Do You Miss Them?

“Woah…”

“Wow…”

Celicia and I are stumped as the smell of steak emanates throughout our table, teasing our nostrils with the fat meaty smell and the sizzling noise on top of the table. The steak is tenderly seared on the edges, exuding a beautiful caramelized crust. The touch of the perfectly cooked meat is firm yet yielding, followed by mashed potatoes on the sidelines.

“I made all of this with some of the premium materials that we bought from Honeymaw!” Siofra said in a smug.

“Honeymaw?!” Celicia yelled out, “Aren’t the meats there expensive?!” She asks whilst her ears are moving up and down.

“It’s fine—it’s fine!” Siofra waves around her hand, followed by her sitting down next to Celicia with her portion, “Just think of this as a rare exception.”

“…Is it really okay to eat this for free?” Celicia asks, her eyes stuck on the steak.

“Celice,” Siofra presses her tone of voice, “I am treating you, so just accept it as is, okay?”

“…Okay.” Celicia defeatedly replied.

Considering what kind of person Siofra is, I’m surprised she can treat Celicia like that…

Celicia has always felt like a storm of emotions. It’s hard to figure out what kinds of things she’ll do, but Siofra just took control of it as if it’s nothing. As expected of a childhood friend.

“By the way, why does the dining hall have no one in it?” I looked at Siofra and asked.

Throughout our waiting, the dining hall which is usually filled with people around this time is eerily empty for some reason. Usually, our voices would be drowned out by the cheers and laughter that we had to yell to communicate, but now our voice echoes throughout the hall, which kind of makes me uncomfortable.

“It’s because I closed it.” Siofra shrugs.

“…Huh?”

“Sofi…” Celicia crosses her arms, her brows furrowing.

“I gave them a proper reason to do it, and they complied,” Siofra points towards her kitchen, “I swear I got my dad’s permission this time…”

“…Are you sure,” Celicia raises her brow whilst crossing her arms.

“I swear!” Siofra replied in a fluster.

“Swear on your limbs?”

“Swear on my limbs!”

What? 

“…I would normally doubt you, but I’ll let it go for this one time,” Celicia uncrosses her arms.

“Thank you, Celice…” Siofra smiled.

“Just this once, okay?” Celicia raised her finger.

“Okay.” Siofra lowers her head.

What the heck is up with these two? They’re starting to feel more like sisters than friends to me.

I look at my plate, the sizzling sound slowly dissipating, but the smell is still extremely strong.

…

…..

…….

“Congratulations on graduating Middle School!” My family yelled out as I stepped into my home

“What is this about?” I ask with my diploma in my hands.

“Quickly get ready son,” My dad points towards the back of our home, “We’re going to celebrate!”

“Huh?” I tilt my head, “Can someone tell me what is happening?”

“Your dad got a raise, you graduated Middle School, and Yuki will start Middle School in two months!” Mom ecstatically explained, “That’s why we should celebrate!”

“Huhh…” I let out a noise.

“Come on now,” My mom said as she pulled my arm, “We’re going now.”

“Wait, now?” I questioned as my body was being pulled.

“Of course! Now hurry up and get changed!”

“…”

This is a pain.

It’s only a graduation and a raise. Do they really need to make a big deal out of it? I swear my parents can be overly extra at times.

After that incident, we went to a family diner that opened a few weeks ago. The place was packed that day, and my parents ordered steakstones, one of the most expensive meals in that diner.

“Woooow!” Yuki’s eyes sparkled, “Thank you Mama, Papa!”

“It’s a reward for all of us after all…” Mom said as she patted Yuki’s head.

“Hehehe…” Yuki gave a bashful smile.

“…”

The sizzling noise reverberates through my ears, and the fatty smell roams through my nose, almost making my mouth water from the scent alone.

“Come on Yuuma,” Dad pats my shoulder, “Say your thanks…”

“…Thank you for the food.”

I want to be home. I’m way too tired to care for this…

Oh well, might as well eat some anyway.

I cut up a slice and took a bite…

…

…..

……

“…”

The meat danced in a harmony of flavor and texture. From the juicy tenderness of the meat to the charred edges of the meat that gave it a nice crunchy texture.

“It’s really good…” I muttered.

“I know right?” Siofra said in a smug, “I did use expensive meat after all…”

“No… No matter how good the ingredient is, only the chef can turn them into something good…” I muttered. My gaze fixed on the plate.

“…”

That was the first and last time my parents ever celebrated anything, and all I felt that day was annoyance. Ever since then, I was neither close nor apart from my parents. We maintained a neutral distance as I didn’t like being doted on back then…

“Anyway Celice, what do you plan on doing for tomorrow?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure…”

“Then, do you want to come with me tomorrow? I have plans on visiting my grandparents.”

“Really?! Please let me come!”

“…”

I’m kind of jealous…

I took the home I had for granted, and now I have to pay the price in this world.

They still have friends and family. Homes to go back to. Familiar faces that will greet their mornings.

“…”

Ahh… The more I look at them, the more I’m starting to feel like a stranger in this circle…

“Heh…”

Look at me, suddenly starting to feel homesick…

…

“Happy birthday brother!”

“Hey dear, do you want to come to the mall with me?”

“Hey, son! I got some leftover burgers. You want some?”

“Brother, you need to spread the butter throughout the pan…”

“After you failed once, you don’t need to worry about losing after that am I right?”

“It’s time for you to grow up son… You’ll be on your own from now on, so you better get a grip on yourself, alright?”

…

“…Hey, Celicia…”

“Hmm?” She brings up her face, her mouth completely stuffed.

“This is just an if question…” I scratch my head, avoiding her gaze, “C-Could there potentially be a way to get back to your former world…?”

“There isn’t.”

“…”

“If the country you’re born from has a catalyst, then you can technically go back…”

“…! Does that mean—”

“Magic isn’t a thing in your world, right?” Celicia asks.

“…”

“Your home world from what I’ve seen doesn’t have magic, but they made up for it with their creativity. That’s why I think Otherworlders are amazing…” Celicia added.

“Yeah…” Siofra said as she munched on her meat, “Twhath twhe nwice twing abwout you gwuys…”

“I see…”

I had that kind of feeling for a while, but I still wanted to be sure about it…

“…” Siofra looked at me for a brief moment, and then her gaze switched to Celicia’s. Then she says, “I need to use the bathroom, so I’ll be right back.”

“Ah, okay,” Celicia yelled out.

“…”

“…”

“…Hey, Yuuma?” Celicia leans forward.

“Hm?”

“…Do you miss them?” Celicia then makes eye contact with me, her eyes unwavering.

“…Yeah,” I replied, a heavy weight that had been lying on my chest felt as if it took off into the sky. 

“…I see,” Celicia replied with a smile.

“…”

“…”

After that conversation, both of us went silent. However, it was a comforting silence. 

A pleasant, peaceful silence.