I tried to confess my feelings to the girl I like, but I got too excited and ended up proposing. Was her response OK?! ~ - Chapter 35
Episode 35
After our three-person gaming tournament ended, we started preparing our dinner.
Mana and I carried the dishes while Ryota and Shimura-san set the table with small plates.
Since there were more people than usual today, we decided to serve the food on large plates instead of plating separately.
Thanks to the four of us working together, we finished quickly and gathered around the dining table.
“Can we start eating?”
It seems Shimura-san’s appetite has reached its limit. She’s eagerly awaiting the food, eyes shining like a dog waiting for food.
“Yes, everyone please dig in.”
Manami urged with a smile.
“Then let’s dig in!”
Shimura-san was the first to get into the stew.
Following suit, Ryota and I started spooning up the food.
Yep, it’s delicious as always.
Ryota, after taking a bite of the dish at the same time as me, savored it slowly.
“It’s delicious! I envy you, Sora, eating something like this every day. Were you so good at cooking because you went to cooking classes when you were young?”
“No, I’m entirely self-taught. My parents have been overseas on business since I was in junior high, so I’ve been taking care of myself. My aunt helped raise me, but she also worked, so naturally, I ended up doing the cooking and such. I guess my skills improved over time.”
Her aunt must be referring to Eriko-san.
But it’s surprising she’s sharing such stories with us. I got the impression that Mana didn’t like talking about her family much.
Maybe it means she’s opening up to us.
“Is that so? Then from Mana’s perspective, your aunt was like your foster parent.”
“Mana, aren’t you lonely not being able to see your parents?”
…Why is he asking such a thing again?
If Mana starts recalling the past…
But it seems my worry was in vain as Mana continued the conversation with a smile.
“There were certainly lonely times, but not anymore. I have Sora-kun by my side now.”
“Hey, Sora.”
Ryota grinned and looked at me.
“What’s with that grin?”
“Oh? I’m just really happy as your best friend to see how much Manami cares about you.”
What’s with this irritation I’m feeling?
“Come on, Ryota, you always tease Sora-kun! If you keep doing that, the food will get cold! Let’s eat already!”
Shimura-san scolded Ryota in my place.
And I didn’t miss this timing.
“Hey Ryota, you’re always talking down to me, but behind the scenes, you’re being led around by her.”
Of course, it’s a joke.
Ryota rarely talks down to me.
But what’s important is not that, but the part about being led around.
He’s surprisingly prideful, so being told this by me wouldn’t sit well with him.
As expected, Ryota retorted immediately.
“Huh? Who’s being led around? I’m the one leading Sana!”
“Huh?”
…Shimura-san’s voice was so low it’s like she hasn’t spoken up until now.
Apparently, Ryota heard it too, as his face paled gradually.
“Who are you leading?”
“Uh, well… uh, that was just, uh… I just said it without thinking, I’m really sorry!”
Ryota rushed through the latter part, practically begging for forgiveness from Shimura-san.
It seems this couple has a clear top and bottom dynamic.
“Sora-kun is already doing a little too much. Please stop doing that and eat quickly.”
I also got a bit scolded by Mana.
“Sorry, sorry, we’re pretty much always like this. Just got carried away with our usual banter.”
“That’s fine. Anyway, please eat quickly.”
If I say anything more, it seems Mana won’t look at me for a while.
I judged that and started eating the food quietly and obediently.
Afterwards, we continued chatting while having our meal and spent an enjoyable time together.
Once everyone finished their meal, Mana and I started doing the dishes together.
“Thanks for today. It was nice of you to cook even for Ryota and her.”
“No, I enjoyed it too. And I’m really happy to have good friends. People around me usually don’t seem to want to get along with me, but Sana-san was different, so I’m really happy.”
Most likely, the girls around Mana just want the title of being her friend.
Mana realizes that and doesn’t get too close to them.
“If you had fun, I can’t say anything. You’re my top priority, Mana, by far.”
With that, Mana smiled gently and looked at me.
“Hehe, Sora-kun, you’re my number one too. I’d do anything for you.”
When she says things like that, I can’t hold back!
While suppressing such feelings with reason, I continued washing the dishes.