Even Kawasaki Saki Moves On With Her Life
"Pass me the salt please."
I reach for the salt and do as I was told to do.
Did you know that salt was once a very valuable commodity? It was so valuable that it was used as a method of trade and currency. In other words, it is what is money to us now back then. It made me wonder, is that where the word 'salary' came from? I mean, they both start with same three letters SAL, though there are other words that start with those same three letter such SALVO, SALAMANDER, SALES, SALAD, SALSA and many more, but let us not stray away any further from the topic. Let's get back to SALT and SALARY.
When we talk about SALARY, we talk about payment for the services/work an employee rendered. This payment is generally in the form of money, which is what SALT was from way way back. And that is what made me wonder if SALARY came from SALT. Imagine doing work and at the end of the day, you are paid with SALT. I don't know about you, but to me that is really insulting.
What the hell do I do with SALT? What the heck do I need SALT for!? If I needed SALT, I would've just bought it from anywhere if you just gave me my proper SALARY!
And that is why, to this day, I still hold to my mantra that to work is to lose. I don't want to be the one receiving SALT. I want to be the one giving SALT! I will never succumb to society's ever perpetual system of manufacturing corporate slaves! To society, I give you my almighty finger! And some SALT too!
"Can you slice these for me?"
She hands me a set of vegetables for me to cut. What kind of cut, it's probably not something sophisticated. Heck, I don't even know what the name of the slices I've been doing for my entire life. I'm just doing slices. It's that simple. Why would I need to complicate it by giving them names? What the hell is a Julienne?! [1] I am not a pro-chef, nor am I a cook. Neither is she. We are just two teenagers working 'together' in a kitchen.
But what if I'm secretly a prodigy in cooking? What I if I had this talent all along and the only reason why I am not able to realize it is because I am too lazy to be bothered? Maybe I should put more effort into cooking. Who knows, I might just be the next Masterchef [2], and I just didn't know about it because I am a lazy piece of shit. Maybe starting tomorrow, I should put more effort into living. That way, I might be able to shake off this feeling of being a total disappointment to my parents. Give them a reason to be happy as to why they gave birth to me is what I'm saying.
…
Whoa. I went pretty deep there. Maybe I should do less 'thinking' and more 'doing'.
Just like what she said back then.
I, however, or rather, my body, didn't readily do as I what I was told, which is to slice the vegetables, unlike earlier when I did, or rather, my body did.
Huh.
It did as what I was told readily earlier though. Weird. I wonder why. Heh.
"…"
"…"
I continue to blankly stare at the vegetables that she handed to me, all of which remained uncut. And remain uncut they will be for the moment. For some reason, my body doesn't want to do what I was told to do. I swear that I have the reason at the tip of my tongue. I just couldn't get a grip on it.
"…"
"…please."
And so my body immediately does what I was told to do.
Huh.
So that was what's missing. I get it now.
WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!
Just kidding. I already know what magic she used. And just to be sure, it's not the kind of magic that you would think of, so stop with the train of thought that my current companion is secretly a witch or something along those lines.
This is reality kid. Witches? Wizard? Sorcerers? Santa Claus? Aliens? Time-travellers? Espers?[3] They don't exist.
…
Sorry for bursting your bubble if you ever believed or still believe in them. But welp, somebody will have to slap you with that reality sooner or later so might as well let that somebody be me. Sorry, not sorry.
"This should be done soon. Could you please prepare the table?"
I do as I was told and prepared-
Hey wait. What exactly is going on here?
"Oi Miura." I said in a surprisingly (but not really) annoyed tone.
"Not now Hikio. I'm concentrating on cooking here." was her annoying (but not really; it's only from my point of view) reply.
"But Miu-"
"Please Hikio."
And just like that, my urge to complain was gone. Just like that. What kind of magic is this?! I retract my earlier statement that witches don't exist in this world. They exist! There is clearly one here.
