A sudden moment. Sometimes I think it would be great if I could see the thoughts in the other person's mind. Discovering those places that are out of reach and invisible can make one feel uneasy.
"Blake."
"... What is it, Ben."
After calling out to him, he turns back nonchalantly as if nothing unusual has happened. He looks the same as usual, but there always seems to be something off.
"What did you talk about with Carl?"
"Is it this question again?"
Looking at Blake tilting his head, he suddenly frowns between his brows and shows a troubled smile. That somewhat blurry smile makes my heart restless.
"Blake. This side is okay too."
"Ah, all right."
"Hey, Blake."
As his gaze looking at me suddenly shifts away, my mother who is waving in the kitchen responds. Blake is about to turn around and leave. Subconsciously, I grab his arm.
"... Ben?"
Pulling the grabbed arm with force, Blake shows a surprised expression and stands stock-still like being frozen. This looks like he is being cautious about something, holding his breath.
"Ben! Don't monopolize Blake!"
"No!"
My mother shouts impatiently again. I can't help but reply loudly. But just at this moment, Blake takes the opportunity to break free from my hand and walks towards the kitchen where my mother is.
"He got away."
Looking at the figures of the two of them standing side by side, I heave a deep sigh. Being evaded vaguely and not knowing anything make me extremely restless and my heart aches a bit.
"Hey, Carl, what did you talk about with Blake?"
Giving up asking Blake, I walk towards Carl helplessly. Carl who is holding a beer and watching TV on the living room sofa looks back at the sound of my voice.
But after looking at me for a while, instead of answering my question, he looks forward again. I walk over and sit beside him. He looks at me with a somewhat helpless look.
"Ah, so... It's about something in the past."
I hear him muttering "how many times have you asked already". I grab Carl's back again when he wants to turn back. Why is Carl also being evasive?
"Whose something in the past?"
After returning to the living room, Blake and Carl seem extremely close. I find it very strange. I ask them the reason. They say they actually knew each other before. But even so, what could they have talked about to become like this?
Indeed, it's not much different from usual now. But when I see the moment Blake sees me, his eyes clearly waver. I don't miss this scene.
"So, you go ask the person himself. This is not something I should tell."
Saying this, he taps my forehead lightly with the bottom of the can and then turns back to the TV screen. It seems that he won't tell me no matter what.
"Ben really only thinks about Blake. How lonely. "
Bella who is sitting on the opposite sofa, looking at Carl drinking beer, narrows her eyes and smiles happily.
"I don't exist in his eyes anymore. Men's friendship is really fragile."
Hearing Bella's words, Carl smiles and shrugs. I can't help but frown. But seeing my expression, Carl smiles wryly and pats my head like soothing me.
"Hey, you guys. Don't just drink. Come and help prepare the meal."
In the next moment when there is silence among the three people, my mother claps her hands and a voice sounds. Looking back, my mother is looking at us helplessly.
"OK."
"I got it."
Bella and Carl who have already drunk about ten cans of beer each finish the half-drunk cans in their hands and pick up the empty cans on the table.
"For you guys, this is almost no different from water already..."
Looking at the large amount of money they spend on alcohol when the two of them are together and the beer cans piled up because they can't fit in the refrigerator, I sigh.
"Really, neither Ben nor Bella cares about things at home at all. Mom really wishes to have a good kid like Blake."
My mother wipes the dining table with a dishcloth while winking at Bella and me and muttering in a low voice. But as I hardly do any housework usually, I can only stand there at a loss.
"This, what should we do?"
"Hmm?"
The sudden voice heard beside me makes my shoulder jerk suddenly. Carl who sees my reaction from behind laughs softly beside my ear.
"Ben, too flustered."
"Shut up!"
"Ah, Blake. Put this over here. Sorry for asking you to help with everything."
Noticing Blake standing beside, my mother takes the thing in his hand and smiles very happily.
"No, it's all right. I don't dislike doing these."
"Well, really. Smart, gentle, able to cook, good-natured, and handsome. How on earth can one be raised like this?"
"I say, everyone has their own strong points. Don't force for things one doesn't have."
Looking at my mother pouting in anger, I shrug. She pouts again. My mother showing an expression like a child makes me sigh involuntarily.
"Blake. Ben can't cook at all."
"... Ah, right."
"Right? Don't think I can't. I just find it troublesome."
Looking at Blake smiling happily, I frown. But in fact, recently it is indeed Blake who is taking care of my diet. I can't refute anymore and close my mouth sullenly. But seeing me like this, Blake smiles very gently.
"Hey, light the fire quickly! It's a rare prime-quality meat."
When staring blankly at Blake, Bella's voice sounds. Today's dinner seems to be luxurious prime-quality wagyu beef. A portable stove is placed on the dining table.
"Hurry up, hurry up!"
"OK, OK. Then, everyone, hurry up and get ready."
"Oh, so amazing! Wagyu beef."
Hearing Bella's voice, my mother turns back and goes to the kitchen. Carl follows after her. Only I and Blake are left.
"Hey, Blake."
"... What?"
Intending to greet casually, but I utter an extremely serious voice instead. Blake looks at me worriedly and looks down at me.
"Did I do something that makes you dislike me?"
"Hmm? Wh-why would there be such a thing."
Hearing my sudden words, Blake widens his eyes and hurriedly grabs my arm. The force is so strong that I can't help but frown.
"Ah, it hurts."
"Sorry."
"No, I'm being too persistent too."
I hope Blake can express his uneasiness and hesitation in words more. He always suppresses and swallows his own feelings, but I completely fail to notice his mood. This makes me very frustrated.
"... Ben, is there still someone you can't forget now?"
"Hmm?"
Blake suddenly mutters this question in a low voice. I'm so surprised that I can't move.