The contents of my conversation with Yuji last night kept flickering through my mind, leaving me with a lingering sense of awkwardness that I hadn't been able to shake since morning.
"We have a cooking practice for Home Economics today. If we were making sweets, I could have given some to you, Takanashi-san."
"I-I see. You're great at cooking, Sara-senpai, so I’m sure it’ll be easy for you. Are you good at making sweets too?"
Now that I thought about it, while I’d been treated to plenty of her meals, I’d never actually tried her sweets.
But knowing her, she was probably an expert at that, too... Honestly, I couldn't imagine her being anything less than perfect at it.
"Sara’s obviously a pro at making sweets," Natsumi-senpai chimed in. "Actually, I don’t think there’s anything in Home Economics she’s bad at."
"That isn't true. Even I have my weaknesses..."
"Oh? Like what?"
It was rare to hear such a sharp edge in Natsumi-senpai's voice. I wondered if something was up.
"Well... um..."
Personally, I doubted there was anything at the high school level that Sara-senpai couldn't handle.
"Anyway, this girl is the epitome of femininity. To any guy, she’d be the ideal wife."
Ugh... Coming right off that talk with Yuji, I really wished she wouldn't use the word "wife."
I was trying my best to act normal, but now that I was conscious of it, I felt like the heat was going to show on my face.
"Takanashi-kun, your face is getting red, you know?"
Natsumi-senpai said with a smirk.
Having it pointed out only made me more self-conscious.
Hold it in, hold it in...
"Takanashi-san, you've been holding something back all morning, haven't you? I cannot help but be concerned."
"...Sara? You noticed something was off with him too?"
I could have sworn I was keeping my poker face.
In fact, even Natsumi-senpai hadn't mentioned it until just now. She’d only caught on because I reacted to the word "wife."
"Yes. I noticed the moment we met today."
Wait, I felt like we'd had this exact conversation before.
Maybe I was just the type who couldn't lie to save his life...
"Classic Sara. You really do keep a close eye on Takanashi-kun."
For some reason, Natsumi-senpai seemed extra teasing today.
To be honest, I was already at my limit, so I really wished she'd give me a break...
The Home Economics class began.
Today was our scheduled cooking practice.
It would have been wonderful if we were making sweets like cookies...
Of course, I have made sweets many times, but now that I think about it, I have never given any to Takanashi-san.
If the opportunity arises, I would like to do my best to make him something truly lovely.
Now then, it is time to prepare.
We were doing the cooking practice in groups, and the way the boys were smirking—acting all excited about eating a girl’s cooking—was honestly gross.
Especially in Sara’s group; boys from other groups were even crowding around.
I just hoped she wouldn't lose her temper.
Maybe because she actually liked the subject, Sara’s expression was softer than usual today.
That’s exactly why these guys were getting the wrong idea.
Still, that apron really is cute.
So that’s the one Takanashi-kun picked out for her, huh?
The fact that she brought it to school for a routine class suggested it had become a real treasure to her.
Regardless, Tachibana-kun's report from last night was better than I’d hoped.
Hearing that Takanashi-kun had explicitly said he loved her was a huge step forward.
Now, the only thing left was to get Sara to realize her own feelings.
The problem was how.
Telling her directly was a non-starter.
I just needed a trigger... one good spark to set things off, and everything would progress in an instant.
For now, I suppose I’ll just have to wait for the right moment.
Well, time to start chopping these vegetables. I have to show off the results of my own practice, too.
"Satsukawa-san, that apron is really cute."
"I was thinking the same thing."
"It’s different from your usual one, isn't it?"
"Yes. This apron was a gift. It is my favorite."
She seemed to be in an even better mood than usual, likely because the apron Takanashi-kun gave her had been praised.
The guys in her group noticed and started talking to her more aggressively.
"A gift? That means it was a present, right? Let me guess—was it from a boy?"
"Yes, you are quite perceptive."
"Whoa, seriously? Satsukawa-san, you actually accepted a present from a guy?"
"? Is there some reason I should not have?"
"Well, no, it’s just... you usually seem like you’re not comfortable around guys, or that you dislike them."
"Oh, I see. The person who gave me this apron is special."
I had a feeling this was headed in a familiar direction...
Sara was in such a good mood that she was being perfectly candid, and she had no intention of hiding her relationship with Takanashi-kun anyway.
"Wait, I get it! It’s that guy you’ve been walking to school with!"
"The fact that it’s an apron and not some random accessory is a big point in his favor. It shows he was really thinking about you when he chose it."
"Yes. This apron is my treasure."
Ugh, showing a smile that radiant... these guys are in for a world of hurt.
"I-I'll put a lot of thought into a present for you too! Please accept it!"
"I’ll have one ready by next time!"
"? No, thank you. I have no reason to receive anything from you, nor do I have any desire to do so."
" " "............" " "
Oof, stone-cold rejection.
Well, it was to be expected. Other boys didn't even register as human beings to Sara.
Looking at Takanashi-kun's behavior this morning, it was clear that his conversation with Tachibana-kun had made him even more aware of her.
Maybe he’ll even make a move before Sara figures things out herself. I might as well bet on that...