Nah, I'm just being a delusional teenager who is trying to escape the reality that he is someone that can be easily manipulated by anyone (more so if the said anyone is an attractive woman… can't blame me… I'm still a guy you know?) so long as they say the magic word.
That's right kids. Ol' Hikigaya Hachiman here is pushover. Not entirely a very capable one , but still a pushover.
…that's really sad you know? Whatever did this poor boy do to deserve this?
What if there comes a time when everyone knows of this weakness of mine? What if they use it for unsavoury things? What would become of me then?! Would I be able to refuse? Or would I be someone who has lost his soul and become nothing other than a tool to advance their interests, good or bad the may be?
Maybe I should come up with a solution before such thing happens. Invent something. A medicine, a drink, or maybe a food supplement, anything that can suppress one's urge to comply if they were told the magic word. And then if I am able to successfully invent such thing, I would mass produce it. And I would sell it a very reasonable price because I cannot allow my fellow men to forever experience such suffering. I know that there will be demand for it, if it ever gets produced. And who knows? If I might be able to generate enough income from that, I won't have to succumb to society's standards. Aha! Take that society! Score one for the Hachiman! Ha! And here's some SALT too!
Maybe if I'm able to invent such thing way earlier, I could've prevented what had happened.
Okay.
Table is set and done.
Miura should be done by now too. We will set up the dining table, and then we'll talk about what the hell is going on right here. That will definitely happen. And then I will have my peace, and I will celebrate such peace by drinking a dozen cans of MAXX COFFEE. Maybe two. Maybe even three. All in one go! And then Komachi will scold me for doing so but will just let me be because she loves her onii-chan that much, and all that matters is her onii-chan's happiness. Right Komachi?
"Hey. This is good. You just keep getting better and better with your cooking." I said to her as I took a serving of her cooking. What it is that she cooked exactly? Nothing extravagant. It's still breakfast afterall. She just cooked some curry is all.
But I'll be damned if I didn't say that it is one of the best curries I've ever tasted. Komachi's curry is still the best, but Miura's isn't lagging far behind (mom's curry is on a whole new level though, so it'd be unfair to use is as basis for the best curry… and then we have her).
"Really? Well good then. There still more if you want. Just be sure to leave some for Komachi." was Miura's reply.
Oh yeah, speaking of Komachi, she'd usually have breakfast with me, but since today is a weekend, she's still sleeping. Not surprising what with her staying late up night lately. See, I introduced to her my Yggdra-waifu [4], and she finally saw the big deal over why I love her so much. She begged me to let her spend some time with her, and I happily obliged. It's not everyday that I see the same sparkle on one's eyes the way I did when I first saw Yggdra-chan. Ahhhh, the memories.
But that wasn't the reason why she stayed up late last night. I just wanted to share it. Spread the love. Spread the love for my Yggdra-waifu! But she is my waifu ok? You don't get to touch her. But you could still love her. Just keep in mind that she is my waifu and we're good.
…
Wait. Wasn't there something else that needs to be talked about?
"Oi Miura."
"Yes Hikio?"
"You still haven't told me why you're here."
This. This is what should be talked. The mystery on why, on a perfectly peaceful weekend, the fire queen of Sobu high, the one and only Miura Yumiko, is here in the Hikigaya residence. On top of that, she cooked breakfast. Such a mystery cannot be left unsolved and self-proclaimed-albeit-incompetent detective Hikigaya Hachiman is on the case.
"Hikio, don't tell me you forgot?"
I forgot? Hey wait a minute here missy. What am I supposed to forget here? We didn't talk about this. We didn't agree on us having breakfast here. And it's not like I'd approve it in the first place. I mean, this isn't my house… well it is, but not really. It's my family's, but that's not the point. The point here is, this isn't MY house so I don't have any authority to approve on my own. So yeah, there's that.
I'd probably still won't approve if it were really MY house, but hey, we won't know that for now nor in the immediate future because it'd still be a long way before I can afford one. I'm still just a high school student you know? And houses aren't cheap. Even if I do become a full-functioning member of society, it'd still take me year to afford my own house unless I really get to invent that thing that I mentioned earlier.
