It was six forty in the evening.
Watanabe Yu thought it was about time, so he stopped writing, stood up, stretched widely, and walked toward the stove.
Perhaps because this apartment was old, the accompanying stove was a traditional gas stove, not the kind of induction cooker that looks good but is useless, which is installed in some modern apartments.
Food cooked on an induction cooker, aside from Hot Pot, is truly not tasty.
He had already cooked the Rice in advance, so all he needed to do now was cook the dishes.
Taking Eggs from the Refrigerator, he skillfully cracked them, then picked up the Chopsticks to stir, and Watanabe Yu expertly prepared the Home-style dishes that anyone living alone must know how to make.
"Watanabe-san, may I look at what you’ve written?"
Amemiya Ayana, sitting on the Zabuton, glanced at Watanabe Yu who was cooking, and asked timidly.
She seemed to have reverted to the Ayana from the line.
"Go ahead."
Watanabe Yu replied.
In this regard, he was never hesitant.
Things written are meant to be seen.
When a Work is not yet finished, having an audience look at it and offer some opinions is actually quite good.
"Thank you."
Seeing that Watanabe Yu had agreed, Amemiya Ayana eagerly took the stack of Manuscript Paper, carefully sorted the page numbers, and began to read quietly.
When he was seriously writing just now, she had nothing to do and kept secretly observing him.
She looked very closely; under the warm light in the Living Room just now, with his head bowed, he looked as if he were draped in light and shadow while writing diligently.
Under the cinematic warm color halo, his gaze was deep yet clear.
Watanabe Yu’s appearance was completely different from the person she imagined online, the one with a Panda avatar and the screen name 'Goblin High Priest'.
In reality, his features were three-dimensional and handsome. Although he occasionally said things she didn't understand, the inherent stability and reliability had not changed. Most crucially, his mannerisms and demeanor struck her as quite unique, giving her an indescribable sense of impact.
—He seemed like an existence independent of society's cold rules.
Therefore, she developed a bit of curiosity about what he wrote.
She wanted to know what kind of Work this peer, who could see through her probing at a glance, could produce.
Her Line of sight moved from top to bottom; Watanabe Yu's writing was somewhat better than she had imagined.
The immersive sense of scene and that unique Writing Style held her gaze for a moment.
She had read quite a few literary Works, but those of this caliber were invariably by famous, established writers in the Literary world.
Subconsciously, Amemiya Ayana raised her eyebrows, stole a glance at Watanabe Yu who was busy at the Gas stove, humming contentedly, and a strange sense of unreality arose within her.
Withdrawing her gaze, her attention refocused on the Manuscript Paper, and she continued to immerse herself in the story.
The rustling sound of turning pages occasionally broke the quiet.
Before long, the aroma of food slowly drifted throughout the small 1LDK apartment.
"Dinner is ready."
Watanabe Yu called out, wiped his hands with a Towel, then turned around, took out bowls and Chopsticks, pressed the Rice cooker button, and began serving Rice.
Sounds of getting up and tidying came from the Living Room area.
About three and a third minutes later, Amemiya Ayana appeared in front of the Stove.
She first quietly said, 'Watanabe-san, thank you for your hard work,' then picked up the two plates of cooked dishes and went to the Living Room.
Seeing her actions, Watanabe Yu was first stunned, then smiled and nodded.
That’s more like it.
Less probing, more Sincere.
"I didn't know how much you could eat, so I served a little less Rice. If it's not enough, the Rice cooker is over there; add some yourself."
Walking a few steps behind, Watanabe Yu also returned to the Living Room, handed Amemiya Ayana the bowl and Chopsticks with Rice served, and then he sat down.
"Does Watanabe-san always make Chinese cuisine?"
Amemiya Ayana put her hands together, softly said, 'I’m starting,' and then looked at Watanabe Yu with some curiosity.
"Yes."
Watanabe Yu nodded, also imitating her by saying, 'I’m starting,' then took the lead, picking up his Chopsticks and first placing a mouthful of Tomato and egg stir-fry into his own bowl.
Since his Transmigration, his proficiency in Home-style dishes had been increasing.
To put it without Bragging, just judging by the dish Tomato and egg stir-fry, he estimated his skill level was already approaching that of Liu Maoxing; aside from not being able to glow, they should be evenly matched.
"This, is it a little spicy?"
Amemiya Ayana looked at the Tomato and egg stir-fry Watanabe Yu had picked up, then looked at the Stir-fried pork with green peppers placed next to it, hesitating slightly.
She personally wanted to try the pork, but the color of the chili peppers made her a little hesitant.
"Why don't you try it and find out?"
Watanabe Yu, with a touch of Bad taste, picked up his Chopsticks, took a mouthful of pork, and placed it into Amemiya Ayana's bowl.
His action wasn't too heavy-handed; or rather, this kind of Home-style dish wouldn't have an overly Exaggerated flavor.
Of course, there were exceptions.
—He once had a friend whose taste was very mild and couldn't handle any spice at all.
"...I'll try it."
Amemiya Ayana looked at the Stir-fried pork with green peppers in her bowl, then looked at Watanabe Yu, and finally picked up a small mouthful of pork and put it into her mouth.
After chewing carefully for a while, her eyes suddenly widened.
There was indeed spiciness, and for her taste buds, which were accustomed to a light diet, it was a bit too stimulating, but it wasn't unacceptable, or rather, it wasn't as Exaggerated as she had imagined.
"If you still find it spicy, try this one I'm eating; it will be much better."
Watanabe Yu raised his eyebrows and placed another mouthful of Tomato and egg stir-fry into Amemiya Ayana's bowl.
