Chapter 6: Cold food

[Sakuya Pov]

Today is the entrance ceremony for my brother’s high school. I cooked with great enthusiasm to celebrate, but it was almost 7pm and he still hadn’t come home.

The entrance ceremony takes half a day, but he’s still not home…”

Since the incident, my brother has started to take care of himself. Even when I tried to do the housework as a form of atonement, he would do it himself. I tried to cook for him at least today, but he still hasn’t come home. I was worried that something had happened, but I was relieved when I heard the front door open.

“Welcome home. You’re late. Dinner is ready.”

I said to my brother when he came back.

“I’m home. Sorry, I went out to eat.”

“I-I see….. Then I’ll make it for tomorrow’s lunch, okay?”

“Oh, you don’t have to make lunch for me. There’s a school cafeteria. After all, if you’re a high school student, you have to experience the school cafeteria. Or the buying wars.”

“……”

I saw my brother off to his room, saying such things, as I sat down. Slowly picking up my chopsticks, I ate the food I had worked so hard to prepare, hoping that my brother would say it was delicious.

“It doesn’t taste good…”

I ate the food I had planned to eat while chatting with my brother alone.

“It doesn’t taste good… Onii-chan…”

The food that I had put so much effort into cooking had gone cold, as if it were a sign of our relationship.

[Renya PoV]

“That coffee shop was a hit.”

When I finished reading my new book, it was just the right time for dinner, so I ordered pasta. It was delicious (in a small way).

The coffee and cake were delicious, and the store’s relaxed atmosphere helped me to read more. I think I will become a regular customer.

But I feel bad for Sakuya.

I didn’t think she was making one for me, though.

It’s a bit awkward to have a middle schooler do my chores, even if she is only one year younger than me. But I’m sure Sakuya, a middle school girl of her age, wouldn’t want me to eat her cooking. Cleaning and laundry is out of the question.

If that’s the case, I’ll at least take care of things myself so that it won’t be a burden on Sakuya. It’s the same as before.