Warmth After a Long Time

I immediately took off my shoes, and took shopping items to the kitchen while throwing my bag into the empty living room.

"Hey, how about my room?" Reina asked while crossing her arms.

"You can get the things you need first. First of all, clean yourself. I'll prepare dinner, so hurry up. Before dinner, we'll tidy up your room first."

"But really, you can't even style it yourself?!" I asked a little annoyed.

I don't have to hold back in front of her, that's a good thing. But I was worried that if he reported something strange to her father, but never mind. If she had intended to do it, she would have done it from the start.

"Umm, alright. But I'll empty the bath after that!!" she shouted.

"To hell with it." I turned away, went to the kitchen.

Tonight's menu is fried chicken with plain flour. But it's a bit of a luxury to me, and maybe its unique. I think it's okay, because it's the first day.

For now, I'm just going to cook the rice and marinate the chicken with the spices, to make it tastier.

After finishing my business in the kitchen, I went upstairs to put my things away, and rested for a bit, before I finally heard a small sound from below.

"Are you done? Just put the dirty clothes in that place. I'll wash them later." I said when I met Reina on the stairs.

"W-what do you mean?!! You want to hold my clothes? What for?!" she shouted.

"I'll wash it, obviously! What are you thinking?!" I shouted back.

"Ah, I see..."

Umm, how should I put it... This princess has terrible fantasies, and can't take care of herself either. What a pain. I also haven't felt anything after she exposed her real face, so this is the worst.

"As I thought it would be impossible for me to give my clothes to you!!" she shouted, taking dirty clothes and moving away.

Well, never mind...

I hope nothing happens while I'm taking a shower, because that will spoil my mood!!

"Ahhh... So comfortable and relaxing..." I said softly as I buried my head in the bathtub.

I think about Reina now.

"If she, who already knew who I was, was here, it would be easier for me. But..."

"What does she want living here? Is this just that fu'king cousin's game? Or Reina has her own will? I can't guess it." I leaned back, staring at the clean bathroom ceiling.

"Well, whatever it is, I'll be careful from now on." I nod confidently.

Thus, the quiet bath time was over, and I quickly rushed over since even I was hungry myself.

KNOCK KNOCK

I knocked on the door, just in case she wasn't in the mood for help. But...

BAMMM!!

A loud voice sounded from inside, followed by a small groan that I knew was Reina. What is she doing there...

After waiting for quite a while, the bedroom door finally opened.

An extraordinary sight, I mean in a bad sense, lay before me. Mattresses are not arranged, clothes are also scattered everywhere. There were even some stuff that I shouldn't have seen there.

I did think that she couldn't take care of herself, but I didn't expect it to be this bad...

"What happened..." I muttered softly in disbelief.

I saw Reina, who looked away like nothing happened. But fine. I know what happened.

She probably wanted to find the clothes she was wearing now, to make a mess. After that, she tried to rearrange the position of the bed, only to fall and be crushed by the mattress itself?

Sigh... Alright.

"Hey, you. You can at least tidy up your clothes, right?" I asked.

"Heh? Ahh, yes. I can."

"Then take care of your scattered clothes, and let me take care of the rest. Call me when you're done." I said, waving my hand, went downstairs.

"Um. All right." she answered slowly.

Weird, she's quite a pushover, isn't she? But that's good. I stayed out of trouble, that's why I went downstairs to prepare food while Reina picked up her clothes.

I was just giving flour to the chicken, when Reina came down and called me.

Thus, I help her organize the room, clean it, and tidy it up until it's really neat. It's been quite a while since I last used this room, so it's a bit nostalgic...

With a little tired there, I can make this room a comfortable room to live in.

Finished feeling tired, I continued cooking while I asked Reina to prepare a plate and cooked rice.

"Reina."

"Hmm?"

"I want to talk to you about a lot of things today, but this is a first." I give the index finger.

"Always try to eat together at the table. Let's just say it's our tradition, and you should follow it." I said firmly.

Somehow, I told her this. But this is important, because by eating in the same place, we can get to know each other better. I don't want to have trouble with her.

"Huh, uh? Why?" she was astonished.

"No particular reason. It's just that food tastes better when eaten together."

"There are a few more rules, and we'll get to that later." I continued while draining the cooked fried chicken.

Looking at the dining table, everything is ready. Only the chicken that was in my hand, as well as the sauce that I had previously made were still in the kitchen.

She's pretty bad at taking care of herself, but at least she can pull off something like this, right?

"Humm? Isn't this a bit excessive?" she asked in surprise when she saw some of the menus that I took out.

"Dont think and just eat it. Think of it as your welcome party, don't be shy."

"Don't tell me, do you have other intentions?" she glared at me.

"Nothing!! If you don't want to, let me just eat it all myself. You can just eat the snacks you bought at the supermarket earlier!"

"Ughh.... Alright. I'll gladly accept."

She lowered her head slightly, and tasted my food a bit, then started to eat it all with gusto. I wondered if my food was really that good, or if she was just starving, but who cares.

But...

This feeling, a feeling I had long forgotten.

"I had forgotten, but is this how it feels?" I asked quietly.

"What did you say?"

"No, nothing. I was just thinking what to get out for dessert." I answered origin.

"Ehh? Any dessert?? I want it!!" Reina raised her hand excitedly.

I was a little surprised by the change in attitude she gave, making me remember her sly face earlier. But apparently, this is the real figure of Reina Hanasawa, without even having me suspect her.

"All right, all right. Finish this food first, I'll prepare it later." I answered, smiling softly.

Correct. This is a memory I forgot.

Eat with other people, chat with them in the dining room while telling a little. Indeed, the atmosphere is a bit cold between me and Reina, but it's still warm to me.

But....

"As I thought, eating with other people at home is the best." I whispered softly, smiling.