Toko responded.
“Get what?” Asahi asked.
“You know. Things.”
Asahi soon understood that Toko and her ambiguous replies, for all her craftiness, came from a place of consideration. A thin smirk lined his lips.
I’d say she’s got something on her mind, but I’m not about to ask. She already squeezed all the answers out of us, and I’m not about to feed into any more doubts she has.
“You have my blessings, Asahi.” Toko nodded to herself, shifting her gaze between Fuyuka and her son.
“I really don’t get what you’re talking about.”
“Just showing my support for teaching Fuyuka how to cook. And the other thing,” she teased in her typical deadpan tone while staring Fuyuka in the eyes.
Fuyuka, who was seated next to Asahi, began to blush in response. He could only speculate as to why.
It’s like they’re speaking with their eyes or something. Regrettably, he couldn’t understand the contents of their secret conversation.
“All right everyone, gather ’round! Sorry for the wait, ladies and gents! Today’s luxurious main course, the osechi, is now served!” Kazuaki exclaimed.
Ultimately, Asahi was unable to gather what Fuyuka and his mother had hinted at. Instead, he chose to focus his attention on the triple-tiered lacquered boxes stacked atop each other; also known as jubako.
The table—which was encircled by many more people than usual—was garnished with assortments of dishes associated with good omens. The meal featured bright-red skewered kuruma prawn, black soybeans, broiled fish cake, dried sardines, seaweed with herring roe, rolled omelet mixed with fish paste, and mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts.
“Now, now, don’t be shy, Himuro! Eat to your heart’s content!” Kazuaki encouraged the girl.
“Kazuaki put a lot of effort into it, so we want you to enjoy it,” Toko added.
The current atmosphere that emanated was incredibly peculiar. It bore a resemblance to the feeling one would expect when enjoying a meal with friends or family. And despite Fuyuka’s presence at the Kagami dinner table being nothing short of unusual, it felt strangely homely and comforting.
“Let us eat,” Fuyuka said, elegantly joining her hands together. She appeared tense, yet somehow comfortable with the boisterous crowd.