The Matter of Starting to Live Together With a Long-Time Friend From High School After Becoming a Working Adult - Chapter 23: A Simple Meal Heals the Heart

After finishing my shopping at the convenience store, I returned to Arikura’s apartment.

It took about thirty minutes after all. I had to think about various choices. Well, there’s nothing that can be done about that.

Using the card key borrowed from the storage room, I deactivated the auto-lock and entered. Then, I boarded the elevator.

Somehow, I feel like I’ve gotten strangely used to this whole series of events.

It’s not like I’ve been going there that often yet. Well, I also think the expression “going there often” might not be quite right.

I never thought I would ever be able to come and go in a high-rise building so confidently.

The world is really incomprehensible.

Well, if I put it that way, I honestly don’t have the confidence to answer questions about the current situation either.

“Oh, welcome back!”

When I entered the room using the key card, Arikura was drying her hair. It seemed she had just finished showering and getting dressed.

“I’m home. I brought back a lot of things.”

“How about hamburgers?”

“Let’s save that for another time. It’s already late, so I kept it really light.”

“I see… but I’m so happy♪”

Arikura raised her arms in celebration, showing her joy. Although her voice was still tired, it was a relief to see her expression gradually returning to its original smile.

While savoring that thought, it was then that I tried to head to the kitchen.

“Come to think of it… I naturally said ‘welcome back,’ didn’t I?”

My feet come to a complete stop. Then, as I slowly turn around, Arikura is scratching her cheek with her index finger, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“Katase-kun, it seems like you’ve gotten used to moving around this room normally.”

“…I thought about that for a moment too.”

“Oh, aren’t you so honest?”

“There’s no point in trying to deceive here.”

“Indeed.”

The two of us share a wry smile. What kind of time is this supposed to be? It’s not like it’s a high school youth story or anything.

I didn’t say anything more and just went straight into the kitchen. Since Arikura didn’t say anything in particular either, it seems like this is where the conversation ends.

Well then, let’s pull ourselves together and get ready!

“What? What did you buy?”

Arikura looked at the ingredients I was taking out, who was peering over the counter, and asked me a question.

“――Udon?”

“Ah. It’s bukkake udon and chicken breast salad.”

“I was sure you went out to buy ingredients and were going to make something.”

“I was thinking of doing it that way at first, but today I thought it would be fine like this.”

Besides, if it’s udon, it should be easy to eat even if she’s tired. It won’t put much strain on her stomach, so this should be fine.

“…Ah, I see something that looks like a hamburger.”

“That’s from tomorrow onwards.”

“Moー”

If she has enough energy to pout like that, then I can relax for now. Thinking that, I start placing the packages directly on the table.

This time, it’s something that can be eaten as is, so there’s no need to cook.

“Oh, I also bought some green tea.”

“I thought it would only be long cans or sparkling water anyway.”

“Hmph! Jumping to conclusions is not good?”

“Then is it different?”

“…You’re right, but…”

“Just as I thought.”

In situations like this, it might be the norm to make a comment like “Is that a hit?” but I’ve decided to hold back a bit this time.

I might have regained some energy, but I’m still quite tired.

That’s the current state of Arikura.

It would be wise not to change overly strong words too much.

“Alright, let’s eat. I haven’t had dinner yet either, so I’m really hungry.”

“Oh, I see…”

The expression on Arikura’s face slightly wavers at the casual remark. Without noticing this, I take my seat, and Arikura sits across from me.

And then we clasped our hands together.

“”Thank you for the meal.””

Well, I bought it, but to be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever had konbini bukkake udon.

Besides, I usually don’t buy udon at convenience stores.

The three-pack sold at the supermarket is the standard. Not only can I use it for cold noodles and hot pot with dipping sauce, but I can also make various variations like yakisoba and chige udon, making it quite a convenient staple food.

Well, to put it simply, for someone like me who cooks, I probably won’t have many opportunities to buy udon at a convenience store.

Even so, it’s strange that I sometimes eat udon when dining out.

In the shopping mall in Urawa Misono, there is a nationwide udon specialty shop. The bukkake udon I occasionally eat there is also quite delicious.

Also, since they regularly offer limited-time menus, I make sure to check them without fail.

Kamo negi udon and tonjiru udon—will they ever come back?

That aside――

“Mm. Delicious.”

“This broth is really good♪”

The bukkake udon from the convenience store was quite good too.

In addition to the creaminess of the raw egg in the moon-viewing dish, the generous amount of green onions makes for a great accent. I should have bought some tube-grated ginger too. It would definitely taste better with it.

“Katase-kun, this salad is delicious too.”

“Hmm? Let’s see.”

Encouraged by Arikura, I decided to take a bite of the salad myself.

“…Delicious.”

“Right?”

The accompanying Japanese-style onion dressing is quite good. It even has boiled eggs in it, making it a salad with quite a bit of volume.

Honestly, this one thing alone could make it a regular meal, but――

“Delicious♪ I feel like I’ve got my energy back♪”

Arikura is munching away. She shows no sign of stopping. For now, I suppose it’s a good thing that her appetite is coming back.

However――

“Honestly… hehehe…”

It might have been too early to feel relieved. Tears were streaming from Arikura’s eyes.

“W-why? This is strange… I’m happy, but…”

I could pretend not to see it here. However, it seems I just can’t bring myself to do that.

Naturally, I put down my chopsticks and stared intently at Arikura in front of me.

“Arikura. Could you tell me what happened?”

At that moment, my classmate in front of me stared at me in shock with her streaming down her face. I continued, maintaining a serious expression towards Arikura.

“I think there are various things that are hard to talk about and to be honest, I have no confidence in whether I can understand even if you tell me… but sometimes it feels good to let it all out. Of course, I intend to keep this just between us. I won’t spread it around.”

“…”

No answer, huh? I didn’t expect her to just casually talk about it when it was brought up out of the blue.

“Well, whatever. Anyway, for now, don’t push yourself too hard…”

“No, I’ll talk.”

“Huh?”

Just as I was about to change the subject, she nodded, and this time it was me who was left dumbfounded. Then, Arikura wiped her tears and turned a serious expression towards me.

“I want you to listen to me, Katase-kun… Will you listen until the end?”

“――Understood. Take your time.”

“I’m sorry. It’s already late.”

“Don’t worry about it. The last train’s already gone anyway. I’ll stay here until morning.”

“Yeah…”

And then Arikura began to speak.

About two weeks ago, she made a big mistake at work――