Falling in love with my stalker

It was still six in the evening, that’s why it was fine for Takeuchi-san to stay a little longer.

…truth be told…well, let it be.

I was just happy that she could stay at my house even though it was not early in the morning. The fact that there was someone in the house who was not just a friend or a work partner, fills my heart with warmth.

Currently, I was sitting at the dining table which was just parallel to the kitchen—where, Takeuchi-san was currently moving to and fro and cooking something incredibly savoring.

She called her house and received permission to stay here until eight, that’s why she first chose to make me dinner.

As one could guess, she cares about me. Ain’t I too lucky?

“Did you remember something good?” Maybe she saw me smiling even without turning to look at me as Takeuchi-san’s voice reached my ears.

I first checked whether she was wearing any earpiece and talking to someone on the phone…but it turned out she actually was talking to me.

“Umm…no. Actually, I am just happy. A little too much.”

A sigh escaped my lips as I continued, “Just by looking at you moving in the kitchen. The sound of utensils. The smell of food. Our small chats…all these are something that I find too valuable to not react to.”

I chuckled a bit in embarrassment before adding, “I know I must be sounding childish and a little too enthusiastic, but-”

“It’s not just you, Shou-kun. I am the same.”

As Takeuchi-san lowered the flames she turned to look at me.

The slight moisture over her forehead made her look like she was glittering…increasing her charm.

Focusing back I heard her saying, “All these moments I spend with you…I feel all this could be nothing but a dream. Just until yesterday, I was a complete stranger to you, who used to take care of Shou-Kun from the shadows. Although the happiness I got by looking after Shou-kun was something I will always treasure, this time between us…I feel fulfilled in these moments.”

Takeuchi-san was a very mature and simple person. Although she always extruded the impression that people could rely on her. Even when we seldom came in contact, she always seemed to be the kind of person who would hide her emotions and thoughts from the world. However now, seeing those eyes that were overflowing with satisfaction and passion, I was certain that this person was just another girl in love.

And the person she loves is me.

The realization created some flowery butterflies in my stomach as a soft smile lifted the edges of my lips.

Takeuchi-san raised her left brow seeing my reaction as she asked, “You are shy, Shou-kun?”

“I-I mean…Takeuchi-san look sometimes so handsome when she truthfully expresses her feelings…can you blame me?”

A melodious laughter which was sweeter than the pudding I ate some minutes ago, resounded in the dining space.

Whether she was amused by my statement or was making fun of me; doesn’t matter. All I wanted to see was her smile and hear her laughter.

Ah, is this what Mom used to tell me? Is this what one could regard as love?

****

The dinner consists of pan-seared fish, rice, miso soup, and some stir-fried chicken wings with hot sauce.

It wasn’t well-balanced food but everything was to my liking.

We sat facing each other before we clasped our hands and prayed,

“Itadakimasu.” I took my chopsticks and tore some fish before putting it in my mouth.

The sour and spicy taste of the marinade along with the juiciness of the fish melted on my tongue as a strange sound left my throat,

“Mmmm~”

After chewing the food, I looked at Takeuchi-san who was looking back at me hesitantly as I said,

“Marry me, Takeuchi-san!”

“Ehh?” I might be imagining but it wasn’t just the food that had steam rising above it.

“Seriously, how can you make such good food with so limited ingredients? I say you should pursue a career in cooking.”

I excitedly swayed left and right before bringing my chopsticks to the chicken piece and biting on it.

“Hmmm-mmm…yup, it’s addictive.”

For the rest of the dinner, I continued to compliment Takeuchi-san one after another.

She had a hard time eating the food in peace because of my verbal onslaught, but I just couldn’t hold myself.

Once dinner was finished I began to move all the dishes to the sink. Although Takeuchi-san wanted to help, I shook my head and rejected her goodwill.

I can’t have you do all the work by yourself—I told her and made her sit on my chair so we could converse conformably.

“Shou-kun…can I ask you something?”

“Hmm?” As I put down the plates on the sink, I hummed in response as my eyes locked on her.

Takeuchi-san seemed slightly embarrassed asking, but she thankfully didn’t restrain herself from asking,

“Was the food I made past two months not that good…?”

I raise my brows in confusion. It took me a moment before I finally realized what she was saying.

Shaking my head, I eased her worries, “If it wouldn’t have been delicious and appetizing, I wouldn’t have finished everything you made, Takeuchi-san.”

Placing the bowls inside the sink I continued, “However, since I knew the chef wasn’t present around me during breakfast, I preserved my compliments all these days. And today, when I had the chef in front, I just summarized all my gratefulness for what you have done for me until now.”

Stepping out of the kitchen I bowed again, before saying, “Thank you, Takeuchi-san, for falling in love with me and taking care of me. You have helped me in ways that I couldn’t even tell.”

Silence ensued for a moment and two before I heard the chair sliding before her footstep urged me to lift my head.

Takeuchi-san’s warm palm pressed against my cheek as she directed a hazy look at me. Those eyes were devoid of anger and blood lust she carried earlier when in front of Shirakawa-san. Those eyes didn’t have the usual aloofness. At that moment, those eyes were overflowing with the emotion of love.

And I was the only one who could look at those eyes of hers.

“You don’t need to thank me, Shou-kun. I was destined to fall for such a kind and hard-working person as you. I truly am lucky that I got to meet you.”

The rhythm of my heart was slightly hastened upon hearing those words.

Slowly yet surely, I was falling for her. And for certain reasons, I liked how things were developing between us.

********

A/N:- Might as well, add some future glimpses. Drop a comment.