My gift to you.

It has been a long while since this house was filled with the voices of two people. Lights I’d never thought would be on during this hour of the day, and laughter replaced the silence of the darkened hall.

The steam from the pot travels through the air, painting a picture of a small food cart inside this gold-filled box. And the one who rolls the cart was her, sitting ever so calmly beside the table.

“Ryousei-san, how do you like it?”

“Hmm. How should I say it... It tastes like porridge, but it’s different.”

“It is porridge..?”

She has the exact same look as Miyu when I said Salmon tasted like fish. It does.. just not grilled fish.

“It’s warm, Miyazaki-san. Like a soft touch that soothes my cold. Not to mention that it’s flavorful despite its appearance.”

“I’m glad you like it. My mom used to make it for me all the time when I’m sick, so I understand that soft touch.”

“I’m sure she does. I take it that it’s your mom’s recipe?”

“It’s hers, but I like to think that it’s ours.” A smile appeared across her face.

“That’s nice. Do you guys cook together often?”

She paused as she looks down at her bowl, slowly twirling the spoon.

“Almost every day. I’d peak right around the corner, and she’d catch me to help with the meal.”

She looked really happy as she recalls her memories. Her voice is softly spoken like water gracing flower petals.

“She loves you a lot, doesn’t she?”

“She’d give me the stars if she could, Ryusei-san.”

Sitting here with her is peaceful. Within this lasting hour, there were times when I couldn’t focus well, and she’d take away the flow of the conversation.

Being swept away in the conversation isn’t so bad. It melts the worries about my current condition, and I’m feeling better now.

“Miyazaki-san, I’ll do the dishes. Make yourself comfortable in the meantime.”

“…You’ve just gotten better. I’ll take care of it.”

“Please, I want to do this. I can’t have you do everything now. Besides, you were sleeping earlier too, Miyazaki-san.”

Holding her hands down, she reluctantly agrees. For a moment she looked down as her hair covers part of her face.

“Ryusei-san. In that case, let me help with wiping them!”

“….”

“I know, but two is better than one, wouldn’t it?”

“You’re right. Thanks for your help.”

I appreciate her offer, but it’s only two bowls. It wouldn’t have taken much time, but still, I can’t refuse if she’s going that far to offer her help. The kitchen light is dim, yet it feels vibrant to be in here right now.

“Ryusei-san, colors have returned to your face.”

“Probably because I’m feeling much better, thanks to you.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay now. You looked really pale this morning. I thought I’d seen a walking corpse.”

“Is that so? I hope I didn’t give you a scare.”

“You might have. But now that you mention it, I was really scared when I had to find the towel, and all the supplies. My heart was pounding really hard because I didn’t know where to go…”

Ah... That’s right. If I had to name this occurrence, I’d call it the Ryusei Estate Effect. Anyone would’ve gotten lost. I was even a victim on multiple occasions when I was young.

“It’s a really big place, Miyazaki-san. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were lost once or twice.”

“…It is. Do you spend most of your time here, Ryusei-san?”

“I don’t have much going on, so I consider this place to be my home.”

“I understand. My home is where I live, but I consider the restaurant to be where I belong.”

There it is. The smile she had back then. Its radiance speaks from the heart.

“Hmm, I assume you spent most of your time there.”

“That’s right. It’s like a second home if you would.”

As she wipes the last inch of the bowl, the question that was buried before resurfaces.

“That reminds me, Miyazaki-san. How did you get in this morning?”

“Oh... It’s a bit late, but I apologize for intruding, Ryusei-san. I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s fine. I just didn’t expect to see you in here this morning.”

“When I got here, your gate was already opened. I wondered if it was a mistake or if someone was on their way out, so I waited. However, after a while, no one came out, so I shouted your name.”

“I did it multiple times then waited again like last time. But then I got worried, so I rushed in. Oh, and the-”

“Let me guess, the front door wasn’t locked either.”

“Exactly that, Ryusei-san. How did you know?”

How should I tell her? It’s an honest mistake, everything’s fine.

