Ch.25 Storm-02

K sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I see…” he muttered. “So Brother Blake’s going on a trip for two days… well—”

He stood up and turned toward the door.

“Wait! You’re leaving already?” Aurora’s voice carried sharp worry.

“Of course. There’s no point in staying here any longer,” K replied without looking back. “Earlier, I was just concerned because I saw the door open. That’s all.”

“W-wait… K—”

Aurora rushed forward and grabbed the collar of his hoodie.

“What?” he asked, clearly irritated.

“If you don’t mind… could you at least stay for a while?” she said nervously, smiling as her eyes fell to the floor. Her fingers tightened around his hoodie.

K glanced back at her briefly.

“Why would I stay?”

A loud growl echoed from Aurora’s stomach.

K blinked.

“...Did I hear something?”

“That was just the thunder!” Aurora blurted, her face turning crimson.

“But it sounded more like someone’s stomach—”

*SMACK!*

Before he could finish, Aurora slapped him so hard he fell flat on his back.

“Are you crazy?!” he yelled, holding his cheek. “What the hell was that for?!”

“S-sorry!” she cried, kneeling beside him. “I panicked!”

K stood up, brushing dirt from his clothes.

“Seriously… whenever you’re near me, something bad happens. At this point, I’m just hoping to survive.”

“Hey! I’ve never caused you that much trouble!” she protested.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

“Well…” Her mind flashed through countless past incidents caused by her. “…Okay, sometimes,” she admitted quietly, averting her eyes.

“Exactly. So let me go,” he said, proving his point.

“Wait! Please!” she blurted out. “I have something to confess!”

He stopped mid-step and turned around.

“…What now?”

“...If you know how to cook, could you maybe, um… cook dinner for me?” she asked, embarrassed to even say it.

“Why should I cook dinner for you?” K asked bluntly.

“I tried to order food, but it’s raining too hard,” she explained quickly.

“And I don’t want to go outside… and I’m hungry…”

She clasped her hands together, pleading.

“So, pretty please? I’ll do anything you want—just this once, grant my wish?”

K stared at her for a long moment.

“You’re really troublesome, you know that?”

“That’s mean!” she pouted, though her eyes sparkled hopefully.

He sighed.

“Fine. But don’t step into the kitchen until I’m done.”

“Really?!” she beamed, grabbing his hand.

“Don’t touch me,” he snapped, pulling away. “The candle’s about to go out. Light another one and bring it to the kitchen.”

Before long, the kitchen filled with quiet sounds of chopping and boiling.

Aurora leaned against the doorway.

“You’re surprisingly calm while cooking,” she said.

“To make good food, you need full concentration,” K replied, focused on his work. “Also, I work part-time, and sometimes I have to help in the kitchen.”

“I see… but still, you don’t *look* like the cooking type,” she teased.

“I don’t want to hear that from someone who can only compliment others because she can’t cook,” he retorted.

“Hey! I *can* cook!” she argued. “Well… kind of!”

“Instant noodles don’t count,” he interrupted flatly.

“…Rude,” she muttered.

Aurora dragged a chair to the entrance and sat down, dangling her legs.

“So, you live alone, right?”

“Yeah. Being alone suits me,” K said simply.

“You’re weird, you know? Don’t you ever feel lonely?”

He paused for a second.

“…No,” he said—but his tone wavered.

“Sorry to ask, but what about your family? Your parents? Any siblings?”

K set down the knife and sighed.

“If you don’t keep quiet, I *might* stop living,” he said dryly.

“Okay, sorry,” she mumbled.

Eventually, the aroma of food filled the room.

“Mmm… it smells amazing,” Aurora said softly.

“Don’t get your hopes too high,” K replied, turning off the gas.

“I already did,” she said with a smile.

They sat at the low table, candlelight flickering while rain tapped against the windows.

“Can I eat now?” she asked impatiently.

“You can eat.”

Aurora took a sip of soup. Her eyes lit up at the burst of flavor.

“Thaaaat’s heaven!” she almost melted onto the table before digging in fast.

K ignored her dramatics and ate quietly.

“You’re really good at this,” she said between bites.

“…It’s edible. That’s enough,” K muttered.

After finishing her portion, Aurora sighed dreamily.

“Ugh, that was so good! I wish you’d cook like this for me every day.”

*SPIT!*

K choked, coughing violently.

“Are you okay?!” Aurora jumped up, pouring him water.

He sipped slowly, glaring.

“Think before you speak, idiot.” His cheeks were faintly red.

“W-wait! That’s not what I meant! I meant the *food*! Just the food!”

Seeing her flustered face, K couldn’t help but chuckle before coughing again.

“Did you just laugh?” she asked in disbelief.

“Nothing,” he said quickly, grabbing a pillow and tossing it at her.

“Oof!”

“Now we’re even,” he said coolly.

They cleaned the dishes together in awkward silence.

Afterward, K picked up the candle and walked to the door.

“Everything’s done. I should go.”

“Ah… wait, I’ll walk you out,” she said, hurrying after him.

But as she stepped forward, her foot caught on a magazine.

“Wah—!”

K turned just in time for her to crash into him. They fell backward, Aurora landing right on top of him.

She opened her eyes slowly, realizing she wasn’t hurt. Her face hovered inches from his, her blue hair brushing against his cheek.

Her face turned bright red. Panicking, she tried to get up—

—and her knee slammed right into his groin.

*THUD.*

“AAAAAA!” K screamed in agony.

The lights flickered back on.

K lay on the floor, clutching himself with tears forming in his eyes.

“What the hell are you doing?! Are you *trying* to kill me?!”

“I—I panicked again! I didn’t mean to!” Aurora cried.

K staggered to his feet, trembling.

“Next time… learn to cook,” he managed, voice weak.

He limped out the door.

Aurora stared after him, sighing softly.

“…I should really stop watching horror movies alone,” she murmured.

Then, after a pause, added,

“…and maybe actually learn to cook.”