REMAID- One Good Day V

Sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, I sip from a mug of some warm coffee. A light roast mixed with cream and sugar. Basic, but tasty, and doing what it needs to. God I love coffee. My shivering self slowly feels the heat coursing through me and I take a moment to sigh, leaning my head back onto the couch. For the first time today, I feel like I can relax. As I enjoy the sensation of finally being at peace, I see Mina coming from upstairs. She reaches the floor and takes a stressed breath. She looks at me, and I can see the tiredness in her eyes. Rimi must have been a handful. If I weren’t dealing with myself, I would have taken it off her plate. A little guilt finds its way into my heart.

“She’s sleeping. She kept calling for you, but it seems sleep won out.” Mina explains, crossing her arms and turning her eyes to stare at the entrance to the kitchen. The unwillingness to keep talking seeps into the air, making it hard to breathe. I look back at my coffee, enjoying the gentle aroma. Why do all the women in my life have to be so complicated? Why can’t everyone be as foolish and loveable as Take…maybe I should just marry him and get out of this predicament.

…shit, wait, I’m not supposed to actually consider it!

I shake my head before I lose my girlfriend and cough, earning me back Mina’s attention.

“Good, that’s good, she needs her rest.” I say, sipping once more from my mug. Mina sighs, nodding her head. On the same page as each other? That’s a rarity. I celebrate the moment with another sip of coffee.

“...how…are you feeling?” Mina asks, her voice low.

“Me? I’m doing alright. Well, I’ll BE alright. Right now I’m still cold as fuck.” I laugh at myself. Mina doesn’t seem to find me funny. Instead, her tired expression fills with uncharacteristic worry.

“You sure? Do you want some food? I can cook you something.” She offers. Wow, what’s this? It’s almost…maidlike? She hasn’t treated me like this in a hot minute. Admittedly, I kind of enjoy it. Better than being treated like shit.

“Uh…I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you did.” I say, confused. With a nod, she enters the kitchen. I watch her from the couch as she begins cooking a small plate of fresh spaghetti and meatballs. The noodles leave the cabinet, the pot and pan are set upon the stove, the meat is formed into balls and the sauce is slowly heated on the back left burner. My favorite meal. How did she learn that? Did she ask grandma? Why would she do something like that? The minutes pass as the scent of fresh meatballs baking in the oven fills my nostrils. What the hell did I do to deserve this? Ah whatever, screw the reasoning, it’s too incredible not to enjoy the experience. With that, I take to waiting patiently, finishing my coffee in the meantime.

“Ah…here’s your food.” After about half an hour, she enters the living room, delivering to me a plate of delicious looking noodles and meatballs covered in margarita sauce. I feel my stomach rumble. Jesus, Mina is a good cook. The sight and scent of it sends my mind to lovely places.

“Th-thank you so much!” I smile earnestly, honestly happier than I have been for the rest of this day. She smiles back…it’s a beautiful smile. It makes my heart skip a beat.

“You’re so easy to make smile.” She says, sitting down next to me.

“Y-yeah, I guess.” I blush a little, before I happily dig into my meal. It’s delicious, put together with the same skill as some of the best chefs I’ve eaten from. As I eat, I feel her watching me. Her gaze doesn’t feel malicious or angry like usual though. It feels confused, scared…and wanting. The food is delicious, but…she’s really starting to stress me out. I take a break from eating, setting the plate down.

“Hey, what’s eating at you?” I ask, not realizing the genius of my statement. Mina stares into my face and seems to soften her gaze even more than before. Now that I look at her like this…she really is super cute.

“Life is…challenging me.” The words seem to struggle as they come out.

“How so?”

“Everyday I go to school is a day I get surrounded by boys I don't care about, confessing feelings I don’t share. Miura is always there to make my life hellish. When I come here, I have to serve your grandmother happily as if everything in life is perfect, and today…I almost lost two people I really care about.” She leans forward, looking in pain. Wait, two people she cares about? No way she’s including me in that…right?

“M-Mina, hey-” I try to ask, but she keeps going.

“I was going to yell at you, you know? I was gonna blame you for almost losing Rimi. But, I thought about it, and I realized something; If I lost you, I think my heart would break just as much.” Those words catch me even further off guard. Her eyes stare at my knee.

“...Mina…”

“You said my name. You always say my name. Not Ryuga. Not paycheck. Not bitch. Just…Mina…and lately, it’s been making me feel strange.” She sits back up, before leaning into me. Her hands hold my arms down and her legs push down on mine. I can’t move. I can’t move and she’s so close. I feel my heart almost stop as her face hangs over mine, her cheeks turning a gentle red.

“R-Rimi…I’m dating Rimi. I-I can’t-”

“Just let me…please…” She whispers, one of her hands moving to my cheek. Her fingers stroke it gently, making cold shocks surge up my back “Just make everything simple, like you always do.” Her face gets closer, until her lips are just centimeters from mine.

“S-stop, Mina. Please, I-I don’t want this.” I feel my voice quiver. Our lips accidently touch and I want to move further back, but hers follow me. Our lips properly meet, and my whole body goes numb. It’s a moment of pure shock and fear. I hate this, and I love this. Stop, Mina, please stop. She pulls away slowly, gently.

“Just…don’t move…” She whispers. Her breathing turns erratic. “Just…just stay still…just let me…do this…”

Her hand moves to my chest, her finger pulling down on the collar of my shirt.

“P-please…just a little bit-” I don’t let her finish. I pull her into an embrace. “Ah…wha?!”

“I can’t do this…but I won’t let you feel like everything is going to collapse around you.” I hold her tight. “I’m here for you. Rimi’s here for you. Your mother, my grandmother, they’re all here for you, I promise. So, don’t you ever feel like you have to take it all on alone.”

“Y-Yuta…” I feel her start to hug me back. “Yuta…Yuta…I…I love you.”

“...damnit…”

“...Yuta…”

“I love you too.”