Chapter 6: Warmth of Home

Without further delay, Kitahara returned home directly. After putting the ingredients in the refrigerator, he lay down on the sofa, exhausted, and began to rest.

Going out for a stroll like that was still a bit of a burden for his current weak chicken of a body.

He still needed to recuperate. He estimated it would take several days to fully recover.

After a moment, feeling a little bored, Kitahara turned on the TV in the room, planning to watch something to pass the time.

From his memories, Hayami Rina usually only came back with her child around five or six in the afternoon. There was still quite a bit of time.

"Huh? ’Robot Cat’ is already airing now?"

After the TV turned on, the cartoon "Robot Cat" appeared on the screen—what people later came to know as "Doraemon."

Kitahara hadn’t known this cartoon came out so early. It had actually stayed popular for so many years.

This cartoon was quite interesting. Although the current visuals were very rough and not refined enough, if one wasn’t picky, it was more than enough to pass the time.

Before he knew it, two episodes of "Doraemon" had finished. After a few commercials, an even older show came on—"Ikkyu-san."

Kitahara was a little puzzled. Why was it all cartoons? Only after glancing at the logo in the upper left corner of the screen did he understand.

Oh, it was TV Tokyo. That explained it!

As long as the world doesn’t explode, don’t interrupt TV Tokyo’s cartoons.

This was the TV Tokyo that could be called an oddity around the world.

Even during wars, earthquakes, Tokyo’s successful Olympic bid, or an attack on the Prime Minister, it remained unmoved, still going its own way and airing scheduled cartoons, at most inserting a line of subtitles at the bottom.

Yes, it gave face to no one. It could be called the mudslide among TV stations. Later, it even became an indicator for the Japanese to assess disaster levels.

As long as TV Tokyo was still airing cartoons, then nothing major was happening and there was no need to worry!

Kitahara found it quite amusing. Such an odd TV station—it felt like reporters, program producers, hosts, planners, and all that weren’t even needed.

As long as they arranged for two buyers to go purchase cartoons and bring them back to air, and hired a few salespeople to sell advertising, the TV station could operate normally.

It was just like children playing house.

...

After watching Ikkyu the little monk for a while longer, Kitahara felt it was about time, so he opened his door a crack and paid attention to the situation outside.

Before long, he heard movement in the hallway outside. Hayami Rina and her daughter had returned.

Kitahara got up and went to the doorway, leaning out. He saw Hayami Rina taking out her keys to open the door, and beside her stood a soft, cute little girl.

This little girl looked about five or six years old, adorable like something carved from pink jade.

Her little face was fair and delicate, as if water could be squeezed out with a gentle pinch.

Maybe because the temperature was a bit hot, her pink little cheeks were like ripe apples, faintly tinged with red.

As soon as Kitahara poked his head out, the little girl noticed him and looked over timidly, not daring to speak. Kitahara smiled at her, then said to Hayami Rina:

"Rina-nee, you’re back from work with your daughter. I remember her name is Aya, right?"

"That’s right, Kitahara-kun. You remembered correctly. Her name is Aya. Aya, quickly say hello to Kitahara-nii. The cookies you ate on the way earlier were bought for you by this Kitahara-nii."

Hayami Rina had already opened the door. Hearing Kitahara’s greeting, she didn’t rush inside and instead introduced Kitahara to her daughter.

Although the two families had been neighbors for several years, Kitahara had always kept to himself and had little contact with her daughter. Her daughter was somewhat unfamiliar with him.

"Hello, Kitahara-nii~."

The little girl’s soft and sticky voice rang out. Gentle and refreshing, it gave listeners an indescribable comfort.

"Hey, hello, little Aya. In a bit, Kitahara-nii will get you some candy. Rina-nee, can I ask you for another favor? I bought some ingredients, but I don’t know how to cook them. Could you help me prepare them?

By the way, as payment, after it’s done, I’d like to invite you and little Aya to enjoy it together."

Kitahara Chiki waved at little Aya, then made his request to Hayami Rina.

Hayami Rina was somewhat surprised to hear this. She didn’t know why Kitahara Chiki was making such a request again. It didn’t match his previous personality.

He was different from this morning. He looked quite healthy now.

Could it be that he really did have feelings for her?

Impossible, right?

Her heart full of doubts, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask directly, so she could only press it down for the time being and said:

"There’s no need to enjoy it together. I bought some vegetables and bento. Do you want to cook now, Kitahara-kun? What are your ingredients?"

"The main ingredient is beef, plus some other things. Rina-nee, don’t refuse. I’ll go get them right away. We’ll cook at your place, and then everyone can eat together!"

Kitahara went straight back to get the things, not giving Hayami Rina a chance to refuse.

He had seen what was in the shopping bag in Hayami Rina’s hands just now—just a few vegetables and two bento boxes marked "special price." Very shabby.

And this was probably still the food for the two of them for tonight and tomorrow morning. Was that enough to fill them up?

Better to let them eat something good!

Swiftly gathering the beef, candy, and everything else, Kitahara, under the surprised gazes of Hayami Rina and her daughter, took the lead and entered their home.

He showed no sign of restraint or awkwardness at all, completely not treating himself as an outsider.

"Rina-nee, the store already sliced this beef. This box can be eaten fresh, just pair it with some sauce. These thick-cut slices can be pan-seared on an iron plate. Do you have an iron plate at home? These beef cubes can be used for soup... Just cook them however you see fit."

When buying the wagyu, the department store attendant had given some reasonable serving suggestions. Kitahara remembered them and repeated them to Hayami Rina.

While listening to Kitahara explain, Hayami Rina carefully examined the several large boxes of beef. After Kitahara finished, she raised her head and asked:

"Kitahara-kun, this is A5-grade steer wagyu, right! This kind of high-end beef is very expensive. Aya and I can’t eat it. I’ll cook one box for you. That should be enough for you. You take the rest home!"

Hayami Rina’s life had once been affluent too. She had eaten this kind of high-end wagyu before.

Although she hadn’t eaten it often, this distinctive marbled texture, beautiful fat patterns, and fresh, tender meat let her recognize at a glance that this was the best wagyu.

This meat was too expensive. She and Kitahara Chiki were neither relatives nor friends. How could she feel comfortable enjoying it with him?

"Rina-nee, don’t be so polite. A few pieces of wagyu are nothing to me. I’m very grateful for your help this morning. Just treat it as me inviting you and Aya to a nice meal!"

"But you already returned the favor..."

"No, that’s far from enough. That little thing isn’t enough to express my gratitude. Besides... to be honest, Rina-nee, I’ve been too lonely all this time. I’ve never felt the warmth of home. And I haven’t experienced the feeling of liveliness in a long time..."