Chapter 13

That day felt a little different from usual.

During breakfast, I was asked if I had any plans for the afternoon, and after lunch, I was told—if possible—to stay out of the kitchen for a while.

I wondered what was going on, but now I understood.

On the table, an array of colorful cookies was laid out.
Plain ones, some mixed with chocolate, others with jam, some with nuts, and a few other varieties.
What’s more, I could see a faint wisp of steam rising from them. They must have just come out of the oven.

"It’s nothing much," Yuu said with a modest smile.

No way. This was definitely something.

"Wow, these are amazing. You made them all by hand, right?"
"Yeah, so some of them turned out a little… flawed."

Sure enough, a few had slight scorch marks or uneven shapes.
But considering they were homemade, those imperfections only added to their charm.

If anything, knowing they were handmade made them even more appealing.
Honestly, they looked really good…

…But why cookies?
Was today some kind of special occasion?

"Well, I wanted to thank you. Though this isn’t much of anything…"
"Thank me?"

Yuu spoke with a hint of bashfulness.
…Had I done something worth thanking?

"Yeah. For teaching me how to use the computer."

Oh, that.
I hadn’t even thought much of it.

Don’t get me wrong—I was happy about the cookies, but teaching her how to use the computer was just my way of repaying her for all the housework she does.

So, in a way, these cookies were like a return thank-you.

…Yuu really is scrupulous, huh?
I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

…Well, no point letting them go to waste.
Freshly baked cookies are best eaten warm, after all.

"Mind if I have one?"
"Go ahead."

With Yuu’s permission, I picked up a plain cookie and took a bite.

…Nice.
Just the right amount of sweetness, easy to eat. Plus, the warmth made it soft and comforting.

"These are delicious."

I meant it. I could easily go for seconds—no, thirds.
I popped another into my mouth, then another.

"Here."

With a soft clink, a cup of coffee was placed in front of me.
When I looked up, Yuu was smiling gently.

…Had I been too eager?
Now that I noticed, the plate of cookies was visibly depleted.

A little embarrassed, I averted my gaze and took a sip of coffee.

…Good.

The coffee tasted familiar—comforting.
A flavor I’d grown accustomed to over the past month.

"Sigh…"

…I feel happy.

A month ago, before Yuu came, things weren’t like this.
I was always alone.
No conversations, eating by myself, reading by myself, earning money by myself.

Day after monotonous day, I sometimes wondered—Is this how my life will be until I die?—and felt bleak about the future.

But now, things are different.
There’s someone to talk to, someone to share meals with, someone to tinker with computers together.
I don’t even need to say how much of a blessing that is.

…Really, I’m so glad Yuu came.

Looking ahead, Yuu sat across the table—her usual spot, naturally claimed over the past month.

There, she softly blew on her coffee.

…Right.

A thought from before resurfaced.

Back when she first arrived, I’d asked if there was anything she needed.
At the time, she said no, but maybe now—maybe there was something she wanted.

"Hey, Yuu?"
"Hm? What?"

Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders as she tilted her head.
I’d thought it many times before, but she really was beautiful.

"Is there anything you want?"
"Want?"

It’d been about a month since she started living here.
Surely there was something she wished for, or some inconvenience she’d noticed.

"…Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Hm? Sure, go ahead."

Yuu’s expression turned oddly serious.
What was up?

"Um… why are you asking what I want?"

Why? Well, it’s simple.

"Just… as thanks for all the housework, I guess."

I really appreciated it.
I wanted to repay her properly.
(Though the computer lessons had already been repaid with these cookies.)

I explained just how much Yuu had helped me.

How her housework was a lifesaver.
How her cooking was so good I looked forward to it every day.
How teaching her how to use the computer had actually been kind of fun.

And how, ever since she arrived, every day had been enjoyable.
It was a little embarrassing, but I said it honestly.

"…Huh?"

Yuu’s mouth hung open in stunned silence.
Then, after a few frozen seconds, she suddenly burst out laughing.

"Pfft— Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!"

…?
Had I said something weird?

"S-Sorry, sorry! But—hahahahaha!"

I’d never seen Yuu laugh like this before.
It was an odd laugh, but somehow, it suited her.

Eventually, she calmed down.

"S-Sorry. Um, you were asking what I wanted, right?
…Well, nothing, really. I’m perfectly happy with life here."

The same answer as before.
Yuu really was considerate to a fault. I wouldn’t mind if she acted a little more selfish.

But well, no point pushing it.
…Come to think of it, I’d thought the same thing last time.

"Got it. But if you ever think of anything, just let me know."
"Okay. Will do."

Yuu smiled cheerfully.
I reached for another cookie as I watched her.