My life until now was nothing special.
I studied at university, worked part-time at a convenience store, and hung out with friends.
But recently, that has changed.
“I’m home.”
I opened the front door.
“Ah, Matsuo-san. Welcome home.”
Ando-san said to me, standing in the kitchen, dressed in a T-shirt and G-pants.
She had a day off from her part-time job today, so she had gone home ahead of me after college to prepare dinner.
“Thank you, Ando-san.”
“Hmm?”
“No, for making dinner. This is the smell of miso soup, right? It smells soo good.”
I said, smiling.
But Ando-san was ….
She again had tears in her eyes. She cries a lot. But there was a reason for it.
There is a reason why she cries like this, every now and then.
I just recently met her.
Even though we live in the same house, we do not have a relationship in which we can be completely comfortable sharing things with each other yet. But still, I want to comfort her wounded heart as much as I can.
“…. Ah.”
I gently placed my hand on her head.
“Good girl, Ando-san is a good girl.”
I sounded as if I was soothing a child.
But …
“….Thank you.”
Ando-san smiled happily.
“Haha … hmm?”
“What’s wrong?”
“No, I was just wondering, …., Ando-san, do you go to the hair salon”
“U-um,…… I haven’t been to one for a long time.”
“Then, could it be that this hair is …”
“Y-yes. I cut it myself.”
I see, no wonder.
Overall, I don’t see much of a difference. Up close, the hair ends were a little disheveled.
She was so dexterous that she could cook and do housework perfectly, so she may be good at self-cutting. But even so, she was still an amateur, so her hair was a little uneven.
“… Alright. Let’s go get you a haircut next time,”
“Huh?”
“And while we’re at it, let’s buy some clothes, too”
“B-But I don’t have that kind of money….”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.”
“N-No, I-I can’t let you do that! Even if we’re just living in the same room….”
“Ando-san”
“Y-yes.”
“Don’t hold back, just rely on me.”
I smiled and said,
“…w-why are you, why are you being so kind to me?”
Ando-san stared at me, eyes still wet with tears, and said,
“That’s ….”
I was a little lost for an answer. I was not sure how I should answer.
“…Ando-san, you are a really nice girl, I just can’t leave you alone.”
“Nice..girl?”
“Uh, yeah. It’s rare these days.”
My words became a little awkward as I tried not to hurt Ando-san’s sensitive feelings.
“…. Um, Matsuo-san.”
“Hmm?”
“I will take advantage of your kindness.”
“Yes, please.”
“But in return, I’d like to do something for you.”
“What? No, it’s fine. You always make me a delicious meal.”
“B-But, that’s only natural…I want to do more for Matsuo-san…”
With that, Ando-san turned off the stove and once again, turned to me.
“U-um, Matsuo-san.”
“Yes?”
“T-That’s….I,My body is weak and thin and you may not be able to have any fun, B-But..”
Ando-san blushed and said with a sullen look on his face.
“I-if you don’t mind, … do what you want.”
For a moment I couldn’t understand what she was saying.
“…… uh, Ando-san?”
“I-I’m a virgin, but I’ll do my best!”
She said and tried to take off her T-shirt.
“Woah, wait a minute!”
I stopped her quickly.
“Let’s calm down, Ando-san.”
I took her to the living room and made her sit down
“Are you fine, Ando-san?”
“Y-yes.”
“I don’t want anything from you.”
“Huh!…I-I knew it, my body is not enough,…”
“Not like that…Even without that, I will help you.”
“Matsuo-san?
“I mean, I’m glad that you feel that way… But demanding a girl’s body in exchange for helping her is the lowest kind of thing a man can do.”
“Ah …, I’m sorry! I-I didn’t mean to imply that Matsuo-san is such a scumbag,…!”
“I know that.”
I smiled and patted her head.
“Yosh, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
“Y-yes. All I have to do is serve it.”
“Well, I’ll take care of serving.”
We got up and did our respective jobs. And on the table, there were delicious-looking dishes again today.
“Oh, cabbage rolls…as usual, they’re magnificent.”
“T-that’s…”
“Ah, which is better, ketchup or black pepper?”
I asked,
“Well, yeah… but I think I’d be happy if you tasted it as it is. …”
“Really now. Can I have some then?”
“p-please. ……”
For some reason, Ando-san blushed and looked down. Since she was such a good cook, she should be more confident. After all, she was a good girl, humble and modest.
She definitely deserves to be happy.
“… Yeah, it’s delicious!”
“R-Really?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever need ketchup or black pepper again.”
“I-I’m so happy ……, but since you’re here, try different things.”
“Really? Well, I’ll give it a try. A taste change?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
She nodded.
“Oh, that’s right. When shall we go for a haircut?”
“Y-yea…”
Me and Ando-san took our time discussing over a hot supper.