Because there were elders present, Kiyono symbolically followed Yanami in saying, "I'm going to eat"—he was too lazy to say such things when they usually ate together—and then began to taste the dishes.
The food was very good, with a homemade flavor—at least ten times better than what he usually ate at convenience stores.
"Do these dishes suit Kiyono-kun's taste?" The Blue-haired girl, with her hair spread out, handed him a glass of water and asked with a smile.
"I think it's wonderful. This is my first time eating food made by someone else," Kiyono said sincerely.
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire space fell silent.
Yanami stopped holding her bowl and chopsticks, her eyes wavering.
Kiyono saw the expressions on the faces of Yanami and her mother and realized that he had said something wrong, causing a misunderstanding—though it wasn't entirely a misunderstanding. He really didn't mean to intentionally elicit sympathy!
He quickly explained, "Uh… what I mean is, this is my first time eating such delicious food made by someone else…"
"We welcome Kiyono-kun to eat with us anytime." Yanami's mother's lake-like eyes gazed at him, her voice soft.
As if remembering something, she gently clapped her hands. "Ah, how about this: Kiyono-kun sends Anna home every day, right? Why don't you just come and eat with us tomorrow! After all, for me, it's just a matter of making a little more food."
How could he impose?
Yanami's childhood friend wasn't him!
If they were close classmates, it wouldn't be a big deal, but the relationship of colleagues and friends always felt a bit subtle… Kiyono immediately shook his head, thanking her for her kindness.
In social interactions, he would habitually give more and wouldn't care much about the other person's reciprocation. Besides, he had a bicycle, and sending Yanami home every day was only a short affair.
After finishing the meal, Kiyono put down his chopsticks, feeling satisfied. Even though two people ate one person's portion, the amount was still enough to make one stuffed—because Yanami seemed to unconsciously give him some.
This girl was really strange; she would seriously guard her snacks, not giving a single bit, but in other aspects, she was very generous, never stingy with money or food.
Kiyono lowered his head and said, "Thank you for the meal," then prepared to leave.
Big Sister Yanami, however, wasn't as polite as he was. Maintaining her previous demeanor, she praised him very intimately, truly like a Big Sister.
At the entrance, the Blue-haired girl's eyes fell on his face:
"Kiyono-kun, it's a promise, you have to come again tomorrow! Then I'll tell you about Anna's childhood and her treasured snac—"
Yanami immediately interrupted her. "You can't give that! Mama!"
"Hmm, Mama doesn't remember teaching you to be such a stingy child…"
Today's Yanami was as protective of her food as ever, and besides, where did this "promise" come from!
Kiyono-kun smiled and nodded at them.
The lights in front of him were bright and warm, and he smelled the lingering fragrance in the air.
Perhaps influenced by the family atmosphere of the Yanami family, he was momentarily distracted.
Ten years from now, would he also build a family like this?
If so, who would be the person standing beside him?
What kind of person would he become?
...
After Kiyono-kun left, Yanami's mother and Yanami chatted and laughed while washing dishes together.
Big Sister Yanami glanced at her daughter, who was wiping the pot nearby, and asked with a smile:
"Anna, did anything interesting happen with Kiyono-kun at work today?"
This was a topic the mother and daughter discussed every evening.
At first, she just asked "about work," but each time Yanami would answer revolving around one name, with smiling eyes, a cheerful voice, and undisguised emotions.
So later, she directly included that name in her questions.
Yanami also noticed this detail. Her pretty face flushed, and she huffed twice. "What do you mean, things that happened with him… I have other things to talk about besides him!"
After a symbolic tsundere resistance, the girl returned to her usual liveliness, telling her mother about work, but unconsciously, the topic still drifted toward a certain person.
And the Blue-haired woman watched her daughter gently from the side.
Yanami might not be aware of the changes in her own heart, but her mother could see them—her daughter never used to mention a certain boy every day like this; not even her childhood friend received this treatment.
This change… should be a good thing, right?
Kiyono discovered a headache-inducing problem.
At five in the afternoon, in the dining area, he was wiping tables while his peripheral vision scanned the seats in front—the man with the samurai topknot who had tried to pick up girls last time was here again, occasionally glancing toward the back kitchen, clearly waiting for Yanami.