If it were Totsuka though, I'd readily agree even before- no. Not anymore Hachiman. You are not going to use Totsuka as a shield anymore. Totsuka is a person to be respected, and respected he should be!
But really though, I wouldn't mind having breakfast with Totsuka first thing in the morning. And I'm not saying that as someone who 'ogled' him for so long. I'm saying that as a friend. We are friends right?
But if the reason why I wouldn't say no to Totsuka having breakfast here is because we're friend, then I shouldn't mind having Miura do the same because we are friends too right? All this friend business is a little bit complicated for a neophyte socialite such as me. Brrr¬
"What the hell are you talking about woman? There's nothing to forget here!" I protested. It's not like I have to defend myself, but why do I get the feeling that I should?
"Kawasaki-san's request. You know? The one." she says confidently, as if her reply answers all the questions in the world.
I do remember Kawasaki's request. And it is indeed today. But what does that have anything to do with this? Kawasaki didn't exactly request that Miura make breakfast for me.
"And what does that have to do with this?" I questioned her with an expression akin to a police officer interrogating a suspicious individual.
"Well, didn't I say that I'd come as well?" she answered with confidence, as if she is innocent of any crimes suspected of her, if there were any.
I remember that as well, but I also remember that I didn't readily agree with her. See, as far as I remember, Kawasaki asked her request to me and me only. I remember that Miura just happened to be there. As for the reason why she was there, I remember that we were on our way to the Tennis Club. Anyways, it's not like the request needed another hand for it to be fulfilled as far I remember. In fact, I remember that if Kawasaki didn't specifically ask me, I would have suggested that she ask just Miura instead. But alas, I remember that she did. I remember that Kawasaki Saki asked for one Hikigaya Hachiman. She did not ask for a Miura Yumiko, at least, that's what I remember.
See, I remember! I remember all of it! I didn't forget anything!
I didn't voice my objection (to Miura joining in as well) though because I didn't have any say on the matter. I wasn't the one making the request. Kawasaki was. And she was okay with Miura with joining in, so why would I object to that? And it's not like things would get troublesome if she were to join.
But what does all of those have anything to do with this? This current set-up that were in?
"Yes you did." I express my agreement on one thing, of which made her nod her head in satisfaction.
"But you didn't say that you'd come here. You said that you'd come there." I express my disagreement on another, of which made her frown in frustration.
"Oh c'mon Hikio. It's not like it's doing you any harm. And you get to eat a free meal!"
Well yeah. It was indeed free, the meal that is. She even brought her own ingredients. So yeah, it's free. Granted that there's the utility bills, but it's not like I'm one paying for those. So yeah, it's free. Free for me.
"Besides, it's not like it's my first time here. And it's not the first time I cooked for you either. So really, what's the harm here?"
"You could have told me that you were planning on doing this."
"And like you would agree to it, huh?"
Okay. She got me there. It's not like I don't appreciate her sentiment. I just don't like to be indebted to anyone. See, this is different from the times she made me lunch. She didn't need to spend extra effort to make me one (the lunch) since she's already making one for herself. Adding another serving does not take much effort, only ingredients. This, she had to go out of her way just to do this. She had to wake up early, had to trek the way from her house to here, and had to get familiar with our kitchen arrangement. It makes me feel like I owe her something. I don't like that. I don't like that at all!
"I won't, but I know that that won't stop you."
But eh, it has already happened. And I get to eat a delicious meal, even if it was only curry. So yeah, not much I can do but just the make most out of this situation. Seconds please!
"Right. So what's wrong with this?"
But there's this one thing.
If it was any other weekend, I won't really mind this much. I would still mind, but not as intense as now. But this weekend, there is this specific one thing.
"Miura-senpai cooked for you? And it wasn't the first time?"
It is that.
