"Ah, wait Iori-"
"Are you sure you're scared, aren't you? Sorry I want to go home!" Iori exclaimed with an expression of objection as his about to go home was prevented by the words 'wait!'
"Ah, sorry, I just wanted to ask… what is the name of that bullied girl?" asked Yoshimura seriously as he looked at Iori.
"Oh apparently." Iori wore an even expression as he looked at Yoshimura, that meant he was in a serious mode.
"The girl's name is Kisaki." Iori told him.
"O-oh, thanks for telling me." Yoshimura said with a grateful smile.
Then, Iori left Yoshimura's room.
That night Yoshimura, who was taking a short break after Iori left, was greeted by a female guest with a box of bento.
He thought the guest who was visiting him was the girl named Kisaki. Y'all Yoshimura wants to know why that girl is being bullied in class?
It turned out that the one who came that night was the wife of the landlord.
While Yoshimura was happy that this close person cared so much about his being in Osaka, he was embarrassed by the kindness of the person who was his landlord.
He had great respect for him however, their attitude towards Yoshimura was like that of his own family, which made Yoshimura hesitate.
What's more, if he doesn't return the favor....
But judging by their caring attitude towards Yoshimura, they didn't need any kind of reply.
****
"You have to eat a lot, to get well soon." Said the landlord's wife in a soft tone to Yoshimura while she was placing the food box on the small cupboard near Yoshimura.
The nurse had not given food to Yoshimura, usually when the hospitalization was not allowed to accept food from outsiders. However, because the doctor or nurse didn't check here, and Yoshimura was also feeling a bit hungry, he ended up eating the food the landlord's wife had brought him.
"Thank you for caring about me." Yoshimura said gratefully who then grabbed the food box. Then, the landlord's wife sat next to Yoshimura with a gentle smile and saw this well-behaved teenager about to try his cooking for the first time.
"...."
"Uwaaaaah~" Yoshimura was so impressed by the beauty of the dish. actually looks like the usual bento sold on the outside however it's more unique. However, for some reason, when he saw the food brought by the owner's wife, he was reminded of his mother's cooking....
All this time he was aware that he was always cared for by his mother but, because of the rules in his family, Yoshimura didn't feel at home at home. He had to fulfill his parents' wishes even though he was spoiled.
It's different when he has people who give him something sincerely without expecting anything in return.
As soon as she opened her bento after she exclaimed in awe, she slowly fell silent, her eyes filled with tears and she suddenly felt like crying.
When the wife of the landlord found out about Yoshimura who after opening the bento became gloomy, she finally asked, "Why are you Yoshimura? Is there something sick inside of you?" he was worried about the boy in front of him while holding Yoshimura's shoulder with the intention of calming down.
"A-ah, no!" exclaimed Yoshimura who then tried to smile even though it was bitter. He felt this feeling was unnecessary when eating the bento.
Then, Yoshimura looked at the landlord's wife while maintaining a gentle smile, "It's okay. It's just… I remembered a glimpse of my past but, it's not important, really." Obviously.
"Um, I see," said the owner's wife with a worried tone and expression. Of course she was still worried about him, she slowly took her hand away from the pitiful looking Yoshimura's shoulder. For him who has become old, it is not good to ask about his past, because it is not a caring attitude anymore but like interfering in other people's business.
The wife of the landlord is trying not to be like that to Yoshimura.
"Ah~ please eat, don't hesitate!" cried the landlord's wife gently.
"Yes thank you." Yoshimura would like to say a thousand thanks to the beautiful woman beside him. He immediately ate so voraciously.
"How does it feel?" asked the wife of the landlord with a curious expression.
"Hmm, delicious. It's really delicious!" exclaimed Yoshimura who wanted to finish the one box of food, for him it was the right portion.
"Ah~ thank goodness." The woman nearby was pleased with Yoshimura's answer, "Next time I will cook for you again, if there is something you like please mention it!" he exclaimed excitedly.
Of course the taste of the food is delicious, apart from being the owner of a rented house, the two of them started their business by opening a Takoyaki shop.
"A-ah, I'm even more reluctant."
"Don't be shy, just pretend I'm spoiling you."
"Hmm ... that will make your husband and your children misunderstood."
"Ah~ not really. As long as good people are around us, we will treat them well too." Said the wife of the landlord optimistically.
"But, I actually seem like I'm bothering you like this." said Yoshimura who responded with an expression of objection. In reality, he wasn't the kind of person this woman expected.
****
Yoshimura immediately finished his meal, and the woman nearby tried to help clear the container. Of course in addition to food, he also brought green tea.
The owner's wife deliberately went to the hospital alone because her husband was still at the shop and busy serving customers who came. Especially at night, it is a busy time for this shop.
He also couldn't stay here long. Once he had confirmed that Yoshimura had eaten his food until there was nothing left, he was about to go home after a few short talks.
....
While Yoshimura, even though he was talking with the landlord's wife, was thinking about how to repay these people's kindness?
He felt embarassed because he had never been like this.
As soon as the owner's wife got up from her seat...
Yoshimura has a brilliant idea!
'How about I help them work in the tavern?'
'Is that acceptable in return for their kindness to me?'
________
To be Continued