"Thank you for your patience!" The waitress set our food on the table. "Please enjoy!" She gave a polite bow and left.
Katsu curry over rice. On a cold night. Perfection.
The steam curled up to greet my senses, bold and fragrant.
Ayase-san's face lit up the moment the aroma reached her. I could tell she was just as excited.
I put my hands together. "Itadakimasu.[1]"
She followed suit. "Itadakimasu."
We each took a bite.
I closed my eyes as the spices coat my tongue. Its warmth spread eagerly throughout my body as it traveled down my throat.
Ah…
"Food for the soul…" I murmured.
"Food for the soul…"
Wha—
We spoke at the same time again.
I opened my eyes to find her staring at me, wide-eyed and suspended between her motions[2]. My chest skipped a beat.
Not again…
"Seriously… is this a pattern now?" I muttered, trying to laugh it off, though my heart was still hammering.
Ayase-san's small chuckle followed, soft and musical. "Maybe… we just think alike." She scooped another spoonful.
I couldn't help but stare. The way her laugh gave me a sense of comfort... It felt... Right.
"Maybe." I said, cutting down on my katsu.
My eyes drifted to the heaping plate of tsukemono.
Generous as ever.
Then I glanced back at her while scooping another bite of curry.
She closed her eyes with every bite she took. Her cheeks blushed faintly as she savor her food. And her shoulders loosened each time her stomach welcomed the curry.
This girl... Eats like she was in love with the food.
"Ayase-san..." I lowered my spoon. "You've got quite the appetite," I commented with an amused smile.
She blinked then tilted her head.
"The portion sizes are... generous here," I added, glancing at her curry and tsukemono.
"Ah—no," She twitched, waving her hands in front of her. "I meant to share this..."
She reached to the tsukemono and scooped. Its juices dripped, once, twice. Then...
She lifted it toward me. Her other hand followed below it, catching some of the juices.
"Here."
I froze.
...What is this gesture???
Does she... mean to feed me??
No. There must be another explanation.
Maybe she intend to put it on my plate.
Yes. That's logical.
She wanted to share the tsukemono.
However...
This angle.
This height.
This... trajectory.
They do not aim towards my plate...
The spoon started to waver. Then something snapped inside of me.
I have thought for far too long.
I must be a man!
I cannot leave a lady hanging!!
I leaned in and took a bite from her spoon.
My face... is on fire.
But… pickled vegetables do go really well with curry.
When the savory and tangy flavor die down as I swallow, I saw...
Her.
Frozen, bright pink. Her spoon trembled along with her hands.
Wait—did I do something wrong?!
Ayase-san's eyes stayed wide, cheeks flushed. Her hand hovered awkwardly over the plate, frozen mid-air.
I twitched. "Uh—Ayase-san…? you okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I…" She faltered, covering her mouth with a hand. "I meant to put it on your plate…" Her gaze darted around, unsure of where to settle.
I was struck. Lightning jolted through every muscle in my body.
Now I've done it.
"A—Ah… sorry, I—misunderstood—!"
God... Take me away.
"N-No—it's— it's okay..." she stammered, her voice soft, almost swallowed by her own shyness.
The air between us felt electric. My heart was hammering so hard I wasn't sure if it would burst—or if I'd simply melt into the booth right then and there.
"Was—" Her eyes flicked around before meeting mine. Brown, soft, and warm.
"Was it good?" The lights caught her hair, making it glint like strands of caramel.
I felt something warm travel up my spine, settling vigorously in my ears.
"…Yeah," I managed to say, my voice tighter than I intended. "It's good..."
She let out a smile.
Warmer than the curry,
Sweeter than caramel,
And softer than cotton candy.
"I'm glad you liked it."
I couldn't help but stare.
The embarrassment behind her relief,
Her wobbly yet reassuring voice,
Makes me want to stay here forever.
***
"Ah… I'm stuffed." I rubbed my stomach as we stepped out of the family restaurant.
"So, how was your first proper meal in forever?" Ayase-san turned toward me, a small grin tugging at her lips.
"Amazing. Also, you're exaggerating," I replied, crossing my arms.
She let out a soft chuckle, tipping slightly to her side. "Then eat more so I don't exaggerate."
She's teasing me.
This side of her... I have never seen before.
She was always so gentle, so graceful.
Yet, faced with this rising discovery, I felt...
Happy...?
I lowered my gaze, examining the pavement like they're the most interesting thing in the world.
"Thanks for dragging me out, Ayase-san," I said, voice quieter than intended.
She looked up at me, cheeks faintly pink. "Y-Yeah… I was just… doing Meguriya-san a favor." She ducked behind her hair.
The words echoed in my mind.
Technically, she did it because Mom asked…
But why do I feel a slight twinge of...
Disappointment?
She blinked at me and her eyes curled into something containing concern.
...Am I making a weird face?
"Rion?—"
"If Mom didn't ask you…" The words spilled out before I could even think. "Would you still drag me out?"
Ayase-san froze, her grip tightening slightly on the strap of her bag. Her eyes widened, and for a heartbeat, I thought she might vanish into thin air.
"I… I…" Her voice faltered, trailing off as her shoulders stiffened. Her cheeks weren't just pink—they were bright, glowing in the streetlight—and her gaze darted down to the sidewalk.
"Uh—uhm…" I stumbled over my own words, heat crawling up my neck. "I didn't… I mean, I wasn't—"
Ahhhhh...
I tried to turn away, hiding my face behind my fingers. My knees wobbled, forcing me to bend down.
Then I heard a tiny, almost imperceptible laugh, shy and breathy.
I turned to find the source of that music, and I swear my chest skipped a beat.
"You… really don't have to answer that..." I managed, panic and relief tangling together.
"I know," she whispered, finally meeting my eyes again. They were soft, a little amused, and… somehow forgiving.
We stood in silence as I regain my composure. The cold night brushed against our skin, but the air between us felt warmer than the restaurant and the curry.
Then she tilted her head, a small, warm smile tugging at her lips.
"But…" The wind brushed past her, grazing her skirt and curling strands of hair under the streetlight.
"…I would have dragged you out anyway."
And just like that, my brain short-circuited.
[1] A Japanese saying used when starting a meal. It could (should) be roughly translated to: "I will humbly accept/receive this food."
[2] I'm tryna say she paused. Do not bulli