Having Had My Bride Stolen, I Just Want to Live Peacefully - Chapter 9

“”It’s delicious.””

After having a bite of each other’s food, our voices come together again.

The food mother-in-law cooked has a gentle taste and is delicious just like always.

But my overcooked, burnt meat and potatoes are delicious?!

When I looked sideways at Nene-chan, she was making a bitter expression.

“…Not.”

She continued.

I was surprised for a moment, but I knew it.

“Right? So you don’t have to push yourself to eat it.”

“No… I’ll eat it all.”

Nene-chan was eating slowly but surely.

Yesterday, I did two things myself and thought about it.

It was that cooking was difficult and that this bento was too delicious.

“”Thank you for the meal.””

I had a two-tiered bento, and Nene-chan had a small bowl, but it was the same when I finished eating.

“I’m sorry, I’ve fed you something strange.”

“It’s all right, I said I wanted to eat it. Don’t worry about it, brother-in-law.”

“I see…”

I still felt bad about it.

Nene-chan gently pressed her mouth with a handkerchief and then asked me.

“Brother-in-law seems to live alone for a long time, but you don’t cook much?”

“My cooking is too much. I mainly eat food that doesn’t need to be cooked. Ah, but instead of instant food, I tried to make it less processed like natto^[1]Natto (fermented soybeans)., tofu^[2]Tofu is a delicacy made from the skin of gently boiled soybean milk., or paste^[3]Paste products (incl. sweets, fish paste, etc.).…”

While talking, I felt Nene-chan’s eyes getting sharp, so for some reason, my words were lined up like an excuse.

When I was a student, I thought it would be a shame to spend time studying part-time, becoming a member of society, and concentrating on cooking.

In the meantime, natto was very useful because it was cheap and delicious to eat right away.

“Hmm. It’s a good idea to cook for yourself.”

“Well, that’s what it looks like.”

I think of yesterday’s meat and potatoes which look bitter even though I haven’t even eaten them.

Suddenly, Nene-chan suggests something unexpected.

―Shall I teach you how to cook?

“Huh?”

I asked back despite myself.

“I’ll teach brother-in-law how to cook, but I’ll just ask my mom about the recipe and make it together…”

I don’t think I misheard it.

Being taught how to cook would be more laborious than having her make the food.

Above all, there is no reason for Nene-chan to spend time with someone like me.

She’s still here at the house of an old man when she doesn’t even want to come.

However, if I become able to cook, mother-in-law’s worries will go away and she won’t be able to make bento.

Then I think that Nene-chan would be freed from her mother’s request.

“… May I ask you a favor?”

I accepted the proposal and decided to ask for it as well.

From there, we made plans. Because I have free time and I’m in a position to be taught, I’m in a position to match Nene-chan.

Nene-chan had a school and a part-time job, so it was decided that she would teach me how to cook next Saturday.

Even during the period until she taught me how to cook, Nene-chan came to my house every morning with a bento.

I thought it was only on weekdays, but she brought me a bento before her part-time job or before hanging out with her friends regardless of Saturday and Sunday.

It was always morning. She seems to be busy during the day and evening.

It’s only natural because she’s a high school girl.

One meal out of three meals a day was very fulfilling, and I was very grateful, but I was worried that I was putting a burden on her.

And Nene-chan sometimes takes pictures of me saying, “I have to show my mom what it looks like.” For some reason, it’s always a two-shot selfie with Nene-chan.

I was getting used to being photographed.

I’m grateful, but I’ve been having a hard time every day.

◇◆◇

I sat down at the table for four, a little quiet and a privately run small restaurant.

“Here’s a toast to the first gathering in a long time!”

The frivolous-looking man in front of me held up his mug with the top of the note.

Cheers, and clinking our glass.

“Well, it’s been a long time since I had a drink in a shop. Look, Arata, you should drink more.”

“Stop it Ootori-san, Senpai is not a heavy drinker.”

A woman sitting next to me stops the man’s incitement.

