The morning was calmer.
No alarms.
No school schedule.
The light filtered in slower.
Sunday.
I stood in the kitchen.
Opened the upper cabinet.
Rice.
Only a little left.
Not enough for three days.
I closed it.
Opened the fridge.
Eggs.
Two left.
Bottom shelf.
Vegetables.
None left.
I closed the fridge.
Moved to the side shelf.
Instant noodles.
Three packets.
No need to buy a lot.
Maybe five.
Sugar.
Less than half left in the jar.
Salt.
Still enough.
But running low.
Checked the coffee sachets.
Almost out.
One left.
Needed.
I paused for a moment.
Calculating.
Rice.
Eggs.
Coffee.
Vegetables.
Protein.
Chicken.
Cheaper.
Tofu.
Tempeh.
Quick to cook.
Always needed.
I moved to the bathroom.
Body wash.
Shampoo.
Toothpaste squeezed to the very end.
Almost empty.
Won’t last long.
Detergent.
Enough.
Not needed.
Back to the kitchen.
Small box on top of the shelf.
Medicine.
Fever reducers.
Painkillers.
Toothache medicine.
Medicated oil.
Still have some.
Bandages.
A few.
Enough.
The list was complete.
No need to write it down.
Memorizing it was enough.
The sound of small footsteps could be heard.
From behind.
Quiet.
"Papa."
"Hm."
"Today’s a day off."
"Yeah, I know."
The footsteps drew closer.
Stopped beside me.
Yuna looked toward the kitchen.
Her eyes moved.
"...going to cook?"
"Groceries."
She was silent for a moment.
Processing.
"...can I come?"
I looked at her.
Briefly.
"Yes."
No reason to refuse.
Yuna gave a small nod.
She turned around.
Her steps were faster than before.
Getting ready.
I looked back at the kitchen.
Double-checking.
Making sure nothing was missed.
Gas.
Still have some.
Electricity bill.
Water bill.
Already paid.
I grabbed my wallet.
Jacket hanging on a chair.
I took it.
And put it on.
Yuna returned.
Her clothes were neat.
Hair combed.
Not messy.
Ready.
"Ready."
"...Okay."
I opened the door.
We stepped out.
The door was closed.
Click.
Empty corridor.
Footsteps sounded clear.
Two people.
Side by side.
Down the stairs.
Slowly.
Unhurried.
Yuna walked beside me.
Not too close.
Not too far.
The same distance as usual.
"...Papa..."
"Yeah?"
"...what are we going to buy?"
I answered without looking.
"Rice."
"...eggs."
"...coffee."
"...chicken."
"...tofu."
"...vegetables."
I paused for a moment.
Adding.
"...soap."
"...shampoo."
"...toothpaste."
Yuna gave a small nod.
Committing it to memory.
"...that’s a lot..."
Silence.
Steps remained steady.
We stepped out onto the street.
Brighter light.
Warm air.
I looked ahead.
The direction of the store.
A short distance.
Beside me—
Yuna’s footsteps.
Not falling behind.
Not pulling ahead.