Okay. Not a thing, but rather a person.
I'm sure that by the way that she spoke you would know who is this 'that' I'm referring to.
If you're wondering why she's here, well, it's related to the reason as to why Komachi stayed up late last night. Though, if that's the case, shouldn't she still be sleeping right now Hachiman-san? Well not really. I expected her to be awake by now. As with any sleepovers she has had here, she will always cook breakfast… with our supplies, very unlike what Miura just did. But she's not a bad cook so I don't mind really. Less work for me too.
"I-i-iroha? What are you doing here?"
That was directed at Isshiki, the one thing this weekend that made me mind more than my normal minding.
"YOu chEaTing CheATher oF a SenPAi!"
That was of course, directed at me. Though I still don't get why I'm a cheater. It's not like we're going out you kkkknnnnoooowwwwwww?
Heh.
"Ahh, so that's how it is." says the girl beside me, wearing that trademark smile of hers, all the while slapping me on the back which would appear as light slapping for other people, but to me, I don't want to admit it, but they hurt as hell. Believe me on this. I'm the one on the receiving end.
Scary. Irohasu is scary!
Just imagine. She's not my girlfriend, and this is how she reacts? I shudder at the thought of whoever becomes her boyfriend. To whoever that person is or will be, I offer you my deepest most genuine condolences.
"Senpai does need some looking afterall. If you take your eyes off him, he might just get snatch- I mean, he might hurt himself you know?" further says Isshiki all the while still wearing that smile of hers.
Oi Isshiki. Don't think that I missed what you were about to say. And what the hell? What's with that condescending tone? I'm not a kid! I can take care of myself! I am a young adult! I am fully capable of taking care of myself! I can even cook meals for myself now! Granted that it's only curry, but I can cook for myself now!
"Y-yeah." nervously replied the fire queen. +
You might be thinking that her being this perturbed is a bit out of her character. She's known to be this invincible person who no one else bothers to clash with because they know that they won't win… unless that someone is a certain Yukinoshita Yukino.
But I understand fully why she is in such a perturbed state right now. It's something only someone who has witnessed the current Isshiki Iroha would yeah, I understand her fully. It's okay Miura. It's okay to be scared. I was scared the first time I saw it. In fact, I am still scared right now.
"So thanks Miura-senpai for taking care of him." finally says Isshiki as if she's done with her piece.
…
"Y-yeah. No prob-"
Or so I thought.
"By the way, this curry you made sure is delish. You didn't happen to put any secret ingredient in it right? A certain love spice that can make a certain dead-fish eyed loner fall in love with you perhaps?" Oi, what happened to your cutesy kohai façade? Decided to just drop it altogether? Shame on you! Only Haruno is allowed to do such thing! Shame!
What the hell is this kohai of mine talking about? Such a thing does not and can not exist! I cannot allow it to exist! If it were, shouldn't she be the first one to get a hold of it what with this seemingly obsession of hers? Seriously Isshiki, you didn't smoke any drugs last right? I would be mad if you did. You were with my loveliest most cutest bestest of best little sister of all little sisters Komachi last night afterall. It wouldn't do if you made her do drugs. That's a big no-no.
Besides, if ever such spice did exist, I doubt Miura would ever use it. While it may seem like Miura to do such thing, what with her queen-bee appearance and attitude, and her whole i-wouldn't-take-a-no-for-an-answer demeanour, if you take the time to get to know her, you'd also see that underneath all that gaudy façade of hers is a pure maiden who only seeks love like any other maidens do. What I mean to say is, Miura Yumiko is just a girl. Instead of using such underhanded tactics, she would go with pure maidenly methods, giving her all to make her ideal man fall for her. Case in point: Hayama Hayato… or the Hayama Hayato she knew before everything crumbled down in front of her very own eyes.