This time, the Young Miss didn't hesitate or prepare herself mentally; she Obediently put a mouthful of Tomato and egg stir-fry into her mouth.
The next second.
Her expression immediately softened considerably.
"!!!!"
Amemiya Ayana's eyes suddenly lit up, and she took another mouthful of Tomato and egg stir-fry, chewing slowly and carefully.
Compared to the spicy pork, this sweet and sour dish clearly suited her preference better.
Seeing this, Watanabe Yu nodded with an expression of 'just as expected,' then continued eating his own meal.
"Speaking of which, how much longer until Watanabe-san finishes writing that book?"
After swallowing the food in her mouth, Amemiya Ayana asked this question with some curiosity.
She really wanted to know the rest of the story.
"It might take a while longer."
Watanabe Yu gave a vague answer.
"Then you must tell me when you finish writing it; I really want to know the rest of the story."
"Mm."
Silence during the meal.
After eating their fill, somewhat unexpectedly to Watanabe Yu, Amemiya Ayana voluntarily took on the task of washing the dishes. Although her movements were clumsy, clearly indicating she was someone who did Not touching the spring water with ten fingers, she managed to complete the cleanup nonetheless.
"I have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
When Amemiya Ayana returned to the Living Room after washing the dishes, Watanabe Yu took the initiative to break the Silence between them.
"Tell me the good news first."
Amemiya Ayana answered without thinking.
"The good news is that the room is spacious, so even if you are used to a large bed, you don't need to worry about it being cramped."
"And the bad news?"
"The bad news is that I only have the Quilt and the padding I use myself."
"What does Mr. Watanabe mean?"
"I mean, besides that, there is only one extra thin blanket left. You’ll have to make do."
Hearing Watanabe Yu's words, Amemiya Ayana fell silent.
'Goblin High Priest' was indeed just like he was when chatting on the Internet, as ungentle as ever.
"Can't we split the padding Quilt in half?"
She attempted to bargain.
"Splitting it in half results in both people having sore backs."
Watanabe Yu had tried it.
Sleeping on the Tatami mat, padding half the Quilt underneath, resulted in him having a sore back for the entire next day—a whole Grade worse than not padding at all.
"Can Mr. Watanabe show some Gentlemanly demeanor?"
Amemiya Ayana pursed her Thin lips. She didn't even need to imagine it; the Tatami mat was hard, and sleeping on it must be very uncomfortable.
"Me taking you in is already enough demeanor. Theoretically speaking, taking in a minor without guardian consent is illegal. I am currently repeatedly jumping right on the edge of committing a crime."
Watanabe Yu shrugged, unmoved.
Even in the strange country of Japan, there were explicit regulations regarding this matter.
"..."
Amemiya Ayana fell silent.
"You really don't want to sleep on the hard Tatami mat? You prefer a softer bed?"
Watanabe Yu asked.
"Yes."
Amemiya Ayana nodded slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Then just think about it."
Watanabe Yu withdrew his Line of sight and smiled brightly.
We Frost Ogres are like this.
*
It started raining heavily in Tokyo in the latter half of the night.
As Raindrops pattered down, the damp, cold air permeated the entire city.
In front of the Intersection in the Residential Area, a late-night taxi slowly drove past, its tires churning through puddles, creating splashing sounds. The distance between Blocks seemed infinitely extended at this moment, and the fine Rain curtain felt like an invisible cage, imprisoning the people in this city.
Amemiya Ayana dreamed again.
The pungent smell of disinfectant stung her nerves.
On a hospital bed, her Mother, whose face was withered and body emaciated, held her hand.
Compared to when she was healthy, her Mother now looked decades older.
Yet, in her eyes, the Mother before her was still the most beautiful woman in her heart, one whom no one could replace.
"Listen to Mother. When you grow up, don't fight with them. Take what belongs to you, and then leave quickly, escape this prison."
Mother's voice was hoarse, but her movements and expression were as gentle as ever.
"The Amemiya family is not worth your lingering attachment, nor is it worth you giving everything for."
"As for romance, if you are willing, you must find someone who treats you Sincerely."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Ayana. Mother might... really not be able to watch you grow up."
The Guilt in Mother's voice grew stronger, and her eyes were filled with reluctance.
Even though her hand was clasped with Mother's, she felt the distance between them growing further and further apart.
Mother's Body temperature was dropping, and her heart rate was slowing.
"Ayana, you must take good care of yourself from now on."
Mother reached out her hand to her, her smile still as gentle as ever, but that hand suddenly stopped in mid-air.
*Crack!*
The pitch-black night sky was illuminated by a thick bolt of lightning, followed a moment later by the sound of rolling thunder.
Startled awake from the dream, Amemiya Ayana instinctively trembled for a moment and opened her eyes in fright.
She looked at the somewhat old Ceiling and became Absentminded for a moment.
Her Mother's hoarse voice at the time of her passing seemed to still linger in her ears.
She remembered clearly her Mother's withered, hollowed-out body from the treatment, and even more clearly, the resolute, ruthless eyes of her Father, who had orchestrated the accident, as if nothing had ever happened.
Hoo.
She regulated her slightly rapid breathing and changed her sleeping position.
The overly hard Tatami mat was uncomfortable against her.
Turning her head, her Line of sight, for some reason, fell upon the face of Watanabe Yu, who was sleeping beside her with even breathing.
In the dark night, she couldn't see his expression clearly.
But his steady breathing inexplicably calmed her down a lot.
After hesitating for a moment, she gently lifted his Bed and crawled in.
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