The rain had wept, the wind had wailed, the thunder had bellowed, and the snow had piled up into elegant mounds. A harsh winter was always followed by the warmth of spring and the sun’s brilliant rays.
In contrast to the thawing earth around him, one boy didn’t seem to enjoy the heat. In fact, he was currently being consumed by the flames of passion.
God, why did I have to go and tell her that I won’t leave her... That was seriously cringe.
Asahi groaned, burying his face deep into his pillow. He recalled yesterday’s events and felt embarrassed, to say the least. He’d made the promise in the heat of the moment, but now that his mind was calm, the words brought him nothing but shame.
It’s not that I regret telling her how I feel. That’s not the issue here. It was just so embarrassing, man! I don’t think I’ve ever been this worked up about something.
He could still feel Fuyuka’s hair as he stroked it in his right hand, and her expressions—from the tears she’d shed to her cheery smile—were engraved firmly in his memories. Asahi had finally awakened to his feelings of affection toward her, and it burned deep within his chest.
Even the sound of the intercom ringing made him smile. That alone demonstrated that he had a severe case of the sickness known only as “love.”
He fixed his hair in front of the mirror for no particular reason, then went to open the door.
He found a beautiful girl standing on the other side. He managed to maintain his composure and welcomed her in.
“What a day at school, huh? You were getting swarmed even more than usual.”
“I never knew everyone had been so worried about me. Now I feel pretty guilty about my absence,” Fuyuka replied.
She’d returned to her normal self today; it was almost as though yesterday had been a fever dream.
Asahi did his best to ignore the pounding in his chest as they indulged in some small talk in his apartment’s spacious kitchen. The fact that Fuyuka could maintain a conversation whilst carrying out cooking preparations only showed how much her culinary skills had grown.
Finally, about 10 minutes later, the table was furnished with a variety of dishes. The main dish, which prominently featured egg, was especially eye-catching.
“Delicious... the soup tastes exactly like the one your parents make.” Fuyuka’s eyes twinkled as she enjoyed her food.
Asahi had resolved to prepare the soup for her after he’d heard the dark tale of her past.
Her tragic, complicated family circumstances had enclosed Fuyuka’s heart within a layer of solid ice. Still, she’d been able to form some happy memories. Her visit to Soleil Levant and the Kagami-style tourin soup she’d thoroughly enjoyed was one example.
If a warm meal could help heal Fuyuka’s wounds, even a little bit, then it was Asahi’s earnest wish to provide her with just that.
“Thank you so much, Asahi. I know you made this with me in mind.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“You could say that. Sorry for not minding my own business again,” Asahi apologized.
“No, no, don’t apologize. This makes me really happy, actually. Your kindness is something that I really...” her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
“‘Something that you really’ what?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. Forget about it.”
“Yeah, as if that’s ever worked. It just makes me more curious. C’mon, I really wanna know.”
Fuyuka shook her head. “I’m not telling.”
“Fine, just tell me the first couple of letters of whatever it was,” he insisted, unwilling to let it go.
Fuyuka reluctantly uttered, “It’s one of your qualities that I really... L-O. There!”
“Well, that could be anything.”
“You asked for the first couple of letters. That’s all you’re going to get.”
Before he’d realized it, this sort of lighthearted banter had become a cornerstone of his life. He thought back over his more recent memories and realized that a vast majority of them were centered around Fuyuka.
Geez, I’m head over heels for her. I really do love her.
Their gazes met.
“Your cooking really is the best,” she praised him.
Fuyuka’s compliment, which was accompanied by a pleasant smile, sent Asahi’s heart into overdrive. Every single word she spoke, and every single thing she did—no matter how trivial—struck him to his core.
Guess your whole world turns upside down once you’re in love.
It was a cliché, to be sure, but one that was absolutely true in his case. Fuyuka had been able to completely occupy his thoughts, and Asahi became overly mindful of any conversation they had together.
You can’t exactly go back once you take notice of these emotions.
He truly hoped that Fuyuka’s incomplete confession overlapped with the love he had for her.
“That was a good meal,” he said.
“It was amazing. You should teach me how to make it again in the future.”
“Yeah, good idea. Can’t expect you to get it after just one time.”
“Hmph, are you underestimating me? Just wait—I’ll definitely learn it next time!” Fuyuka declared, puffing her cheeks out indignantly.
Although such interactions were the norm for these two, the emotions Asahi felt were more fervent than ever.
There’s no need to rush anything. We’re both still in our first year of high school. We’ll take it slow for now, as friends.
Still, Asahi was determined to eventually confront the feelings he harbored for Fuyuka—the first he’d ever developed for anyone.