"So, you know, you shouldn't write romance under the name Nyanta. Your's is not a romance, and it's not even a short story!"
"Oh, really? Can't you write a story that ends with "Our fight is just beginning"?"
"I didn't mean it like that, but it's obviously a prologue."
After I finished updating the latest story, I took a break to write another romance novel.
... A story about a hero and a demon king who are betrayed and live hand in hand.
At my grandfather's house, we were taking a break to drink coffee.
As soon as Shinozuka finished reading the story I posted on her phone, she gave me her exact opinion.
She said, "Shinjo is strong in fantasy, so you should work on that. ... Well, the story itself wasn't bad. It's not that I can't relate to it, it's just that I'm embarrassed to read it. ..."
I wrote it from my heart. I don't know about real life romance, but it's a love story that takes place in another world.
I'm glad that Shinotsuka liked the story itself.
"I'm glad Shinozuka liked the story. But it was fun, right?"
... Maybe I was writing myself and Shinotsuka together?
Two people who were betrayed ... and exiled from their country meet ....
I didn't think anything of it when I wrote it on the spur of the moment ..., I see, this is very, very embarrassing ....
" –I'm sorry, but I'm starting to feel embarrassed too. Do you want me to delete it?"
"N-No, since we're on the subject, why don't we make it a breather series instead of a short story? The story itself is interesting and ..., I can relate to it and...."
Then let's do that. It's still a rough story, but it's going to be an important one.
We came home from school and it was already getting late.
It was already dinner time. Normally, it was time for Shinozuka to leave.
If it got too late, Saeko-san and the rest of the family would be worried.
Shinozuka and I looked at the clock at the same time.
Shinozuka said sadly.
"It's already this late. The time passes by so quickly. ...
"You're right, are you going to go home soon? Tomorrow is the field trip."
"Yeah, ..., I don't have dinner today, so I'll just pick up some food at a convenience store and go home."
"If so, do you want to have dinner with me? I'm sure you'll be happy with the results. ... No, Saeko-san will be worried if you're late, right?"
Shinotsuka's face, which had looked sad, brightened.
"No, you stay here and write! It's fine because I like, that ... and it's going to bother Shinjo, right?"
Shinotsuka worries more about others than about herself.
It's the night before the field trip.
"I'm starting to like cooking lately. Just eat and go. Don't be shy."
–We'll be shy. We don't know how far we should go.
We don't know how far to go, and we're terribly afraid of going too far and making a mistake.
Well, sometimes that's okay, right?
I said to myself.
"Yes! then I'll help you!"
Shinozuka replied with a reserved but happy smile.
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Shinozuka was clumsier than expected.
The distorted shapes of the vegetables sit on the cutting board.
"Oh, ha-ha-ha, you just don't know what you're doing! It'll be fine next time! Please let me do it!"
"Po, Pomeko and ..., there are no more vegetables for tonight. I'll see you next time."
"Uh, eh, sorry."
"It's okay. It's curry, I'll cook anyway."
There are only so many dishes a student can make. Curry is the best because there could only be a few mistakes.
Shinozuka was fishing for seasonings in the kitchen.
"Whoa, how about this? It's a great secret ingredient! I bet ..."
In her hands were soy sauce and cooking wine.
... Yeah, I've only seen it in the manga, though.
I quietly took the seasoning from Shinotsuka's hand.
"Pomeko, wait until it's ready. In the meantime, write me a novel with gourmet food as the theme."
"Oh, you don't think I can't make it? ... I'll write it down then!"
My grandfather's house was filled with a peaceful atmosphere.
The smell of rice cooking, curry simmering.
In the living room, Shinozuka is writing, glancing at the kitchen.
What is this? ….strange feeling.
Is this――is this peace?
I almost forgot about tomorrow's field trip.
The flow of time in this moment seems to be slow, but it is fast.
I don't want it to end,..., That's what I thought.
Shinotsuka and I shouted at the same time.
"We're ready.
"Yes, it's ready!"
We looked at each other and laughed out loud because it was kind of funny.
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"It's super good, this! Shinjo, you're a genius!"
Shinotsuka ate the curry with a spoon in an elegant gesture that belied her words.
"No, I just made it exactly like the back of the packaging. An amateur ... cook can't make a mistake without making an arrangement."
"Hmm, I don't really care. As long as it tastes good!"
The spoon Shinozuka is using is one that came from his grandfather's house.
... If I ever ... have another opportunity like this in the future, I'll buy some tableware specifically for Shinozuka.
But won't she hate it? Do I have to go that far just because we're friends? Would it make her feel uncomfortable?
I was lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Why the long face? Is the curry too spicy?"
The other person is right in front of me. I don't have to worry about it alone.
"Oh, Shinozuka, do you want to buy some tableware for our house at Destiny's?"
"Yeah, uh, yeah, no, but ... you're too thick, that's ...."
Shinotsuka is just like me as she got more reserved. She doesn't know how far to go with her friends.
So we'll just have to figure it out.
"I have a cup already, I don't mind. In fact, I'd only be happier if we did."
"... Yeah, well, I think I'll buy some on the ... field trip. ... Are you sure about that? I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the tableware is also from Destiny."
"Yes, of course. I'll pick it out with you."
"Yeah, that's a bit ..., Shinjo's sense of style is ...."
It's okay, it's just natural air. We're not making a mistake.
I'm sure the field trip will be fun.
The fun dinner was coming to an end.
After eating the curry, Shinozuka insisted on doing the dishes.
I decided to take advantage of Shinozuka-san's kindness.
Shinozuka said, "Shinjo must go prep for Destiny Land! Keep looking at the guidebook!" She said.
I was looking at the guidebook, but I was worried that Shinozuka, who was standing in the kitchen, might break a plate and hurt himself.
I couldn't concentrate on the guidebook.
I kept glancing at Shinozuka.
Shinozuka was happily humming to herself as she washed the dishes.
From time to time, she would talk to me.
"Can I see Mookie?"
"The preparations for tomorrow were done yesterday."
"Shinjo, make sure you wear the clothes you bought last time, okay?"
"I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight?"
"First, we're going to ride the ... Splash River, then we're going to watch the ... parade."
I looked at Shinozuka as I chat with her.
I hope this kind of peaceful time continues.
It's a gentle ... feeling.
I feel like I'm getting sleepy ..., even though it's still totally early in the day ....
I will send Shinozuka home properly ....
–I must have fallen asleep, because before I knew it, Shinozuka, who had finished washing the dishes, was sitting next to me.
The distance between us is closer than usual.
She put something on my shoulder. Was it a blanket? It was very warm. ...
Shinozuka was whispering in a low voice.
"Thank you for ... meeting you, Shinjo no... Makoto-kun."
I'm sure she thought I hadn't heard her. She's probably thinking I'm asleep.
I didn't reply, but pretended to be asleep for a ... little ... while.
When I felt Shinozuka leave, I did my best to wake up.
"I'm sorry, I must have fallen asleep. It's going to be really late soon. I'll drop you off at ...."
"Its okay. Just go back to sleep."
"No, I'll send you."
"I'm going now ...,Well, I guess I'll trouble you. Hmm, I've never seen Shinjo so sleepy."
That's right, we don't know much about each other yet.
but It's okay, we'll get to know each other.
Shinotsuka and I slowly got up.
We didn't move in a hurry as if we were soaking in the afterglow.
I'll miss this peaceful time–
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~To be continue~