He still hadn't given up!
Kiyono sighed.
This was really troublesome, mainly because both he and Yanami were junior service staff, and before the other party explicitly caused trouble, it wasn't easy to use any strong-arm tactics.
What to do?
Yanami would be here soon, and if they got entangled, it would ruin her mood for half the day.
It would be best to solve the problem before her shift started.
Kiyono thought for a moment, then went to the back kitchen and whispered something to a burly senior chef.
"Oh! So it's just this small matter! Leave it to me, junior!"
The loud, booming voice made Kiyono's ears tingle—and if you're going to pat my shoulder, don't do it so hard! It hurts, it hurts!
He rubbed his shoulder and followed his senior, finding a spot with a clear view, casually observing the situation.
"Welcome! Customer! What would you like to order! The shop is quite empty right now; I'll personally customize your flavor for you!"
He could hear the chef's loud shout from afar, and facing this bear-like "waiter," the man with the samurai topknot frowned.
He couldn't tell if this was intentional or unintentional, so he could only order two signature dishes with a displeased expression.
After eating and still not seeing Yanami, the man slammed his hand on the table and left with a gloomy expression.
The incident was perfectly resolved.
Congratulations.
"But I always feel like this guy won't give up so easily…" Kiyono mused.
The fact that the other party didn't back down even when faced with this burly senior with a scarred face further indicated his stubborn nature.
Now he definitely had to send Yanami home every day.
"Yo!"
A sudden voice came from behind.
Kiyono turned around and saw the Blue-haired girl's raised eyebrows.
So, stop greeting people like a hooligan! I almost thought you were going to extort me!
"What are you standing here for?" Yanami blinked.
Clearly, she didn't know what had just happened.
"Nothing."
Kiyono replied perfunctorily and had no intention of telling her—he wasn't doing this for the girl's affection; it was just that if Yanami got entangled, it would also affect his work.
Yes! That's it!
"Really? I feel like you're hiding something from me."
Perhaps it was an excellent animalistic intuition, Yanami sniffed at him and mumbled.
However, she didn't delve deeper and followed Kiyono to the break room.
After a short rest, it would be time to work.
"Listen to me, Big Sister Shiho! That crepe shop in front of the station is going to launch a special spring crepe for a limited time tomorrow! It'll only be sold for one day! The last time they sold a spring limited edition was a month ago. If we miss it, we might have to wait until next year…"
Yanami rushed to the Big Sister, her eyes sparkling.
Kiyono casually glanced over.
During this time, Yanami, with her cheerful personality and inexplicable pet-like charm, had successfully become the group's favorite.
Most people really liked this beautiful junior.
"Ono Big Sister! There's a limited-time crepe tomorrow…"
"Yasui Big Sister! Tomorrow…"
"Little senior…"
Do your eyes truly only see food!
Now all the staff in the break room knew that there would be limited-time desserts sold at the station tomorrow… And they all knew that Yanami was super excited. If she didn't get to eat it, she would surely cry out loud.
Looking at the blue silhouette with a charming smile in front of him, Kiyono raised an eyebrow.
She was really looking forward to it…
After a while, the two began their work for the day, but perhaps influenced by the girl, his mood also became a bit more cheerful.
Then.
The next day arrived.
"Waaah, waaaah, waaaah, Big Sister Shiho, I… I didn't get it…"
Yanami's desperate wail echoed throughout the break room.
Kiyono sat in the corner, involuntarily putting down the keyboard in his hand and looking up.
He personally witnessed Yanami shedding large tears without any warning, then bursting into tears and throwing herself into the arms of the Big Sister in charge, crying and wailing.
How to put it… his current mood was more amused than sympathetic, feeling like he was watching a comedy manga.
"What's wrong?" It seemed Yanami was being overly dramatic, and the Big Sister was also trying to suppress her laughter, but still patted her back.
"I rushed over to queue after school, but I was still too late. By the time it was my turn, the limited edition had just sold out…"
Yanami sniffled and whimpered twice.
"It's okay, it's okay. Wait for the next opportunity."
The Big Sister stroked her head like a kindergarten teacher.
At this point, Yanami also came to her senses, her small face flushed. She turned away somewhat embarrassed, only to turn back with her usual radiant smile—she really was a comedic heroine!
