Having Had My Bride Stolen, I Just Want to Live Peacefully - Chapter 7

When I open the two-tiered bento, I find side dishes such as chicken meatballs, tatsutaage, and boiled hijiki.

The second tier was filled with white rice, pickled dried plum was sprinkled in the middle, and black sesame was sprinkled around it.

“This one looks good today as well.”

Yesterday’s memories come back to me, and I can’t help but overflow with salivation.

Then I’ll start with the chicken. It seems that it’s on a small skewer, and it makes me feel better.

While there are manners to consider, it’s best to eat this kind of thing while it’s stuck on a skewer.

“The fluffy texture is packed with the flavor of the meat, and it goes well with the sweet and spicy sauce. These green onions and white sesame give a good touch.”

I then stir in the white rice.

“This flavor makes the rice go down so easily. It’s really delicious.”

“If you dip the egg yolk in it, it will taste even better.”

“Meatballs and egg yolk are the best combinations.”

I imagine a shining chicken meatball with egg yolk entwined.

It looks delicious just thinking about adding a mild egg yolk cap to the sweet and spicy sauce.

“It’s a bento, so it’s hard to add egg yolk separately.”

“Yes, I see. That’s too bad…”

I’m afraid I can’t do it. After all, I don’t have eggs in my refrigerator because I’ve been busy preparing for the wedding and working.

“Then you should come and eat at my place.”

“What? That’s too brazen. I’m satisfied with just having this bento made.”

“Hmm.”

After that, Nene-chan looked at me without saying anything.

I felt something strange, but I regained my mind, and I then ate the tatsutaage.”

“This crispy batter, plump mackerel, is well seasoned and delicious.”

This is another dish that pairs with white rice again.

“It’s also good to sprinkle ponzu on grated radish, don’t you think?”

“…That’s true.”

It would be delicious to eat it refreshingly with grated ponzu.

I like the crispy coating, but I also like the slightly soggy one.

“This is also a bento, so it’s hard to do.”

“Certainly…”

It’s too much to ask for toppings in a bento.

Ah, it’s frustrating that I come up with an idea but can’t make it happen.

“Then you can come and eat at my place.”

The thought of chicken meatballs dipped in egg yolk and mackerel with grated radish and ponzu sauce was very tempting.

But in what world is there a man who goes to his ex-fiancée’s house just for that?

“No, that’s a bit much, so I’ll refrain from doing so.”

“Hmm.”

Then again, Nene-chan said nothing and stared at me.

After a while, she looked surprised as if she had thought of something.

“Right, brother-in-law. Can I take a picture?”

“Huh? A picture?”

“Yes, my mom asked me to take a picture.”

It’s embarrassing just to have Nene-chan watch me eat, but now a picture?

“Umm, that’s―”

“Nene might get in trouble…”

“You can take a picture.”

I tried to say no, but my determination faltered.

Is there a man who could refuse such a beautiful girl’s expression?

It would be no big deal if one or two pictures would make her smile.

“By the way Nene-chan, what does this mean?”

“Huh? I’m trying to take a picture.”

“Do we need to stick together like this?”

“What are you talking about? It’s a selfie, so it’s obvious.”

Nene-chan was so close that I almost touched her shoulders.

She smells sweet and gentle, just like the sweatshirt she returned.

Nene-chan’s beautiful black and red hair falls on my shoulder.

Ah, I thought she was definitely going to take a picture where I was eating.

I didn’t know this was going to be a two-shot with Nene-chan.

“Then I’ll take a picture.”

“Ah, yes.”

She took pictures so naturally that I didn’t have to resist it and it went by so quickly.

I’m not used to taking pictures, so I don’t know what I look like.

My face is worthless, so I don’t have to worry about it, but I’ll ask her just in case.

“I don’t look strange, do I?”

“Strange…”

Nene-chan answers while looking at her smartphone.

As expected.

“Then let’s delete it and take it again.”

“No, I am not deleting this.”

Why is it?

Well, it’s troublesome to take a picture again just because my face is strange…

Nevertheless, I finished eating the bento.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Thank you very much.”

Nene-chan had a satisfied look on her face.

She must think that when I’m finally finished eating, it’s only natural that she thinks she has to see her father eating at the request of mother-in-law.

“How was your day, brother-in-law?”

“Of course it was delicious. Besides, I fell asleep again yesterday and didn’t eat anything until morning, so I was saved.”

“Huh? You haven’t eaten anything since then?”

Nene-chan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yeah, but it’s all right. I’ve been so busy with work that I haven’t eaten all day.”

“No, that’s not all right.”

She looked at me with wrinkles between her eyebrows.

She probably thought that I was a working adult, and didn’t think I could manage my meals.

I can’t say anything because she’s right about it.

“Yes, Could you tell mother-in-law that she doesn’t need to make me any more bentos?”

“Huh, why? Did it bother you?”

“I mean, I feel bad to have mother-in-law make my bento.”

“I see. But do you think mom would stop making it after hearing what you said?”

Ordinary people would be worried if they heard that there are many things they haven’t eaten all day.

What’s more, knowing how kind and gentle her mom is, the answer was simple.

“I don’t think so. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention it.”

“No, I have to report how brother-in-law doing to her.”

Nene-chan tied her lips tightly and responded as if she had made up her mind.

I messed up.

“I will tell her that you haven’t eaten for a day, and have been trying to get going a whole day with just coffee.”

“Well, this is like fuel for working adults, it’s a good way to keep me awake.”

“…Can I have a drink?”

Did she show interest because of what I said about staying awake?

Maybe she’s sleepy because she comes early in the morning to give me a bento.

I decided to take advantage of the fact that I could be blamed for a lot of things at this rate.

“Ah, yeah. I will prepare it now.”

“It’s all right, I can’t drink that much. What you have is fine.”

She pointed at the coffee I was drinking, which was now completely cold.

Nene-chan then takes a tissue out of her bag and puts it on her lips.

“I’m sorry, but it’s not good manners to show in front of you.”

“No, that’s not the case…”

I wonder if the color of her lipstick-stained the cup, and I’m surprised by the way a woman behaves, which I don’t usually see.

Nene-chan put her hand on the cup and took a sip.

“…It certainly wakes you up.”

After saying a word, Nene-chan squints her eyes with her small tongue.

I don’t wake up with bitterness. Black coffee is probably not good for kids.

“Then I have to go.”

When I looked at the clock, it was about time.

“Me too.”

I got up, washed the bento and cup, and left home with a jacket and a bag.

On the way, Nene-chan offered to wash them, but I politely refused.

The two of us stood just outside the entrance of the apartment.

“Thank you again today, Nene-chan. Make sure to thank mother-in-law for me too.”

“Yes, I will.”

“Well, I’m heading this way.”

I was about to go the opposite way to Nene-chan.

“Brother-in-law.”

“Huh?”

“Have a nice day.”

The morning sun shone on Nene-chan, and her smile was shining brightly.

I feel like I’ve seen something good.

I can’t believe there will be a day that I’ll be grateful to the sun, which I thought was abominable.

“Yes, I’m off.”

Her smile was so bright that I tried to look away, but she stopped me again.

“Brother-in-law. I forgot to tell you, you look great in a suit.”

“…Thank you.”

I was going to say something in return, but I thought “You look good in uniform” was a perversion.

“Take care, Nene-chan.”

All I could do was return these ordinary words.

“I’m off.”

Nevertheless, Nene-chan never leaves the place.

I can’t stay still like this, so I start walking.

As I turned around the corner, I was a little worried and turned around, and found Nene-chan still there looking at me.

She saw me off with a small wave of shyness when she noticed that I had turned around.