And, this is just hypothetical (with a huge emphasis on HYPOTHETICAL), but should Miura decide to make me fall for her, she doesn't really need such thing (the love spice that is, if it ever exists). I already saw how hard she worked to get the attention of one certain blonde prettyboy. If ever she does (I repeat, this is all hypothetical) apply the same efforts in trying to woo me, then I will more or less fall for her. If you saw her efforts, I have no doubt that you would see how one would easily fall in love with her… normally. We both know that I am far from normal.
That's not to say that I'm in love with her, or do I ever want her to make me fall in love with her ok? It's only hypothetical. This is only in response to Isshiki assuming things. It's just Isshiki blowing things way out of proportion. Pssh. Miura does not want to make me fall for her. That's a load of bull. We're just friends. Friends I tell you!
Besides, I am still moving on from her. She knows that. I know that she knows that.
Speaking of Miura, I took the opportunity to take a look at her. And what did I find? A Miura that is full red, about to burst in anger. Probably because of what Isshiki accused her of. It was pretty insulting afterall. See? Miura does not want to make me fall for her. This here is my proof officer!
That was a fast recovery, though I am not really surprised. A similar scene happened with a certain other queen afterall, although that other queen recovered faster than this queen here. Nevertheless, both deserve the title of queens in this peon's humble opinion, not that it really matters anyway.
Anyway, I think it's time to diffuse to situation. Any more and I wouldn't be able to handle any of this. And didn't Miura and I have a request to attend to?
"Isshiki." I say as I put a hand over her to pat her. "Why don't you get Komachi? You two should eat breakfast together." I follow-up as I rub her head.
Why I did what I just did? See, throughout the many mornings I had with Isshiki, it came to my knowledge that she is… how do I word this… bad when she has just woken up. Especially if there is something that irritates her. Now there are a lot of things that irritate her, as expected of a brat so I wouldn't enumerate them. Through trial and error, I found the best way to calm her down is to pat and rub her head. Pretty much like what you would when you pet a cat, except, this girl here is a fox. Huh, I wonder if petting a fox is similar to petting a cat.
My action did it's expected effect. Isshiki calmed down and said "O-okay Senpai." Went to Komachi's room and did as what I told her to do.
I then look at Miura and- hey, what's with that weird look? I'm supposed to be the one related to fish here what with my dead-fish eyes that everyone reminds me of. What's with that fish-like mouth of yours?
"Oi Miura. You'll catch a fly if you keep your mouth open like that." I say to the dumb-founded Miura, probably because of how easy I handled Isshiki.
"Wh-wh-"
"Seriosly Miura. We'll need to get going while she's still away. We still have Kawasaki's request to attend to. Isn't that what you came here for?"
"R-right. Yeah. Let's get going."
And with that, after a few minutes of packing up, we were off to Kawasaki's.
The task that Kawasaki requested of us (actually, is just me) is simple. We take care of her siblings while she takes her scholarship test. She wouldn't have requested such thing of us (actually, still just me) if it weren't for the fact that her parents are unavailable too. She could ask her neighbours, yes, but I really couldn't find fault with Kawasaki's reasoning as to why she came to us (actually, is just... just forget it). I mean, everybody knows that I am the prime example of an excellent Onii-chan. Even I would recommend me when it comes to taking care of little si.. I mean, younger siblings. But do take note that I only take care of younger siblings. I don't take care of bugs.
Hey. Speaking of bugs, why didn't Kawasaki let Taishi take care of their younger siblings? He's old enough right? Heck, Komachi can already take care of herself. I don't see why Taishi can't.
"He has cram school today."
Oh right. Forgot about that.
Scratch that.
It's more like I didn't really care, but don't tell Kawasaki that. You know how much of a bro-con she is right?
I do commend him, Taishi that is, though for taking such path. Him aiming to become a doctor? It's impressive that he already has a choice of career this early in his life. And then look at me. I'm already in my final year in high school, yet I still don't have a crystal quality [5] view of what I want to be in the future (aside from becoming a house husband of course).
And it's not like becoming a doctor is an easy feat, so him aiming for that is really impressive. He is still a bug in my eyes though.
