March Towards Tomorrow (8)

"Please..."

Sakayanagi brought over two glasses of juice.

What caught Oreki's attention was that the tray appeared to have been dampened by the juice.

There were very obvious water stains.

Did she accidentally spill some?

Or perhaps...

"Are you staying the night here today?"

Sakayanagi asked in a low voice.

"Yeah. If I'm intruding, I can—"

"That is not the case at all."

"Is that so?"

"Yes..."

The atmosphere gradually grew strange.

An indescribable awkwardness.

A visible shyness.

And the scent of youth.

Indeed, as long as one interacts with an open heart, any conflict or problem will be easily resolved.

After all, sincerity is the key.

But this only works for some people.

In the current environment, it is already hard to find people like the two of them.

Most have had their perceptions blurred by capital.

Linking romance with money is undoubtedly foolish.

Only capital profits.

And for those who have been brainwashed, only endless days of hardship await them.

Of course, this refers to Japanese capital.

"I was saying—"

"That—"

The two spoke almost simultaneously.

Sakayanagi then averted her gaze, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"You go first..."

"Oh. Ahem... returning this to you."

Oreki said, handing over the beret from his satchel.

There was no need to keep this thing any longer.

Besides, Sakayanagi quite liked it, so it was better to return it sooner.

It was just a pity...

It didn't serve its purpose even once.

That could be considered Oreki's miscalculation.

Who would have known that old man would chase away the previous guards on duty?

Truly having nothing better to do.

If those previous guards were still there, they would likely have become respectful the moment they saw Oreki.

Not to mention the beret belonging to the young lady of the Sakayanagi family.

Because they had seen with their own eyes that Oreki had come to the art museum with the young lady of the Sakayanagi family.

Although they didn't understand the reason.

But that wasn't something they needed to understand.

There was only one thing they needed to understand, and that was...

If they didn't want to lose their rice bowls, they had better pull themselves together and serve these two well.

"Mm..."

Sakayanagi extended her right hand and took the beret.

Then, she casually hung it on the coat hook.

"Um, can I go with you tomorrow?"

"Huh?"

"Can you?"

"Of course. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"Didn't you say you wouldn't get involved?"

"I won't interfere, nor will I intervene."

"Then why?"

"Simply because I want to go and see."

"I understand..."

Oreki nodded.

When it came down to it, Sakayanagi just wanted to stay by Oreki's side.

However...

Couldn't she just decide that for herself?

After all, the whole matter started because of her.

Whether it was Oreki or Kiyoko, they were both just playthings for Sakayanagi.

--But why follow me...

--Could it be...

--No, no, I must be mistaken. How could something like that be possible?

Oreki shook his head in disbelief.

One of the three great illusions of life is...

She must like me.

This matter was also recorded by a certain self-deprecating guy (Hikigaya).

The next day.

When he woke up again, it was already the following day.

Last night was truly exhausting.

Oreki stretched his limbs.

Come to think of it, he hadn't returned to the dormitory to sleep for two days.

The administrator had likely chosen to forget about him.

But it didn't matter.

Sleeping at Sakayanagi's place was actually quite nice.

Plus, there was a fully equipped bathroom, which was far superior to the simple shower system in the dormitory.

Comfortable!

"Are you not up yet?"

Oreki instinctively looked to his side.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, making dust motes dance like gold.

The girl was still wrapped in her quilt, not yet risen.

Her plain silk nightgown trailed loosely.

Dark hair scattered like a cloud, half-covering her lotus-like face, her eyelashes trembling as if she were half-awake.

A picture of a beauty.

Oreki couldn't bear to break the scene, nor did he want to.

Let Sakayanagi continue to sleep.

"Wait... this is a good opportunity."

He smiled triumphantly.

How could he miss such a golden chance?

Oreki slowly walked toward Sakayanagi, and he reached out...

To grab the apron.

That's right, just an apron.

Although it was pink, it didn't matter; as long as it worked, it was fine.

Now was the time to show off his culinary skills.

Here goes.

It could be considered a way to make it up to Sakayanagi.

Seven-ten in the morning.

The kitchen.

Oreki Houtarou.

Four sausages.

Two eggs.

Seasonings prepared.

Very well, Oreki Houtarou is ready.

Let the sausage and egg fry begin!

First, remove the packaging, then stand them upright.

Mark the head and the tail.

Slice them from top to bottom with a knife.

Heat the pan with oil, add the sausages, and pour the egg mixture into the slits...

A moment later.

A simple breakfast is ready.

Oreki claps his hands casually.

Just as he is about to untie his apron...

"A very fragrant scent."

Sakayanagi's Father walks down from the second floor.

He looks at Oreki with slight surprise.

He had assumed his daughter was preparing breakfast, never expecting it to be Oreki.

But thinking about it, that makes sense.

Sakayanagi hasn't cooked for herself in a long time.

How could she suddenly make breakfast this morning...

Sakayanagi's Father smiles helplessly.

"Houtarou, you wouldn't mind if I had some, would you?"

"Of course not."

"Hmm, quite excellent. It seems I might be able to taste your cooking often from now on, Houtarou."

"Not at all, you're too kind."

Oreki was actually startled by the sudden appearance of Sakayanagi's Father.

He had assumed the man hadn't come home last night.

"You two are getting along quite well."

Sakayanagi's voice drifts over from the other side.

Wearing white socks and slippers, she approaches Oreki.

"Mm... indeed, it's quite good."

Sakayanagi gives an affirmative evaluation.

But after just one bite, she feels the urge to yawn.

It seems Sakayanagi Arisu didn't sleep well last night.

One wonders if it was because of Oreki.

"Right?"

Sakayanagi's Father continues:

"From now on, Houtarou, just live here. I'll notify the school."

"Is that really alright?"

"Of course."

Oreki thinks to himself.

But didn't you say before that we shouldn't have special treatment?

However, Oreki only thinks it.

He understands the situation well enough.

So-called special treatment is really just a different way of saying something else.

Which is: just don't go too far.

Therefore, given the authority of Sakayanagi's Father, it wouldn't be impossible for Oreki to live at the Sakayanagi residence in the future.

When school first started, Arisu also lived in the dormitory.

However, due to her physical condition, she ultimately chose to move out.

Which is how she ended up living here.

"I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave. I entrust Arisu to your care, Houtarou."

"Father..."

"Hahaha--"

"Honestly."

Arisu reached out her right hand toward Oreki.

She whispered:

"The apron..."

"Oh, right."

Oreki finally remembered that he was still wearing Arisu's apron.

He hurriedly untied it and handed it over to her.

"I used it without asking, I'm sor--"

"Idiot... I didn't mean to blame you."

"Is that so?"

"Mm... and also..."

Arisu folded the apron over and over again.

After a long while, she spoke softly.

"Thank you."

--To be continue