A Little Too Comfortable, Pt. 5

We found ourselves sitting on a bench in the center of the mall, somewhere between a bubble tea stall and a pop-up jewelry booth.

Neither of us said a word.

Our hands were still linked, fingers loosely tangled together like neither of us knew how to be the one to let go first. It wasn't tight. It wasn't intentional. It just... happened. And despite us, it stayed that way.

I leaned back against the bench, watching the flood of people passing by. Some carried shopping bags, others wrangled crying kids, and a few clung to each other the same way we were now.

The silence between us wasn't heavy. It was awkward, sure. But it was also kind of... nice? I think.

I never thought sitting in complete silence next to someone could feel this comfortable, especially with her.

I glanced over.

She wasn't looking at me. Her gaze was somewhere ahead, absentmindedly watching a cluster of middle schoolers crowd around a capsule machine. The sharp edge she wore earlier was gone now, replaced by something softer.

And for whatever reason, that quiet version of her made my chest ache in a way I didn't quite understand.

I let my eyes drift ahead and caught sight of a grocery market toward the end of the hallway, its bright green sign standing out against the polished glass and marble of the mall's upper level.

"Hey," I mumbled, nudging her hand a little.

She blinked and turned to me.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"We should probably head to the grocery store before it gets too crowded."

"The grocery store? For what?"

"I mean, what else would you go to a grocery store for? Food, of course. My fridge has been empty for the last few days, so it's about time I restock. Can't have my guest starving, now can I?"

Megumi gave a small nod, the corner of her mouth twitching like she was fighting the urge to smile.

"Right. Let's go."

She rose to her feet, still holding on.

And I didn't mind at all.

We made it to the entrance of the grocery store, the automatic doors sliding open with a soft whoosh and a blast of cool air. The smell of fresh produce and packaged bread lingered in the air, mixing with the ever-present hum of store announcements.

I took a step forward, but Megumi didn't follow. That was when our hands separated.

She was standing there with her head tilted up, staring at the ceiling like she was reading something only she could see.

"You... okay?" I asked.

She snapped out of it and rubbed the back of her neck.

"Actually... Do you mind if I sit this one out? I need to breathe for a minute. Aimlessly wandering around a grocery store isn't gonna help right now."

Her voice was steady, but there was a subtle heaviness in it, like whatever happened back there with Chiaki was still gnawing at her.

I hesitated. Part of me wanted to insist she come with me, if only to make sure she was okay. But one look at her expression told me I shouldn't.

"You sure?"

She gave me a faint nod.

"I'll be fine. Just gonna hang around. You take your time, yeah?"

"Alright. I'll be quick."

She stepped aside, leaning against the wall just outside the entrance. I gave her one last glance before heading in, the doors hissing shut behind me.

The grocery store was busier than I expected. Carts squeaked across the floor, old ladies argued over sale items, and a kid wailed somewhere in the distance about not getting something he wanted.

I grabbed a basket and made my way through the aisles, ticking items off my mental list. Rice, eggs, milk, ramen, and some vegetables we'd probably forget about in the fridge later.

Somewhere between the bakery section and the frozen foods, a memory floated to the surface.

From my back pocket, I pulled out a crumpled-up piece of paper and unfolded it.

A few days ago, Megumi had scribbled a list of everything she wanted to try. This paper is that list. She had thrown it away, saying it was just a joke — but I... I kept it. Figured it might come in handy one of these days.

"Curry bread," I had said. "Salmon bread, cold seafood plate, eel sushi roll... Hah. You really did put only food on the list."

"Of course."

"Whatever happened to 'everything you wanted to do'?"

"Hmm, I thought about it, but it's not like I'm in a position to want things like that. The bare minimum will do, and by that, I mean food. Lots of food."

Sure enough, I had all the necessary ingredients in my basket. For some reason, knowing I was gonna surprise her with it made the whole store feel a little less cramped.

I caught myself smiling like an idiot while waiting in line at the register.

"Hah... Why am I smiling?" I whispered to myself, but I already knew the answer.

Once I purchased everything, I made my way out the doorway. But, without thinking, I retreated back behind the cover.

Megumi was still there... but standing right in front of her was Kousuke Haru — that senpai who was with Chiaki earlier.

What the hell is he doing here...?

"Seriously?" Megumi muttered, her voice low and sharp. "What do you think you're doing, saying shit like that to me when you're already on a date with another girl?"

"You mean Chiaki?" Kousuke asked with an easygoing smile. "That wasn't a date. She just wanted some company, so I tagged along. Nothing more."

"Hah. Sure. Let's say I believe that for a second. Then what's this? Snuck away just to have a cozy little chat with me?"

"Actually... Yeah. Because, to be honest with you... You're drop-dead gorgeous. Everything about you. Your eyes, your—"

Megumi let out a quiet, amused scoff.

"You don't have to state the obvious. I would know my worth better than you ever could."

"Of course, of course. But that just makes it harder to ignore you. Alongside everything else, that confidence is amazing. So... What do you say?"

"Pfft~ I'm speechless. Let's not forget something very important, Mister Kousuke. I have a boyfriend."

"Ah, right. Shohei Taka. But come on, do you really think a guy like that is on your level? Honestly... he's punching way above his weight. I'm sure he hasn't told you yet, has he?"

"...Told me what?"

"That he's been chasing after Chiaki for the past seven years. You think he just gave up like that? Doubt it. It's obvious you're just a backup plan — his second option. So how about you drop the dead weight and go for a guy who's better looking, wealthier, and actually knows your worth?"

Megumi pinched her lips together, a sharp smirk tugging at the corner.

"Oh~?"

"Yeah. Let's not pretend, huh? You deserve better than being somebody's consolation prize."

He extended his hand toward her.

"Shall we?"

The whole time, I stood there, leaning against the wall... listening.

Honestly, I'm not even sure how to feel anymore. First Chiaki, now Megumi? Does this guy just make a hobby out of screwing with me?

That's not even the part that throws me off. When I realized earlier that he was the guy Chiaki liked, it didn't hit me as hard as I thought it would.

I mean... yeah, it stings, but it's not entirely unbearable."

Yet here, with Megumi — this weird, chaotic, and infuriating girl who'd bulldozed her way into my life — listening to someone trying to flirt with her, to... take her away...

That felt different.

My fingers loosened around the plastic bags, and I nearly dropped them.

Well, I guess... I shouldn't be too surprised. I mean, if I really think about it, there's a reason why Chiaki rejected me seven times.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this.

Maybe I'm lacking something.

Or maybe... I'm just not good enough.

Megumi sighed.

"Sure. You're taller, probably richer, and yeah, you've got a nice face. I'll give you that."

That was it. I was ready to turn away. I didn't need to hear the rest. I didn't want to hear the rest, because I knew... I wouldn't like it.

Then, she spoke again — and her voice made me stop.

"But let me ask you something, Mister Kousuke. Can you make curry bread for me?"