[Continue after previous Chapter]
*Toka-toka* *Toka-toka*
*Toka-toka* *Toka-toka*
As we headed down to the cafe, I turned over to her– "Matsumoto-san, can you go check the kitchen if any low ingredients need to be restocked? I'm going to take the car." She nodded– "hai!" and quickly went to the kitchen. But I shouted back– "I'll be waiting in the car in front of the cafe!" Before I headed straight to behind the building where I left our business car.
A moment later…
We drove to the nearest supermarket. Matsumoto on the passenger side, in her apron. As I control the steering, I ask her regarding the ingredients that runny low– "what other than milk is running out?" Matsumoto who hands rest on her thighs mutters– "Sweet bean, mm condense milk.. Egg, honey… Also can beverages seem to be low too." her finger touches her chin as she wonders. But buying a lot of ingredients at the supermarket might not be the best option rather than getting straight out of direct sellers. I turned the wheel as I took the corner turn– "How about flavor syrup?" I mutter. Matsumoto replied back– "There is still some left, but I think we need to restock." As she suggested, my phone vibrated in my pocket for a sec.
Arriving…
We immediately entered the building while I took the trolley along. As we walk beside each other, I tell her about what we would restock– "we just gonna purchase the important ingredients like milk or fruits. Other than that, I would reorder it from a direct mechant after we return." Matsumoto nodded as she walked with my pace.
We walk at a pace either not too slow nor not the fast. There is this lingering silence between both of us while Matsumoto guides me to each ingredient section. She often points out to me the ingredients needed to restock while not uttering any words. We only agree with eye contact, something that has shaped us during the time we have run in the same situation. Matsumoto on the side suddenly covering her mouth while humorously laughing in low tone– "Huhu.." I stopped the trolley in wonder at her sudden demeanor– "What are you laughing at?"
Matsumoto turns and looks at me still covering her mouth– "how many times has this kind of situation been through?" I look to the ceiling to think to myself– "Uhh, you right." I just realized that every single time I was absent from work, the ingredients in the cafe would not be restocked. We continue to stroll as we talk about experience.
"Sou? Did something happen last week–?" Matsumoto utters as we walk. I rub my neck– "Uh nothing important.. Just some unexpected event." Muttering reason to her. But Matsumoto responded like some all-knowing old lady– "Owh… Really? Did Mr.sharp pants really get into an unexpected event?? Haha~" She laughed it off. But her words make me stutter as we walk in the market, double guessing myself. Though I ignored it– "How about Matsumoto-san? Anything happened lately?" She turned her body to me, looked straight into my eyes– "you know, my son got number two in a race. Though I was happy, except he seemed perplexed at not getting the number one spot." She smiles as her eyes avert slightly lower. She turned back to continue walking– "Ahh, I wonder what I should do for my boy.." I slowly push the trolley forward towards her– "Taking care of a child is hard, isn't it?"
Matsumoto's head leaned to my side– "Mo really? Logically it is hard duty but there is no such saying that it is a bad experience." She mutters before continuing with another question– "If you were a boy who wanted to get a number one stop but loses, what else could a mother like me help you out with?" Given the proposition, I take some thought over it. But as I ponder– "mother.. Huh.." the words seep out through my lips uncontrollably. Matsumoto then stopped in the pathway, turned to look at me, straight to my eyes in heed of answer. Finally given some thought– "Maybe cook my favorite food?" uttering without completely understanding.
"Favorite food…" She took it to heart. Before we knew it, we had already arrived at the checkout– "Is that all?" I check the ingredients inside the trolley. Matsumoto leaned over recounting the stuff– "Milk, bean.. I think that's all." She reaffirms. I paid for all the ingredients.
After putting all the ingredients into the car, I noticed once again that my phone vibrated. I took it out and took a proper look at whom or notification I got.
[Message from Yoko: Darling! Darling! Darling! Do you think I'm ugly?]
[Message from Yoko: Darling? Hello!? Moshimosh!]
It finally got through my head that yesterday we shared contact numbers after she begged me. I decided to rapidly type back– [I'm busy..] And send forward– [Send to Yoko: Successfully] 'Ugly?' I thought for a sec why Yoko had a sudden question regarding her appearance.
In any case, I had to drive back to the cafe.
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