Ding, dong, ding, dong.
The break bell rang. Classes came to a halt, and one by one, students poured out of their classrooms—including me. But...
"Homura, are you going to the cafeteria?" Akari, who sat next to me, asked. She had just placed her lunchbox on the desk as I was about to stand.
"Uh... No, I’m heading to the garden. I brought my own lunch, so I don’t need to go to the cafeteria..."
"I see... Umm..."
"Is something wrong, Akari?"
"N-no, it's nothing... It’s just... Would it be okay if I joined you? In the garden?"
"Oh, uh... Sure, but... Don’t you want to eat with your friends?"
Ever since homeroom this morning, Akari had gotten a lot of attention from the other classmates—so I figured she had already been invited to eat with some of them.
I thought they really cared about her...
"About that... No one invited me..." Her smile dimmed.
W-what...? I know it might sound rude, but... is it because of Akari’s condition? I hope not...
If that’s the case, then at the very least, as her friend, I should stay with her.
"Alright, then. Let’s go to the garden." I stood and smiled at her as best I could.
Akari’s eyes sparkled when I said she could join me. She nodded repeatedly with excitement, her hands swinging with joy.
Just like a kid... But cute, though...
After that, I took hold of her wheelchair’s handles, and per her request, I placed my lunchbox on her lap so I could push her comfortably.
On our way to the school garden, we got quite a few stares from other students—and honestly, it made me a bit uncomfortable.
The stares... I don’t like being the center of attention...
“...mura... Homura.”
“Oh, right. What is it?” I snapped out of my thoughts, realizing Akari had been calling me.
“Are you feeling uncomfortable? From all the staring?”
“Ah... Uhm... Yeah, I guess so... Sorry, I got distracted and didn’t hear you.”
“Mhm, it’s okay. I should be the one apologizing for putting you in the spotlight.” Her voice lowered.
“No, no, it’s not your fault, don’t worry about it.” I tried to reassure her.
Akari didn’t say anything, just nodded and looked down.
I should cheer her up... But I don’t know the right way to communicate...
If this goes on, the mood around us will just get heavy...
Alright. I’ll at least give it a shot.
“Akari.”
“Yes...? What is it?”
“What kind of lunch did you bring today?”
“Oh, I brought—” She stopped, then continued with, “That’s a secret~ You’ll find out once we get to the garden.”
“Hee? Why keep it a secret? I’m curious now…”
“Ehehe~” Akari just giggled.
Long story short, we arrived at the garden.
Once we found a nice spot, I parked her wheelchair right next to the long bench we chose as our dining place.
“Homura.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you help me? I want to sit on the bench too…”
“Oh, sure…”
If I remember correctly… She once said she’s getting better... right? If I’m not mistaken, then I don’t need to carry her.
Not that she’s heavy or anything… It’s just... kind of embarrassing.
“Don’t worry, Homura. I can stand well enough if I have something to hold on to.”
“Ah, I see… Unfortunately... there’s nothing really sturdy for you to lean on. Do you want to lean on me?”
“Eh?!” Akari looked at me in shock, the tips of her ears turning red. “N-no, it’s fine! I-I’ll just stay here...” she said, fidgeting with her hair.
“You sure? I don’t mind helping...”
After I said that, Akari changed her mind and agreed to let me assist her.
Before we started, she placed both her lunch and mine on the bench.
I crouched down low so her hands could rest on my shoulders.
“Okay, up we go. Slowly now.”
Akari slowly stood up with my support. Her face was right next to mine, and her hair tickled my cheek and ear—and also... she smelled really nice...
Eventually, she made it from her wheelchair to the bench.
“Hey, you did it!”
“Ugh… Homura... You sound like a proud dad watching his kid learn to ride a bike…” Akari chuckled.
“Ahaha... Sorry, sorry. So… shall we eat?”
Akari nodded and handed me my lunchbox.
We sit side by side, clapped our hands together, and said “Let's eat” at the same time.
“Whoa... So your lunch is croquettes?”
“Ehehe~ As you can see, it’s croquettes.”
Her lunchbox only had croquettes... Did she make them herself?
If I recall correctly, Akari comes from a fairly wealthy family... It’s just a guess, but she does have servants.
So it’s kind of odd that her lunch is just croquettes...
“Homura, you’ve been staring at me... Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Ah... yeah, I was just about to.”
I cut a piece of omelet, scooped up some veggies and rice, and took a bite.
I’ve had my mom’s cooking countless times, but it still never fails to make me crave more.
“Wow, an omelet! Did your mom make it?”
“Yeah... I can’t cook, so...” I laughed awkwardly.
“It must taste amazing, huh?”
“Of course. My mom’s cooking is the best I’ve ever had.”
“Hee... Is that so?” Akari picked up a croquette from her box and held it out to me. “Try this. Let’s see if my cooking can match your mom’s.”
“E-eh? Umm... Okay then...” I accepted the croquette and took a bite.
...
Mmm!
“Akari... Are you... my mom’s apprentice or something?”
“Haha, what are you talking about, Homura?” Akari laughed.
“I’m serious. Your cooking tastes... a lot like hers.”
The moment I said that, Akari suddenly jolted and covered her face with both hands. Her body was trembling slightly.
“A-Akari? What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing... It’s just...”
“Just what?”
“This is... the first time... someone outside my family has praised my cooking...”
Eh...?
“Mmm… Haven’t you shared your food with friends before?”
“Of course I have... But only with my girl friends…”
Oh.
So that means...
I’m the first guy—outside her family—who’s eaten and praised her cooking?
That’s kind of...
“Oh... Umm...” I fell silent, unsure of what to say.
In the end, I understood why Akari was acting so flustered just now…
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