Chance Meeting

When I had arrived home, night had already come. After the events from earlier today, I was tired out. That’s why I found myself relaxing in the living room. I didn’t want to take a long trip upstairs, plus I still hadn’t eaten dinner. After strolling through the channels on tv for a while, it didn’t take long to notice that nothing interesting was airing. In the end, I just left it on a random channel instead. It wasn’t long before my stomach made its call for food though. That was the cue it was time for dinner. Since I lived alone, I had to cook everything myself. That meant whether I wanted to get up or not, I had choice in the matter. I had to forced myself up.

While thinking about what to cook, I had recalled what ingredients were around and what was previously made. I then came up with a simple meal plan. Pan grilled chicken, lightly seasoned with a light sauce to complement it. As for the sides I’ll cook up some cabbage, rice and warm up some vegetable soup that was still left over.

Thinking about it, this kind of reminds me of the first time I tried to cook. I didn’t know anything about cooking back then. In fact, I feel like I still don’t know a lot. However, that doesn’t mean I know absolutely nothing. When mom was around, I had learned to bake sweets. I decided to do it on a whim really. I had a desire for something sweet and it was late in the day. So that meant someone had to make them, if I was to enjoy any that is. Amazingly enough, I had some talent for it. The first cake that I made was something simple, yet it turned out to be a perfectly sweet one. It needed absolutely nothing, not even frosting. It was a surprise even to mom, even when she had monitored me herself. The strange part is that I never was able to replicate that same taste again. Because of that success though, I took an interest in baking.

Sometime later, I took up cooking. That’s when I learned an important lesson the hard way. Cooking and baking are two entirely different things. While I had talent in one, it didn’t mean the same for the other. I had started with something simple, but it really wasn’t easy. From there, I worked my way into other foods I thought were doable. Funny thing is, one of those things was soup. While it wasn’t hard, it wasn’t exactly a complete success either. Sometimes it would be a stew and other times it tasted like a simple vegetable soup. I’m not sure how you turn soup into stew or go from trying to make stew to making soup, but that’s how things turned out somehow. It became more obvious that it was harder than it seemed. Even then, everything still tasted good when made. So, I’d usually have leftovers to enjoy for a few days.

Now I’ve improved and can make more dishes. While it’s not some fancy restaurant quality, a simple meal is still an achievement in its own right. It beats only having a salad for a meal or a cup of instant ramen, that’s for sure.

“Hmm~, well this isn’t good.”

While recalling the past, I was gathering everything I needed to cook. However, that’s when I noticed I was out of cooking oil. I shook the bottle to further verify and sure enough, it was empty. Perhaps I could tilt it until a drop or two came out, but it still wouldn’t be enough.

“Not good at all.”

My options now changed. I could make something entirely different, skip out on eating all together or head out to get cooking oil. With those choices available, it wasn’t hard to decide. First off, I was hungry. That meant one choice was gone already. Add on the fact that once I had something on my mind I wanted to eat, it was kind of hard to not want it. So, taking a little time away to be able to eat it wasn’t a big deal to me.

With that settled, it was off to the store. I grabbed my things and locked up before leaving. I was now on another stroll today, only at night. It’s always been strange to think about, but I’ve found some comfort whenever I was out at night lately. I’m not sure why, but it’s enjoyable for me to be active at this time. When I was a kid, it was the opposite. I hated the dark so much. In fact, I was scared to even consider going anywhere at night or being left alone in the dark. So scared that I was frozen stiff usually. I may enjoy it more now, but I still have a slight fear of pure darkness. In fact, I noticed I unconsciously avoid areas that are much darker when I’m out. I’ll never forget my phone even, since it can act as a light source.

There are so many things I’ve noticed overcoming recently, yet so many others I have not. It has caused me to wonder more often as well. Will I still like this or will I hate that still? What will the future bring to me? It’s possible I like these moments because it gives me time to think. Well, whatever the reason. My time to think had come to an end, I had now reached my destination.

I headed inside and began my search for what I needed. While I have been here quite a few times before, I still can’t memorize everything. It has always been hard for me to remember certain things after all. Especially when it comes to people’s names, I have the most trouble with those. I don’t remember how long it took for Tamura’s name to finally stick for me. Now that it’s stuck, I’ll never forget it.

While searching, I couldn’t help but notice a delectable chocolate mousse. It was already a good day, so why not make it even better I thought. After taking one, I found the oil I was looking for. Since I was already here, I decided to restock on a couple of other things as well. Once I had everything, I paid for the items at the counter.

After paying, I made my way out the door. Just as I was doing so, I noticed a few people standing outside. It was pretty obvious what was happening. Usually in situations like this, I’d try to avoid getting involved. However, this time a familiar face has once again made its way into my view. Conclusion, I can’t find it in me to avoid someone I know.

“Yo, Haruka.”

As I said that, the two guys that were near her looked my way. Just as quickly as they looked, they immediately left.

“Friendly bunch those two are huh?”

“Hmph, they only got the hint once they saw you. If anything, they’re lucky you came by.”

Haruka said with a smirk, as she turned to face my direction.

“Scary, scary.”

I said in a teasing manner.

“So what brings you here Yuuki?”

“Oh you know, just had a feeling that someone need a helping hand is all.”

I bring the bags I had just gotten up a bit more in view, showing them as my reason for actually being here.

“Yourself?”

“Just thought I’d grab a couple things too. Only I was interrupted before I could go in.”

“Hmm, you don’t say.”

As usual, it was strange to see Haruka again so soon. Everything these past few days have led me to wonder why we kept running into each other so often. It was truly out of the ordinary. What’s more, Haruka herself also wasn’t just some ordinary girl. I don’t know much about her, but she could have easily handled those two guys if they had tried anything funny. That’s why her saying I saved them was probably the honest truth.

“I should hurry and get what I need.”

“Ah, true. Sorry for holding you up.”

“No worries.”

As she walked into the store, I stood there for a while. I was honestly unsure of what to do. Not only because of what had just happened, but because I had a gut feeling. I was actually someone who trusted those gut feelings, and this one was telling me to stay. That’s why even if I don’t know why, I wanted to trust this one too. Why? That’s what made me more confused. It’s what made me unsure of what exactly to do. I had no real excuse to stay, it was just a feeling.

As I hesitated on this, I had stood outside the store for a few minutes now. In the end, I stood there unsure. However, that in itself was also a choice. If I made no choice, I was therefore making a choice. Some might think it’s not, but everything is a choice. By doing nothing, that lead to me staying. Even if I was still unsure of what to do.

Before long I was now waiting for Haruka to come out. With that choice being pretty much made on its own, I made another choice. So as not to let my dessert go bad, I took my chocolate mousse out. I now sat on the curb, enjoying the sweet deliciousness that spread throughout my mouth. All the while enjoying the night scenery around me.