Good thing that he's not around too. That meant that I wouldn't have to take care of him. Though if he were around, I wouldn't be needed here so him being not around is actually bad for me. Curse you Taishi!
"Anyways, there's food in the fridge so help yourselves with that. I'll be back as soon as I'm done with exams. Try not to burn the house until then ok?" Kawasaki says as she prepares to leave.
I was about to voice out my reply when a certain blonde beat me to it.
"Oh don't worry about that Kawasaki-san. I'll be sure to not take my eyes off him so rest assured that he won't do anything funny on my watch." She says, wearing a smirk after.
Both Kawasaki and I shared a look as if Miura has grown a head or something. Granted that it wasn't really clear to whom that last statement of her's (Kawasaki's) was aimed at, but it really didn't matter as it was more of rhetorical than anything else.
It's not the first time I did this for Kawasaki so she knows how good I am at this job. Miura, on the other hand though, Kawasaki has no knowledge of her capability regarding this. I do though, and I can say that Kawasaki can already relax as Miura's pretty good at it too. Besides, Miura has a little sister too. Who is much younger than Komachi. She knows how to handle kids.
But Miura does not know that I already did this before, so I'll let it slide. And seems like Kawasaki did too.
"Right." Replied Kawasaki with a stern voice.
No words were spoken after, and the only sound that can be heard is the rustling of Kawasaki's clothes, or rather, garments, as she prepares to leave. I grew restless as I didn't know where to rest my sight on. It'd be pretty awkward if I land it on Kawasaki as that would be equal to infringing her privacy. I know I wouldn't want anyone to look at me while I wear my clothes/garments/whateveryoucallit. So with that, I decided to just look over to my blonde companion, who I caught in the act of nodding while looking at Kawasaki. Hey, what's with that? What's with that nodding action of yours, as if you know everything? And hey, isn't it rude to stare at someone who is putting her/his garments on?
And oh, just to not cause any more misunderstandings here, by garments, I meant socks, jacket, shoes… that kind. Heh.
Eventually though, Kawasaki finished her preparations and was on her way to the door. I was about to bid her goodbye when she turned around and said,
"And oh, by the way Ha-Ha-ha… Ha-chan…"
O-oi! You don't have to call me that if it's hard for you! And what's with that flustered face of yours? It's way too cute! Too cute that I almost feel embarrassed! What's with that?
As Kawasaki called me that, I instinctively looked over to my side, specifically at Miura. Kawasaki calling me Ha-chan isn't an everyday occurrence, and it could be taken out of context very quickly by those who aren't on the know as to why she calls me that. Miura is one of 'those'. And I don't like the look she has on her face right now.
"Don't spoil Keika too much okay?" says Kawasaki with finality. And she has reason to say that too. Even I recognize that I tend to spoil the little Keika. She just… she just know how to pull my strings you know? I swear, if she continues to develop that craft of hers, she'd definitely be…
…
Let's not think of that for now yeah? Keika is Keika, and let's leave it at that. For now.
"Y-yeah." I meekly replied.
With a nod and wave of her hand, Kawasaki went on her way.
That leaves just me and Miura. And I don't have to look at her to know what face she is wearing.
"So… Ha-chan huh?" says Miura. I just know that she has that smug look on her face right now. I just know it. "I didn't know you had it in you, you dog you!"
"Oh shut up woman." And I'm no dog. If anything, I'm a cat.
Oh bother [6]. She wouldn't let this go would she?
Surprisingly, she did. Miura dropped it. Would you look at that?
Although to be fair, Keika may have something to do with it. All it took was a simple cry of "Ha-chan!" from her and everything is suddenly ok.
Pretty scary if you ask me. I'm pretty sure that Keika isn't aware of the power she holds right now, but it scares me that one day she'd be totally aware of it. I don't want to think about it, but the possibility of such thing happening is very real, so I might as well. Case in point: Komachi.
