When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room - Chapter 20: Omelet, Salt or Sugar?

Chapter 20: Omelet, Salt or Sugar?

Manaki bowed her head quickly with great force, but…

“…Huh? What’s that about?”

I showed a puzzled face, and Manaki lifted her head. She wore an expression mixed with anxiety and confusion.

“Well, I mean, I messed up the seasoning for the omelet in Masamune’s lunch today…”

“It tasted like a normal, delicious omelet to me, though?”

“No way, it can’t be. When I ate mine, the taste was definitely off…”

“Maybe you only messed up the one you made for yourself?”

“Oh, maybe that’s it…”

Manaki showed a convinced expression and let out a relieved sigh.

“Yeah, yeah, it wasn’t salty or anything, so don’t worry.”

“Good then. I honestly worried I made Masamune eat something weird.”

“So, you basically dug your own grave for no reason. Messing up only your own is kind of skillful in a way.”

“Hehe, maybe you’re right.”

Manaki said this, lay back on the bed, and tried to return to her manga. Some time remained, so I decided to read a manga too. I stood up, passed by Manaki’s bed, and headed to the bookshelf.

“Well, Masamune dug his own grave too, you know.”

Manaki’s cold voice stabbed my back as I browsed the manga. A chill ran down my spine, and I felt uneasy sweat. Keeping my eyes on the bookshelf, I asked Manaki.

“What’s… that supposed to mean?”

“Hehe, don’t get it? Masamune, you made two mistakes just now.”

“Two, huh… Not just bluffing, can you actually explain them?”

“Of course. Want to hear?”

“Please, do tell.”

Even without seeing her face, I knew Manaki wore a sly smirk. The relaxed atmosphere while waiting for dinner turned into a tense game of deception in an instant.

“First, I told Masamune I messed up the omelet’s seasoning, remember?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Then why did Masamune just say—it wasn’t salty or anything?”

“!?”

I realized my mistake in that moment. I turned to Manaki, and she flashed a triumphant smile.

“Come on, admit my omelet was salty.”

Damn, Manaki looked completely smug. But giving in here would play into her hands. There had to be a way to recover…!

“W-Well, when you say you messed up the seasoning, anyone would naturally assume you mixed up sugar and salt, right? Both go in omelets, and it’s a classic mistake. Right?”

“Well, that’s true. I did mix up sugar and salt.”

“See? Right?”

Seeing her agree, I sighed in relief. But I completely forgot—Manaki said I made two mistakes! I caught her gaze, and her eyes still gleamed. Oh no! Before I could react, she already started talking.

“Actually, I only made one omelet today.”

T-That’s…

“That’s cheating…!”

No matter how much I resisted, the fact that Manaki’s omelet tasted off meant my lie was already exposed. In a mystery, this kind of lame resolution would get me roasted by readers. I collapsed to my knees.

“Sorry, Masamune. The moment this game started, your loss was already decided…”

“Why, why…!”

In that moment, it felt like rain poured in the room.

Well, anyway… we both got a bit too serious with the theatrics. I brushed off my clothes and stood up, and Manaki let out a small sigh.

Then, we stared at each other for a moment…

“Why didn’t you tell me it tasted weird!?”

“How could I say that about a lunch you worked hard to make!?”

We calmed down and started complaining properly.

“I made that lunch so Masamune could eat something delicious! You ruined it!”

“It was delicious, okay? Super delicious, so no problem!”

“That’s a lie! Mine didn’t even taste good when I ate it!”

“Ugh, you don’t get it, Manaki. You totally don’t get it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Look, the deliciousness of food isn’t just about taste. It’s about the cook’s feelings, stuff like that. I could feel your effort in that omelet!”

“What? You’re just trying to justify not saying anything back then, aren’t you?”

“No way! Your lunch was delicious!”

“You’re just being nice and holding back!”

“You two—dinner’s ready!”

“We’re coming! (I’m coming!)”

We paused our argument and headed downstairs for a temporary truce.

* * * * * *

The table overflowed with food. Mom clearly got super excited.

“Where’s Dad?”

“He said he’ll be late again, so eat without him.”

“Hmm.”

As usual, Manaki sat in my chair with a cushy cushion, leaving my chair wobbly. The honored guest, eating braised mackerel with radish, narrowed her eyes happily.

“Maiko-san’s braised mackerel is so delicious!”

“Really? I’m glad!”

“…”

While Mom and Manaki chatted happily across the table, I leaned forward and interrupted with my chopsticks.

“…Tasty.”

“Munechika, that’s bad manners.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

I answered without meeting her eyes, and Mom sighed softly.

“By the way, is the seasoning okay? I forgot to taste it. It’s not too bland, is it?”

“It’s fine, just the right flavor.”

“Coming from someone with a tongue that can’t tell salt from sugar.”

“You say something?”

“Nothing at all.”

I peeked at Manaki’s face, and she closed her eyes and turned away. Then, she bit into the radish with a blissful expression.

“This radish is so flavorful. How long did it take…?”

“Actually, it’s not much effort. I started prepping after you kids got home.”

“Really?!”

“Want me to teach you how to make it sometime?”

“Please! Yes, please!!”

Manaki clapped her hands happily, and I snorted.

“Always sucking up to Mom.”

“You say something?”

“Nothing at all.”

We continued eating quietly, avoiding eye contact. Seeing our cold war, Mom sighed.

“You two, what’s wrong? The food turned out great, but you look so bored.”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Sorry, Maiko-san, but really, today’s food is amazing!”

“Sucking up again.”

“What? Masamune, can’t you even thank the person who cooked for you?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“That’s exactly what you said!”

“Both of you, stop fighting!”

Seeing our cold war heat up, Mom stepped in. Manaki glared at me but sat back down, unable to defy Mom.

Seeing us pause, Mom let out a big sigh.

“So, what happened? Didn’t Manaki make you lunch today?”

At first, Manaki hesitated, but she was weak to Mom and slowly spoke up.

“Well, I put an omelet in today’s lunch.”

“Yeah, that’s nice.”

“But I mixed up the sugar and salt…”

Hearing that, Mom looked at me and sighed.

“Munechika, you can’t complain about something Manaki worked hard to make.”

“I didn’t complain.”

“Sorry, Manaki-chan. You went through the trouble, and Munechika complained…”

“No, I’m mad because Masamune didn’t say anything…!”

“Huh?”

While Manaki quietly sparked with frustration, Mom, trying to mediate, showed a confused face alone.