My incredibly blissful lunch had come to an end.
I was going to start watering the flowerbed after a short break, but I needed to use this time to discuss something with her first.
But before that, I had to thank her properly.
"Senpai, thank you for the food. I know I’ve said it a dozen times already, but it really was delicious. Especially the Hamburg steak—it was incredible. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a meal this much."
The truth was, since I'd started living on my own, my diet mostly consisted of convenience store food or cup ramen. On the rare occasion I felt like splurging, I’d get something from a bento shop. I couldn't cook to save my life, which I suppose is a pretty common story... though I did manage my own laundry. Usually, I’d just do it all at once whenever I started running out of clean clothes.
"I am glad you enjoyed it. In that case, it seems it will be quite alright for me to make them for you starting tomorrow as well."
Wait.
Did she just say "starting tomorrow"?
"Wait, Senpai, you're going to keep making them for me!?"
"Yes, my Grandmother requested that I thank you properly. Besides, I prepare my own every day anyway, so it is a simple matter to make two."
"No, Senpai, I’m truly happy to hear that, but occasionally is plenty! Even if it isn't a lot of work for you, I’d feel too guilty if you did it every day!"
No matter how much she wanted to thank me, having her do it every single day was just too much. I was thrilled, but I wasn't so shameless that I could just blithely accept such a huge favor.
"I truly do not mind, you know?"
"No, this is a matter of my own conscience. I’m really happy you’d even offer, but please, let's just stick to every now and then."
Senpai looked into my eyes and thought for a moment before giving me a small smile.
"I understand. If that is how you feel, Takanashi-san, then I shall refrain from doing so every day. However, instead of just 'occasionally,' could you at least allow me to make one for you once a week?"
Senpai had offered a compromise.
Truth be told, I really wanted to eat her cooking again. If it was only once a week, the burden on her would be minimal...
"Understood. Then, I'm sorry to put you to the trouble, but I'll take you up on that. I really feel bad about this... but I’m also really happy."
"Yes. Then, shall we decide on a day of the week? Any day is fine with me."
"No, whenever is convenient for you works. It sounds a bit pathetic, but I only ever bring rice balls anyway."
"...Forgive me for asking something so personal, but... what about your family?"
Senpai asked with a look of concern, though her expression softened with relief once she heard my answer. She must have been worried that she’d stepped on a landmine.
"Oh, no, they're around. It's just that I'm living on my own right now."
"I see. And as for your other meals...?"
"Right, well, as you guessed, I can't cook. But my mother's older sister... my aunt makes dinner for me."
...That was a lie, of course. I had a feeling she’d scold me if she found out about my actual eating habits, so I blurted out the first excuse I could think of.
"I see. That explains why you only had rice balls for lunch."
"Yeah."
"Understood. In that case, I will prepare the bento on whichever day is most convenient for me, alright?"
"Thank you. I'll be in your care."
"Not at all. Now then, shall we get to watering the flowerbed...?"
"Ah, before that, please let me talk to you about one more thing. It's about this morning."
I finally moved on to the main topic.
"This morning? You mean about me visiting your classroom to give my morning greetings, Takanashi-san?"
"Yeah. I mean, I was happy about it, but those idiots in my class kept pestering us, and the whole room was making a fuss. I’m afraid it’ll end up causing you unnecessary trouble, Senpai."
"...Indeed. It was a nuisance—or rather, they were a hindrance."
She really did call them a hindrance!
But... honestly, I was happy because it felt like I was the only one being treated specially...
"So, while I'm glad to see you in the morning, if you come all the way to my classroom, it'll just cause you more grief..."
"Takanashi-san, I have a proposal."
After pausing to think for a moment, Senpai spoke up, holding her index finger up beside her face.
God, she was cute...