Chapter 14

The scene before me unfolded exactly as I'd imagined.

No sooner had Shin said "These are delicious" than he began stuffing cookies into his mouth one after another.

That dumb look on his face as he crammed his cheeks full matched my mental image from days ago... no, actually it was worse. In my imagination, he hadn't been eating them at this breakneck speed.

The cookies were disappearing at an alarming rate.
And I hadn't even finished making the coffee yet.

...Ah, I wish he wouldn't just wolf down that jam cookie without thinking.
At this rate, he's not even tasting them properly.
That particular one took extra effort since it was my first time making that variety.

I nearly complained out loud but stopped myself.

...Well, whatever.
It's not like I mind seeing him enjoy them this much.

"Here you go."

I set the finished coffee in front of Shin.

Perhaps finally regaining some composure, he stopped eating for the first time. Adjusting his posture with slight embarrassment, he took a sip.

Not that fixing his manners now makes any difference.
Only about half the cookies remained on the plate.

Suppressing a wry smile, I took the seat across from him.

...Might as well have some myself.
I picked up a cookie.

Hmm, not bad if I do say so.
Though I can't entirely blame Shin for devouring them... no, actually that's still weird.

"Ahh..."

Across the table, Shin exhaled deeply.
When I looked, he wore an expression of pure contentment.

At least he seems satisfied.
It makes me happy seeing him enjoy something I made.

............Though.

The unpleasant memories resurfacing gave me a sharp pang in my chest.

This isn't guilt.
Absolutely not guilt... but seeing Shin look so happy somehow dulled the pain, if just a little.

"Sigh..."

The now-familiar sigh escaped my lips.

...What should I do?

About the brainwashing.
About this chest pain.
I don't know the right answer.

Technically, I could undo the brainwashing.
But doing that would mean I couldn't stay here anymore.

What would happen then?
No one to rely on. No money. No legal identity.
I'd undoubtedly end up homeless.

"Sigh..."

I envied Shin's carefree expression.
Though I wouldn't actually want to be like that myself...

...With nothing better to do, I absentmindedly blew on my coffee.
A pointless gesture—it had long since cooled to the perfect temperature.

"Sigh..."

I let out what must have been my dozenth sigh.
Right then, Shin spoke up.

"Hey, Yuu?"

"Hm? What?"

I consciously manufactured a smile in response.
After repeating this exact exchange countless times over the past month, the act had grown tiresome.

"Is there anything you want?"

"Want?"

The sudden question caught me off guard.
He'd asked this before.
I vaguely remembered refusing last time.

Come to think of it, back then I'd been too confused about his intentions to respond properly.
Still new to this world, I'd probably brushed it off with some vague reply.
A month has passed since then, and I'm still just as clueless.

...Maybe I should just ask directly.

"...Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Hm? Sure, go ahead."

I took a subtle deep breath.

"Why are you asking what I want?"

My nerves tightened as I braced for an answer I couldn't begin to predict.
There's no way, but if by some chance he responds with malicious intent... that would be troublesome.

For some inexplicable reason, the thought of Shin harboring ill will bothered me more than it should.

"It's just... my way of thanking you for handling the housework."

His response left me utterly dumbfounded.

"...Huh?"

The idiotic sound slipped out before I could stop it.

Then Shin kept talking.

How much my housework helps him.
How he looks forward to my cooking every day.
How he actually enjoyed teaching me computer skills.

And... how every day since I arrived has been happier for him.
Happier than before, he said.

What kind of answer is that?
So completely unexpected I didn't know how to react.

I sat there stunned for several seconds—

"Pfft... Heh... Ahahahaha!"

—until suddenly I was laughing.

What is this? What is this? What is this?
Of all things, he's happier since I arrived?

That's—that has nothing to do with the brainwashing!

"S-sorry, sorry! But—ahahahaha!"

The brainwashing only makes him consider me his close friend.
It doesn't affect other emotions—joy, anger, any of it.

Meaning Shin genuinely finds life more enjoyable now, even while brainwashed and being taken advantage of.

"Ahahahaha!"

How absurd.
What was even the point of all those days tormented by guilt?
I shouldn't have to feel that way about someone dumb enough to enjoy being brainwashed!

...Ah, not that I feel guilty or anything.

"giggle... S-sorry. You were asking about what I want, right?
...Well, nothing really. I'm perfectly content with life here."

Once my breathing finally steadied, I answered Shin's original question.

But really, what an airhead.
Yeah, truly.

Yet maybe because of that...
Seeing Shin's perpetual dopey smile might have... just slightly... made me enjoy myself too.

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

"Okay. Will do."

I gave my standard reply.

My gaze drifted to Shin's coffee cup—nearly empty now.

...Maybe I'll make him a fresh cup. There are still cookies left after all.

Feeling somehow lighter than before, I stood and headed for the kitchen.