Satoru opened the door to find Janne sitting comfortably on the sofa, savoring a steak.
The aroma of the meal filled the room, mixing with the soft glow of the setting sun streaming through the windows. Janne looked up, her expression a blend of mild irritation and curiosity.
"You're right on time," she remarked, her voice cool but with an edge.
Satoru, catching his breath, managed a small smile. "Yeah, I made sure to hurry back."
Janne's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of suspicion in her gaze.
"Did you go see Yuki again?"
"Yes," Satoru admitted, his voice steady.
"She taught me the basics of magic today."
Janne paused, her fork hovering mid-air.
"Is that all? Just a lesson? No wandering around?"
"No," he replied firmly, shaking his head. "I came straight back."
Janne's eyes lingered on him, as if trying to gauge the truth of his words.
"I see," she said finally, resuming her meal. "It's important that you stick to your training schedule."
Satoru nodded, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders.
He moved to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, noticing the neatness and order that Janne always maintained in the house.
It was a stark contrast to his previous life, where chaos and disarray seemed to rule.
As he returned to the living room, he couldn't help but reflect on the day's events.
"You know," he began, sitting down across from Janne, "Yuki's really impressive. The way she handles magic, it's like second nature to her."
Janne's expression tightened slightly, her fork clattering against her plate. "Oh, really?" she said, her tone icy. "I suppose she's just naturally gifted, then."
Satoru blinked, taken aback by the sudden chill in her demeanor.
"I didn't mean it like that. I was just... impressed."
"Impressed," Janne repeated, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Well, I'm glad she's making such an impression on you."
Satoru felt a pang of guilt. "It's not like that, Janne. I appreciate everything you're doing for me. Really."
She sighed, her shoulders relaxing a bit. "I know. It's just... never mind." She took another bite of her steak, chewing thoughtfully.
"Just don't let it go to your head. There's still a lot of work to do."
He nodded, the weight of her expectations settling on him. "I understand. I'll keep working hard."
Janne stood up, stretching slightly. "Good. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be another tough day."
Satoru watched as she left the room, feeling a mix of gratitude and determination.
He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with mentors like Janne and Yuki, he felt ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
He also made a mental note to be more considerate of Janne's feelings in the future, realizing that his interactions with Yuki might be stirring more emotions than he had anticipated.
Janne quickly ascended the stairs and entered her room, a sanctuary of her own creation.
The room was a blend of cozy and refined, with soft, warm lighting casting a gentle glow on the plush carpet.
The walls were adorned with shelves filled with books, and in one corner stood a desk cluttered with various magical artifacts and notes.
A large, comfortable bed dominated the space, its headboard cushioned and inviting.
She collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The day's events replayed in her mind, particularly her exchange with Satoru.
"Was I too harsh just now?" she muttered to herself, a hint of regret in her voice.
"But every time he mentions Yuki, I get so... annoyed."
Frustration bubbled up inside her.
"Ugh, whatever. It's not like I care that much."
Janne buried her face into a plush teddy bear, its soft fur comforting against her skin.
Her expression shifted between irritation and something more vulnerable.
"I hope Satoru doesn't hold it against me," she thought, her mind racing. "It's just that he spends so much time with Yuki. He only has mornings and evenings left to spend with me..."
She pouted, her frustration evident.
"Why does he always go to Yuki? And why does he have to come back so late?"
Janne's grip tightened on the teddy bear, and she sighed deeply.
"I guess I'll just have to deal with it. But it would be nice if he understood how I felt."
As she lay there, her thoughts continued to swirl, a mix of jealousy, confusion, and a longing for things to be simpler.
She knew that her feelings were complicated, but she couldn't help the way she felt.
And so, she resolved to try and be more understanding, even if it was difficult.
...
At that moment downstairs, Satoru had just finished his dinner. He walked into the kitchen, starting to wash the dishes, his mind still replaying the conversation from earlier.
"She was definitely upset earlier, but why?" he wondered aloud, the sound of running water and clinking dishes filling the room.
"Come to think of it, I really do make her worry about everything, big and small."
He paused, staring at the suds on his hands.
"I suppose I shouldn't keep doing this. Maybe she got mad because I came back so late today?"
The thought made him feel a pang of guilt. He realized he had been taking Janne's presence and support for granted.
"I need to be more considerate," he decided, rinsing off the last plate and placing it in the drying rack.
As he dried his hands, he resolved to make a change. "I'll make it up to her. Maybe spend more time with her, show her that I appreciate everything she does for me."
He turned off the kitchen light and headed upstairs, his mind set on finding a way to balance his time between Janne and his training with Yuki.
As he approached Janne's room, he hesitated, wondering if he should check on her.
"Maybe I should let her rest," he thought, standing quietly by her door.
After a moment, he decided to leave her be for now.
He turned and walked to his own room, determined to make things right.
Satoru lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind buzzing with plans for the following day.
The events of the day playing over in his mind.
He could see the excitement in Janne's eyes as they discovered the ancient ruins, hear her laughter as they shared stories, and feel the warmth of her gratitude during their breakfast.
He knew that the next day would be a special day, not just for her, but for him as well.
It will be a day that reminded him of the importance of the bond they shared, a bond that he wanted to nurture and grow.
As he planned for the next day, Satoru felt a renewed sense of purpose.
He wanted to make every day just as meaningful as today.
He thought about the other places he had discovered during his explorations, places that might hold the same wonder and excitement as the ruins.
He wanted to share all of these with Janne, to create memories that they could both cherish.
The next morning, Satoru woke up early, his mind already buzzing with plans.
He knew that Janne often woke up early to prepare breakfast for them, but today, he wanted to return the favor.
He quietly made his way to the kitchen, careful not to wake her. The kitchen was small and humble, but Satoru was determined to make the most of what they had.
He set about making breakfast, using the last of their bread to make sandwiches.
He knew they were running low on supplies, but he was willing to make the sacrifice for today's plan.
As he worked, he thought about Yuki.
She had always been generous with her resources with him.
So, if necessary, he would ask Yuki for some bread.
The smell of freshly made sandwiches filled the kitchen, mingling with the crisp morning air that drifted in through the open window.
Satoru set the table in the living room, arranging the sandwiches neatly on a plate.
He added a few pieces of fruit he had managed to save, wanting the meal to be as special as possible.
Satisfied with his efforts, Satoru made his way upstairs.
He stood outside Janne's door, hesitating for a moment before knocking softly.
To his surprise, the door opened almost immediately, and Janne stepped out, rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"Ah? Satoru?" she mumbled, still half-asleep, blinking at him in surprise.