Her mood truly changed in an instant!
Kiyono shook his head.
With Yanami's wail, everyone else also knew that the girl hadn't gotten her long-desired dessert, and they all laughed, teasing and comforting her a bit—of course, in a good-natured way.
Since many people were talking to Yanami, he didn't join the commotion. Anyway, it wasn't a big deal; she should get over it soon!
And Yanami's mood change after that was just as he imagined; she quickly returned to being that cheerful girl… However, at one point, he heard the girl's quiet sigh.
"Ah, what a pity, I really want to eat it…"
No one took this matter seriously, and Yanami's humorous behavior also made it difficult for people to think of it in a serious light, but actually… was she truly deeply longing and truly disappointed?
When he was free, Kiyono unconsciously cast his gaze upon the girl. Perhaps because they had spent a long time together, he keenly noticed the faint hint of disappointment beneath the girl's sunny smile. When they were alone, she just silently ate snacks, consuming only two-thirds of her usual amount.
Kiyono clicked his tongue.
Another day passed.
The setting sun dyed the city red.
Kiyono, who had finished delivering the evening newspapers, wiped his sweat with a tissue.
There was still some time before work, so he leisurely rode his bicycle aimlessly through the streets, the twilight stretching his shadow.
As he rode, he seemed to have arrived near the station.
"Is this the crepe shop that Old Ba mentioned two days ago? What a coincidence."
He hadn't ridden for so long specifically for Yanami; it was just a coincidence that he stumbled upon it.
Kiyono looked ahead.
On the street, a long queue stretched in front of a shop, and he could see the large "limited edition" sign hanging in front of the storefront at a glance.
"Isn't there still that spring crepe for sale today?"
Kiyono stopped his bike, thought for two seconds, and then stood at the very end of the long queue.
He wasn't queuing to buy this thing for Yanami either; he mainly wanted to see how delicious this limited edition product—which could attract so many people and the otter-like girl—truly was!
...
The foot traffic at this crepe shop was even greater than imagined.
Many people entered the shop and had to take photos and check in before they were satisfied—it looked like the type Yanami would like.
However, he also wasted a lot of time because of this, queuing for about an hour before finally entering the shop.
Fortunately, this so-called limited edition product hadn't sold out yet. The shop owner said they hadn't expected business to be so booming yesterday, so this was a return engagement as compensation for those who couldn't buy it.
"Hello, may I ask if this limited edition crepe you're buying is for yourself or for a friend?" The waitress smiled sweetly.
Kiyono subconsciously replied, "Hmm… it's for someone else."
"Please wait a moment."
Upon hearing this, the staff member specially changed the packaging for him. The crepe was wrapped in a transparent packaging box, with a cute smiling face drawn on the box and a red bow tied around it. Inside was an exquisite dessert resembling cherry blossoms—the appearance looked quite good.
He even wanted to eat one, but the price was a bit steep. Maybe next time!
Kiyono walked out of the shop, placed the box in the front basket of his bicycle, and rode back to work.
"I'll have to get Yanami to reimburse me for the money later."
Thinking this, Kiyono sped up his bicycle.
Only a wisp of vermilion sunset remained in the sky, as if it could disappear at any moment.
In front of the restaurant, he picked up the limited-edition dessert the girl had been longing for, pushed open the door, and planned to give it to her later.
However, as soon as he walked into the staff area and ran into a certain Big Sister, he subconsciously put the box behind his back—I'm not a girl giving a gift; why am I hiding it!
Kiyono complained to himself, but there was no other way, right? Interpersonal relationships in the workplace were very sensitive! If someone saw it, they would definitely think the two of them were dating! This would be bad for both of them!
He walked to the break room without incident, closed the door behind him, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But at the same time, he also realized a serious problem.
Would doing this cause Yanami to misunderstand?
Actually, he just wanted to comfort the disappointed girl…
Kiyono scratched his head and began to ponder how to give the crepe to the girl in a way that wouldn't be misunderstood.
He thought for a moment, first placing the box on the table so Yanami would see it when she arrived, and then he would just subtly hint at it… No, no, that's too much like something someone forgot.
If it were Yanami, she would definitely ask others first, and then everything would be exposed!