…
Granted that Komachi is still cute, but you get what I mean right?
Still, welp, I guess it's still a long ways to go before Keika becomes like that. So for now, I guess we could still enjoy her pure adorableness without fear of having us by her beck and call.
"Ha-chan! Cookies!" says Keika as she handed the play-do she's been toying with for the past minute or so. She says that they're cookies, but to me, they look like clumps of play-do haphazardly done together. Not that I'm complaining since Keika is still just a child. It'd be more surprising if she was able to create a picture perfect replica of cookies.
"Oh, Thanks Keika but I'm-"
"Cookies!" she says again as she enthusiastically hands me the 'cookies' she made.
I take the 'cookies' as that is what she wants. I then smile at her as my sign of thanks for her.
There was a moment of silence for a while, I still wearing my smile, and Keika, having this expectant look on her.
…
Wait. Am I supposed to eat this?!
I take it back. Keika might already be very aware of the power her adorableness holds.
…
Well it's not like play-doh's toxic though. So I'm in no real danger if I 'eat' the 'cookies'.
And by 'eat', I mean pretend eat as even though play-doh isn't toxic and can sometimes be edible, I just know that it won't taste good. Sorry Keika.
"Ohhh yum yum! Very good Keika!" I say as enthusiastically as I can.
As I say that, I see Keika's face brighten up (as if it wasn't bright enough already), and that almost made me want to totally eat the 'cookies' (I still won't). Ah, kids and the way they tug on our heartstrings. People may know me as someone who is very anti-social, but it's different with kids. It's just different with 'em.
As I continue to pretend eat the 'cookies' Keika made, I remembered that there is another party here in this room. And I just happen to have this devilish (well not really that evil) idea in mind.
"Keika, I think Miura-neechan want some of your cookies too."
As I say that, I look over to Miura too see her reaction. Oh what would I give to have a picture of that face she's wearing right now be taken and be forever etched in my memories. It's hilarious! Hilarious I say!
"Ah Miuya-chan! Here!"
Miuya-chan. That's a pretty cute nickname if I were to be fully honest.
"Oh you're back. Welcome home." I say as Kawasaki enters their home. It's been hours now since she left, so I guess that her scholarship test is over now. How did she do? Did she do well?
"I'm home. Where's Keika?" is her reply as she takes her shoes off, her garments afterwards. As soon as she was done and was actually already looking at me, I pointed my finger to their couch where the little Keika is currently sleeping.
It should be no surprise that she sleeping now. Aside from the fact that it's pretty late now (about 17 minutes before 6 P.M.), and that Keika is still a kid, she was very extravagant with her energy spending earlier, doing this and that. I was actually thankful that Miura was with me because we could divide the labor, resulting in me not having to spend too much energy.
Still, I feel like I need to reiterate that Keika was very extravagant with her energy spending, as she wasn't really as busy as she was the last time I babysat her. Must be because it's not only me that's babysitting her this time? Or maybe because it's a part of her growth. I dunno. I'm no paediatrician. Anyhow, I really am thankful for Miura's help.
Damn. I owe Miura another one. The breakfast meal, and this on top? I owe her big time. It's not like she's expecting to me 'pay' her, but I still feel obligated you know? See, this was the reason why I refuse to get help from anyone before (back when I was still my self-loathing self). I didn't want to be indebted to anyone. But I guess having friends means that you will be helped whether you like it or not, and you don't need to feel obligated to 'pay' them back.
…
I think I need to change that part of me yeah? The part where I refuse help that is.
"I see. How about Miura?"
"She already left. Had some sudden errands to tend to."
It is as I said. She left about an hour ago. Got a call from her mom. Said she has so buy some stuff for dinner and whatnot. I let her go. She looked really apologetic, but I said it's okay. Like really okay. It was supposed to be only me here anyway. She volunteered so I can't really complain, not that that I would. Besides, Keika was already asleep by that time anyway.
