Rain 1
“Tenjō-san!?” “Yuunagi-kun!?”
It was Sunday afternoon, a day after the G incident.
We happened to et inside a supermarket near the station.
Living in the sa area, it’s natural that we’d use the sa shops.
So, it wasn’t impossible that we might run into each other.
Still, eting in a place that’s neither ho nor school feels odd.
She looks cute in her casual clothes today.
Not the formal suit she wears at school nor the relaxed ho wear.
Her spring-like, light-colored, thin dress paired with a denim jacket and her long hair casually tied at the bottom in two places made her look younger than usual.
“It seems we’ve chosen similar outfits. Like a matching pair.”
I was also wearing a denim jacket over my shirt.
“If it bothers you, I can take it off if you want.”
“I’m fine with it. It’s surprisingly cold inside the supermarket.”
We started walking, as standing around would be in the way.
“Is everything okay at your place since then?”
“Yeah. I burned the smoke thing yesterday, so my ho’s defenses have significantly improved.”
“If you ever have any trouble, feel free to ask for help.”
“Next ti, I’ll run to you before I scream. Are you shopping, Yuunagi-kun?”
“Yes. Were you going sowhere, Tenjō-san?”
“No, just like you, I’m out for groceries.”
“Your nice outfit made think you were out for fun. It suits you.”
“Thank you. But it’s just my usual attire.”
“Maybe it looks good because of who’s wearing it and what she’s wearing.”
“Flattering won’t get you anything.”
Being in a supermarket, of course Tenjō-san’s shopping basket was filled with groceries.
“I could have cooked for you.”
“I got a bit of free ti thanks to you. Thought I might cook for myself on my day off.”
“You can eat whatever you like.”
“Just so you know, I have absolutely no complaints about your cooking! Just to be clear!”
Tenjō-san hurriedly corrects my casual remark.
“Is there anything you’d like to eat later? I can buy the ingredients.”
“Uh, what should I choose? I actually look forward to seeing what you’ll co up with each ti.”
“That much?”
“It’s a great motivation for work.”
“Then I must put in more effort.”
“By the way, Yuunagi-kun, is there anything you’d like to eat? I could share with you tonight if you want.”
We smile together, recalling how we t.
“You don’t have to push yourself too hard. You should rest properly on your day off.”
“It’s a way of returning the favor.”
“I feel bad about it.”
“Then, let’s go with the classic at and potato stew!”
When I hesitate, Tenjō-san decides on her own.
“Ah, we haven’t made at and potato stew yet, have we? Maybe I should try it too.”
“Hey-hey, what’s the point if you’re the one who makes it?”
She lightly slapped on the back.
“Wouldn’t you be excited if the Onee-san next door brought over her classic at and potato stew?”
“I’d be super excited.”
“Then I’ll do it!”
Tenjō-san quickly went back to get the necessary ingredients, and I followed her around the store.
After that, we finished our shopping and left the supermarket.
Since we live in the sa apartnt, we naturally took the sa way ho.
Walking through the shopping street near the station, I was attracted by the word ‘croquettes’ on the front of a butcher’s store.
It was snack ti, and I was a bit hungry.
Looking at Tenjō-san, she seed interested in the croquettes too.
The butcher’s wife noticed us standing together and called out.
“You there, the couple, try these freshly fried croquettes, they’re delicious. How about it?”
” ” Couple!? ” “
At that sales pitch, Tenjō-san and I looked at each other.
“Do we look like that?”
“Maybe she misunderstood because we’re dressed similarly and carrying big bags of groceries from the supermarket.”
It’s a mismatched combination, but that’s so aggressive salesmanship.
Well, in custor service, how much you get noticed by the custors is important.
“Since we’re here, why not try the freshly fried ones?”
“I agree.”
Then Tenjō-san bought croquettes for both of us.
“Yuunagi-kun, your hands are full, so it might be hard to eat while walking.”
“You can go ahead and eat it first, Tenjō-san. It’s freshly fried.”
“You should taste it too. Here.”
Tenjō-san offers the croquette at my mouth.
“Are you saying I should eat it like this?”
“I think it’s best eaten while it’s still crispy and fluffy.”
“It’s embarrassing, though.”
“No one’s watching. Co on, eat it before it gets cold.”
I couldn’t resist the temptation of the freshly fried treat.
It’s bad manners to eat food like this, but I decide to bite into it boldly.
Occasionally, Tenjō-san feeds as we walk back to the apartnt.
“How does it taste?”
“It’s delicious.”
I say, careful not to burn my mouth as I eat.
“Yeah, it really is good. I’ve never had it before because the shop is usually closed when I return.”
“Store-fried foods are mostly delicious. Trying to fry at ho still seems like a high hurdle for though.”
“Wow, even you have things you’re not good at, Yuunagi-kun.”
“I’ve only been living alone for just under a year.”
“It would be a big deal if you could deep-fry food well.”
“Oh, are you expecting to be good at it?”
“I’ll leave that interpretation up to you.”
“It would be impressive to improve by sumr vacation. Plus, frying in sumr…”
“…? Why is there a deadline until sumr vacation?”
“Uh, about the moving…”
Feeling apologetic, I recall what we had agreed upon during our ‘Neighbor Agreent’.
“Ah… Yes, that’s right. We did make that promise.”
“If it’s a problem, please don’t force yourself. After all, I should be the one who…”
“It’s an adult’s responsibility to take on such troubleso matters.”
Tenjō-san puts on her teacher’s face and looks up at the sky.
“…hey, looks like it’s going to rain.”
Despite the morning’s sunshine, I realized the sky had beco overcast.
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