“You see... I might’ve been in a rush yesterday… Since they weren’t closed, Mom probably didn’t come home yesterday.”

I should start checking my phone more…I could already hear the ringing of all the messages and calls.

“Ryousei-san… You know how dangerous it is at night, so make sure to be more careful from now on.”

“Yup, you’re right.”

“If you don’t mind, why were you in a rush?”

“I just couldn’t wait to get started on the piece, that’s why.”

Piece. Everything that’s happened so far made me forget about the sole purpose of why she’s here. What do I do? What do I do? I inadvertently told her….

“Ryusei-san? Looks like you were lost in thought.”

“Um, sorry, Miyazaki-san. Come on, I’d like to show you something.”

I gave her my word that today’s fine, so whatever happens, happens. My hands feel cold, and there’s a hole in my stomach. I need to see it through.

My body weakens with each step along the stairs. Looking at her now, she has a curious look on her face.

“Ryusei-san, is your hallway always this dim? I feel like someone’s watching me.”

“…Please don’t say another word, Miyazaki-san. I want a peaceful sleep tonight.”

“…..”

We’re here.. Maybe I shouldn’t do this after all. It’s not finished, and everything is a mess inside...

“On second tho-”

“Whoa... I can feel the cold air coming from inside.”

“Hold on, Ryusei-san. Here-”

“Eh... What are yo-”

“There. You’re still sick, so let’s not risk it.”

…She wrapped a white cloth around my neck. It’s thick enough to act as a scarf... How warm.

“Thanks, Miyazaki-san. Now then, shall we?”

The memories, they’re all flowing in. The pile of clay, and what went on last night. Oh no... I’m finding it hard to say anything.

“Ryusei-san, what is all this?”

“Um, they’re my work. I’m a-”

“Are you a painter, Ryusei-san?”

She sounds excited...

“No, I’m not… I’m.. a sculptor.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

“Yeah... But the reason why I brought you here is because I made something for you, or at least tried.”

“Ryusei-san... Is that right. Why?”

“I wanted to thank you for helping me, but I didn’t finish it... I haven’t made it yet..”

“Thank you, Ryusei-san. Your thought was a kind enough gesture for me.”

Say something...

“But Ryusei-san, these paintings look incredible. The sculptures must be too.”

No, it’s alright.

“Miyazaki-san, over here. This is the drawing I made as a reference.”

“… Ryusei-san, was that meant to be for me..?”

She stood still, surrounded by silence around us. She’s in awe, and it’s meant for her, yet I feel no joy within my heart.

“Miyaz-”

“It’s... It’s beautiful... I don’t know what to say..”

“Thank you, Miyazaki-san.”

“I wasn’t able to make it come to life, so I’m sorry.”

“Ryousei-san... Stop. From this picture alone, I can tell how much effort you’ve put in. Truly, thank you.”

Effort.. right. I did put them in, maybe that’s why.

“It’s not eno-”

“You tried your best. Thank you for your hard work, Ryusei-san.”

Tried your best. What am I feeling?

“Um..”

“May I take this home with me?” she asked with a bright smile.

“It’s yours, Miyazaki-san.”

“Don’t you need it for reference?”

“Not anymore. I did my best.”

“Thank you, Miyazaki-san.”

Those words she told me.. as if it’s something I yearned for. I may have failed to make the piece, but my body feels lighter now.

There’s a faint gold around her. The lamp light softly touches her blue silk along the pathway.

“You didn’t have to walk me out, Ryusei-san.”

“I wanted to after all that you did for me today.”

“Thank you for taking care of me, Miyazaki-san.”

“No, it’s partially my fault.”

“?”

“Ah, before I go, here’s my Line ID. Saves you the trouble of going down.”

“Thanks, it will definitely help a lot. It’s a bit dark, so take care!”

“Thank you, too, Ryusei-san. I’ll cherish it.”

Under the starlit sky, darkness covers the surrounding light but left a pathway to town. “I know you will, Miyazaki-san.”

“Such fun time... Achoo! Gah, it’s cold.”