The time between that and this, I spent tidying up things and doing the dishes. I just felt like doing it. Not like I had anything better to do anyway. Keika was already asleep. Kawasaki's other siblings were upstairs in their room doing whatever it is that they're doing, which was fine as long as they're not 'burning the house down'. I didn't have Vita-chan with me since she is with Komachi. I pretty much exhausted everything I can do with my phone games.
So yeah, I did the chores. It's work, but it's necessary work. It's good training for a house-husband to be too yeah?
…
Well, my job here is done, so I really don't have any reason to stay.
"I guess I'll take my leave now too seeing that my job here is done." I say as I was to prepare myself to leave.
However,
"Can stay for a little longer? I want us to have tea."
…
And by having tea, it meant that she wants us to talk too. Yeah, we do talk, me and Kawasaki. We are no longer like before where we just nod at each other. She was the first person to confront me when I was still in a state of shock (and maybe depression) when I lost her. She was one among the others who helped me in recovering myself.
…
Welp, I did want to check on her too. Ask her how her scholarship test went is what I'm saying.
The tea they have here may not be as eloquent as what she serves back then, but it's not like it's bad. Besides, it's free tea so who am I to complain?
…
"…sure. But can we have some cookies along with the tea too?"
-0-
"I think I did good. I'm confident that I'll get the scholarship."
Was Kawasaki's answer when I asked how her scholarship test went.
"I'm thinking political science. I want to take up law in the future afterall."
Was her reply when I asked her what she's planning on taking. She trying for a scholarship afterall, so that meant she's going to college.
"How about you? Do you already have plans after we graduate?"
…
"To be honest with you, I still don't have any." Aside from becoming a house-husband that is, but to become a house-husband, I will need a wife, and having a wife right after I graduate (which means that I'm probably still young) won't set a good example to Komachi. That, and I doubt anyone I know would allow me.
"And before you say anything, I'm just telling you what I really feel. It has nothing to do with me still in the state of moving on. I just don't know what to do really. I don't have any particular talent. And it's not like I excel in anything… Well, I lied. I do excel in one thing and that's Japanese… I really don't know what to do with that."
"Ha-chan… don't you have anything you want to do? Or want to be? And don't say 'house-husband' because we both know that that is bullshit."
…
Yeah, I can also say that the whole house-husband thing is pretty bullshit too, but not entirely. I really did, at one point in my life, dreamt of becoming a house-husband.
"Welp, I've always wanted to write. Publish my own book and whatnot."
"Then why not start there?"
"I don't know if I have what it takes. What if I fail? I would be left with nothing and years spent for nothing."
"What if you don't? Ha-chan, you are more capable than what you think you are. I can attest to that. A lot of people can attest to that."
"…"
"…you know, I had that same fear too. Maybe I still have. But I know that things won't change if don't move forward. I won't know have results if I don't take action. That's why I'm deciding for my future, even if I don't know that I can do it.
"Ha-chan, please, you need to put more effort in moving on. Time waits for no one. Either you go with it, or you get left behind. I don't want you to get left behind. You are much much more than what you think you are."
"…you know that I'm trying enough already…"
"I know. And I'm not saying that you should have a plan already. Just try some more… for yourself. For the people around you. For her."
…
Right. For her. Even before she left, she tried to push me out of my shell. She wanted me to grow.
…
It wouldn't be so bad if I did just that right?
Julienne; a technique for slicing… I really don't know how to expound on this hehe
Masterchef; a culinary competition where homecooks duke it out to become the next masterchef, although nowadays, it's become more of drama and less cooking
Haruhi Suzumiya; the thing with aliens, espers, time-travellers? They exist in her world
Yggdra Union; If you've been following my fanfics, you should know by now that I am an avid fan of the game
PGS meme; just search the You Tube for Stop, Drop, Retro PSG review. It's worth your time
Winnie the Pooh's sort of catchphrase… I think? Not really a fan of the Pooh bear, but I play I Kingdom Hearts, so….