“It’s all right, Kitagawa. A little bit of this won’t be a problem.”

“Are you sure? Please let me know if you feel uncomfortable.”

The man in front of me is Ootori Kyouhei, a colleague of my age, one of the few friends I have known since high school.

He is often out of place, but contrary to his appearance, he is a good guy who can look around and pay attention.

The woman sitting next to me was Kitagawa Ibuki, two years younger than me, and a subordinate under my direct control.

She has short hair and looks intelligent, but sometimes she does something unexpected.

She was smart and tactful, and in her third year, she was entrusted with many things.

We had come to dinner, which we had promised before.

“By the way, Arata, why are you wearing a suit? Did you start working somewhere?”

“No, I don’t have a job. But I always came here after work, and it seemed uncomfortable for me to be the only one wearing plain clothes while everyone was wearing suits.”

I was busy with work, so I usually wear suits, and I don’t have many plain clothes.

I may have more opportunities to wear plain clothes from now on, so I have to be careful.

“Hey, did you care about that? At last, you’re free, and don’t be so tied up.”

Kyouhei patted me on the shoulder in a graceful manner.

He’s a kind guy who says I’m free even though I’m supposed to be fired.

“Yes, Senpai, I told you to take your time, didn’t I?”

“Thank you, both of you.”

They both know my situation.

Kyouhei knows almost everything, while Kitagawa knows a certain amount.

“How’s work going?”

“The deadlines were tight and the specifications were messed up, but thanks to Senpai’s handover, I managed to do it, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to come out for a drink like this.”

With a whimper, Kitagawa fanned the cocktail she had in her hand.

“How are Arata doing these days? You look pretty well after all that. I mean, you look better than before, don’t you? You seem to be eating well.”

“Well, I’m not completely back on my feet, but thanks to you, I’m taking my time. Wait, did I look pale before?”

I’m a little shocked.

“Didn’t you notice? You’ve been particularly busy lately. You could have fallen at any time.”

“That’s right. I was worried because Senpai sometimes doesn’t eat for many days, but I’m relieved to see your face.”

I was so busy with work and wedding preparations that I had a hard time.

I really did collapse in the end, but…

It’s a relief that Nene-chan was there at that time.

“A little worried, huh. Listen to this Arata, Ibuki-chan rush into your house―”

“Hey, Ootori-san!”

“What’s wrong with Kitagawa?”

I couldn’t hear the story because I remembered when I collapsed.

When I saw Kitagawa, I found her blushing, which was rare.

The alcohol may have gone around because she was drinking it all at once.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Why, I’m curious.”

Kyouhei laughed and said, “Stick together.”

“S-senpai. I haven’t touched this meat and potatoes since I took a bite. You liked this place, didn’t you? You don’t really have an appetite yet, do you…”

Kitagawa’s comment made me realize.

“No, I have an appetite, but…”

I scratched my head wondering why.

“If you don’t eat it, I’ll eat it up.”

Kyouhei suddenly picked it up.

“Oh, have you heard of it? It looks like Miyoshi-san is going back temporarily.”

“She’s coming back? She’s supposed to be over there for good…”

“It seems that something urgent has come up in Japan, so she’s returning back from America.”

“Uhm, who is Miyoshi-san?”

“She was Arata’s direct supervisor. She got a lot of work done, so she got headhunted and went to America. She was almost a replacement for Ibuki-chan, and it’s only natural that you don’t know.”

“A senior of senpai…”

“When Arata first started, he couldn’t do any work at all, and he was often guided by Miyoshi-san.”

“Ah, I still haven’t slept with my feet in America.”

“Well, I can’t imagine senpai who can’t work. Ootori-san, tell us more about the old senpai!”

Kyouhei did not stop talking when I stopped him, and Kitagawa listened to it with great interest.

What is so interesting about it?

Well, it’s a fun drinking party, and if I’m going to be humiliated and excited, that’s all right.

Besides, tomorrow is my day to be taught how to cook, so I should try not to drink too much.

With that in mind, the night went on.