Why Do You Want to Help So Much?

Two days had passed since the last events. For the past two days, Mika hadn't exchanged a word or even sent a message to Saya. Considering his busy schedule of preparing the garage and managing the orders on the website, this seemed quite normal.

As he prepared dinner for himself, it crossed his mind. 

Should I send a message? Would it be rude if I didn't?

Nearing bedtime, he decided to send a message and opened his phone:

"Hey Saya, is everything okay?" After sending the message, he thought to himself,

I don't expect an immediate reply anyway. Even if she answers, I'll be busy with work tomorrow and won't have time to chat.

As the morning light filled the room, he rose from his bed, and his first instinct was to reach for his phone to check for new messages.

"Yes, thank you. Also, I'm sorry for leaving your side so suddenly that day. Have the products arrived?"

After thinking for a while what to answer, Mika typed:

"No, they will arrive today." The message was seen immediately and Saya replied:

"I'll come then."

"I don't understand?"

Mika found the situation strange. 

Why would Saya want to help? Besides, there was nothing useful for her there. She couldn't possibly come right away, could she?

"I'm coming to help, and before you say there's no rush, I forgot my umbrella, so I'll take that as an excuse (laughing emoji)."

"Okay..."

Why didn't I mention that the products had arrived?

***

After he finished his breakfast, the truck with the products arrived. Mika opened the garage and started to load the goods. Meanwhile, Saya had made her way to the front door. While Mika was putting down a box, she called to him

"Good morning, Mika."

"G-Good morning."

"Wow, there are a lot of products."

"Yes."

"Where should I start?"

"W-What? Right, you wanted to help... Well, it would be good if you arrange the products on this side."

"Sure thing!"

***

They worked together and managed to arrange most of the products by noon. They decided to take a break.

"Phew, I'm tired!" Saya said, taking a sip from her canteen to quench her thirst.

"Yeah, thanks for helping, but I don't understand something."

"What is it?" 

"Why are you helping? I don't understand your motive."

"Isn't it obvious? Because I want to help."

"Okay, but don't you have school today?"

"No, today is Saturday."

"Right...but still, I want you to help, but what's in it for you?"

"What's in it for me? Do you really think there has to be a gain in friendship?" Saya asked, her tone filled with anger.

Mika looked at her for a moment. 

So that was it. Friendship. Was friendship really like that? 

It wasn't his perspective, but Saya's actions contradicted it. He couldn't answer.

"I was thinking the same thing, you stupid... Anyway, are you hungry?"

"Yes, are you?"

"I'm very huuuungry!"

"Shall I order outside then?"

"No need, what would you like to eat?"

"W-What? You're not going to order..."

"No, I'll cook."

"Cook? There's no need-"

"I will cook."

"Oh Saya, why are you being so stubborn?"

"Well, since you have a single meal type, your diet is deficient."

"Deficient? It meets my needs perfectly."

"No, it's not like that. Have you ever thought about what your body actually craves, even if you don't enjoy it?"

"My body? I mean..."

"Anyway, I'll see what's available at home, and if not, I'll go out and get some. If you want, you can rest."

"No, it has to be done today. I'll continue."

"You're such a perfectionist. Anyway, I'll go inside."

After Saya went inside, Mika stared out of the window, lost in thought.

Why is she so persistent? Besides, she keeps saying things that have no scientific basis. I don't even have anything to say. Well, stop thinking about it and get back to work. I have to finish this.

He continued arranging the boxes for a while.

Exhausted and drained of energy, Mika entered the house. The smell of curry filled the air. He went to the kitchen where he found Saya wearing his mother's apron, struggling to chop onions. When she heard Mika's voice, she turned around.

"You've done a good job, but the food isn't ready yet. You'll have to wait," Saya's eyes were watery.

"No problem, but are you crying?"

Mika noticed the reddening of her eyes. He approached her to have a closer look, and when he noticed their proximity, Saya blushed and let out a small squeal.

"On-Onion, it's from the onion!" She pushed Mika back with her hand.

"Oh, right, I didn't notice. Sorry."

"Oh, Mika..." Saya complained in a grumbling tone. In her mind, she thought, "Oh, I got caught like that."

"Then I'll take a shower while I wait for the food to be ready."

"W-What? Is the garage finished?"

"Yes."

"Wow, you're fast!" Saya was surprised.

"Well, there were a few boxes left, I just arranged them."

Mika went upstairs to shower. As he showered, he thought to himself, 

She was wearing my mother's apron, and the food smelled so good.

After finishing his shower, he opened the door and turned towards his room and happened to hear Saya's voice coming up the stairs.

"Mika, the food is ready! Don't let it co-"

At that moment, Mika stepped outside with only a towel around his waist, completely exposing his upper body. Saya shrieked,

"I-I'M SORRY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING NAKED?"

"I'm not naked, I have a towel on as you can see."

"SEE? I DON'T WANT TO SEE RIGHT NOW, NO."

"O-Okay. I was going to my room to get dressed."

"Idiot," Saya said, turning her back and looking away, keeping a sideways glance at Mika. When Mika noticed this, he asked,

"Are you staring at me?"

"WHO'S STARING, YOU CREEP!" She quickly started down the stairs.

What's wrong with that girl?

***

"It looks nice. Thanks for the food."

"D-Does it look nice? Does it make you happy?"

"No, it just looks aesthetically pleasing and well cooked."

"Idiot." Saya started to eat, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"What is it again? You said it twice today."

"Idiot, idiot..." Saya started to smile.

"O-Okay..."

They finished their meal.

"Thanks again for the food. It was delicious."

"You're welcome. Did you like it?"

"Yes, but I have to admit that I can't really tell the difference between meals. Besides, it doesn't make me happy."

"I noticed."

"Okay..."

Saya turned to the left and looked outside. Why did she seem so somber and yet peaceful?

"Are you staring at me?" Saya asked suspiciously.

"I-I think I got lost in thought for a moment, I'm sorry."

"Anyway, let's clean up here. I'm also sorry I got your mother's apron dirty."

"It's not a problem. I'll throw it in the washer."

After clearing the table, Saya was getting ready to leave when Mika's phone received a message. It was from the website.

"Hey Mika, I'm on my way... What happened? Why are you rushing upstairs?"

"I think something happened to the website, I need to check it out."

"W-What?"

Mika went upstairs to check the computer while Saya had already entered the room.

"Is there a problem?" Saya turned to Mika and asked curiously.

"The website crashed."

"W-What? How?"

"I don't know. It's probably due to high demand or maybe it was hacked."

"Hacked? But why?"

"I don't know. I need to fix it right away."

"Oh O-okay, I'll help you then. We built the site together, so fixing the problem is my responsibility too."