Five

Kaori-nee did not look too good but she had been eagerly awaiting our return by the time we had gotten home. Aki-chan and I had stopped by the medical store on our way home and I had bought her her medicine as well. Kaori-nee was more than ready to make me tea as usual too but I drove her out of the kitchen and tasked Aki-chan with keeping her company while I made tea for her and myself and an omelette for Aki-chan knowing that she would be hungry. It made me stop and think, really. Life was really peaceful as it was. I really did not want to move out… However, the fact that I was thinking so much about it was proof enough for me that I actually needed to move.

I would be close-by anyway. I could still visit them, at least as regularly as our other “extended family member” did.

Said “extended family member” showed up as usual for dinner that night too, just as we were finishing with our tea.

“Where’s Hikaru?” Hiro-san enquired as he changed into the indoor slippers that he usually wore.

“Not back yet. Work.” I replied. Kaori-nee was standing behind me with Aki-chan holding onto her hand. “You came at the perfect time, Hiro-san. You can help me with dinner.”

“Dinner?” He looked surprised. To be fair, I had never really taken the initiative to cook before and he had never really been asked to assist either.

“Oh, no. Kakeru-kun, that’s not necessary.” Kaori-nee protested. “I can cook.”

“No. I feel a little generous today.” More like… sentimental? Vulnerable? Ah… I really did not want to leave… “You haven’t tasted my full-fledged cooking before, have you? I used to cook when it was just Hikaru-nii and I living here.”

“Ah! I want to eat Kake-jii’s cooking too!” Aki-chan jumped in excitement where she stood beside her mother.

“Even I do.” Hiro-san grinned. “I didn’t know you had it in you, Kake-chan.”

I gave him a disapproving look. He conveniently called me that name whenever he felt like it or wanted to pull my leg. I didn’t particularly hate it but… I had a perfectly good name. Only Aki-chan was allowed to shorten it. “You’re helping, Hiro-san.”

“Yes. Yes.” He nodded and came in. “Then… Aki-chan and Kaori-chan can go rest or play or do whatever it is that you would usually do.”

After sending the mother and daughter off, we set about preparing dinner. Considering that Hiro-san too lived alone, his culinary skills were not to be made light of. He was handy to have around the kitchen.

Soon, we settled into the peaceful task of preparing dinner.

“Kakeru.”

“Yes?” I responded to his call without paying heed to his serious tone.

“Have you… talked to Hikaru yet?”

“Hm? About what?” I enquired.

“Your decision to move.”

I stopped stirring the curry momentarily but then got right back to it. “I… told you? When did I tell you?”

“You…” He dropped the knife that he was using and narrowed his eyes at me. “You don’t remember?”

“No… I vaguely remember talking about it but I don’t remember when or to whom.”

He watched me a moment, clearly disappointed. “How drunk were you that you can’t even remember?”

“Ugh. I only remember that you gave me a piggy-back ride.”

“You don’t remember what we talked about?”

“I… don’t.” I frowned. “What? I was drunk.”

“Mm. You can be rather cute when drunk.” He chuckled. “You were so clingy, refusing to be let down. Hikaru had to practically pry you off my back after I got you home.”

Seriously?! Now that was just embarrassing! “I forbid you from bringing that up again. Ever.” I concentrated on cooking in an attempt to rid myself of the embarrassment.

He smirked. “On one condition.”

“…What?”

“Call me next time you’re drunk and need an escort home, not Hikaru.”

“And why would I do that?” I shook my head. “It’s bad enough that I so honestly yapped everything to you… and that I clung to you. I’m not doing it again.”

“I’m at least glad that you value my words enough to not take up another project just because I asked you not to. I didn’t know that you cared for my words so much.” He smiled.

I told him even that?! “I considered taking a break because you brought it up. I didn’t take a break because you asked me to.” What was wrong with me?! “Just… focus on what you’re doing, please.”

“Hm. I was thinking the other day- Since you don’t have any major projects ongoing, why not get Hikaru also to take off work and all of us go somewhere? An onsen would be nice. Or the beach, since it’s still warm out.”

Um… “About that break…” I began softly. “I’ve been assigned new work.”

“Wha- Kakeru!” He gave me a crestfallen look. “Come on! I was looking forward to this potential trip. You can’t do this!”

“I didn’t go asking for it. I was assigned work.” I emphasised. “I couldn’t say no. What’s with the tantrum though? It’s not like you can’t go anywhere without me. Hikaru-nii can still take a day or two off. Take Kaori-nee and Aki-chan and go, you four. Besides, don’t you have other friends?”

“But I already planned everything…” He whined, completely stopping what he was doing.

I sighed. “Hiro-san, I couldn’t help it. And what’s the point in planning a trip for five without involving us in the first place?”

He shrugged. “I had some free time.”

“Use your free time for something more productive… or at least tell us that you’re planning something. Geez.”

He hummed but did not resume work. He watched me instead. “So… did you tell your brother?”

… “No. Not yet.” I replied. “It’s easy but… it’s also not that easy to tell him.”

“You… really don’t want to go, right?” He leaned against the counter.

Ugh. “It sounds as though I have already told you everything.”

“That you have. Are you really sure though?”

Am I sure? “I am.” I replied without hesitation. “And I will tell Hikaru-nii soon. I’m looking for places seriously too.”

“I had told you that I would keep a lookout for you too. If you’re certain, then, I have a few good places in mind. They’re all nearby and they should be within budget for you too.”

“I even talked about my budget?” Why does it seem as though we had a really serious conversation?

“No. I’m assuming.”

Thank goodness. “Well, houses are your forte. Fine. I’ll check them out. Tell me more about them later.”

“I’ll take you there myself. They’re by a builder I am acquainted with. It will do me good too.”

“Is that so? Let’s do that then.” I nodded and glanced at his still hands. “Do you want me to take over chopping?”

“No. I’ll do it.” He returned to helping out with dinner.” I wouldn’t want to leave if I was you though.”

“Mm. You would.” I have my own life after all. I’m at a point where I would like to eat what I want when I want, sleep when I want and work as I want. Here, I’d also have to consider their routine and Aki-chan’s timing as well. That was as far as I was concerned though. I really just did not want to impose on them anymore than I already did.